Linda will be at the Smith Trahern Mansion on Friday, October 23, 2009 in conjunction with the Fall Meeting of the Montgomery County Family and Community Educators. The hours are 10:00 am until 12:30.

Linda believes children learn best when they are having fun.  This philosophy is evident in her delightful writing style.  She is the author of “Catering to Children with Recipes for Memorable Teas”; “The Unspoken Language of Fans & Flowers with Recipes”, (gift books for all ages) and two nutrition books:  “Alexander and the Great Food Fight”, “Alexander and the Great Vegetable Feud”, now in flipbook as well, “Alexander Enjoys His Fruits & Vegetables”, a CD titled “Alexander’s Read & Sing Along” (both books on one CD), an activity booklet to us with both fruit and vegetable books.  All have been declared great teaching tools by various state departments of education.

She will also be introducing new talented author Kathy Thiessen along with her book Somewhere In Thyme –Recipes for the Vintage Lifestyle and the tea party game created by an 9 year old artist.

About Linda J. Hawkins

Linda J. Hawkins

Linda J. Hawkins attended Western Kentucky University and received a degree in children’s literature from Charter Oak State University.  She is a member of the Society Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators (SCHWI) and has been named to the board of directors for Healthy Families International, based in Los Angeles, CA.  Mrs. Hawkins believes quality of life can be enhanced and enjoyed using research and special care for healthier living and travels near and far to convey the nutrition message.

If you want to learn more about Linda please go to www.lindajhawkins.com.

All of the guests were required to be attired in a period costume, and those who did not have one available, were able to rent one from George Terrell, the owner of Backstage Costume Rental. Because of the additional required expense of renting a costume, the Friends of Fort Defiance kept the cost of tickets for the event fairly low, only $30 per person, for a night of dinner and dancing.

Dancing during the Friends of Fort Defiance Civil War Ball

The evening kicked off with a formal dinner party, which was catered by Chertins, an event planning company operated by Theresa Jones. They specialize in historical event planning and catering. The serving staff were also dressed for the evening in period costumes. The menu for the dinner was Italian Marinaded Chicken or Baked Ham, with Fresh Green Beans, Herb Roasted Potatoes, and fresh baked dinner rolls. This was followed by an after dinner coffee, and a dessert of Raspberry Sherbet topped with cream and fresh berries. The meal was quite exceptional. You can contact Theresa Jones about planning or catering your  events, via telephone at 931-494-6266 or by email .

Montgomery County Trustee Brenda Radford enjoying a dance at The Friends of Fort Defiance's Civil War Ball

After dinner, and some great conversation, the guests retired to the Grand Hall of the mansion, the room features a grand spiral staircase to the second floor. With the couples dancing, the musicians at one end, chairs lining the walls, and another group of chairs at the base of the staircase, it was quite cozy.

The music for dancing was provided by a local Bluegrass group, Stringed Legacy. They are frequently selected to play at events held at the Smith Trahern Mansion. The group which is lead by Steve Jones is also available for private functions. You can contact Steve Jones by telephone at 931-320-1440.

The dances ranged from graceful Waltzes, to the energetic Patty Cake Polka. It did not matter if you knew the Civil War era dances or not, as instruction was given by the host each time a new dance was set to begin.

The Friends of Fort Defiance President Phyllis Smith

The Friends of Fort Defiance, and their President Phyllis Smith are to be commended for how well the evening came off. She said that they had been actively planning this event for over a year, and that didn’t seem like it was enough time,  “We had been planning this event for quite a while, and almost felt like it snuck up on us.”

If they do hold the Civil War Ball again next year, it is quite a memorable event, and one for which I can easily offer the highest possible recommendation!

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About the Friends of Fort Defiance

The Friends of Fort Defiance seek to preserve our history for future generations and one of their major projects include the construction of the Fort Defiance Interpretative Center. They meet on the second Tuesday of every month at the Pardue Memorial Free Will Baptist Church, starting at 6:30 p.m. The church is located across from Moss’ Cafe on Memorial Drive. They welcome anyone who is interested in promoting Clarksville’s Civil War history, and preserving and improving Fort Defiance.

Membership dues are:

• $15.00 per year for individuals
• $25.00 for families
• $100.00 for a corporate membership

For more information please contact Phyllis Smith

The historic Cairo Rosenwald School in Gallatin, TN

The Rosenwald Schools represent an important chapter in the history of the United States.  Originally built by Julius Rosenwald and Booker T. Washington between 1918 and 1932 as part of a school-building program for African Americans in the rural South, today only about 10 percent of the over 5,300 buildings constructed remain standing, and many are in serious disrepair.  The National Trust for Historic Preservation named Rosenwald schools to its list of America’s 11 Most Endangered Historic Places in 2002. – Tennessee Preservation Trust’s Cairo Rosenwald School Restoration Project

About Rosenwald Schools

Chicago philanthropist Julius Rosenwald, CEO of Sears, Roebuck and Company

From the 1910s into the early 1930s, more that 5300 school buildings were constructed in African American communities throughout 15 southern states. Seed money came from Chicago philanthropist Julius Rosenwald, CEO of Sears, Roebuck and Company. Black communities put up cash, and local school boards agreed to operate the facilities.

The Cairo Rosenwald School in Gallatin was one of the 354 Rosewald Schools built in Tennessee. There are only about thirty known Tennessee Rosenwald schools still standing. In 2000 the National Trust placed these schools on the list of 11 Most Endangered Historic Places. The Cairo Rosenwald School was renovated with funding provided by the Rosenwald Initiative sponsored by the National Trust for Historic Preservation which seeks to help preserve these beacons of African American education.

Warfield School built in 1922 in Montgomery County was a Rosenwald School. The school building now serves as The South Guthrie Community Center.

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* Images of the Cairo Rosenwald School are Courtesy of the Tennessee Historic Preservation Trust.

Rossington-Minor House at corner of Chapel and Beech Streets

Day Two of the annual Tour of Historic Homes took participants to divergent parts of the city in celebration of its Tobacco Heritage. Participants again gathered at the Riverview Inn parking lot at nine o’clock. Once abroad the tour bus, they crossed the Red River and traveled to the New Providence area where hidden treasures of the tobacco era where visited and their heritage made known. First stop on the tour was the Rossington-Minor House at the corner of Chapel and Beech Streets. Next was the Wider-Pettus House at 411 Beech Street followed by the Herndon-Cunningham House at 501 E. Street.

Upland Hall, 149 Plum Street

By 9:45 AM the tour stopped at Upland Hall, 149 Plum Street and retracing its steps back across the Red River, continued on to Colonel Forbes’ House at 610 N Second Street at 10 AM. Next stop on tour was the Gracey-Tarpley House at 331 Franklin Street.  The history of these homes belies the state of their present surroundings, astounding many of the tour participants. Leaving the Gracey-Tarpley House, participants dined on lunch at the Customs House Museum.

The tour resumed at 12:45 PM with a stop at the Old Clarksville High School at the corner of Greenwood Avenue and Madison Street. Robert Penn Warren graduated from this school in 1921. He would go on to wrote the novel, Night Rider, which depicted the battles of the Black Patch Tobacco Wars. This was followed with a stop at the Johnson-Hach House at 403 Greenwood Avenue. This home once served as the boys dormitory for Clarksville High School. Next on the tour was the Johnson-Tyler House which sits at 409 Greenwood Avenue.

The Johnson-Tyler House, 409 Greenwood Avenue

Shortly after 2 PM the tour visited Tip Top Mansion at 15 Trahern Terrace. Then it was on to the grounds of the former Hachland Hills Bed and Breakfast Retreat for the relocated log cabin of Mary Neely who was taken captive by Shawnee Indians at Fort Nashborough in 1780. Tour participants were treated to a period actress welcoming them to the grounds and talking about the history of the cabin’s famous namesake. From here the tour proceeded to the last stop, the Smith-Trahern Mansion at the corner of Spring and McClure Streets. The Smith-Trahern’s view to the Cumberland River provided a refreshing backdrop to the story of its richly steeped history.

With the conclusion of the Smith-Trahern visit, the participants ended the day with the return to Riverview Inn parking lot. The next day would see the start of the two-day Writers Conference at Austin Peay State University.

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This months Webinar will be “Strive for Sustainability,” and will be at 9:00 a.m. at the First Church of the Nazarene (located at 150 Richview Rd. across the street from Clarksville High School). Meet us at the church, or at their van pool location, the Smith Trahern Mansion at 8:15. The van will leave for the meeting at 8:30.

“Embracing our Community through Compassion,” are the words on the Church website under Radical Missions. Attendees will learn more about their garden and food pantry and their sharing of hope and changing lives. Next, the tour will visit a home shop where they are making baking sheets and a home strip mall with a multitude of businesses. Then the group will pay a visit to food businesses and a vegetable stand, peaches, stop for lunch (on your own) & then the last stop for the day will be a special treat at Diann’s Greenhouse (3072 Nicole Road, Clarksville, Tennessee, 37040).

If you can, register before the event by calling Martha M. Pile at 931-648-5725 ext 29 so enough transportation can be arranged.

That is what The Gathering is all about “Building Community and community Based Businesses.”  for more information see homestead-economics.com or the-gathering-of-entrepreneurs.org

Tickets to the auction are $15 and may be purchased from any DAC member or at the DAC gallery located at 96 Franklin Street in historic downtown Clarksville.  Tickets will also be available at the reception on the night of the event.
This is the most important fund raising event of the year for DAC.  Local artists donate some of their best work for this event and collectors will have the chance to buy it at auction prices.  All proceeds go to pay operating expenses for the gallery and the importance of this event cannot be overrated.

The first part of the evening begins at 6:00 p.m. with food, wine and a silent auction of smaller art works.  Participants will have an opportunity to enjoy good food and wine while they place bids in the silent auction and look over the art designated for the live auction.

The second event begins at 7:00 p.m. with the start of the live auction.  Many large, beautiful pieces of art will be spotlighted and the bidding action is expected to be spirited as the auctioneer’s chant echoes throughout the mansion.

Gene Lewis and John Ferguson with their awards

John Ferguson was presented with the Nathanial Carter Award for his work during the 2008 election campaign. Ferguson, who was intricately involved in the operation of headquarters and the organizing of numerous political events, said he was honored to be receiving the award and said “others were more deserving, and that many individuals who were not present at the gathering had contributed as much as he had.”

MCDP Chairman Gene Lewis was presented the Alice Byard Award, which he accepted on behalf of the party’s executive committee.

John Ferguson, standing beside Senator Tim Barnes, after receiving the Nathaniel Carter Award

Senator Tim Barnes addressed the crowd, stating that he was “looking forward to January” (2009), when he officially takes office. Barnes talked briefly about the importance of building party support from the grassroots bottom up, taking issues and campaigns to the people of the county. With the right leaders at the state level, (the people) will see a difference,” he said. He also gave kudos to the constant support of his wife, Linda, and to the “best campaign manager ever, Kim Smith.”

State Representative Joe Pitts addresses the crowd at the Smith Trahern Mansion as State Senator Elect Tim Barnes looks on

State Representative Joe Pitts voiced his pleasure in welcoming Barnes to the legislature in Nashville, and said he, and Barnes would continue their work “against the assault on the working families.” Pitts encouraged people to look beyond themselves and their own needs and work for the greater good of the community.

Gene Lewis after receiving his award

Local party members listen to the speeches

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.

The Grand Hall, decorated by Helen Allen-Holiday Accents, features a tall festively decorated trees circled by brightly wrapped gifts, set into a corner of tall doors topped with pine garlands. At the base of the curving stairwell, a display of garland and amaryllis beckon.

The Roxy Theater’s Star Light Star Bright Tree celebrates their 25 years as a fixture in the Clarksville Arts scene, and celebrates their holiday production of the Charles Dickens classic, The Chimes.

The decor is all about detail: a splash of peppermint candy here, and gluittering gold ornament there, and everywhere he lush look of rich pine and other greens, berries, vines and bold, bright flowers including the striking Amaryllis. The displays stayed true to the Nursery Rhymes theme, creating a a magical Christmas display for the child in all of us.

Paige King of HodgePodge created a charming variation on Old Mother Hubbard’s Cupboard (at left), filling the building in pantry with a blend of pine and other greens as a bedding for glass cannisters and jars of specialty doggie bones for the family’s best friend.

The display of trees flows through the mansions two floors, and includes the following Christmas Trees: Light Bulb Tree/Mansion Tree by Vivian Terrel, A large Nature Wreath by Vicky Koelman, A Mantle by Party Station Rentals, A Gingerbread Man Tree by Hillwood fce, Hey Diddle Diddle Tree by Officers Spouses Club, Twinkle Twinkle Little Star by the Emily Stefanko family, Mary had A little Lamb by Iota Lambda, Lucy Locket Tree by Jean Crabtree, Betty’s Antiques Tree Mantle, the Tennessee Trail Association tree, a Very Beary Christmas Tree by Kathy Toon and Michelle Bledsoe, and a Teddy Bear Tree by St. Mary’s School.

The festive decor continues upstairs at the mansion with the following: Dancer’s Be Nimble Tree by Lara’s Dance Studio, Sharon Black’s Night Before Christmas Tree, The Girl Scout Troop Tree (Cat in the Fiddle), the 4-Horse Club Box Tree, Rock-a-Bye Baby Tree in honor of Jacob Fulbright, Old MacDonald Had A Farm Tree by Kathy Burns, Queen of Hearts Tree by the Cheshire Cat, the Sango Parents Day-Out Tree, Granfather’s Hickory Dickory Dock Tree by Agent Martha Pile, Mother Goose Rhymes Tree by Centerstone/Weems Academy, Hickory-Dickory Dock Tree by the Learning Place Pre-K Class, Woman in a Show Tree and Display honoring Dr. Becky Bailey, and Nature wreaths by Josh Johnson. The exterior of the mansion was decorated by Betty Sleigh and Mabel Lee.

The Trees of Christmas event is hosted by the Family and Community Education in partnership with the UT Extension of Montgomery County Family and Consumer Science, the Tennessee Arts Commission, and the Arts and Heritage Development Council of Clarksville-Montgomery County. the mansion is located on McClure Street in downtown Clarksville.The mansion is open weekdays from 9:30-2:30. Mansions tours cost $1.00.

We offer these images of Christmas at the Smith Trahern mansion:

~~ The Details ~~

A holiday bag and bright red ornaments bring smiles

Caroler figures clustered beneath a mirror

An elegant Santa from yesterday…

Berries, snowflakes and evergreen garland with icicles

Festive balustrade of vine, berries and amaryllis

“Peppermints” and giant snowflakes grace a dresser

A Box Tree by the 4-H Horse Project Club

Close -up of American Flowergift’s Teddy Bear Mantle

The Grand Hall: Helen Allen/Holiday Accents