Dickens of a Christmas - December 8-9

The Dickens of a Christmas event on Franklin’s Historic Main Street brings the joy and charm of an old-fashioned Victorian Christmas recreated from the pages of Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol and other Dickens’ tales. Hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 8, and noon to 5 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 9.

Franklin’s Main Street is a perfect setting for a Victorian Christmas celebration. Most of the buildings were built between 1890 and the early 1900s and are beautifully restored. The clatter of horses’ hooves, the scent of roasted chestnuts and the sight of the whole town in Victorian attire make it easy to imagine Franklin as a 19^th century English village.

Dickens of a Christmas is free and open to the public, supported by Publix Supermarkets and the City of Franklin and presented by the Heritage Foundation of Franklin & Williamson County and Downtown Franklin Association, which seeks to protect and preserve the architectural, geographic and cultural heritage of Franklin and Williamson County and to promote the ongoing economic revitalization of downtown Franklin in the context of historic preservation.

[Source: The Heritage Foundation]

Christmas in Carrie’s Attic - December 15, 2007

Carnton offers a chance t experience a Victorian Christmas!

Come celebrate a Victorian Christmas just like the McGavocks! Children will enjoy a unique Christmas tour of Carnton and a special reading of The Night Before Christmas, originally written in 1823. After exploring the home’s spectacular Christmas decorations, children will be whisked up to the attic where they will create Victorian ornaments, toys and practice their writing as they design their own holiday cards using quill pens. After all the excitement, they will enjoy a snack of ginger cookies and eggnog.

Time: 10-12 a.m. Cost: $10, suitable for ages 6 and up.

Space is limited, so please call Katie Tate, at 615-794-0903 or e-mail Katie@carnton.org

[Source: Carnton web site]

Franklin - Best Place to Live?

If I recall, a few years ago, I saw a ranking that placed Franklin, Tn as in the top ten for best places to live in some major list (Maybe CNN Money). Anyway, it appears Franklin is not in the top ten anymore, but here is a link to the CNN Money page on Franklin, loaded with tons of interesting detail.

By the way, the media family income in Franklin is $85,433.

What do you think? Is Franklin a “best place to live for you?”

According to the official city of Franklin, the city as won the following awards:

• Money Magazine’s Top 10 Places to Retire
• Money Magazine’s Top 100 Best Places to Live
• Clean Cities Award (TN Department of Transportation)
• Tree City USA
• Great American Main Street Award
• Preserve America Community
• Number One Small Town in Tennessee
• Reader’s Choice Award for Natchez Trace Parkway/Scenic Drive
• One of Five Best Places in America to Antique Shop
• Five National Register Historic Districts

How many other Franklin’s are there in the United States?

There are at least 27 cities - and numerous townships - in the United States named “Franklin.” Most are named after Benjamin Franklin.

We’re just a little partial to Franklin, TN though.  Franklin, TN is by far the largest city in America with the name Franklin.

Downtown Franklin, Tennessee (above)

• Franklin, AL - Population 149, (Macon Co.)
  
• Franklin, AR - Population 184, (Izard Co.)
• Franklin, GA - Population 902, (Heard Co.)
• Franklin, ID - Population 641, (Franklin Co.)
• Franklin, IL - Population 586 (Morgan Co.)
• Franklin, IN - Population 19,463 (Johnson Co.)
• Franklin, KS - Population 26,513 for the county (Franklin Co.)
• Franklin, KY - Population 7,996 (Simpson Co.)
• Franklin, LA - Population 8,354 (Parish Seat of St. Mary Parish)
• Franklin, MA - Population 29,560 (Norfolk Co.)
• Franklin, ME - Population 1,370 (Hancock Co.)
• Franklin, MI - Population 2,937 (Oakland Co.)
• Franklin, MN - Population 498 (Renville Co.)
• Franklin, MO - Population 112 (Howard Co.)
• Franklin, NC - Population 3,490 (Macon Co.)
• Franklin, NE - Population 1,026 (Franklin, Co.)
• Franklin, NH - Population 8,405 (Merrimack Co.)
• Franklin, NJ - Population 5,160 (Sussex Co.)
• Franklin, NY - Population 2,621 (Delaware Co.)
• Franklin, OH - Population 11,396 (Warren Co.)
• Franklin, PA - Population 7,212 (Venango Co.)
• Franklin, TN - Population 55,870 (Williamson Co.)
• Franklin, TX - Population 1,470 (Robertson Co.)
• Franklin, VA - Population 8,346 (Southampton Co.)
• Franklin, VT - Population 1,268 (Franklin, Co.)
• Franklin, WI - Population 29,494 (Milwaukee Co.)
• Franklin, WV - Population 797 (Pendleton Co.,)

Radio host and author Dave Ramsey gets his own TV show on the new Fox Business Network

The Fox Business Network launched Monday the 15th and local Williamson County resident, Dave Ramsey, best-selling author and nationally syndicated radio host, got his own one hour TV slot in the primetime 7-8pm time slot.

His company press release states:

NASHVILLE, Tenn. - Nationally syndicated radio talk show host and best-selling author, Dave Ramsey, can add television to his resume. Monday, October 15 at 8p.m. ET marks the debut of “The Dave Ramsey Show” on Fox Business Network. Contact the local cable provider or visit www.daveramsey.com to find the closest station carrying FBN.  DirecTV will carry the network nationwide on channel 359.

“Just like on the radio, the show will be about life and how it happens to revolve around money,” said Bill Hampton, executive vice president of Ramsey’s broadcasting efforts. “Television gives us a great vehicle to help more people and give them hope for their financial future.”

Much like Ramsey’s radio program, his television show will include calls and e-mails from viewers with questions about life and money. The show will also include videos of “Plasectomies” (creative destruction of credit cards) and people celebrating their debt freedom by screaming, “I’m debt free!” To ask Ramsey a question, call 1-888-825-5225 or send an e-mail to daveonair@daveramsey.com.

Christmas at Carnton: A Southern Winter Wonderland

Carnton Plantation’s “Christmas at Carnton” a must-event for Williamson County residents during the Christmas holidays.

The Carnton web site states:

Christmas at Carnton: A Southern Winter Wonderland

November 26-January 1

Picture a Signature setting for your holiday entertaining with the traditional comforts of food, spirits, warmth, holiday cheer and spectacular views of the winter sky and nighttime beauty of Carnton. Take advantage of a great opportunity to do something different for your corporate holiday party and /or Christmas social gathering. We will begin accepting reservation for your magical holiday soiree on October 1st. Days and times are available from November 26 through January 1.

Additionally, the historic house will be decorated as it would have been in the 1850s with natural greenery, handmade ornaments, 19th century crystal, china and silver. Regular guided tours will include information about life for families, both black and white, who lived on a plantation in Franklin in the mid-19th century.

21st Annual Pumpkin Fest coming soon - Oct 27th

The 21st Annual Pumpkin Fest comes to historic downtown Franklin on October 27th.

Learn more 

Blue and Gray Days : 143rd Anniversary of the Battle of Franklin and Southern Folklife Festival

Carnton to host  Blue and Gray Days in late November.

Blue and Gray Days : 143rd Anniversary of the Battle of Franklin and Southern Folklife Festival

November 30-December 1 9am-1pm

Held for the first time to coincide with the Battle of Franklin anniversary, you will meet reenactors, both soldiers and civilians, as well as craftsmen, artisans and musicians who illustrate mid-19th Century life. On the evening of November 30, a memorial candle-lighting ceremony will be held on the Eastern Flank of the Battlefield of Franklin with a living history presentation to follow. Carnton will offer candlelight tours of the historic house in the evening. The Franklin Pull-Tight Players will stage a performance of “The Incident at Ft. Granger,” a play depicting the hanging of two men as Confederate spies in Franklin during the war, held on Saturday, December 1 at 1:00 p.m. Please bring blanket and lawn chair. For more information or interested in participating, call Katie Tate at 615-794-0903 or email Katie@Carnton.org.

Barn Raisin’ Ball

Carnton to host the Barn Raisn’ Ball, November 2nd:

 Join us at the barn of Pontotoc Farm for the second annual Barn Raisin’ Ball featuring a casual fall dinner, a bonfire and music and dancing. Pontotoc Farm, the home of Mary and Hank Brockman, is nestled in a bend of the Harpeth River on Old Hillsboro Road and has been featured in Martha Stewart Living. The party includes a live auction with a few select high-end items, party packages and other special surprises. Time: 6 p.m. $125 per person. Call 615-794-0903 or email info@Carnton.org. Photos  from last year’s inaugural event are copyright: Peyton Hoge. Left, a stunning table design; center, a couple trips the light fantastic; right, the design team.

Carnton announces the 4th Annual Haunted Halloween, October 27th

Carnton announces the 4th Annual Haunted Halloween, October 27th

Visitors will take a guided candlelight ghost tour of the house and cemetery where they will see and hear from some of the actual ghosts of Carnton. Also featured is Professor Richard Barclay, the “Wizard of Edinburgh and Civil War Conjuror” who will amaze all comers with his 19th century magic show. Time: 5:30-9 p.m. $15 adults, $10 children 6-12, and $5 5 and under. Call 615-794-0903 or email info@Carnton.org