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.

 

Hats Off to High Hopes

7:30 pm | Sunday, Nov 15th
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Hats-Off To High Hopes Franklin TNHats Off to High Hopes Charity Concert at Ryman Auditorium

Hats Off to High Hopes, the non-profit’s largest fundraising event of the year, helps provide much-needed funds so that children throughout Middle Tennessee receive equal opportunities for lifelong success through a specialized, child-centered learning environment as well as through outpatient therapy services.   High Hopes is honored to feature Jonathan Cain, keyboardist of the legendary group JOURNEY, author of the classic Journey ballad “Faithfully” and composer and pianist on songs such as “Don’t Stop Believin’”, as headliner. Long-time High Hopes’ supporter and Grammy-winning songwriter Tim Nichols, author of songs such as “Live Like You Were Dying” and “Heads Carolina, Tails California”, will also share the Ryman stage.  Accomplished singers/songwriters The Warren Brothers, who have had top 40 hits as well as written hit songs including “The Lucky One” and “Red Solo Cup”, will add their talents to the evening. Singer/songwriter Jamie O’Neal, who had back-to-back #1 singles “There Is No Arizona” and “When I Think About Angels”, rounds out the lineup. The stage may also host other surprise singers and songwriters as the concert helps support children and families who need it most, when they need it the most.

Event URL:  http://www.highhopesforkids.org/news-events-2/hats-off-to-high-hopes/

Tickets:  http://www.ticketmaster.com/event/1B004F37113D7D8A?brand=ryman

 

 

Climb for Kevin

7:00 pm | Tuesday, Nov 10th
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Exclusive Screening and Party at The Franklin Theatre.

Climb For Kevin is a new documentary chronicling former Alabama and NFL great, Kevin Turner’s struggle with ALS and what happens when a team of people choose to honor him by climbing the tallest mountain in Africa – Mt. Kilimanjaro.The story is told by none other than legendary Hall of Fame player and Coach, MIKE DITKA.

Party immediately following the screening with Open Bar and appetizers. NFL players and other celebrity guests will be in attendance.

All proceeds benefit The Kevin Turner Foundation, a 501c3 public charity, dedicated to raising awareness about ALS and its connection to brain injury in athletes, as well as funding research to find a cure.

Doors open 30 Minutes Prior to Showtime.

For more information and to purchase tickets please visit The Franklin Theatre.

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.

Wine Down Main Street

7:00 pm | Saturday, Nov 7th
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Wine-Down-Main-Street_2015 Franklin Tennessee

About Wine Down Main Street

  • Enjoy more than 170 wines
  • Taste food from 30 restaurants
  • Enjoy live music on the square
  • In 2014, attendees were from 35 Tennessee cities, 15 states, England, France and Japan.
  • Voted Best Fundraiser/Event in Williamson County eight consecutive years including 2014
  • All proceeds benefit over 2,800 kids served locally at seven Boys & Girls Clubs in Davidson & Williamson Counties

To get your tickets, click here.

For more information on Wine Down Main Street, contact Denise Carothers at 615.794.1106 or dcarothers@bgcmt.org

About Boys & Girls Clubs of Middle Tennessee

For more than 112 years, Boys & Girls Clubs of Middle Tennessee has enabled all young people, especially those who need us most, to reach their full potential as productive, caring, and responsible citizens. Annually, more than 2,000 youth walk through the doors of the five Middle Tennessee Boys & Girls Clubs.  Clubs are located in Davidson & Williamson counties. Clubs provide a safe place, professional caring staff, fun and friendship, and high-impact youth development programs on a daily basis during critical non-school hours. Priority programs emphasize academic success, good character and citizenship, and healthy lifestyles.  Learn more at www.bgcmt.org or follow us at www.facebook.com/GreatFuturesStartHere orwww.twitter.com/bgcmt.

FiftyForward to host Pancake Breakfast & Bake Sale in College Grove

9:32 pm | Friday, Nov 6th
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Herald Reports

FiftyForward College Grove will host its Pancake Breakfast and Bake Sale on Saturday, Nov. 14, from 7 to 10 a.m.

The All-You-Can-Eat menu includes pancakes, sausage, coffee and juice.  Breakfast costs $5 for adults and $3 for children ages 4 to 12. Families can enjoy the meal for $20, and children under 3-years-old may eat free.

In addition to breakfast, an assortment of delicious homemade baked goods will be for sale – including breads, pies, cookies, brownies and cupcakes.

The Pancake Breakfast & Bake Sale is a morning for community members to gather in fellowship, as well as a key fundraising event for the Center.

FiftyForward College Grove is located at 8607 Horton Highway.

 

An Evening With Friends

7:00 pm | Friday, Nov 6th
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Friends of Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt announces date for An Evening With Friends 2015.  An event benefiting Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt and coordinated by Friends of Children’s Hospital, An Evening With Friends will feature Nashville-style entertainment, a live and a silent auction and dinner provided by The Loveless Café.

An Evening With Friends

Friday, November 6, 2015
7:00 – 11:00 p.m.
The Loveless Barn

$75/person ($50 tax deductible)

To purchase tickets please visit An Evening With Friends.

Event co-chairs: Jennifer Blankenship & Vera Lee.

An Evening With Friends 2015 Committee: Sally Arthur, Hayden Avery, Kristin Beach, Antonia Castagnola, Juliet Chobanian, Tracy Crawford, Karen Curnutte, Julie Dretler, Amy Janes, Pepper Magargee, Karen Merrill, Anna Moran, Anna Moran, Sara Neely, Brandon Plunkett, Cheryl Plunkett, Kaki Pulliam, Michelle Roberson, Rebecca Rutledge, Karre Sloan, Jenna Slocum, Liz Sparrow, Jill Talbert, Beth Throckmorton, Rosemary Ver Hulst, Katherine Williams.

About Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt

Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt, a freestanding hospital dedicated to serving only children, is nationally recognized as a leading provider of pediatric health care services. Experts treat and work to prevent all health issues ranging from common childhood conditions to serious, advanced diseases. Featuring Centers of Excellence for the treatment of diabetes and congenital heart disorders, Children’s Hospital also operates the region’s only level 1 pediatric trauma unit and a neonatal intensive care unit with the highest designated level of care. In addition, Children’s Hospital is a top-level teaching and research facility. No child is denied care on basis of limited ability to pay.  Children’s Hospital opened in 2004, expanded its physical space in 2012, and is readying for additional growth that will add four floors and 160,000 total sq. ft. through the Growing to New Heights Campaign. The new expansion, anticipated to open in 2017, will help advance the size and scope of the hospital’s mission.

 

Wine Down Main to serve a variety of bold flavors

4:30 pm | Friday, Nov 6th
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By Adam Webb for the Williamson Herald

This year’s Wine Down Main Street wine tasting event will feature a variety of foods including, Indian, Italian, grilled cheese and Hawaiian dishes.

The 15th annual event hosts a plethora of wines and food for patrons to enjoy with proceeds benefitting the Boys and Girls Club of Middle Tennessee.

Denise Carothers, the Williamson County Area Director for Boys and Girls Club and event organizer for Wine Down Main, said that more restaurants from the greater Nashville area are participating in the occasion this year.

“We have a lot more new restaurants, and this is the first year that we have this many coming in from Nashville,” Carothers said. “Usually it’s a challenge to get those restaurants to drive out here, but we have quite a few exciting flavors entering the mix.”

Carothers said event coordinators wanted a diverse variety of food for all palates to celebrate Wine Down Main’s 15th year in operation.

“We like to have different types of cuisine, Carothers said. “We’re going to have Indian and Italian and some dessert for the people with a sweet tooth. It adds more variety so if someone doesn’t like a particular type of cuisine, there’s going to be something that they are sure to enjoy.”

One of the restaurants participating from Nashville is chef Maneet Chauhan’s Chauhan Ale and Masala House, specializing in modern Indian cuisine fused with a Southern flair, located at 123 12th Ave. N.

Chauhan’s love for food stretches back to her childhood in India.

“My parents joke that I was born with a ladle in my hand,” Chauhan said. “After having dinner at home, I would go to my neighbor’s places and tell them my mom hadn’t made me anything to eat and ask if I could have dinner with them.

“And of course the parents were mortified, but it was very fascinating to see them cook, because it was cooked with ingredients that I had never seen in my house.”

Chauhan was a judge on the Food Network show Chopped and is ready to share her blend of Indian and Southern food to the Franklin community. Expect to see her lamb and red bean chili served with Indian flat bread chips.

Unconventional American food can also be sampled at Wine Down Main courtesy of L& L Hawaiian Grill.

“For those who haven’t been able to come out to the restaurant, it’s a good way get out in the community and introduce Hawaiian cuisine to those who have never had it before,” said Franklin location manager Fred Amano.

L & L will be bringing their traditional dishes served with white rice and macaroni salad as well as their barbecue chicken. They’ll also offer chicken cocktail, which is breaded then served with cocktail sauce.

For more traditional American fare, Tom and Chee, an eatery that specializes in tomato soup and grilled cheese sandwiches, will be offering up their unique twist on comforting cheesy favorites.

With more than 30 kinds of sandwiches, including their signature grilled cheese donut, Tom and Chee will offer their classic grilled cheese sandwich as well as a barbecue bacon sandwich along with their signature tomato soup and a another soup of choice. Ray Patel, manager of Tom and Chee, said the restaurant has worked with the Boys and Girls Club before and is happy to be participating in the event.

“When we first opened, we had a soft opening and donated our first day’s sales to the Boys and Girls club,” Patel said.

Patel claims the fresh ingredients are what separate Tom and Chee from other sandwich locations.

“All of our soups are made from scratch and all of our meats are roasted in house, seasonings are made in house, and it’s fresh,” Patel said.

Dan’s Gourmet Mac & Cheese will also be serving up their spin on a cheesy classic dish with their artisan pasta. Office manager Kaitlyn Bowen said that after their first stint at Wine Down Main last year, the staff is eager to come back.

“After starting out in the Franklin Farmer’s Market as part of our early beginnings, we are really looking forward to being back in the Franklin community at the Wine Down event,” Bowen said.

For those with a sweet tooth, Papa C’s Pies located in Franklin will offer a variety of their baked goodies at their booth located on the square in downtown Franklin. Co-founder of the bakery Chad Collier hopes that the event will inspire guests for Thanksgiving.

“Everybody’s always happy with pie, and this is a way to let them know who we are and give them ideas for their upcoming Thanksgiving meal,” Collier said. “Chocolate fudge is our most exciting pie, people seem to flip out over that, and it was voted best pie in Nashville as well. It also pairs nicely with wine.”

Collier says attendees will have the chance to sample Papa C’s chocolate fudge and pecan pie at the event.

Wine Down Main Street will be Saturday Nov. 7 from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. Tickets are $85 for general admission, $125 for VIP and $200 for premium VIP tickets and are on sale now.

 

Freedom Middle to host 5k for athletic department

3:42 pm | Friday, Oct 30th
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Freedom Middle School will host a Race for the Stars 5k and Fun Run on Saturday, Oct. 31, in an effort to raise funds for the school’s athletic department.

FMS science teacher and co-athletic director Jackie Johnson planned the race with other teachers and coaches so that more athletic gear can be purchased for athletes.

“Unlike a lot of schools in the area, we don’t charge our athletes to play, they get to play for free,” Johnson said.

“We do get part of the budget for those programs, but they’re in need of some upgrades and updates for equipment and uniforms that we’d like to buy and not make each athlete fundraise. So, we thought we’d try to do one big fundraiser for our athletics.”

The 5k race will begin at 7:30 a.m. on Oct. 31 and is open to all ages. The Fun Run will start an hour later at 8:30 a.m. and is for students in the 6th grade or younger. Every runner who participates will receive a goody bag and a run T-shirt. Prizes will be awarded to the top male and female overall finishers as well as age race finishers in groups ranging from 14 to 60 and up.

Runners are also encouraged to wear costumes in which separate prizes will be awarded. Some of the prizes offered include free memberships and free classes at the Franklin Athletic Club, and gift cards for costumes. Age group winners from the 5k will receive a trophy, every fun run participant will be awarded a medal, and top runners from each district school will receive a special trophy as well.

In addition to aiding FMS sports, a portion of the Fun Run registration fee will go toward the physical education program at the Franklin Special School District of the runner’s choice.

“We want to try to get all the schools in the district involved,” Johnson said.

After the race, the FMS baseball team will host a pancake breakfast in the school cafeteria for the runners.

Runners can register online at http://www.eventbrite.com/e/freedom-middle-school-race-for-the-stars-5k-and-fun-run-registration-18265941924 or the day of the race at FMS. The 5k registration is $35 and the Fun Run is $15. Donations can also be made to FMS athletics without participating in the run.

Pumpkins for a Purpose

10:00 am | Friday, Oct 30th
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6th Annual Pumpkin Patch Fundraiser – October 3rd –31stPumpkins for a Purpose Franklin TN

Each year in October, an ordinary piece of land sitting at the corner of one of middle Tennessee’s busiest intersections, becomes a “pumpkin patch.” It’s not just any pumpkin patch…it’s THE place to buy your “Pumpkins for a Purpose.”

On October 3rd, Cooper Trooper Foundation will hold its 6th Annual Pumpkin Patch Fundraiser. It is the foundation’s primary fundraiser to support its mission of helping support families who have been diagnosed with childhood cancer.

The 501c3 non-profit organization began in 2009, after Rod and Missy Cook’s youngest son, Cooper, was diagnosed with Infantile Fibrosarcoma at only 8 weeks old. The couple saw quickly the impact that Cooper’s diagnosis had on the whole family, especially his two older brothers. In the midst of going through this, the Cooks decided to do something to encourage and support these often overshadowed “Heroes.” There are minimal resources for the well siblings of children diagnosed with cancer, yet they are the ones who suffer many of the adverse effects. Unfortunately, that is the nature of the disease and unintentionally, these siblings can feel left out. The Cooper Trooper Foundation wants them to know that they are not forgotten, even though much of the focus inevitably turns toward their sick sibling. With that in mind, CTF developed a “Courage Kit” which is given to well siblings. It includes items to celebrate the Heroes that they are, such as a t-shirt, medal, book, journal, and Huggable Hope duck.

Additionally, Cooper Trooper Foundation financially supports an endowed fund set up at Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt specific to childhood cancer research. By September 2015, Cooper Trooper will have donated $100,000.00 to this fund.

Pumpkins and gourds of all shapes, sizes, and colors, as well as corn stalks are available. If you are going to buy your pumpkins, why not support a cause while doing so? You can feel confident that 100% of the profit from these pumpkin sales goes directly toward supporting its mission of helping these families whose lives have been turned upside down by cancer.

The Pumpkin Patch also offers a FREE Kid’s area every Saturday and Sunday, complete with an inflatable, trained face painters, corn trough, and games. Photo opportunities are also available any time. So, bring the family out and enjoy supporting a non-profit that is making a difference. The Pumpkin Patch is on the corner of Cool Springs Blvd and Mallory Lane – (in front of Walgreens).

To find out more information, visit their website www.coopertrooper.org and check out their Facebook page.

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