Peace on Earth. Goodwill towards Men.

MERRY CHRISTMAS, TO ALL! 

Scenes from the 2009 Christmas Parade

Hatchie Fall Fest T-shirts

As promised in this week's All About Brownsville newsletter, here is a picture of one of the Hatchie Fall Fest t-shirts. The shirts are available in orange, green and white. They are $10. And we have kid's sizes in orange and green. E-mail me color and size preference to reserve one.

See you on the 17th at the 6th Annual Hatchie Fall Fest.
Sonia

Making good, BETTER!

We can put on some really good event in Haywood County. And lots of volunteers work hard to make these things happen year 'round. But when it comes to planning community events, everyone's opinion matters. I know we get discouraged if we don't always see our ideas being used. And most times, unless you are in the thick of the planning, you won't realize why a certain suggestions is not implemented. There are no bad ideas, sometimes it's a simple logistics problem. Or it could be our suggestion was used and the effects are not visibly apparent. I've seen this happen a lot. Whatever the case, NEVER give up offering your suggestions. They are welcomed and appreciated and NEEDED!

Now, let's make it all better! What will take our annual Christmas parade to the next level? What would encourage more float entries? What activities would you like to see happening on the square that day before the parade?

Hatchie Fall Fest? ... Holiday in Haywood? ... Court Square Christmas?... Trick or Treat with Me?... you name the event and offer your ideas (or suggest a new event) ....

If it helps to get those creative juices flowing, you may make your suggestions completely anonymously. Just click on comment below.

Adopt a Teacher

If you were at the State of the School celebration on August 5, you know the excitement that was in the air. And not just the speakers, but the teacher were excited about a new year. Can't you see it in their smiling faces in the picture above. (more about the celebration)

Let's help keep this excitement alive ... become an encourager ... Adopt a Teacher. Individuals, businesses, church groups and organizations are invited to participate. The program is for the new teacher to our system. Many have chosen to come to Brownsville to live and I think it's important that we welcome them and show them Brownsville really is a great place to live. And if enough will volunteer, we can also show those who have been in our system for years how much we appreciate them, too.

I'm going to adopt a teacher. Will you?

E-mail Haywood County Schools Human Resource Director Toni Eubanks at eubankst@k12tn.net . She will provide you with the information about a teacher and then all you have to do is:

• Pray for the teacher
• Send small items (a coke, microwave popcorn, bag of chips, M&Ms etc)
• Send notes of encouragement throughout the school year
• Pass this information along to others so we can send encouragement to all Haywood County Teachers!!!

Who will be the next Mayor of Brownsville?

We are still four months from the beginning of qualifying period and two people, John Ashworth and Jo Matherne, have already thrown their hats into the ring and announced they will run for the position of Mayor of Brownsville in 2010. What are you looking for in the next mayor? What qualifications do you believe are essential for our elected officials? And what direction do you want to see our city (and county) move in - in the next year, 5 years and even beyond?

City Tax Increase

What do you think about the proposed city tax increase? Would you rather send grant money back and not make improvements in order to pass a balanced budget without a tax increase or are you willing to pay a little extra to see these projects through?

Which day is best?

In this week's All About Brownsville newsletter, I asked readers which day of the week they would prefer to receive their weekly event reminder. Thank you to everyone who has e-mailed your preference. Response so far has been that Thursday is a better day than Friday. The main reason being more time to plan for weekend events. I agree, but remember, this doesn't have to be a Thursday/Friday questions. If there is another day of the week you feel would be better, I want to hear those, too.
~~Sonia

Combined Voices for the Megasite

You know that I normally don’t talk politics, and technically this probably doesn’t qualify, but I have to say how proud I am of those who e-mailed and called Senator Dolores Gresham last week when we got word that our megasite and solar farm were being cut from the Senate budget. Now, I understand that we are not out of the woods yet, but I think our combined voices have made a difference this time.

Roof Leaks at the Elma Ross Public Library

Note: This is a guest post from Mark Dyer, chairman of the Elma Ross Public Library Board.

Our beautiful public library needs some work. There are water stained ceiling tiles at over a dozen locations within the building, the most prominent damage being right over the main entrances to the building. The building is barely 20 years old, yet there are entries in the board minutes of some 25 meetings through the years discussing roof leaks since 1993. We need to fund and preserve this valuable resource and symbol of our community. The owners of a huge industry contemplating location at the megasite will see the library as one of their initial exposures to Brownsville when they are trying to decide whether to bring thousands of jobs here or to another competing town. What do you want them to do? Tell your County Commissioners and/or City Alderman that you want the library roof repaired or replaced with funds in the upcoming budget for fiscal 2009-2010. They are your representatives and will listen to your voice.

What's on your mind?

Boy, blogging is hard if you do it right. I didn't realize it had been over a month since I had written anything here. But, please don't depend on me to bring up subjects or get conversations going. If there' s something you want to talk about, send me a post by e-mail (sonia@outlawdesignmarketing.com). I promise I'll post it for you.

I'm sure there are subjects you'd love to see discussed because lots of you are looking at this site on a regular basis. Write me and let's get others talking about what's on your mind.

What do you really know about Haywood County?

I was out at the Delta Heritage Center this week. And every time I go in there I can’t help but wonder how many local people have never set foot inside. The Cotton Museum, Music Museum and Hatchie River Museum are all something to see. Not to mention the exhibits and info about surrounding counties that I bet you didn’t know. Did you know that there are actually seven museums in Brownsville?

The same holds true for the Hatchie National Wildlife Refuge. How many have not taken the time to ride through the refuge. It is something every Haywood Countian should do at least once. Trust me, you do not have to be a hunter or fisherman to appreciate the beauty of our wildlife refuge. What about Oneal Lake? Have you been there and taken a drive around the lake? Have you seen the eagles. Yes, eagles. I bet you thought you had to drive to Reelfoot to see eagles in West Tennessee. Not true. We have a couple who have taken up residence here. And if all goes well, according to Refuge Manager Mike Chouinard, we may have little ones sometime within the next year or so.

I know there are endless thing in our community that I don't know about. And all of this has me wondering what really peaks your interest? Are there people or places in our county that you what to learn more about?

Please leave your comments and let me know what those people, places and things are.

Creating Economic Stimulus

I conducted my first marketing seminar this past weekend and I absolutely loved it. I kept the group small and hoped for lots of interaction. And I was not disappointed - from the beginning ideas flew. And, I have to tell you, I was impressed with the business owners who attended and how dedicated they are to their business and to this town.

We discussed many aspects of marketing and how important it is to create an atmosphere in your business that makes it inviting for customers. At the height of our time together, ideas geared at attracting visitors to Brownsville was discussed. Working together, these businesses have the potential to create a domino effect that will help all our businesses to succeed. And make it more attractive for future businesses to locate here, too.

I guess you could say that is creating our own "economic stimulus."

Running Around

AAB reader Donna Orr wrote this week to tell me about a new running club she is working to get going in Brownsville. And, since I know lots of AAB readers jog/run, I thought I'd pass on the info ASAP. Here, in Donna's words, are the details.

"As my husband, Tom, and I run around town – as in a fast jog – we notice that many people in Brownsville enjoy the sport of running. With so many runners/joggers/fitness walkers in our town, why not pull everyone together for fun, camaraderie and some light hearted competition for the more serious runners?

Over the past few years we have talked about forming a running group here and the response has been great, however, up until now, those of us who want to do this haven’t followed through with action. No more procrastinating! It is time for runners/joggers/fitness walkers and anyone else who wants to join to come together!

We will meet for the first time at Key Corner Park on Saturday morning, March 21st at 9 am. Be ready to run/jog/walk. We have several routes mapped out around Brownsville (2 miles and over) so there will be a route for everyone. You don’t have to be a runner to join us, choose your route and walk or enjoy walking laps at the track. Getting together once a week as a group will be fun, motivating and educational for all who are interested in this type of physical fitness.

If you would like to add your name to yet-to-be-officially-named Brownsville Runners Club, please contact me at (731) 772-8340 to be added to our email list. Or better yet, just meet us at Key Corner Park on Saturday mornings at 9 beginning March 21st!"

Brownsville's Big Tourist Attraction?

It seems to be a reoccurring theme among visitors to our community. Everyone loves the "Mindfield." The 75-foot (and growing) sculpture seems to draw rave review from everyone but local folks. It's been a subject of controversy since it began in 1989.

Is it art? Depends on who you ask. Dictionary.com defines art as “the quality, production, expression, or realm, according to aesthetic principles, of what is beautiful, appealing, or of more than ordinary significance.” Even if you don’t think it’s beautiful or appealing, you can’t deny that it is “of more than ordinary significance.”

There are many elements in the Mindfield that are whimsical and fun and do bring back memories of the past. Did you know that some of the steel in the sculpture was salvaged from the old Ritz Theater? And we all know the fire tower came from the wildlife reserve. I climbed it once - back in the early 90s, while it was still at its location on Marvin Chapel Road. I can’t remember who our groups escort was, but I do remember it being a long and tiring climb to the top and the view was spectacular. I like being reminded of that day when I see that old tower sitting down on Main Street. Another part of Haywood County history preserved.

Billy says the work in progress represents events in his life. David Lubin, who visited Brownsville this weekend for the first time since 1962, compared it to the Watts Tower in Los Angeles and went as far as to say that he believed it to be a more substantial piece of artwork. This observation comes from a man who spent his career as an art director for the film industry.

Regardless, the fact remains that visitors (read: tourist) love the Mindfield.

Do we spend so much time with this “artwork” each day that we have missed the possibilities it offers our community?

How much do you really know about "The Mindfield?" Learn more at http://billytripp.googlepages.com/.

Plans for Downtown Renovations

Mayor Webb Banks presented the plans for the court square renovations at the Brownsville Business Association Tuesday night, February 17, 2009. I had heard a lot about these plans and was anxious to see them. A few years ago there was talk of removing the fountain on the courthouse lawn. I threaten a sit-in and chaining myself to the fountain. Not that that would have done any good, but fortunately it did not come to that. While I have some mixed feelings about the choice of lighting style and the parking situation at the back of the courthouse, for now, my fountain is safe.

My biggest concern though is the projected date for beginning this project - August. Predictions are that it will take 3 months to complete. This time line puts construction happening during the Hatchie Fall Fest (October 17). So what happens with the festival? Will it have to be moved? Where?

Here's a larger picture of the plans and more details ....

Let's Corral Child Abuse

Yep, you guessed it. The theme of this year's Exchange Club Carl Perkins Dinner and Auction is "Let's Corral Child Abuse." So get your western duds out and saddle up the horses. It's time to ride to the rescue.

Or at least to the National Guard Armory Saturday, March 14, for some great food (did someone say prime rib) and good music. There's a silent auction before dinner and a live one afterwards. There is always some interesting items to bid on.

Tickets are available now. Call the Carl Perkins Center at 731-772-8378. Here's more info.

A Lack of Diversity in All About Brownsville

“A lack of diversity in All About Brownsville.” A recent comment from a faithful reader. One I agree with 100 percent!! You may have at one time or another thought the same.

More variety does need to be shown and shared in AAB. To say that Brownsville and Haywood County is diverse somehow seems like a gross understatement. I wouldn’t even know where to begin to explain or even describe the different cultural elements of our community. The reader seems to think that AAB’s content is solely directed at a “very small percentage of people...”

If this is true, it is not intentional. I would hope that everyone, regardless, would be interested in what’s happening in our community. But I am especially grateful to the reader for bringing up the subject.

Okay, so there is no doubt that more variety should be shown in the content of the newsletter. I asked the reader for suggestions and now I’m asking you.

What can I do, or any of us do, to learn more about the (different) things happening in our community? Our whole community?

Hatchie Fall Fest - New Home on the Web

Last night was the second meeting of the Hatchie Fall Fest this year. I am excited about all the volunteers who are donating their time and energies to take our festival to the next level. It's a very energetic group with some really great ideas.

The first exciting news this year is that the Hatchie Fall Fest has a new home on the web - www.hatchiefallfest.com. Check it out and let me know what you think.

Vendor applications are also beginning to come in. Keep an eye on the website for all the exciting things that will be happening at the 6th Annual Hatchie Fall Fest on October 17.

Snow and Cold

We got a little snow today. Luckily the ice underneath did not pose as big a problem as it could have. Wonder if anyone found enough accumulation to make a snowman?

I know we’ve had colder winters, but this year has had me chilled to the bone. Just can’t seem to get warm. Sometimes I think the older I get the colder I get. But it seems I’ve always been cold natured. I remember Daddy coming home many times to find me piled on the couch under a bunch of blankets. He would always ask if I’d “heard about that woman freezing to death?” When I’d say no, he’d explain I must have or I wouldn’t be wrapped up so.

So until winter gives way to spring, I'll just sit here, patiently, on the couch under my pile of blankets. Maybe if we all think warm thoughts ...

Valentine Plans

Just yesterday I made the comment that Valentine's seems to be losing it's allure because I have not heard too much about it yet. But today I am hearing of several events planned for that evening and some great deals at local stores for some unique gift items. Darlene at Merle Norman tells me she has some great gift baskets ready for just the right person and something about a "fondue for two." That has my interest, I can't wait to see what that is. Rayz Tanning is offering a couples deal on tanning and has gift items that they are offering to deliver for you. Morris Jewelers is offering free balloons and homemade fudge with some purchases. There's a dinner and blues event planned at the Country Club and Haywood County Relay for Life team is sponsoring an event at the National Guard Armory. I know there are other great deals and events planned for Brownsville. I'd love to hear about what you have planned for Valentine's.

Calling all Green Thumbs

I can't wait to get my hands dirty this year. I have big plans for rearranging my gardens. When we moved I went from a great shade garden full of my favorite plants - Hostas, to a yard that is full sun. I have a lot of adjusting to do and more shade structures to build to accommodate my Hosta collection. This will be a real test of my Master Gardener knowledge.

If these cold rainy days have you wanting for the feel of good clean dirt on your hands, you're the perfect candidate for the new Master Gardener class. UT Extension conducts these classes yearly and classes will begin January 22. Call the Extension office, 731-772-2861, for costs and to sign up. It's great fun and you meet wonderful gardening friends.

State of the School

I was sad to hear that Doris Battle has resigned. In her 25 years in the school system she has served many posts, from teacher to assistant principal, to principal, to assistant director and most recently as interim director. Doris has also been actively involved in the community. She will be missed as she leaves to accept a position with Shelby County Schools. Good luck, Doris.

If you would like to meet the new director, Marlon King, please plan to attend a State of the School Address on Monday, January 5, 8 a.m., in the Haywood High School gym. There will also be a reception for Mr. King from 3-6 p.m., Monday afternoon at the College Hill Center. Everyone is invited.