Clarksville Mayor Kim McMillan kicks off the 2011 Christmas on the Cumberland with the assistance of Santa and Mrs. Claus

Due to misting rain the lighting ceremony was held under the Pavilion at the River Center. The Rossview High School Choir provided the entertainment. Special guests included the News Channel 4 Snowbird, and Santa and Mrs. Claus. JT Daniels served as the emcee.

After a short invocation by Greater Missionary Baptist Church Pastor Willie Freeman, Clarksville Mayor Kim McMillan spoke for a few minutes recognizing the dignitaries in attendance, and giving credit to the hard working folks from the Clarksville Department of Parks and Recreation and the Street Department for their efforts in lighting Clarksville for the Holidays. Then with the assistance of Santa and Mrs Claus she flipped the switch lighting McGregor Park for the holiday season.

Christmas on the Cumberland is open nightly from 5:00pm-10:00pm Sunday through Thursday, and from 5:00pm-11:00pm on Fridays and Saturdays through January 1st, 2012. Admission to the event is free.

Santa Claus talks with a young lady about her Christmas wishes at the kickoff for the 2011 Christmas at the Cumberland

Bring down the kids starting at 5:00pm for Visits with Santa on November 22nd, 25th, and 26th; December 16th, 17th, 23rd, and 24th. A series of free activities will be held on November 25th (Card Making), 26th (Stockings for Santa); December 10th (Cookie Decorating), and December 16th (Ornament Decorating). All activities run from from 6:00pm to 8:00pm

“This holiday display is a treat for all our community and just brings a dose of Christmas cheer whenever you go visit or even drive by, said US Bank Community President Steve Kemmer. Joyce Norris, the bank’s Vice President added, “we are truly blessed in our community and US Bank is proud to serve as sponsor again as a way of saying thank you to Clarksville citizens.”

The annual holiday event is being presented by the City of Clarksville and US Bank, and sponsored by WJZM 1400 AM, The Leaf-Chronicle, Lamar Advertising, Clarksville Family Magazine, and Saga Communication.

For a more information about Christmas on the Cumberland, please visit www.cityofclarksville.com or call 931.645.7476.

Players in the league are all soldiers in the Warrior Transition Unit at Fort Campbell. All of them have sustained a significant injury and are currently rehabilitating. The Kleeman Center will be hosting another exhibition game on Monday, November 21st from 1:00pm to 2:30 pm.

The Kleeman Community Center and the Warrior Transition Unit Occupational Therapy Clinic are partnering to offer not only basketball, but a variety of Adaptive Sports activities to the Wounded Warrior population of the Clarksville and Fort Campbell communities. Warrior Wheelchair Basketball is the first sport lined up at the community center. Archery, seated volleyball and training for the Warrior Games are slated to come next in what is hoped to be a long-term relationship between the WTU and the Parks & Recreation Department.

Adaptive athletics is only one area in which the military are being served by the Kleeman Center. They are also offering educational and financial literacy workshops as well as respite activities for the soldiers and dependants.

Other sponsors aiding in the Wheelchair Basketball program are the APSU Fort Campbell Campus, Educational Opportunity Center, Church’s Chicken, Joe Heitz Toyota, CiCi’s Pizza, and Lindsey Wilson College.

For more details on Wheelchair Basketball, please contact the Clarksville Parks and Recreation at 931.645.7476 or visit www.cityofclarksville.com.

A typical Saturday at the Roxy is already jam-packed but this particular Saturday was a little more packed than usual. The day began with our Saturday School of the Arts at 10am. We are fortunate to have close to 60 young people takes the acting portion of the program with our Artistic Director, John McDonald. They are working on a “workshop in-formance” of Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream coming up in December.

Mary Nell Wooten hands out candy for the Roxy Regional Theatre at Fright on Franklin Street

After acting class, Travis Kendrick took over as 25 young people stay on to take dance class where they are learning the techniques of musical theatre dance and have just begun their choreography projects. If the Roxy does not have a matinée on Saturday, those 25 young people would then stay on for voice class currently taught by Lisa Conklin-Bishop, faculty at Austin Peay State University.

While the School of the Arts program took place inside, preparations were being made outside for the Roxy’s participation in the annual Fright on Franklin. Old Christmas Carol sets, draped with dyed tobacco close and some muslin from Hodgepodge gave a spooky feel. Ghost luminaries made out of recycled milk jugs lit the path around the table.

As dance class let out at 1:30pm, the audience for the matinée began to shuffle in to the Roxy for the afternoon performance of The War of the Worlds. After Martians attacked the earth…again…and the bow was taken, the cast quickly shifted gears into A Tale of Two Cities rehearsal for the next three hours.

I, however, was absent from that afternoons rehearsal, as I was committed to Fright on Franklin. Myself, along with Roxy board members Mary Nell Wooten, Judi Sinks, Nancye Britton and Walter Marczak manned the tent throughout the evening, handing out candy to thousands of little goblins lining the streets of Historic Downtown Clarksville. I must applaud the Parks and Recreation Department, Niki Crowe and Planters Bank for a successful event. We, at the Roxy, were able to reach a lot of people that day just because of interest in the old 1947 building that stands on the corner of First and Franklin.

At the time when most people are ready to close up shop and go home and put their feet up, the Roxy continued it’s long Saturday with the final public performance of The War of the Worlds, presented to a packed house Saturday evening. Are you tired yet?

When you look back on a jam-packed day like that Saturday you know that all the hard work and long hours are worth it. We get to reach 60 plus young people every Saturday, molding and teaching them in the arts. We were able to reach close to 250 audience members coming into the Roxy and supporting live theatre. But most importantly, on that particular Saturday, we were able to reach thousands of ‘Clarksvillians’ through Fright on Franklin and bring awareness to the live-professional theatre that has been on the corner of First and Franklin for the last 29 years. It makes it all worth it.

This week A Tale of Two Cities continues performances on Friday, November 11 at 8pm and Saturday, November 12 at 2pm and 8pm. Performances continue that following week on Friday and Saturday at 8pm.

Click here to view the embedded video.

See you at the theatre!

Clarksville, TN – The Kleeman Haunted Mansion opened last night to rave reviews from it’s mostly younger crowd. Well over 300 people went through the house on it’s opening night. Designed to be less scary than some of the more adult alternatives in town, the house still provided its share of chills and thrills to the attendees.

“That was nice I enjoyed it. The ghouls and monsters really did a good job, and should pat themselves on their backs” said Taunya Johnson who went through the haunted house with her three-year old son Tavone who was sobbing after being frightened by the last fright of the haunted house, “It freaked him out, messed him up” she said laughing.

A young lady was already scared out of her wits by the time she reached the second room in the Kleeman Haunted Mansion

The monsters who were delivering the scares were mostly teenage volunteers who after being selected went through an orientation which gave them guidance on what was an acceptable scare and what was not.

The young people were really getting into the spirit of things. In one room two young ladies spent the evening going psycho on each other, turning that malevolent energy on the tour groups as they came through.

Psychotic teens at the Kleeman Haunted Mansion

Freddy Kruger scaring kids trespassing on his domain

Crowd favorites included Michael Myers from the Halloween movies, Freddy Kruger from Wes Craven’s A Nightmare on Elm Street, and someone said Chucky was lurking around though I never did see him during my jaunt though the house.

Just because you pass a room with a character does not mean you may not encounter that character later in the mansion, they know short cuts through the house, and are not afraid to use them.

Michael Myers is good for a fright at the Kleeman Haunted Mansion

The Kleeman Haunted Mansion is great fun and runs through Saturday, October 29th from 7:00pm to 10:00pm. The house is targeted at spooking those ages 6-years and up. Haunted Mansion tours will be $2.00 for ages 18-years and older and will be $1.00 for ages 6-17-years.

For more details on the Kleeman Haunted Mansion, please contact the Clarksville Department of Parks and Recreation at 931.645.7476 or visit www.cityofclarksville.com.

The Kleeman Community Center is located at 166 Cunningham Lane.

For more details on the Senior Socials, please contact the Clarksville Parks and Recreation at 931.645.7476 or visit recpro.cityofclarksville.com.

Each community center as well as the Indoor Aquatic Center have lots of opportunities for Fall Break fun, check out a list of current programs in the Parks & Recreation “Recreation Guide” available online at recpro.cityofclarksville.com or http://www.cityofclarksville.com/parks&rec

This month’s free concert features Tina Brown. This New York native has quickly become a Clarksville favorite performing at various local events around town and all over the mid-South to include blues festivals, on Beale Street, and has even opened for Earth, Wind, & Fire and Gladys Knight in Europe!

Click here to view the embedded video.

In addition to the live music and market vendors, downtown restaurants will offer outdoor dining for Jammin’ in the Alley patrons. The concert begins at 7 p.m., but you may want to come early and claim your spot as we expect a large crowd. Come ready to eat, dance and have fun!

Strawberry Alley will be closed to through traffic starting at 1 p.m. on the day of the event. Starting at 3 p.m., the lower employee parking lot of City Hall will be closed. However, drive-throughs for U.S. Bank and Regions Bank will be accessible, as well as the upper City Hall parking lot.

For more details on Jammin’ in the Alley, please contact the Clarksville Parks and Recreation at 931-645-7476 or visit www.parksafterdark.com.

Clarksville, TN – Due to Kenwood High School’s Homecoming game and ceremony, the City of Clarksville Parks and Recreation Department has cancelled Friday night’s Movie in the Park at Heritage Park, “Transformers.”

The movie has been rescheduled to Saturday, October 15th, and will conclude the department’s series of free family Movies in the Park.

All information on Movies in the Park is available at www.parksafterdark.com or facebook.com/clarksvillemoviesinthepark. Movies in the Park are FREE and open to the public.

Clarksville, TN

In addition to the swimming, there were several games held including a big splash contest. Liz McGraw’s Malti-poo (Maltese and Poodle mix) McKenzie won the contest for animals for 30 pounds and under. Door prizes from the various sponsors were also given away.

Liz McGraw accepting the prize for the biggest splash on behalf of McKenzie

Owner Sandy Daens attended with her Collie Mix, Shiloh. She really liked the event, “I Love it, it was so much fun. I am glad that Clarksville finally did something like this; because other towns are doing it.” Sandy divides here social time with her pet between Clarksville, and Nashville as she lives in the Pleasant View Community.

Brian was enjoying the day at the pool with his Louisiana Cur Bandit. He also liked the event, “I think it is awesome. Dogs don’t get to go swimming anywhere around here. I usually go running with him in the morning, but having the chance to attend social events like these with my pet is great.”

Don Savarese was on hand from the Guest House for Animal; a boarding house for dogs, cats, and other things. They were one of the event sponsors. “Anything that you can do for the dogs and get the canine community together is just a really great thing. More pet activities; more more more! Please!” he said. The Guest House for animals takes care of pets for people when they are away for vacation or deployments, long term for military or just an overnight stay for a trip to Nashville. This has been a wonderful event.

Other sponsors included:

• Montgomery County Friends of the Shelter
• Montgomery County Humane Society
• Guardian Angels for Soldier’s Pet
• Alicia’s K-9 Kuts and Kennels
• Cumberland Pet Sitting Service

Stacey Hopwood (Left)

Stacy Hopwood represented the Montgomery County Humane. “These pool parties go on across the nation, and for Clarksville’s first pool party I think this was awesome. Every year I am sure it will get bigger and bigger, and eventually this will be a Doggie Palooza style event with hundreds of people coming out, and just anticipating going to it year after year. Up until the last five or six years there really hasn’t been anything to do for owners and their pets. Our city is really starting to evolve when it comes to activities for pets.”

Mathew Nixon an event planning specialist for the city was running the event. “We are just finishing up holding Pooch Pool Party at the Swan Lake sports complex. This was the first time we did this. We had over 60 participants that got to swim as the owners watched. We based this event off of a similar one held in Murfreesbro.” He continued, “This is the third event for canine pets in Clarksville. We have Doggie Palooza, The Pooch Pool Party, and the Fall bark park. Clarksville is a very dog friendly city. The City has a bark park at Heritage park with a two more planned, one at at Liberty Park when it opens, and another one down the road in Sango. Pets are also welcome to accompany their owners at the Clarksville Downtown Market. The Clarksville Greenway has, and Liberty Park will have, some wonderful walking trails.”

There Two exceptions to the open invitation for pets; indoor events, and at the city Sports fields. Pet owners are asked to keep their pets on leashes when on the trails, and to clean up after their pets if there are any accidents.

After the success of the inaugural pooch pool party, the city is already planning to hold the event again next year.

If you have any questions please call the Clarksville Department of Parks and Recreation at 931.645.7476.

This weeks highlights include:

• New Online Registration System
• Zumba
• 45 and Over Softball League
• Softball fees due
• Archery Classes
• Trails cleanup
• Party at the Pool

Online registration begins August 1

Clarksville Parks & Recreation is excited to announce our new online registration option! Beginning August 1st, patrons will have four ways to register for classes, programs and more. Registration forms will be online to either fill out and return to our Main Office or Community Centers, mail, fax or complete online! To use these new registration options, visit recpro.cityofclarksville.com.

Ditch the workout and join the party with Zumba

A new session of Zumba fitness is under way at the Crow Center. Classes take place from 5:00pm to 6:00pm on Tuesday and Wednesday nights. Admission is $3.00 per class or $30.00 for the entire six-week program.

45-and-Over Softball League

Come and play in this exciting new Men’s Adult 45-and-Over Softball League. Register your team today. Registration is currently under way and deposits of $100.00 per team are being accepted. Final fees will be due August 19th. All games are played at Heritage Park. For more information, please call the Parks & Recreation Main Office at 931.645.7476 today!

Softball fees due

Reminder to all softball teams, final fees are due no later than 4:30pm August 5th to the Parks & Recreation Main Office. Teams returning from the Spring league should also note if they have paid the $25.00 sanctioning fee for the Spring session, they will not have to pay the fee for the Fall league.

Archery at the Crow Center Begins August 4th

Crow Community Center will soon offer two archery classes for youth in grades 4-12. A beginner class will be held from 4:00pm to 5:00pm and an advanced class will be held from 5:00pm to 6:00pm on Thursday nights. Cost is $10.00 per student.

If you’re not able to attend this session, you’re in luck. Burt-Cobb Community Center will offer both beginner and advanced classes at the same time on Thursday nights, beginning September 8th. Kleeman Community Center will offer their sessions at the same times, but on Monday nights beginning October 10th. Cost is the same for all archery sessions.

Trails Cleanup Day

Our trails need constant maintenance, but to make it more fun, we schedule volunteer maintenance days throughout the year to help keep them in shape. Join us from 8:00am to 11:00am on August 6th at the Upland Trail, located on Spring Street, to help in the beautification of one of the City’s walking trails

After the trail has been cleaned, participants can stop by the Clarksville Downtown Market for some locally grown produce, handmade baked goods and other hand-crafted locally produced items. The Downtown Market is held from 8:00am to 1:00pm each Saturday in the lower parking lot of City Hall, at One Public Square,

Teens ONLY-Party at the Pool

Summer is coming to a close, so gather your friends and come “Party at the Pool” from 6:00pm to 9:00pm August 13th at New Providence Pool. This event is part of our “Party in the Park” summer series just for teens which hosts an event at different locations for teens to enjoy music, games and more in a safe environment. Party at the Pool will be the final event of the summer. Admission is free and open to teens 15 to 18.