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27th Annual Country Christmas Show Set for Viking Hall
November 20, 2009
Each year families have planned their Thanksgiving holiday weekend to include a visit to the Country Christmas Show hosted at Viking Hall Civic Center. This year, the 27th Annual Country Christmas Show has added even more to their already impressive lineup to make this event something out of the ordinary. The show is scheduled for Friday, November 27 and Saturday, November 28 from 9 AM to 6PM and Sunday, November 29 from Noon to 5PM.
One of the opportunities to make this season special is finding many unique vendors under one roof. So few things are handmade with heart that finding them all together is like finding treasure. At the Country Christmas Show, you can find hand-crocheted snowflakes to hang on your Christmas tree. There are wooden reindeers handmade from sassafras logs available. If you want something a little softer under your tree, a hand made teddy bear would be a great addition to any holiday. To bring a unique and warm gift to the tree this holiday season, you can purchase one of the hand-felted hats available at the show. Not only are these items, and many others, great one of a kind gifts, but they are each special because of the rarity of those who make such treasures these days.
Again this year the show will also be receiving food donations for the Second Harvest Food Bank, providing yet another way to support our region.
More detailed information about the event can be found on their website, http://www.countrychristmasshow.com or call Daisy Carroll at (423) 247-6760 or (423) 360-5809 for additional information.
Second Annual Share Christmas with a Veteran Program Announced
November 18, 2009
The Bristol Tennessee Parks and Recreation Department is joining with country music recording artist April Taylor for a second year in the "Share Christmas with a Veteran" program. "The program was a huge success last year with over 750 bags being stuffed with everything from toothbrushes to pens and pencils. The veterans' reactions were worth the entire effort," said Parks and Recreation Director Terry Napier. "Without the enormous support shown by the community, this program would not have experienced the monumental success it had," continued Napier.
The public is encouraged to assist by filling a reusable bag or shoebox with highly needed items such as a fleece throw or small blanket, toothbrushes, toothpaste, Kleenex, socks, knit caps, hard candy, and the like. The container should be brought to the SlaterCenter before December 16th so that they may be delivered by Ms. Taylor and the Parks and Recreation staff and volunteers to the VA Hospital in Johnson City in time for the holidays. There are over 280 veterans residing at the Veterans Hospital and other area veterans that will be recipients of the gifts.
For more information on what types of items are acceptable please go to the City of Bristol Tennessee's website – www.bristoltn.org and look on the front page news scroll for the list. The public may also contact Parks and Recreation offices at 423-764-4012 for additional information.
*preferably fill a reusable bag
(like Food City shopping bags, which are available to the 1st 500 people at Slater Center, or you may purchase your own) or 2nd choice a shoebox
*If box, wrap bottom and lid separately w/holiday paper (or use a clear plastic box)
*Fill bag/box w/some of these approved items:
HIGILY NEEDED fleece throw or small blanket (roll up for bag or box)
Toothbrushes & toothpaste, Kleenex
Washcloths & soap, hard candy
Socks, knit caps, gloves, winter scarf
Bibles, crossword puzzles, gum
Playing cards, notepads, pens, pencils
*If box, secure lid with rubber band
*Indicate for man or woman
*Bring filled bag/box to Slater Center before Dec. 16
There are 280 homeless veterans at the va Hospital in Johnson City. Please support the men and women who helped us have our freedom today.
Project sponsored by Country Music Recording Artist April Taylor & Bristol Tennessee Parks & Recreation.
For more information, call 423-764-4012.
Bristol Fire Department Not Part of Solicitation Calls
Nov 18, 2009
Several area citizens have contacted the Bristol Tennessee Fire Department to inquire about fund solicitation phone calls they have received. The organization making the calls claims to be raising funds for local fire departments, including the Bristol Tennessee Fire Department. Fire Chief Bob Barnes of the Bristol Tennessee Fire Department stated that his office has not given approval to any organization for telephone solicitation, and funding from this source is not being offered to the Bristol fire department. Anyone receiving this type of call should insist upon obtaining a "call back" telephone number, and to contact the Bristol Tennessee Fire Department at 989-5701.
Parking and Shuttle Service Announced for THS Football Game and REO Concert
November 11, 2009
Due to parking demand, free shuttle bus service will be available this Friday, November 13 for fans attending the Tennessee High School Viking football game at the Stone Castle and for concert-goers attending the REO Speedwagon/STYX concert in Viking Hall.
There will be no charge for the service which is open to anyone needing a ride to and from either event.
Shuttle service will be provided from the following locations starting at 4:00 p.m.:
Municipal Lot 801 Anderson St.
Vance Jr. High Parking Lot and Football Field 815 Edgemont Ave.
Messimer Chiropractic 615 Volunteer Parkway
Woodlawn Baptist Church 1400 Southside Ave.
Central Christian Church 424 Melrose St.
Edgemont Ave Presbyterian Church 1013 Edgemont Ave.
Formerly Food Lion Parking Lot (Beside Big Lots) 1137 Volunteer Parkway
Volunteer Plaza (formerly Hills Plaza) 1375 Volunteer Parkway
Formerly Southside Shopping Center Parking Lot 402 Bluff City Highway
Central Elementary School 735 Martin Luther King, Jr. Blvd.
School Administration Bldg. 615 Martin Luther King, Jr. Blvd.
The gates at the Stone Castle open at 4:30 p.m. and 6:00 p.m. at Viking Hall. The game and the concert both begin at 7:00 p.m.
Traffic around Tennessee High School is expected to be heavier than normal and an advisory is given to avoid this area if possible to avoid delay.
For more information go to the Bristol School System website at www.btcs.org; City of Bristol Tennessee's website @ www.bristoltn.org or Viking Hall website @ www.vikinghall.com. For a map of the parking locations please click here.
Local Authors to Sign Ghost-Related Books and Tell Tales at
Bristol Farmers Market
October 27, 2009
BRISTOL, Tenn. - Local authors V.N. "Bud" Phillips and Joe Tennis are signing copies of their ghost-related books and also sharing a few ghost tales on Halloween morning at the Bristol Farmer's Market on Saturday, Oct. 31, 9-11 a.m.
Phillips, the official Bristol historian, is signing copies of his books, including "Pioneers In Paradise," which features 99 pages of Bristol-related ghost tales. Phillips's other books include "A Good Place to Live," "Forgive Me, Father, For I Have Grinned," "Book of Kings" and "Between the States."
Tennis, also of Bristol, Va., is the author of "The Marble and Other Ghost Tales of Tennessee and Virginia," which features local ghost tales for kids age 7 and up. Tennis's other books include "Sullivan County, Tennessee," a pictorial history; and "Beach to Bluegrass,'' a Virginia book that also features ghost stories.
The Bristol Farmers Market is located at the Downtown Center, near the Birthplace of Country Music Mural, just off State Street. Books will be available for purchase. For more information on the annual "Author's Day" event, call (423) 764-4171.
11th Annual Pumpkin Palooza Announced
October 27, 2009
The City of Bristol Tennessee will host the 11th Annual Pumpkin Palooza at the Downtown Center on State Street on Halloween Day. Each year on the last Saturday in October the State Street Farmers Market and the City of Bristol Tennessee join forces to create a morning of fun for children of all ages.
Members of the Believe in Bristol organization will join the effort by providing assistance to the young revelers while they decorate their very own pumpkin to take home.
Children are encouraged to wear their costumes to the Farmers Market and participate in the day's activities. There will be pumpkin decorating with a pumpkin of the child's choice and all the supplies needed to decorate it with. Treat bags will be available for everyone in costume. The event begins at 9:00 AM.
Again this year the Bristol Grocery Company will be taking pictures of the children in their costumes in exchange for a canned food donation. All donations will be given to the Bristol Emergency Food Pantry.
The Downtown Center is located at 810 State Street.
Traffic Safety Ambassador Poster Contest Winner – Bobby White
October 20, 2009
Bobby White
Age 14
Attends Vance Middle School
40 students participated
© Official Web Site of the City of Bristol Tennessee. All rights reserved.
Photos Courtesy of Malcolm J. Wilson and Bristol News Paper
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