Spring has long been a source of inspiration for poets and writers, symbolizing renewal, hope, and new beginnings. From the blossoming flowers to the lengthening days, spring embodies transformation, making it a perfect metaphor for personal growth and fresh starts.
Poets such as William Wordsworth and Emily Dickinson captured spring’s rejuvenating spirit. Wordsworth, in Lines Written in Early Spring, marvels at nature’s beauty, contrasting it with human sorrow, reminding us that spring’s renewal can be both joyful and bittersweet. Similarly, Dickinson writes in A Light Exists in Spring about the unique glow of the season, something fleeting and impossible to fully grasp. (As discussed in last year’s spring edition of Clarksville Living Magazine)
T.S. Eliot, however, offers a more complex view in The Waste Land, famously declaring, “April is the cruelest month.” For Eliot, spring forces painful memories and self-reflection, proving that new beginnings are not always easy.
Other writers embrace spring’s promise of transformation. F. Scott Fitzgerald often linked spring with fresh possibilities, as seen in The Great Gatsby, where Gatsby’s dream is renewed with the season’s arrival. Similarly, Leo Tolstoy in Anna Karenina uses spring to symbolize redemption and new opportunities, contrasting it with the bleakness of winter.
Rainer Maria Rilke’s poetry reflects spring’s role in personal rebirth, as he writes of shedding old burdens and embracing change. Likewise, Pablo Neruda’s Ode to Spring celebrates its vitality, urging us to awaken to life’s endless possibilities.
Ultimately, whether seen as a joyous awakening or a time of difficult renewal, spring has remained one of literature’s most enduring symbols of new beginnings. Through poetry and prose, writers remind us that with each spring, we have a chance to grow, change, and start anew.
I think I’m with Pablo on this subject.
Happy Spring, Tony
This solve month's find-a-word puzzle.
Find the following words in the puzzle. Words are hidden g i and m
Charley Jordan
Petal Power
Chelsey Brooke Cole Part 2
NATIONAL POETRY MONTH WITH
H annah Charles
A Journey Through Art & Words
April is National Poetry Month, a time to honor the poets who shape our world with their words. Poetry is more than just language—it is an experience, a way of seeing and a means of healing. As Mary Oliver stated, “Poetry is one of the ancient arts and it begins as did all the fine arts, within the original wilderness of the earth.”
What better way to celebrate than by highlighting one of Clarksville’s own, a poetess and artist who has traveled the world and embodies the spirit of storytelling in her every word—Hannah Charles.
Listening to Hannah is like stepping into a poem.
Her life is like a series of verses interlaced with experience, travel and reflection. Her journeys, both in art and in life, could mirror the paths of legendary poets— those who have captured the human spirit and reshaped the cultural landscapes of their time.
people she meets and the stories she gathers along the way.
Her love for writing began early. “I went to a fine art and grammar school in Chicago, kindergarten through eighth grade. We always did writing, art, dance and music. ... It was a public school, which was awesome,” she recalls. These formative years nurtured her creativity, making poetry and art integral parts of her life.
But for Hannah, writing was never just about expression—it was about release. “When we don’t talk about things, they get stuck in the body. ... you can get sick. ... whether I say it publicly or not, it’s a huge relief,” she explained.
Hannah finds beauty and meaning in the places she visits, the
This resonates deeply with many artists who use poetry as a means of emotional catharsis. Just as Sylvia Plath and Anne Sexton turned their struggles into evocative verses, Hannah sees poetry as a healing force, capable of lifting burdens and making sense of life’s chaos.
The evolution of poetic language captivates her. She loves reading old poetry— how others wrote, appreciating the way other words impacted the world. “There’s
Story D.C. Thomas
Art & poetry by Hannah, exhibited at Lorenzo Swinton Gallery
a rhythm to it, like a song,” she said. She looks into this classical lyricism and the modern language, much like contemporary poets who blend tradition with innovation.
Her admiration for poetry isn’t just about reading; it’s about understanding the soul behind the words. She researches poets—what they were going through when they wrote. “Sometimes, they’re worlds apart,” and then she went on to explain
how the feelings they had could be quite similar and how they transcended time and space through their works. Lord Byron briefly emerged in our conversation, among others.
Poetry is a bridge across dimensions. It connects us with those who came before. There is power in intentional art. “I think projecting could be something beautiful when it comes to art and poetry; ... that is quite healing,” she included.
One of the most profound aspects of Hannah’s philosophy is her belief in the responsibility of the artist. “What you put into the world has a ripple effect. ... be intentional about what you put out in the world,” she stated.
In a world where words carry weight, she recognizes the importance of using art for connection, healing and change— echoing the impact of poets like Maya Angelou, who used her voice to uplift and inspire.
Hannah’s life of travel transforms into storytelling and helps claim her connections to the past, especially in Europe. Her artistic path is deeply intertwined with her trips around the world.
With roots tracing back to German, French, Italian, and Polish ancestry, she has always been drawn to exploring her heritage. “I started researching my genealogy at the library. It’s amazing to see where my ancestors came from,” she shared.
At a young age, she participated in a foreign exchange program with Poland, hosting a student in Chicago before spending time in Warsaw and Kraków. “Her name was Dominika and she got to stay with me for a month. ...We went to a spring dance, ice skating and museums. ... It sparked something in me—a desire to always travel and listen to people’s stories,” she said. That passion has only grown over the years, especial-
ly when traveling through Ireland (Dublin, Galway, Wicklow Mountains), Northern Ireland (Belfast), Scotland (Glasgow, Edinburgh & Inverness), London, and many more places.
Her 2022 trip to Ireland was another defining chapter. “I stayed in Dublin, got a library card, rented books and just explored. My friends from here came to visit me out there—it was the most magical long weekend,” she reminisced.
Her travels took her farther—Amsterdam for her 30th birthday, Verona for the ‘Letters to Juliet’ experience (Hannah was going through a divorce at the time and she got to write to women who were going through similar struggles), Venice, Florence and Barcelona.
The resilience in her voice is the same that fuels her art—turning even hardship into something meaningful.
Hannah’s tattoo from Verona, Italy - ‘The Three of Swords’
Hannah at Ann R. Ross Bookstore (D.C. Thomas)
Each destination left its mark, influencing her poetry. “I wrote a piece while eating alone in Venice. It’s such a romantic city, and I was sitting there with my wine and pasta, writing my sad little poem,” she laughed.
Those moments of solitude became sources of creative inspiration.
Art and business intersect in her life; motivated from a young age to study the latter as her father was one of the many people who lost their jobs during the global economic crisis that originated in the United States in 2007 through 2008.
Hannah originally pursued business and holds two degrees: one in Entrepreneurship and another in Organizational Lead-
home isn’t just a place. It’s something you carry with you,” she mused.
For some, home is a single place. For Hannah, a home could be the people she meets, the stories she hears and the art she creates.
Hannah’s journey is far from over. She dreams of seeing more of the world, writing more poetry and sharing her experiences with others.
As National Poetry Month unfolds, poets like Hannah remind us that words have power. Whether written in a journal, spoken aloud or shared with the world, poetry is a way to connect—to ourselves, to each other, and to the vast, beautiful
“I started writing again because keeping it inside was making me sick. Whether you share your words publicly or not, you should write for yourself, all the selves before you so there is no more weight to carry.
— Hannah Charles
ership. She always felt the pull toward creativity but that wasn’t a career choice, especially when one grows up in the South Side of Chicago, becomes aware of the high rates of poverty and sees her own parents struggle when she was in high school.
“I love Chicago and I love what it did to me,” she told me.
Hannah spoke with great fondness about her time spent in Italy – where her first art class abroad was taught by a German professor. Memories such as this one only fuel her to pursue a degree in art now.
It’s a reminder that creative paths aren’t always linear, but they’re always waiting for us to return.
For Hannah, travel isn’t just about seeing places—it’s about collecting stories “I was sitting at a dinner table in Poland and they were talking about Auschwitz ...” she said she listened to families who lived through it while in Nowy Sącz.
In Belfast, she learned about ‘The Troubles’ firsthand. “I think history is so fascinating. ...It’s important to know and understand these things and write about them,” she said.
Much like poets who document the human experience—like Rainer Maria Rilke, who infused his poetry with his travels across Europe—Hannah is both an observer and a storyteller.
One of the most thought-provoking parts of our conversation was about the idea of home. “When you travel a lot,
world we inhabit.
In the end, what is poetry all about? One could say it’s about capturing life, one verse at a time, discerning what shapes us and what we take forward.
Hannah at Ann R. Ross Bookstore (D.C. Thomas)
Empty Bowls
Empty Bowls has changed its format over the years. The unique fundraiser has grown each year since its inception, and this year twelve local churches and organizations held lunch and dinner events over a period of two weeks in February.
Throughout the year, volunteers attend events where they paint bowls that are then donated to the cause. Local churches and other organizations sell tickets and host supporters who for $15 get a meal of homemade soups, bread and an assortment of desserts, as well as a hand-painted bowl.
All the food is prepared by volunteers, or donated by local businesses, meaning all the funds raised go to some very deserving local charities - Loaves & Fishes, Urban Ministries and Manna Cafe, all of which work with folks who struggle with food insecurity.
Jodi McBryant, Executive Director of Urban Ministries said, “Empty Bowls is truly a labor of love on an ever growing scale. Groups have participated in bowl-painting parties to create one-of-a-kind pieces for guests to enjoy, and local businesses have stepped up in record numbers.”
Linda Basham & Fay Hand
Ellen & David Kanervo
Kris Foust & Margaret Adames
Zach, Clark & Allie Johnston
Empty Bowls at First Presbyterian Church
Rhonda Banasiak & Beth Glover Sherrie & Ken Giles
Nina, Elijah, Enok & Sehee Aiello
Ivy & Rick Prall
Emily & Eli Vaughn
Israel Jimenez & Katelyn Gabler
Joyce & Gary Norris
Doug Young, Joe & Charlsie DeLoach
Holland, Evie & Raena Tindle
Author Chelsey Brooke Cole Part 2
Story by Tony Centonze
“T
he book can be for anyone who thinks they are going through this, have gone through it, or just need to protect themselves, because narcissists use our blind-spots against us,” Cole continued.
“If you don’t know what a narcissist is and are confused by it – you’re thinking, ‘everyone has some good in them, narcissists are probably just someone who is selfish, they’re not that harmful, they’re just difficult, and in need of love and support. You need to read the book.
“To understand and heal from narcissistic abuse, you have to understand what you’re dealing with, how to heal, and how to set boundaries to protect your healing. A lot of people who read the book said, ‘oh, I can finally make sense of these crazy-making behaviors’, or ‘it’s like you were in my head seeing my thoughts, or in my house the way you describe these interactions’.
Some say, ‘I thought I was going crazy until I read your book, because nobody around me sees this or gets it’. This book helps you feel validated and to know that you’re not crazy, that this is real, and there is a way to heal.”
Cole collected more than 400 stories, including some of her own, to share in this book because she really wants people to see that they are not alone.
“I asked myself, what does someone dealing with this abuse
need to know to heal?” Cole said. “Narcissism has become such a buzzword. It’s great that people are talking about it, but harmful that more people are likely to dismiss your concerns, tell you you’re being overly dramatic, and say, ‘oh, everyone is a narcissist. ‘ Saying that everyone is a narcissist implies that no one is a victim of it. That’s a slap in the face to real survivors.
“I knew I wanted to help people understand it and learn to protect themselves. You need to understand your family, childhood history, what makes you susceptible to getting stuck in a narcissistic relationship, and how to set boundaries. So, I talk about how to define the six types of narcissists, warning signs you’re being abused, the most common reasons you get stuck, and how to get unstuck.”
Do they seek out certain personality types?
“Narcissists are narcissists with everyone. Anyone can find themselves in one of these relationships. Everyone has dealt with a narcissist at some point, whether they realize it or not, however some people are more prone to getting stuck in a narcissistic relationship. It tends to be people who are more agreeable, empathetic, kind, and patient, and willing to give the benefit of the doubt.
“Usually, it’s really kind people who are abused. That’s why it’s so important for sensitive people to understand what narcissism is and how to be more confident in setting boundaries, knowing what that means, and how to deal with this. Narcissists will exploit your strengths - your kindness and your giving nature- to their advantage.”
Chelsey Brooke Cole
Cole says your ability to walk away depends on the nature of the relationship and the personality type you’re dealing with. Are they moderate or severe narcissist? Also, how many, of these relationships have you had, and how many enablers are around?
“A lot of people struggle if it’s a family member,” Cole said. “You may not be able to go no-contact, or maybe it’s someone you have to work with. If you cut them off, you may be cutting off access to others who don’t get what’s happening. Narcissists like to isolate, control, and triangulate. They oftentimes tell you that other people are saying things that they aren’t actually saying. It can become difficult for you to hang around family, coworkers, friends, and so you end up isolating yourself because it’s just not worth the conflict.”
So, how is narcissistic abuse different from other types of abuse?
“Well, my definition of narcissistic abuse is, it’s a multi-layered attack on your sense of self,” Cole said. “It’s a dismantling of who you are and what you believe to be your worth. There are consistent and repetitive tactics commonly used by narcissists to meet their ego needs and gain control over your emotions, perceptions, and thoughts.
“It can include physical abuse, but this is often a hidden type of abuse. Narcissists use gas-lighting, manipulating, and devaluing you anywhere, anytime. And if the people around you don’t know the nature of the relationship, they might not even recognize that what the narcissist is doing is abuse at all. In fact, most people look at these relationships from the outside and explain what is happening as miscommunication or a difference in attachment style. They might think someone is just going through something stressful, which results in advice like, ‘well, all relationships have their ups and downs’, and/or ‘no one is perfect’.
“Because, from the outside, narcissists can look quite charming and charismatic or just very innocent and harmless. They put so much effort into maintaining their image that the outside world is telling you, ‘this is a great person. You’re so lucky to be with them’. Or, ‘this person is so nice they would never treat you so poorly’. You start trying to express what is really happening and you are told to be more grateful and try to see the brighter side of things.
“That’s what makes it so different from other forms of abuse. People often don’t see what is really happening to you as abuse.” Cole explains that the origin is complex. There is an inborn part of your personality, your temperament, which is something you’re born with.
“Narcissists do tend to have a more difficult temperament, meaning that as babies and children they are harder to soothe,” Cole said. “They are more naturally dis-regulated, they can be more impulsive, they are just more difficult children in general. However, that alone doesn’t mean they are going to grow up to be narcissistic.
“They tend to come from environments that are both over and under indulgent – overindulging in appearance, status, money, how things look, what you’re doing, what other people think of you. Or under-indulging in things like
empathy, kindness, values, morals, and character.
“There are other factors, like friendships in school, and how they are treated. A lot of the core of narcissism is about being victimized and entitled and having a grandiose type of mindset.”
Vulnerable narcissists can appear to be really kind or even depressed. “They have a very victimized mindset,” Cole said. “Some therapists mistake this for depression. Helpers seem to be drawn to this type of narcissist because they seem sad and pitiful, and those are usually the feelings that you have when you’re around them.”
Grandiose narcissists can be very entitled. “They come across arrogant, but they are also very charming and charismatic,” Cole said. “They tend to be very extroverted, so they do better in social situations. Grandiose says, ‘look how great I am’. Vulnerable says, ‘why doesn’t the world see how great I am, why doesn’t anything ever go my way?
What should you do if you find yourself in one of these relationships?
“The first thing you should do is watch their patterns and actions over time,” Cole said. “They are very good at twisting reality - saying one thing while doing another. They control you the most when they control what you think and how you feel. Ultimately, they want to become the filter through which you see the world so you no longer trust your own perception.
“That’s why the first step is to stop listening to what they say and just watch what they do. Narcissism is a rigid personality style, which means their patterns are quite predictable over time. All narcissists display patterns of entitlement, superficiality, grandiosity, a lack of empathy, and chronic validation-seeking. They are quite rigid in their thinking and antagonistic in their behaviors toward you. They alternate between nice/charming and rageful/sullen.
“As you observe their behaviors and start writing things down, focus on the facts of the relationship - what happened, what they said, what you said, what they did. Give yourself two to three months to collect evidence. Once collected, read it from an objective perspective. Instead of listening to them and engaging in questions such as did they mean that or did they not, look at what is written down.
You will see the patterns of them saying one thing and doing another, and you will start to regain your reality and start to trust your own perception.”
Cole says that as you collect that concrete evidence, you can say emphatically, ‘you did say this, this did happen, we did agree on that. ‘ That helps you to stop being confused by their words and to really see their actions.
“I hope this information is helpful,” Cole said. “Everyone can find my book on my website www.chelseybrookecole. com. I send out a free bi-monthly newsletter in which I talk about understanding and healing from narcissistic abuse. That’s great free information. There is also information on group coaching and my healing community. And, people can work with me directly with therapy or coaching.”
Surrender of Fort Defiance
Each February, Fort Defiance hosts re-enactors and Civil War enthusiasts who share information on the Surrender of Fort Defiance, a look at local history complete with the firing of muskets and a cannon.
Re-enactor Nora Blake said, “We’re portraying members of the 9th Kentucky, a Union Volunteer Infantry unit that was actually based in Murfreesboro, TN. Originally formed in Tompkinsville, KY, a lot of people left Tennessee to join the Union Army.”
Blake says many in her group like to do living history at least once a month at locations around the state, especially Stones River National Battlefield in Murfreesboro.
John Blake laid out maps and pictures that told an interesting story. “The maps show where the campaign took place,” Blake said. “The iron furnace was one of the things that made this region important. Until 1862, this was a major iron-producing region, and once the war began, that production was for the Confederacy, which made this area attractive for federal troops to take.”
Blake had great information on Kentucky’s actions during the war and the importance of the Union Army moving into Tennessee. He talked about ironclad gunboats in great detail.
Terry Minton portraying Clarksville Mayor George Snith (1859-1864)
Drew Scholes
Steve Corey & Nora Blake
Terry Minton & Jacob Waller Walker Shaw & Anna Pauletta
Benjamin Meter, Tyler Stepee & James Bobo
John Blake
Noah Fletcher
Petal Power
Roses are red, violets are blue…as goes the nursery rhyme. But what about roses are love, violets are modesty? If you’re a follower of floriography, which is the science of using flowers to convey messages, then this would be your take on the popular poem.
Floriography, the language of flowers, is centuries old and crosses most cultures. The most intense practice of using flower messages was the selam, a custom in Turkey for harem members, who could not read or write, but could communicate with each other by exchanging flowers. Certain flowers were associated with particular meanings and rhymes.
This ritual was made extremely popular in the Victorian era when British aristocrat Lady Mary Wortley Montagu, who resided in Constantinople as the ambassador’s wife, wrote to her English friends about the custom. Floriography became a norm during this time period where the color, scent and blooms of a particular flower had significant meaning. This coincided with a growing interest in the field of botany, especially among upper-class women.
As you recall, society was repressed at this time so the use of flowers in nosegays or bouquets became a way
to express individuality when society would not allow such feelings.
An example of floral color would be the use of red as a way to express love, pink as motherly love, white as good luck, and yellow as disappointment. Even how you accepted flowers had significance. If you placed flowers in your right hand, it meant “yes” and in your left, meant “no” while holding a floral posy upside down conveyed the strongest form of rejection. If corsages were worn, the placement of flowers was important. Flowers held in the center indicated friendship while over the heart meant true love.
In France, Le Language des Fleurs was published in 1819, by Madame Charlotte de la Tour, which was the first dictionary of floriography.
Story by Christie Crawford
Tulips at Cheekwood Botanical Garden
Many others soon followed, including famous illustrator Kate Greenaway’s The Language of Flowers which is still in print today. Artists also took note, including William Shakespeare, where in Hamlet, Ophelia holds a bouquet of rosemary, pansies, fennel, rue, columbines, and daisies, which convey many connotations including memory, innocence and folly.
In Jane Eyre, the main character sees crocuses which indicate youth and gladness and snowdrops, indicating hope is emerging. Painter John Singer Sargent included the prominence of flowers in his Carnation, Lily, Lily, Rose masterpiece, while Dante Gabriel Rossetti’s work also featured the dominance of flowers.
Flowers as religious symbols still play an important role today. In Christianity, the use of lilies indicate the purity and chastity of saints while the red or white rose is depicted as a symbol of the Virgin Mary.
Buddhism views the lotus as an icon of enrichment and rebirth while the marigold flower in Hinduism represents love. In ancient Greece and Rome, gods and goddesses often turned themselves into flowers, or had others change them into a particular bloom.
In Eastern cultures, peonies were depicted as signs of fame and fortune while chrysanthemums represented long life.
In Japan, the practice of hanakotoba which is the Japanese version of floriography arose during the Meiji Period - (1868-1912) similar to the Victorian heyday. You may recognize this today through the art of floral arranging called ikebana, which literally translates to giving life to flowers and even can be found in Japanese comics (manga) or animation (anime).
Flowers still remain important symbols at present, and it’s very common to see countries, regions, and states
with official flowers. For example, Tennessee’s state flower is the Iris, which means good tidings and has a Greek origin as Iris was the Goddess of the rainbow. She was a messenger to the gods both mentioned in The Iliad as well as in the Roman poet Virgil’s work.
Irises were also an emblem of pre-revolutionary France, such as the fleur de lis made popular after King Louis VII a battle in a field of yellow irises.
Renewed interest in the language of flowers continues today. In 2012, Vanessa Diffenbaugh wrote the New York Times fictional bestseller The Language of Flowers, where I first read about the subject.
In 2020 Nashville illustrator Jessica Roux wrote Florigraphy, in 2022 The Complete Language of Flowers was printed, and in 2023 Flowers and Their Meanings was published.
To help you demystify some of your common flora, I’ll share 5 common flowers and their meanings:
1) Tulip - if red, a declaration of love, yellow, a hopeless love, pink, a sign of affection or care, white, a symbol of forgiveness and respect, and purple, a representation of elegance.
2) Carnation - if red, a sign of passion, white , a symbol of talent, variegated, an indication of refusal, and yellow, a depiction of disdain.
3) Daisy - a signal for innocence.
4) Lilac - if white, an expression of innocence and purple, a proclamation of first love.
5) Gladiola - a suggestion of provocation.
So, this spring as you plant your flower beds or choose a bouquet for a favorite someone, just remember that years ago flowers spoke louder than words.
Hence the very popular phrase, “Say it with flowers.”
Tulips at Cheekwood Botanical Garden
Tulips at Cheekwood Botanical Garden
Carnations at Kroger Floral Department
Lilacs in Albuquerque, NM
Clarksville-Montgomery County Celebrates
BlackHistory Month
Harold Evans, Assistant Director of the Kleeman Center, and his team hosted the annual Clarksville-Montgomery County Black History Month celebration which featured inspirational messages from local leaders and powerful performances by singers, dance groups, and others.
The theme of this year’s event was Black History: Honoring the Past – Inspiring the Future, and was co-sponsored by the Clarksville-Montgomery County Branch NAACP. “Thank God for this great turnout,” Evans said. “Today’s program will features our young people, and their friends and families have really come out to show their support.
“We have individuals performing, and it’s all about uplifting and celebrating Black history. There will be singing, praise dancing, a poetry reading and a presentation by the students of the Harambe Home-School Group.”
Performers included Tanya Reeves Mission Mimes, Grace in Motion, Expressions with Dance, grace Kendrick and Regina Dillard. This year’s keynote speaker was CFR Chief Kevin Finch, who was recently promoted to Battalion 2 Chief.
Regina Dillard
Tiffany Perkins & County Commissioner Rashidah Leverett
A performance by Mission Mimes
A performance by the Harambe Home School Group
OUR LUCKY MOON: A Love Story in the Sky
Written by Linda Austin
Crossing into the witching hour after 1:00am of March 14th, 2025, sky gazers in Clarksville were treated with a rare celestial ballet as the Moon slipped into Earth’s shadow, resulting in a total lunar eclipse. This rare event, often referred to as a “Blood Moon,” cast a hauntingly dark reddish hue on the Moon’s surface, a phenomenon that has both inspired wonderment for its mysterious beauty and, for many civilizations throughout human history, visceral fear as an ominous omen.
The Moon has been our faithful companion for billions of years but is often taken for granted as she silently plays an essential role in our everyday dance with life. Without the Moon, Earth would be a very different place, a place where we couldn’t exist.
The gravitational tango between the Moon and Earth affects the rhythmic rise and fall of ocean tides, influencing most of marine life, from migration to reproduction. Her pull has also been linked to effects on human behavior, with the full moon often associated with heightened restlessness and wild emotions. Emergency rooms and police stations often report busier nights during full moons. It makes sense since we are mostly made of water.
The Moon isn’t just about chaos. It’s also about romance. The Moon has been a symbol of love and mystery for centuries in our human psyche. She is more than just a beautiful ,glowing night light that stirs our oceans and emotions. Even from a scientific perspective, without the Moon’s steady pull, Earth’s tilt would be all over the place, leading to extreme climate swings. So, next time, while enjoying a mild summer night or a crisp autumn breeze, take a moment to be grateful.
Like a devoted wife, our Moon helps keep Earth balanced and in check. Let’s also appreciate her as our protector, her surface completely covered with scars, like a warrior, from countless astronomical bullets she takes for us nightly.
Different cultures around the world have honored the Moon with beautiful names and divine stories:
The Greeks called her Selene, a silvery, luminescent goddess who drove a chariot across the night sky, twin sister to Apollo, the sun god.
The Romans knew her as Luna, which is where we get the word lunar.
The Chinese celebrate the moon goddess Chang’e during
the Mid-Autumn Festival; she floated to the Moon after drinking an elixir of immortality.
The Japanese have Tsukuyomi, a moon god who represents beauty and time.
While no country today officially uses the lunar calendar, many cultures and religions throughout the world still rely on the lunar or lunisolar calendar for holidays and ceremonies. Lunar New Year (Chinese New Year) is celebrated in most Asian countries, Ramadan in Islam, Rosh Chodesh in Judaism, and Easter in Christianity.
The Native American names for each month’s full moon, like Strawberry Moon, Harvest Moon, and Cold Moon, all mark changes in nature and remind us of her vital role in life’s rhythm. Here’s a look at the full moons for the rest of 2025:
April 12th – Pink Moon (spring flowers bloom)
May 11th – Flower Moon (full bloom season)
June 9th – Strawberry Moon (strawberry season)
July 9th – Buck Moon (deer grow new antlers)
August 7th – Sturgeon Moon (big fish are easiest to catch)
September 6th – Corn Moon (time to harvest)
October 5th – Hunter’s Moon (perfect for nighttime hunting)
November 3rd – Beaver Moon (beavers prepare for winter)
December 3rd – Cold Moon (coldest, longest nights begin)
Our Moon is a divine gift that works in perfect symbiosis with Earth, keeping us in harmony, comforting us with her soft glow against a pitch-black night, tickling our curiosity with awe and always watching over us. Instead of wishing on distant stars, we should consider sharing our deepest desires with our lucky Moon with humble reverence.
“Moon, mistress of night, Illuminating my dreams with your borrowed light.” — Linda Austin
The opening reception for SIX SHUTTERS, a dynamic group photography exhibit at The Gallery at River City Clay, attracted an enthusiastic crowd during the March ArtWalk.
Art lovers, community members and fellow artists gathered to celebrate the works of six local photographers: Tony Centonze, Jonathan Wheeler, Jeff Danault, Shane Moore, Josh Vaughn, and D.C.Thomas.
Guests explored a diverse collection of photographic styles, from striking landscapes and intimate portraits to experimental analog techniques.
The exhibit showcased each photographer’s unique vision, offering a rich and engaging experience for attendees.
Adding to the evening’s success, Calle Taco, a recently-opened popular eatery from Franklin Street in Historic Downtown Clarksville, generously sponsored the event, providing attendees with delicious, handcrafted tacos.
The combination of visual artistry and flavorful cuisine created a lively and welcoming atmosphere.
‘SIX SHUTTERS’ remained on display at The Gallery at River City Clay through March 29, allowing visitors additional opportunities to experience the talent and creativity of these six photographers.
Located at 116 Strawberry Alley, the gallery continues to serve as a cornerstone of Clarksville’s thriving arts community.
For those who missed the opening reception, this group of artists have been asked to exhibit again in September. The location will be announced soon.
SIX SHUTTERS stands as a testament to the power of photography and the artistic energy that flourishes within Clarksville.
SIXSHU TTERS
The GalleryatRiver City Clay
The photographers captured by Rebeccah Eve
Handcrafted tacos from Calle Taco located at 125 Franklin Street
Store Manager, Alexander, and Calle Taco staff deliver tacos to River City Clay durig yhe opening reception for ‘Six Shutters’
Chamber's Veteran Business of the Month
Novus Behavioral Health is a Veteran-owned and operated clinic in Clarksville that offers a staff of experienced psychiatric providers who are “honored to join our patients on their journey from mental illness to mental wellness ...”
Earlier this year, Novus BH was selected as the Clarksville Area Chamber of Commerce Veteran Business of the Month. Scarlett Mulligan had been a Physicians Assistant (PA) for twenty years. She runs the general psychiatry practice located in Sango.
“I went into the Air Force when I was 24, I was a medic,” Mulligan said. “My first duty station was Las Vegas, NV, and that’s where I met my first PA. They said, hey, you could do this. That’s how it all started.”
She returned to Clarksville in 2008, and over the next ten years came to the conclusion that there was a “significant lack of good quality psychiatry services for the people of this community.” She started Novus BH in April 2018.
“We do psychiatry here, working strictly with mental health and behavioral health conditions, and we treat those conditions with supportive psychotherapy and medication,” Mulligan said. “There were a couple of players in town, but it was hard for people to get in. There was always such a long wait list. So, there was a real lack of resources in psychiatry here in Clarksville. I’ve always been drawn to psy-
chiatry in my own personal journey, just the way that patients interact with me, and I with them. It’s just a good fit for me.”
Mulligan and her team moved to their current location, 556 Fire Station Road, Suite A, in 2023.
“We have 21 people working at this location; not all are clinicians, but everyone is delivering in some aspect of healthcare,” Mulligan said. “We have front desk personnel, others in administration roles, and six clinicians on staff. We also have another location in Killeen, Texas. That city is similar in size and has a large military population, very much like Clarksville.” Mulligan says she loves working with Veterans. “I love serving them. They comprise about 30% of our patients. We accept commercial insurance, Medicare, Tri-Care, and more, but a lot of people getting psychiatry services choose to pay out of pocket. So, that is an option.
“Our most common diagnosis is generalized anxiety disorder, second is insomnia, and third is some sort of attention disorder, which is different than it used to be - ADHD, and a lot of what feels like, or is perceived as ADHD.”
Novus BH sees patients from the age of 13 all through the lifespan.
“A large majority of the patients we have are between the ages of 15 and 25,” Mulligan said. “We are currently open Monday – Friday, but we are looking for the right clinician that would allow us to open on Saturdays and weeknights.
“We don’t do any crisis stabilization, we leave that to people who specialize in that. We are working with people who are higher-functioning on the dayto-day. If there is some sort of crisis we send them to where they need to be, maybe the ER for outpatient care, or to be admitted when inpatient care is needed.”
Mulligan says her love for this vocation has changed over time. “My love has changed from direct patient care to creating an occupational home where providers can thrive. I’m all about culture. That is my passion: creating a functional and sustainable work culture. To that end, we work on creating connections. We do a lot of team functions.
We have regular staff events. It’s important to me that people work in an environment where they are nourished. We spend a lot of our life in our work environment, and what we experience at work, we take home. The way to heal a community is to nourish our employees, When they go
home they nourish their home, and when that happens the whole community benefits.
This is a place where you are not a number. We work hard to show up in a way that meets your needs. One of our distinguishing factors is that we offer something called interventional psychiatry.
This is something other than just medication management. We have a transcranial magnetic stimulation machine, which is FDA-approved for OCD and major depressive disorder.
We also offer ketamine infusions and treatments called Esketamine or Spravato, which requires an additional certification.”
Novus BH is taking new patients, but they are currently on about a 3-week wait. “We’re working hard to reduce the wait time,” Mulligan said.
Find more information at www.Novusbh.com
Scarlett Mulligan
Clarksville Police Chief Retirement/Oath of Office
Hundreds attended a ceremony at Wilma Rudolph Event Center at which retiring CPD Chief David Crockarell stepped down and newly-appointed Chief Ty Burdine was sworn in by Clarksville Mayor Joe Pitts.
Crockarell told the audience, “Ty Burdine is our man. The Mayor did his due diligence, and landed on the best candidate. I am so glad for this department, and I’m so proud of you, Ty.” An emotional Crockarell reminisced about
his time with CPD, thanking everyone from the officers he worked with to family and friends who have supported him along the way. He ended with familiar words, “CPD, be safer today than you were yesterday. Be fair, be kind, be lawful. … I’ll see you when I see you.”
After being sworn in, his family was by his side, and Chief Burdine listed his pledges and priorities. He talked about having the trust of the community, and being legitimate in their eyes. He closed with, “I commit to this city, and I will give my all. I will lead by example, with humility, continue to hire good leaders, stand for what is right, and never compromise our integrity.”
Lucy Jo, Lesley & incoming
CPD Chief Ty Burdine
CPD Chief (outgoing) David Crockarell & Mayor Joe Pitts Scott Beaubien
Senator Bill Powers
CPD Chief (outgoing) David Crockarell
Keri Lovato & Stacey Streetman
Clarksville First Lady Cynthia Pitts & CPD Captain Liane Wilson
Carlos Peters & Jimmy Brown
CPD Chief Ty Burdine
Kimberly Wiggins & Julie Runyon
Michelle Smith & Cassy Moline
Montgomery County’s First Lady Sara Golden & Mayor Golden
Immaculate Conception School Casino Night
Immaculate Conception School recently hosted its annual Casino Night, an evening of fun money games, a silent auction, beer, wine, food and fun with a Mardi Gras theme.
Casino Night committee member Ann Jarvis said, “I’m a parent here; I have a 2nd-grader. It has been a big project but a lot of fun. We have great volunteers with all the parents here at the school. Pam Telfer, Director of the preschool, has been instrumental in putting this together.
“Our volunteers, including Astrid Buchanan, put the auction together. We have some wonderful items, all donated by members of the community. Then, our parents put together these class baskets filled with amazing items. Each class does one.”
ICS is raising money for a new school bus. “We’re actually looking at a gently used, new bus,” Jarvis said. “With a new bus, we can expand our routes to help increase enrollment and provide extracurricular activities for our students, including club activities, athletics, and field trips. It will just give our students more opportunities.”
This year’s Told Tier sponsor was Transformation Title and Escrow. Saxophonist and DJ Jermaine Pitts provided the entertainment. Catering was provided by North Meets South.
Adrienne Fry & Amy Provo Astrid Buchanan & Pam Rye
Stacey & Phyllis Streetman
Kim & James Cargill
Xiamora Puentes, Valerie Fox & Arlene Madamba
The Donnellan - Kulback party
Cookie Crawl
Clarksville Parks and Recreation recently hosted its 2nd Annual Cookie Crawl, a can’t-miss event for cookie lovers that offered a cookie decorating class and a chance to sample decadent creations by more than a dozen local bakers.
April Sialana, a Parks and Recreation event planning specialist, greeted cookie enthusiasts as they arrived. “We’ve got more than 15 cookie vendors here who have prepared samples for each ticket holder,” Sialana said. “Guests get to come in and enjoy samples from all the cookie booths. We also have a DIY Cookie decorating station for ticket purchasers. It’s just a fun time to mingle and get to know the local cookie vendors and all that they have to offer.
“We also have a VIP Cookie decorating class conducted by the owner of Mon Cherie Patisserie, where they will learn how to make buttercream icing. When the class is over, they will get early access to all the vendor booths. And, there are swag bags with cookie recipes, baking utensils and a water bottle.”
The event was completely sold out. Attendance was limited to 300, so keep an eye out for when tickets go on sale for the 2026 Cookie Crawl
April Sialana Cookie Monster got past security
Stacey Streetman, Jennifer & Brian Zacharias
CHARLEY JORDAN FARMS:
Cultivating Colorful Blooms for Local Markets
Charley Jordan of Jordan Farms has become a fixture at local open-air markets, where he brings a beautiful variety of fresh-cut flowers all throughout middle Tennessee’s growing season. And though most of us start to see colorful blooms in late April or early May, Jordan’s work begins much earlier than you might think.
At his farm, he has several areas already prepped for this year’s crops. The first area we came to, as we walked around the farm in mid-March was a flower bed covered in landscape fabric that contained assorted perennials.
“We’re starting to see sedum, hyssop, and liatrus, perennials that come back on their own,” Jordan said. “Sedum is one of only two succulents that can withstand sub-freezing temperatures. Hyssop is a big pollinator. I have eight or nine beehives on the property, and my friend has ten. There are probably 5,000 bees in each hive.”
Story and Photos by Tony Centonze
ey, and grows sunflowers. At certain times of the year, guests are welcome to the farm to cut their own flowers.
“Yes, we produce honey, and I grow sunflowers out here, too,” Jordan said. “We plant different types, including one that produces a lot of pollen and nectar. The ones that produce a lot of pollen are not ideal for cutting. We plant the pollinator sunflowers out here past the hoop house.”
In addition to cut flowers, Jordan Farms produces hon-
Jordan says what the bees consume influences the quality and flavor of the honey, and its anti-allergen properties.
“We have maple trees which are producing right now, tulip poplars will be next,” Jordan said. “Just south of my property is the Cumberland River, and all our bees go straight toward the river. It’s the bee freeway. You can sit out here in the summertime and just watch them.
“We have events all the time. We do therapeutic horticulture events and farm visits. The NWHS FFA comes
out every couple of years. Then we have groups come out and do pick-your-own flowers. People can pay a fee and then pick a bouquet for themselves.”
In the hoop house right now are Mother’s Day Market flowers. He tries to raise enough to hold him until the first outdoor-grown flowers come in, which is usually around the third week of June. So with luck and a lot of planning, the hoop house produces enough cut flowers to keep him in stock through the first couple of months of market season.
“In here (the hoop house) we have our early spring flowers that don’t do so well in the hotter part of the summer. I have snapdragons, flowering kale, anemones delphinium, lots of different stuff. A lot of this will continue to produce into June, but it gets really hot here in the summer.”
He is trying a different color of landscape fabric this year, white, to help reduce the temperature and keep the roots cool. He has monitors to keep track of the temperature in the hoop house.
“This is our fifth year in the business,” Jordan said. “We’ll be planting goldenrod and campanella, a variety
of very different flowers. I try to grow lots of different flowers for our customers.” Hoop house planting started in late February. Jordan likes to start from plugs which he gets from a nursery. “Seeds are hard, and I’m basically a 1-Veteran show. I work with a plant broker. They search their growers for what I want, certain types of snapdragons, etc.
“Everything that is planted here now was planned and ordered last year. I have all my ordering done by August for the next year. Products start arriving in late February. 2025 is already done in some respects. I’m working on 2026, now. I’m doing research, basing next year’s crop on my customers’ desires, likes and trends from all throughout the United States. I like to see what the East Coast and the Southeast are doing, especially the Southeast. The variety that I plant, tend to grow the best here.”
Jordan is looking at growth characteristics, profitability,
and all the little things that can help him survive until the next season. “I want to keep this going, so there is a lot of research that goes in to it. If I plant 270 flowers that go bad, that’s bad. Each plant has to produce a certain dollar amount to make this work. If certain plants can’t do that I
pull them, and try to figure out something else.”
The hoop house should have blooms by the first of May. The first Downtown Market this year is on May 10th, just before Mother’s Day.
“If the markets make a shift in start times I have to take that into account when I’m planning and planting,” Jordan said. “This year, Old Glory Distilling Co. is starting a new market on Thursdays. Their first market this year will be on the 8th of May. I have to ensure that I have enough inventory for opening day. That’s just a few weeks from now. It’s crunch time, and sometimes I’m like, oh no.
“This year, we’ll start with spring florals, spring colors, pinks, whites, light blues - snapdragons, delphinium, flowering kale, lupine, a nice variety.”
Jordan tries to get two years out of some of his hoop house plants, but this year he is starting with all new
plants. “Yep, it’s a blank slate. We added compost to it, added lime, checked the PH, did soil samples, then went ahead and added a little fertilizer, not a lot,
mainly nitrogen.”He says the ground inside the hoop house is similar to an arid Afghanistan high-desert plateau environment.
“I haven’t had natural rainwater on that ground in five years,” Jordan said. “The ground outside the hoop house is so different. This is all a challenge every day. I love it. Every day, I come out here and test the soil and monitor the temperatures. Sunflowers start after April 18th. We do it a little later to avoid the last frost.” Jordan plans to plant 1 to 1-1/2 acres of sunflowers for this year’s crop. He also showed the spot for the outside cutting beds.
“The ground is almost ready,” Jordan said. “Around April 1st we’ll lay black landscape fabric. This soil has been amended, fertilized and tested. It’s probably ready to go. I need to run one more till on top, a light cultivation, maybe an inch deep. Here, we’ll plant summer floral heavy hitters – zinnia, lisianthus, celosia Queen Anne’s lace, statice - there is so much. And, there is a lot of science that goes into placement. Being that I use mono-cropping, I shift things around each year.”
He talks about the layout, the fabric, the spacing, He has created these parameters with ease and safety in mind.
“These flowers will produce until Labor Day,” Jordan said. “I don’t do any succession planting, except maybe for the sunflowers, on these two fields. I check brix levels, etc, and work hard to keep them going all the way
through August. My business really runs Mother’s Day to Labor Day. I make use of this entire 5+ acre area. We will also be doing some donations for Manna Cafe and others this year.” He started this as a side business in 2001 while still on active duty in the U.S. Army. “I retired in 2017,” Jordan said. “In 2018, this was established as Jordan Farms. I started with horses, which turned to cows. I bought an extra twenty acres, which I sold after the pandemic, at which time I concentrated all my efforts on the flowers.
“Getting out of the Army can be a struggle. Agriculture is my jam, there are therapeutic parts, and there is solace, and it gives me something to do. I have fun with it. It’s way more than forty hours a week. We’ll be in four different markets this year. Its mainly my gig, but my wife Christine helps me out quite a bit. “Pointers – first thing, make sure your soil is good, amend it, get it right. Then, look for sunlight, how is your property oriented? Most flowers like a lot of sun. Start your flowers by March or early April, then plant them after the first frost, usually mid-April. You can scour the internet for growers, or just go to Lowe’s, Home Depot, Rural King, etc.”
You can find Jordan Farms on Facebook at @Jordanfarmstn
For information on location, events, hours of operation and more, go to www.JordanFarmsTN.com
Jubilee at CMC Public Library Black History Month
The community was invited to the Clarksville-Montgomery County Public Library for Jubilee – Celebrating Black History, an afternoon dedicated to celebrating the “rich history, culture, accomplishments, and achievements of African-Americans in our community and beyond.”
Throughout the afternoon, attendees were able to enjoy a variety of performers, artists, and local historians, all coming together to highlight the significance of Black history and culture.
The event was free and open to the public. Organizers said, “The goal of this event is to honor the legacy of African Americans and create a space for community members to come together to learn, share and celebrate.
Carolyn Kennedy Hailee Wesley & Elijah Oman
Rashidah Leverett
Cat & Valerie Guzman
Fun Facts About Our Solar System
by Linda Austin
1. The Sun’s Atmosphere Is Hotter Than Its Surface –While the Sun’s surface is about 10,000°F, its outer atmosphere (the corona) reaches temperatures of over a million degrees. Scientists don’t know why!
2. Mercury Has Ice – Despite being the closest planet to the Sun, Mercury has ice at its poles, hidden in permanently shadowed craters.
3. Venus Spins Backward – Most planets rotate counterclockwise, but Venus rotates clockwise, meaning the Sun rises in the west and sets in the east.
4. Earth’s Moon Is Moving Away – The Moon drifts about 1.5 inches away from Earth each year. Over millions of years, this will change the length of our days.
5. Mars Has the Tallest Volcano – Olympus Mons on Mars is the largest volcano in the solar system, about three times the height of Mount Everest.
6. Jupiter Has a 300-Year-Old Storm – The Great Red Spot, a massive storm system on Jupiter, has been raging for at least three centuries and the hurricane storm is bigger than the Earth.
7. Saturn Could Float in Water – If you could find a bathtub big enough, Saturn would float because it’s mostly made of gas and has a lower density than water.
8. Uranus Rolls Instead of Spins – Uranus is tilted on its side, making it appear to roll around the Sun rather than spin like the other planets.
9. Neptune Has Supersonic Winds – The winds on Neptune can reach speeds of over 1,200 mph—faster than the speed of sound on Earth.
10. Pluto Has Blue Skies – Though it’s far from the Sun, Pluto has a thin atmosphere that creates blue skies, just like Earth’s.
11. Quivering Moon – Our own moon has moonquakes, just like the earthquakes we have on earth, except moonquakes are believed to be caused by Earth’s gravity pulling on the moon surface.
12. Moons Can Have Atmospheres – Saturn’s moon Titan has a thick atmosphere and even lakes of liquid methane.
13. Io Is the Most Volcanic Body – Jupiter’s moon Io is covered in active volcanoes, making it the most volcanically active place in the solar system.
14. It’s Raining Diamonds! – Scientists believe that Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus and Neptune have such high-pressure conditions that they may produce diamond rain deep inside their atmospheres.
15. Our Solar System Has a Tail – The heliosphere, the bubble created by the Sun’s solar wind, has a tail like a comet’s as it moves through space.
16. You Can See Five Planets Without a Telescope – Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter, and Saturn are all visible to the naked eye at certain times of the year.
17. Some Moons Have Oceans – Jupiter’s moon Europa and Saturn’s moon Enceladus are believed to have oceans.
18. A Year on Venus Is Shorter Than Its Day – Venus takes 243 Earth days to rotate once but only 225 days to orbit the Sun.
19. Our Solar System Is Moving Through Space – The Sun and its planets are traveling around the Milky Way at about 514,000 mph.
20. The Largest Canyon Is on Mars – Valles Marineris is a canyon system on Mars that dwarfs the Grand Canyon, stretching over 2,500 miles long.
WAXHEART Emerges as a Creative Powerhouse with Lumiere EP Release
Music, Art and Stories. A total experience.
The release party for Waxheart’s debut EP “Lumiere,” was held at Lorenzo Swinton’s Gallery downtown to a packed house. It was an explosive set! Waxheart’s vision brings you into its own reality and a dimension of sight and sound, with theme-appropriate fiction writings, coinciding with the emotions of the songs and illustrations.
Waxheart was formed right here in Clarksville, Tennessee, and became a force to be reckoned with before my very eyes. I knew the guitarist and music producer Layne Robertson from his work with Lillicat, another top indie draw in town. Tyler Baxter, the bassist, is also a friend who had his own band, TB and the Fuzz.
As soon as I heard they were joining forces, I knew it was going to be amazing. That was before I’d heard Hannah Wolfe... that’s the bands’ singer and visual artist. Wow! She has an amazing voice, and her artwork is absolutely unreal.
The band is rounded out by another great guitarist, Kyle Gisbert, and top-tier drummer Cameron Clifton. I finally got to see them at last year’s Tour De Ville festival (more on that later). They commanded instant response and respect from the crowd!
“Lumiere” is out now and available on Spotify, Prime, Apple, and YouTube music, also available on CD. It’s been a privilege to watch this happen. Our town has a flourishing music scene that I have been following with my own publication for over three years. We also have two of our own music festivals that began as DIY projects created by local native and musician Cody Parson. One in the spring, Tour De Ville, and one in early fall, Possumstock. Both of these events have grown by leaps and bounds since they began over 10 years ago and have blossomed into respectable live, local music celebrations!
You can catch Waxheart at both Tour De Ville and Kinda Spoopy Music Festival 2025!
Photo by Cody Hegler
Story by James Cargill
Photos by James Cargill & Cody Hegler
Sip, Smile, and Enjoy The Bubbles
What franchise has now surpassed both Starbucks and McDonalds in terms of the number of food and beverage establishments it has? I’d bet you anything that the name will not be familiar to you but you might know what signature drink it sells; the bubble or boba tea.
Mixue Bincheng has 45,000 retail outlets all over the world and is known for inexpensive drinks ranging from 30 cents to $1.20 in United States currency.
Founded in 1997 in Zhengzhou in the Henan province in China, the business started out selling ice cream cones; no coincidence that its name translates to “honey snow ice city”.
Bubble tea was added a year later and then the company took off in sales.
So what is bubble tea, and where can you try it?
Bubble tea originated in Taiwan although there have been several theories as to who was the mastermind behind it.
It made its way to the United States in the 1980’s namely to California, and then migrated to Chinatowns and Koreatowns across the country. It is also known as boba tea, which refers to bubbles or pearls made from tapioca starch, water, and brown sugar. The great advantage to the bubble tea is the variety of flavors and color combinations that can be concocted.
The drink originates with traditional teas such as green, black, jasmine, herbal and fruit varieties, and is then mixed with milk ( whole, low-fat or even almond) or ice for a slushy version and a variety of sweeteners
Story by Christie Crawford Kohana
Pho King
such as traditional brown sugar, honey, agave or fruit syrups. To add to the mystique is the boba, which can be chewy traditional tapioca, fruit-flavored popping pearls that explode or pop when chewed, or even fruit-tasting jelly that is like a deconstructed Jello-O consistency. A milk foam can even be added as a top layer for an even more flavor intrigue.
So where can you enjoy it? Our Clarksville Living team traveled around Clarksville to try various versions of the drink highly ranked on the app YELP. We’re not choosing to rank or review here, only describe and highlight the drinks we sampled to celebrate April as National Bubble Tea Month.
Pho King 210 - Needmore Road, Suite G
Served in large glass bowl-like glasses, we tried the slushy dragon fruit tea with dragon fruit popping pearls, the Thai milk tea and the local favorite, horchata, flavored like the popular Mexican beverage with traditional pearls.
The dragon fruit really stood out for its refreshing fruit flavor and the horchata version really lived up to the comparison.
Kyoto Ramen - 2088 Lowes Drive
At the newly opened ramen restaurant, we sampled the traditional brown sugar milk tea and the sea salt milk foam green tea
with aloe vera jelly. The drinks were served in tall branded plastic glassware with a very colorful presentation.
The brown sugar tea was spot on, and the green tea was an unusual but delightfully less sweet version with the special addition of the jelly.
Kohana - 120 Corporate Drive
Tasting sweeter than the other two offerings, we tried the mango slushy tea with mango popping teas and the taro with traditional bob in colorful branded cups.
If sweet suits your palate, you will enjoy these traditional offerings but note that they can be adjusted upon request.
Tita Boba - 590 Fire Station Road
The only cafe dedicated to boba tea, the cafe also had fun merchandise displayed as well as popular bubble tea games, similar to a coffee-shop atmosphere.
Monthly specials are available including the strawberry slushy fruit tea with popping strawberry pearls as well as make-your-own versions. The slushy strawberry special was refreshing and the taro and coconut milk tea had a pleasant blended taste.
Now that it’s April and you think of grabbing a coffee or tea at your local coffeehouse, think “out of the box” and try ordering a bubble tea at one of these or other options around Clarksville - you’ll be pleasantly surprised.
Kyoto Ramen
Tita Boba
Business After Hours
at MILLAN ENTERPRISES
When Millan Enterprises hosts a Clarksville Area Chamber of Commerce Business After Hours, it’s always a successful undertaking. This time, Millan Enterprises’ Jude Room, located inside The Press building in the heart of downtown, was the site of the Chamber’s monthly networking event
The Chamber’s Executive Committee Chair, Mike Rainey said, “We’re happy to be here with Millan Enterprises for this month’s Business after Hours. Leo and Lillie always do a great job hosting. You can tell by the crowd that everyone loves being here. It’s a great event, unfortunately the Millans couldn’t be with us today, but their team took over and have done a wonderful job.
“We just want to thank the Millans for what they do for our community and what they do for the Chamber. They go all-out on everything they do. I would say there are close to 250 people here. We do this on the third Thursday of each month, except December. It goes from 4:30pm to 6:30pm, and we host at a different Chamber member’s location each month. Next month, we’ll be at Serra Chevrolet.”
The Clarksville Area Chamber of Commerce now boasts 850 members.
Shannon Kitchen & Darryl Gladney Waylon Stampfly, Natalie Apa & Andre Walker Ellen & Michael Emrick
Charlie Koon, Meg Pritschet & Walt Lord
Kimberly Miller & Melinda Shepard
Lea Powell & Shane Shoulders
Sherry Nicholson & Kevin Kennedy
Matt & Angela McCann, Heather Johnson
Jean Luna-Vedder & Chris Reneau
From Riverview to Doubletree
A New Era for Clarksville’s Downtown Hotel
Riverview Inn (Downtown Clarksville) Slated to be Demolished
After The Riverview Inn closed during the coronavirus pandemic, I expected to see the above headline in the news. I kept hoping I wouldn’t.
The hotel always struck me as a property with a lot of potential. I imagined the spectacular views guests would see from their windows. During the Clarksville Writers’ Conference in 2017, I joined fellow attendees in the hotel’s lobby for some post-class discussion.
It felt like I was like visiting an older relative whose house never got updated. All it needed was a facelift. I hoped someone would see its potential, put some money down, and add a destination spot for Clarksville’s downtown experience. Finally,
Doubletree by Hilton did just that.
Clarksville’s downtown has transformed in the last ten years. New restau-
Story by Barb Cobb Edwards
rants and shops have opened, the new F&M Bank Arena is bringing in sports and entertainment, and with the opening of the Doubletree by Hilton Riverside Clarksville hotel, more and more visitors and locals are coming downtown.
Doubletree by Hilton Riverview Clarksville is now a reality. The ribbon cutting ceremony and opening night party attracted folks on the first snowy evening of the season. Doubletree chefs treated attendees with a seafood bar as staff came round with hors d’oeuvres and special libations.
Local band, “Brit Dewy and The Struggle Bus,” beckoned folks to the dance floor with cover hits from Tom Petty, The Allman Brothers, and Little Feat. They even threw in “Rocky Top” for the Vols fans. On Saturday, February 15th, Doubletree hosted a “Tipsy Vendor” event with over forty vendors.
The deluge of rain and flooding dampened the turnout a bit, but those who were there enjoyed the variety of jewelry, soaps, candles, bread, and even 3D printed vases.
Guests at the Doubletree included sisters Tiffany Irving and Lisa Cooper and their friend Denny Garrett who were visiting from Houston for a wedding. The wedding venue had to be changed due to flooding but they said everyone was taking it in stride.
Todd and Kristie King of Clarksville stopped by Ashland City vendor Jeanie Larisey’s booth “Gigi’s Trucker Hat Bar and More.” Both Todd and Kristie are excited about the variety of things to do downtown since they live nearby.
Todd gave me a tip for the next time I’m at the Blackhorse Pub: mix the Vanilla Cream Ale with the Barnstormer Red Ale. Can’t wait to try it!
Vendor Cindy Ferrell of “Eternally Adorned Permanent Jewelry” designed a bracelet for Rhode Islander Joann Paulhus. Paulhus was visiting her daughter Ashley Dawkins who is Riverview’s Food and Beverage Manager. Sherry Hornberger of Columbia and Carol Ballard of Springfield were also eyeing some of Cindy’s creations.
As the event was winding down, Danielle Kulp and her family arrived from St. Louis, braving the “rain all the way here” drive. Danielle’s daughter Marley spied a stuffed animal that she wanted from a vendor, and Danielle’s son Carter was getting ready for his hockey game at F&M Bank Arena.
The Kulp family was looking forward to exploring downtown on Sunday so I talked up the hot-spots on Franklin Street and Strawberry Alley.
The hotel restaurant, Harvest Kitchen + Spirits, just launched its new brunch. Every Sunday, there will be live music, $5.00
seasonally curated mimosas, a Build Your Own Bloody Mary Bar and Candy Cocktails. Hours are 6:30am to 2:00pm with live music from 10:00am to 2:00pm. You can make reservations through www.opentable.com. I can’t wait to try this one out.
I have been thoroughly impressed by my own personal experiences at the hotel. The service at the Harvest Kitchen + Spirits is first rate. The Caesar salad had the freshest lettuce I’ve had in any Clarksville restaurant. The bartender made a special coffee drink that was not on the menu for my friend.
Antonio always makes me feel welcome, as does the rest of the staff. Don’t forget to wander down the hall to the Cumberland Gallery. Local artists who are members of DAC (Downtown Artists Co-op) were invited to display and sell their work. Since I’m a member, I had to get that plug in for DAC.
Clarksville P&R
Mad Hatter’s Family Event
Penny Greene, part-time Queen of Hearts and fulltime Events Planning Specialist with Clarksville Parks and Recreation recently hosted The Family Formal - Mad Hatter Edition at Wilma Rudolph Event Center.
“We’re taking everybody down the rabbit hole tonight,” Greene said. “At 5:30pm we’ll start with a pasta buffet dinner. We have local magician Russ Nowack doing roaming magic at 6:00pm. He will then do a dinner magic show, and At 6:30pm all the activities begin and the dance floor will be open. We will continue the party until 8:00pm.”
140 tickets were sold for this new-to-Clarksville event that had lots of food, entertainment and activities for families to enjoy.
“Everyone can color teacups, make ‘drink me’ potions, learn how to create bracelets and more,” Greene said. “We want everyone to have fun and tear it up on the dance floor. We also have supporters/participants here from Nurture House Group, GSA Middle Tennessee, and TKO - The Kindness Objective. We’ve had a great time planning this. We’re expecting a really good turnout. It’s only going to get better as the night goes on.”
Queen of Hearts Penny Greene posing with a special guest
Leigh Harpel & Amanda Pitt
Jarek, Jack & Kate Kastle, Kenzi & Drew Conner
Eric & Megan Ellis with Kate, Knox, Allie & Lucy
Brianna Acosta, Monica & Gerald Melendez
KIWANIS Book Giveaway at F&M Bank Arena
For 35 years, the Kiwanis Club of Clarksville has provided free books to students in the Clarksville-Montgomery County School System. To date, about 120,000 books have been put into the hands of our students. These are new, high-quality books that the students can call their own.
This year, Kiwanis partnered with CMCSS and F&M Bank Arena to bring 3,200 3rd-grade students to the arena for a fantastic event in support of reading. Best-selling author Chris Grabenstein was live and in-person to talk to the students about his career and his books.
During the Kiwanis Club of Clarksville Reading Rodeo Grabenstein talked about one of his most popular books “Escape from Mr. Lemoncello’s Library.” When the students returned to their classroom, every CMCSS 3rd-grader was presented with their own copy of the book.
CMCSS handled the transportation, F&M Bank Arena hosted, and Clarksville Kiwanis purchased the books. Grabenstein published his first novel in 2005. The UT Knoxville graduate has written many children’s books, including the Agatha and Anthony award-winning Haunted Mystery series, and is a frequent collaborator with James Patterson.
Kiwanis Club President Brad Pavlik
Chris Grabenstein - author of ‘Escape from Mr. Lemoncello’s Library’
Chris Lanier
Montgomery County Mayor Wes Golden with Scott Donnellan
CALENDAR
April
11 Saturday
Dungeons and Dragons in the Library
April 11th, 25th | 5:00pm to 9:00pm
Price: Free
D&D in the Library continues! Food and drinks will be provided courtesy of a SASI grant. This event is open to APSU faculty, staff, alumni, and students.
Players of all experience levels are welcome! New players and veterans alike will have welcoming, supportive tables to learn the game or engage in higher-level hijinks!
Each new player will receive a set of dice on their first time attending (while our dragon’s hoard of dice remains).
Felix G. Woodward Library
601 College Street | Clarksville, TN
12 Saturday
Spring Craftsmen’s Fair
April 12th | 10:00am to 4:00pm
Price: Free
Join us on Saturday, April 12th for a day celebrating craftsmanship, community, and great drinks at the Silo Park at Old Glory Distilling Co.
We’re bringing in over 25 skilled craftsmen to showcase their work - from woodworkers and metalworkers to specialty chefs… and distillers.
Browse handcrafted goods, meet local artisans, and enjoy a great atmosphere with live music, craft cocktails, and great food.
Old Glory Distilling Co.
451 Alfred Thun Road, Clarksville, TN
Easter Egg Hunt
April 12th | 9:00am to 12:00pm
Price: Free
Montgomery County Parks and Recreation is thrilled to host its second free Easter Egg Hunt on Saturday, April 12, at the Lacrosse Field inside Civitan Park (650 Bellamy Lane)!
This year’s event features a helicopter egg drop by Austin Peay State University’s Aviation Program and the inaugural Adaptive Easter Egg Hunt, sponsored by Fortera Credit Union.
Designed for all ages and abilities, this familyfriendly celebration promises a fun-filled experience for everyone.
Groups and Times
Adaptive Egg Hunt at 9:00:00am on Rotary Field of Dreams
Ages 0 to 2 at 10:00am
Ages 3 to 5 at 10:30am
Ages 6 to 8 at 11:00am
Ages 9+ at 11:30am
Civitan Park - Lacrosse Field
650 Bellamy Lane | Clarksville, TN
F&M Bank Huff & Puff Express Model Trains
Exhibit open daily | Trains run Sundays 1:00pm to 4:00pm, Wednesdays 10:00am to 12:00pm, Fridays 10:00am to 12:00pm and the last Saturday of each month 1:00pm to 4:00pm
Our model train exhibit is open daily, and themes change every season – so stick around, because you never know what they’ll have in store next.
Customs House
200 South Second Street | Clarksville, TN
Civil War Artifact Display
April 12th | 10:00am to 3:00pm
Price: Free
Step Back in Time at Fort Defiance! Join us at the Fort Defiance Interpretive Center for a special Civil War Artifact Showcase! Local collectors will display their fascinating collections, offering a rare glimpse into the past.
Exclusive Exhibit – John Walsh from Fort Donelson Relics will showcase rarely seen artifacts not typically on public display. This is an educational event only—no sales. Don’t miss this unique opportunity to connect with history up close!
Fort Defiance Interpretive Center
120 Duncan Street | Clarksville, TN
13 sunday
Super Smash Bros UltimateUnsanctioned
April 13th | 12:00pm to 3:00pm
Price: $10
Super Smash Bros Ultimate. Cash Prizes Tournament. Cash prizes are dictated by the number of entries. Tournament play will start at 1:00pm. Bring your own controller.
Graceful Gaming
1507B Fort Campbell Boulevard, Clarksville, TN
15 Tuesday
Tuesday Trivia w/Joe Padula
April 15th and 22nd | 7:00pm to 9:00pm
Think you’re the smartest one in the room? Prove it at Trivia Tuesdays with the one and only Joe Padula, starting at 7:00pm! Get ready for an evening of brain-busting questions, hilarious banter, and of course, Joe’s signature phrase:
“Absolutely!” Cash prizes are up for grabs, so bring your A-game (and maybe that one friend who knows way too much about obscure movie quotes).
Come early to fuel up with our award-winning menu—because nothing says “trivia champion” like wings, burgers, and Irish nachos from Clarksville’s Ultimate Fun Pub. Don’t worry, we won’t judge if you need liquid courage from the bar. So round up your crew, flex those mental muscles, and join us for a night of laughs, food, and fun. Be there—or regret it while scrolling through everyone else’s victory photos on Wednesday morning. Absolutely!
O’Connor’s Pub
1198 Tylertown Road | Clarksville, TN
17
thursday
Storytime & Craft: Going on an Egg Hunt!
April 17th | 10:30am | All ages, with adult Free with membership or paid admission | Family Art Studio
Hop into spring fun with our Going on an Egg Hunt Storytime & Craft! We’ll be reading We’re Going on an Egg Hunt by Laura Hughes, a delightful, interactive adventure filled with bunnies, surprises, and hidden eggs, along with Last One in Is a Rotten Egg! by Diane deGroat, a humorous story about friendly competition and Easter excitement. After storytime, kids can get creative with shaving cream marble egg painting, *All parents are expected to participate with and supervise their children.
Customs House Museum
200 South Second Street | Clarksville, TN
Disney on Ice Presents Frozen & Encanto
April 17th | 7:00pm
April 18th | 10:30am and 6:00pm
April 19th | 10:00am and 2:00pm
Price: $34.10 to $88.60
Step inside the magical adventures of Disney’s Frozen and Encanto as they are brought to life like never before at Disney On Ice! Dazzling ice skating transports you to Arendelle to be a part of Anna’s adventure to find Elsa, whose icy powers unleashed an eternal winter.
Hosted by Mickey and Minnie, invite your family and friends to sing along to your favorite songs and celebrate the power of love and courage at Disney On Ice presents Frozen & Encanto - the show everyone will be talking about! *Note: Costumes not permitted for guests 14 years & older. Visit www.DisneyOnIce.com for more information.
F&M Bank Arena
101 Main Street | Clarksville, TN
April Bike Night at Appleton HarleyDavidson
April 17th | 6:00pm to 9:00pm
Price: Free
Get ready for an unforgettable night filled with live music, great food, and cold drinks! Whether you’re riding in solo or rolling deep with your crew, this is the perfect way to kick off the riding season with fellow enthusiasts.
The Community Easter Egg Hunt will be separated into 4 age groups: Pre-k, K-1st Grade, 2nd-3rd Grades, and 4th-5th Grades. There will be a separate area for crawlers.
Have your picture taken with the Easter Bunny!
Yellow Creek Baptist Church 4506 Ellis Mills Road | Cumberland City, TN
26 saturday
Roxy’s Spring Gala Fundraiser
April 26th | 6:00pm
Tickets: $150
Celebrate live theatre in the heart of historic Downtown Clarksville with an evening of fine food, live entertainment, and the big reveal of our 43rd season at the Roxy Regional Theatre!
Join us at 6:00pm for cocktails in the Riverbend Ballroom of the DoubleTree by Hilton Clarksville Riverview (50 College Street), followed by a savory dinner. (Menu coming soon.) Vegetarian meals are available upon request. Complimentary wine will be available at each table, and our cash bar will remain open throughout the evening.
Please RSVP by April 15th. For more information visit www.roxyregionaltheatre.org
DoubleTree by Hilton Clarksville Riverview 50 College Street | Clarksville, TN
Kid Palooza
April 26th | 11:00am to 2:00pm
Price: Free
This annual free and open-to-the public event invites families to the Downtown Commons to bounce around on interactive inflatables, visit with balloon artists and face painters and challenge your friends to lawn games!
Food truck, Tacos Azteca, along with Wolf Down, which is on-site at the Downtown Commons, will be offering items for purchase.
Downtown Commons
215 Legion Street | Clarksville, TN
Family Art Saturday: Seed Bookmarks and Art
April 26th | 10:00am to 3:00pm | Ages 3+, with adult
Free with membership or paid admission | Family Art Studio
Celebrate spring with a hands-on art experience at Family Art Saturday! This month, families can get creative by making seed bookmarks— beautiful, plantable keepsakes that will bloom into flowers or herbs. Plus, explore fun, springinspired art activities that celebrate nature and growth! *All parents are expected to participate with and supervise their children.
Customs House Museum
200 South Second Street | Clarksville, TN
BBQ Chicken Dinner
April 26th | 3:00pm to 5:00pm
Price: $12.00 per plate
Take out only dinner will be served at the Lone Oak Picnic Grounds. Dinner includes: 1/2 Chicken, 2 Side Dishes and a Drink.
Civitan members will be at Hilltop Supermarket on April 19th selling tickets from 9:00am until 5:00pm. You can also text 931.624.6562 for tickets.
All money raised goes back into the community south of the river.
Central Civitan
275 Highway 13 | Cunningham, TN
Hilltop Antique Tractor and Engine Show
April 26th | 9:00am to 3:00pm
Price: Free
Benefit show raising money for the Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt. Food for sale on site. All donations and proceeds from food sales directly benefit the Neonatal Intenstive Care Unit (NICU). Event is by Montgomery County Antique Tractor and Engine Club.
Hilltop Supermarket
400 Highway 149 | Clarksville, TN
27 sunday
Sunday Studio: Mold-making with Luke Warren
April 27th | 2:00pm | Ages 16+
Free, with registration required; does not include Customs House Museum admission.
Teaming up with APSU’s Community School of the Arts, we present Sunday Studio—a workshop series for adults. We are pleased to
welcome back APSU sculpture professor and artist, Luke Warren, as he leads us through the process of life-casting. This workshop is FREE, and all materials are included. Register today at www.customshousemuseum.org
Customs House Museum
200 South Second Street | Clarksville, TN
May
2 Friday
Dwayne Byard Memorial BBQ CookOff
May 2nd | 6:00pm to 9:00pm
May 3rd | 10:00am to 2:00pm
BBQ will be available for purchase starting at 10:30pm Friday. The kick off party starts at 6:00pm. There will be live music and a People’s Choice Hot Wing Competition.
The BBQ Cook-Off is on Saturday with judging starting at 11:00am. Teams will be competing for trophies and cash prices. The categories are chicken, ribs, pork, beef brisket, and dessert. BBQ can be purchased Saturday as well.
Hilltop Supermarket
400 Highway 149 | Clarksville, TN
9 Friday
The Addams Family (Young@Part)
May 9th, 10th, 15th, 16th, 17th | 6:00pm May 10th, 11th, 17th | 2:00pm Tickets $35.00 (adults) and $15.00 (10 and under)
Wednesday Addams, the ultimate princess of darkness, has grown up and fallen in love with a sweet, smart young man from a respectable family whom her parents have never met. She confides in her father and begs him not to tell her mother. Now, Gomez Addams must do something he’s never done before – keep a secret from his beloved wife Morticia. But everything will change for the whole family on the fateful night they host a dinner for Wednesday’s “normal” boyfriend and his parents. Celebrate the wackiness in every family with this hour-long edition of the hit Broadway musical, perfect for all ages and presented by youth from the community.
Roxy Regional Theatre
100 Franklin Street | Clarksville, TN
Submit your event to events@clarksvillelivingmag.com by the15th of the month for the next issue.
