Dickens of a Christmas

1:59 pm | Monday, Nov 16th
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Step back in time with the Heritage Foundation of Franklin & Williamson County when Dickens of a Christmas returns to Franklin’s Main Street December 12-13, 2015.

 

Sponsored this year by Nissan, the 31st annual free street festival will recreate the time of Charles Dickens using historic downtown Franklin’s Victorian architecture as the backdrop.  Some 200 musicians, dancers and characters will fill the streets, including several from Charles Dickens’s stories.  Expect to see and interact with the nefarious Fagin from Oliver Twist; Jacob Marley, Ebenezer Scrooge and Tiny Tim Cratchit with his parents from A Christmas Carol; and of course, a Victorian Father and Mother Christmas with treats for children.

 

“Dickens of a Christmas is the perfect event for our historic Main Street,” said Mary Pearce, executive director of the Heritage Foundation of Franklin and Williamson County.  “Downtown Franklin always exudes its own special magic, and yet this event adds an extra bit of sparkle.  It dovetails perfectly with our preserved Victorian architecture and our commitment to saving and showcasing our historical treasures. As more attention is turned toward downtown Franklin in both the local and national press, we encourage festival goers to dress in Victorian costume and to add to the ambiance as they stroll the streets.  Adding even a hat and scarf to modern attire helps set the scene and get everyone in the holiday mood.”

 

This year’s event will reprise a crowd favorite from last year: it WILL snow at Dickens of a Christmas!  Come decked out in holiday style to capture that perfect family picture.

 

New this year will be the Lucky Scruff Wintery Whisker Revue, a competition among hirsute gentlemen for the finest facial hair.  Those taking advantage of No Shave November will want to hang on to their whiskers until the Sunday afternoon competition on the stage at the Public Square. Winners will take home fabulous prizes courtesy of Lucky Scruff, a new store at The Factory specializing in accessories for the bearded gentleman, and all entrants will receive gift cards. The judging will take place at 3pm. To enter this contest, visit the Dickens event page at HistoricFranklin.com.

 

Favorite Victorian-era activities will return, including sugar plums and roasted chestnuts being sold on the street. Other food vendors will offer heartier old English fare.  A variety of musical and dance performances will take place both on the street and on the stage at City Hall.  Horse-drawn carriage rides, a petting zoo for children, live artisan demonstrations, and more than 70 vendors offering holiday arts and crafts will line Main Street from Second to Fifth Avenues.  Each day will conclude with a town sing of classic Christmas carols.  Saturday’s town sing will take place in front of the stage on the Public Square; Sunday’s town sing will be conducted inside the Historic Presbyterian Church at Five Points.

 

Dickens of a Christmas will run from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday, December 12, and from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday, December 13.  The event is free and open to the public; some attractions will involve a small fee.  More information and a schedule of events will be available at www.historicfranklin.com.

 

Producing Dickens of a Christmas is just one of the many activities of The Heritage Foundation of Franklin & Williamson County.  Since 1967 the non-profit group has been dedicated to protecting and preserving Williamson County’s historic, architectural and geographic resources; in short, saving the places that matter.

 

Breakfast with Santa and the Minions

1:55 pm | Monday, Nov 16th
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Santa will be making a special trip from the North Pole to visit the Franklin Recreation Complex, 1120 Hillsboro Rd. for “Breakfast with Santa” on Saturday, December 5, 2015 from 8:00 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. Those mischievous minions will be on hand, and Williamson County Parks and Recreation invites parents and kids ages 10 and younger to join the fun. A continental breakfast will be served, including pastries, muffins, milk and fruit juice. During the event, each child will have time to sit on Santa’s lap and share Christmas toy wishes. The cost is $10 per child (parents are free). Bring your cameras and take your own photos with Santa!

 

On-line reservations are required, and space is limited for this event. To make a reservation, go to www.wcparksandrec.com (event code #5511). This event is sponsored by: Unity Chiropractic; McDonald’s; Krispy Kreme Doughnuts; Chick-fil-A; Publix; Mapco Mart; and True Value.

Franklin Tree Lighting Ceremony to happen December 3rd

1:50 pm | Monday, Nov 16th
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The city of Franklin is teaming with Spring Tree Media to light up the square this December 3rd at 6:45 to make the 2015 Christmas tree lighting spectacular!  The Freedom Intermediate School Honors Choir, the Centennial High School Chamber Choir, Music City Strings and other surprise guests will make an appearance.  This year the event is sponsored by Spring Tree Media, Hyundai of Cool Springs and Middle Tennessee Electric Membership Corporation (MTEMC).  New this year, free photos with Santa, sponsored by Williamson Medical Center.  Everyone who wants a photo with the man in red will walk away with a free 5 x 7 photo with Franklin’s Santa!

 

The downtown Franklin Square will be closed for this event so attendees can view the movies and lights projected on the buildings and walk to the tree without worry of traffic.  The square will be closed from 5:45–9:00pm.

 

image001“Last year was such a fun event with close to 3,000 people in attendance! We are honored to have Hyundai of Cool Springs, Middle Tennessee Electric Membership Corporation and Williamson Medical Center sponsor our activities this year.  In addition, Spring Tree media is donating their creative ideas, and services for Franklin families to celebrate our hometown Christmas tree lighting,” said City Administrator Eric Stuckey.  “We welcome back Freedom Intermediate and Centennial High School this year and are excited the Music City Strings are joining us as well!”

 

“The stage will be in the middle of the square this year with the monument and tree in the background.  It should be easy for everyone to see the performers and the projected lights on the building! We really want this to be a fun and memorable experience for all who attend and each year we’ll add something new and different, there will be surprises!” said Peter Vaqu

Lecture Series, Blue & Gray Days, Evening Tours and more

4:49 pm | Sunday, Nov 15th
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Lecture: Hood, Cleburne, and Wagner at the Battle of Franklin: How Personalities Impacted Nov. 30, 1864

November 19, 2015
6:00 pm
Join us for a free lecture at the Fleming Center at Carnton Plantation. Reservations are not required, but seating is limited to the first 100 guests.

Morning Battlefield Tour
November 27, 2015
8:00 am – 9:30 am
Historian and Battle of Franklin Trust CEO Eric A. Jacobson will lead a morning battlefield tour beginning from The Carter House. The cost is $25 and each attendee will get 25% off their purchase of Battle of Franklin related books. Reservations are required and space is limited. Please contact Meagan Wuest at (615) 794-0903 or meagan@boft.org for more information or to make a reservation.

Battle of Franklin 5K Run/Walk & Kids’ Fun Run
November 28, 2015
Join us for a commemorative 5K Run/Walk and Kids’ Fun Run on November 28, 2015! Runners and walkers of all ages are welcome. Click here to register now! For more information, please contact Meagan Wuest at (615) 794-0903 or meagan@boft.org.

Spring Hill Battlefield Tour
November 29, 2015
3:00 pm – 4:30 pm
Historian and Battle of Franklin Trust CEO will lead a tour of the Spring Hill battlefield. All attendees will also receive one free house tour admission to either Carter House or Carnton. The cost is $25. Reservations are required and space is limited. Please contact Meagan Wuest at (615) 794-0903 or meagan@boft.org for more information or to make a reservation.

Morning Battlefield Tour
November 30, 2015
8:00 am – 9:30 am
Historian and Battle of Franklin Trust CEO Eric A. Jacobson will lead a morning battlefield tour beginning from The Carter House. The cost is $25 and each attendee will get 25% off their purchase of Battle of Franklin related books. Reservations are required and space is limited. Please contact Meagan Wuest at (615) 794-0903 or meagan@boft.org for more information or to make a reservation.

The 151st Anniversary of the Battle of Franklin and Annual Illumination
November 30, 2015
4:30 pm
To commemorate the anniversary of the Battle of Franklin, 10,000 luminaries, representing the casualties of the battle, will be lit at dusk in the field adjacent to Carnton Plantation. This event is free to the public. If you are interested in volunteering for this event, please contact Brittany Mayfield at (615) 794-0903 or brittany@boft.org. Please note: the last guided tours at The Carter House and Carnton Plantation on November 30 will begin at 3:00 pm and the sites will close at 4:00 pm.

Chris Czarka and Glenn McGehee Appointed to TMA Board of Directors

9:09 pm | Wednesday, Nov 11th
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The TMA Group (Transportation Management Association) is pleased to welcome Chris Czarka, Director of Tax with Nissan North America, Inc., and Glenn McGehee, Principal and President with SouthStar Development.

Patrick G. Emery, TMA Chairman, said: “Throughout the history of the Transportation Management Association (TMA) we have had a very qualified and engaged board. We continue this tradition with the addition of Chris and Glenn to the TMA board. Both Chris and Glenn are active in the Cool Springs area with their respective businesses and their knowledge of the area will be of great benefit to the organization and the implementation of the recent Cool Springs Transportation Study and the future growth of the TMA organization.

Chris Czarka
Director of Tax, Nissan North America.

Regarding his appointment to The TMA Board of Directors, Mr. Czarka states:” “I am honored to have the opportunity to serve on the TMA board.  As a regional leader in transportation solutions for employers and communities in Middle Tennessee, the organization is ideally suited to be an integral part of transportation challenges we currently face now or will face in the future in Williamson County, especially in  the Cool Springs area. This just seemed like a natural progression to some of the work I have been involved with as chairman of the Williamson Inc. board of directors in 2015.”

With over 30 years of tax experience, Czarka joined Nissan’s Tax group in January 2007. Previously he spent 20 years at Dana Corporation with the last 15 years serving as the Vice President of Global Tax. Czarka originally started with PricewaterhouseCoopers. A native of Detroit, Michigan, he holds a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration and Accounting from Central Michigan University and is a certified public accountant. Czarka currently serves on the Williamson Inc. Board of Directs and the 2015 Board Chairman. Chris served on the Board of Directors of the Williamson/Franklin Chamber of Commerce and was heavily involved with the creation of Williamson Inc., the Williamson County Chamber of Commerce that was created through the merger of three local chambers. He is a frequent speaker at PwC’s Industrial Products/Automotive Industry Tax Roundtables and the BNA/Bloomberg and Baker & McKenzie U.S. and Canadian Transfer Pricing Symposiums.

Glenn McGehee

Principal and President, SouthStar Development

Regarding his appointment to The TMA Board of Directors, Mr. McGehee states: “I take great pride in being a resident of the Franklin community for over 22 years. As president and partner of SouthStar, we have completed real estate developments throughout the southeastern United States. Having developed in several communities, I am happy to say that our most notable and valuable projects and assets are the land holdings and developments in the Cool Springs area of Franklin. These projects are anchored by Ovation and will incorporate fully integrated mixed use development components that will be dependent on a pedestrian friendly environment while intentionally encouraging and accommodating public transportation. As we are forward thinking in our current development style, I am eager to bring that same creativity to the TMA. As a member of this board, I look forward to addressing the current and future needs of public transportation in Franklin and beyond as we continue to advance transportation connections to our surrounding cities throughout middle Tennessee. It is an honor to be involved in pioneering the future of public transportation in the community that I call home.”

McGehee’s experience in commercial real estate development as an owner and developer dates back to 1994 with commercial property development projects in Nashville. In 2001, he joined The Shopping Center Group, LLC where he was promoted to President of Operations for the Tennessee division and as member of the company’s Board of Directors. In 2004, McGehee was recruited by Centex Homes-Nashville to create and implement a land strategy for acquisition, planning, and entitlement for Centex Homes in Middle Tennessee. In 2008, McGehee joined with Glenn Wilson, the founder of SouthStar, LLC as a co-partner of the real estate development company. At SouthStar, their focus has been the development of medical related assets, mixed-used developments, grocery-anchored developments and single tenant assets. Since then, they have conceived and executed leases, land purchases and developments in excess of $200 million in value. McGehee holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Finance and Economics from Lipscomb University. Currently, he is on the board of the Mt. Dora Children’s Academy and Children’s Home in Mt. Dora, Florida. McGehee is a member of the Lipscomb Academy Leadership Council and Chairman of the Development Committee.

Additional members of The TMA Group Board of Directors include: Mayor Rogers Anderson, Williamson County; Julian Bibb, Stites & Harbison, PLLC; Ken Browning, Vanderbilt University Medical Center; David Burt, EnergyLogic; Ed Cagle, FirstBank; Brad Dunn, Williamson Inc./Pinnacle Bank; Pat Emery, Spectrum | Emery, Inc.; Randy Houston, First Tennessee Bank; Shanna Jackson, Columbia State Community College; Bill Lockwood, Barge Waggoner Sumner & Cannon, Inc.; Julie Miller, Williamson Medical Center; Mayor Dr. Ken Moore, City of Franklin; Bob Murphy, RPM Transportation Consultants, LLC; Dave Pelton, Energy and Environmental Consultant; Jeremiah Pyron, OakPoint Real Estate; Mark Robbins, The Franklin Chop House; Mort Stein, Trace Realty; Cyril Stewart, Cyril Stewart, AIA; and Elizabeth West, Williamson Inc.

Established in 1988, The TMA Group is a regional leader in customizing environmentally-friendly, multimodal transportation solutions for employers and communities.

For more information contact Debbie Henry, Executive Director at 790-4005.

City of Franklin Stream Restoration Project Receives State Award

1:52 pm | Monday, Nov 9th
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The Engineering firm that designed and completed the work on Ralston Creek Stream Restoration received an Honor Award from the Tennessee American Society of Landscape Architects.
Civil and Environmental Consultants accepted the award at a ceremony last month in Nashville. The project was launched after the area was directly affected in the May 2010 floods. Swift flood waters caused substantial erosion resulting in the loss of stream bank, damage to wood tie retaining walls, and there was a loss of vegetation and habitat in this part of Ralston Creek. The Ralston Creek Restoration Project directly affected eight individual property owners and the overall character of the subdivisions open space/ recreation area.
The project team consisted of landscape architects, civil engineers, biologists and ecologists. The end result was a new meandering stream section allowing aquatic life to thrive in the stream as well as on the banks. The team was charged with restoration and enhancement of this section of the creek. Due to the severity of the flood the creek lost much of its meandering characteristics, being straightened and actually splitting into two sections. Much of the established vegetation was swept away leaving little left behind to stabilize the banks.
The final design created a single channel with a natural meandering stream section within the existing drainage easement on site. Single and double rock toe protection construction where used to stabilize the stream banks.

Oaklands Mansion’s 32nd Annual Christmas Candlelight Tour of Homes

1:40 pm | Monday, Nov 9th
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Usher in the holiday season with an enchanting tour of historic homes and landmarks. The annual Oaklands Christmas Candlelight Tour of Homes is slated for December 5, 2015 from 4:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. in Murfreesboro, Tennessee. The tour, sponsored by Oaklands Association will feature beautiful and historic private homes, distinctive churches, and the graceful Oaklands Mansion.

 

In the late 1860s, the Maneys subdivided and sold much of their front acreage into lots to create a residential neighborhood, originally called “Maney’s Addition,” thought to be Murfreesboro’s first “subdivision.” It later became North Maney Avenue, which intersects present-day Main Street. Advertisements for lots in Maney’s Addition appeared in local newspapers assuring prospective owners free access to the Maneys’ spring. In the late 1880s, after she left Oaklands, Adaline Maney moved into a home in Maney’s Addition known as “Big Holly.” Today that home is the property of Mr. and Mrs. Gordon Bell and will be featured on the tour.

 

Following the old carriage path of the plantation, stops along the holiday tour include the following historic buildings:

  • Oaklands Mansion, 900 North Maney Avenue
  • “Big Holly”, Mr.& Mrs. Gordon Bell, 718 North Maney Avenue
  • Oaklands Park Seventh-Day Adventist Church, 711 North Maney Avenue
  • Mr. & Mrs. Rhea Cole, 619 North Maney Avenue
  • Mr. Cory Williams, 603 North Maney Avenue
  • Mr. Adam Holsted, 343 Jackson Street
  • Dreamingincolor, Ms. Deneen Glidwell, 504 North Maney Avenue
  • Demos’ Restaurant Office, 503 North Maney Avenue
  • Old Dunaway Store, Ms. Linda Stevens, 312 North Maney Avenue
  • Mr. & Mrs. Rick Cottle, 225 North Maney Avenue
  • Mr. & Mrs. Rob Baker, 217 North Maney Avenue
  • Ms. Kathy Yeager, 120 North Maney Avenue
  • Mrs. Nancy Morris, 347 East Main Street
  • Central Christian Church, 404 East Main Street
  • Ransom Historic House & School Museum, 717 North Academy Street

 

These festively adorned historical homes and churches, dressed in holly and evergreen, will transport you to a simpler time. From the veranda of Oaklands Mansion and along the nine block tour, you will hear the music of carolers from local schools. Warm up with a cup of Demos’ famous chicken-n-rice soup or their award-winning banana pudding, on sale at their restaurant office at 503 North Maney Avenue. While at Oaklands, visit Gee-Ma’s food truck for old home cooking and a “meat and three” menu.

 

“This years’ tour will guide visitors along the old carriage path of the plantation and offer an opportunity to visit homes spanning several decades and various architectural styles,” said James Manning, Executive Director of Oaklands. “Visiting the festively appointed homes on our Candlelight Tour is a popular way to begin the celebration of the holidays.”

 

The cornerstone of the tour is the grand Oaklands Mansion. Interpreters in period attire will guide you through the history of this gracious home. At its peak, Oaklands was the center of a 1,500 acre plantation and one of the most elegant homes in Rutherford County.  Since that time, Oaklands has seen dramatic changes. Following the Civil War, it deteriorated from a majestic mansion to virtual ruins and, in the 1950’s, its very existence was threatened. The mansion was brought back from the brink of destruction, saved from the wrecking ball when a group of concerned ladies created Oaklands Association in 1959.   Since that time, the Association has worked tirelessly to restore Oaklands to its original splendor and preserve its unique history.

 

Today, local residents and visitors alike enjoy the mansion that has been lovingly restored and brought back to its former glory. The proceeds of the Candlelight Tour of Homes go toward the continuing preservation of this historic treasure. Purchase advance tickets (either online at www.OaklandsMansion.org or in the museum shop) by 4 p.m. on Thursday, December 3 and receive a special price of $12.50 for adults.  Admission is $15.00 per adult at the door, $5.00 students and children, free for ages 5 and under.  Sponsorships for the Tour are still available. On the night of the tour, tickets can be purchased at any home on the tour or at Oaklands’ Museum Shop. Oaklands Association is a non-profit educational organization. For information on becoming a member or a volunteer, please call (615) 893-0022 or email: info@OaklandsMansion.org.

Upscale Gastropub in Franklin Community

2:37 pm | Tuesday, Nov 3rd
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A. Marshall Family Foods Inc. announced this week plans to open a restaurant in Franklin’s Westhaven Community. The Franklin-based hospitality group has placed a contract on the Westhaven Town Center location at 158 Front Street, Suite 120, and leaders are working toward an opening in the first half of 2016. The 2,500-square-foot first floor will include a bar and grill, with a 1,250-square-foot patio anchoring the front of the restaurant.  Andy Marshall, president of A. Marshall Foods, says the restaurant will have an upscale gastropub feel that provides a versatile menu and family-friendly gathering spot for the neighborhood.

“We believe in Westhaven and look forward to creating a new destination for locals — it’s just a great fit for what we’re all about,” said Marshall. “Families, people who want to have a beer and watch the game, and those who want to meet up with friends and colleagues for a great meal won’t be disappointed with what we’re planning to do.”

Marshall says his team, which is still nailing down concept specifics and menu items, will announce additional details in the coming weeks.

“We’d love suggestions from people in the community about what they want on the menu and in the restaurant — heck, even the name of the place,” he said. “It will be unique, just like Westhaven. We’ll provide details to everyone about how to weigh in, but the best bet is to follow the Puckett’s Grocery Facebook page for updated news.”

The A. Marshall Foods restaurant will be flanked by The Perch and the Westhaven Hardware Store, both of which are currently under construction.

Current tenants in the Westhaven Town Center include the Artistry Spa Salon, Freeman’s Flowers, High Brow Brew, Oscar’s Taco Shop and Westside Wine & Spirits, among others. Kroger, which acquired the Westhaven Harris Teeter earlier this year, is slated to open in the coming months.

This will be the seventh restaurant for A. Marshall Foods, which owns and operates four Puckett’s Gro. & Restaurant locations in Davidson, Hamilton, Maury and Williamson counties, as well as Puckett’s Boat House, Puckett’s Trolley, Puckett’s Events & Catering and Homestead Manor, the hospitality concept in Thompson’s Station.

To learn more about A. Marshall Family Foods Inc. and its group of family-owned restaurants, go to www.amarshallfamilyfoods.com. The Facebook page for Puckett’s Gro. & Restaurant in downtown Franklin is www.facebook.com/puckettsfranklin.com .

Community Book Sale

4:56 pm | Tuesday, Oct 27th
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The Friends of the Williamson County Public Library will be holding our next book sale on November 7-9. We will have literally thousands of new and used donated books for sale including paperbacks, hardcovers, fiction, non-fiction, children’s books, antique books, coffee-table books, and various media items such as audio books, CD’s, and DVD’s. All books will be neatly sorted by subject and arranged by category. Prices range from 50-cents to $5.00 each, and there are no buyer restrictions. We accept cash, check, Visa & MasterCard.

Book Sale days & hours are as follows:

  • Saturday, November 7 – Member’s Jump-Start Sale: 9-10:30 a.m.*
  • Saturday, November 7 – General Public: 10:30 a.m.-5 p.m.
  • Sunday, November 8 – General Public: 1-5 p.m.
  • Sunday, November 8 – Member’s Only/$5 Bag Sale: 3:30-5 p.m. **
  • Monday, November 9 – General Public/$5 Bag Sale: 9 a.m.-3 p.m.***

*The Member’s Jump-Start Sale begins at 9 a.m. on Saturday morning. It’s a no limit shopping spree, and members will not have to check-out by 10:30 a.m. Members can continue shopping as the general public enters.

If you would like to become a Friends member and take part in the Member’s Jump-Start Sale, you can join at the door before or anytime during the book sale. Be one of the first booklovers to shop all our great books! As always, book dealers are also welcome.

**A Member’s Only $5 Bag Sale will begin on Sunday at 3:30 p.m. until close at 5 p.m.

***On Monday, we will have a $5 Bag Sale all day for the general public. Bags will be provided, and you can fill as many bags as you like for only $5 each.

 

The Williamson County Public Library is located at 1314 Columbia Avenue in Franklin, Tennessee. For directions, call the library at 615-595-1243. All the proceeds from this sale, along with your generous donations, will go to fund The Friends of the Library which is dedicated to help support the Williamson County Public Library.

Coed Volleyball

4:54 pm | Tuesday, Oct 27th
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The Athletics Division of Williamson County Parks and Recreation announces two Thursday winter coed indoor volleyball leagues at the Franklin Recreation Complex, 1120 Hillsboro Road. Registration is open for an advanced division (reg. code #5151) and a recreation division (reg. code #5152) through November 19. The season starts December 3. The team registration fee is $200, and on-line registration is available at www.wcparksandrec.com. For additional information, contact Rick Kimmel at (615) 377-6530, ext. 6530.

 

Williamson County Parks and Recreation is a public organization, here to benefit the community. Anyone may register for and participate in the department’s programs, teams, classes and events. For registration and additional information, visit www.wcparksandrec.com, or call (615) 790-5719, ext. 2010. You may also receive department information by “liking” Williamson County Parks and Recreation on Facebook or following us on Twitter at @wc_parksandrec or on Pinterest.

 

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