Town of Jonesborough News Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Monday, July 26, 2021

 

Contact:

Heritage Alliance –Anne G’Fellers-Mason

423.753.9580

Chester Inn Museum – Joe Spiker

423.753.4580

info@heritageall.org

http://www.heritageall.org/

 

Chester Inn Museum Seeking Volunteers

The Heritage Alliance is seeking volunteer docents to join their museum team. Primary responsibilities include greeting visitors, answering area history questions and conducting tours of the museum. There will also be opportunities to assist with various programs and projects.

The New Volunteer Training Day is Saturday, August 21, at 9 a.m. If interested volunteers cannot attend the training session contact the Heritage Alliance to arrange a separate day for orientation.

To register for training or for more information contact the Chester Inn Museum at 423.753.4580, email chesterinn@heritageall.org or through Facebook Messenger @ Chester Inn Museum.

The Chester Inn Museum is a state-owned historic site and staffed by the Heritage Alliance. Their organization is a team dedicated to history, education, preservation and the community.

This project is funded under an agreement with the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation, Tennessee Historical Commission. For more information on the Chester Inn Museum, History Happy Hour or the Heritage Alliance please call 423.753.9580, or call the Chester Inn Museum at 423.753.4580.  The organization can also be reached via email at info@heritageall.org.  Additional information about the Heritage Alliance and its mission can be found online at http://www.heritageall.org/. Follow the Chester Inn and Heritage Alliance Facebook pages for updates about events at the Chester Inn and other Heritage Alliance programs.

Town of Jonesborough News Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Thursday, July 22, 2021

 

Contact: Gabe Eveland

Email: gabe@gabrielschristmas.com

Phone: 423.913.4477

 

Jonesborough merchants prepare for annual Christmas in July celebration

Jonesborough merchants prepare for the annual Christmas in July celebration, which will take place from July 23 to July 30.

Tennessee’s Oldest Town will be festive with Santa’s sleigh in front of the Washington County Courthouse decorated with a Christmas in July theme.

On Saturday, July 24 a photographer will be on site to take pictures for any attendees at no charge, Santa in his summer attire will be at the Lollipop Shop from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., Jonesborough’s Movies on Main returns with Home Alone starting at 8 p.m., and attendees might see some snow!

Event goers are encouraged to take part in the special offerings provided by participating downtown businesses. Each participating location will have a wreath on their door to signify activities, treats or sales taking place within their shop.

For more information contact Gabriel’s Christmas at 423.913.4477.

Town of Jonesborough News Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Wednesday, July 14, 2021

 

Contact: Gabe Eveland

Email: gabe@gabrielschristmas.com

Phone: 423.913.4477

 

Jonesborough Christmas store decorates Lifetime movie set

Please find photos here:

https://www.dropbox.com/sh/hu21vlfuntb87kx/AAC1OrnqgZ7SuTr9Rbs5kBJ4a?dl=0.

Historic Jonesborough’s Gabriel’s Christmas store decorated for a Lifetime Christmas movie, Christmas in Tune, featuring Reba McEntire and John Schneider. The team went to Nashville in May and June for 2.5 weeks, and was on set alongside the stars of the movie, decorating for each scene.  The movie is scheduled to air in December.

The store’s team were on set at three different locations that were used for multiple scenes in the movie. The three locations Gabriel’s Christmas decorated included a 19th century estate spread across 10 acres of pastoral land outside of Nashville, Massey Concert Hall at Belmont University, and the luxurious five-star Hermitage Hotel in downtown Nashville.

“It was an opportunity of a lifetime to not only be able to decorate for the movie, but also to actually see how a Christmas movie is filmed.  Working alongside Reba McEntire and John Scheider, my childhood crush, was an amazing experience.  They were both so down to earth, so friendly, and a genuine pleasure to be around,” stated Linda Talcott, decorator and sales associate at Gabriel’s Christmas.

Gabe Eveland, owner at Gabriel’s Christmas stated, “When they first contacted us, I thought it was a hoax, I didn’t think it was real! Yet, 10 days later I was on set doing a location scout with the tech team and 10 days after that we were loading up a trailer full of Christmas decorations and heading to Nashville.  The experience was nothing short of incredible and we hope to have an opportunity to decorate for other Christmas movies in the future.”

Christmas in Tune will tell the story of Belle, a young marketing executive who is in jeopardy of losing her job. Desperate for ideas, Belle decides that she’s going to reunite a famous singing duo for a charity Christmas concert. There’s only one problem: The singers are Belle’s parents (Reba McEntire and John Scheider), and they haven’t spoken to each other in years. Nevertheless, the quarreling couple teams up to help their daughter get her life back on track—and maybe even find a new man in the process.

Gabriel’s Christmas will host their holiday decorating classes in October and November.  The curriculum is currently being finalized, but will certainly include a class, or two, on “How to make your home look like it’s in a Christmas movie”.

Gabriel’s Christmas will also host a viewing party at the store when the production airs.  Customers can also watch from home and join in our Facebook Live Watch Party that will take place while the movie airs.

For more information about Gabriel’s Christmas store visit their Facebook page or website at gabrielschristmas.com.

Town of Jonesborough News Release

For Immediate Release

Tuesday, July 13, 2021

 

 

Contact Information:

Theresa Hammons

theresah@jonesboroughtn.org

423-753-0562

 

Online Registration:
mckinneycenter.com

 

Mary B. Martin Program for the Arts at the McKinney Center Announces Fall Art Classes

 

The McKinney Center and Jonesborough’s Mary B. Martin Program for the Arts announces their fall schedule of over forty classes and workshops. Registration is now underway for all upcoming classes. All classes and policies can be found atmckinneycenter.com.

The Fall Open House on Saturday, August 14 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. will give visitors a preview of fall semester classes. Faculty will be present for questions and demonstrations.

Early registration secures a spot in class as well as a $10 discount now through August 14.  Individual classes costs vary. The early bird discount ends on Saturday, August 14 at 3 p.m. The last day to register for classes is Saturday, August 21 at 5 p.m.

“The Open House is a good time to meet your instructor and to really see what you will get out of taking a class here at the McKinney Center,” states McKinney Center Director Theresa Hammons.  “Teachers will be doing demos and the building will be open for people to view the classrooms, ask questions, and register for classes.”

Art, music, drama, crafts, and dance will be offered this fall for students of all ages.  For children, the program offers instruction for young artists who are ready to explore the world of art.  Students receive an introduction to art skills where activities and projects are organized to develop understanding and experiment with a wide variety of media, techniques and processes.  For older elementary aged students, courses are taught to build their skills as artist, including drawing and painting skills, that will be taken to the next level.  Classes in drama, film, music, and dance are also available for this age range to include Art Adventures, Creative Construction, Homeschool Art, Kids N Clay, Young Potters, Let’s Make a TV Show, Mosaics, Tap Dance, Bucket Drums, Glass Fusion, Pottery, and Guitar.

According to Hammons, the McKinney Center experienced a record number of student registrations this past Spring.

“We had 235 registrations during our spring semester.  We had so many people on waiting lists for some classes we had to add classes to the schedule,” stated Hammons.  It is recommended to register early for classes due to popularity and limited class sizes.

When asked what some of the most popular classes are, Hammons stated that the pottery classes fill up the fastest.  Pottery classes are offered for all ages, starting with kids as young as 5 years old.  Most classes are in the evenings or on Saturdays but there are also daytime options, as well as two classes specifically designed for homeschoolers, Art Adventures for K-2^nd grade, and Creative Constructions for grades 3^rd – 5^th.  There is also a Daytime Pottery Class for students, 6^th grade – adult.  The Creative Writers Group meets during the day for students ages 15 – adult.

Options for older students and adults include a wide range of courses in pottery, painting, drawing, mixed media, glass fusion, mosaics, writing, dance, music and various workshops. Hammons states, “There is something for everyone here at the McKinney Center.  Most of our classes are for beginners and class sizes are small. So, if you are more or less skilled, the instructor has time to work with you one on one.”

The McKinney Center has several one-day workshops to choose from including glass fusion, mosaics, Zentangle, Acrylic Painting, Palette Knife and alcohol ink.  This semester students can also book their own private workshop with a commitment of six participants, which is perfect for families and friends to do together.

The McKinney Center is open to the public Monday through Friday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.  Staff encourage all visitors to be at home at the McKinney Center; take a class, participate in an exhibition, come to a lecture, volunteer your time, attend a workshop, or set up an easel on the grounds and paint.  Please check the McKinney Center at Booker T. Washington School Facebook page throughout the year for information about our exciting programs and events.

Full descriptions of class offerings can be found online at www.mckinneycenter.com or by stopping by the McKinney Center to pick up a catalog.  For additional information contact McKinney Center Director Theresa Hammons attheresah@jonesboroughtn.org or call 423.753.0562.

Town of Jonesborough News Release

For Immediate Release

Wednesday, June 30, 2021

 

Contact Information

Jules Corriere

JulesC@jonesboroughtn.org

423.753.5099

 

 

McKinney Center’s StoryTown Program Receives $14,700 from Tennessee Arts Commission

The StoryTown Program, based out of the McKinney Center, received two grants from the Tennessee Arts Commission amounting to $14,700 in support of their story-based programming in 2022.

A “Creative Placemaking Grant” of $9,600 will support the 2022 annual StoryTown Community Play, based on true stories collected from people in Jonesborough, Washington County and the East Tennessee region. These original plays with music highlight the extraordinary lives of people in our own community, and bring together cast and audience alike, as they celebrate greatness, struggle through adversity and ultimately look for connections in this place called home.

Story collecting, interviews, and story circles for the new play, which will be written by the McKinney Center’s Jules Corriere, will begin immediately. Groups and individuals especially sought for stories this year are: alumni of Booker T. Washington School and Langston High School; alumni of Jonesboro High School and Jonesborough Elementary School; Veterans of Foreign Wars (all); Nurses; Farmers; and Trade Workers. Individuals or groups with stories are encouraged to call the McKinney Center at 423.753.0562 to set up an interview or story circle with the StoryTown Brigade. All interviews are recorded, transcribed, and archived for future generations.

The second of the two grants received is the Art Project Support Grant of $5,100 which will support the StoryTown Radio Show. The Radio Show marks its 10^th season in July, with a Gala Celebration and a return to live audiences at the McKinney Center. The StoryTown Radio Show, formerly the Jonesborough Yarn Exchange, began as a spin-off of Jonesborough’s original Community Performance, I Am Home. That play formed a community of actors, storytellers, and neighbors of all ages. Once the play ended, this group decided to remain together, and to continue to bring to life the stories of the people in this region. One-hundred episodes later, the group has won five Pinnacle Awards from Northeast Tennessee Tourism Association, has been featured on NPR and in AAA Magazine and now has a podcast reaching listeners all over the world. The $5,100 grant will help support the live production, the broadcast, and the new podcast channel, which is available as the StoryTown podcast on Apple podcast, iHeart, Spotify, and most podcast platforms. It is also available on desktops at

www.storytown.simplecast.com