Clarksville Living Magazine November 2023 issue

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Veterans at the Courthouse

Thanksgiving Recipes

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Advertising Text or call Tony Centonze: (931) 801-8569 ads@clarksvillelivingmag.com For all other information or questions: E-mail: info@clarksvillelivingmag.com Mail: PO Box 107 Clarksville, TN 37041 Web: clarksvillelivingmag.com Look for us on Facebook

Publisher Tony Centonze Executive Editor Mark Haynes

Our little town is not so little anymore, and our lives are not so simple.

Clarksville is growing and changing so quickly that sometimes it's hard to keep up. As we enter this holiday season, it's important for all of us to slow down and take time to show gratitude for what's most important: family and friends.

Thanksgiving is not only a time for reflecting on our love of family but also our love of country. It's a time to come together with those we hold dear, sharing stories, creating memories, and continuing the traditions that bind us. It reminds us of the importance of unity within our families and as a nation.

Photo by Josh

Vaughn In the spirit of tradition and togetherness, we are excited to share some cherished family recipes and dishes that not only tantalize the taste buds but also nourish the soul. We have expanded our magazine this month so that we might also share even more heartwarming stories about the good folks and good happenings in our community.

So, as we gather around our tables, let us remember the veterans who have ensured our ability to enjoy these moments with family and friends, and let us relish in the warmth of this holiday, a true celebration of gratitude.

Thanks, Clarksville, for voting us Best of Clarksville this year. It means so much to us. May your Thanksgiving be filled with love, togetherness, and delicious food.

Yours in community spirit, Tony Centonze Publisher

This month's find-a-word puzzle for clues about what's inside this month's issue!

Editor Linda Austin + Graphic Design Mark Haynes Staff Writers Alexandra Arnold Rick Glass Christie Crawford Linda Austin Ryan Pritchette Terri Wilson Armi Aguilar Rhodes Photographer Tony Centonze

Clarksville Living Magazine © 2007-2023

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DISCLAIMER The opinions expressed by articles, advertisements and listings in this magazine are not necessarily the views of Clarksville Living. Reasonable care has been taken to ensure the information presented is accurate, but no responsibility can be taken by Clarksville Living Magazine if it is not.

Clarksville Living

Table of Contents VETERANS AT THE COURTHOUSE 6 BARKS & BREWS 8 FRIENDSGIVING 10 TOASTED PIE 11

TAKE A HIKE

JUMPER CUP

22

36

WOMEN IN BUSINESS

WOMEN'S CLUB FASION SHOW

24

38

POWER & PURPOSE

SOUTHERN TWISTED DEVILED EGGS

26 HONOR FOUNDATION 28

39 WREATHS ACROSS AMERICA 40

OKTOBERFEST

AMERICAN FLOYD

12

29

COCKTAILS & CANDY CANES42

CLARKSVILLE TOUR OF TREES

VETERAN BUSINESS OF THE MONTH

RECIPES

30

43

14 UNITED FOR VETERANS DINNER

BUSINESS AFTER HOURS

16

32

AUSTIN PEAY TAILGATING

SIX LOW COUNTRY PLACES

44

18

34

CALENDAR

TENNESSEE CRAFT SHOW

SHRIMP & GRITS

20

35

RANDY HUTH AT KIWANIS CLUB

46

Your ultimate DOWNTOWN destination for everything CLARKSVILLE! Visit Clarksville Living Magazine online for more event coverage at: www.clarksvillelivingmag.com ClarksvilleLivingMag.com

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F EATUR ED

Veterans at The Courthouse

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veterans in Clarksville.”

hen Ron Smithfield attended the opening of the National WWII Museum in New Orleans, LA on June 6th, 2000, a thought occurred to him, “Why can't we do something to honor our

Smithfield shared his thoughts at a meeting with leaders of the local Kiwanis Club, and they said they would gladly support the idea as long as the project actively involved the children of our community. Two great projects resulted from that meeting.

people brought into the library, coupled with Gerry's concept, and us finding a printer in Nashville that could create these panels, resulted in this display,” Smithfield said.

The process started in 2003. It took about a year to bring to fruition. The men involved raised $11,000 to make it happen.

“I had interviewed a lot of these men years before - I had worked with many of them - they were my friends and neighbors,” Rubel said. “I had worked on a state project in 1969, an oral history project for the Montgomery County Historical Society. When this came up, I immediately jumped on board with the Kiwanis Club. My father's picture is on the south wall, and my two brothers' pictures are on the north wall.

“So, we started the Veterans Essay Contest in 2000,” Smithfield said. In 2001, 9/11 happened, and after we rebuilt the courthouse, which had been damaged in the 1999 tornado, we realized that there was only one picture of a veteran in that building. We thought, why not more? Now, we have 244 pictures.”

Gerry Gilman WWII veteran Gerry Gilman developed a concept for displaying the photographs and creating drawings. Bob Lewis led an effort to collect and digitize personal photos of our local veterans, and historian Randy Rubel was contacted. He had notebooks filled with pictures of veterans, going all the way back to the Civil War and beyond.

“That combination of Randy's pictures and others that 6

Ron Smithfield

“The Kiwanis Club wanted to honor these men. There were so many people here when we unveiled this display on November 13th, 2004. This place was packed.”

“We had enough pictures to make two panels. These pictures also made the first book,” Smithfield said. “The library was fantastic. They gave us a long hallway to use, where we interviewed the families. Bob did the pictures.

We copied the pictures and documents and handed everything right back to the families. That's how we put

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enough to shoot Denton. He stood frozen against a wall, as bullets struck just inches above his head. He finally realized what he had to do. “I fired back and took them out.”

They pointed out Christopher Ammons' picture. Rubel said he had an amazing collection of memorabilia from Vietnam.

Those items are now part of an exhibit at the Tennessee State Museum.

Randy Rubel, Gerry Gilman, Mayor Wes Golden, Ron Smithfield, Bob Lewis and Danny Krantz

the books together.”

There are five volumes in total now. After the first project, people were calling Smithfield and his team to see how they could get their family members in the book.

Smithfield still has a limited quantity of the books that are available for sale. Funds support the Kiwanis Club children's charities. They are available at the Kiwanis Club, the Customs House Museum, the Historical Society, and Montgomery County Archives.

Danny Krantz brought some of his father's personal WWII memorabilia when we met to talk about the display. “My father, James Robert Krantz, invented a harness system for the B-29,” Krantz said. “During WWII, over Japan, he made his own harness out of a parachute strap, and that's what saved his life. They were under attack by Japanese Zeroes. They couldn't get to him so he hung outside the plane for about 20 minutes. He lost part of his ring finger to frostbite.”

Krantz showed an amazing picture of his father hanging outside that B-29, that was taken from another airplane.

Petra Roush and Jimmy Wiesner

The men in the courthouse that day talked about conversations they had had with WWII. Korean Conflict and Vietnam War veterans. There were stories of Japanese soldiers handing their weapons to American soldiers in the Aleutian Islands just so they could join them in the chow line.

They shared Charlie Denton's story from WWII. A German soldier's mounted gun couldn't be lowered

Smithfield pointed to a picture of a Revolutionary War veteran on the wall. “He was already quite old by the time cameras came around, Smithfield said.”This picture was taken when the troops came back from Iraq, by Larry Safko. It's an amazing picture of troops marching in front of the courthouse, with Apache helicopters flying over.

“This is a picture of a Confederate soldier named Woodard. He recaptured Clarksville.

He faked out the Union Army with logs painted to look like canons. He had his 200 soldiers changing clothes and riding in circles in a way that made his opponents think he had 800 soldiers.

“We had 200 men from Montgomery County that volunteered for the Spanish-American War.” Lewis talked about the challenges of creating these displays in the early days of digital photography. He was in the military from Vietnam to Desert Storm. His picture is on the wall, so is his son, Jason's.

They talked about the men who are no longer with us.

WWII veteran Irwin Hollis, passed just a couple of years ago. They called him Junior. J.R. Krantz lived until 2012.

“He would visit schools and talk about his experience,” Danny Krantz said. “He was always my best hero.”

Gerry Gilman came from New York City. “I was a radar man,” Gilman said. “Radar was strange then. They didn't really have any planes with radar. Imagine flying at night. They couldn't stay out of the clouds. I was there when they installed the first radar in a plane, a pursuit plane. My brother was a war artist. He was at General McArthur's headquarters and eventually in Australia.

Then they came up through the Philippines, and so on.

Everybody in the room, just like everyone whose picture is on that wall, has stories. Gilman was in the Pacific. “I was just a GI,” Gilman said.” I only made Corporal. I was drafted. We were all students in college at the time. I got out and went back on the GI Bill. I'm 96 now. That's me in the color picture, second row down.”

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Barks & Brews Pet parents and dog lovers came out for Barks & Brews, an annual celebration of man's best friends, and spent the day participating in things like the owner/dog look-alike contest and the Pooch Plunge: Hot Dog Edition.

There was a DJ, pet-friendly vendors, food trucks, and more on-site. Brandon Easton of The Elite at Sweet Home Realty spoke about the day's activities. “We partner with Ruff Life Resort to host this event every year,” Easton said. “This is our third year. Turnout has been fantastic so far. It just keeps getting bigger every year.

Petra Roush and Jimmy Wiesner

“We have lots of indoor and outdoor activities, and 100% of the profits will be split between Caledonia Forest and the Montgomery County Angel Fund. We also have great beer from The Fallen Brewery and tons of items in our silent auction.”

Brad and Mikaela Lambert

Jennifer Eddington and Michelle Worthy with Gustav and Bradley

Louie and Andrea Ludema 8

Stephanie Waid, Clark and Bill Renn

Isabelle and Madeline Hawkins

Courtney Harris and Rhonda Knight

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Kaitlen Pickens and Madison O'Connor

Ahri and Sung Lee

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COM MU N ITY

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Friendsgiving Written by Alexandra Arnold

here are friends, there is family, and then there are friends who become family.” Unknown.

Long gone are the days when everyone can sit around the dinner table and have a Thanksgiving meal with their family members. In the new days of personal autonomy, many people don’t feel the need or want to go home to their families - whether it be because of politics, identity, or their own well-being.

In Clarksville, we share the holiday season with lots of APSU students and a large military population. Many members of those communities can’t go home to their families for Thanksgiving. Traveling can be a large expense, and some families may not want to take that on so close to the winter holidays. There are a multitude of reasons why some may wish to stay home for the holiday - or find a new alternative.

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Friendsgiving is not new. For instance, it has existed on television for years. Many credit the television sitcom “Friends” as having sparked the trend. The season one episode titled “The One Where the Underdog Got Away” shows the friends celebrating the holiday together for the first time.

So, how might someone go about planning such a get-together? Well, there are many things one must think about before the big day. Theme, food, day, time, number of guests, and games/activities are all things to be considered.

The first thing that is essential to planning a Friendsgiving is the theme. Are you going to go traditional or nontraditional? Is this going to be a normal Thanksgiving dinner but with friends, or is it going to be a potluck, a party, or even a brunch? Your Friendsgiving can be anything you want it to be!

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The theme of your get-together also includes the food.

Again, will it be traditional with turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes, and the rest of the essentials? Or is it going to be hors d'oeuvres? You could even have a mix of both! One of the most important parts of Thanksgiving dinner is the pie. Usually, pumpkin pie or pecan pie is served. Since Friendsgiving is a bit different, you could go with something a little different. Attached is a recipe for Toasted Pie. It includes toasted coconut, almonds and caramel! It’s a sweet, unique treat that will be great for any Friendsgiving.

Regarding the date and time to have the get-together, most people still celebrate Thanksgiving. Because of this, having your Friendsgiving event on a different day may be best. The weekend before or the weekend after are both good options. Any time would work, but an earlier hour (perhaps noon or early afternoon) may better complete the Friendsgiving atmosphere. A later time would fit a traditional Thanksgiving meal, but an earlier time would better fit an event with friends. The number of guests is also an important aspect to think about while planning. Is this going to be a shindig or a smaller affair? A group of 10-15 friends is ideal, but as long as you have the space, any number works.

While games and activities are not a must, they can add to your Friendsgiving and make it more fun and memorable. Karaoke is always a good choice, as are charades. However, there are more fall and Thanksgivingthemed things you can do for your gathering.

One option is to have all of your guests write down what they’re thankful for. This can be on plain pieces of paper, but you can also make it more festive with colored pieces of paper or cut-out shapes. At the end of the night, you can read off what everyone wrote. Another option is fall/ Thanksgiving trivia.

You can come up with the questions yourself or find some online. Websites and programs like Canva and Google Slides are great for making trivia slideshows complete with graphics and sounds. Trivia is great for end-of-party fun, with a prize for the winner to take home when you’re done.

When planning a Friendsgiving any event for that matter - Pinterest is a lifesaver. You can create a board for your party to save ideas like recipes, games, and decor. Even places like TikTok may help you with your planning.

At the end of the day, your Friendsgiving is whatever you want it to be. It’s an opportunity to spend time with friends, have great food, and remember what you’re most thankful for in life. That’s something that can be accomplished without a fancy Thanksgiving dinner.

Toasted Pie Ingredients: 1 8 oz. cream cheese 2 cups powered sugar 8 oz. whipped topping 1 coup sliced almonds 1 cup sweetened coconut 1/2 stick butter Carmel sauce for drizzle Graham cracker crust

Directions: Mix together almonds, coconut, and melted butter and spread onto baking sheet.

Bake at 325 F until brown (about 15 minutes).

Cream together softened cream cheese and powedered sugar.

Fold in thawed whipped topping.

Put into crust and place in fridge for firming.

Once coconut and almond mixture is baked, let it cool.

Spread mixture onto thetop of the pie.

Drizzle caramel sauce over the top.

Refreiderate for at least an hour to let pie firm.

Serve and enjoy.

Total time: 30 min- 1 hr 30 min Servings: 8

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Oktoberfest

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veryone was invited, and thousands responded to Beachaven's call to join them as they teamed with Star Spangled Brewery for the 7th annual Clarksville Oktoberfest.

The Polka Meisters were playing, Star Spangled Brewery employees were pouring up a variety of their locally brewed favorites, and the crowd enjoyed lots of German foods, games, and dancing during the 3-day event.

Josh Romaker said, “This is our 7th year in a row.

This year, we're on Beachaven 'proper', where they hold Jazz on the Lawn. It's easy access and just a great family event."

Rosie Olivas, Keri Wagenmaker, Catherine Ford and Autumn Bischoff

"Beachaven wants us to do more together. Everyone is loving it. The weather has been great, and we love doing this for Clarksville. We are working to grow this event every year.

We're going to make it bigger and better every year,” stated Romaker Josh Romaker 12

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Imi Lewis enjoying a Dole Whip

Tina Robertson and Patty Sandmire (1)

Jackie and Ewan Lewis

Nicky and Tim Lance

Steven and Lindsay McKee

Mary Ann Harris and Phillip Anderson

Tiffany Simms and Meghan Williams

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COM MU N ITY

Clarksville Tour of Trees

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he annual First Baptist Clarksville Tour of Trees is about to begin.

Described as a Christmas tree ministry by Helen Allen, visitors will be treated to more than 50 beautifully decorated Christmas trees on display inside the Grace Worship Concourse this year.

“We are a team,” Allen said. “We started this more than ten years ago, and every year it gets bigger. I coordinate this, but I do have a wonderful team. We have 51 trees this year. There is plenty of room around the main concourse. All are Christian and Spiritual. We take pride in the fact that we recognize our Lord with every single tree.”

Allen said that the work begins each year in the month of April.

“That's when we start working on the individual trees on paper,” Allen said. “We sketch it, and talk about it, and organize it. The planning lasts until August. Then, on the 14

12th of November, we come together after our Sunday service, all the bare trees are brought down from storage, put up, fluffed, and we start putting the lights on.”

There are currently approximately 150 bins kept in storage. The ornaments are all carefully unpacked, and the next morning a team of 20 – 25 people (volunteers) starts decorating. They work all week to get the trees ready by Saturday.

The trees all have themes, like “Come and Worship” which is decorated with Cardinals and homemade churches. A lot of the themes are based on Christmas Carols, Silent Night, Deck the Halls Joy to the World, and so forth.

“We have a Holy Land tree, which is decorated with lots of Nativity scenes, I say that with sadness right now,” Allen said. “Our patriotic tree gets a lot of attention. We honor our veterans and our active duty service members in all branches. The tree is decked out in red, white, and blue. We have a lot of military in our church, and they love to get their pictures taken in front of that tree.”

Clarksville Living

Allen said that the first tree always stands inside the steeple entrance. “It is white and has a lot of crystal.

Visitors will enter there, then proceed into the concourse.

That's starts the other 50 trees will be.”

When asked about a favorite, Allen said, “I like 'em all.

There isn't one that is prettier than the rest. A lot of work goes in. We want them all to be outstanding, to speak to you, and speak to your heart. We have beautiful Christian ornaments on every tree, and I think we serve that purpose very well.”

Tours will begin the Monday after Thanksgiving, November 27th. You can do a self-guided tour or request a guide. Groups usually call ahead to schedule a guided tour. You can enter the church as early as 8:30am.

“Come on in and take your time,” Allen said. “We get a lot of groups each year, and we're happy to guide you through. Last year, we had more than 2,000 visitors tour the trees. Everyone in the community is welcome.

All denominations visit us. We welcome all groups and organizations, school groups, garden clubs, women's clubs, etc. It makes my heart so joyful for these people to come in and spend time. They always leave very pleased, and many come back every year.”

To request a guide, call 931.645.2431. Allen and her team, Allison Clouser, Marilyn Chilcutt, and Peggy Vaden invite you to see these beautifully decorated trees, each of which tells a story.

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United for Veterans Dinner

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Petra Roush, Sheena Dixon, Sherry Pickering and Jimmy Wiesner

he Montgomery County Veterans Coalition (MCVC) recently held its annual United for Veterans Dinner at The Ruby Cora.

“This was our 3rd annual dinner, which helps us educate the public about MCVC and to raise money that allows us to focus on our mission, which is to collaborate with, find resources for, and continue our advocacy of veterans in our community,” C.C. Wheeler said.

veterans, and active duty soldiers in attendance, as well as the local businesses that support us.

This year's top sponsors were F&M Bank and Altra Federal Credit Union.

Caprigio's did the catering, and I Emceed.”

“We were at 130 people this year. We had civilians,

MCVC continues to grow, and is already looking at new programs for next year, expanding their presence, and bringing together military, civilians, and veterans.

Amber Key and Rose Melton

Katie and John Dyke, Eric Hetzner

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Bari Owen and Sam Houston

Clarksville Living

C.C. and Steve Wheeler

Charlie Jordan and Meghan Williams

Chris and Stephanie Travis

Samantha Thompson and Kodie Wallace

Eric and Erin Yow

Shakeita and Treemelle Stokes

Khloe and Krista Kiepke

Jenny Craig and April Consulo

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C OMM UN ITY

S

ome people take a serious approach to having fun, and in the process elevate good times into memories that will most likely last a lifetime.

This statement could be made in regards to Chris Colburn, Shannon Ferrell and Joel Morrison, and their core group of eight, all fans of APSU Football who each Fall, during APSU Football home games, are known as the APSU Tailgating Professionals.

“Yes, that is the actual name for our group, we even have a Facebook page,” Colburn said. “We set up here every home game, and we've been doing it for three

years. Being out here under the big tent, with all this good food, and a handful of great friends really gets everybody fired up. The band comes down this aisle, and the team comes along right behind them. We line up along the pathway, and root them on to show our support.”

Colburn says the Professionals attendance can swell to as many as 25 or 30 people some weekends, as each of the members invites friends and family members to join them.

“We get all kinds of people wandering into the tent, people we know , people we don't know,” Volburn said. “We don't really care Come eat. Come drink. The more they eat and drink, the less we have to carry back home.”

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Clarksville Living

Colburn and the rest try to come up with a theme every week.

For the E.T.S.U. game they built the menu around seafood gumbo, rice and french bread.

But, as usual, personal tastes got involved and the spread included everything from fried chicken and cornbread to a vast array of chips and dips. Always, something for everyone.

“I just love the environment of it,” Ferrell said. “It's fun to get hyped up. APSU is doing great things right now, it's pretty cool to be involved with our hometown team. I'm just a fan.

I've known Chris for a few years, and he is the one who got us out here. He invited us last year a couple of times, now we just won't leave.”

One of the funny things about Colburn, Ferrell and Morrison is none of them are APSU alumni. ”I was born and raised here,” Morrison said. “I just love to support the school, and I have since I was a little kid. It's awesome out here. We have a good time, and it's contagious We all chip in on the food, and we coordinate through our Facebook page.”

The APSU Tailgating Professionals aren't alone. There are dozens of groups set up in the parking lot between the stadium and the Dunn Center.

There is every type of food you can imagine, as well as games and music being played from one end of the lot to the other.

“All we know for sure is we're going to have fun,” Colburn said. “And, if APSU plays today like they did against UT, they're going to stomp 'em.”

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Tennessee Craft Show I

Maria Bennett Hock and Carrie Waller

Story and Photos by Tony Centonze

n September, a reception was held at Clarksville's Customs House Museum & Cultural Center to open the Tennessee Craft, a statewide membership exhibition featuring more than seventy works of art in various mediums.

Kim Waag is the Executive Director of Tennessee Craft.

“It's a stunning show; it is a juried show, statewide, and these are works by members of Tennessee Craft from throughout the state, Waag said.

Vicki Parker, Channing Grimes, Stephanie Stafford and Myranda Harrison

Beth Kasper and Patsy Sharpe 20

Caroline, Stephen and Elouise Hutchins

This exhibition contains some of the finest craftsmanship, contemporary and traditional that you will find anywhere in the state. We've done a show here before. Terry Jordan and the team here at Customs House have been friends of ours for many years and were so honored to be here. This museum is of high credibility.”

Carmen Reagan and Renate Gills

Clarksville Living

Simon Levy and Linda Nutt

Jason McMurtry and Melodee Freeman

Monique Carr

Jo Anne and Thomack

Kitty Harvill and Leah Foote

Kim Waag and Jim Diehr

Jane Diehr, Emery and Johnny Coleman

Thomasa Ross and Todd Saal

Caasey Seymore and Becca Moore

Dee Boaz, Gary Hamm and Jacquline Crouch

Martica Griffin, John Guider and Trish Tallon-Blanchard

Laura Rone and Bethany Jerger

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Linda Nichols and Brendalyn Player 21

C O MMU N ITY

Take A Hike Dunbar Cave State Park

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Story by Rick Glass

he kids, have you climbing the walls?

Have you had just about all you can take of Cousin Eddie and his family?

The Holidays are a wonderful time, granted, but sometimes there can be too much of a good thing.

pool, and a hotel in the past, Dunbar Cave offers up a little over 3 miles of hiking trails for visitors. Full and recovery loops are available, and the trails are all fairly easy.

After a while, the dogs, cats, in-laws, and out-laws can wear on you. So where can you get away from all the stress and do something good for your health at the same time? Take a Hike!

Clarksville has a great variety of parks and trails to enjoy locally, and there is even more scenery to explore just an hour or two car ride away.

The oldest of Clarksville's three main hiking parks is Dunbar Cave State Park on Dunbar Cave Road, located next to Swan Lake Golf Course. Established in 1973, Dunbars' history goes back much further than that.

Thousands of years, by Mississippian indigenous peoples who left drawings in the cave itself that you can see on the guided tours.

Home to big band dances, hot springs, a large swimming 22

Dunbar Cave State Park

Since various developments surround the park, it is a sanctuary for deer, and nearby Swan Lake is home to numerous bird species. Owls seem to be especially fond of the layout. Equally interesting and informative is the New Year's Day hike covering the history of the land and its surroundings.

Clarksville Living

In the Southern part of the city, just off the 41-A Bypass down from the busy retail center intersection at Madison Street, you'll find Rotary Park. Rotary is a 111-acre park with trails blazed into undeveloped woodlands and an additional 25 acres of open space area.

The Greenway trail picks up on the other side of the river on the newly opened upland section. Park in the lot next to Action Air on Kraft Street, and you can continue your walk down the rest of the trail, under the Red River bridge, and up to McGregor Park along Riverside Drive.

Rotary Park

Rotary boasts over 5 miles of walkable trails, a creek that runs through the majority of the park, a playground, disc golf course, and the amazing new Wade Bourne Nature Center. Entry to the park is also available from Old Ashland City Road, where there is an amphitheater to enjoy various activities.

If you cross over the pedestrian bridge on Riverside and go behind the hotel, you can reach the upland spur that terminates in the Dog Hill neighborhood, which is also a lovely place for a leisurely walk.

If you want to take a short trip out of town, drive about 45 minutes south on Hwy 41-A and pass through Pleasant View. Just a little way off the main road to your right is Beaman Park. Near Joelton, Beaman is a 1,678acre park in Davidson County. With ridges and hollows, Beaman offers mini trails and 7-1/2 and 15-mile routes that will definitely give you a good workout. There's a An ADA walkway is also available in the middle section of nature center and beautiful scenery everywhere you the park, and picnic shelters and tables are located next look. to the creek for birthday parties and family gatherings.

Finally, another very nice park to visit nearby is Make sure you look for the old tobacco barn deep in Montgomery Bell State Park in Burns, Dickson County. the Back 40, and be sure to check out the Montgomery About 45 minutes away, Montgomery Bell features 3 County Parks & Recreation website and Facebook page lakes, a great selection of hiking trails, a large camping for all the cool programs and events they present. area with utility hookups, kayaking (with rentals), archery, a nature center, The baby of the local park and is the home to three scene is The Clarksville Tennessee Raptors.

Greenway. A collaboration of the "Rails to Trails" Informative shows and program, the Greenway presentations are held at follows the path of an the center, and the park is a abandoned railroad track great place for viewing spring turned into hiking, biking, flowers and fall colors. And and running space. There it's where they filmed part are three different entry of the iconic movie "Ernest points: the Pollard Road Goes to Camp"! trailhead, Heritage Soccer Park, and just off Peachers Clarksville Greenway So, get out of the house Mill Road. and let your crew burn off some energy With a reclaimed rail bed being replaced by asphalt, it as they work through their holiday has a smoother, rock-free surface prized by runners and cabin fever. You'll get some exercise skateboarders as well. Varying from slightly inclined to see some beautiful sights, and you some steep hills, the trail will take you down to the Red might even make the kids tired River, where plans to build a bridge across the water on enough to nod off early by enjoying the old concrete trestles. Walking the entire length totals Tennessee's natural beauty. a little more than nine miles, but you have opportunities Take a Hike! to do shorter excursions.

The park allows you to hike at least 5 or more different routes. You can take anything from a short meander of less than a mile to 5-1/2 miles or more. The terrain is more variable - and, depending on your path, challenging - but there's a level for every hiker.

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T

Women in Business he Clarksville Area Chamber of Commerce recently hosted a Women in Business event at The Tanglewood House that featured nationally-known speaker and author Jessica StollingsHolder.

Stollings-Holder shared information on 'how to break down barriers that divide, and build up awareness that unites and empowers all people, to create a more inclusive and innovative future.'

Those in attendance at the event enjoyed lunch, then an information-packed presentation that included personal anecdotes, breathing exercises, and activities that encouraged active listening.

Charlie Koon and Jessica Stollings-Holder 24

Alexis Goines and Lisa Baggett

Amanda Wilson and Julie Runyon

Melanie Hadley and Tina Augustine

Rose Melton and Julie Tarrants

Clarksville Living

Sally Eley and Kimberly York

Sarah Hamilton and Sarah Perry

Susan Dickinson and Shannon Kitchen

The Premier Medical Team

Jessica Todd, Cheryl Lankford and Polly Parker

ClarksvilleLivingMag.com

Charlie Koon and Melinda Shepard

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C OMM UN ITY

n March 16, 2024 Clarksville women will have a chance to experience the Power & Purpose Conference at Wilma Rudolph Event Center, featuring award-winning keynote speakers, mind-shifting personal development, power networking with amazing women, and more.

O

Keynote speakers Lori Locust and Megan Alexander will be joined by Clarksville's own First Lady Cynthia Pitts, April Consulo, and Liz Ruiz, and to round out the day, Grammy award-winning singer/ songwriter Liz Rose will perform an evening concert.

The event is being organized by April Consulo and her team. Consulo is one of the founders of W.O.M.E.N., Word of Mouth Entrepreneurial Networkers, a Nashvillebased networking group for female business owners and leaders.

“One day I knew I wanted to start a women's group,” Consulo said. “A dear friend of mine in Nashville, Sue Apple, and I felt there was something missing in Nashville for women owners of small businesses. The point of our group is that the most powerful form of advertising is word of mouth.”

The premise is that if you do a great job, women talk to each other about it. “Girl, where did you get your nails done, your hair done? Where did you get that jacket.”

Consulo said. “We inherently do that, so why not do that for our businesses.”

There is never a cost to be a member of W.O.M.E.N., and never a cost to participate at the meetings. It started as a monthly meeting, always held at women-owned businesses.

“It grew so well, a few years ago we did one of these at a woman-owned jewelry store in Nashville, and it was packed, Consulo said. “Women were buying jewelry and telling all their friends. Everywhere we went, our goal was to give more to that business.. We also did fun stuff, like in January, we all have new goals. Once, we did a New Year's event in a new gym. We had a contest to see who could do the longest plank.

“Our motto is, we educate, we elevate, and we celebrate women. When women have success, and I've studied this, they have guilt attached. A man accepts an award freely, while a woman is thinking, my mom sacrificed to watch my kids, and the kids didn't get what they needed.

There is all this guilt.”

Consulo says there are lots of women's events where you just hobnob and network. “I wanted to create an event for women that also provides an education factor.

No. 1 – educate. Come to this 90-minute meeting and learn something. It's not just about drinking wine and hanging out. The second part is to elevate – We lift each other up. They need to believe that what they're doing makes sense.

“We are a place where women can come once a month and evolve their business. We've had doctors, bakers, etc, and it's amazing to watch their growth.

It started about 11 years ago in a house on the lake in Nashville. “There were about twenty women,” Consulo said. “We started spreading the word, all word of mouth.

It has grown to thousands of women. We are one of the largest organizations of it kind in the Southeast that doesn't charge any fees.

“The last part is to celebrate. We started five years ago with Power & Purpose. We thought, we're doing great, our businesses are growing, everybody's growing. What can we do to take this to the next level. We had women coming in from Chattanooga and Memphis and beg to add chapters in their communities.”

“I don't believe you charge somebody a fee to build a dream. That has a lot to do with my mom and her background. Her passion was to repair and fix things. I could never see her spending money to go to a networking event, which she should have, but she was always more worried more about us kids.”

The group focused on structure, again its about assuaging women's guilt. “If you're at an event, and it goes on and on, the guilt starts creeping in,” Consulo said. “When we say it ends at 8 p.m., it ends at 8:00pm, and there is no guilt. You have learned, you get what you need, and you walk away feeling good about it.”

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Clarksville Living

W.O.M.E.N. can be found at Meetup, just look for women's networking groups. Consulo says her approach to Clarksville women's networking has been a little different.

“When we started here, we realized we can reach the women faster with a Power & Purpose Conference,” Consulo said. “So, in March we will be hosting the first personal development conference of its kind, right here in Clarksville.

know come from. I reached out to my music business contacts, and Liz Rose signed on within a day. She has written seventeen of Taylor Swift's biggest songs.”.

With the concert that night, Consulo is hoping to create the 'vibe' of City Winery or The Bluebird. It will be intimate and candle-lit, with a cash bar and appetizers.

“Liz performs in smaller venues like the Bluebird,” Consulo said. “Her agreeing to be here for us is staggering. What we're paying her goes back to the “I want women to think of this on the level of a Dallas, NSAI, the Nashville Songwriters Association, an Atlanta, LA, or New York event. Our keynote speakers are organization that protects songwriters.

5-figure an hour speakers. They are at the level for which you might pay $599 just to get in the room with them, “She'll bring some special guests from her own plus travel expenses, it could cost thousands.” publishing company, which she opened ten years ago..

She has overcome so many obstacles, and her music For the March Power & Purpose Conference, tickets start has already garnered more than 20 million record sales. at just $99, with VIP Tickets going for $149. The VIP She is a multiple Grammy award-winning writer and Ticket includes the full schedule of events during the day, multi-time winner of Songwriter of the Year.” and the Grammy concert with Liz Rose that evening.

The daytime activities are for women only, but men are “It's a complete tax write-off, and invited to attend the concert. There is a you're working on your business and limit of 250 tickets for the show. The yourself,” Consilo said. This year, we conference will be a one-day event have Lori Locust, a full-time coach with a limit of 350 tickets. 100 of those with the Tennessee Titans and a are VIP tickets, which allow entrance to Super Bowl champion coach with day and evening portions of the event. the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. She is Those ticket holders will also receive our first keynote speaker. She's preferred seating, lunch, and a special bringing a message about thriving in gift for just $149. that world. She'll share her daily rituals and how she overcame all “Yes, conference by day, Grammy the dream-stealers she was concert by night,” Consulo said. “We surrounded by. are expecting women from all over the country to attend this event. My goal is “She is highly sought after, and she for Clarksville to be known for this kind jumped at the chance to be here of event. because women want to be a part of what we do.

“I'm the final speaker at the conference. I'll be talking “Megan Alexander has over 6 million daily followers on about three of the songs I wrote; Strong Willed Woman, I Inside Edition. She is a powerful producer, speaker, and Believe in Me, and Tempted. These are my stories, they now author. She wrote Faith in the Spotlight. The point of helped me get through, and that's what personal the book is, that I have to have faith every day when I development is. leave my husband and children. I have to know God put me in that purpose, otherwise, I have guilt. She is a force “Women, this is a rare opportunity to see this kind of to be reckoned with.” talent coming to Clarksville. We hope this will become an annual event. Women love to be part of something that The event will be hosted at the Wilma Rudolph Event is bigger than themselves. We love to watch something Center. There will be lunch catered by Lisa Morrison. All bloom. There is so much talent in this town. It's time for the money goes to Consulo's 501c3.

Nashville people to come here and see what we have to offer.

“More money for the charity means more events,” Consulo said. “So, we're going to present a concert that For more information and tickets go to http:// night. I wanted to bring in one of Nashville's top WOMENPowerAndPurpose2024.eventbrite.com. songwriters to talk about where these songs that we all ClarksvilleLivingMag.com

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Dozens recently gathered on the fifth floor of the F&M Bank building in Downtown Clarksville for a reception and ribbon cutting for the Fort Campbell campus of the Honor Foundation.

Mayor Wes Golden, Jacob Mousseau and Ptrick Luther

The Honor Foundation was created to help members of the armed services, specifically those in Special Operations 5th Special Forces Group, 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment as they transition from active duty service.

Honor Foundation CEO Matt Stevens said, “We're super-excited to be opening a campus in the Clarksville – Fort Campbell- Middle Tennessee area. We're ecstatic to be here and keep the men and women who are transitioning out, here in Middle Tennessee.”

Charlie Koon and MG (Ret.) Walt Lord 28

Josh Burch

Andrew Kester and BG (Ret.) Scott Brower

Caroline and Terry Hamby

Pete and Elena Russo

Matt Stevens

Senator Bill Powers, and Sam Nienow Clarksville Living

at Casey Jones Distillery Hopkinsville's Casey Jones Distillery recently held its annual Lights Out Festival, an evening of music with Clarksville's own American Floyd, one of the nation's top Pink Floyd tribute bands.

More than 1,200 guests were on hand to celebrate the 50th anniversary of Dark Side of The Moon, with American Floyd's performance of the classic album in its entirety.

Festival-goers also enjoyed a light show, cocktails, food trucks, and tours and tastings featuring the distillery's great selection of tasty spirits.

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COM MU N ITY

James Vanderlinde and Tashina Richardson

Chamber's Veteran Business of the Month

J

ames Vanderlinde and Tashina Richardson a recently-engaged couple are the owners/ operators of Journey Home Inspection Services.

inspection and get, termites mold, air quality, radon, lead-based paint. Really, any of the inspection services they need, they can get with Journey.

“I was stationed here in 2014 and retired as a Staff Sergeant in 2020,” Vanderlinde said.

“I didn't want to go back to Illinois, where I'm from, and within a year or two of arriving at Fort Campbell I was like, I absolutely love this place. I knew that no matter where I went after this duty station, I had already decided that this is where I wanted to retire.”

“Inspections are still optional, but most people get them.

It's usually uneducated buyers who assume that since its new construction, they don't need an inspection. But, we recommend them for new-construction and older homes.

You'd be surprised at how often we find issues in a newconstruction home.”

Vanderlinde says it's the weather, the people, really, everything. “I don't like how humid it gets in the summer, but you cant have everything. I'm an outdoorsman.

The area is beautiful, the people are beautiful, just everything.”

Vanderlinde says that builders subcontract just about everything, and human error is a real thing. “The foreman can't have eyes on everyone at the same time. So, there are gaps, and things that get missed. Yes, you have a warranty, but existing issues that don't come to light until after the warranty expires can be a big, and costly problem.

The couple started working together about a year ago.

“We each have our own role, and we don't step over those lines,” Richardson said. “I grew up on a farm, had my own bakery for a few years, and then did accounting at a construction company, that's where we met. Now we're here.”

Journey Home Inspections began in February of 2021.

“We do everything involved in home inspections,” Vanderlinde said. “We're a one-stop-shop for value and convenience. Agents can come to us for a standard 30

“We did a new town-home in Kentucky ( Journey HIS is certified in Tennessee and Kentucky) recently. We run the water, turn on all the lights, run the HVAC, basically we put stress on all the systems to see what happens. We got in there, and water was dripping out of the ceiling.

There was a pipe that never got connected. Just a lack of oversight.”

Journey's pricing is competitive with others in the area.

“Our base price may be higher than some other's base

Clarksville Living

price, but our price includes everything you need,” Vanderlinde said. “Others offer a variety of add-on's and packages. When you itemize it out, we're probably cheaper than most.”

The buyer usually pays for the inspection, but who actually pays for the service really depends on the deal they have with the seller. Many times, the buyer gets reimbursed for the cost.

Journey HIS works with everyone in town. “We're doing more than fifty inspections a month,” Vanderlinde said.

“We have a team of five and another person, a female inspector, currently in training.

“We also offer a re-inspection. After your initial inspection, when you're about to close on the house, we come out and make sure that all the issues we found have been corrected. It's affordable and quick. We take a lot of pictures, and take copious notes at the first inspection. The follow-up report is quick and simple, we just make sure everything was done correctly, as listed.”

Journey HIS also offers an “11-month” warranty inspection for new construction. “Before your warranty runs out we come back out and make sure those items about to go out of warranty are still functioning properly.”

Vanderlinde said.

“It's best to know now, than after the warranty has expired. It's called 11-month in the industry, but 10 months is the best time to get it. You just want to make sure you don't end up with a costly situation.”

Home inspections are highly recommended. It's better to spend a little money now on an inspection. It can save you big money in the end. “We see it all the time,Vanderlinde said. “We inspected a $2.5 million dollar house, that was just three years old, and found a major structural issue that had been missed. The customer said, 'I wish I had hired you guys for the original inspection. They missed this, and now it's costing me a ton of money.”

Journey Home Inspection Services can be reached at 931-237-5278 or by email at tashina@journeyhis. com. You can also book your inspection online at www. journeyhis.com.

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Melissa Garcia and Christy Davenport

Tammie Callender and Jon Wesley

O'Neal Wiggins, Heather Fleming and Cindy Greene

Business After Hours Jeff Burkhart opened the eighth Screaming Eagle Car Wash in Clarksville, located on Tiny Town Road.

And to celebrate, he joined with the Clarksville Area Chamber of Commerce to host September's Business After Hours.

“We hope to just give our customers a good wash for their money,” Burkhart said. “We have the topof-the-line equipment in this 150' long facility. It's the longest car wash in town, and it's designed to provide vehicle owners with a cleaner, dryer car.”

Burkhart says the location is great, with daily traffic counts in excess of 35,000. “There are also 1,000 houses in the neighborhoods behind us, that this location will be convenient to. Plus, it's on the goinghome side, allowing easier access for the customers. The project took about a year to complete.”

Erinne Hester, Conchetta Willis and Mark Kelly 32

Willi Frank

Lamar Haynes and Will Foston

Chris and Ivonne Pequeno, Rachel Brown Photo by Cheyanne Parkans

Jessica Dewberry and Kirsten Gambrel

Shiloh Bischoff and Tatyana Hoelcel

Doris and Eric Scheidler

Lydia and Caleb Anderson

Clarksville Living

Power & Purpose Conference

W.O.M.E.N.

CLARKSVILLE,TN

W.O.M.E.N.

Megan Alexander National Host with "Inside Edition", Actress, Executive Producer and Author of "Faith in the Spotlight".

W.O.M.E.N.

Lori "Lo" Locust Tennessee Titans 1st Full Time Female Coach (2023/24 Season) & The First Women on an NFL Coaching Staff to Win a Super Bowl Championship!

Scan for Details

WILMA RUDOLPH EVENT CENTER

SATURDAY, MARCH 16TH, 2024

$99.00

Conference Highlights;

Cynthia Pitts April Consulo Lisa Ruiz Award Winning Speakers Founder of Walk of CEO & Founder of John Maxwell Speaker Love Ministry, CoofficeNOW, Award and Founder of Brand Catered Lunch Founder & Director of Winning Songwriter My Swag a 20+ year Bella’s Closet. and Author of Promotional & Personal Development "Permission to Live" Branding Company.

Welcome Gift empowHER Networking Silent Auction Liz Rose Multiple Grammy Songwriter VIP Tickets Available @ $149* Over 20 Million Copies Sold,

* Includes 1 Grammy Concert Ticket with Liz Rose

See Link Below http://WOMENPowerAndPurpose2024.eventbrite.com

Prestigious 2007 SESAC Nashville Songwriter of the Year, Country Music Association 2015 Song of The Year, Multiple Cross Over Hits and a Double Platinum!

Proceeds to benefit W.O.M.E.N. a 501c3 Organization that serves to Educate, Elevate & Celebrate Women Entrepreneurs.

*Additional Sponsors To Be Announced

T RAV EL

Six Low Country Places You Should Visit This November

Story by Christie Crawford

L

ow Country South Carolina is defined as the low-lying coastal area of the state. Beaches don’t normally come to mind during the Thanksgiving season, but it is an exceptional time to visit this region. Oysters are in high season, and holiday decor featuring magnolia and shells festoon the homes and stores.

Meander down US Hwy 17 to conjure up images from Prince of Tides and the wild estuaries of Where The Crawdads Sing. View calm marshes, coastal islands, and eerie swamps along with Revolutionary and Civil War historic sites. Pass by the boiled peanut huts and seagrass basket-maker stands. For 15 years, I spent Thanksgiving with my family in Myrtle Beach, taking time to explore the surrounding coastline. I grew to love these spots, and they are now my Thanksgiving memories.

Murrells Inlet Just south of Myrtle Beach lies the historic fishing village of Murrells Inlet. The seafood capital of SC it has restaurants aplenty, from casual beach shacks to fine dining featuring local grouper and freshly caught shrimp and oysters. Take a stroll on the MarshWalk, gazing at 34

what was once the lair of infamous pirate Blackbeard, while shrimp boats bring in their fresh morning haul.

Nearby is the 2,500-acre Huntington State Park, which is adjacent to both the ocean and marshland. Be sure to visit its nature center.

Pawley’s Island Home of the famous handcrafted rope hammock, the island is a popular destination for its variety of shabby chic cottages and condos, as well as its Southern-style boutiques and cafes. It began as a summer home retreat for plantation owners to escape mosquitoborne illnesses in the 1700s. Its history includes slave rebellions, shipwrecks, and a ghost or two. A not-tomiss attraction is Brookgreen Gardens, the first public sculpture garden in America. Created by artist and heiress Anna Hyatt Huntington and her husband, Archer.

You must explore its lush gardens and botanical outdoor statuary.

Georgetown With its meeting point of three rivers, the Waccamaw, Pee Dee, and Sampit, Georgetown is one of the

Clarksville Living

oldest towns in SC. Formed in 1729, it has a large port and hosts the popular Wooden Boat Show each October. You can stroll the Georgetown Harborwalk, tour a historic mansion or plantation, or visit the Rice Museum, chronicling the town’s history as the third largest producer of rice in the US. Carolina Rice has its beginnings here and is still available for purchase.

Charleston The heart of the Low Country lies here. From its pastel antebellum seafront mansions on Battery Row to the historic Fort Sumter, where the first shots of the Civil War were fired, the city is a good dichotomy of old and new.

Find Award-winning restaurants, lovely inns, refurbished warehouse galleries and shops, and plantations.

Middleton, Magnolia, and Boone Hall are all worth visiting. She-crab soup is a must to try here, as is shrimp pilau. Don’t skip the nearby islands of Folly, Kiawah and Edisto. And if maritime history is your passion, visit the USS Yorktown and Charleston Maritime Museum.

Beaufort A one-time colony for the Spanish, French, and English, Beaufort is the home of the Pat Conroy Literary Museum and the movie settings for Prince of Tides, The Big Chill, and Forrest Gump. Investigate this charming small town with its historically preserved main street, moss-covered live oak trees, a plethora of art galleries, and a nearby marine base, Parris Island. Gullah culture, similar to Creole and based on African origins, is celebrated here with food, music, festivals, and art.

Hilton Head Conde Nast Traveler’s choice for the best US island for 2023, Hilton Head, with its vast white beaches, is a destination for ocean-goers and golfers alike. A newbie on the coast, the town was only incorporated in 1983 after careful environmental planning. But it, too, has a rich history from when William Hilton visited the area in 1663.

With its unique landscape, heritage, and cuisine, the South Carolina Low Country should be a strong consideration for your travel plans this fall. Southern author Pat Conroy in The Lords of Discipline describes it best; ” you can even forsake the low country, renounce it for other climates, but you can never mistake the sensuous, semitropical pull of Charleston and her marshes.”

No other dish exemplifies the low country cuisine best than classic shrimp and grits at the Thanksgiving table.

This recipe from Palmetto Farms is my family’s favorite.

Palmetto Farms Shrimp and Grits Recipe (from their family cookbook) and their website www. palmettofarms.com

Ingredients for Grits 1 ½ cups chicken broth 1 ½ cups milk ¼ tsp. Salt (more to taste) ¾ cup Palmetto Farms Grits 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese Ingredients for Shrimp Topping 1 cup diced bacon + 2 tbsp. fat ½ cup thinly sliced onion 2 tsp. hot pepper sauce 1 lb. medium peeled shrimp 1 cup thinly sliced green bell pepper Grated cheese for garnish Sliced green onions for garnish Instructions for Grits Bring chicken broth and milk to boil in a medium saucepan. Stir in grits and salt, and return to boil.

Cover and reduce heat to low. Cook 20-25 minutes, stirring occasionally. Stir in cheese. Keep warm.

Instructions for Shrimp Topping Cook diced bacon in a pan until crisp. Remove bacon and drain all but 2 tbsp of fat. Add peppers and onions to the pan. Cook until tender. Add cleaned shrimp and cook until pink. Return bacon to pan. Stir in hot pepper sauce, salt, and pepper to taste. Serve shrimp mixture over warm grits. Garnish with green onions and cheese.

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2023

Jumper Cup Wayne Pace was in town recently for the annual Jumper Cup Challenge, a spirited match at the Clarksville County Club in which local golfers take on Pace's team of golfers from Georgia and points beyond to raise money for a worthy cause.

Jim Cherry and Matt Baker

John Hampford and Mitch Birner

Pace says the event is about having fun and raising money, but both sides play to win. Former LPGA golfer and 3-time All-American at the University of Arizona Alison Walshe was on hand, as well as Jacqui Concolino, former LPGA golfer and 2-time All-American at Vanderbilt University.

“This event raises about $30,000 each year for charity,” Pace said. “Proceeds this year will be going to the Kelly Gibson Foundation, which benefits military and first responders, as well as children's programs with an emphasis on enrichment through athletics."

Jacqui Concolino, Rob Clouser and Bill Wolfe

Lance Morgan, Corey Cornell, Seth Morrison, Charlie Keene and Randy Clouser

Wayne Pace 36

Wade Mitchell Clarksville Living

Cliff Fields

Eat, Play, Shop on Franklin Street Happy Holidays

ClarksvilleLivingMag.com

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Women's Club

Fashion Show

Local ladies recently enjoyed a day of fashion at the Clarksville Country Club, with live music by Dr. Penelope Shumate, brunch by P'body's Chef Perry, door prizes, a silent auction, and more.

“This event is called the Hats & Heels Style Show and is hosted by the GFWC Clarksville Women's Club,” Patty Gabilondo said. “We learned that there was a music scholarship that for a variety of reasons, was no longer being funded.

Nancy Ledbetter, Joan Niles and Barbara Heflin

“Our new Arts & Culture Chair, Cheryl Havlik, wanted to reinstate the scholarship at APSU. So, we created this event for that purpose and to help us continue our good work with foster children, our local domestic violence safe house, etc.”

Crista Blackburn and Crystal Trotter

Faye Hand and Wanda Allen 38

Jan Corrothers and Dr. Penelope Shumate

Aisha Cruz and Carolyn Watson

Barbara Beeman

Carol Allison and Carly Daniel

Christen Wilcox, Brenda Anderson and Flora McNabb

Patty Gabilondo, Cynthia Pitts, Cheryl Havlik and Sara Baker

Clarksville Living

FOOD

Southern Twisted Deviled Eggs Recipe by Linda Austin

D

eviled eggs always makes a great appetizer for any holiday gathering. This is a new twist to add to an old staple that should raise some eyebrows with curiosity, and become a new family favorite. till eggs are cool to the touch. This will help make peeling the eggs very easy.

Ingredients: Dozen hard boiled eggs

Once they're peeled, cut each egg in half. Pop the yolks into a mixing bowl. Set aside the egg whites on a plate.

½ cup real mayonnaise 1 TBL. spoon dill relish

Mix together 1/2 cup of mayonnaise, 1 tablespoon dill relish, and 1-2 tablespoons of pimento cheese with the yolk till the mixture is well blended together.

1-2 TBL. Pimento cheese Chopped bacon bits

Scoop mixture into egg white halves. Top with chopped bacon bits. Dust with a sprinkle of paprika.

Paprika Instructions:

Another serving option would be to mash egg whites and mix them into the deviled egg mixture and top with bacon and paprika.

Place raw eggs in cold water and boil for 9 minutes.

Take off heat and immediately put eggs into cold water

Serve with quartered toast triangles or crackers.

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C OMM UN ITY

Wreaths Across America

T

his year's National Wreaths Across America Day will be held on Saturday, December 16th, 2023. More than 2,000,000 volunteers and supporters will gather to remember, honor, and teach at more than 4,000 participating locations in all 50 states.

place a wreath on the table as part of a ceremony inside the chapel. The Sons of the American Revolution Honor Guard will be there, and we will have a bugler.”

The chapel is usually standing-room-only, and the

Resthaven Memorial Gardens in Clarksville will be one of those locations, and Marie Tillman is organizing this year's ceremony.

“I'm with the William Edmiston Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution,” Tillman said. “We will be hosting this year's event on December 16th beginning at 11 a.m. inside the Resthaven Chapel.

“Members representing every branch of the service will 40

Clarksville Living

ceremony lasts about 30 minutes. After the ceremony, people can pick up their wreaths at a tent just outside the chapel. At that time, they can place them on the graves of their loved ones.

“There are more than 1,900 veterans buried at Resthaven,” Tillman said. “Family members and/or friends can place a wreath on the grave and say aloud the name of the veteran buried there. Our goal is to have a wreath for each of the 1,926 veterans here at Resthaven.”

location by a contingent of motorcyclists.

“We were the first in Montgomery County to join in this annual national commemoration. Other local cemeteries are now participating. Wreaths are $17.00 each, two for $34.00. If anyone wants to place their order directly with me, I'm already looking at placing an order for 150 wreaths. We encourage everyone to join us, and there will be coffee and doughnuts.”

Those interested in ordering wreaths can go to the Wreaths Across America website at www. wreathsacrossamerica. org/tn0021 and place their order, or contact Marie Tillman by texting 931.801.3564 or emailing her at Tillmanlm@charter. net.

“For every two wreaths purchased, the company donates an extra one to us. When someone purchases at the website, orders will automatically be delivered by truck to Resthaven. The delivery is usually escorted to our ClarksvilleLivingMag.com

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C OMM UN ITY

Cocktails & Candy Canes

T

he Clarksville Ajax Turner 50+ Activity Center recently announced a special event that is coming up on December 9th: Cocktails and Candy Canes, a chance to don your fancy cocktail attire, enjoy a night of entertainment, and support a worthwhile cause.

“2019 is the last time we were able to do a big event like this,” Jill Crow said. “We're hoping this will become our signature event, something fun that we can do every year.”

The event will be held at the Wilma Rudolph Event Center, with cocktail hour beginning at 5:30 p.m. Guests will be greeted with a signature cocktail. The invitation reads - “Picture yourself enjoying our signature drink, being captivated by the enchanting tricks of our magician, Armory, and laughing with our surprise guests.

“As the evening unfolds, enjoy a delightful dinner, groove to the live band, Nashville's Top Tier, and participate in a lively auction.”

Organizers are anticipating as many as 200 guests for this inaugural event.

“Proceeds from the evening will be used to renovate the Center's event room, purchase a much-needed intercom system for the building, and generally enhance the experience of our beloved seniors,” Crow said.

have Top Tier, a great dance band from Nashville. It's going to be so much fun.”

The Center has been around for 58 years, providing seniors with a hub of activities, resources, and social connections. Members today enjoy complimentary breakfast and low-cost lunches. The Center's mission is to enhance the quality of life for [their] golden-aged community members, especially those of medium to low income.

“Santa and Mrs Claus will be there, along with some other special guests and a magician,” Jan Holleman said.

“Dinner will be catered by North Meets South - they always do a fabulous job. We're also really excited to 42

Crow said they are expecting some over-the-top auction items, including things like 'getaway packages' to places such as Charleston, SC, and other great destinations.

Organizers are open to donations of additional auction items.

For tickets, questions about how to get involved or more information, contact Jill Crow at 931.648.9529 or peanut1796@hotmail.com or Jan Holleman at 931.648.1345 or marketing@ajaxturner50plus.org. The Center's website is www.ajaxturner50plus.org.

Clarksville Living

Recipes Thanksgiving Leftovers Recipe submitted by Ryan Pritchette Kitchen manager at Ajax Turner Senior Citizens Center

Ingredients

2 tablespoons brown sugar 1 ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon 2 cups chopped pecans Instructions Preheat the Oven 400 degrees

2 1/2 cups turkey shredded 3/4 cup cranberry sauce 2 cups mashed potatoes 1 cup creamed corn 1.5 cup turkey gravy 2 tablespoons milk 2 cups corn bread stuffing chicken broth or melted butter to taste

Bake sweet potatoes on a baking sheet for 30 minutes.

Place potatoes in a large mixing bowl, add butter, 1 tablespoon brown sugar, bourbon, 1 teaspoon salt, and mash all ingredients together till well blended.

Reduce oven heat to 375 degrees.

Instructions Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Combine turkey and cranberry sauce and spread evenly on the bottom of an 8x8 glass baking dish.

Evenly press on leftover mashed potatoes and sprinkle corn over the top.

Mix milk and leftover gravy and spread evenly over potatoes and corn. Sprinkle leftover stuffing and lightly drizzle chicken broth over the top (this will keep the stuffing from drying out).

Cover with tin foil and bake at 400 degrees for 25-30 minutes or until heated through.

Notes Variations to this recipe

Spread sweet potato mixture into a buttered 3-quart casserole dish.

In a separate bowl, mix all topping ingredients together.

And spread evenly on top of sweet potatoes.

Bake for 25 -30 minutes. Serve warm.

Homemade Cranberry Sauce Submitted by Armi Aguilar Rhodes

Ingredients 1 (20 oz) crushed pineapple 2 (12 oz) packages of cranberries 1 ¼ cup sugar 1 tablespoon brown sugar 1 tablespoon lemon juice ¼ teaspoon clove (optional)

Feel free to use whatever leftovers you have on hand. It doesn't have to be exactly the same as what is listed here.

Some ideas to try:

Instructions

Substitute sweet potatoes for mashed potatoes.

Drain excess juice from crushed pineapple into a cup.

Substitute peas, carrots, or green beans for corn, or use more than one vegetable, depending on what you have on hand.

Add water to juice to make 2 cups of liquid.

Substitute croutons or breadcrumbs for the topping if you don't have stuffing leftovers.

Place the liquid into a saucepan Add cranberries and brown sugar

Bourbon Pecan Sweet Potatoes

Stir on medium heat till the mixture is all dissolved and comes to a boil.

Submitted by Terri Wilson

Continue boiling till the cranberries pop open, and the liquid thickens.

Casserole Ingredients 6 medium deet potatoes, peeled and cut into 1” chunks 2 tablespoons salted butter melted 3 tablespoons packed brown sugar ¼ bourbon (or whiskey) ¾ teaspoon salt Topping Ingredients 8 tablespoons salted butter softened

Lower heat and stir occasionally for 10 minutes.

Remove from heat and add the rest of the ingredients.

Allow it to cool, and put cranberry sauce into a serving bowl.

Place in refrigerator to chill till serving time.

ClarksvilleLivingMag.com

43

C OMM UN ITY

Randy Huth at Kiwanis Club

T

om Creech had the pleasure of introducing Coach Randy Huth, guest speaker at a recent Kiwanis Club meeting, who talked about his unprecedented 3rd consecutive trips to the Little League World Series, his love of baseball, and his special relationship with his father.

“At one point in Williamsport, I was doing 15 – 20 interviews a day,” Huth said. “ I always got asked the same question: what was your favorite moment/favorite part? That's a pretty tough question. There have been so many amazing experiences, like playing in front of 25,000 people. I can't really answer that question. I don't know the answer.

“Some moments that stand out for me, I like to call them OSM's.

I've had a ton of them.

I pitched at Vol State, and I was a lefty specialist. We made it to the first game of the Jr. College World Series.

I threw one pitch, he hit a double, all three runs scored. We lost.

My World Series career lasted one pitch.

“For anybody to take a Little League baseball team deep into the world series one time is phenomenal, to do it twice... what an honor it is to have you back,” Creech said, welcoming Huth to the podium.

“First off, let me say it's an honor to be here,” Huth said.

“I usually don't speak to people that are older than the age of 12, so forgive me if I get emotional talking about my players or my Dad. This is the first group I ever addressed about having the opportunity to make history.

I actually made it three times in a row. That has never been done before in the 76-year history of Little League.”

Huth described himself as the luckiest man in the world.

He talked about the flood of emotions when his team beat Florida 4 – 1 to return this year.

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Randy Huth

Tom Creech

Clarksville Living

“I won a gold medal in China for Thailand.

ashes. “Right there on ESPN,” Huth said. “You talk about an OSM. That was a pretty cool moment. I didn't tell anyone. I just did it. It became a massive story, and I got calls from all over the world. We lost, but it didn't matter. I got to fulfill that promise to my pops, and that was pretty special.”

Member of the Clarksville Kiwanis Club

I was out of baseball for a while. Then I got a call from an old roommate. Two weeks later, I was in Bangkok, Thailand, pitching for the Shanghai Beavers. We went on to win a gold medal in China.”

He talked about his career and his time playing baseball around the world. After playing, he began coaching. His father coached Little League for 40 years. They coached together for a while before his father fell ill.

“We actually coached two teams to district championships,” Huth said. “In 2013, my dad came up with an idea, the phantom infield. People loved it. At the state tournament, more people came out to see our pregame drills than came to some of the actual games.

“In 2018, I was coaching South Nashville, which became Nolensville, and my mom called and said, 'You need to get home. Your dad's heart stopped.' That was one of those moments, for sure. I didn't go right home. This was our dream, Dad and me, to make the World Series. We lost the first two games, and I went home. My dad lived for two more weeks. We got to hang out and talk about baseball. The last text he ever sent me was, 'Those umpires would have to get better just to be bad.'

“Before he passed away, he said, you've got to promise me two things, first – 'you've got to take care of mom.'

Second, he wanted his ashes spread at the Little League World Series at Williamsport, PA. Both were tough asks. I thought one day I might make it there as a fan, and I could spread his ashes, and it would be a special moment for me.”

In 2021, Huth's team made it all the way to Williamsport.

In the first game of the series, he called timeout after the first pitch, went out to the mound, and spread his dad's

and coach.

Huth talked about the team he took back to the World Series in 2022. ESPN loved the Phantom infield. That year, they lost to Hawaii in the US Championship. He talked about having the team with him for 30 days, and how he became a dad, brother, friend,

Huth shared some funny stories about his time with the kids, and then he talked about meeting Stella Weaver at tryouts for 2023. “I said, Stella, after watching you here, and I know what our team is going to be, … in five months, you'll be on the cover of a Wheaties box,” Huth said. “She laughed at me and thought I was crazy. She was different and special. I knew it from the moment I saw her. Five months later, she was on the Today Show and Good Morning America. She did a spread for Sports Illustrated all the local TV and radio stations.

“Two weeks ago, we were at an event together, she said, 'I don't know about being on that Wheaties box, but I just signed a book deal to write a book about my experience'. She's 12 years old, set a record for most hits ever by a girl in the WS, most runs scored, and most putouts on defense. Also, the most stolen bases ever. Stella and the fellas became a big deal.”

He talked about playing on the original field, the first ever where a Little League game was played in 1939.

“Even I put on a glove, went out, and shagged balls that day, so I could say I played on that field. One of the coolest experiences of my life, playing on that field where Ty Cobb threw out the first pitch.”

Huth went on to talk about all the firsts, not only for him but his players. “People ask me what's next, I'm not sure. But I do know there will probably be a lot of OSM's to come. Thank you.”

ClarksvilleLivingMag.com

45

CALEN DAR

November

Submit your event to events@clarksvillelivingmag.com by the15th of the month for the next issue.

Customs House Museum 200 South Second Street

10 friday

17 friday

Sloshed-Spear: MacBeth

11th Annual Forrest of Christmas Trees

November 10th | Time: 7:00pm Price: $5

The Roxy hosts an interactive Shakespearean improv with some adult beverages.

F&M Bank Huff & Puff Express Model Trains

Exhibit open daily | Trains run Sundays 1:00pm– 4:00pm, Wednesdays 10:00am–12:00pm, Fridays 10:00am–12:00pm and the last Saturday of each month 1:00pm–4:00pm Celebrate the upcoming seasons with our model train exhibit as it takes you on a magical adventure!

Customs House Museum 200 South Second Street

11 saturday Sevier Station Tour

November 11th | 11:00am to 1:00pm Price: Free Join County Historian Carolyn Ferrell as she portrays Naomi Sevier, survivor of the attack on the station in 1794. While guests visit the oldest building in Montgomery County, they will learn more about the Sevier Family and the history of the property. There will be items on display inside the home. After the event, stop by Fort Defiance where you can have some hot chocolate and learn more about the history of Clarksville.

November 17th | Time: Sundown Price: Free

11th annual Forrest of Christmas Trees, self guided and free to public.

First Baptist Church Downtown 499 Commerce Street | Clarksville, TN Time: Sundown

18 saturday Christkindle Market

November 18th | Time: 11:00am to 6:00pm Price: Free Grand Opening Ceremony the City of Clarksville Mayor to turn on the Christmas on the Cumberland holiday lights beginning at 6:00pm.

German-inspired, open-air craft market, food, drinks, and artisan vendors selling holiday handmade items. Also, visit Santa.

McGregor Park 640 North Riverside Drive | Clarksville, TN

Christmas on the Cumberland

November 18th | Time: 5:00pm to 10:00pm Recurrence: Every day until January 2nd, 2024 Price: Free City of Clarksville's Christmas on the Cumberland with over one million lights at McGregor Park and Cumberland Riverwalk.

Sevier Station 326 Walker Street | Clarksville, TN

McGregor Park 640 North Riverside Drive | Clarksville, TN

16 thursday

19 sunday

Storytime & Craft: Children’s Book Week

Winter Baroque With Gateway Chamber Orchestra

November 16th | 10:30am | All ages, with adult Free with membership or paid admission

Join us for a magical journey through the pages of Bunny’s Book Club by Annie Silvestro and We Are in a Book! by Mo Willems. Then, follow us into the Family Art Studio for a fall-inspired watercolor craft.

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November 19th | Time: 4:00pm Price: $15+

15th Anniversary Season with Gateway Chamber Orchestra playing melodies of fan-favorite, Winter Baroque with the Clarksville Children's Choir.

Madison Street United Methodist Church 319 Madison Street | Clarksville, TN

Clarksville Living

21 tuesday Drive Thru Christmas Lights

November 21st | Time: 5:30pm to 10:00pm Recurrence: Every day until January 1st, 2024 Price: $30 per car load ($50 for more than 8 people in a vehicle) Enjoying over one mile, and over three million lights, from the comfort of your car with the family.

Sunday – Thursday: 5:30pm to 9:00pm Fridays & Saturdays: 5:30pm to 10:00pm Holidays: 5:30pm to 10:00pm Clarksville Speedway and Fairgrounds 1600 Needmore Road, Clarksville, TN 37040

23 thursday Tiny Tim's Christmas Carol

November 23rd | Time: 7:00pm Price: $35 (adults) and $15 (10 and under) Tiny Tim is determined to have his father home for Christmas day even if it means teaching Ebenezer Scrooge a lesson in Christmas cheer!

November 23,24,25,30, December 1,7,8,9,14,15,16 | 7:00pm December 2,9,16 | 2:00pm Roxy Regional Theatre 100 Franklin Street, Clarksville, TN 37040

25 saturday Holiday Market

November 25th | Time: 12:00pm to 5:00pm Price: Free Kommunity Markets is hosting a two-day holiday market on Saturday, November 25th, and Sunday, November 26th from 12:00pm - 5:00pm.

Kommunity Markets 606 Washington Street | Clarksville, TN

Family Art Saturday: Celebrating Native American Heritage Month

November 25th Time: 10:00am – 12:00pm & 2:00pm – 4:00pm Ages 3+, with adult Free with membership or paid admission | Family Art Studio

National Native American Heritage Month pays tribute to the rich ancestry and traditions of Native Americans. During this month’s Family Art Saturday, use paper bags as your canvas to craft and paint your very own masterpiece in the style of buffalo hides.

2023 Lighted Christmas Parade

Customs House Museum 200 South Second Street

The parade route starts at Austin Peay State University and will be going through downtown.

26 sunday

Downtown Clarksville

Annie Movie Showing

December 2nd | 3:00pm to 5:30pm Price: $15 for ages 6 and up, free for ages 0-5

November 26th | Time:6:00pm Price: $5

Roxy Regional Theatre 100 Franklin Street, Clarksville, TN 37040

Winterfest

November 26th | 10:00am to 4:00pm Price: Free Food truck, holiday shopping with local artists, hayride and crafts for kids.

Erin's Farm 7000 Hodges Road | Cunningham, TN

27 Monday First Baptist Clarksville Tour of Trees November 27th Price: Free

50 beautifully decorated trees will be on display at First Baptist throughout the Christmas season!

Each tree will tell a part of the gospel story of Jesus. Tours begin November 27th - December 21st. Guided tours and self guided tours are available!

December 2nd | Time: 5:00pm to 7:00pm Price: Free

The City of Clarksville and Montgomery County presents the annual Lighted Christmas Parade.

An 1860s Tennessee Christmas

A 1860s Tennessee Christmas celebration at Historic Collinsville. A limit of 36 guests per night.

Saturday and Sunday, December 2nd and 3rd, from 4:00pm to 7:00pm.

3 saturday The Polar Express Movie Showing December 3rd | 6:00pm Price: $5

Roxy Regional Theatre 100 Franklin Street | Clarksville, TN

Jacob Lawrence: Storyteller of Courage, Resistance and Freedom December 3rd | Time: 3:00pm

This first installment of our Sundays at Three lecture series for adults brings Dr. Leslie King Hammond to the Customs House Museum for a unique opportunity you won’t want to miss!

She will guide us through the remarkable work and life of artist Jacob Lawrence, shedding light on the stories, struggles and influences that shaped his iconic works.

First Baptist Clarksville 499 Commerce Street | Clarksville, TN

Customs House Museum 200 South Second Street

DECEMBER

7 THURSDAY

2 SATURDAY

Downtown Commons Tree Lighting December 2nd | Time: 4:30pm Price: Free

Mayor Wes Golden will light the Christmas Tree at 4:30pm with the parade beginning at 5:00pm.

Come early to grab your seats!

Downtown Commons 215 Legion Street, Clarksville, TN 37040

First Thursday Art Walk

December 7th | 5:00pm to 8:00pm Price: Free Local artists in a community-wide, self-guided tour at various downtown businesses locations.

Free admission to Clarksville Museum during Art Walk.

Downtown Artists Co-Op 96 Franklin Street, Clarksville, TN 37040

ClarksvilleLivingMag.com

9 THURSDAY Christmas Light Run

December 9th | Time: 4:30pm to 6:00pm Price: $15+ The City of Clarksville's Christmas on the Cumberland event illuminates over one million lights, creating unforgettable holiday memories for thousands of visitors annually. Join the City for the 5th Annual Christmas Light Run at McGregor Park this December. The event raises funds for new light displays.

McGregor Park 640 North Riverside Drive | Clarksville, TN

German Christmas Market December 9th | 10:00am to 5:00pm Price: Free

Christ Lutheran Church at their German Christmas market, featuring homemade crafts, woodwork, baked goods, delicious food, live music, and more!

Christ Lutheran Church 2425 Kirkwood Road, Clarksville, TN 37043

The Nutcracker with Gateway Chamber Orchestra December 9th | Time: 7:30pm December 10th | Time: 3:00pm

Witness the transformation of a beloved holiday tradition as it is tailored for the community! Join the GCO as they present THE NUTCRACKER, a captivating medley of Tchaikovsky's original score, Duke Ellington's jazz rendition, and vibrant salsa-inspired variations, redefining the essence of this seasonal favorite.

Following the Sunday performance, join the GCO for the SUGAR PLUM PARTY! Come meet the Sugar Plum Fairy and her friends on stage immediately following the 3:00pm performance of The Nutcracker. Guests have the opportunity to take a photo with some of our guest artists, as well as receive a small gift and treat.

APSU Mabry Concert Hall 780 Marion Street, Clarksville, TN 37040

10 THURSDAY National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation Movie Showing December 10th | Time: 6:00pm Price: $5

Roxy Regional Theatre 100 Franklin Street | Clarksville

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