Rogersville Heritage Days

Heritage Days will celebrate its 38^th anniversary on October 13, 14, and 15, 2017, in Historic downtown Rogersville, Tennessee.
Grand Presenters of this year’s celebration include US Bank, TVA – John Sevier Combine, Wellmont – Hawkins County Memorial Hospital, The Rogersville Review, Rural Health Services Consortium, WRGS and the Tennessee Arts Commission.  Please stop by the grand presenter booths on Main Street to look at the informational displays and say thanks to these contributors.
This year, Holston Electric Cooperative will sponsor the Art and Photography Show and Hawkins County Gas Utility will sponsor the Quilt Show.  The Art and Photography Show offers categories for children, youth and adults.  Seven categories of art will be judged, including paintings, drawings, sculpture, needlework, photographs, enhanced photographs, and other three dimensional art.  The Art Show will be exhibited in the community room of U S Bank on Main Street.  The Quilt Show entries will be exhibited in the Hawkins County Courthouse on Main Street.
The First Community Bank Great Chili Cook-off, will be held in conjunction with the Cruise-In on Friday evening.  This tasty contest of local cooks and characters will be held in the courtyard of the Hale Springs Inn on Main Street on Friday, October 13.  Cooking begins at 3p.m. with judging at 5:30 p.m.  Enjoy live entertainment with a beer garden in the Gazebo beginning at 5p.m.
Entry forms for the Art and Photography Show, Quilt Show and the First Community Bank Great Chili Cook-Off is available at the following locations:  RHA Depot Museum, the Hale Springs Inn,  U-Save Pharmacy, the Rogersville Hawkins County Chamber of Commerce office, Mountain Star Mall, the Local Artist Gallery, The Rogersville Review, First Community Bank and online at www.rogersvilleheritage.org.
Registration for the annual children’s costume contest and parade will begin at 4:15 p.m. in the parking lot in front of First Baptist Church; judging will begin at 5p.m., followed by the parade at 5:30 p.m.  This year’s theme is Windows to Our Heritage.  The parade is sponsored by US Bank, the Rogersville Hawkins County Chamber of Commerce, and Wal-Mart.  For information, contact the Rogersville Hawkins County Chamber of Commerce office at 423-272-2186.
Other Friday evening events:
 
The Heritage Days food court on South Depot Street will open at 5p.m. – visit one of the many food booths for great festival foods or local downtown restaurants for dinner until 9p.m.
 
Rogersville Main Street and Random Rods Car Club will host the final Cruise-In of the season with a parade of over 100 vintage automobiles (pre 1980) from 6-9 p.m. Visit the Rogersville Main Street booth to vote for “People’s Choice,” to be awarded at the close of the evening.
Enjoy the music of Ivy Road at the Main Stage on the Town Square beginning at 6 p.m.  The group, self-described as a “whatcha wanna hear,” plays a variety of multigenerational music. There will definitely be something for everyone.
On Saturday, October 14, 2017, the festival’s opening ceremony will begin at 10 a.m. on the courthouse lawn.  Uniformed representatives of the Sons of the American Revolution, accompanied by the Cherokee High School drum line, will conduct a flag ceremony followed by the singing of the National Anthem by Ella and Ava Begley and invocation by Sheldon Livesay of One Accord Ministries.  The festival opens immediately after the ceremony with hosts of demonstrators highlighting heritage skills in the demonstrator’s yard including a toy maker, whittlers, blacksmiths, needlework demonstrations, basket weaving, an onsite apple butter stir, master gardeners, chair caning, handmade turkey calls, broom making, long hunting demonstration, bee keeping and others.
The Davis Grist Mill and Antique Farm Equipment exhibit will be on display on South Depot Street and Artisan Craft Booths will line four blocks of Main and Church Streets. The Young’uns Yard is sponsored by Civis Bank and Farm Bureau. It will be relocated to Town Square and offer old-fashioned games, inflatables, balloon art, and face painting. Hawkins County 4-H and the Heritage Lites will provide and lead these activites.  The Heritage Train will be on Depot Street. Older young’uns can enjoy inflatables, an obstacle course and other games next to the dance stage on Washington Street.
The Dance Stage, featuring the award winning Tennessee Hoedowners, will offer non-stop entertainment throughout the festival. It is located on the corner of Washington Street and Depot. The Main Stage, sponsored by Eastman Credit Union, will host a variety of music from new exciting groups and repeat favorites. Saturday’s music highlights bluegrass, country and pop, while Sunday will showcase gospel music.  It is located on Town Square. Bring a chair or blanket and enjoy the entire day.
Heritage Days’ is excited to host returning Civil War reenactors of the B Company of the 12^th Tennessee Cavalry Battalion.  B Company will set up an encampment on Friday evening. Saturday from 9:00 a.m. – 5:30 p.m. they will perform War skirmishes, Cavalry and artillery demonstrations, saber drills, and practice maneuvers at Crockett Springs Park, located on South Rogers Street. Guests are asked to bring folding chairs to this and all other outdoor exhibitions and shows. This event is sponsored by TRW.
Visit the food court for a variety of festival food or visit downtown restaurants for your dining pleasure.  The beautifully renovated Hale Springs Inn, circa 1824, features McKinney’s Tavern for lunch, dinner or drinks.  While visiting, take a tour of the historic inn.
Visit historic downtown Rogersville, Tennessee, for free family entertainment as we celebrate our heritage, October 13, 14, and 15, 2017.  There is something for everyone!
The Heritage Days 2017 Schedule is as follows:
Friday, October 13
3 p.m.– 6 p.m. – “The First Community Bank Great Chili Cook-off” Hale Springs Inn Courtyard
4 p.m. -7 p.m. – Mary’s Spirit and Fine Wines moonshine tasting at 212 Washington Street
5 p.m. – 6 p.m. – Live music in the Gazebo at the Hale Springs Inn
5 p.m.-8 p.m. Swift Museum Soul Food Dinner. Reservations required. 423-921-3888
4:15 p.m. – Registration Heritage Day’s Children Parade
Theme: “Windows to Our Heritage” – First Baptist Church parking lot, West Main Street
5:00 p.m. – Costume Judging
5:30 p.m. – Heritage Days Children Parade – Main Street
6 p.m. – Cruise-In on the Square -Cruise through the historic district
6 p.m.-9 p.m. – Ivy Road to perform on The Main Stage beside Hale Spring Inn
 
Saturday, October 14
10 a.m. – Opening ceremony – Tennessee Sons of the American Revolution Color
Guard, CHS Drum Corps, National Anthem and Invocation
10 a.m.- 6p.m.- Craft Booths, Food Court, Demonstrators Yard, and Young’uns’ Yard, Quilt Show, Antique Farm Equipment Show, Mixed Media Art Show, Dance Stage, and Music on the Main Stage
12 p.m. –7:00 p.m. – Mary’s Spirit and Fine Wines moonshine tasting at 212 Washington St
12:00 p.m. – Antique Tractor Parade
9a.m. – 5:30 p.m. – Performance by the 12^th Tennessee Cavalry Battalion-
Crockett Spring Park- South Rogers Street
 
Sunday, October 15
12:00 p.m.-6 p.m.-  Craft Booths, Food Court, Demonstrators Yard, and Young’uns Yard, Quilt Show, Antique Farm Equipment Show, Mixed Media Art Show, Dance Stage, and Music on the Main Stage
2 p.m. – Antique Tractor Parade
 
 
Heritage Days Main Stage Packed with Talent
 
Once again, Heritage Days weekend will be packed full of talented musicians on the Main Stage at Town Square in downtown Historic Rogersville. Beginning at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday morning (October 14, 2017) and concluding at 6:00 p.m. on Sunday afternoon (October 15, 2017), everyone will find something that fits their taste. Saturday will focus on various genres of music, while Sunday will be gospel. The Main Stage is sponsored by Eastman Credit Union and Tennessee Arts Commission. Come join the fun, bring a lawn chair and relax, while enjoying local talent. This year the featured acts will be:
 
Carson Peters & Iron Mountain
Carson Peters started playing the fiddle at the ripe old age of 3 when his parents bought him a 1/8 size fiddle.  By age 4, he was playing in fiddle competitions and jamming at musical festivals.
Carson has continued to hone the fiddling and singing talents that God has so graciously blessed him with and has won many competitions along the way.
At 13 years old, Carson is a seasoned performer playing numerous venues with his band throughout the region; Bristol Rhythm and Roots, Dollywood’s Bluegrass and BBQ, Asheville’s Bluegrass First Class, Song of the Mountains, Carter Family Fold and WDVX’s World Class Bluegrass concert series to name a few.
Carson has also had the honor of playing on national TV as a guest on NBC’s The Tonight Show with Jay Leno, Little Big Shots with Steve Harvey, as well as play with Jimmy Fortune on the floor of the Tennessee State Senate.
On March 28, 2014, Carson’s dream of playing on the Grand Ole Opry stage was realized when he was invited by Ricky Skaggs to come perform with him and his band, Kentucky Thunder.
In May of the same year, Carson was asked to make a reappearance at the Opry, but this time with his own band.  On July 31, 2014, Carson made his Ryman Auditorium debut playing again with Ricky Skaggs during the 2014 Bluegrass Nights series.  Since these appearances, Carson and his band have performed numerous occasions on the Opry Show.
Carson says that winning trophies and getting your name in the paper is “really cool” but that is not the main reason he works so hard at his music.  “It’s all about using the talent God gave me to make people smile!”  Carson truly loves entertaining people!
He lives in Piney Flats, Tennessee with his parents, Jamie and Robin.  When he is not “fiddlin’ around,” he is just an ordinary country boy who enjoys baseball, basketball, golf, hunting, riding his four wheeler and going to church.
Carson has been blessed to have a great band, Iron Mountain, to help him entertain audiences performing old-time, bluegrass, and gospel music.
The band consists of Carson’s father, Jamie Peters, Eric Marshall and Ben Marshall of Mount Airy, North Carolina and Austin Tate of Marion, Virginia.  Carson is truly blessed to have these fine Christian musicians in his band.
 
The Clouds Creek Band
 
With backgrounds ranging from Bluegrass, Gospel, Country and Southern Rock the Clouds Creek Band is a true mix of music genres.
Rogersville natives Phil Harrell, on guitar, mandolin and vocals and Larry Bass on 5-string banjo bring a bluegrass feel to the band. Jarod Harrell of Rogersville adds to the bluegrass feel with a touch of country twang through guitar and vocals.  Terry Joe Harrell of Rogersville on keyboards, harmonica and vocals brings a smooth rock edge to the band. Mickey Smathers of Nashville on bass guitar and vocals infuses a country and southern rock feel to the band. Their musical ability along with their vocal blend have made them a mainstay at churches and festivals in East Tennessee for the past eight years.  Everyone in the band has a strong Gospel roots, which is the backbone of this “must see” band.
 
Devoted
 
No strangers to the Heritage Days stage, the local group known as “DEVOTED” is always excited to join in the annual festivities.  The group was formed from a local group of friends who enjoy singing for the Lord. A diverse group with a multitude of vocal talents, they are excited about being able to once again “bring it” to the hometown celebration.
The group tries to blend a little classic gospel with some contemporary flavor to stay fresh and open while allowing the Lord to use them to witness in song.   Their love for singing together is second only to the joy of sharing the love of Christ through their music.
The group consists of Marie Robinson, a seasoned vocalist who is also a song writer.   She has written and recorded a tribute to the late Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.; Yvonne Jarrett, the group president and booking agent, she keeps the groups calendar of appointments, Pamela Hoard,  who ministers through the music as well as from the pulpit  of Russell Chapel AME Zion Church;   Harry Jarrett, who is not only the group chaplain, but keeps everyone on task.  He is high energy not only in his music , but also in worship;  and last but certainly not least,  Randy Banks, the only native of Rogersville, who adds his own special blend of vocal harmonies and soul as well some foot stomping gospel reminiscent of down home church.  Randy also acts as the sound engineer by making sure tracks are ready and by doing mic and sound checks for the group.
Each member has the ability to sing lead and background vocals.  Devoted continues to improve their sound and to give their best to the One who deserves it most.  It is a labor of love, commitment and often sheer joy. They all agree that their primary goal is to sing for the Lord and to continue to be a blessing wherever they go.
Through many dangers, toils and snares we have already come, but GRACE!!!
For bookings please contact Yvonne Jarrett at 423-863-2724.
 
 
Elevation 1255
 
Elevation 1255 is a classic rock/blues band based in east Tennessee. The group is the brainchild of Bob Dilk (keyboards & vocals) of Morristown. Originally from New Jersey, Bob came to the area with TRW.
Bob first learned to play piano by ear and later learned to read music. He worked his way through college,  picking  up good money playing parties, clubs and weddings up until 1984 when other business interests forced him to curtail the weekend music. Bob says “ I had a wonderful time and learned a lot from some excellent local musicians. Turning 50 I felt the old need to Rock and roll again.”
On his first day at TRW Rogersville. he met guitarist Randy Ball. Randy has spent  many years playing guitar with his daughters in The Ball Sisters Band, having written several songs they recorded.  When Bob invited him to practice one night in October 2012, they found some common ground musically and began working on a diverse playlist.
Steve Schipp also originally came to the area with TRW, where he met Bob and Randy. He grew up near Buffalo, New York and began playing guitar about 10 years ago and later added bass.   He “escaped” from New York in 2012 and joined Elevation 1255 in the fall of  2013.
Drummer Rich Owens joined the group in early 2017. He has played for over 50 years with many groups including Exodus, Johnny Echo, Steel Wheels, Ragtops and Stages. He lives in Nickelsville, Virginia.
Elevation 1255 released their self-titled debut CD in July 2014. Their music is widely available on the internet.
 
The English Family
 
The English Family is a Professional Southern Gospel Trio from the foothills of North East Tennessee, in a quaint town of Rogersville is where they call home.
They have had the privilege of sharing many stages with some of the greatest Southern Gospel Artists of today such as;  The Whisnants, The Primitive Quartet, Jeff and Sherri, The Bowlings, Kim Hopper and Gerald Wolfe just to name a few.
Having traveled from full to part-time ministries over the past 28 years, this Trio is noticed as one of the Best in Southern Gospel music today with nominations for the 2008 SGN Scoops Diamond Awards Finalists in the Sunrise Award catagory.
Charting songs on the top 20 Singing News for 2008 with Keep On Runnin and There Came Mercy.
 
Hayden Garber
 
Hayden Garber is a dynamic singer/songwriter and musician born and raised in the hills of East Tennessee. He performs his original music along with various cover songs with his own flare and style. With an interest in music as early as walking age, and with his band behind him, the 6’4”, fire-starting, emotionally driven entertainer travels all over the region to perform shows for various crowd sizes while working on writing and recording as well. Hayden’s genre would be considered Country, but there is no denying the Rock element with a hint of blues in his music when you attend one if his live shows. With his first single radio single raising the bar on local charts, this young artist is setting fire to today’s entertainment industry.
You can check out his website at www.haydengarber.com along with Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and more.
 
Hope Community Church Worship Band
 
The HCC Worship Band is comprised of talented vocalists & musicians that play every week at our Rogersville, Allandale & Bulls Gap locations leading people in worship.
The members lead in a variety of settings including gatherings in the main auditoriums; 3SXTY (the youth gathering of HCC); Hope Street (the children’s gathering of HCC); & Camp Hope.
It is our honor that we may do something week in and week out that points people toward Jesus, and we hope that through what we do men, women, and children see more of who He really is.
 
Hunter Patterson
 
Hunter Patterson resides in Church Hill, TN. He plays guitar, banjo and bass and sings very well too!
He has a musical family, with a sister that plays fiddle,and an uncle who plays guitar.
Hunter says he is considering barber school when he gets through his regular education. He likes to fish and hunt for recreation.
Hunter admires the Tony Rice unit. His favorite song currently is “Free Born Man”.
He played guitar and sang with “Boots on the Ground,” a hard driving Bluegrass band. Hunter is mostly self-taught musically speaking, with plenty of help along the way.
 
InFaith
 
“It’s not about us, it’s all about HIM”.  InFaith lives by that motto every time they travel and sing.  They pray that it is never about them but about the One whom all blessings flow.
They feel God has put the members of InFaith together and they give him all Praise and Honor for it.
The group is made up of members of Fairfield Baptist Church. Anthony Jones , Mark Morrow , Regina Countess & Lauren Lawler.
Their band consists of Adrian Lawler, Robert Trachsel, Isaac Moody & Jason Conway.
Their desire is to let God work through their music and let it be a blessing to someone and that someone might be Saved.
 
 
Jonah Riddle & Carolina Express
 
Jonah Riddle & Carolina Express was formed by brothers Jonah and Grayson Riddle. Jonah is 18, and Grayson is 13.
Growing up in the mountains of western North Carolina, Jonah has been playing the banjo for 4 and ½ years.
From the first time he picked up the instrument, he fell in love. He started out playing at church three times a week.
Because he enjoys bluegrass and gospel music so much, he decided to start his own band – Jonah Riddle & Carolina Express.
Jonah’s brother, Grayson, plays guitar and does vocals. He has been playing guitar for almost 2 years.
From the time he was only 5 years old, he would pick the guitar at church services.
Jonah and Grayson credit the Lord for their playing and singing talent.
Their dad, Benjie Riddle, plays the upright bass.
 
Rhythm Revue
 
 
The Rhythm Revue is a classic rock, funk, and blues band from the Surgoinsville, TN, area.
A band heavily immersed with the passion and love for all genres of music, and the relentless search to restore balance to music with feeling and expressive color.
From some of the largest crowds and stages in our East Tennessee region, to the smoke-filled highway juke joints and house parties, The Rhythm Revue has played hundreds of events since June of 2014.
While they are not a full-time band, touring the globe, they choose to be a band for the people, and for the musicians of our beautiful area.
Members include Kent Seal from Surgoinsville on Bass and Vocals, Chris Bowman from Surgoinsville on Lead Guitar and Vocals, Eric Williams from Rogersville on Drums, and Rich Hann from Kingsport on Lead Vocals and Guitar
 
Rogersville United Methodist Church
 
Rogersville First United Methodist Church Chancel Choir is dedicated to spreading the Gospel and Love of Jesus Christ through music and song.
We are a volunteer ensemble, welcoming all ages and voices at our weekly rehearsals (Wednesday and Sundays at 7 p.m. in the choir loft of the Sanctuary).
We stay busy learning our music and leading worship each Sunday morning, and we always make time to support our choir members and have some fun along the way!
Most recently, the Chancel Choir has presented Hallelujah (Handel’s Messiah) during both the Easter and Christmas Season; a cappella “Carol of the Bells” (Peter J. Wilhousky Choral Series), a favorite during our annual Hanging of the Green Service; No More Night, an Easter Cantata/Drama; Arise My Love, featuring Benny Wilson; and several funerals of our loved ones.
The choir presented contemporary selections at The Rogersville Family Reunion, an interdenominational celebration hosted by Rogersville First Christian Church, and participated in the Hawkins County Worship Event Mass Choir, held at Cherokee High School and hosted by Hope Community Church.
The choir sings under the direction of Miss Ellen Shuck.
Pastor Paul and the Circuit Riders (also known at RUMC as “The Pickers”) is a bluegrass and gospel group formed by members of the congregation and guest musicians who love nothing better than to praise God with guitars, piano, banjo, and vocal harmonies.
The group takes its name from the early clergy of the Methodist tradition, who traveled on horseback to serve multiple congregations in our area. The group has presented selections at countless morning worship services, revivals, funerals, festivals, benefit concerts, church events, church “singings” and dinners, and even at the Rogersville City Park. Most notably, the group presented “Silent Night” on Good Day Tri-Cities (WKPT-TV) and opened for Carson Peters and Iron Mountain at the Singing on the Lawn hosted by Ebbing and Flowing United Methodist Church. Come on out to RUMC at 11 a.m. on Sunday mornings…. You just might catch The Circuit Riders!
 
Terry Collins
 
National Gospel Recording Artist Terry Collins travels to spread the Gospel through song while following God and His leading. Serving God one song at a time is his ministry’s motto. Uplifting people spiritually and revealing to the lost that God loves them unconditionally are his goals.
He began his solo ministry in March of 2014 after singing eight years with The Gibsons, who had several Top 40 and Top 80 charting songs. In that short time, he has had several charting songs. In July of 2014, “If I Be Lifted Up” was #63 on the charts. “Some Things Never Change” hit #52 on the March 2015 chart and also was on the Southern Gospel Top 40 chart at #23 for the year in 2014. Recently, the song “I Need To Pray” charted at #47 for the month of November. Terry has had a total of five songs in the Singing News Top 80 Chart in the last two years.
Terry has had the privilege of singing each year at the National Southern Gospel & Harvest Celebration at Dollywood since 2011. He has performed at Singing In The Sun in Myrtle Beach, SC and also at the National Quartet Convention. Recently, he was invited to sing at Six Flags over Georgia.
He resides in Sneedville, TN with his wife of over 20 years, Mechelle, and children Jordan and Makayla. Terry has been playing different instruments for most of his life. He enjoys traveling to share the Gospel and seeing many people come to Christ.
 

Civil War Reenactment and Demonstrators Return to Heritage Days

 
Celebrating our heritage has been the main focus for 38 years during the annual Heritage Days festival. Once again, in downtown Rogersville, crafters, food vendors, and entertainers will converge on October 13-15, 2017. In addition to all the activities, there will be a Civil War Reenactment sponsored by TRW and Demonstrators Yard, sponsored by East Tennessee Iron & Metal.
 
The 12th Tennessee Calvary Battalion, B Company, Civil War Demonstration will return to Crockett Spring Park again on Saturday only this year.
The camp will open at 9:00 AM and close at 5:00 PM. The re-enactors will set up camp authentic to the early 1860s.  They will present infantry, calvary and skirmish re-enactments throughout the day as scheduled below.  This you will not want to miss!
 
“The Bluebirds of Battle”
Crockett Spring Park
Saturday Only – October 14th
 
9:00  –  Camp Opens
9:00  –  Weapons Demo
10:00 – Infantry Drill
11:00 – Cavalry Drill
12:00 – Skirmish
1:00 –   Medical Demo
2:00 –   Infantry Drill
3:00 –   Cavalry Drill
4:00 –   Skirmish
4:30 –   Weapons Demo
5:00 –   Camp Closes.
 
Directions:  from South Depot and food Court take Washington Street behind the Hale Springs Inn turn left on S. Rogers Street.  Driving from West Main Street, turn right on South Rogers Street
 
One of the most popular aspects of Heritage Days is the Demonstrators’ Yard, located on the Town Square.  This year, demonstrators will fill the yard in front of Occasions on the Square, the Masonic Lodge and the Courthouse lawn.  Heritage Days attendees can watch and even work with craft artists as they create their handiwork.
 
Basket Weaving with Patsy and Larry Mauk – Over thirty years ago, Ezekiel Davis taught his daughter, Patsy, the traditional craft of basket weaving. Since then, Patsy and her husband, Larry have made countless baskets in a variety of styles. They have demonstrated this traditional craft at numerous festivals in Virginia, North Carolina and Tennessee. Patsy prefers to weave traditional baskets and Larry’s favorite form is the Nantucket Lightship basket.
These natives of Hawkins County have been a part of Heritage Days for more than 25 years. In addition to presenting in our demonstration yard, Patsy teaches beginner and advance basket weaving classes at the Local Artist Gallery in Rogersville.  Patsy truly loves sharing the traditional craft of basket weaving as it was “passed on” to her by her father.
Blacksmith, Jeff Stoltz – Jeff has been an artist metal smith for over 25 years. He works with numerous metals including steel, bronze, cooper and aluminum.
He specializes in forged leaves, vines, birds, and trees. The vast majority of his art is decorative iron works for homes, including stairs, gates, railings and pot racks. He makes custom and reproductions works and sells them all over the USA through www.ornamentalgateworksetc.com.
Visit Jeff in the Demonstrators Yard during Heritage Days. It’s such a treat watching him create special pieces.
Wooden Toys – The late Barry Campbell (the oldest) and Bruce Campbell (the other twin) (B&B) loved making old fashion wooden toys, the kind they use to play with when they were younguns. B&B started out when they were about 10 years old making plaster of Paris ashtrays and using seashells from the beach then selling them. They even made and sold potholders and other projects.
When they got older they made toys for their children and now, following Bruce’s passing earlier this year, Barry continues to make toys and such for children and adults today.
B&B wanted children to have toys made in the USA, of wood and not plastic and that enabled children to use their imagination.
Barry makes many kinds of toys. To name a few there are the marionette puppets (ducks, dinos, dragons, elephants), spinners, tops (rustic and finished), magic wallets, acrobats, banks, bubble gum machines, and many more.
Several of the items he makes are made from hardwoods like oak, walnut, and cherry. He also does custom projects, high end Litho panes and the game center piece for domino’s Mexican train game and many other projects..
The young and the young-at-heart enjoy the toys from firing the marshmallow catapult to trying to figure out how a gee-haw whimmy diddle works. Bruce made his first Whimmy diddle in 1963.
The company is officially called Toyables, so make sure to check out the web site ‘toyables.com’ often.
Embroiders Guild of America – The Embroiders’ Guild promotes any work done with needle and thread.  It may be work done on fabric, paper, canvas or plastic using a huge variety of fibers made from cotton, silk, wool, or synthetics.  Cross stitch is a favorite technique of many but there are many variations.  Canvas work and samplers with lots of specialty stitches add a whole new area of interest to the art.  Stump work results in 3 dimensional elements and pulled thread creates interesting holes in the work.  Drawn thread involves removal of threads to create open areas decorated in specialty stitches.
Stitchers who participate will be working on a variety of projects to show what can be done with needle and thread.  They will have some small kits available and are eager to teach anyone who is interested in learning to stitch the pieces.  One will be cross stitch and the other is a darning pattern bookmark.  The Guild’s goal is to foster interest in needlework.  Anyone with a love of the art is invited to join EGA and meet with the Morristown Interest Group who does a variety of needlework techniques or meet with any of the other Knoxville Chapter groups, some of who devote their time to a single type of work such as canvas, freestyle, beading or other special interest.
For information, contact member Elizabeth Smith, at smithe@charter.net.
Turkey Calls – Tommy Hepler will present his beautifully made and fascinating wooden turkey calls.  In 1992, Tommy began making his wild turkey calls as a hobby.   His Turkey Calls are numbered and personalized with the owners name, signed and dated.  Tommy maintains a record of each turkey call he designs.  His Turkey Calls have reached every state except Alaska and Hawaii.  No turkey is safe when hunters venture out with Tommy’s call.  Stop by and visit with Tommy, you will have no problem finding his booth; just listen for the turkey gobble!
The State of Franklin Chapter, SAR – The Sons of the American Revolution is the leading male lineage society that perpetuates the ideals of the war for independence. As a historical, educational, and patriotic, non-profit organization, they seek to maintain and expand the meaning of patriotism, respect for our national symbols and the value of American citizenship.
The State of Franklin chapter was granted a charter from the Tennessee Society of the Sons of the American Revolution 23 July 2011. They are always looking for individuals who would like to find out about their Revolutionary War ancestors and are interested in preserving the memory and actions of those who preceded them and created the United States of America.  You can find out more information about the State of Franklin chapter and how to become a member at their web site www.sofsar.com.  Please feel free to contact them.
Apple Butter Stir – Tony Mowdy, a native of Rogersville, will cook apple butter just like his grandmother, Della Fain made.  Gather around the kettle, smell the aroma of apples and spices as Tony demonstrates the tradition of the old fashion apple butter stir handed down through three generations.
Long Hunter Camp Storyteller (mid 1700s) – Gerald Mustin has been a storyteller for 10 years, with the last 5 years focusing on the Long Hunter Camp. He will tell stories and have on display items that a long hunter would take with him to deer hunt for their skins. Those items include rifle, knives, ax, rope, compass, cooking pots, bed roll, fire making kits, sewing kits, hunting bag, water canteen and powder horn. Come visit Gerald to see him bring the past back to life. Children will love him.
The Hawkins County Master Gardener Association – Established in 2015, the purpose of the group is to serve the community by providing sound, practical, research-based information in the area of residential and consumer horticulture.
They share a love of gardening and a passion for serving their community. Tennessee Extension Master Gardeners are volunteers who perform a variety of tasks including answering horticultural questions from the public, establishing and maintaining demonstration gardens, establishing and maintaining public gardens, educating and training the youth to be Junior Master Gardeners, running plant clinics, and supporting Master Gardener training programs. In Hawkins County, the volunteers participate in a variety of gardening and educational projects.
Last year, they assumed the responsibility for the care and maintenance of the flower gardens at Price Public Community Center.  They also maintain a small flower garden behind the University of Tennessee/Tennessee State University Extension Office.  They started a Junior Master Gardener Program at Rogersville City School.
This spring they planted a demonstration garden on East Main Street with nine raised beds and two field plots. The vegetables produced in the raised beds were donated to the Shepherd’s Center to feed disadvantaged members of the community.
To date, they have donated over 436 pounds of fresh produce! In one of the field plots, they raised several varieties of grafted tomatoes provided by the University of Tennessee as part of a field study. They also raised corn, pole beans and bush beans that were sold to local restaurants and families to raise money to support their new organization.  In the fall, they will be assisting with the next Master Gardener Course at the extension office.
For 2017, they are planning a spring plant sale and fruit tree grafting clinic that will be open to the public. They plan to expand the demonstration garden area to include more raised beds, several varieties of fruit and increase the size of the field plots. They will also assist with selecting and planting trees, shrubs and flowers for the planned park area on Main Street.  For Heritage Days, they would like to demonstrate how to propagate plants through stem cuttings. Taking cuttings from existing plants provides the opportunity to cheaply, effectively and quickly expand the landscape. This method allows homeowners to propagate plants that are already known to be successful in their landscape. Plants started from cuttings, reach maturity more quickly than if raised from seeds. Participants will be able to choose a cutting that suits their landscape, learn how to propagate it, take it home, plant it and enjoy!
 
Heritage Beekeepers Club of Hawkins County – meets the 2nd Thursday night of every month at Sheperd’s Center in downtown Rogersville at 6:00 pm.
If you are interested in honeybees or Beekeeping, please come and join us.
Our club’s mission is to educate and teach the community about honeybees and share our love for this tiny little insect.
We are a new club, only one year old but, we are growing fast, due to the interest of honeybees.
Without the honeybee our food supply would diminish, so we all must do what we can to save this little creature, by planting wildflowers and bee friendly plants, but most of all refrain from using harmful insecticides as much as possible.