Students Learn to Grow, Give
Students in Hobgood Elementary School’s sixth-grade class have been growing poinsettias in the Hobgood greenhouse since August.
The public is invited to purchase a poinsettia through Dec. 2. The plants are available in red and white and cost $10.
Proceeds earned from the sale of the plants goes toward covering the cost of plants distributed in December to patients at Rutherford County Community Care Center.
“This is a great way for the children to learn the science of plant growth and more importantly, the joy of giving back to our community,” says Chick Knitter, sixth-grade teacher at Hobgood. “The highlight of our growing season is our field trip to Community Care.”
To purchase a poinsettia, simply drop by the school between 7:30 a.m. and 3 p.m.
Hobgood Elementary is located at 307 Baird Lane in Murfreesboro. For more information, call (615) 895-2744.
Golf Event Benefits Angel Tree Program
The Rutherford County Salvation Army has more than doubled the participants in the Angel Tree Program for 2011 and asks for the community’s help.
A four-person golf scramble and toy drive event at Champions Run will benefit the Salvation Army.
Held both Friday, Dec. 2, and Saturday, Dec. 3, the competition will begin with an 11 a.m. shotgun start with a dinner following play.
Entry is $40 per person plus one unwrapped new toy.
For more information, call (615) 424-8210 or e-mail tabitha.foote@gmail.com.
Annual UFO Conference to be held in Murfreesboro
Murfreesboro’s Baymont Inn will host the annual conference of the Tennessee Chapter of the Mutual Unidentified Flying Objects Network on Saturday, Dec. 3, from 9 a.m–5 p.m.
MUFON is an international investigative organization with the mission goal of “The scientific study of UFO’s for the benefit of Humanity.”
Tennessee has almost doubled the normal reports of sightings this year, with more than 20 in September alone. A possible reason for the upswing could be more media coverage of these events and an increased interest in the phenomena due to more movies and TV shows about the subject.
Featured speakers at the conference include George Filer, Christopher O’Brien and Thomas Reed. Filer is well-known for his weekly UFO news update, “The Filer Files.” O’Brien is the author of four books on the area in Colorado (the San Louis Valley), which has had more unexplained cattle mutilations and other bizarre occurrences than any other area in the country. O’Brien refers to the region as a “portal area.” Thomas Reed is an abductee who, along with other members of his family, will be the subject of an upcoming National Geographic special. Others will share stories of UFO sightings and extraterrestrial encounters.
For more information, visit tnmufon.com or e-mail tnmufon@gmail.com.
Candlelight Tour of Homes
The annual Oaklands Christmas Candlelight Tour of Homes is slated for Dec. 3 from 4–8 p.m. in Murfreesboro. The enchanting tour will feature beautiful and historic private homes, a distinctive church and the graceful Oaklands Historic House Museum.
In the late 1860s, the Maneys subdivided and sold most of the front drive into lots to create a residential neighborhood, originally called “Maney’s Addition,” thought to be Murfreesboro’s first “subdivision.” It later became North Maney Avenue, which intersects present-day Main Street. Advertisements for lots in Maney’s Addition appeared in local newspapers assuring prospective owners of free access to the Maneys’ spring.
Stops along the holiday tour include:
• Oaklands Historic House Museum, 900 N. Maney Ave.
• Mr. and Mrs. Gordon Bell, “Big Holly” 718 N. Maney Ave.
• Carriage Lane Inn, 411 N. Maney Ave.
• Mosaic Art Gallery, 312 N. Maney Ave.
• Marie & Glen Eubanks, 321 N. Maney Ave.
• Mr. and Mrs. Bill Jakes, 225 N. Maney Ave.
• The Morris House, 347 E. Main St.
• Central Christian Church, 404 E. Main St.
These festively adorned historical homes and church, dressed in holly and evergreens, will transport you to a simpler time. From the veranda of Oaklands mansion, you will see the Sons of the Confederate Veterans, Murfreesboro Camp No. 33 as they present living history demonstrations on the lawn of the mansion.
“This year’s tour guides visitors along the old carriage path of the plantation and offers an opportunity to visit homes spanning several decades and various architectural styles”, said James Manning, Executive Director of Oaklands Historic House Museum.
The cornerstone of the tour is the grand Oaklands Historic House Museum. Interpreters in period attire will guide you through the history of this gracious mansion. At its peak, Oaklands was the center of a 1,500 acre plantation and one of the most elegant homes in Middle Tennessee.
Proceeds of the Candlelight Tour of Homes go toward the care and upkeep of this historic treasure. Tickets may be purchased at any home on the tour or at Oaklands. For more information, call (615) 893-0022 or e-mail info@oaklandsmuseum.org.
The Season for “Messiah”
The MTSU Concert Chorale and Middle Tennessee Chorale Society will partner once again to create the memorable music of Handel’s “Messiah.”
Concerts are scheduled at 3 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 4, and at 7:30 p.m. Monday, Dec. 5, in Hinton Music Hall inside MTSU’s Wright Music Building. The event is part of the University’s Centennial Celebration.
In addition to “Messiah,” the concert will feature the MTSU Women’s Chorale performing a portion of Benjamin Britten’s “Ceremony of Carols.”
“This is my 27th year of conducting the ‘Messiah’ for MTSU and the Rutherford County area,” says Dr. Raphael Bundage, director of choral studies at MTSU and conductor for the Middle Tennessee Choral Society. “I want to particularly thank the MTSU Choral Society for their annual support of this event over the last 27 years.”
Bundage adds that the choral groups, which number about 150 members, will perform “the Christmas portion of the ‘Messiah,’” which makes the work last about an hour.
Advanced vocal majors from MTSU will serve as soloists, the director says, noting that there are approximately 20 soloists over the two nights of performances.
The “Messiah” chamber orchestra includes professional musicians from the Nashville area and MTSU faculty members Angela Tipps on organ and Pat Ward on harpsichord.
For more information, call (615) 898-2493 or visit mtsumusic.com.
Music of Les Miserables benefits YEAH
On Wednesday and Thursday, Dec. 7–8, the music of Les Miserables will be presented by an assortment of musicians at the Mercy Lounge in Nashville. Drawing from the extraordinary pool of talent available in Music City, the concert interprets the music of Les Mis for rock music and musical theater lovers alike. This production does not hinge on Broadway traditions, but instead, illuminates the emotionally potent content of the story and score. Costumes, professional lighting design and a full orchestra make this an event more ambitious, powerful and memorable than any rock show the cast members have presented individually.
Performers include members of The Protomen, Ponychase, By Lightning, Little Bandit, Uncle Skeleton, My So-Called Band, Mayhem, Cheer Up Charlie Daniels, Shoot the Mountain, The Non-Commissioned Officers, Forget Cassettes, Umbrella Tree, The Privates, De Novo Dahl, Poly, Korean is Asian, Paris, Ontario, Blue Heart Hour, Happy Little Trees and Kindercastle.
Tickets are available at mercylounge.com. All proceeds go to benefit YEAH’s Rock and Roll Camps. For more information on YEAH, visit yeahintheboro.org.
Spread the Christmas Cheer
Rutherford County Habitat for Humanity asks those who have a new Christmas tree or unwanted holiday decorations to donate them so others may use them.
Donations will be accepted at the Habitat ReStore, 850 Mercury Blvd., Murfreesboro, through Dec. 6.
Please only bring artificial trees or decorations that are in good condition.
Then look for great deals at the Christmas sale on Friday and Saturday, Dec. 9 and 10 from 9 a.m.–4 p.m.
Market Features Late Season Farm Products
Life on the farm doesn’t stop when it gets cold. Many vegetables can be harvested well past frost, such as salad and cooking greens, kale and winter squash. Also available late in the year from farms are fresh eggs, honey, sweet potatoes, beef, pork, preserves and baked goods.
The Rutherford County Farmers’ Market will be open every Sunday through Dec. 18 from 2–5 p.m. at the Lane Agri-Park Community Center.
Vendors will also offer holiday gifts, local honey, grass-fed beef, fresh eggs, herbs, firewood, chestnuts, poinsettias, Christmas trees, fresh greenery, kettle corn, jams and jellies, breads and sweets and other local products. All RCFM producers are from Middle Tennessee and grow, harvest or make what they sell.
Five Senses Restaurant will be at the market on Dec. 4 to demonstrate cooking techniques using seasonal vegetables and to pass out samples.
This extended season of the RCFM will have a festive flair with different musical performers each market day.
The Lane Agri-Park Community Center is located on John R. Rice Boulevard. For more information, e-mail jbecker8@utk.edu or call (615) 898-7710.
A New Direction
The Murfreesboro/Rutherford County Center for the Arts is taking applications from the community for directors for its 2012 productions. Directors are being sought for:
Cabaret-Feb.
Beauty and the Beast Jr.-March
Godspell-April
The Color Purple-May
Steel Magnolias -June
13 The Musical-July
Evita, Aug.
Willy Wonka Jr., Sept.
On Golden Pond, Oct.
A Chorus Line, Nov.
It’s A Wonderful Life, Dec.
The center plans to collect director applicants for each show and then determine who would be the best fit for each specific show; by doing so, it can also identify backup(s) in the event that a director is unable to complete a show.
Interested individuals should contact tony@boroarts.org or tim@boroarts.org to discuss the application process.
Home School Holiday at Oaklands
Families can make memories by creating historic ornaments and touring the gracious Oaklands Mansion during Home School Holiday, an event for all ages. This holiday event is set for Thursday, Dec. 8 at 10 a.m. in Maney Hall at Oaklands Historic House Museum in Murfreesboro.
The yuletide crafts to be made at Homeschool Holiday include Victorian Christmas Spiders. After making their ornaments, guests are invited to tour the elegant Oaklands Historic House Museum, where children will learn Victorian Christmas traditions such as the cobweb room and Saint Nicholas.
For more information, call (615) 893-0022 or e-mail mb@oaklandsmuseum.org.
Movies on the Square
Murfreesboro Parks and Rec continues its movies on the Square program at 6 p.m., Dec. 16, with a showing of Polar Express.
Bring your lawn chairs, blankets, hats and mittens for a unique winter event. Hot chocolate and popcorn will be available, or families can bring picnics.
For more information, call (615) 893-2141 or e-mail msewell@murfreesborotn.gov.
