All Occasion Flowers & Gifts - Grand Reopening

Celebrate the Grand Reopening of
All Occasion Flowers & Gifts

Go by and visit

White County Museums - Open House - in Celebration of Christmas In Our Town 2014

The White County Museums will be open with free admission on Christmas In Our Town - Dec. 6, 2014

Christmas In Our Town - YOU could win an I-pad or other Great Prizes

Okay, here is the deal.

We want to encourage you to Shop Sparta and White County First. Discover some of the great stores we have here - and be eligible for prizes.

1. Pick up an Entry Form (at the Chamber office, at Participating Merchants  (listed here), or you can even print it at home from here)

2. Visit all these great stores and have your entry form validated. (a fabulous opportunity to finish all the Christmas shopping)

3. Turn in your completed entry form at Sparta Office Supply before 3 p.m. Sat. Dec. 6, 2014.

4. Come to Sparta on Saturday (see list of events here) Prize drawings will begin at 3:15 p.m., at Oldham Theater.

Schedule of Events Happening on Saturday
List of Participating Merchants
List of Sponsoring Merchants

You MUST be 18 to enter. You MUST be present to win.

Christmas In Our Town - Sponsoring Partners

We want to send out a great big THANK YOU to the awesome sponsoring partners for Christmas In Our Town

Presented by the Sparta - White County Chamber of Commerce 

and Shop Sparta and White County First 

The City of Sparta, White County, The YMCA, Southern Treasures, Potter’s Ace Hardware, Fragrant Mushroom, Sparta Expositor, Sparta TV & Appliances, Golden Glo, The Berry Basket, Comp U Geeks, Brady Printing, Broadway Hardware, White County Farmers Co-op, Casa Luna Italian Restaurant, Subway Restaurant, McDonald’s, Hardee’s, KFC, Jim Brown’s Auto Parts, A Cut Above Flowers & Gifts, Burger King, Sparta Flowers & Gifts, 24 Fit, Classy Auto Care, Domino’s, Morgan Furniture, FireFly Acres, Walmart; Panda Garden, Pizza Hut; All Occasions Flowers & Gifts; Robert Verble/First National Bank; Floyd’s Hometown Foods; Save-A-Lot; Payless Family Pharmacy; Sonic Restaurant; Bank of White County;

Christmas In Our Town - Schedule of Events on Dec. 6, 2014

Christmas In Our Town

SCHEDULE of FESTIVAL

December 6, 2014

Music and Entertainment at Oldham Theater
with Ruth & Edward Baker
10 a.m. - 3 p.m.
FEATURING
• 10 a.m. - Gene Hodge, 
Elvis Tribute Artist
• 10:30 a.m. - Milford Cash, Sandy
Witt, Eugene Phillips,
  Ken Daniels, & Jeremy Phillips
• 11 a.m. - Bill Woolridge
• 11:30 a.m. - Country Classic Band
• 12 noon - Woody and Becky Holder
• 1 p.m. - Justin Demps
• 2 p.m. - Joe Akridge, Polly Taylors,
Jean Campbell, Louise 
Shockley, Jean Gambrell, 
Sandy Witt, Wayne Cannon

But wait . . . there is More!!!!

•  10 am-5 pm - Craft Fair @American Legion Bldg

•  10:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. - Coloring Contest 

sponsored by Woodmen of the World

•  10 a.m. - 3 p.m. - Handmade with Love 

Craft Fair - raising dollars for charity

at Simply Southern Quilts & Gifts

•   11 a.m. - Puppet Show / Storytime at 

White County Public Library with Santa

•   2 p.m. - Pictures with Santa at Oldham

•   3:15 p.m. - Prize Drawings at Oldham

•  4:45p.m. - Woodmen of the World 

Family Movie Night  at the Sparta Civic Center

Cartoons at 4:45 p.m. - Christmas Movie at 5pm 

List of Christmas In Our Town 2014 - Participating Merchants

List of Christmas In Our Town 2014 - Participating Merchants

A Cut Above Flowers & Gifts
Antiques of Sparta Mall
April's Hair, Nails & Jewelery
The Berry Basket
Betty's Beauty Shop & Antiques
Big J Jewelry
Brady Printing
The Clock Shop
DTC Wireless
Factory Connection
Fragrant Mushroom
Golden Glo
The Local Lofts
Miss Marenda's Tea Room and Antiques
The Masters' Brew
Jim Brown's Napa Auto Parts
Pluto's Hot Dogs
Potter's Ace Hardware
Savage Building Supply
Shaffield's Furniture
Simply Southern Quilt and Gifts
Sparta Office Supply
Sparta TV and Appliance
White County Farmer's Co-op

A Cut Above Flowers and Gifts - Celebrates Grand Opening

A Cut Above Flowers & Gifts Celebrates their Grand Opening on Nov. 15

Located beside Yanni's Grill, and behind the bank - A Cut Above offers beautiful, high quality floral arrangements, candles, and other gifts for all your needs. Customer Service is number one.

Veterans Day Parade and Rotary Veterans Park Dedication - Nov. 8, 2014

What a great day to remember and honor those who have served and sacrificed for all, our amazing Veterans.

Click Here to view a SlideShow of more photos from the event

(It will take me a few days to get the video edited - enjoy the photos)

Shop Sparta and White County First

Shop Sparta and White County First

Watch for new promotions in 2015 . . . .

Lt. Gov. Ron Ramsey Visits Sparta

Senator Paul Bailey, City of Sparta Mayor Jeff Young, and White County Executive Denny Wayne Robinson hosted a meet and greet with Tennessee Lt. Governor Ron Ramsey at the Sparta Civic Center. Thanks to all those who attended.

Click Here to View the Slideshow of More Photos

2014 Halfway Dinner with the Family

Family. Fun. Food. Festivities. Fabulous. and Fancy.

Ha - love you guys. Here is a link to the slideshow of photos

My Boys . . . I Love Them So!

2014 Sparta Soups and Sirens

SPARTA SOUPS AND SIRENS - OCT. 18, 2014

Salute to our fabulous Volunteers, with Fire Departments, Rescue Squad, Emergency Services, White County Anti Drug Coalition, and other great community leaders and volunteers, who together make the team that make Sparta and White County the greatest place in the world.

Click Here for More Photos from Sparta Soups and Sirens 2014

Groucho with O

Yep - he thinks he has a silly grandmama, I think I have a silly grandson!

Celebrate the Grand Opening of Lola Belle

We held a Chamber of Commerce Ribbon Cutting Celebration for

Lola Belle

Check them out on AirBnB Lola Belle listing

See More Photos Here

Celebrate the 'Dream Team' and Rachel Gregory Ribbon Cutting

The Dream Team with Crye Leike, Rachel Gregory celebrated in Sparta with a Chamber Red Ribbon Ceremony Sept. 26, 2014

First Families of White County - Ceremony Recognizes more than 125 families

First Families of White County
Sparta, White County, Tennessee celebrates history and heritage of the First Settlers with a First Family Certification Program with more than 125 recognized at the Sept. 2014 Ceremony

Click Here for a Slideshow of More Photos

Highlands Region gets boost with Academy Sports & Outdoors announcement

Governor Haslam, Commissioner Hagerty Announce Academy Sports + Outdoors to Create 700 New Jobs in Cookeville

NASHVILLE – Tennessee Gov. Bill Haslam and Economic and Community Development Commissioner Bill Hagerty along with Academy Sports + Outdoors officials announced today the company will build a new 1.6 million square foot distribution center on more than 200 acres in Cookeville to support continued company growth. The premier sports, outdoors and lifestyle retailer will invest $100 million and create approximately 700 new jobs in Putnam County over the next five years.

“I want to thank Academy Sports + Outdoors for its investment in Tennessee and the hundreds of new

Let YOUR Voice be heard . . . .

Let YOUR voice be heard . . .

TENNESSEE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION ASKING FOR INPUT FOR 25-YEAR TRANSPORTATION PLAN

SPARTA, Tenn. –   Your help is needed. The Sparta – White County Chamber of Commerce has partnered with Tennessee Department of Transportation (TDOT) to bring a public survey forum to White County in an effort to gather data for the Tennessee Long-Range Transportation Plan.

The event will be held at 8:30 a.m., Friday, August 15, 2014, in the third floor courtroom at the White County Courthouse, 1 E. Bockman Way.

Retire To Sparta TN -

Retire To Sparta - White County Tennessee

Thanks to Ed and Mary Baldwin -

This is Sparta TN, White County "A Great Place to Live"

I can make Chocolate Waffles (and if I can, so can you - and they are amazing!!!)

Chocolate Waffles - (or choose your favorite flavor)
If you have a Belgian Waffle maker, simply buy whatever cake mix flavor you desire, mix as directed and pour into the waffle maker. Follow directions for making waffle.

Summer fun - don't heat up the house - and you can have your cake!

They are beautiful and tasty.

We had chocolate ones, topped with whipped cream and fresh raspberries. Yum

Leadership White County 2014 - County Government Day

Following a morning of sessions with White County officials, we enjoyed a great lunch with Caney Fork Electric Cooperative at their Customer Appreciation Day, toured the Upper Cumberland Regional Industrial Park and the Upper Cumberland Regional Airport.

We met up with a few celebrities during our tours . . . Caney Fork Lightening and Aaron Tippin.

Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus Peony

2014 Sparta Sock Hop & Cruise In

Great day for the 2014 Sparta Sock Hop and Cruise In

https://www.flickr.com/photos/spartatennesseechamber/sets/72157644309150500

Click on the photo to view slideshow from event

2014 Relay For Life Sparta White County Tennessee

This Is Sparta Tennessee!

Here is the slide show for 2014 

2014 Relay For Life slideshow

Bus carrying White County students goes up in flames - WKRN News 2

Thankful for the quick action, caring and intelligent staff and teachers in the White County School system.





Bus carrying White County students goes up in flames - WKRN News 2

1 Timothy 1:15 - Iris

"The aim of our charge is love that issues from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith." ~ 1 Timothy 1:5

2014 Leadership White County - City Day

2014 Leadership White County - City Day

Click on photo to see more pictures from the day

History Tour

Fifth Grade students across White County were submerged in local history in the Spring 2014. They toured museums, learned more about notable natives, discovered the history and heritage of Sparta and White County.

I was honored to be asked to help with this event and spoke to the students about five interesting people throughout White County history from John White, one of White County's first settlers, to Gen. George Dibrell, Confederate General and TN Statesman, to Earl Webb, who still holds the MLB record for most doubles in a season, to Annelle Hickey, the first female sheriff elected in White County (and Tennessee!) to Kelly Jolly, basketball great .

Jody Patrick Sliger, timeline of White County History with five of the county's most interesting people through the years.

White County GFWC Annual Essay Contest - 2014

"The Most Interesting Person in White County"

The Sparta - White County GFWC - Greater Federation of Women's Clubs recently hosted their third annual Essay Contest.

Sparta White County GFWC Essay Contest 2014

Students at White County Middle School and White County High School were challenged to participate in the contest and write an essay about the "Most Interesting Person in White County" - the criteria was slightly different for WCMS - WCHS, including varying number of words required.

Hoyte Jones, Sparta City Alderman, Joe Casey, former educator, and Jody Sliger, Chamber of Commerce, acted as judges for the contest.

GFWC President Sherry Hickey, coordinated the event held at the WC Middle School, where the winning students read their entries and were presented their monetary awards. The audience also was able to participate in a trivia contest for prizes.

Some of the people chosen as essay subjects were:
George Dibbrell
Benny Martin
Kellie Jolley
Roy Whited
Lester Flatt
and several more (if I remember some of them, I'll update the post)


Middle School
First Place - Journee Christian Faith Clouse
Second Place - Cameron Clouse
Third Place - Megan Henry

High School
First Place - Casey Sain
Second Place - Elizabeth Fisher
Third Place - Savannah Dodson

Congratulations to these participants

DeKalb County Celebrates Tourism -

Thanks to Suzanne Williams, DeKalb County Chamber of Commerce, for a fabulous meeting and a great speaker, Tennessee Commissioner of Tourist Development Susan Whitaker.

Always a blast hanging out with these Tennessee professionals.

Leadership 2014 - Education Day

Thanks to all our fabulous speakers at Leadership White County Education Day 2014

This is the 20th class to participate in Leadership White County. More than 200 community and business leaders have completed the requirements for graduation in the past 20 years.

The program is sponsored and coordinated by the Sparta - White County Chamber of Commerce.

Quilts on Barns blogspot

I was asked to share the Barn Quilt blog - enjoy. We are currently updating the brochure to be released later this spring. We are also coordinating the Quilt Block tours for 2014 - looking forward to

http://quiltsonbarns.blogspot.com/

Leadership White County 2014 - State Day

I will write more details later, but wanted you to see the photos from the day. Here is a link to the flickr set

You should be able to download the photos - if not, and you want to, just let me know.  Thanks Jody

Chamber Red Ribbon Ceremony for New Barn Furniture and The Local Lofts

Join us in welcoming New Barn Furniture and The Local Lofts - at 10 a.m., Sat., March 22, 2014 with a Chamber Red Ribbon Ceremony.

Local Lofts - More Photos

Sparta - White County Barn Quilt

Love, love, love the newest installed Sparta - White County Barn Quilt - we are currently working on updating the brochure.

Drop by the Stitch and Share Quilt Show, May 2-3, at the White County Agricultural Complex and pick up the newest brochure

Swarm of redbirds strip my holly tree

I used to wait for the Cedar Waxwings to gorge themselves each year  on my beautiful holly trees, for the past couple of years - the redbirds have gotten there first. They are pretty too, just not as pretty as the Cedar Waxwings . . .

2014 Governors Volunteer Star Award - White County Recipients

Salute to two fabulous women in White County TN were selected to receive the TN Governors Star Award in 2014.

Congratulations!

Wynette Maynard ~ 

Jacqueline Bumbalough

L-R: Wynette Maynard, Jacqueline Bumbalough, and Jody Sliger

Governor's Volunteer Star Awards

Two special people from White County were awarded the Governor's Volunteer Star Awards earlier this month in Franklin, TN.

I'll post more information soon - but wanted you to know. If you see Jacquline or Wynette, please thank them for their service.