About Cookeville's Cookeville

September 2008

Sep 1 - Sep 7 White County Fair
White County Fairgrounds

Sep 1 - Sep 30 Sparta Farmers Market
Open Tuesday-Thursday-Saturday from 7:00 am-until, in Metcalf Parking Area at Liberty Square and Maple Street near the White County Courthouse just off Hwy 70 (Bockman Way). Local farmers with fresh produce by the truckload just for you.
Contact: Scott Swoape at UT Extension office 931-836-3348.

Sep 1 - Oct 31 Amazin Acres of Fun
Corn maze, straw crawl, country critters, hayride, pumpkin shed
Contact: Jimmy McCulley, 2857 Old Kentucky Rd. N., Sparta, TN 38583 931-761-2971
www.amazinacres.com

Sep 3 - Sep 30 Experimental Water Media & Clay Extravaganza
Presented by the Magical Muse Gallery
Work by Pam Pate & T.J. Edwards

Reception Sept. 5 from 5-8:30 p.m.

123 W. Broad St., Cookeville
Hours: Wednesdays - 10 a.m. - 3 p.m.
Thursdays - Saturdays 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Sunday - Mondays - Closed
Tuesdays - By appointment only
Contact: 931-349-2847

Sep 5 - Sep 6 13th Annual Fall FunFest
CityScape\'s Downtown Festival, Courthouse Square
Live music, BBQ cook-off, WCTE\'s Stations of Imagination, crafts & more!
Contact: Dennis Freeman 615-445-5077 or www.fallfunfest.com
http://www.fallfunfest.com

Sep 5 - Sep 7 Fall Creek Falls 30th Annual Mountaineer Folk Festival
Fall Creek Falls State Park
Handmade crafts, traditional mountain music, and demonstrations of pioneer skills are just part of the fun. Country cooking, bluegrass music, and different exhibits round out the jam-packed schedule.
Contact: (423) 881-5708.

Sep 11 Reflect and Remember 9/11 Memorial Event
7:00 PM
Putnam County Courthouse-West Entrance
Master of Ceremonies-Wayne Nabors, Putnam County Court Clerk
Contact: Steve Moore 931-528-1177

Sep 12 - Sep 13 2nd Annual Shrine Rodeo
Putnam County Fairgrounds
One show each night 7:30 p.m.
Cost: $10 advanced, $12 at the gate
$1 donation for parking
Contact: David Fisk 931-510-7729

Sep 13 - Sep 14 25th Annual Cookeville Breakfast Rotary Golf Classic
For information regarding Hole sponsorship, artwork and logos contact Rachel Moses at 931-265-0439.
www.rotary-golf-classic.org

Sep 13 National Rolley Hole Marbles Championship
Standing Stone State Park
This is a one of a kind family experience as featured by ESPN, ABC Evening News, Sports Illustrated, Charles Kurault and CBS, Smithsonian Institution, CNN, National Geographic, Southern Living.... Everyone is invited to participate in marble games of all types. Festival will include kids\' games, marble making, swap meet, tournament play, demonstrations, music and food. (Registration is required for Rolley Hole Tournament.)
Contact: Shawn Hughes, Shawn.Hughes@state.tn.us or (931) 823-6347.

Sep 13 - Sep 14 Mid-State Gun and Knife Show
White County Fairgrounds
Sponsored by the Mid-State Sportsman\'s Club
Buy-Sell-Trade
Admission: $4
Sept. 13: 9 a.m.-5 p.m.
Sept. 14: 9 a.m.-4 p.m.
Contact Bill Bohannan 931-738-8675

Sep 13 Candlelight Cemetery Walk
Cookeville City Cemetery
Take a walk through history during this entertaining theatrical event featuring stories of former citizens.

Two walks are scheduled: 6:30 p.m. & 9 p.m.

Tickets are $12 each and are on sale at the Cookeville Drama Center or by calling 931-528-1313. In case of inclement weather, the walk will take place Sept. 15.

Sep 14 Bryan Symphony Orchestra Concert-Summer Evening in Dogwood Park-POSTPONED
7:30 PM
POSTPONED NEW DATE TBD
The Performance Pavilion in Dogwood Park
6:00 p.m., children\'s activities begin
7:30 p.m., concert begins

Chihara: Fanfares from The Tempest
Smetana: 3 Dances from Bartered Bride
Grieg: In the Hall of the Mountain King from Peer Gynt
Handel: Royal Fireworks (excerpt)
Film scores: Raiders of the Lost Ark, Pirates of the Caribbean

FREE OUTDOOR CONCERT. Attend the outdoor concert of the year in Cookeville. Activities for this free show include fun stuff for the kids, picnic food and beverages. Everyone is welcome. Sponsored by a gift from Sam and Diane Glasgow and corporate sponsors Self-Defined Forest Services and Community Bank of the Cumberlands.

LOCATION. Dogwood Park is located behind the Putnam County Library; free parking is accessible from both Broad Street and 1st Street. In case of rain, the concert will move to TTU\'s Derryberry Auditorium.

All programs subject to change.
www.bryansymphony.org

Sep 19 - Sep 20 20th Annual Upper Cumberland Quilt Festival
For the Love of Quilts
Senior Citizens Center, 125 Fourth Ave in Algood.
Friday- 9 a.m.-6 p.m.
Saturday- 9 a.m.-4:30 p.m.
Admission: $6
Contact: Brenda Dishman 931-537-3447

PREVIEW RECEPTION: Celebrate the Love of Quilts
Date: Thursday, September 18
Time: 5:30 - 9 pm
Location: Grassy area next to McGugin-Foutch House on Church Street

-Buffet Dinner catered by The Scarecrow
-Quilt and Antique Auction
-Entertainment by Jen Richardson & Mary Summerlin
-Art Exhibits by: Upper Cumberland Arts Alliance & Jack Stoddart

Admission to Preview Reception: $25.00 per person
Tickets on sale at Jackson Bank & Trust locations and Algood Senior Citizen Center
www.algoodquiltfestival.com

Sep 19 Bluegrass at the Sparta Amphitheater
7:00 PM
On Liberty Square every 3rd Friday, May-October starting at 7 p.m. In case of rain we will have it at the Sparta Civic Center 514 East Bockman Way.
FREE to the Public
Contact: Ed Baker 931-738-8604

Sep 20 The Cruise In
Good Time Cruisers invite you to \"just show up\" at Liberty Square every 3rd Saturday April through September 5:00 PM - 8:30 PM You are invited to show your car or enjoy the exhibit. If you are a car lover this is a great place to salute past good times.
Contact: Bill & Kathy Saylors 931-761-8687

Sep 21 - Sep 27 American Couples Team Championship
Dale Hollow Lake
Sunset Marina and Resort, Byrdstown, TN
Contact: Terry Burckhard (877) 864-8666
www.fishdalehollowlake.com

Sep 21 Miss, Mrs. & Teen Tennessee International Pageant
1:00 PM
Cookeville Drama Center
Contact: Phil Frazier 615-831-7118
www.tncrowns.com

Sep 25 TTU Football vs Central Methodist
TTU Tucker Stadium
7 p.m.
Tickets: 931-372-3940
www.ttusports.com

Sep 26 Small Business Expo
10:00 AM - 2:00 PM
Leslie Town Centre, 1 West 1st St., Cookeville
Free and open to the public with 60+ exhibitors.
Sponsored by Twin Lakes Telephone and Local Insight Yellow Pages. There will be door prizes and lunch provided by Homebuilders Association as a fundraiser for Habitat for Humanity.
Contact: Putnam Co. Chamber of Commerce 931-526-2211

Sep 27 Fine Arts - Fine Crafts Fall Artisan Festival
Community Complex, Crossville
It will be held inside the exhibit buildings where art pieces and display spaces are protected from weather. Formerly this event was for Cumberland County artisans only, this year the festival is open to regional artisans. This festival is juried. A Silent Auction of art pieces and donations from businesses is held in conjunction with the festival.

Guidelines and application form is available via the CACE website: www.cumberlandart.com. Personal contact is Wilma Emling at 931-456-7954, Betty Zarnitz at 931-456-6946, or Sharron Eckert at 931-277-5425. Application deadline is mid-June.
www.cumberlandart.com

Sep 27 11th Liberty Square Celebration & Lester Flatt Memorial Bluegrass Day
Celebration held on Liberty Square beginning at 9 a.m. with the music starting at 12:30 p.m. in historic downtown Sparta. A special tribute to local bluegrass legend Lester Flatt, featuring talented entertainers. Upper Cumberland crafters, food vendors, commercial booths, kids games, rides, "Little Miss & Mister Liberty Square Pageant" (call City Hall to enter 931-836-3248), door prizes and huge fireworks display will fill the day with fun. Shuttle Service Available. 11th Annual Liberty Square Celebration Car and Truck Show adds to the excitement.
Contact: Sparta City Hall 931-836-3248

Sep 27 Algood Bluegrass Festival
Algood Park

Sep 27 Somewhere In Time
10:00 AM
Town Square in Gainesboro
Food, Music, Arts, Fine Crafts & more!

Gainesboro Historical Society presents Historical Candlelight Walking Tours: Walk somewhere in time and meet steamboat captains, bank robbers, statesmen, soldiers, town fathers and moon shiners.

Admission: $5 Adults, 18 & under free with adult.

Contact: Jackson County Chamber 931-268-0971

Sep 27 Mother Son Date Night
6:00 PM
Location: Cookeville Farmers Market
Tickets: $15 each available at Cookeville City Hall 931-520-4386

Making your own compost bin is super easy. Compost is a common name for humus, which is the result of the decomposition of organic matter. Decomposition is performed primarily by microbes, although larger creatures such as worms and ants contribute to the process. Decomposition occurs naturally in all but the most hostile environments, such as buried in landfills or in extremely arid deserts, which prevent the microbes and other decomposers from thriving. Composting is the controlled decomposition of organic matter. Rather than allowing nature to take its slow course, a composter provides an optimal environment in which decomposers can thrive. All it needs is 4 ingredents : carbon, water, oxygen(air) and water.

The goal in a compost pile is to provide a healthy environment--and nutrition--for the rapid decomposers, the bacteria. High-carbon sources provide the cellulose needed by the composting bacteria for conversion to sugars and heat. Some of these high carbon sources are dry, straw-type material, such as cereal straws, autumn leaves, sawdust and wood chips, and some paper and cardboard (such as corrugated cardboard or newsprint with soy-based inks) .High-nitrogen sources provide the most concentrated protein, which allow the compost bacteria to thrive. Some high-nitrogen sources are wilted green material (usually crop residues, or plants mowed for the purpose), animal manures (vegetarians, not meat-eaters) , grass clippings, and ruit and vegetable trimmings, skins, and waste.

There are 3 types of compost bins. There are wooden compost bins where you can buy a kit and put it together. The sides are slotted to allow air circulation, and the front panel will life out. There is a plastic barrel compost bin. You get a large plastic drum barrel and cut the top and bottom off and drill holes in the side to allow air to circulate. Finally there is the wire and post compost bin. You get four post in a square and wrap chicken wire around it and it works really well. You can tie burlap to the inside of the wire to hold it all in and the air can still circulate.

When going organic the hardest thing to do is kill the weeds. Although I've never really used a lot of weed killer I have always got on my hands and knees and pulled the weeds out. I never knew that I was already doing some things organically! But for those who are used to using the spray there is no such thing as an organic weed killer. The only true organic way to effectively control weeds is by physically removing them and using preventative measures.

When starting a garden it is important to start with the cleanest ground possible. The cleaner it is from the beginning, the easier it will be to control future weeds. This can be hard to do especially if you have a big garden but for those who only have a small garden they should try it sometime. You should dig the entire plot and remove as many weeds and roots as possible. This could be a hard day's work! Do not put the weeds in the compost bin! They will still grow in the compost bin and spread and you don't what that. If you start your digging early in the season place a tarp over the ground this will block the light that the weeds need and kill them. If some weeds happen to grow pick em as soon as you see em! Never ever let them flower, that will just spread them through the whole garden.

Mulching is a good way to help prevent weeds from growing. It cuts off the light that they need to grow. Black plastic is the most effective way to prevent weeds from growing. Just cut holes where you want your plants to sprout through and you can cover the plastic with bark or potting soil to try and hide it. You can also use paper. The paper will disnagrate in to the soil eventually which means you won't have to get it out. You can use bark as your only means of mulching. You can also use a combination of all of these to whatever suits your situation.

I myself am trying to learn more about going green in my garden by trying to go organic. I have been reading up on it for a little while now and I will share with you some of the things I have learned.

Gardening organically isn't just gardening without chemicals. You, the gardener, must work with nature to develop an ecosystem in your garden. That means you have to learn about and encourage healthy bugs like ladybugs, lacewings, and other predatory insects to come into your garden and feed on your pests. You can do this by planting fennel, dill, allyssum, ammi majus, and cumin.

Help your soil feed your plants. Add as much organic matter as you can in order to feed soil organisms. These organisms will break down organic matter and will eventually feed your plants. Try to make your own compost. Not only does compost nourish the soil, making it reduces kitchen and garden waste immensely! I have my own compost and that’s where I throw most of my kitchen scraps. I have to keep the top covered up because I don’t want the night time animals to drag it all back out.

Finally, learn to tolerate a little bit of damage by insects here and there. If you wipe out all your pests, what will the ladybugs feed on? Being a long time gardener growing up with a garden and always using some sort of pesticide its hard to break the habit especially when you’re used to going out to the garden seeing some bug bites on the leaves and spraying everything. Hopefully by trying to go organic I will be doing my part to help out the planet.

Going GREEN is the thing to do right now. There are all sorts of things that you can do to get started. From small simple stuff like just recycling cans to big stuff, like getting a hybrid or building a completely green house. There are a few simple things that I do to try and be green like I grow my own garden and I try to not use pesticides and use natural fertilizer. I save rainwater in a bucket and save it and use it when its not rained in a while. I don’t mow my yard as much as I used to. I found out that it was healthy for the grass, and who don’t want a pretty green yard. When I do mow my yard I save the clippings a put them in my compost pile. If you don’t have a compost pile you can get a mulching blade for your lawn mower which will cut the grass blades into fine pieces, returning them to your lawn as a natural form of fertilizer. I save my yogurt cartons and use them for my seed starter pots. They are the perfect size and you get an extra use out of them. If you drink a lot of milk you can save a jug and cut the bottom off at an angle and use it as a scoop. You can have one in your cat food, dog food, fertilizer, potting soil our just about anything else that you can scoop out. Everybody should try and do a little something to make this would a better place for our children and grandchildren. They will thank us one day for it.