To brine a turkey you will need a large pot that will hold the whole bird in the brine and a space in the frig large enough to store it for a day. You can improvise if your frig isn’t big enough. I have used buckets of ice and placed another bucket full of turkey and brine in it. For the last two years though, I have used a large, new trash bag to put the bird and brine in. I sit the bag with brine and turkey into a large cooler and surround the bag with ice. When the ice melts, I take the cooler to the back steps and let it drain, then fill it up with ice again.  You want to make sure the bird stays at or below 40*F.

I always start my turkey out defrosting on Saturday. By Wednesday it is usually thawed and ready for a 24 hour stint in the brine.

Brining is simply soaking the turkey in a salt solution that has spices and flavors added to it. Brining a turkey imparts delicious flavor and moisture to the meat, it’s the best way to roast a turkey I think. More than that though, if the turkey gets left in the oven for an extra 10-15 minutes, the brining keeps it moist and flavorful. You can leave a turkey in the brine for up to 2 days, but usually just 24 hours will be sufficient to lend those delicious flavors to the meat.

I’ll walk you through brining, it’s not hard but you need to think about what your family likes before you start. Brines can be tailored to your taste. These are just a few brine flavors, there are hundreds out there. Check the internet for more.  The rule of thumb is: Use the basic brine and add the flavors your family likes!

Basic Brine:
Dissolve 1 cup table salt or 2 cups kosher salt in 2 gallons cold water in a large stockpot or clean bucket. Your pot or bucket must hold 6-8 gallons so that you can immerse the turkey. After you add the flavors, brine the turkey for 12-24 hours.

Now add the flavors you like. Here are some suggestions:

Honey Brine

• 1 ounce tender quick
• 1 cup honey
• 3 bay leaves
• 1/4 tsp. ground cloves
• 1/2 tsp pickling spices

Traditional Turkey

• 1 -2 Tablespoons of each:
• Garlic powder
• Onion powder
• Celery seed, ground
• Sage
• Thyme
• Fresh ground black pepper

Spicy Brine

• 1/2 cup molasses
• 1-1/2 T crushed or minced garlic (or garlic powder)
• 1/2 T onion powder
• 1/4 cup pepper
• 1/2 cup lemon juice
• 1/2 oz maple flavoring

Another Spicy One

• 3/4 cup sugar
• 1/4 cup soy sauce
• 1/4 cup molasses
• 2 tbsp black pepper
• 1 tbsp thyme
• 1 tbsp oregano

Apple Cider Brine

• 4 gal. apple cider INSTEAD OF WATER
• 1/2 cup kosher salt INSTEAD OF THE SALT IN THE BASIC BRINE
• 1 onion, diced
• 2 heads of garlic divided
• 1/2 cup fresh ginger, chopped
• 3 pcs. star anise
• 4 bay leaves
• 4 oranges quartered

Roasting The Brined Turkey

To roast the brined turkey, it is important to rinse the turkey well and to pat it dry with a clean cloth or paper towel before roasting.

Preheat the oven to 400* F. Paint the breast portion with soft butter, add some herbs if desired. cover the breast with a foil tent. Roast the turkey at 400* for 35 minutes, then reduce the heat to 350 and roast the remaining time indicated on the packaging of the turkey. Uncover the breast the last 1 1/2 hours. The USDA recommends that you let the turkey breast come to 170* and the legs to 180* before removing the turkey from the oven. Remember however that the turkey will continue to cook after you take it out of the oven. Especially if you cover it with foil and allow it to rest for 20 minutes.  The resting period will also allow the juices to settle in the meat, making for a better tasting turkey.

Happy Thanksgiving!

For a complete list of Clarksville community centers and their normal hours of operation, visit www.cityofclarksville.com/parksandrec

Founded by a group of Middle Tennessee artists in 1954, and later chartered as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit educational institution, the Tennessee Art League has enriched the lives of thousands of artists and the community as a cultural center, educational facility and art gallery for over fifty years. In 2005, they moved into their present facility at 808 Broadway in the heart of the historical and cultural corridor of downtown Nashville.  There it continues its mission of promoting the visual arts through changing exhibitions, workshops, classes and community outreach.

• Premiere Gallery –A two person exhibit of photographic works by Clarkesville artists Malcolm Glass and Mitzi Cross, entitled “Women”, remains on view through Wednesday, December 30^th.  The presentation contains some nudity.  There will be a reception to meet the artists Saturday, December 5^th, from 6-9 p.m.
• Ethel Smith Gallery – Mt. Juliet artist Carol Wiel’s exhibit of acrylic works, “My Favorite Things”, premieres Tuesday, December 1^st, and continues through Wednesday, December 30^th.   A reception to meet the artist is planned Saturday, December 5^th, from 6-9 p.m.
• Members Gallery – New works displayed by Tennessee Art League Members.
• Poston Gallery – A rogue group of artists, The Underground 9, present their themed exhibit, “Sanctuary”, from Tuesday, December 1^st, through Wednesday, December 30^th.  Included in the exhibit are photographers Tonya Fleming and Tammy Dohner, and painters Diane Batson-Smith, Jason Hargrove, and Terri Jordan.  An opening reception to meet the artists will take place Saturday, December 5^th, from 6-9 p.m.
• 2^nd Floor Gallery – An exhibition of work by Studio A Artists featuring artists Arlene Bates, Ev Niewoehner, Jamie Parks Sanderlin, and Jaron Presant opens  Saturday, December 5^th with a reception to meet the artists from 6-9 p.m.  The works remain of this eclectic group of 15 artists remain on view through Wednesday, December 30^th.

Gallery hours are 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday.  The Tennessee Art League is located at 808 Broadway.  For more information, call TAL @ 615.736.5000, or online at tennesseeartleague.org. Admission is free and open to the public.

First, never underestimate the power of a hand-written note that expresses your appreciation. Of all the gifts I’ve received from parents, those heartfelt notes mean the most.

When I was a young teacher in Florida, I included every child in the Christmas program. (This was in ancient times when everyone in the community had grown up there, had gone to church together, and it was still politically correct to mention “Christmas” as the reason for the program.) At the end of the evening all the kids entered the auditorium, filled the aisles holding up tiny flashlights that resembled candles, and sang together, “Let There Be Peach on Earth.” It was a moving experience that I, for one, never forgot.

The next week I received a beautiful letter from the mother of three of my students. This woman had been abandoned by her husband when he learned that she had a progressive illness that would end her days in a wheelchair. (He claimed he was too young to be tied down to a “cripple”. Words I’d like to use describing him are inappropriate for this format.) She struggled alone to rear her children, all of whom were model students. In the entire school of 550 students, she was the only parent who spent the time to thank me for the work it took to coordinate that hour-long event. I have never forgotten her amazing kindness.

On the other hand, if you want to spend a little money for a gift, consider school supplies of any kind. All teachers spend an amazing amount of money providing for their students. Your remembering to give a box of chalk, a few pens or pencils, a package of index cards, a box of erasable markers, some pushpins for the bulletin board, or even a package of copy paper will delight your child’s teacher.

Another gift that truly gives every day is the insistence that your child respect his teacher. The child who uses good manners is the child who makes a teacher’s day. Every child, at one time or another, has a complaint about her teacher. When you listen and reply that you understand the child’s concern, remember to state that adults make mistakes too. Check with the teacher to get the other side of the story before you begin to criticize the teacher in front of your child. A child who begins to believe he can manipulate his parent into believing any situation he names at school—whether it is real or imagined—is an unhappy child. Many problems for the child and the teacher can be avoided by a conference with parent, teacher and child present.

If you truly want to spend more than a dollar or two, you can choose a gift card, a flower arrangement or a box of thank you notes. All are gifts that most teachers appreciate.

Not every teacher is competent at keeping a live plant living and all of them are overloaded with mugs. Many teachers have health issues that preclude eating sweets. Some are allergic to perfumes and soaps or candles that are scented. Most teachers have a houseful of “knickknacks” already.

The bottom line is that you don’t have to feel a necessity to gift your child’s teacher with a thing. Volunteering to help out in the classroom will give you an insight on what a teacher’s day is like. The teacher will appreciate the extra pair of hands and you will get an education you might never have imagined.

The grandfather of one of my students was talking with me recently. Along with his dear wife, he is now rearing his three grandchildren. He insisted, “If every parent or guardian had to spend one day a year in school, some real changes could be made when the person sees what a teacher goes through. Too many people think teachers are just sitting around. They have no idea what teaching is like today.”

The holidays are a time of sharing good will. Be sure to include your child in deciding on a gift for the teacher. His uniquely wrapped present or her carefully drawn card will show the teacher that thought and effort went into the gift’s selection and after all, that’s what showing appreciation is all about.

• 5 medium sweet potatoes, scrubbed
• 4 bananas, unpeeled
• 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, at room temperature
• 1/4 cup honey
• 3/4 cup brown sugar or rapadura,optional
• Sea salt to taste

Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. Prick the sweet potatoes all over with a fork, put them in a roasting pan and roast for 30 minutes.

After 20 minutes, add the bananas to the pan.

Continue roasting for 10 to 15 minutes until both the bananas and potatoes are very soft. Remove the pan from the oven but don’t turn the oven off.

When the potatoes are cool enough to handle, scoop out the flesh into a large mixing bowl. Peel the bananas and add them to the sweet potatoes.

Add 1 stick butter.

Add honey

Beat vigorously with a mixer or with a wooden spoon.

Season with salt to taste.

Spoon into a baking dish. Top with crumb topping if desired and bake in the already hot oven til topping is golden brown.

Topping:

• 1/2 stick butter
• 1/2 cup whole wheat flour
• 1 1/2 cups chopped pecans
• Rub the butter into the flour with your fingers, add pecans, sprinkle over sweet potatoes.

So begins the story of Pippin, a young man seeking his way in the world. This young man just happens to be the son of Emperor Charlemagne. Pippin knows with all his heart that there are great things in store for his life, but he has a hard time figuring out just what they may be. So he sets off to figure out the purpose of his life. Along the way Pippin is manipulated into a variety of situations by the mysterious Leading Player. Intrigue, plots to bring disaster! Humor, handled by a master! Romance, sex presented pastorally! Illusion, fantasy to study! Battles, barbarous and bloody!

The leading player is being played by Chris Hardin an assistant professor of voice and movement at APSU. He brings an intensity to the role worthy of Ben Vereen from the 1973 Broadway Production.

Click here to view the embedded video.

The Lead Player, and Pippin

Pippin is played by Daniel Rye. Daniel gives the audience the sense of the whimsical nature that you would expect from the title character. He also projects clear vocals and is pleasant to listen to. For the ladies, he is not hard to look at either!

Russell Qualls plays the Emperor Charlemagne, he is a hard ruler, but cares deeply about his sons. Russell did an admirable job bringing a regal bearing to his role.

The Emperor Charlemagne, Pippin, the Lead Player, and Lewis

Lewis and Fastrada

Lewis (Edward Garcia) is Pippin’s half-brother, together with his mother Fastrada (Jennifer Whitcomb-Olivia) brings the intrigue to the musical. Edward has a definite flair to his acting and I have no doubt you will see big things from him in the future. Jennifer is a very talented dancer, and brings humor to her role.

Catherine (Elizabeth Hadden) is a widow with a young son named Theo (Nathan Brown). Pippin makes his way to her farm to deliver on the romance. It is during his time with her that Pippin finds his way in life. And it is a way that isn’t what the leading player had intended. Elizabeth’s character had several less than pleasant interactions with the leading player and you empathized with her, when she found her courage to stand her ground you could almost cheer. Nathan’s dealing with Pippin was endearing, and I have no doubt in the end, it was because of him that Pippin escaped the clutches of the leading player.

The Lead Player, Theo, Pippin, and Catherine

I saved Berthe (Alaina Runions), Pippin’s Grandmother for last all told hers was one of my favorite roles from the show.  She started out old and decrepit, but ended up quite alluring. She has a fun character!

There is an amazing support cast on this performance which features Dillon Biemesderfer, Riley Braem, Raven Cooper, Humberto Figueroa, Cinthya Griffith, Sarilda Mayberry, Heather Nicholas, Octavious Padgett, Sara Schichtel, L’Oreal Terry, Darius Walls, and Cody Furline. Without their contribution to the performance the leading actors couldn’t have shone nearly as bright.

Berthe and some of the supporting players

The music by Stephen Schwartz is upbeat and catchy. You will want to sing, and that is a good thing because at times during the audience is encouraged to sing along with the actors. I enjoyed the music so much, that after seeing the performance, I went home and purchased the soundtrack which is available both on Apple iTunes, and Amazon.com. In fact, I listened to it as I wrote this review. The quality of the vocals and music from this APSU production at time exceeds those from the Broadway version.

The play is being presented by the APSU Theatre and Dance, along with the APSU Center of Excellence in the Creative Arts. It runs from November 18th-22nd. 7:30pm Wednesday – Saturday. 2:00pm on Sundays.

Ticket prices are very reasonable. $10 for adults, $5 for students and members of the military. If you have any questions about the performance, you can get in touch with the Box Office via phone at (931) 221-7370.

This was a great performance, and if they don’t mind me coming back without a camera, I wouldn’t mind seeing it again! I applaud them all!

Program

Photo Gallery

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In preparing your home for winter there are several steps to be followed in order to ensure a warm, clean environment for your family during the coldest months. Not everyone reading this will have to contend with wood stoves and woodpiles, drafty windows and doors and an overabundance of “stuff” to deal with. But it is all included here in case you need it.

Click here to view the embedded video.

Begin by ridding the house of unnecessary items. You and your family will be indoors a great deal of the time from now til spring, so try and make it as comfortable and clutter free as possible. Now is the time to get those summer clothes out of sight and also time to store most of your summer linens, like thin quilts and blankets. Store your summer articles in well marked plastic boxes. Its time to get out warm comforters, down quilts, and fuzzy blankets.

While you are storing summer items, take a moment to locate your holiday decorations. Place them in an area of the attic or basement where they can be easily accessed.

Clean, dust and polish each room as you would normally do. The house should be as free of dust and grime as possible, you will not have good opportunity to clean like this again until warm weather. Clean windows and get them ready for insulation. Clean your rugs thoroughly, you may have to rent a steam cleaner. Clean your wood floors. If you will clean your woodwork and walls also, you will be rewarded with a fresh room in which to live the winter months. Don’t forget to dust the nic-nacs and items on your walls.

To draft-proof your windows and doors start by caulking the outside of each with an approved caulking compound. Fill all the holes and cracks. Now consider covering the inside of your windows and any unused doors with the clear plastic sheeting that can be heat shrunk with a blow dryer.

*Remember that when you insulate and tighten up your house in this way, there are some very important considerations.  If you use a kerosene heater, you may not have enough air circulation for your family’s safety. Use an approved Carbon Monoxide detector and crack one of your windows during use of the heater. Propane stoves, wood stoves and fireplaces also give off Carbon Monoxide while burning, so take the appropriate precautions to protect your health.

Here is a basic list of things to do to winterize your home…

Heating System

• Give your heating system a test run.
• Replace air filters.
• Remove obstacles that may be preventing free air flow from vents.
• Check for Carbon Monoxide leaks. Carbon Monoxide can easily be detected with either an inexpensive test badge or battery operated alarm.
• Clean the condensing unit of debris. Use a garden hose set on the highest pressure you have to clean the fan blades and condensing coils of clear of debris and dirt.
• Cover your air conditioning unit, whether free standing or window unit, with an appropriate cover if it is separate from the heating unit.

Chimney, Fire Place and Flue

• Check to see that the chimney is free of animal nests and animals. Birds and squirrels especially like to make their homes in unused chimneys.
• Check the flue damper and make sure it opens and closes correctly. Make sure it will lock into place.
• Test the chimney draft. Roll up some newspapers. With the fireplace damper open, light the newspaper in the fireplace. Watch the smoke. If it doesn’t rise up the chimney, you may have an obstruction that needs to be cleared out before you use the fireplace.
• Inspect the firebrick in the fireplace. If they are cracked or broken, you should have them repaired immediately. A fire can spread through cracks in the bricks into stud walls surrounding the fireplace.
• if you haven’t used your fireplace in several years, or have never used it, you should call in a professional inspector to check it out first.

Plumbing

• Insulate exposed piping and faucets.
• If you will be away for several months in the winter, you should consider shutting down the water service.

Insulation

• Insulate your water heater tank with an insulating blanket you can buy at most hardware stores.
• Insulate exterior outlets and switch plates with a foam sealing gasket.
• If you don’t use your fireplace often and it leaks air, you can cut a piece of fiberglass insulation and stuff it into the fireplace behind your fireplace doors to block the cold air coming down the chimney.  don’t forget to remove this insulation if you make a fire!

Windows

• Check for air leaks around windows. On a windy day, light a fire works “Punk”  or an incense stick  and hold the smoke around your windows.  If the smoke blows anywhere but up, you have an air leak.
• You can use plastic shrink covers or rope caulk around leaky windows inside your home.
• Use caulk on the outside of your windows to keep out cold air.

Doors

• Check the weather stripping and replace if needed.

Outdoors

• Purge sprinkler system.
• Empty garden hoses and store.

Can you think of other things that need to be done to winterize your home?

The weekly Clarksville Parks and Recreation Deparment Recreation Report provides Clarksvillians with a glimpse at the activities and events that are available from the Parks and Recreation Department for them to enjoy together as a family. This weeks highlights include:

• Community Centers
• Bark Park
• Christmas on the Cumberland
• Downtown for the Holidays Christmas Cookie Bake-off

With work, holiday shopping, preparing for guests and everything else that comes with this time of year, it can be difficult to find a good time for a workout.  At Parks and Recreation we understand your demanding schedule.  That is why we feel it is important to provide you with opportunities to exercise when it is convenient for you.

Community Centers

The Burt-Cobb Community Center offers both Morning Walkers and Lunchtime Walkers.  The programs are open to everyone and take place on weekdays.  Morning Walkers can come to the center before it opens to the public from 7-8a.m. every Monday, Tuesday and Thursday to walk indoors and get their hearts pumping and blood flowing before heading off to work.

Can’t make it that early in the morning?  Then the Lunchtime Walker Program is for you.    Stop by Burt-Cobb from 11a.m. to 1p.m. to walk indoors during your lunch break.

The Kleeman Community Center currently offers Zumba on Monday nights for those who want to kick off their week right.   To make it more convenient for those wanting to participate in Zumba, the original class time of 5p.m. has been moved to 6:30p.m. beginning tomorrow.  The later time should provide extra time for working individuals to grab a bite to eat or get the kids settled in before heading to class.

Bark Park

Bring your pets to the opening of the city's newest Bark Park at Heritage Park on October 10th at 1:00pm

When it comes to staying in shape, humans are not the only ones who need a good workout.  Our canine friends do too.

Bring your dogs, big or small, to the Heritage Park Bark Park.  The park has plenty of open space for dogs to run and play with others.  Throw a frisbee, go for a run off-leash and just enjoy some time with your four-legged friend.  After all the fun and exercise, he will thank you for it.

The Bark Park is located at Heritage Park right past the skate park.  It is open to the public daily from dawn until dusk.

Christmas on the Cumberland

Do not forget to mark your calendars for November 24 when we will celebrate the grand opening of Christmas on the Cumberland.

Join us as we light up the McGregor Park RiverWalk with over a million Christmas lights.  Music and visits from a few very special Christmas guests are planned.  The grand opening event is for children of all ages and begins at McGregor Park at 6:30p.m.

Christmas on the Cumberland

Downtown for the Holidays Christmas Cookie Bake-off

It is time to pull out some of your favorite recipes and start practicing for the first ever Downtown for the Holidays Christmas Cookie Bake-off.

Show off your baking skills by baking your special Christmas cookies and submitting your entry to Ingredients on Strawberry Alley from 4-5 p.m. on December 5th. Judges will make trying out the homemade treats and judging based on taste, presentation and originality.

Entry fee is a bag of 2 dozen cookies that will be donated to the Salvation Army’s James D. Amos Shelter as well as 5 samples for the judges to sample for judging.

The second day… First of all, from this day out I will refer to Operation Rising Star as ORS. Breaking it down a little. Whew! What a day.  It was suppose to rain but it held off and the sun shined through.  We started our day going through some vocal group warm ups, learning different technics.  We were able to get two of our group songs down for the show. We are above the curve, we were told, and so he gave us a little more time this morning to sleep in.  It was a late night.

After our practices on the group numbers we went to eat and then left for Ft. Myers.  On the way there we passed the Pentagon and saw the Airforce memorial, the Washington memorial (from afar) and the Arlington Cemetary.  I also got a call from Mayor Piper’s office saying the Mr. Piper requested me by name to sing the National Anthem for the Volunteer ceremony that will be going on November 19th, my birthday.  I am in VA so I wouldn’t be able to make it. I told her to please keep my name for any future events. She said she would. Anyway, when we arrived at the home of the Army Band, we went into a room with the band that will be playing for our competition.  They are DR, short for Down Range.  Great group of talented individuals.  You have to be, to be in this band!

We went over our solo numbers if we make the top 6.  This song was broken down to 90 seconds.  All of our songs that we sing alone will have to be broken down except for the winner.  I was given my song and it is “How do I live”.  There is still some tweaking we need to do but all in all I think it will sound good.  I want to add some brass or horns into the music, so I will see if that can be done on Thursday.  I will only be singing this song if I get enough votes from Ft. Campbell, Clarksville , fans, friends and family around the world.  If not, then I will still be here but only do group numbers.  But we aren’t going to focus on the “if not”! I know you will all come through for me with your votes.  You believe in me or I wouldn’t be here!

By the time we all finished our numbers it was about 5 pm and the 6 contestants that still needed to tape their accapella version had not been done.  So we waited for them to finish their tapings.  Once that was done it was around 7 and we headed to the restaurant to eat.  We were all tired and acting crazy.  Some laughing uncontrolably and some just laying their head down trying to sleep.

Today we are going to be going over the two songs and working on the 3rd one.  So, I am going to go ahead and end now and start listening to some music, getting more familiar with it.

Please remember that you need to vote on the 15th at 8 pm eastern and you only have two hours to do so.  If you want to vote more than once you can but you have to go through the whole process of voting again. I don’t think there is an easier way.  Voting will be on this website and you can also view the show at www.oprisingstar.com or if you would like to see it on t.v. the Sportsman Lodge will be having a viewing there with a buffet.

“I believe I can fly. I believe I can touch the sky. I think about it every night and day!”  Thank you for your support and helping me reach the stars. I have always felt that what ever you do, when done with the right heart, it will come back to you. Plus just doing something to help another smile is very rewarding in itself.  Blessings…

The third day… I woke up to hearing the rain outside and it was cold! What a change in the temperature. We were able to sleep in a little longer because of the day before, which was nice. I did some warm ups in my room and of course was keeping you up to date with how day 2 went.

Yesterday we started off going straight to rehearsals and singing from 9-11:30.  We went over our group songs, even did a little contest on which group of 6 contestants sold the show for one of the songs we are doing, “Party in the U.S.A.”  It really is going to be entertaining for y’all to watch.  My group didn’t win that time due to the meshing and not really connecting with what we were doing with our movements but we won with the vocals. The second time we did it, my group won.

We then took our lunch break and ate where we will be eating every lunch and dinner, Vinny’s. I believe we will be made of cheese when we leave here.  It is an Italian restaurant. Very good food but it doesn’t help if we are trying to fit in our performance clothes!  It’s funny, one of the girls has a bottomless pit for eating.  She just doesn’t seem to get full. So when I was done with my food and I still had some left on the plate she wanted to know if I wanted it. I gave it to her and she ate and kept eating.  It’s been like this almost every night.  So, last night she said that her clothes felt like they were getting a little tight and I said, “You want some more of my food?” She gasped and asked if we were trying to make her fat by offering her our food. We all laughed.  I wasn’t thinking that. I just thought she was still hungry. Some people can eat like that and still remain thin.  Must be nice! Not so with me!!

Another contestant offered everyone a throat lozenger in rehearsals and Joey, our vocal coach, gasped and said that he doesn’t want to see us singing with that in our mouth because when we take a breath the lozenger could be sucked down and we could choke.  So the joke from then on out was when someone is doing good, “Do you want a throat lozenger?”

After lunch we came back to the hotel and had to get the 6 outfits that we will be performing in.  We went back to the theatre and picked a row to place each outfit on a seat, along with shoes, for the director to see.  He called each person out to go over the outfits.  When he called me, he looked at my clothes and wanted to know what I was singing and then would point to an outfit and say, “You’ll wear that….you’ll wear that.”  So, that was cool being directed on what I would wear for the show if I move on to sing the songs that I am singing.

We then rehearsed from 1-5:00 pm.  It was a long day of singing.  Afterward I needed help with the song I will be singing if I make it to the top 6 and Joey helped me with that for about 10 minutes.  Everyone was waiting in the van to go eat dinner while Joey got the arrangement together.  I recorded it on my iPhone and then we were off to eat and then get back to the hotel.

Every night I come in here and get ready for bed and watch HBO.  Last night I watched some of the CMA’s. Gotta love Taylor Swift and her innocense. She is so refreshing.  It would be good to have an older singer singing songs about “When your 40″.  Us women need songs we can identify to now, in the age we are in and the song being sung by someone that looks like they can experience it. I have had a lot of women coming up to me saying that they cannot relate to a song about them being sung by a 20 year old who probably has never experienced it. They don’t want to look back at 15 and wishing they were there again.  There is life after 15, after 25, after 35, after 50.  Who wants to write a song with me?

Anyway, we are on day 4 now. So be watching for my daily post tomorrow.  Busy day ahead and I gotta get going.  Have a great day.

Remember, voting to get me to the top 6 will begin on the 15th at 8pm eastern for 2 hours.  Go to www.oprisingstar.com and click on VOTE.  You will be able to vote more than once but there is a process that you will have to start over with.  Thank you for taken an active role in achieving my dream! Blessings

The fourth day… Yesterday was back to the normal schedule.  We ate the hotels breakfast and headed back to the theatre.  It was another cold, rainy day.  I am sure it didn’t help with what I have now.  A couple of contestants had a fever and some drainage. It went away after two days.  I don’t have the fever but I have the drainage.  I have been real careful with where I put my hands and using sanitizer.  Don’t know if this was something from being in a room with the heat on for the first time the other night.  That is when I woke up with a sore throat.

Anyway, my day was full of choreography.  It is going to be sooooo good.  We all have great harmony.  We worked on our first group performance on stage all morning until lunch.  After that wonderful italian restaurant we went to Ft. Myers again.  It is something to be inside the building that is home to the Army Band.  You see men and women walking out to go play at a service at Arlington.  While I was sitting in the foyer waiting for my turn to go in and rehearse my song with the band, I could see the cemetary.  I mean, I would only have to walk outside the building and maybe 500 feet and I am there.  That is how close it is.  Arlington takes your breath away. Seeing all the brave men and women who have served our country finishing their time on this earth here. It is just speechless.

I had a good practice to go over a part that Joey and I changed to allow me to sing higher.  This is for the day 2 song if I make the top 6. I will be singing, “How do I live”.  My first song will be what I sang to win the installation, “Just a Dream”. We had to send in that performance. Whatever was sent in for them to judge is what we are singing.  The Band sounds so good.  Now with this first song, this is the song that the judges have already seen and what made them choose the top 12.  So, it won’t be a judgement of why did I pick that song.

Yesterday after I practiced I got some really good feedback and advice from one of the back up singers with the Down Range band. So, hopefully I will make the top 6 and you can see what I do with it!

Remember, voting begins at 8 pm eastern, November 15th on www.oprisingstar.com and click on VOTE.  You will have 2 hours. You can vote more than once also.  I need your votes.  50% of them will either move me up or out. The other 50% is the judges. You can also go to the Sportsman Lodge to view it on t.v.  They will have the Pentagon Channel there.

Thank you for all you are doing to support your local resident representing Ft. Campbell!!

The fifth day… Yesterday we started off around 10:45 but our van didn’t come until 11:30.  So we had some time in the lobby area of the hotel to visit and talk about our performances with each other.  We can honestly say that whoever wins, we will not be saying, “How did he/she win this?”  Whoever wins we will understand and be thrilled for them.

We went to eat first and I went to the grocery store to get some medicine to get over this sinus drainage cold thing I got going on. I just don’t understand why I come all this way and I get a cold the day before I am to sing! Why? Why? Why?  I am still going to stand up and do my very best and your votes will pull me through, if the judges are pulling too. I can still sing but it might sound a little nasally. I will sound more like Willie Nelson..:) NOT!! Just watch to see what a cold does and then comment!

We got to the COLD theatre around 1 pm and started rehearsing with the whole show. Group 1 singing “Party in the USA” and then the first contestant singing, etc…  Then group 2 (my group) getting up and singing and doing our solo parts.  After 4 hours of doing that, we then went to eat at where?…… VINNY’S and then we went back to the theatre and practice the whole thing on stage.  Went over it a couple of times and one of the men who help cast for America’s Got Talent and our Contest was sitting in the judges seats and watching.  He gave us all good advice.

After that was done we all did some relaxing exercises with Joey, our Vocal Coach, and then came back to the hotel.  It was around 9:30 pm when I put my head on the pillow.  I woke up at 3 a.m. and then fell back to sleep, had some nightmares and now I am up at 7 a.m. filling my nose with Afrin and Salin sprays, trying to clear this out.

Anyway, y’all have a great day and be praying for my voice and performance.  I want to bring this song across to everyone sitting in listening ear shot. I hope you enjoy the performance and vote for me!

Voting begins tomorrow, Sunday, at 8:30 pm-11:30 pm Central for 2 hours. The broadcast can be seen at 7 pm central on the pentagon website: www.pentagonchannel.mil clicking on steaming live or if you see Operation Rising Star, click there. Voting is done on www.oprisingstar.com clicking on VOTE then picking me.

Ben Wilson is a local musician via Elkton KY, now a Floridan, but always a local in my mind.  If you have read about Ben or heard someone describe his music, I am pretty sure the word “quirky” has been used.  That signature Ben Wilson “quirky-ness” is found on this cd, but there is a maturity to these songs that stands front and center.  Please do not take my use of maturity the wrong way; I am not implying his previous cd’s are childish, but on “Strange Dogs” he has turned a page in his songwriting and it shows.

My favorite song is track 10, “Elkton Trailor Park Blues.”  This Grateful Dead style blues jam is excellent. Another good track is “Anchors Aweigh,” which reminds me of the band, New Riders of the Purple Sage.  Ben’s influences of Dylan, Cash, and The Jayhawks shine through on many songs. The title track “Strange Dogs” was inspired by the many dogs and cats that he and his lovely wife Barbara, have fostered over the years.

The album just sounds good.  Ben is accompanied by other talented locals on the CD.  Adam Lacy (formerly of the ‘Non-Professionals’), on drums, is tighter than a European speedo.  I have a fetish for great backing vocals, and I am not sure if I just didn’t notice backing vocals on Ben’s other cd’s, but Charlsie Deloach (of ‘Brand New  Love Affair’ fame) and local troubadour Chris Robertson bring a fullness to the recording.  Syd Hedrick (too many bands affiliation to mention) is doing his best Warren Haynes on on “Elkton Trailor Park Blues.”  Adding more depth to the tracks is David Britton (’Brand New Love Affair’ and ‘Desperate Little Children’) on guitar and some great pedal steel guitar. The CD’s photos  are  published and were contributed by Barbara German-Wilson.

Did I mention that this was recorded in 22 hours at local studio, Toady Bear Studios?   While touring in April, Ben laid down all the music tracks in 14 hours.  He flew back up in June, on his day off work, and completed the vocals in 8 hours.  This whirlwind recording stunt, quality of the song writing and production are other reasons I think this is a milestone record for Ben.  He has always been known for his great live shows, but this cd shows that Ben is fine tuning his talents.

Speaking of live shows, Ben is touring in support of “Strange Dogs” and will be making a stop in the area for a few shows…..and they are, as always, free!  Friday, November  20th from 7-11pm, Ben will play at Dot’s (the upstairs lounge) in Hopkinsville, with The Geezers backing him on a few songs.  Saturday night, Nov. 21st, is the “Strange Dogs” release party at the Ice House in Clarksville at 7:30 til ?.  Ben will be backed at the Icehouse by all the artists that played on the album – it should be a great show.  Sunday, Ben is the guest speaker at the Clarksville Unitarian Universalist Church doing seasonally timely songs of “thanks” and “appreciation.” Did I mention all Ben’s shows are free?

The new cd “Strange Dogs” will be on sale at each event, 1 for $12 or 2 for $20.  Ben even has posters available.  Even though Ben’s address is sunny Florida, he will always be a local to me.  Buy up his stuff, drink some St. Pauli’s, sit back, sing along, and have a great time!

• http://benwilsonmusic.com/index.html
• http://www.icehousecafe.net/
• http://sites.google.com/site/uuclarksville2/

The Roxy Regional Theatre is currently staging the Tennessee Williams play “A Streetcar Named Desire.”

To fully understand the intricacies of this masterpiece play, in this writers opinion you just have to come from the south. Otherwise it is all too easy to miss the subtle interplay of these delicious personalities as they intertwine in a tapestry that is as old as, well the south.

You have Blanche DuBois the socialite (Alicia Kelly); the submissive wife Stella (Chase Kamata);  Stanley the abuser (Justin Barnum); the dotting son Harold  (Brenden Cataldo);  among others. The acting was tight, performers seamlessly melding into their roles as if they had been born to them.

Blanche DuBois played by Alicia Kelly (Photo by Tom Thayer)

Stanley and Stella in their kitchen (Photo by Tom Thayer)

The subtly lit multi-level set was a vision of the working class side of New Orleans. Stella’s home was austere to say the least. Patches of bare bricks poked through the walls. An unshielded bulb hangs in the master bedroom. The Roxy Regional Theatre has always exceeded expectations with their sets.

Adding to the enjoyment of the performance was the soft musical score. While I could not name any specific tunes they felt right in place with the action on stage. In some shows the volume of the background track can overwhelm the performance, with this show it was just about perfect.

You still have time to catch this powerful theatrical experience, indeed I highly recommend it.  The show runs until November 21st.

Harold "Mitch" Mitchell and Blanche DuBois (Photo by Tom Thayer)

It is very handy to have these rolls in the freezer. You can pull them out whenever you want to make a meal special.

Step by Step Instructions

1. First, you make up your yeast roll dough using the recipe you like. I will include mine here in a bit.
2. Allow the dough to rise one time in the pan.
3. Make the rolls. Make small rolls, about1 1/2 inches in diameter.
4. Place the rolls on a cookie sheet and put them in the freezer. Freeze til hard.
5. Take all the frozen rolls off the cookie sheet and put them in a ziptop bag. That way you can take out how ever many you need. Put them back in the freezer til time to use them.

To use:

Place frozen rolls on a baking stone or in a greased baking sheet about 1/2 inch a part.

Cover the rolls with a clean cloth and set the pan where it is out of the way of drafts.

Allow the rolls to **rise for 6-8 hours. Just before they are ready to bake, preheat the oven to 400* F.

Bake for 15-18 minutes or until golden brown.

Too short of a rising time will cause the rolls to be dense, so allow plenty of time to rise.

**If you want them to rise faster, heat the oven to 200*F. Once heated, turn the oven off. Place the rolls on the baking sheet in the oven and place a pan of boiling water on a lower rack in the oven.

Allow the rolls to rise. It will take about 2 hours with this method.

Aunt Eura’s Yeast Rolls

• 2 pkgs yeast
• 1/2 cup warm water
• 1 tsp sugar
• 2 c warm water
• 1/2 cup melted lard or butter or shortening
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 2 teaspoons salt
• 6 c plain flour

Melt the yeast in 1/2 cup warm water and 1 teaspoon sugar.

Mix all ingredients; add yeast and sifted flour until dough handles well. Knead dough until elastic ( Aunt Eura beat the dough 100 times with a rolling pin)

Put into a well greased bowl and allow to rise til doubled.

Punch down and make into rolls.

(at this point you will freeze the rolls)

If you choose to go ahead and bake them, allow the rolls to rise again til double. Bake at 400* F til golden brown.

Makes 3 dozen rolls.

Doubles easily.

Happy Baking!

Yousuf Karsh was known as the master of studio lighting. He had a gift for capturing the essence of his subject. Throughout his career, Karsh used a 1940’s 8 x 10 bellows Calumet camera. One of his trademark techniques was to light the subject’s hands separately.

Picasso - Karsh Yousuf

His portrait of Winston Churchill catapulted Karsh to fame when it was sold to Life magazine. This portrait is included in the museum’s exhibit. Also included are Albert Einstein, Pablo Picasso, Muhammad Ali, and others. At first glance, the images staring back you appear more as charcoal renderings than photographs. Yousuf Karsh went on to win numerous awards and publish fifteen books of his work. His photographs can be found in such collections as the Art Institute of Chicago, The Metropolitan Museum of Art, and the International Museum of Photography. In 2000, Karsh was named as one of the 100 most notable people of the century by the International Who’s Who.

In conjunction with the exhibit, the museum will offer programming through November and December, including two opportunities to enjoy your lunch while screening the films Picasso: Magic, Sex, Death and Masters of Photography: Andre Kertesz. The adjacent Bruner gallery hosts an interactive portrait exhibit during the run of the Karsh collection.

The exhibit will run through January 4, 2010.

About the Customs House Museum

The Customs House Museum is the second largest general museum in the state of Tennessee, located at the corner of Second and Commerce Streets. Regular museum hours are 10 am to 5 pm Tuesday through Saturday, and 1 to 5 pm on Sundays. Adult admission is $5, Sr. Citizens $4, College ID $2, Ages 6 to 18 $1, and under six is free. For more information on above events, or interest in purchasing all or part of the collection, contact Terri Jordan, Community Relations Director, at 931-648-5780 or .

Collins’ show, which runs from Nov. 16-20, will feature beautifully executed drawings and paintings in a photorealistic manner. She depicts full figured women at obscure angels with interesting compositions, as well as showing “thick” women in the most beautiful and classical pictorials.

“My show is about thick women and how society views them,” Collins said. “Beauty is something I’ve been questioning since I can remember. I portray thick women in the best of the light and the worst of light to make a statement on how different our ideals of beauty are.”

Collins has participated in many art shows in Tennessee and is looking forward to being represented by a gallery full-time.

“Since I was 5-years-old, I knew I wanted to be an artist,” she said. “I live and breathe art. I can’t imagine life without it.”

Collins has been studying fine art at APSU since 2005 and will graduate Dec. 18 with a Bachelors in Fine Art, concentration in drawing and painting. She plans to further her career in Los Angeles, Calif.

George R. Zepp

George R. Zepp (’72), a Clarksville native, will sign copies of “Hidden History of Nashville” from 4-6 p.m., Wednesday, Nov. 18 at the Pace Alumni Center at Emerald Hill. A reception in his honor also will be concurrent with the book signing. He will make brief comments at 5 p.m.

The book signing is sponsored by the APSU National Alumni Association. The event is free and open to the public; however, RSVPs are encouraged by calling (931) 221-7979. Books will be available for purchase at the event for $20 each, cash or check only accepted.

In “Hidden History of Nashville,” readers can learn the secrets of Timothy Demonbreun, one of the city’s first residents who lived with his family in a cliff-top cave; Cortelia Clark, the blind bluesman who continued to perform on street corners after winning a Grammy award; and Nashville’s own Cinderella story, which involved legendary radio personality Edgar Bergen and his ventriloquist protégé.

Zepp has a career in journalism spanning more than 33 years, the majority of which were spent in Nashville at The Tennessean. He wrote “Learn Nashville,” a column that ran from 2002-07 in the local news section and now can be found in the Life section on Saturdays. In addition to his work in newspapers, Zepp has contributed his local history expertise to several publications on Nashville history.

For more information about the book signing, contact the Office of Alumni Relations at APSU, (931) 221-7979 or by e-mail at .