Event reminder

Today is the first day of the Weapons Through Time Temporary Exhibit that is open for Saturdays and Sundays only.

Weapons Through Time Temporary Exhibit
Saturdays and Sundays in February 2012
The Sam Davis Home in Smyrna, Tennessee is excited to announce a special exhibit honoring the Sesquicentennial of the Civil War during the month of February 2012. Military and non-military weapons used during the past 150 years will be displayed on Saturdays and Sundays only. Admission to this exhibit is included with the purchase of a regularly priced museum tour or full tour.

Weapons Through Time Temporary Exhibit

While the Sam Davis home no longer has their BBQ festival, they still have much to offer for those who love history. The month of February has weapons as the subject of interest.

Weapons Through Time Temporary Exhibit
Saturdays and Sundays in February 2012
The Sam Davis Home in Smyrna, Tennessee is excited to announce a special exhibit honoring the Sesquicentennial of the Civil War during the month of February 2012. Military and non-military weapons used during the past 150 years will be displayed on Saturdays and Sundays only. Admission to this exhibit is included with the purchase of a regularly priced museum tour or full tour.

This looks like it could be fun.

Sam Davis Home in pictures

The Sam Davis home is one of the more well known historical sites in town, and I have come across some historical aerial images from the 40's you might find interesting

***CLICK IMAGES TO SEE THEM IN FULL SIZE***


This first image is from Google and give you a basic idea on how it looks today from the air.


This image was taken in June 1941 and the photographer was with the 108th Observation Squadron. [link] One thing to note is the lack of the 4 cabins on the right of the buildings and property.


This image and the next one were both taken in Nov 26 1947 and are in the Dept. of Conservation Photograph Collection. [link][link]

What I like about this one is that it shows a lot of the area behind the Sam Davis home. Where there were fields there are now homes and businesses.

Sam Davis Home and Museum in Smyrna, TN

Just $10

The Sam Davis home is having their Summer Soiree and you could go for the company, but stay for the exhibit.

Much like they would have 150 years ago just after Tennessee seceded from the Union, Rutherford County residents will gather at the Sam Davis Home at 6 p.m. Thursday for music and food.
.....
A Summer Soiree at the Sam Davis Home is being held in conjunction with a traveling exhibit entitled “This Cruel War: The Civil War in Rutherford County,” which will be on display at the Sam Davis Home and Museum through first week of July. The exhibit was created by MTSU public history students under the direction of Dr. Brenden Martin for the Sesquicentennial Remembrance, sponsored by the Rutherford County Tennessee Civil War Sesquicentennial Committee.

Have fun.

2011 Sam Davis home Summer camps

Sam Davis home has a wide veriety of summer camps to keep your little brats kids busy. Registration deadlines are getting close on some so take the time to check them out and see if some are interesting to you or your children.

June 6-10, 2011
Jane Davis Academy for Girls,
9am - Noon
Deadline for Registration: May 27, 2011

Young ladies will be instructed in the fine arts of 19th Century womanhood such as dress, etiquette, sewing, dance, and much more. The young ladies are encouraged to dress in period dress as they live the mornings as girls might have 150 years ago.


June 6-10, 2011
School of the Soldier Summer Camp for Boys,
9am - Noon
Deadline for Registration: May 27, 2011

The boys spend an active week complete with drills, camps, crafts, and games as they learn about the life of Civil War soldiers. History presenters bring the past alive for the boys. Period dress is optional.


June 20-24, 2011
Apple Valley School Summer Camp,
9am - Noon
Deadline for Registration: June 10, 2011

"Students" role play as a member of families from long ago as they enjoy authentic lessons from 19th Century schools, make crafts, play games, sing, and enjoy the historic house and grounds. This is a very popular camp and will fill rapidly. Period costumes are optional.

What?

I was sad when the Sam Davis home dropped the BBQ festival, but now it seems that this is a month with no tours.

In an effort to save money, the Sam Davis Home will close for tours during the month of January.

Executive Director Anita Teague said the board of directors reviewed four proposals on how to cut costs. It took three months to come to a decision, she said.

“We really had to look our budget. We’re already very, very, very tight and have never had a lot of fluff,” Teague said, adding that she and Meredith Lane, the site’s events coordinator, are the only two full-time employees. “We just had to figure out a way to not go in the red.”

I wish I knew of way to increase donations to them, but nothing comes to mind.

Bad news folks

grumble

Next year's Great Tennessee Airshow in Smyrna has been canceled because airport officials lost the bid to bring in the ever-popular Blue Angels or the U.S. Air Force’s Thunderbirds.

That is bad news on so many levels. This year the news that the BBQ festival at the Sam Davis home is now defunct, and this is the followup punch that we really did not need.

A historical holiday

This sounds like it would be fun for many.

Turn of the Century Christmas Exhibit
December 01, 2009 - December 31, 2009
Held at the Sam Davis Home, 1399 Sam Davis Road, Smyrna, Tennessee. By the end of the Victorian era, the Davis Family Home was elegantly decorated for Christmas as the traditions surrounding this holiday were well established. Each room of the Sam Davis Home will tell the history behind these traditions we associate with Christmas today. Contact: Sam Davis Home, (615) 459-2341

Enjoy this other historical holiday treat localy.

Victorian Holiday Tours for Children
December 07, 2009 - December 16, 2009
Held at Oaklands Historic House Museum, 900 North Maney Avenue, Murfreesboro. Experience Victorian holiday customs through decorations and tales from the past as you tour Oaklands. The program is available to home school groups and school groups. Contact: Oaklands Historic House Museum, (615) 893-0022

BAD NEWS!

The news from the Sam Davis home is simply bad.

Anyone looking forward to showing their skills on the grill or smacking their lips at the Sam Davis Home’s annual barbecue contest will have to find another event.

That’s because the historic home’s board of directors chose to cancel the 2009 Tennessee Heritage BBQ Festival. The event had been held on Father’s Day weekend for each of the last five years and attracted teams from all over the South. The event was popular because of its sanction by the Kansas City Barbecue Society (KCBS).

“It’s supposed to be a large fundraiser because it takes a lot to pull off. We just weren’t seeing the income from it with all the work that we put in,” said Anita Teague, the home’s executive director.

This was a big draw for our town and was good for a lot of area businesses. This stings now but hopefully next year or the year after they will restart it when the economy gets going. If not maybe some other local place in town could sponsor it. It is bad no matter how you look at it.

Tennessee Heritage Barbecue Festival link (noise alert)

Good Monday Smyrna. A truly lovely week as it is almost assured that the heat of summer will now be touched by the coolness the night brings for the rest of the year. As someone who works tirelessly for the banning of summer I find much pleasure in that small bit of knowledge.

Now what is our town government up to this week? It looks like only two meetings this week.

Storm Water Advisory Committee: October 20, 2008 - 7:00 PM
Parks Advisory Board: October 21, 2008

A slow week, but news reported by the DNJ last week is mentioned in another post about the planned projects that town had in mind.

In other local events we have a lot that you can do listed
more pumpkins

Great Pumpkin Fest
October 23, 2008
Held at Discovery Center at Murfree Spring, 502 S.E. Broad Street, Murfreesboro. 4:00 p.m.-7:00 p.m., Reduced admission to $4 per person with a donated canned food item. Contact: Discovery Center at Murfree Spring, (615) 890-2300

A fare fair?

Middle Tennessee Fair
October 22, 2008 - October 26, 2008
Held at the Tennessee Miller Coliseum, 304-B West Thompson Lane, Murfreesboro, Free admission. Contact: Miller Coliseum, (615) 494-8879

Death

Widows, Weepers and Wakes: Mourning Customs Exhibit
October 01, 2008 - October 31, 2008
Held at Oaklands Historic House Museum, 900 North Maney Avenue, Murfreesboro. Victorian mourning customs will be explored. Contact: Oaklands Historic House Museum, (615) 893-0022

More death

A House in Mourning - Expression of Mourning Customs in the 19th Century
October 08, 2008 - November 02, 2008
held at the Sam Davis Home, 1399 Sam Davis Road, Smyrna. The Sam Davis Home will host "Cult of Mourning" which was at its peak during 1850-1890. The house will be prepared for a funeral, with mirrors draped in black cloth and clocks stopped at the time of death. View the Mourning Artifacts and learn the history of this practice to respect and mourn for the deceased. Contact: Sam Davis Home, (615) 459-2341

Death by candlelight

Mourning by Candlelight at Oaklands Historic House Museum
October 24, 2008 - October 25, 2008
Held at Oaklands Historic House Museum, 900 North Maney Avenue, Murfreesboro. A tour of Evergreen Cemetery and Oaklands Mansion by candlelight will be given by reservation only. Contact: Oaklands Historic House Museum, (615) 893-0022

A tour of death

Ghost Tours at the Sam Davis Home
October 24, 2008 - October 25 2008
Held at the Sam Davis Home, 1399 Sam Davis Road, Smyrna. Ghost Tours begin with a haunted hayride of the Sam Davis Home plantation. Once the hayride comes to a dead stop, enter the historic home to hear tour guides share their own strange experiences from beyond. This tour is not recommended for anyone under the age of 10. Contact: Sam Davis Home, (615) 459-2341

A night of fright...plus dinner?

A Frightful Night at the Sam Davis Home
October 25, 2008
Held at the Sam Davis Home, 1399 Sam Davis Road, Smyrna. A Frightful Night at the Sam Davis Home will feature a catered dinner, a frightful movie, and all that is included with our Ghost Tours. First enjoy dinner and a movie before embarking on a haunted hayride of the plantation and guided ghost tours of the Sam Davis Home. Reservations are required for the dinner and movie. Call for pricing, movie details and times. Contact: Sam Davis Home, (615) 459-2341

Fun in the park

Halloween in the Park
October 25, 2008
Held at the Sharp Springs Natural Area Park, Smyrna. 3:00 p.m.-8:00 p.m., Costume contest for ages 3 years and under through age 14. Hayrides from 3:00 p.m.-5:30 p.m., Haunted Hayrides from 6:00 p.m.-8:00 p.m., Games and inflatables, vendors and food booths. Contact: Monty Perkins, (615) 459-9742

Smyrna Parks and Recreation

Halloween in the Park: 3 to 8 p.m. Saturday October 25, Sharp Springs Natural Area Park, Smyrna. Event features costume contest, hayrides, games, inflatables and candy. Bring carved pumpkins to enter in contest. Call Monty Perkins at 615-459-9773. (PDF link to flyer)

A real busy week for those with kids due to the holiday.

As always if you have an activity you would like listed, or something of the like, please email me at the contact link.

Have a good day people.

Hello All. This week in Smyrna looks like a calm end of the month edition so I'll get down to business.

The town government has in line two meetings this week.

Next Town Council Workshop is: September 30, 2008 - 5:00 PM
Planning Commission: October 2, 2008 - 7:00 PM

A small note on the bottom of the meeting page said this.

Pursuant to the provisions of Article V, Section 5.05 of the Charter of the Town of Smyrna, the meeting time of the September 30, 2008 Town Council Work Session has been changed from 7:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m., the welfare of the Town demanding it. The meeting will be held at Town Hall, 315 South Lowry Street.

In local events we have a lot to keep you busy if you wish.

Political 1

State Delegation Election Debate
September 29, 2008
Conducted at the Rutherford County Courthouse on the square in Murfreesboro in the County Commissioner Chambers. The Candidates for Senate 16th District and House 34th District and the live audience will be asked to be in place by 6:15 p.m. and the forum will begin at 6:30 p.m. The Candidates for House 48th District and House 49th District will be asked to be in place by 7 p.m. and the forum will begin at 7:15 p.m. For more information, contact the League of Women Voters at (615) 260-7550.

Political 2

City Council Election Debates
October 02, 2008
Conducted at the Rutherford County Courthouse on the square in Murfreesboro in the County Commissioner Chambers. The Eagleville City Council candidates and the live audience will be asked to be in place by 5:45 p.m. and the forum will begin at 6:00 p.m. The La Vergne Alderman candidates and the live audience will be asked to be in place by 6:30 p.m. and the forum will begin at 6:45 p.m. The Smyrna City Council candidates and the live audience will be asked to be in place by 7:15 p.m. and the forum will begin at 7:30. For more information, contact the League of Women Voters at (615) 260-7550.

Dead Things

Widows, Weepers and Wakes: Mourning Customs Exhibit
October 01, 2008 - October 31, 2008
Held at Oaklands Historic House Museum, 900 North Maney Avenue, Murfreesboro. Victorian mourning customs will be explored. Contact: Oaklands Historic House Museum, (615) 893-0022

Music 1

The Music Man
October 02, 2008 - October 05, 2008
Held at the Lamplighter's Theatre, 14119 Old Nashville Highway, Smyrna. The Music Man is one of the most beloved musicals in American history. Recommended for ages 5 and up. Tickets: Adults-$10, Seniors (55 and up)-$8 and children 4 to 12- $5.Contact: (615) 534-0148

Music 2

Main Street's Friday Night Live Concert Series
October 03, 2008
Held on the Public Square in Downtown Murfreesboro. Free admission, food vendors and more. Bring your lawn chair! 6:30 p.m.-9:30 p.m. Contact: Main Street, (615) 895-1887

Knowledge

Introduction to Microsoft Excel: 10 a.m. to noon, Smyrna Public Library, 400 Enon Springs Road W. Free, advanced registration required. Call 615-459-4884, www.linebaugh.org.

Well that is it for Smyrna. If you have something you would like me to add please email me and I'll get right on it.

Today and tomorrow

event over

In Smyrna this week the town has three meetings scheduled

Next Town Council Meeting is: May 13, 2008 - 7:00 PM
Board of Zoning Appeals: May 15, 2008 - 5:00 PM
Project Assistance: May 13, 2008 -5:30PM

The town meeting agenda is below for those who would like to view it.

The meeting marked "Project assistance" is about utilities for those in need.

PROJECT ASSISTANCE
Giving those in our community in need a hand up with their utility bills. It's easy. All you have to do is add $1.00 to your monthly utility bill. Just ask the Smyrna Utility Representative how to help those unable to pay their utility bill.

A voluntary town run program. Sounds good to me.

2008-05 13TCA - Upload a doc

Read this doc on Scribd: 2008-05 13TCA

There are two local cultural events that might be worth attending.

A Day of Washing, Churning, and Learning
May 13, 2008 - May 14, 2008
Held at Oaklands Historic House Museum for school children ages K-6. Teachers can plan a day of hands-on-activities, demonstrations, crafts, and games. From 9:00am – 1:00pm, children can experience chores from the 1860’s when they wash clothes on a washboard, make candles, churn butter, and beat the rugs. To make reservations for home school, private school, or public school groups, please contact Mary Beth Nevills at (615)893-0022 or mb@oaklandsmuseum.org

While this is good, there is nothing better then FREE!

Free Day in May
May 17, 2008
Sponsored by the Rutherford County Convention and Visitors Bureau. Bradley Academy, Cannonsburgh Village, Discovery Center at Murfree Spring, Oaklands Historic House Museum, Sam Davis Home and Museum and Stones River National Battlefield will be open free of charge. Be a tourist in your own backyard! It will be a great opportunity to discover or rediscover all of the Rutherford County attractions at no cost. Contact: Chamber of Commerce, (615) 893-6565

These are just a few of the items happening in or near our town this week.

In Smyrna this week the town only has one planned meeting.

Next Town Council Workshop is: April 29, 2008 - 7:00 PM

They don't have the agenda online yet, but I hope they discuss the issue of my "Good Neighbor Fowl System". I may attempt to dazzle them with another of my handouts. If you don't mind would you take a moment and write them in support of this proposal of mine. here is a link to the town council where all their email addresses are, and the town hall contact numbers. Let them know you want the chance to be a good neighbor.

Paid off

News that the debt owed by the Sam davis house is being paid off by the Christy Houston Foundation is great news for Smyrna and the surrounding area. The regular BBQ festival is a big draw to our city and growing every year.

Word that the Christy-Houston Foundation has agreed to pay off the debt on the Sam Davis Home’s museum and visitor’s center is the best news Katherine Walkup has heard in a while.

“That doesn’t happen very often. My feet still haven’t touched the ground,” said Walkup, who has volunteered at the historic site for several decades.
........
Representatives of the foundation will present a check in the amount of $212,511 to Sam Davis Home board members April 10.

“Hopefully, that night we’ll have our note for our board to burn. I wrote the grant in September for $240,000 and since then, we’ve managed to pay down $27,000,” she said.

Just one question. who the heck, or what the heck, is Christy Houston? I googled the name and found that the foundation seems to be two people in Murfreesboro.

Company Profile: Christy Houston Foundation Inc
Year Started:1986
State of Incorporation:TN
URL:N/A
Location Type:Single Location
Stock Symbol:N/A
Stock Exchange:N/A
Also Does Business As:N/A
NAICS:N/A
SIC #Code:8399
Est. Annual Sales:$89,000
Est. Employees:2
Est. Employees at Location:2
Contact Name:Robert B Mufflin
Contact Title:Executive Director

No webpage, but an annual sale of $89,000 and still I'm no closer to knowing what they are. I just know they sure are busy handing out checks.

Sam Davis home big event

event over

Haunted tours and more

event over

Kids driving you nuts?

event over

FOOD

event over