Topic: Christmas

Season’s Greetings

By Bill Larson | December 25, 2007 |

The staff and writers at

Clarksville Online

wish all our readers the happiest of holidays

as you celebrate the spirit of Christmas.

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Holiday decorating on a budget

By Michael Covington | December 14, 2007 |

I hope this article finds you ready for the holidays. If you’re like myself, between the presents, the dinners, the family, the friends, and the endless to do lists you don’t have lots money for decorating for the holidays. If you’ve got a little free time and some creativity you can have a very memorable season.

First, let’s talk about the all-important meal table. You’re probably planning on having some friends and family at a table together for the holidays, so why not give them something good to look at besides your cooking. For this project, a little bit can go a long way. First, consider a tablecloth. Nothing dresses up a dull table like a tablecloth. Even a cheap one from Wal-Mart can help spruce the kitchen up. And, don’t even think about forgetting the centerpiece. What else will guests have to talk about when the awkward silences and family feuds set in? This is where some creativity comes in play.

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Trees of Christmas shown at Smith-Trahern

By Christine Anne Piesyk | December 13, 2007 |

The Trees of Christmas 2007, now on display at the Smith-Trahern Mansion, takes a look at Christmas “through the eyes of a child” and the medium of nursery rhymes.

Topping the displays is the mansion’s fireplace, decorated on the theme of a Teddy Bear picnic. The elegant oversized fireplace with its high mantle and ceiling tall mirror is festooned with a mix of garland and teddy bears (and picnic baskets) in all shapes and sizes. It’s a bit of whimsy, a bit of magic and a world of imagination at play. The result simply delights everyone who enters that festive burgundy room. One look, and you can’t help but smile. The fireplace was designed by American Flowergift Florist. «Read the rest of this article»

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The Chimes: The Roxy’s gift to Clarksville

By Christine Anne Piesyk | December 5, 2007 |

Chimes, often referred to as Charles Dicken’s “other Christmas Carol,” is an elaborate and intricately staged holiday production told through a mix of narrative and dialogue. The play runs through December 22 at the Roxy Regional Theatre in downtown Clarksville.

This adaptation, written and directed by the Roxy’s own John McDonald, also features McDonald in a supporting role as Browley, Lord and ostentacious husband to Lady Browley (Nikki Ferry who has a dual role in this show), both representing a piece of the aristocracy. They are only equaled in this theatrical rendition of the upper crust by the Alderman (Luke Eddy), whose disdainful arrogance for the poor and “unworthy” make one want to jump up from the audience.

Fern and Veck admire Baby Lillian

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The Snowman: Perennial enchantment

By Christine Anne Piesyk | December 1, 2007 |

This review ran in Clarksville Online on Nov. 29, 2006. But as my granddaughter and I unpacked my collection of snowmen for the coming holiday, my carefully wrapped musical plush Snowman emerged, to the delight of both of us. Everything else was dropped as we sat in the living room, puling the cord that triggered a music box version of the film’s hit song: Walking in the Air. As a Christmas gift idea for the child all of us, and a reminder of just how good animation can be, I reprint this review, with an updated video clip. Enjoy.

I can’t recall how many copies of The Snowman I’ve bought over the years, but it’s been quite a few. I usually end up giving them away to children who watch and are captivated by its’ magic. And then I buy another copy.

To the uninitiated, The Snowman is a delightful, animated short film about a young boy, James, who builds a snowman that springs to life as midnight chimes. It has only a few lines of introduction at the beginning; the remainder of the film is a symphonic soundtrack that follows their adventures, first as Snowman explores James’ world, putting on pants with suspenders, trying on hats, discovering a music box and the dangerous warmth of a fire. James and his fantasy creation dance across the floor of the house before heading outside, where the he and Snowman, in his mossy green hat and scarf embark on a journey north, racing through the forest and flying through the sky to a magical gathering of snowpeople in the far, far north.

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Gary Odom to speak at MCDP reception

By Christine Anne Piesyk | November 28, 2007 |

Tennessee House Majority Speaker Gary Odom will be the featured speaker at the Annual Montgomery County Democratic Party Christmas reception to be held Dec. 11 at 6 p.m. at the Smith-Trahern Mansion in downtown Clarksville.

Senator Rosalind Kurita, Speaker Pro Tempore, and Rep. Joseph Pitts of the 67th District are featured guests.

The MCDP is also asking for donations of American-made toys for the annual Fire Fighters Toy Drive. Toys may be brought to the party. the public at large is also asked to support the Firefighters toy drive with donations of toys that can be dropped off at any fire station in Clarksville.

For more information, call 931-216-9795 or 931-801-4821. Information on American made toys can be referenced at Clarksville Online’s Nov. 25 story, Toy Shopping? Buy Made in the the USA“.

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A million lights illuminate holiday riverwalk

By Christine Anne Piesyk | November 15, 2007 |

Clarksville is about to light up its annual Christmas gift to the community: Christmas on the Cumberland. Mayor John Piper will flip the switch and start the magic in a special ceremony on Tuesday, November 20 at 6:30 p.m. on the McGregor Riverfront Walk on Riverside Drive. This year’s theme is The Spirit of Christmas.

This holiday event is indeed a gift, this blazing display of lights and imagery reflected in the dark wintry waters of the Cumberland. It launches the start of the holiday season and will run through January 1.

The familiar Christmas villages, small vignettes, snowpeople, skaters, Santa’s workshop with dancing elves, and two arched lighted tunnels line the meandering walkways of the park, inviting a evening stroll and the casual camaraderie of friends and will be familiar to anyone who has visited in the past. «Read the rest of this article»

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Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

By Bill Larson | December 25, 2006 |

From all of us at Clarksville Online to you and all of yours. We wish you a merry Christmas and a Happy New Year and hope that your next year is better than the last.

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