4th Annual Holiday in Haywood November 11-12

Shoppers at Holiday in Haywood will have lots to choose from this year, including personalized items such as coffee mugs, license plates, t-shirts and ornaments. The annual event will take place November 11-12, at the National Guard Armory in Brownsville, Tenn.

Those looking for special bargains and unique holiday gift items will have the perfect opportunity during the 4th Annual Holiday in Haywood 2-day shopping mart planned for November 11-12, in Brownsville, Tenn. “Holiday in Haywood” will feature over 25 retail and specialty merchants all under one roof and offering a variety of items perfect for your holiday gift giving. The event will take place at the National Guard Armory located at 221 Morgan Street.

New to this year’s event is the addition of Breakfast with Santa Saturday at 9 a.m. Hosted by First South Bank, tickets are $10 per child and include breakfast, a visit with Santa and an activity with Santa. All proceeds from the breakfast will benefit the March of Dimes.

Families, individuals and groups are invited to have their Christmas portrait taken by a professional photographer Saturday. Appointments are encouraged to minimize wait time. Call Laura Bailey at 731-617-0535. Portraits will be available in time for gift giving or holiday cards. Pet portraits will also be taken.

“Last year over 1,000 people came through the doors during the event,” says Monica Bivens, Holiday in Haywood coordinator. “This year we’re expecting even more.”

Doors will open Friday from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., and Saturday from 9 a.m. until 7 p.m., giving shoppers plenty of time to make their choices. The Haywood High School Show Choir, along with other regional artists, will entertain shoppers during the evening hours.

Saturday at 11 a.m., the Haywood High School Cheerleaders will present a Fashion Show featuring items from participating retailers.

“The response from retailers has been wonderful,” explains Bivens, “and we are very confident in the variety and quality of the items that will be available.”

Among the many items for sale will be handmade quilts, handcrafted jewelry, all natural soaps and lotions, candles, homemade pies, cakes and other culinary goodies, roasted nuts, ladies and children’s clothing, toys and books, wood-crafted items and much more. There will also be a large selection of personalized gift items available including on-site monogramming.

“Holiday in Haywood” is sponsored annually by the Brownsville Business Association. For more information about the event contact Bivens at 731-772-4042, or visit www.ShopBrownsvilleTN.com.

Haywood County Earns Three-Star Certification

Haywood County's Three-Star Award was presented during the Governor's ECD Conference held September 22-23, 2011, in Nashville, Tenn. On hand to accept the award from Governor Bill Haslam are (from left) ECD Southwest Regional Director Cary Vaughn, Brownsville Alderman John Simmons, Brownsville Mayor Jo Matherne, Commissioner Hagerty, Governor Haslam, Brownsville Vice-Mayor Carolyn Flagg, WT Delta Heritage Center Director Sonia Outlaw-Clark and Brownsville Alderman Leon King.

Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development Commissioner Bill Hagerty recently announced that Haywood County has achieved certification under the state’s Three-Star program for excellence in economic development.

 “Our goal is to create a business friendly climate that gives companies the confidence to invest and expand in Tennessee,” Hagerty said.  “Solid community development is a crucial aspect in this process by providing the foundation needed for successful economic development.” Haywood County is now eligible to receive additional incentives under the guidelines of the Tennessee Three-Star program.

In order to receive the certification, communities are required to meet criteria in planning, leadership, community, business and education and work force development categories. Incentives for receiving the certification include identification on all FastTrack infrastructure and job training applications; eligibility for matching grants, if criteria set by ECD are met; earning points in the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program; assistance from ECD’s regional field staff and the sharing of “best practices” in community development; and the establishment of a strategic plan that is updated annually with measurable goals, specific actions, responsible parties and a timeline.

Town Hall Meeting about New Voter Photo ID November 1

A new law that will require voters to show a valid photo ID at the polls won't go into effect until next year, but in preparation for this new requirement, the Haywood County Election Commission will hold a town hall meeting to inform the public of the change in the law.

The meeting is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, November 1, at the Haywood County Justice Complex in the courtroom. The purpose of the meeting is to present information regarding the new law, which goes into effect January 1, 2012. The town hall meeting will include a presentation, followed by a question and answer period.

The major points of the law include:

A voter is required to produce a federal or state government-issued photo ID before being allowed to vote. Some examples of a valid photo ID, even if expired, are a Tennessee driver license, U.S. passport, Department of Safety photo ID card, state or federal employee photo identification card, or a U.S. military photo ID. Student college IDs will not be accepted for voting purposes.

Free photo IDs may be obtained from any Department of Safety driver license testing station.  Registered voters must sign an affidavit stating that the photo ID is for voting purposes, that they are a registered voter, and that they do not have any other valid government-issued photo ID.  The Department of Safety will not issue a free photo ID if the person already has a valid government-issued photo ID.

Voters who are unable to produce a valid photo ID will be allowed to vote a provisional ballot, which is a paper ballot, at the polls.  Voters casting a provisional ballot will have until two (2) business days after Election Day to return to the election commission office to show a valid photo ID.

Voters with a religious objection to being photographed, or voters who are indigent and unable to obtain a photo ID without paying a fee - for example, the voter cannot pay for a birth certificate for proof of citizenship - may sign an oath affirming to the information and will be allowed to vote on the machines.

Voters who vote absentee by mail, voters who are hospitalized, and voters who live in licensed nursing homes or assisted living centers and vote at the facilities are not required to show photo IDs.  Registered voters over the age of 65 may request an absentee ballot and vote by mail.

“The goal of the town hall meeting is to educate the public and prepare voters for the upcoming 2012 elections,” Andrea Smothers, administrator of elections said.  “We want voters to have plenty of time to obtain a valid photo ID if they do not already possess one.  We encourage everyone to attend the November 1 meeting.”

For more information about the new voting requirements, contact Mark Goins, coordinator of elections, or Andrew Dodd, elections specialist, in the state Division of Elections at 1-877-850-4959 or your local county election commission at 772-1760. 

Zinghop-a-Pals Kids Club comes to Hatchie Fall Fest

Get ready for the Zinghop-a-Pals Kids Club Big Fun Show, where children in the audience become the stars of the show through an innovative combination of engaging entertainment and educational activities. The Zinghoppers will make a special appearance at during this year's Hatchie Fall Fest, October 15, in Brownsville, Tenn. The free pre-school concert will be at 2:30 p.m. and 4 p.m., on the south side of the court square.

The Zinghop-a-Pals Kids Club has been named “Nashville’s Best Kids Entertainers” by Parent Magazine for the past two years. Every event features a Kids Club host. This friendly singing emcee's job is to get children involved in the show.

The show starts with a "friendship pledge" aimed at promoting pro-social behaviors, then the Kids Club host will sing "The Hello Song." After that the dance party really gets going with Zinghoppers hits like, "Tooty Ta," "The Possum Twist" and "Dancing Like Olo The Donkey."

Classic children's music is also performed as young children love singing tunes like "Wheels On The Bus" and "If You're Happy And You Know It."

The Zinghop-a-Pals Kids Club Big Fun Show combines live music, comedy, storytelling, dance, audience participation, a little magic and lots of smiles. At the end of the program, children will be invited to say the "friendship pledge" one more time, then they are officially declared, "Zinghop-a-Pals"!

The Hatchie Fall Fest is a free family-friendly festival held each October in Brownsville. The event features all day live music, over 100 arts and crafts vendors, kid's games and activities, contest and food. For more information about the Hatchie Fall Fest, visit www.hatchiefallfest.com. For more information about the Zinghoppers, visit www.zinghop-a-pals.com.

2011 Hatchie Fall Fest Scarecrow Winners Announced

Haywood Countians enjoyed a fun evening on the square Saturday night during the Hatchie Fall Fest Scarecrow Contest. Twelve scarecrows competed for top honors and cash prizes at the 7th annual event. 


The local band Hannah Company provided entertainment for the competitors while judges deliberated over the winners. 


Winners of the children's category included Methodist Day School (1st place), Haywood Elementary School (2nd place) and Anderson Early Childhood Center (3rd place). The Haywood County Schoool's District Office won first place in the adult category, followed by Kim Moore and Linda Maddox (2nd place) and Hannah Company (3rd place). Hannah Company also won "Most Creative."

1st Place Adults - Haywood County School's District Office

1st Place Children - FUMC Methodist Day School

2nd Place Adults - Kim Moore & Linda Maddox

2nd Place Children - Haywood Elementary

3rd Place Adults - Hannah Company
Also won "Most Creative"

3rd Place Children - Anderson Early Childhood Center

"Trick or Treat with Me" October 31 from 4-7 p.m.

Local merchants participating in this year’s “Trick or Treat with Me” will be posting this sign on their windows and doors. The event is planned for Monday, October 31, from 4-7 p.m.

Brownsville and Haywood County merchants invite areas children to “Trick or Treat with Me” on Monday, October 31, from 4-7 p.m. The annual event is sponsored by the Brownsville Business Association (BBA) and has become a favorite among children and adults.

The event began in 2008 when BBA members recognized a need for a safer alternative to traditional trick or treating. By remaining open later and offering this service to the children, merchants feel that they are providing a safer environment for the young people of our community.

“The kids still get to experience the excitement of going door-to-door,” explains BBA President Albert Campbell, “and the parents have the piece of mind of knowing this is a lot safer than visiting homes and neighborhoods they are not familiar with.”

“Trick or Treat with Me” is open to children ages 12 and under and each child is encouraged to dress in his or her favorite costume. Parents will recognize participating merchants by the purple and orange “Trick or Treat with Me” poster in windows. Last year over 20 businesses stayed open for this special event.

For more information, or to sign-up your business to participate, contact the BBA at 731-780-5144 or e-mail: info@shopbrownsvilletn.com. Interested businesses should contact the BBA before October 15, 2011.