Tennessee Homeschool News

Would you like your child to learn to play an instrument, develop teamwork skills, or be in a great band program? Visit: www.forteschool.org to learn more about Forte School of Music. Orientations: August 31st or Sept. 2nd.

Home School Fitness at the Brentwood YMCA for ages 5 - 12.

• First hour includes skills, rules, and fundamentals of various sports. Exclusive use of sports wall & youth fitness center.
• Second hour includes "aqua hour" learning basic strokes, swimming laps, & playing skill games.
• Bring swimsuit, towel, gym shoes & water bottle.
• Fitness program follows Williamson County Schools break schedule.

Sessions begin Sept. 8th. Register at the Welcome Center.

Schedule: Monday and/or Wednesday and/or Friday, 1:00 to 3:00 p.m.
Monthly Fees: One-day week: $35 facility members/$70 program members*
Two-day week: $65 facility members, $130 program members*
Three-day week: $100 facility members/$200 program members*
* New program members must pay $45 annual fee.

For more information, contact Janie Birdwell at jbirdwell[at]ymcamidtn.org or (615) 373-9622.

You are invited to attend the Encouragement for the Homeschool Family Conference by the Steve and Teri Maxwell Family in Huntsville, Alabama, September 23rd, 7:00 - 9:30 p.m. (New Life Baptist Church, 7640 Wall Triana Highway, Harvest, AL 35749-9737 -- only about 1 hour and 45 minutes from Nashville). Steve and Teri have been homeschooling since 1985. The whole family will be sharing in this practical conference, which includes sessions for adults, children, and young people. For more information visit their website at: www.titus2.com/conferences/Locations/huntsville-al-10/

6 Week Fall Instructional Clinic & Leagues
Beginners, intermediate, advanced boys and girls, 3d – 7th and 8th – 12th grades

A-Game (indoor)
Fridays, Sept. 17 – Oct. 22
12:00 - 2:00 p.m. - $85 (a $35 discount from regular price)
215 Gothic Court, Franklin, TN, 37067
To register, contact Coach Green at CSGreen320[at]aol.com or 615-247-8215

Hilldale Family Life Center (indoor)
Fridays, Aug. 20 - Sept. 24
4:30 - 6:30 p.m. - $75 (a $45 discount from regular price)
250 Old Farmers Road, Clarksville, TN, 37043
To register, contact Vivian at vclements[at]hilldale.org or 931-368-0205

RSVP Coach Green csgreen320[at]aol.com 615-247-8215 to reserve your spot. Reservation is secure when registration form/medical release and payment have been received.

Here's some local events in September that you might find interesting...

Thru September 4
Tennessee Walking Horse National Celebration - Shelbyville
Join the fun at the premier event, during which the breed's World Grand Champion and some 20 World Champions are named.

Thru September 12
Shakespeare in the Park: Love's Labor Lost - Centennial Park, Nashville
The Nashville Shakespeare Festival presents an enchanting evening of theater under the stars! A romantic comedy that'll delight all ages with animated characters, clownish antics, and romance in the pursuit of love!

Thru September 12
"Presence or Absence" - Frist Center for the Visual Arts, Nashville
Come see this exhibit featuring 13 landscape photographs, along with camera obscura urban images, of Tokhiro Sato, one of Japan's most acclaimed and best-known contemporary artists.

Thru October 30
Bicycle Tour of Stones River National Battlefield - Murfreesboro
Take an hour-long ride through the battlefield and along the Stones River Greenway. The group stops to discuss some of the key actions of the Battle of Stones River.

September 2-4
Summertown Bluegrass Reunion - Summertown
Event features live music, dancing, crafts, instrument vendors, contests, and great food.

September 8-11
Americana Music Festival & Conference - Nashville
This event brings together legendary artists and the next generation of rising stars, music and education, and much more.

September 10-11
Riverfest - Clarksville
This family-oriented event features music, food, children's activities, arts & crafts, boat races, and a lighted boat parade.

September 18
Old Timer's Day - La Vergne
Come and enjoy a country ham breakfast, parade, music, fireworks, children and senior zones, and the senior citizens will offer traditional favorites.

September 24-25
Southern Fried Festival - Columbia
Come and enjoy great food, crafts, and entertainment. Event includes scarecrow-decorating contest, children's costume parade, cook-off challenge, and more.

Grassmere Historic Farm
Saturday and Sunday, September 25 and 26
10:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. Saturday
1:00 - 5:00 p.m. Sunday

Special Harvest Days Celebration
for School Groups and Home School Groups
Friday, September 24
9:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.

This year Harvest Days closes our summer long celebration of the Croft Home's Bicentennial. Built in 1810, the home is the second oldest historic residence in Davidson County open for public tours. We welcome you to commemorate this occasion with us during the weekend of Harvest Days as we reflect on the history of the Croft family and home – long before giraffes and elephants roamed the backyard!

Visit the Nashville Zoo website for more information.

Dates: Sept 17, 18, 19, 24, 25, and 26
Times: 7:30 PM on Fridays/Saturdays and 4:30 PM on Sundays

The hills of Middle Tennessee will come alive this fall when Lamplighter's Theatre Company opens its season with one of the most beloved musicals of all time, The Sound of Music. Based on the memoirs of Maria Von Trapp, this Rodgers and Hammerstein musical may be most familiar to audiences due to the Academy Award winning, 1965 film version that starred Julie Andrews and Christopher Plummer. But the musical actually debuted on Broadway in 1959 where it ran for more than 1,400 performances and earned multiple Tony Awards including one for Mary Martin, who created the role of Maria.

Veteran Middle Tennessee-based director, Margaret Meek helms the production which is bursting with the kind of talent audiences have come to expect from Lamplighter's Theatre Company musicals. Arwen Jones, who stole a multitude of hearts as Miss Adelaide in Lamplighter's 2007 production of Guys & Dolls assumes the pivotal role of Maria, opposite David Teague as Captain Von Trapp.

Lamplighter's Theatre is located on the campus of Springhouse Worship and Arts Center formerly known as Smyrna Assembly at 14119 Old Nashville Highway, Smyrna, TN. Tickets are available at www.ticketsnashville.com or e-mail tickets[at]lamplighterstheatre.net . For more information contact Lamplighters Theatre Company at (615) 852-8499(TIXX), or visit us online at www.Lamplighterstheatre.net.

Aaron Academy is holding an Italian Feast and Silent Auction on September 30th. Doors open at 5:00, dinner will be served at 6:30. Tickets are $5 and seats are limited.

Items being auctioned include Peyton Manning autographed mini-helmet, Chris Johnson autographed full-size helmet, Alex Rodriguez autographed baseball, celebrity items, restaurant certificates, themed baskets, plus much more.

Aaron Academy is a Christian private school located in Hendersonville serving home schooled students with a full range of sports programs including: football, basketball, baseball, softball, volleyball, soccer, golf, and cheerleading.

For tickets contact Sheila Harper at Aaron Academy - 615-826-2595 or sheila[at]aaronacademy.com

The MATHCOUNTS Competition (www.mathcounts.org) is a national middle school coaching and competitive mathematics program that promotes mathematics achievement through a series of fun and engaging "bee" style contests.  Team members compete in a local competition in February with the opportunity to qualify for the state and national competitions. The Murfreesboro Home School Team will begin meeting on Fridays from 12:45 - 2:15 at Grace Lutheran Church in Murfreesboro. Participants normally meet one afternoon per week for 1.5 hours from September until the competition. This is an enriching activity for children who like math and might be interested in a math related career in the future to sharpen their math skills in a fun environment with other MATHLETES.

For more information about Murfreesboro Homeschool Mathcounts please e-mail Trishel Johnson at tkj_etal[at]bellsouth.net or call 615-944-1221.

Homeschool Days for "Surviving Behind the Lines: Civil War Medicine in Middle Tennessee" Exhibit

Fridays September 10 & October 1, 10:30 a.m.

The hour-long program includes an in-depth guided tour of the exhibit, role-playing component, and optional craft. The program addresses science, math, social studies, and health education student performance indicators for 5th and 8th grades, but all ages are welcome. Students and teachers are admitted free. Optional $2 per child craft fee. Reservations required.

Contact Rob DeHart at programspecialist[at]clementrailroadmuseum.org or 615-446-0500 for information and to make reservations. Teacher's guide available at www.clementrailroadmuseum.org/programs.html.

Clement Railroad Hotel Museum
100 Frank Clement Place
Dickson, TN 37055
615-446-0500

Here's some happenings for October...

October 1-2
Oktoberfest - Clarksville
Event includes German food, live bands, woodchoppers, dancers, and festival rides.

October 2
Celebration of Cultures - Centennial Park, Nashville
Bring your family on a trip around the world! The 14th annual festival brings people of all backgrounds together to celebrate the cultural diversity of Middle Tennessee. Event showcases the traditions, art, and dance of dozens of cultures. Features food and handcrafted and imported items from around the world, plus a play area for children.

October 2
Spring Hill Ham Festival - Spring Hill
Features great food, arts & crafts, live music, country ham competition, hog calling competition, and fireworks.

October 2-3
Fortress Rosecrans Encampment - Murfreesboro
Tour the remnants of one of the largest earthen fortifications built during the Civil War and learn how Fortress Rosecrans served as a supply depot for the Union army.

October 8-9
Grand Ole Opry 85th Birthday Bash - Nashville
The weekend features Opry Birthday Shows and a Opry Plaza Birthday Party.

October 15-17
29th Annual Fall Festival & Tennessee State Pow Wow - Long Hunter State Park, Nashville
Traditional Native American food, games, and drum contests.

October 23
"A Walk in the Past" with Civil War Characters - Court Square, McMinnville
Dress up in your vintage clothing and enjoy the historic downtown. 931-506-5335

October 23-24
Mount Pleasant Scarecrow Festival - Downtown Mount Pleasant
Join the fun at the 3rd annual celebration of this festival. Event includes a 100-mile bicycle race, a 5K race, arts & crafts, games for the kids, and more.

October 30
Trail of Tears Re-enactment - Fayetteville
Walk with Shattuck and friends, beginning on Adams Street and proceeding to the Courthouse Square.

October 30
Pumpkinfest - Historic Downtown Franklin
Pumpkins, costume contest, arts & crafts, and chili cook-off.