The Spirit of Christmas: A Season of Giving and Joy
Is it ever too early to start decorating for Christmas? For some, the sight of twinkling lights in October might feel premature, while others delight in an extended holiday season. Truthfully, Christmas is more than a date; it’s a feeling. The excitement of pulling out ornaments or hearing the first carols transcends the calendar. For many, decorating early brings joy, warmth, and the comforting anticipation of a festive season filled with love.
Perhaps the heart of the season lies in giving. Some people seem especially gifted in this area, effortlessly finding the perfect gifts or offering acts of kindness that brighten the lives of others. Why? It could stem from their ability to empathize and understand others’ needs, or from a deep sense of gratitude that inspires them to give back. These givers remind us that the best gifts aren’t necessarily wrapped but shared through time, attention, and care.
Christmas, at its core, is a celebration of peace and love. The world slows, family and friends gather, and traditions remind us of the connections that truly matter. Whether it’s the glow of a candle-lit service, a shared meal, or a child’s laughter, the season invites us to embrace kindness and unity. Is there a more loving or peaceful time of year? For many, no. It’s a time when humanity’s best qualities—compassion, generosity, and joy—take center stage.
So, whether you deck the halls in November or wait until December, the magic of Christmas isn’t about the “when” but the “why.” It’s a time to celebrate togetherness, reflect on what we cherish most, and spread a little more light in the world. After all, isn’t that what makes this season so special?
So, Merry Christmas, and to all, we wish you the happiest of holidays!!
Tony Centonze Publisher, Clarksville Living Magazine
This solve month's find-a-word puzzle.
Find the following words in the puzzle. Words are hidden g i and m
The Wright Stuff
Takumi Hotpot & BBQ
Champagne’sHolidayTradition
The Widow’s Wine
“No wine in the world brings to mind so many immediate associations as champagne…it is beautiful and delicate, and above all, it is a wine associated with women.” This passage is from The Widow Cliquot, a book written about the champagne industry’s early champion, Barbe-Nicole Cliquot, and focus of a newly released movie.
Moving into the holiday season and having recently returned from France, I thought I’d share a little of her story and why champagne, or any type of sparkling wine, should be part of your holiday celebration.
Cliquot’s genius amid personal tragedy (the loss of her husband early in their marriage) and innovation in creating ground-breaking standards such as “riddling” (turning of the bottle to remove sediment) and branding
(distinct yellow label) made her the dominant player in champagne its first one hundred years.
But it was her understanding of creating legacy in business, which not only guaranteed the financial success of her champagne house for future generations but also the endurance of the champagne region itself, that made her a businesswoman extraordinaire in the world of wine. There is no question that her contributions to the champagne world through Veuve Cliquot have allowed the product to be enjoyed by all of us today.
Believe it or not, champagne did not truly originate in France but rather in England where wine was created to sparkle and was first commercially marketed in the 1600’s. In fact, Dom Perignon, the monk who became the trademark for Moët and Chandon, spent most of his time in France trying to eliminate the fizz from wine. British wine connoisseurs found that oxidation ruined
Story by Christie Crawford
Champagne with Two Glasses
the barrels of champagne imported from France and instead, with the help of Frenchman Charles de Saint-Évremond, began bottling and adding brandy to preserve and allow a second phase of fermentation to make true champagne.
In its infancy, champagne was only for the elite few and in the 1700’s a mainstay at Versailles under Louis XIV. Despite the war, failed crops, and regulatory challenges, champagne became well-established in the French economy in the 1870s.
It didn’t hurt that Napoleon was a great fan of the stuff, and it was rumored that his Paris parties could go through 1,000 battles per night. Held by a few great houses even today, true champagne is limited to 323 villages in the Champagne region of Northern France and the date of harvest to even the particular pruning of vines is strictly controlled.
Sparkling wine, of which champagne is a subset, can be made from white or red grapes and can be produced anywhere in the world.
Flavors can range from sweet to dry and can be made from one of 5 methods:
1) Method champenoise - a traditional method where secondary fermentation occurs in the bottle and then the wine is aged (typical of champagne and crémant - French sparkling wines found in other regions of France)
2) Charmat or tank method - secondary fermentation occurs in a tank and is then bottled (typical of Prosecco from Italy)
3) Transfer method - second fermentation process occurs in the bottle, and then the wine is filtered instead of aged
4) Carbonation - instead of secondary fermentation, the wine is injected with CO2 or carbon dioxide
5) Pétillant natural - pét-nat or ancestral fermentationonly one fermentation before bottling - popular in the United States
Popular types of sparkling wine from particular regions to consider are:
France - Champagne
Crémant - from Loire, Burgundy and Alsace regions
Italy - Prosecco - Venetto and Fruitti regions
Asti — Piedmont area
Lambrusco - Emili-Romagna region
Spain - Cava
As mentioned, sparkling wine can be produced anywhere suitable for wine production, including Germany, England, the United States, Canada, and even South Africa.
Flavors range from dry to sweet, with combinations of both. Extra Brut is very dry with no sweetness. Brut is dry with a hint of sweetness. And to confuse you further, Extra Dry is dry with more sweetness, while Sec is very sweet.
As the Widow Cliquot would say, “Every bottle of champagne tells a story of passion and resilience,” which is exactly why you should continue the tradition of champagne during this time of celebration. And there’s nothing better to pair it with than a classic French brie en croute.
Champagne Celebration
Brie en Croute or Baked Brie in Puff Pastry
Ingredients
1 sheet puff pastry, thawed
1 round of Brie cheese, 8 ounces
2 tablespoons honey or jam of choice (consider raspberry, fig or apricot)
(Optional) chopped walnuts, pistachios, or sliced almonds
Instructions
1) Preheat oven to 350 degrees
2) Slice the top rind off the brie
3) Place the Brie on the pastry sheet (on a lined baking sheet)
4) Spread jam and nuts on top of the Brie then fold dough over, in a circular fashion, creasing as you go and cutting off any excess when finished..
5) Bake for 30 minutes. Let cool for 10 minutes before
Hats & Heels
Local ladies were recently treated to an elegant luncheon at the Clarksville Country Club; the second annual GFWC Clarksville Women’s Club Hats & Heels, a midday event with music, food, and a fashion show.
GFWC Clarksville Women’s Club President Patty Gabilondo said, “This is our second annual Hats & Heels, and it’s almost sold out. There are more than 100 people here today. We had some amazing sponsors come through, including local businesses and individuals. Some of the ladies contributed items for the auction, others bundled things up and put bows on them. It’s fabulous.”
The very talented Miley Henderson performed during lunch. After which, fourteen models (nine women and five men) took turns showing off the latest in fashion.
“The team from Dillard’s helped the models choose their outfits,” Gabilondo said. “They also contributed a gift basket as a door prize, so we really appreciate them. Today’s event helps to fun our two scholarships at APSU, one for music education and one for nursing. Each of those will be increased to $2,000 for this coming year.”
Kendra Patty Shana Thornton
Eunice Fry & Lori Brenae
Jeri Goldenhar
Miley Henderson & Ava Beaird
Jimmy & Pat Dunn
Lisa Canfield & First Lady Cynthia Pitts
Laurie Matta
Regina Michaels
Patty Gabilondo
CHAFF Heritage Festival
Between 5,000 and 7,500 people attended the 4th Annual Clarksville Hispanic American Family Foundation’s (CHAFF) Latin Festival at Liberty Park.
The day was filled with authentic food, music, and culture that represented the Latin heritage of about 17-18% of Montgomery County’s population. Incredible aromas from Food trucks and food vendors filled the air. Festival-goers enjoyed delicacies from Mexico, Puerto Rico, Venezuela and more. Music and dancing were non-stop, both inside and outside the Wilma Rudolph Event Center.
Organizer Belinda Martinez said, “It’s important to keep our cultural heritage alive. This has been a great event so far. We try to do something different every year, so our goal is to keep learning and growing. Today, we had lots of people from Nashville and other nearby communities here. Some came from as far away as Chicago. It was a beautiful day.”
Montgomery County Mayor Wes Golden said the CHAFF’s Heritage Festival is one of his favorite events of the year. “CHAFF does such a great job putting this on and educating our kids on the importance of their heritage and the Hispanic culture. The Hispanic culture here in Montgomery County is woven into the fabric of who we are, and it is part of what makes this such a great community.”
Veronica Hernandez
Brianda Millsaps, Xiomara Cayas & Matt Claffey
Montgomery County Mayor Wes Golden and his family. Daughter Mia competed in the Princesa Hispanic Heritage competition.
Leydier Perez-Viannelys Areyan
Mili Woods
Lany Hernandez
Dalila Rivera & Paloma Patino Teresa Cruz & Marta Iznaga
Robert Garcia, Sheena Dixon & Kara Bond
THEATRE
Janet Wilson with CMC EDC welcomed a small group to Governor’s Square Mall for the official announcement of the soon-to-open Phoenix Theatres Clarksville.
Governor’s Square Mall’s Anthony Cafaro, Jr. said, “We are thrilled to be here in Clarksville. This past Spring I was standing here talking about our plans for a multi-million dollar renovation of the mall. In addition to all the changes we’ve been working on for the last nine months, we’re also nearing completion of the new Dave & Buster’s, which will be open in time for the holidays.
“Today is special because it marks a new beginning. When Phoenix Theatres opens its doors in 2025, you’re going to be treated to a new movie-going experience like nothing anyone has ever experienced in the Clarksville region. We’re excited to bring Phoenix to this thriving community, which deserves nothing but the best.”
Next up, Phoenix Theatre’s President Cory Jacobson talked about his journey from humble beginnings to the opening of the Clarksville theater. “This will be our ninth theater and first in the great state of Tennessee,” Jacobson said. “This brings us to a total of 79 movie screens in 9 locations in 5 states. This is our first significant construction project and will set the tone for years of growth. It’s great to have a partner like the Cafaro Co. Their guidance and patience is extraordinary.”
Clarksville Mayor Joe Pitts welcomed Phoenix to the community. “We’re thankful to be here to celebrate this latest addition to family entertainment options in our city,” Pitts said. “Cory, welcome to Clarksville. This may be your ninth location, but it will be the best. We are the best community in the state, in the nation. We are so thankful for your investment and look forward to a long relationship with you, knowing it will be a great benefit for the families in our city. “
The Montgomery County Veterans Coalition (MCVC) recently held its annual United for Veterans Dinner, an evening of fundraising with guest speakers, a live and silent auction, a display of artwork by Veterans, and more.
This year’s featured Speaker was MG (Ret.) Tommy H. Baker is currently the Commissioner of Tennessee’s Department of Veteran Services. Nicoletta’s Catering prepared and served the meals to more than 150 supporters, and it was announced that MCVC would soon be launching its own online magazine – Montgomery County Salute & Style, a place where incredible stories of our local Veteran community will be highlighted.
Organizers said, “The Dinner serves as a vital fundraising event for MCVC, enabling us to continue our mission of providing essential services and support to local veterans and their families. As we commemorate our 10-year milestone, we are dedicated to making this year’s dinner our most impactful yet.”
Tracy Troy, Susan Zidek & David Kruse
David Smith & Sam Nienow
Keri Lovato & Randy Heath
Sherry Pickering & Commissioner Tommy Baker
Mary Ross, Kimberly Wiggins, Sara Golden & Montgomery County Mayor Wes Golden
Grace Lord & MG (Ret.) Walt Lord
APSU President, Dr. Michael Licari, and Kirsten Licari
There’s something magical about finding a spot that combines impeccable service, innovative dining, and a fun, immersive, hands-on culinary experience, especially when shared with a group of adventurous girlfriends.
Our latest girls’ night out led us to Takumi Hotpot and BBQ, a local hidden gem tucked away in the Lowe’s Shopping Plaza in St. Bethlehem. It’s a must-visit for Clarksville foodies that enjoy authentic flavors, lively ambiance, and the unique experience of Asian fusion-inspired dining.
For some of our first-timers in the party, the welcoming staff at Takumi made the whole process pleasantly smooth and very enjoyable.
Shauna Bartling, Takumi’s superlative and very passionate general manager, along with Ashley, our wonderfully sweet server, walked us through the entire dining experience, from helping us choose a broth that matched our comfort level, to sharing with us insider’s tips and tricks
on enjoying our festive event to the fullest.
We started with a tour of their hotpot options. All the different types of broth, each brimming with flavor. Our table ended up with a mix of spicy kimchi, a pork bone broth, and a super nutritious Korean Red Jujube herbal broth.
I confess I was extremely impressed that Takumi even offered Jujube broth. That’s a very rare offering, something even the big city Hotpot places don’t normally offer. It shows the restaurant caters to the very health-conscious, too. The large selection of fresh seafood, thinly sliced meats, and vegetables made it easy to dive into a comforting and hearty meal.
Second confession, I was again impressed with their large selection of authentic exotic Asian vegetables as well; lotus root, and enoki mushrooms? Wow! One of the highlights was the chance to get creative with their hotpot sauce bar. Mixing up our own dipping sauces felt like a chef moment, with endless combinations of soy, garlic, sesame, and chili, just to name a few.
Story by Linda Austin
Oh, the Korean BBQ! Takumi’s grill-ready selection is perfect for savoring Korean barbecue right at your table. It’s an all-you-can-eat feast, with kalbi, bulgogi chicken, spicy pork and large tiger shrimp. The extensive variety allowed everyone to create a meal that’s as mild or fiery as they like. I loved making my own grilled shrimp lettuce wraps with a spicy garlic sauce I created at the sauce bar.
Takumi also has a fully stocked bar, with a wide selection of Korean soju and Japanese sake. Shauna worked closely with her bartenders, creating a variety of beautifully crafted signature cocktails. I indulged a little with a sampling of their most popular adult libations; the Lychee Martini with a candied ginger and lychee fruit garnish (Yum!), The Year of the Dragon Cocktail is made with candied dragon fruit and fresh dragon fruit juice (Yum!). My favorite was the Cherry Blossom High Ball made with Japanese whiskey, ginger ale and, as Shauna teasingly put it, “a very bougie” cherry liquor (Super YUM!)
The restaurant has as part of their serving staff two adorable robots that deliver dishes to you - Grace and Andy. The quirky couple reminds me of what you would experience in a trendy techno Tokyo Cafe. Fun Fact, Japan has more robots than people. Bringing my little granddaughter April to meet the robot server couple is on my agenda.
Fortunately, Takumi is family-friendly, with a kid-friendly buffet that makes it easy for the pickiest eaters, so everyone in the family can enjoy the fun. My little April is very picky, but occasionally she surprises me. Takumi offers an opportunity for kids of all ages to “TRY” a lot of new things. I know she’ll love their Boba Tea aka Bubble Tea, especially the strawberry milk tea with tiny strawberry popping bobas that are different from traditional boba.
Shauna mentioned they have a lot of people who stop in just to pick up their favorite Bubble Tea, like picking up a favorite Starbucks coffee. The Peral Milk tea with a brown sugar swirl is my favorite, but they also have, of course in Takumi style, a large selection like the Toro Milk Tea and a Winter Melon Milk Tea with Rainbow Jelly.
For those planning something special, the restaurant has three private party rooms, and one even offers karaoke, which is ideal for office parties, birthdays, receptions, or any special event. Birthday babies get a free meal with a party of six or more. Bonus!
Reservations are highly recommended, plus the management staff can help coordinate and plan the event in advance to accommodate and ensure everyone has a wonderful time. Also, Takumi will be open all day on Thanksgiving and Christmas for families and friends who would rather go out for their holiday dinners.
A very special thank you to Shauna and Ashley and the entire staff at Takumi for helping make our visit a wonderfully fun-filled evening with delicious bites, exquisite cocktails, and memorable moments. Whether you’re a seasoned enthusiast of Asian BBQ and hotpots, a die-hard foodie, or a curious newbie wanting to experience a culinary adventure without having to leave town, Takumi is really and truly a Clarksville-must-visit treasured addition to our local dinning out scene.
Photo by D.C. Thomas
Photo by D.C. Thomas
Photo by D.C. Thomas
FUNNY 4FUND$
Funny4Fund$ Tennessee brought comedians Sean Hughes, Dan Whitehurst, and Moody Molavi to The Fallen Brewery recently, where they performed to raise money for Recover our Sons, a local mentoring program.
John Jones, Sr. says Recover our Sons is a non-profit that mentors young men between the ages of 7 and 18. “We meet from 8:00am to 12:00pm on the second and fourth Saturdays of each month,” Jones said. “We meet twice a month to complete a three-month module.
“We have a website - Recover our Sons, or you can go to our Facebook page. It’s mainly a mentoring program. We take young men out of their every-day normal routine. We show them different things, introduce them to different people, and teach classes on h-vac, culinary, agriculture, and anything we can do to let them see the opportunities that are out there.
“One of our mentors has a welding business now. He’s in trade school because of our program. We’re letting young men know there are other opportunities besides playing sports and rapping. A lot of our mentors grew up without fathers. We’re trying to step in for those who need a father figure in their life, but we also have fathers bringing their sons to us so that we can build on what they are doing.”
Funny4Fund$’ Chris Monhollen posted after the show that the event raised $13,100 to help fund and expand the program.
Joe Smith, Chris Monhollen & Una Smith
Local business owners and entrepreneurs were invited to Mingle with Local for the opportunity to “supercharge [their] business connections and join other small business owners for a power-packed hour of mingling, learning, and collaboration”.
Local Clarksville, led by Kacie Bryant, held the latest in its series of popular “Mingle” events at the Leo-Lillie Training Center. Bryant provided snacks and refreshments and kicked the activities off with introductions around the room of more than two dozen small business owners.
Bryant says that Mingle for Local events is for people who are looking to expand their network, spark new ideas, or team up with like-minded local business owners. Everyone was invited to bring their energy and ideas and be open-minded at an event that “could change everything for [their] business.”
Kacie Bryant
Joe Padula
John Crespo
Brandy Robertson
HOLIDAY BAZAAR Winter Wonderland
In anticipation of the Holiday Season, the last two months of 2024 are marked by joyous encounters, especially at the Downtown Artists Cooperative during the Artwalk’s evening strolls.
Carols and good cheer invite you to the DAC’s Holiday Bazaar, set up in the River Gallery of this cooperative on Franklin Street. This seasonal exhibit is open during DAC’s business hours and offers a variety of gift ideas for those who observe Christmas, Hanukkah, Yule, Kwanzaa, Bodhi Day, Las Posadas and more.
This annual two-month exhibit of eclectic art collections and handmade souvenirs brings excitement to those in pursuit of the perfect gifts for the Winter Holidays. Spanning November and December, the Holiday Bazaar is one of the most sought-after destinations in Clarksville’s Historic Downtown.
The Bazaar’s gift ideas list goes on and on, for both naughty and nice: photography, woodwork, handmade jewelry, paintings, fused glass, decorative wreaths, pottery and skillfully hand-painted card sets for those who love to mail their wishes of good luck and fortune to loved ones.
This year’s Bazaar welcomed art patrons and winter holiday enthusiasts to browse the artfully ornate displays under a ceiling of lights and snowflakes remarkably strung in zig zags. For the last five years, this tradition has been supervised with much dedication by Jane Moore, an artist member and photographer who volunteers for the DAC Gallery.
“My husband, Shane and one of my daughters usually help us. We just have to string all these lights, but each artist is in charge of their own section; ... they bring their own setup. ... We have a contest every year, so the best one wins a $25 gift certificate. ... They’re working hard all year. You can tell. They bring those little pieces because those are the ones that really sell,” Jane explained while at the Roxy celebrating both their wedding anniversary and the opening of the couple’s exhibit ‘fusion’.
“I got thinking, this year: ‘Let’s do a theme.’ Either a gingerbread house or a village. Then the idea of Winter Wonderland came up so we just concentrated on that.” And so they did, always with dedication and attention to detail, as they have been doing for years, like donating new curtains to DAC and purchasing the Winter Wonderland décor items they installed with their daughter Becca.
Indeed a wonderland, well received by many who attended the opening reception of the Bazaar’s first month. Shane Moore, one of the DAC’s founding members, recalls that “it used to be a onemonth thing then it became a two-month thing.” Moore also reminisced about the DAC gallery’s beginnings at 105 Franklin Street above what was then the Front Page Deli, across the street from the Roxy Regional Theatre.
“We had a lot of professors, we had a lot of people who made large pieces, large paintings, and they were $200, $400, $500, $1,200. ... So, the idea was, in December, ‘Everyone, let’s make small works,’ things that are affordable, ... could be seasonal; smaller pieces that people would be like ‘Yeah, I’ll spend $50 on that!’ ... that’s where it started. It was called ‘Small Works’, said Shane.
Art by Jennifer Pierstorff
Story & Photos by D.C. Thomas
Shane and Jane, like other DAC members, shop at the cooperative for Christmas gifts for their families and friends, while supporting local artists and small businesses. I also talked to Jennifer Pierstorff, a prolific artist and DAC member since the spring of 2022, who is participating in the Bazaar for the second time in a row, with Christmas hand-painted ornaments, original art, prints and card sets.
“I have ornaments like ‘Doctor Who’, ‘Harry Potter’, ‘The Grinch’, ... and if people like figurative art, for under $20, I have prints that ... can be given as gifts, like my card sets,” Pierstorff said.
Her hand-painted ornaments can transcend trimming the tree and be used as décor throughout the year in various settings. Jennifer’s colorful art is on display next to Carmen Rein Arts, with a white Christmas tree and little blue adornments. It took Jennifer three days to set up for the Bazaar.
“Things get tangled, so it takes a little while. I finished a couple of hours ago. I was still labeling things,” she said during the November Artwalk. “Then I had some people come in while writing the tags,” Pierstorff smiled and said the patrons bought the art as she was setting up. She is looking forward to her mother’s visit to Clarksville and spending the holidays with her. “We’re like the ‘Gilmore Girls’,” she exclaimed.
Over a dozen artists worked since October to organize their vendor tables and label their winter holiday inventory – some Christmas-themed, some just smaller versions of the art they’ve been making for years, depictions of local attractions, adorable vegetable plant stakes, stained glass, fashion accessories, food-safe pottery and
woodwork that’s unique and crafted in local studios.
Other member artists who are participating in the Bazaar this year, starting the tour with Michelle Land’s colorful fused glass and the frosty window display at the front, are Anna Burson, Patty Gabilondo, Joanne Billings, Peggy Bonnington, Toni Allinder, Leah and John Foote, Jennifer Ingalls and more. Go explore it.
Parallel to the River Gallery at DAC, the Spires Gallery houses a great range of artworks by the members of the cooperative, (respectively the shelves in the balcony area), who are not participating in the Holiday Bazaar, yet they draw you in from the moment you step foot in this historical building.
There is something for everyone.
Let it snow! Let it snow! Let it snow... in Clarksville.
Jane Moore & Shane Moore DAC’s Spires Window Display
Woodwork by John Foote & Julie Bisgaard Toni Allinder Pottery
River Gallery
Jennifer Pierstorff
Art by Peggy Bonnington (left) & Gidget Armeau (right)
CLARKSVILLE ASSOCIATION
DOWN SYNDROME
HOSTS 11TH ANNUAL C.A.R.E.S. WALK
Clarksville Association Down Syndrome recently held its 11th annual Community C.A.R.E.S. Walk & Expo, an advocacy event for citizens with special needs that focuses on the power of community.
Organizer Tricia Hanna said, “This would be our 13th annual event, but COVID-19 shut us down for two years. We have a huge turnout today, and we’re proud to say that all the funds collected will go back to our community programs.
“We do the Ghoulish Gala, which is for all our families with special needs. We send some kids to camp. We offer 21 free programs for the community and our families. The community always comes together, and it’s so nice to see all the different agencies working cohesively because, at the end of the day, we’re all out for the purpose of making this community better for everyone.”
This year’s sponsors include CDE, A.O. Smith, Modern Woodmen of America, Altra Federal Credit Union, CEMC, Washtopia, Wiggin’s Medical Transport, and more. Hanna added, “And we’re so thankful for Lee Erwin. He has been our DJ since day 1.”
Montgomery County Mayor Wes Golden was also lending his support. “This is what community is all about: people supporting other people and showing love to each other,” Golden said. “We have advocates, non-profits, parents, kids, everybody, just helping each other out. This is really what it’s all about.”
Bill Powers, Chris Lanier & Jamie Peltz
Doug & Patricia Hanna
Channing Grimes, Claire Wise & Jane Russell
Montgomery County Mayor Wes Golden & James Bagby
Hundreds recently celebrated the diversity of our community at the annual International Festival hosted by Clarksville’s Immaculate Conception Church, where everyone enjoyed the food, entertainment, and culture of countries like Italy, Mexico, and the Philippines.
This year’s event was expanded by organizers to two days, with music, dancing, educational booths, and food trucks drawing crowds on Saturday. Festival-goers also enjoyed a beer garden, a kids play area with inflatables, and an indoor arts and crafts fair.
On Sunday, the crowds were even larger as food tents became the main attraction, with authentic popular dishes from Venezuela, Haiti, Nigeria, Vietnam, Panama, Puerto Rico, and more being served up throughout the afternoon.
A tented area in front of the stage stayed full as people sat down to enjoy the international fare while watching and listening to a variety of performances that offered everything from folk music to Hawaiian hula dancers.
“We want to celebrate the diversity of this church and this city,” Scott Ellwood said. “We had a beautiful Mass on Saturday, conducted in several languages, with a procession of countries during which people wore traditional clothing. This gives people a chance to be proud that they are American and honor the traditions of their heritage.”
Nawehi & Marlene Livesay
Hui Schildkamp & Julie Horvat
Tammy Clapp & Angela Tuttle
Noemi Cazares & Vero Hernandez
Stephanie Stafford & Denise Johnson
Lee & Jane Loggins
Kaira Green-Alleyne
Justin Case & Duane Rice performing as ‘Sons of Mary’ during Saturday’s ICC International Festival
Chamber's Veteran Business of the Month
If you check out the Serra Chevrolet Clarksville website, you will see that not only are they “proud to serve the brave soldiers of Fort Campbell, Kentucky.” They are “Veteran owned and value driven.”
Joe Serra’s partner in Serra Chevrolet Nashville and Serra Chevrolet Clarksville is Barry Carver, a Dayton, OH native who joined the military back in the early 80’s and dreamed of being stationed at Fort Campbell, Kentucky one day.
“I joined the military in November 1982, did my basic training at Fort Benning, and then went on to Airborne School,” Carver said. “I was first stationed near Seoul, South Korea, then eventually got orders for Fort Bragg. I tried to get sent to Fort Campbell because I liked the idea of jumping out of airplanes, but Uncle Sam had different plans. I considered making a career out of the military, but my choice of MOS wasn’t conducive to married life.”
When Carver left the Army (after six years of service), he found himself in automotive retail in Dayton, OH. In July, 2003, Carver, along with his wife and kids packed up and moved to Jackson, TN where he took on a Chevrolet, Cadillac, Chrysler, Jeep store.
“I’m in business with Joe Serra and the Serra family,” Carver said. “We’ve been partners for a little over 30 years.” Carver and Serra bought Tom Bannen Chevrolet in Nashville in 2014. They took over the Clarksville dealership from James Corlew in December of 2023.
“I missed out on being stationed at Fort Campbell,” Carver said. “So, when I introduced myself to the associates here, I said, ladies and gentlemen I’ve been trying to get to Clarksville, TN for 40 years. Uncle Sam had other plans, but I’ve finally arrived.”
Carver is involved in the daily operations of both stores, Nashville and Clarksville. He lives in Gallatin, just outside Nashville.
“I’m in Clarksville at least three day a week,” Carver
said. “I’ve got really good people in both places, and at the end of the day, good businesses are made up of good people. We’re very thankful that Mr Corlew built a really strong team in Clarksville. They were successful here for more than fifty years. We are very fortunate to be his successor. and we strive to take this business to new levels.”
“The military teaches you how to take direction, and follow directions. These two stores have about 325 employees. You have to give/get good directions, follow through and communicate goals.
Once you’ve clearly communicated the goals, you have to explain the steps that it will take to get there, and then, finally, you have to follow through.
“We have two brands in Clarksville, Chevrolet and Cadillac, a premium luxury brand. We’ve also started a commercial fleet business model here. We sell dump
trucks, flatbeds, cargo vans, etc. That wasn’t done here previously, but we have a large commercial operation in Nashville, so we went ahead and launched one here. So far, it ha doing pretty well. We are able to service all the local businesses.”
Carver says he and Joe Serra were in talks with James Corlew for five or six years before the deal was struck.
“This dealership was his baby, and he was very selective on who he was going to turn all this over to,” Carver said. “Honestly, his associates have been here for many years and they are a family. You spend that kind of time with
100-plus people, you’re going to be very aware of who you’re turning your business over to. It was about aligning values, and morals, and business philosophies. We couldn’t be happier to be in Clarksville. This is a fantastic town, a growing town, obviously, and we look forward to growing with this community for years to come.”
Barry K. Carver
Clarksville Parks & Recreation recently hosted its annual Fright on Franklin, a frightfully fun event for the entire family, that fills the streets of downtown with thousands of trick-or-treaters.
Each year the streets around town square are closed as dozens of local businesses set up tents, choose themes, and hand out about 250,000 pieces of candy. Kids were urged to “dress to impress” and enter the always-popular costume contest
This year’s event was sponsored by Altra Federal Credit Union, who provided $50 gift cards for the winners of each age group. Walmart and Clarksville Parks & Rec also provided gift cards and prizes for this year’s winners.
This year’s booth winners were Grifols Plasma Donation Center who took 1st Place with a Beetlejuice theme, Harris Psychological Services and their Willy Wonka themed tent took 2nd Place, and 3rd Place went to Weichert Realtors whose team were dressed like characters from Nightmare Before Christmas.
Parks & Rec’s Amanda Pitt said, “We love doing this. It’s always so much fun to see all the smiles. So many people thanked us for hosting this event. We just want to keep making Fright on Franklin better. We’ve already started working on plans for next year.”
Sung Lee & Ahri
The Mendez Family
Mayor Joe Pitts, Cynthia Pitts, Stephanie Jenkins & Jennifer Kaiser
Harris & Davis Psychological Services
Kaylee Zahn & Leigh Harpel
Keysha Harrell
Valerie, Anna & Vanessa Phillips
Miss Clarksville, Brittani Mays
Members of Clarksville City Council
“Giving craft supplies a new life”- that’s how Leah Wright describes her store So Ducking Wright, which is a hybrid between a thrift and craft supply shop that opened January 1st of this year. Owners Leah and James Wright were experienced in retail from their home business focused on buying and selling products on Ebay. The name came from a friend’s pun referring to a large bag of tiny rubber ducks Leah had just purchased. The duck theme was meant to fit somehow into the business, and it has turned out to be a marketing genius. A customer may forget their name but if he or she searches the word “duck” online, the store name pops up immediately.
The Wrights were familiar with another popular thrift and craft store, Smart Art + Craft Supplies in Nashville, but heard from the community that the traffic to get there was a real hindrance. The Wrights were able to secure their storefront across from Fort Campbell’s main gate, which was strategic as they wanted to be close to the residents from
The Wright Stuff
the military post, the maker community in Christian and Montgomery counties, and take advantage of the Clarksville area’s growing population.
While James is a dabbler, Leah is a lifelong crafter since age 7 in elementary school when she began sewing and cross-stitching. Although she has tried just about every craft out there, she comes back to crafting with cross-stitch. Once the store opened, craft donations came flowing immediately to their doorstep. For every donation, the recipient receives a 10% off coupon. Supplies are marked anywhere from 30-50% of retail prices and Leah encourages anyone to check with them before going to the big box stores for supplies.
She is a real proponent for keeping these used items out of the landfill and helping continue their creative journey. Estate sales are a favorite as many beloved treasures come in, and those unfinished projects are quickly snatched up as the buyer can see the work and love put into them.
Teachers receive 15% off all items with proper ID, and artists are given an opportunity to display their art pieces with contact information
Story by Christie Crawford
Current merchandise at So Ducking Wright
as well as access to a bulletin board to display their business cards. So, Ducking Wright has paired with the free non-profit mobile arts program Arts for Hearts to provide free classes and offer paid classes in painting and crochet. Another service they offer is if someone needs a craft item but cannot source it locally or perhaps is required to buy a quantity beyond their need. The store can do the research and possibly bring in the items, selling the extra quantity in the store. Another way the Wrights give back to the community is through their donations to local non-profits. If an organization is 501 C-3 eligible, it can be registered for a donation that the store makes on a monthly basis.
An unusual part of the business is the inventory produced with their 3D printers. Purchased three years ago, these printer-made items were previously marketed on Facebook Marketplace and through a vendor booth at a local business. The printers have been able to dovetail into the business through the creation of whimsical items such as dog, cat and dragon-themed items, but also functional products such as custom templates for cutting quilting fabric, yarn bowls, and a new item yet to be launched; a portable yarn holder to use while traveling.
When asked what future plans are in store, Leah hopes to outgrow their current space and move to a site large enough for more classes, vendor booths, and a possible art gallery where local artists can sell their work. She encourages the crafting community to stop by as there is a wide variety of merchandise not found locally,
such as macramé materials from the 1960s, retro sewing boxes, and even sewing patterns from the 1940s and 1950s.
So Ducking Wright is located at 16476 Fort Campbell Boulevard, Oak Grove, KY. Hours are Monday-Tuesday 9:00am-4:30pm, Wednsday-Friday. 9:00am-6:00pm and Saturday 10:00am–6:00pm.
The website is www.soduckingwright.com and the phone number for the store is 270.931.7856.
Recent Arts for Hearts Class
So Ducking Wright owners Leah and James Wright
Morgan Theis was the co-performance coordinator at this year’s Artsville Festival. She took a much-needed minute on Saturday afternoon to talk about the events of the week.
“This is our fourth year,” Theis said. “We started on Tuesday with our Artsville Live event at the Emerald - a live performing arts, film, and fashion competition. Thursday evening, we were at Sanctuary on Main for our annual Gala , which featured a juried art gallery.
“Everything has been wonderful all week. We’ve actually had more artists and performing arts entries than in previous years. That involvement is way up. We’re hoping for 10,000 – 12,000 attendees today, which was 7,000 – 8,000 last year.
“WE have lots of food trucks and more than 75 vendors. There are musicians on two stages - The Total Balance performance area and The Ville stage. We’re doing the Chalk Walk, and our judges are coming through at 4:00pm. That event is already sold out. We have 3-D chalk artists, live muralists, a kid zone with inflatables, and eleven community art projects. It’s a great event that allows people to walk around and do art in the moment.”
Melody & Selby Shipley
Clarie Fierro
Kayla, John & Lainey Ainsworth
Maricela Danko & Lorenzo Swinton
Jazz Mayfield & Tammy Lee
Rebecca Perantoni & Peyton Baker
Emily Silvia
Kayla, Lilly & Ryan Sell
Elleanor Morrow Blaze & Valerie Morrow
Stephanie Stafford, Laura Cagaoan & Kathleen Silva
Best of Clarksville, a non-profit fundraiser that pits the best businesses in town against each other in a friendly competition to raise money for local children’s charities, just completed its 28th annual event, and this year’s turnout was one of the best ever.
Businesses in a variety of categories are nominated online. Then, people have a chance to come out and vote onsite the night of the event. While there, supporters get to try free samples from the nominees, enjoy music, fun, and games, and enter for the chance to win prizes. Winners are announced on site and presented with a plaque that commemorates their accomplishments.
All the proceeds benefit local non-profit organizations, including Clarksville Rotary Club, Downtown Kiwanis, Bikers Who Care, and others. In 2023, FAITH Cancer Care Foundation, Mikaela’s Mutt Motel, and ArtLInk were among the charities that received proceeds from the event that is held each year on the first Thursday of October.
We at Clarksville Living Magazine are proud to announce that we once again took home the title “Best Publication/Magazine.” We want to thank all our readers, everyone who took the time to nominate and vote for us, and all the great volunteers who work so hard to make Best of Clarksville such a wonderful event.
When most people think of rock climbing, they think of intense adventures out to remote reaches of wilderness where people are going up vertical faces of cliffs spanning hundreds, even thousands of feet.
Some will think of the amazing endeavors performed by Alex Honnald such as his free solo ascent (climbing with no rope) up El Capitan in Yosemite National Park. But as amazing as these documented moments are, for most, rock climbing can be done in locations closer to us and not nearly as high up as what we see on TV.
Matter of fact, would you believe that we have one such place right here in our own backyard? In the state of Tennessee, you will discover that most of the best crags are near Chattanooga or out in the Cumberland Plateau. However, the city of Clarksville is incredibly lucky to have its own outdoor crag right off Ashland City Road, called Kings Bluff Preserve.
locations in our town, such as Rotary Park or Dunbar Cave State Park. For those who have been there, you can overlook the Cumberland River from a huge bluff near the parking lot. It is no wonder that many people who know about this place truly cherish it.
However, this view isn’t what makes this natural area so special. It’s the fact that through the help of many volunteers, the efforts of local rock climbers, and a non-profit known as the Southeastern Climbers Coalition (SCC), we are able to have professionally bolted routes on the side of the cliffs to do a style of climbing called sport climbing.
Sport climbing requires two trained climbers to use a dynamic rope, quickdraws, and a belay device. With the rope tied correctly into their harness and the belayer on the other end of the rope, the climber moves up the wall placing quickdraws on bolts to protect them in the case of a fall and eventually making it to the top anchors of the route.
Kings Bluff Preserve is an area tucked away behind a few warehouses and probably not as known as other outdoor
This style of climbing is not always available at every outdoor rock climbing site, which is why this attracts many people from all around. It also is a fantastic spot to learn
Story by Jonathan Wheeler
Kings Bluff - SCC Trail Day
Kings Bluff - Location
outdoor climbing due to the wide range of climbing grades available to all skill levels. So it is no wonder that facilities like Climb Nashville or local guides like Max Gunther host climbing trips to get people out here for their first outdoor experience.
The SCC (Southeastern Climbers Coalition) is a huge reason for the cleanliness, upkeep, and rebolting that happens yearly at Kings Bluff. This non-profit thrives because of the efforts of locals and volunteers that want to keep this place special for generations to come. It was no surprise that when reaching out to the SCC for an interview, Kate Hanes, the SCC Interim Executive Director, was ready to answer and help inform our readers about what they do and the importance of Kings Bluff.
Kate, could you give us a brief introduction about yourself and who you are?
I’m the SCC Interim Executive Director. I am a climber, originally from Ohio but I now live in Chattanooga, TN. I have been working for the SCC in various roles since 2020.
Who are the SCC and what do they do?
The Southeastern Climbers Coalition (SCC) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to preserving climbing areas in the Southeast for future generations. We are nationally recognized for our work as a land trust and climbing advocacy organization. Since 1993, we have protected over 900 acres of land in TN, AL & GA. Beyond our access and conservation initiatives, we operate as a platform for community, education, and social connection among regional climbers.
changed their lives forever. On any given weekend, you’ll find loads of new and old climbers enjoying the bluffs and finding their own little bit of adventure. This beautiful limestone crag has over 160 routes traversing the Cumberland River and is one of 9 climbing areas owned and managed by SCC.
Some locals remember this area without a gate in the past. Why do we have the gate and is it open to the public?
The land had once been very troubled due to vandalism. Local climbers worked with SCC to mitigate those issues by conducting a graffiti removal trail day initiative and clean up, and installing a gate with a combination lock that users had to gain access to through the SCC website. These efforts have helped slow down the recurrence of graffiti and trash. If folks would like to visit Kings Bluff, you can find access info on our website as well as rules for visiting the park.
When did the SCC come to own Kings Bluff?
SCC acquired the 9.78-acre tract of Kings Bluff in 2002, thanks to the generous contribution of Drane Dickinson Lyttle and Howard Smith Dickinson, in memory of their grandfather Howard L. Smith and father Joe T. Dickinson.
What makes Kings Bluff so special?
Kings Bluff is a unique local climbing area and due to the proximity to the city center and ease of access, the area is a refuge for both climbers and local community members. Located just an hour from Nashville, TN, Kings Bluff attracts a community of climbers from Nashville’s booming gym climbing scene and abundant university climbing clubs. If you ask almost any local Nashville climber how they got into climbing, they will tell you a story of a friend taking them to King’s Bluff and how that experience
How can we be better stewards of the climbing area and what are some of the biggest issues that Kings Bluff deals with?
Leave no trace! We are a small team of mostly volunteers. We ask that all visitors leave the place better than they found it. The biggest issues are trash, folks not understanding the gate code system, and destroying the locks.
How can we contribute to the SCC and Kings Bluff?
Donate and become a member, volunteer, and join our mailing list for future ways to get involved!
Disclaimer - Rock climbing is inherently dangerous and can lead to accidents, some fatal. Always seek skilled instruction before attempting to rock climb. It is never safe to climb without proper instruction on how to tie safety knots, use gear, and the correct way to sport climb in or outside. The best local place to be introduced to climbing is to visit Nashville’s Climb Gyms West location.
More information about the SCCwww.seclimbers.org/project/kings-bluff/
To donate, become a member, or volunteerwww.seclimbers.org/donate/
To learn basic climbing and join a community of climberswww.theclimbgyms.com
For professional advanced instruction on outdoor climbing skills - www.spunkyadventures.org
Kings Bluff - SCC Trail Day
Fun Facts: The most wanted Christmas gifts in America
by Linda Austin
Tech
Toys Reign Supreme
The top Christmas gift wish-list items in the U.S. are always tech-related. Whether it’s the latest iPhone, PS5, or a smart home gadget that can turn on your lights or make sure your roast is at it’s perfect temperature. Yes, we get very excited about telling our houses what to do, especially when we’re not there.
Gift Cards: The Lazy Genius Move
Gift cards might seem impersonal, but they’ve been among the most requested gifts for over a decade. Why? Because we all know Aunt Karen’s taste is questionable, and we’d all rather pick out our own stuff. It’s like handing over the holiday shopping stress to the recipient, DIY Christmas!
Toys: Still Going Strong
Kids’ wish-lists haven’t changed too much over the years. From the classic LEGO sets to the trendiest “must-have” toy of the year. Anyone remember Tickle Me Elmo? That was nuts! Toys continue to be a top contender. 40% of all toy sales in the U.S. Happen in December, proving kids still run the holiday show.
Experiences Are Trending
More people are ditching “stuff” for experiences. Concert tickets, spa days (swoon), or weekend getaways are now hot gifts. It’s like saying, “Here’s a memory in the making” and it’s even better when we make the extra time to make the memory with them.
Fitness Gadgets Make Us Feel Productive
Fitness trackers and gadgets like smartwatches surge in popularity every December. Why? Because we all have that optimistic post-Christmas thought: “New Year, New Me!” Right?
Socks and PJs: The Cozy Essentials
Believe it or not, cozy cute socks, pajamas, and slippers are consistently high on Christmas wish-lists. Sure, they’re not as flashy as the latest gadget, but nothing says holiday season like hibernating in fleece-lined glory with cocoa in hand on our extra holiday days off. Comfort is king.
Subscription Boxes: The Gift That Keeps on Giving
From beauty products to snacks from around the world, subscription boxes are trending as one of the most popular gifts. It’s like having Christmas delivered to your door every month. A surprise box of gourmet cheeses when we’re having a bad day is always a good thing.
Smart Home Gadgets: Robots for Everyone
Smart speakers like Alexa and Google Home, along with robot vacuums, are top sellers for Christmas. Essentially, people are wishing for little machines to clean up after them and turn off the lights. Honestly, it’s a gift that gives back to both the present and future you. “Alexa, add Optimus Personal Assistant Robot to shopping list and play some Christmas tunes!”
DIY Kits
Craft kits and DIY sets are in demand as people crave hobbies to unwind from tech. From knitting sets to homemade candle kits, it’s basically Christmas telling you, “Here’s something to do that’s NOT on a screen.”
Board Games are Old-School Fun
When tech fails, board games are back on the scene. Classics like Monopoly make for a fun, perfect gift, especially when you want to prove you’re the family’s ultimate capitalist.
Luxury Items Are on the Rise
Many Americans are leaning toward splurging during the holiday season, with luxury handbags, designer clothes, and fancy watches making wish-lists. It’s like saying, “I’ve been a very good girl, and this year has been a little extra hard on me, Santa. If I must carry some baggage into the new year, I’d like it to be in a Louis Vuitton please.”
Books, The Evergreen Gift
Believe it or not, books remain one of the most gifted items during the holidays. Whether it’s self-help, cookbooks, or the latest bestselling magical fantasy, gifting a book is like giving someone a permission slip to “sit down, relax, and escape into quiet and imagination for a moment.”
Homemade Gifts
Christmas Cookies, hand-drawn cards with a thoughtful sentimental message, Christmas ornaments made by the grand-kids, a simple beaded friendship bracelet in their favorite colors with a good luck charm, a small scrap book with photos of the past year’s best memories, a super soft hand-knitted scarf that feels like being wrapped in “I love you” on cold harsh days. It’s the sentimental reminder that someone loved us enough to put a little extra time and effort into creating a special one-of-a-kind gift to remind us we are loved.
Clarksville Area Chamber of Commerce’s Business after Hours drew a large turnout to host-location Furniture Connection, operated by local entrepreneur Dave Berggren.
Berggren said, “We’re happy to host this Chamber event. This is our 25th year in business, which is hard to believe. We started on Fort Campbell Blvd at a location that we now use as an outlet store. We have four stores in Clarksville and our distribution center, and soon, we’ll be opening a store in Hopkinsville, KY.
Berggren says he has been a member of the Chamber for as long as he can remember. “I think being part of the Chamber is really good for networking. I think that is the No. 1 benefit. I was just talking to a gentleman about his business, and we were talking about how we could help each other. It’s a great way to meet people, and sometimes you establish business relationships that last for many years”
The Chamber doesn’t host a Business After Hours in December. Their next big event is the Mayors’ Power Breakfast at the Wilma Rudolph Event Center on January 7th, 2025.
Tim Johnson & Terri Wilson Cat & Valerie Guzman Christian Heinbockel & Katrice Butler
Catering by The Choppin’ Block
Trisha Counterman & Niki Powell
Dave Berggren
Barktoberfest
Barktoberfest: Barks & Brews moved to The Fallen Brewery this year, bringing dogs and dog lovers together to support local animal charities.
“We are so excited to be hosting Barktoberfest: Barks & Brews 2024,” Fallen Brewery’s Heather Manese said. “Brandon Easton has been in charge of this event for the last several years, last year we were the beer vendor, this year he approached us to host it here, and we said, absolutely.
“here are twenty-four vendors, three food trucks, and live music all day. Also, DJ Corey Allen came up from Nashville to play for us. We have adoptable dogs, and Mikaela’s Mutt Motel is here. All proceeds from the tickets sold today are going back to local animal charities.”
Brandon Easton said this is the 4th Annual Barks & Brews. “Barktoberfest is a new theme for this year,” Easton said. “It raises money for animal related charities, and the mission is to bridge the gap between animals and people.
“We at The Elite at Sweet Home Realty are excited to partner with The Fallen Brewery and make this event bigger and better than ever. We see lots of growth opportunities. We’ve already created a Barks &Brews exclusive beer called Bark’s Life. Today has been great so far, coming up we’ll have fun things like the Owner/Dog Look-alike contest, and Dogs Got Talent.”
Nate & Heather Manese Tracy Evick & Michael Easton
Arlo& Grim with Jaxx, Ian & Alysa Tornquist
Ellie, Kenadi & Melisha Leveiloe, Izabel Hershey
Tiffany Weaver befriending Indie
Brandon Easton
Tabitha & Andrew McElvoy, Nikki Hamilton with True & Dolly
Kiwanis Veteran Essay Contest
The William O. Beach Center at Veterans Plaza was packed recently for a luncheon and awards ceremony that honored the winners of the 25th Annual Kiwanis Interview a Veteran Essay Contest.
Kiwanis Club of Clarksville, TN, sponsors the contest and hosts the event each year, inviting the winning essayists, their teachers, family members, interview subjects, local leaders, and others to hear excerpts from the top essays of the more than 11,000 that were submitted.
Kiwanis Essay Chair Ron Smithfield started the contest 25 years ago, and again this year acted as emcee for the awards luncheon. After everyone had gotten their lunch and sat
down, Smithfield welcomed them to the event, called for the Pledge of Allegiance, asked Montgomery County Mayor Wes Golden to lead the invocation, then invited CMCSS’s Dr. Schanda Doughty to make a few comments.
“It is truly an honor to be here today, representing CMCSS and recognizing our student winners,” Doughty said. “This is the 25th anniversary of this opportunity for our students, and we’re excited that Kiwanis continues to offer this contest. This gives our students the opportunity not just to write an essay, but to connect with people in our community who have served and sacrificed. More than 50,000 CMCSS Students have now had the opportunity to sit down with Veterans and have conversations about their service.
“Doing so, gave them the opportunity to learn first-hand about dedication, bravery, and most importantly sacrifice. This project goes beyond education, and helps bridge the gap between generations. It allows our students to meet people who have made a difference in our country and in our community. And to our Veterans in the room, thank you for your service, … also, thank you for being willing to share your stories with our students.”
Middle School essayists wrote on the topic: What is the Veterans response to the importance of serving our country? Twelve students were invited to the luncheon, and presented awards. Four of them read excerpts from their essays.
Emery Gioielli’s essay was awarded Most Heroic. She couldn’t actually interview one of her subjects, his name is Rambo #9, and her father Joseph Gioielli was his handler.
Gioielli - “My veteran was Rambo #9, a dog. As a military kid, knowing my dad had a trustworthy partner to help him in combat made me feel better about his chances that
Story and Photos by Tony Centonze
12th grader and JROTC member Ericah Whitaker was named Grand Winner among this year’s High School essayists
he would come home safely. Rambo #9 discovered over 1,000 pounds if IED’s at once, and additional IED’s on other missions. If he had not found these IED’s, they could have caused injury and death to many civilians and soldiers. What would Rambo’s response be to serving our country. His partner, my dad, thinks his response would be that he was there to protect our Army, and more importantly, to protect my dad. Rambo’s emotional connection to my dad drove him to protect my dad, but little did he know he was helping others, as well as our country.”
Kenwood 8th-grader Ava Berry was the Grand Winner, with her essay on veteran Clifford Smith – “One particular experience that helped Mr. Smith really understand the importance of serving our country was deploying to Iraq after the 9/11 attacks. He saw first-hand how the people of Iraq had poor living conditions and not much freedom, because of the way their government ruled. He realized how great America is and how important our military is in protecting our freedoms. The military helped the Iraqi citizens by giving them a better life. … In my last question I asked what advice he would give someone who is considering serving in the military. He replied, ‘it’s a big decision to serve in the military. My advice is, you have to commit to making the sacrifices that only a few are willing to. For us to continue to have the freedoms and liberties we all enjoy, a few must be brave enough to make those sacrifices, and strive to make a difference every day they serve. ...”
Other speakers included Rossview 8th grader Asher Dziembowski, his essay was awarded Most Inspiring, and this year’s Grand Runner Up, Virtual Middle School’s Katelyn Morton with her essay on Veteran John Pather.
Other winners include Gabriel DeKay, Shanmukha Raghulapadu, Jasmine Smith, Valarie Rodriquez, Alia Khaleel, Andrew Singer, Omose Aisabokhae, and Addyson Boone.
Knowlton, Jaiden Wilson, Luis Zacarias, Chloe Aguirre, Avery Harbin, Kimberly Barlow, David Lewis, Diamond Jones and Steven Hanks.
This year’s High School Grand Winner was Ericah Whitaker, a JROTC member. “My essay is about my JROTC instructor 1st Sgt (Ret.) Darrell Luckett,” Whitaker said. “He showed me what my worth was and he inspired me to want to actually do something with my life … Ron Smithfield had her read the last sentence of her essay, which he found to be most inspiring. Whitaker - “My ambition to become a Special Forces medical Sergeant is not just a personal goal, it’s a pledge. A pledge to honor the sacrifices of those who came before me and to make a positive impact on this world.”
This year’s High School Winners wrote on the topic What attributes of Veteran’s service inspire me to serve our nation in the future?
Clarksville Academy senior Molly Scoville’s interview with Veteran Nick Williamson received the award for Most Inspiring, and Northeast High School senior Peyton Ingram’s essay about Veteran Walter Ingram received the award for Most Heroic. West Creek High School senior Ce’Airrah Pearson was awarded Grand Runner Up, and JROTC’s Ericah Whitaker was named Grand Winner.
Other winners were Ella Chiders, Sara Haake, Samuel
Kiwanis Club gives special thanks to the Clarksville-Montgomery County School System, Clarksville Academy, and Fort Campbell Schools for their vital support.
John Hamric, Kiwanis Vice Chair, Military Service and Sacrifice Committee, said, “Ron Smithfield created this contest 25 years ago, and he has kept it going all these years. Leaders at each school asked their students to write an essay on a specific topic. Winners were then designated. Next, we judge the Most Heroic and Most Inspiring essays for middle school and high school, then present awards to the top 12 in middle school and the top 15 in high school.
“We have thousands every year who choose to submit essays. This grows about 5 – 10% each year. The topics get pushed out to the schools in April or May. By mid-October, the schools had determined their winners. There were 11,231 essays submitted this year. We have parents who come here and say, ‘I remember doing this 20 years ago when I was in school’. It’s a great tradition.”
Asher Dziembowski
Kenwood 8th grader Ava Berry was this year’s Grand Winner in the Kiwanis MIddle School Interview a Veteran Essay Contest
MAGIC IN THE PARK
“Today is Magic in the Park. It’s our second year for this event,” Amanda Pitt said. “Last year, this event was huge, so we wanted to bring it back, and despite Hurricane Helene’s best efforts, we’re still here. We moved everything inside the event center, so we have simplified it a bit, but we kept every feature we could.
“We have a huge Harry Potter fan community here in Clarksville, so we wanted to honor that and provide them with an event to which they can all come out and enjoy and connect.”
The event featured lots of artisan vendors offering hand-crafted items, everything from tea towels to wands. There was a great variety of original artwork and dozens of vendors offering services from hair braids and glitter to face painting.
“We also have food trucks with themed menus, a reptile encounter, and Pony Pals Petting Zoo, which brought unicorns for our magical creatures element,” Pitt said. “We also want to thank Altra Federal Credit Union. They are so good at giving back to the community, and helping us make great events like this one happen.”
Leigh Harpel & Kim Gilbert
Amanda Pitt
Juniper, Rhoda & Twila
Elias & Erica Gardner, as Draco Malfoy and a Slitherin Cribbage player, with Sonny
Chris, Lucas, Crystal & Adilyn Freeman
Melissa Velasquez, Amber Tompkins & Bari Owen
Chocolate Fudge
Ingredients
3 cups chocolate chips either semi-sweet or milk
chocolate (18.6 ounces)
14 ounces sweetened condensed milk
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
1) Prepare the Pan: Line an 8x8-inch baking dish with aluminum foil or overlapping sheets of parchment paper to create a crisscross pattern. This will make removing the fudge easier.
2) Melt Ingredients: In a medium saucepan, combine the chocolate chips and sweetened condensed milk. Place the pan over medium-low heat, stirring consistently until the chocolate begins to melt.
3) Add Vanilla: Once the chocolate is partially melted, stir in the vanilla extract. Continue stirring until the mixture is fully melted, smooth, and takes on a shiny appearance.
4) Pour into Pan: Transfer the thick fudge mixture into the prepared pan. If it doesn’t pour easily, don’t worry – this is normal. Gently shake the pan or use a spatula to spread and level the mixture evenly.
5) Set the Fudge: Allow the fudge to set completely at room temperature. This will take about four hours.
6) Cut into Pieces: Once set, remove the fudge from the pan and peel off the foil or parchment paper. Trim any uneven edges, then cut the fudge into four equal squares. Slice each square into nine smaller squares, resulting in 36 bite-sized pieces.
7) Store or Serve: Enjoy the fudge immediately or store it in an airtight container for later indulgence.
ZOOVENTURES AT DOWNTOWN COMMONS
Folks from the Nashville Zoo recently returned to Clarksville to host another edition of Zooventures at Downtown Commons.
Due to the popularity of the zoo’s first visit to Clarksville, organizers decided to put on two shows this time, which provided Clarksville families with up-close and personal experiences with some of the coolest wildlife around.
Families were encouraged to bring their curiosity and go wild with the Nashville Zoo, and hundreds of people showed up, despite the cool weather.
“Zooventures is a partnership with the Nashville Zoo, Downtown Commons, and the CMC Public Library,” Montgomery County Parks & Recreation’s Kara Zahn said. “We’ve all collaborated to bring animals to Downtown Commons. This is our second time. There were about 2,500 people here earlier in the year, so today, we’re doing two shows.
“They’ve brought a tortoise, an owl, a snake, and a skunk. We just found out today that they never know for sure which animals they can bring, it depends on a lot of factors, like animal temperament, weather, etc. We’re thrilled to have more than 1,200 people here already, and maybe more on the way.”
THREE RIFLES DISTILLERY HOSTS MEOW-LOWEEN
Sean and Candace Ruth, owners of Three Rifles Distillery, welcomed a different type of party animal to the Riverside District when they partnered with Mikaela’s Mutt Motel and Saving Kittens Sanctuary to host Meow-loween, an adoption event for dogs and cats.
“We’ve proudly teamed with these two great organizations today because we say ‘adopt, don’t shop.” Candace Ruth said. “There are babies who need homes, and we love working with local charities. We want to help these rescues get their name out to the public.”
Mikaela Lambert said, “We have adoptable dogs and kitties, a couple of vendors, and a silent auction. We also have Brutha’s BBQ food truck. We’re raising money to be split between the rescues. We’re also accepting donations of food and supplies. We’re happy to see so many families out here having fun and talking to us about adopting.”
Kelly O’Brien is with Saving Kitties Sanctuary. “We are a nonprofit,” O’Brien said. “We take cash donations. We also take food and kitty litter. We take in animals from animal control to help keep the numbers down. This year, we have taken in over 400 kittens and adopted most of them out.”
“We specialize in kittens that aren’t thriving and some that have been abandoned. We spay and neuter, microchip and vet. So, our kittens are fully ready to go. And, we are 100% donation and volunteer-driven.”
Anna Swann, Samantha Knight, Rufus & Mikaela Lambert
Candance & Sean Ruth Liz & Jose Keith
Chasity Lindsey, Buzz Pawdren & Sarah Tackett Pearl Ann, a 2-year-old Calico showed up and delivered five kittens; all but one have been adopted
Briggette
Warfle, Jacqueline
Jones & Kelly O’Brien
Grand Reopening with Veterans Day Festivities
Clarksville’s Governor’s Square Mall unveiled its stunning renovations on November 9th, 2024, during a grand reopening and Veterans Day celebration attended by hundreds. Festivities included a ribbon-cutting ceremony, live entertainment, and free treats as attendees explored the mall’s fresh modern design, complete with updated flooring and lighting. “We’ve transformed the mall from the floors to the ceiling,” said Anthony Cafaro Jr., Co-President of Cafaro Company. “It’s a fresh, modern environment we know people will love.”
New attractions were announced, including the November 25th opening of Dave & Buster’s and a state-of-the-art Phoenix Theaters complex debuting in May 2025. Food vendors kept the energy high with free samples, while veterans were honored throughout the day. “This revitalization is a major reinvestment in the community,” added Jordan G. Hohman, Vice President of Phoenix Theatres.
Shoppers praised the updates, calling the event Clarksville’s best yet. Governor’s Square Mall’s reopening wasn’t just about a facelift; it was a celebration of community, growth, and new beginnings for one of the city’s beloved landmarks.
Governor’s Square Mall Grand Reopening Ribbon Cutting
Anthony Cafaro, Cafaro Company Co-President Santa Claus and Mrs Claus
Melinda Shepard, Clarksville-Area Chamber of Commerce Executive Director and Snoop Dog look a like
Thomas Locke and Jordan G. Hohman
Tom Cruise look a like
CALENDAR
December
10 tuesday
F&M Bank Huff & Puff Express Model Trains
December 9th | 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
Celebrate the upcoming Christmas season with our model train exhibit, as it takes you on a magical adventure through the holiday! 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
12 thursday
History on the Rocks @ Strawberry Alley
December 12th | 5:30pm to 7:00pm Price: Free
Join us downtown at Strawberry Alley for a special history happy hour with Second & Commerce magazine to celebrate our winter issue. Free and open to the public. Chat with contributing writers, enjoy drink specials, and more!
Strawberry Alley Ale Works 103 Strawberry Alley | Clarksville, TN
Santa Visits Altra
Thursday 12th | 3:00pm to 5:00pm Price: Free
Meet Santa, snap a photo with him, fill out a Wish List, and pick up a copy of this year’s featured holiday book: Hallmark’s ‘The GiftGiving Bandit at Snowy Snowgate.’
We will be accepting non-perishable food items to be donated to local organizations in need this holiday season.
Altra Federal Credit Union
2625 Wilma Rudolph Boulevard | Clarksville, TN
13 friday
Miss Lucille’s Christmas Sips + Strolls
December 13th | 5:00pm to 9:00pm
Price: Free
Didn’t get to attend our last Christmas Sips + Strolls? Are you just a last minute shopper by nature? Then you’re in luck because we’re running it back and having another Christmas Sips + Strolls.
Miss Lucille’s Marketplace
2231 Madison Street | Clarksville, TN
Musical | Heirlooms: Christmas Treasures
December 13th & 14th | 7:00pm
December 15th | 3:00pm
Price: Free
Step into a story filled with timeless heirlooms, cherished memories, and the ultimate Christmas treasure—God’s gift of love to the world. This high-quality production is perfect for all ages, with beautiful music, engaging storytelling, and a message that will remind you of the true meaning of Christmas.
Hilldale Baptist Church
2001 Madison Street | Clarksville, TN
14 saturday
The Snowflake Special Experience
December 14th | 10:30am | Ages 3-12, with adult Price: $8.00 ticket, $5.00 for members; tickets are for children only, adults do not need a ticket
All aboard the Customs House Museum & Cultural Center’s Snowflake Special Experience! Put on your pajamas for a magical day of watching the model trains run, reading holiday stories, working with others to build a train city and making a craft to take home.
Each ticket holder will receive a keepsake sleigh bell, and the train conductor says to expect a visit from Santa for photo opportunities! Parents and other family members are invited, but only children with tickets will receive the keepsake.
Tickets must be purchased in advance and space is limited. Tickets can be purchased at www.customshousemuseum.org
Customs House
200 South Second Street | Clarksville, TN
A 19th Century Christmas
December 14th | 3:00pm
Price: $5.00
The Friends of Fort Defiance will host “A 19th Century Christmas” on Saturday, December 14th starting at 3:00pm. Pre-registration and a fee of $5.00 per person are required to participate.
Visitors will be able to step back in time and create period decorations, decorate our tree, and
enjoy eggnog, cakes, caroling, and more!
Tickets available through Parks and Recreation
Fort Defiance Civil War Park
120 A Street | Clarksville, TN
New Journey Quartet Community Gospel Singing
December 14th | 6:00pm
Price: Free
New Journey Quartet. Get together and have fellowship and worship with us.
Spring Creek Baptist Church
2760 Trenton Road | Clarksville, TN
4th Annual BWC Christmas Toy Drive
December 14th | 10:00am
Stop by the BWC Clubhouse on December 14th to donate a new, unwrapped toy for children ages newborn to 18 years old.
All toys donated will be shared with children in the area to help make their Christmas a little better!
BWC Clubhouse
201 Providence Boulevard | Clarksville, TN
National Wreaths Across America
December 14th | 9:00am
Price: Free
City of Clarksville will be helping Riverview Cemetery to Remember and Honor our veterans by laying Remembrance wreaths on the graves of our country’s fallen heroes.
Riverview Cemetery
635 North Spring Street | Clarksville, TN
15 sunday
Sunday Studio: Painting with Sarah Spillers
December 15th | 2:00pm to 4:00pm | Third Sunday of each month | Ages 16+ Free, with registration required; does not include Museum admission
Teaming up with APSU’s Community School of the Arts, we present Sunday Studio—a workshop series for adults. This December, join us as we paint magical snow globes in time for the holiday season.
This workshop is FREE and all materials are included, but registration is required. For ages 16+.
Customs House
200 South Second Street | Clarksville, TN
CALENDAR
Red River Breeze: A Merry Celtic Holiday
December 15th | 2:00pm
Price: $20,00 (adults) and $10.00 (children 12 and under)
Enjoy traditional holiday tunes and carols performed by Clarksville’s own acoustic Celtic band, featuring Stephanie Taylor on hammered dulcimer, concertina and recorders; Melanie Beck on fiddle; Michaela Allemand on Irish flute and whistle; Toby Sooter on cello, vocals, and bowed psaltery; David Magers on guitar; and Nate Wojciechowski on djembe and hammered dulcimer.
Red River Breeze and special guests will play old favorites as well as new arrangements of ancient carols. Expect some special surprises as well!
Roxy Regional Theatre
100 Franklin Street | Clarksville, TN
National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation [The Movie]
December 15th | 6:00pm
Price: $5.00
In this sequel to the two Lampoon Vacation flicks, the Griswold family host their dysfunctional relatives for the holiday as the dad (Chevy Chase) contends with spontaneously combusting Christmas lights and temperamental trees while anticipating the arrival of his annual bonus.
Roxy Regional Theatre
100 Franklin Street | Clarksville, TN
19 thursday
Storytime & Craft: The Perfect Tree
December 19th | 1:30pm | All ages, with adult Price: Free with membership or paid admission
Celebrate the holiday season with a cozy Storytime & Craft! We’ll read A Wish to be a Christmas Tree by Colleen Monroe, a heartwarming story of a tree hoping for a special holiday moment, and The Last Christmas Tree by Stephen Krensky, where a little tree finds its perfect home just in time for Christmas.
After storytime, kids can create colorful, blockstyle winter trees to take home and display.
Customs House
200 South Second Street | Clarksville, TN
21 saturday
Candlelight: Holiday Special
featuring “The Nutcracker” and More
December 21st | 6:30pm & 9:00pm
Price: $45.00 to $60.00
Discover holiday-inspired music from The Nutcracker and more in the intimate setting of the Roxy Regional Theatre under the gentle glow of candlelight. Candlelight concerts bring the magic of a live, multi-sensory musical experience to awe-inspiring locations like never seen before in Clarksville. Thousands of candles illuminate the venue, creating a serene atmosphere that will enhance your listening experience and allow you to be fully immersed in the performance.
Roxy Regional Theatre
100 Franklin Street | Clarksville, TN
22 sunday
The Polar Express [The Movie]
December 22nd | 6:00pm
Price: $5.00
When a doubting young boy takes an extraordinary train ride to the North Pole, he embarks on a journey of self-discovery that shows him that the wonder of life never fades for those who believe. The Academy Awardwinning team of Tom Hanks and director Robert Zemeckis reunite for this inspiring adventure based on the beloved children’s book by Chris Van Allsburg.
Roxy Regional Theatre
100 Franklin Street | Clarksville, TN
Carols & Communion by Candlelight
December 22nd | 5:00pm
Price: Free
Join us for an unforgettable evening of worship and music as we celebrate the birth of our Savior!
Hilldale Baptist Church
2001 Madison Street | Clarksville, TN
28 saturday
Family Art Saturday: Winter Tree Wonderland
December 28th | 10:00am–12:00pm & 2:00pm–4:00pm | Ages 3+, with adult Price: Free with membership or paid admission
Celebrate the winter season with a fun, handson winter craft! This Family Art Saturday, we’ll be making beautiful winter trees using stamp painting techniques. Kids and families can create unique, textured designs as they stamp
paint their own wintry tree masterpiece—perfect for decorating during the holidays. All ages are welcome, and materials are provided.
Customs House
200 South Second Street | Clarksville, TN
31 saturday
New Year’s Eve Party
December 31st | 9:00pm to 12:00am
Price: Free
Beginning at 9:00pm on December 31st, we will kick off our second New Year’s Eve party of Montgomery County, with presenting sponsor, Austin Peay State University! Join us for a night of singing, dancing, and enjoying delicious food as we enter 2025!
We will have a live band, dance floor, photobooth trailer, food trucks, a balloon drop, and a surprise at midnight. This is a once-a-year event you don’t want to miss! Best of all, this event is free and open to the public
Downtown Commons 214 Legion Street | Clarksville, TN
January
2 thursday
First Thursday Art Walk
January 2nd | 5:00pm to 8:00pm
Price: Free
Visit exhibits from local and regional artists as you stroll the streets of historic downtown Clarksville. Each First Thursday, participating businesses and venues open their doors to art lovers as they host monthly exhibits. Weather permitting,
Artwalk is held year-round from 5:00pm - 8:00pm with the event hub at the Downtown Artists CoOp, 96 Franklin Street.
Come enjoy live music, food and drinks, enjoy the company of other art lovers, and support local artists.
Downtown Artists Co-Op 96 Franklin Street | Clarksville, TN
