Dickson Community

Progressive Farmers of Dickson County are sponsoring a Farmers Safety Day for kids ages 7-16 at the Dickson County Saddle And Bridle Club at Grab Creek  Park on  W. Grab Creek Road in Dickson. The event will be on Saturday August 15th from 8:00 to 2:00 ,  for the cost of $5.00 per child. Parents are invited to attend with their children , there will be no charge for parents accompanying a child. The children will receive a “goodie” bag as well as a T-shirt. Registration is required to assure that a  bag and shirt will be available for each child.  Lunch will be provided.

There will be demonstrations and instruction for children to educate them in safety issues for their benefit as well as the benefit of others around them

Some of the topics and demonstrations will be: Lawnmower safety, Gun safety, Tractor and P.T.A.  safety, the Hwy Patrol will demonstrate Seat belt safety, and there will be a demonstration by the Fire Dept on fire safety.

Bring your children for this event and make Dickson County a safer community!

Please contact Kenny Gibbs of the Dickson Livestock Associationt for more information and to register  at 441-1518.  Registration will continue through July 31st.

Side-line experts, we often complain when local politics and programs seem to run amuck. We may mutter at a news story or speak aloud our opposition to a news article, but if someone were to knock on our door and ASK our opinion about how to solve a problem or improve a situation- from the Dept of Education to Social Services, or Judicial to Health Care- could we form a functional opinion? As we sputter out a “well, um, I would, um…”, on the spot, our view may be personal, but would it be informed?

Have you ever wanted to be one of the people on the other end of a news article, giving the solution to a community problem rather than feeling inspired but unheard? Counties, such as Dickson, are always looking for enthusiastic leaders in government and civic organizations. But how do you get involved? Where do you go to learn how various entities operate? Or what if you just want to know more about Dickson County?

Leadership Dickson County is a program offered by the Dickson County Chamber of Commerce, that offers answers and instruction, for inquiring minds, on the issues and operation of Dickson County.

Candidates for the program are selected through an application process, and although the program is tuition based, participants are often sponsored by their employer or local business to participate (there are a few scholarships available).

This is not high school Civics class revisited, this is instruction, activities and events for a total emersion experience of the history and daily operation of our county. Sean Stewart, a graduate of LDC, shared that “Being a part of Leadership Dickson County was a great experience and something I’m really proud I did. By the end of each day I was always really impressed with what I learned and experienced. Leadership Dickson County gives you the opportunity to learn how Dickson runs day to day and meet those who keep it going.”

The ’09-’10 session begins in September, meeting on the 2nd and 12th for activities including personality assessments, skills games, leadership training and a low ropes course. The remainder of the program requires a commitment for one day a month for 8 months with 8 different one day sessions planned . A topic of community interest or issues will be the subject of each session and may include: education, government, health care, social services, history, judicial, skills development, and team projects. There are various field trips, including but not limited to, the County Courthouse as well as the Capital in Nashville and each session is taught or lead by someone in local leadership and may even be LDC alumni. The LDC program concludes in May with a closing session on the 13th and graduation ceremony on the 20th .

David Cole, a local Police Officer and graduate of LDC, confessed that living in Dickson since he was 13 he thought he knew everything there was to know about this county but that LDC “opened his eyes to the inner working of the county.” What really surprised him was learning about tourism in Dickson County. He thought that was going to be the most boring day, but to his surprise it was the most interesting. David ” would highly recommend to anyone in leadership to participate in this community awareness program!”

Become an informed citizen of Dickson County and make a difference in our future.

The application deadline is tentatively July 31st, 2009.
For more information and to download an application: http://www.dicksoncountychamber.com , click on “About the Chamber” and then “Leadership Dickson County”. Or call Pat Reynolds, Director of LDC, 446-2349

Friday Night Downtown Lights brings live music, classic movies, late night dining, shopping & sidewalk sales to historic Main street in Dickson. Business owners recently came together with a plan to rejuvenate Main street bringing more interest and more fun to downtown Dickson. The result, wholesome family fun every Friday this summer.

Ken Moore of The Bears Den, Mandy Thompson of Main Street Marketplace and Larry & Diane Fiser of Spunky Monkey are among the many business owners sponsoring Friday Night Downtown Lights. These businesses provide fun for all ages, late night shopping, and a relaxing end to the busy work week for customers. As you visit each shop this Friday, show the business owners your appreciation.

Several business owners agree Friday Night Downtown Lights brings a sense of renewed spirit to historic downtown Dickson. As I strolled around Main street speaking with business owners as well as people in the crowd, I asked for feedback from both groups. I was told by a few new faces that there was more expected. More shops opened late and more entertainment. I reassured them as the news got out other business owners might be open to keeping late hours on Fridays. I was told by the participating business owners a project of this size takes time and cooperation, most of all it takes people working together.

Image by Randy Blaylock

Driving down Main Street in downtown Dickson I was thrilled to see the sidewalks crowded with so much foot traffic. There were young couples with one hand on the stroller while the other held iced- coffee, older couples holding hands and teens enjoying ice cream heading toward Holland Park. It was Friday night in Dickson and the musicians had already started to entertain the crowd in the park. And I do mean crowd! Some folks were sprawled out on blankets while their children danced and twirled and some had the fore thought to bring nice folding chairs-it was obvious some of these folks had done this before.

The first Friday night Jammin-n- June of the season was Song Writers Night featuring Jamie Teachenor, Blaine Larson, Kevin Denny and Jay Knowles. These gentlemen have written songs for each other and other famous artists and their delivery and vocal talents at this concert in the park were quite enjoyable.

The music was delightfully country with lyrics reciting the joy of southern living, the merits of sweet tea and country ham as well as the trouble with Sunday mornings after Saturday nights. It was fitting that the concert had to take a short break as the train blew through town just before “I’m that Country” was sung. I believe it was Jamie’s 4 year old son that strolled up on stage to sit on his dad’s lap to lend his voice and accompany him on a song. The youngster also gave his “Elvis” impression to the delight of the crowd.

I saw a flyer on a park bench on Main Street declaring Friday Night Lights in Downtown Dickson with later shopping hours and the promise of outdoor movies. I spoke with Cathy Colson who is the president of the Downtown Dickson Business Association who said they were looking for classic movies to show outdoors by the Red Cap building at about dark or dark 30.

The family atmosphere of the event didn’t deter the teens and the older set didn’t seem to mind the kids darting through the “audience”, and although I was happy to bump into old friends, I didn’t feel the least bit uncomfortable arriving at the concert alone. It appeared that a good time was had by all; I know I enjoyed the concert in the park and have every intention of attending other Friday nights Jammin-n-June. Ya’ll come!

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There were plenty of picking parties and playing at the 4th annual Americana Folk Festival (AFF) on November 1, 2008. People brought their dogs, blankets, and a pure passion for roots music. New relationships were formed, old ones rekindled, and most of all, we took a breather to honor the healing power of music and nature. It was a beautiful weekend, and the AFF would like to thank everyone in the Dickson community who supported the event by helping and/or attending.

We applaud the amazing lineup of musicians:

The Alison Brown Quartet Casey Driessen Jars of Clay The Silver Seas Blue Mother Tupelo Derek Webb Sandra McCracken Madi Diaz Gretchen Peters The Old Ceremony Julie Lee Jennifer Niceley Jeff Black Megan McCormick The Early Evening Kingbilly Andrea Zonn The Bittersweets Paul Burch David Berkeley Claire Small The Contrarian Ensemble Robby Hecht Peter Bradley Adams Sonia Leigh Kindling Stone David Dewese Steven Delopoulos Craig Carothers Angus White Eric Wilson & Empty Hearts Kevin Gordon Eric Zarycki & The Persuasion

We would like to extend a very special thank-you to Pat Wright and the entire staff of Montgomery Bell State Park, Eric Lankford, Steve Cordell, Holly and Jeremy Spencer/House Blend Coffeehouse, Tommy Marvin, and The Dickson Herald.

http://www.americanafolkfest.com
http://www.myspace.com/americanafolkfest

The next event is scheduled for the second weekend of October 2009. To stay updated, please consider joining our mailing list by clicking on this link: http://www.americanafolkfest.com/index.php?com=r…