I saw the letters for the new Princess marquee today, and wow, they will be beautiful once up with their lights flashing!

Continued...

These are gifts that help not only the recipient but also our community by fostering a love of reading. These books will be read again and again.

1. This gorgeous, high-interest book is for grade 3 and up. Eighth-graders in the county are devouring this; it is "flying off library shelves." It's good for grownups too: D'Aulaires' Book of Greek Myths ($11.91 oversized paperback, $19.77 oversized hardcover). Read the reviews at Amazon: (link...)

Continued...

Just last week the restoration drew praise from those passionate about preservation, the East Tennessee Preservation Alliance, who announced that Harriman’s effort was a winner of the 2011 East Tennessee Preservation Award!

This week, due out soon, watch for an article and photo spread in the Knoxville Metro Pulse magazine.

More current photos on the Princess Blog!

I visited the Princess yesterday and walked into the "concession" area, where Dr. Tappan used to have his practice, and then made my usual rounds through the auditorium, upstairs to the balcony, and back stage. I came back to where I came in and there sat the new concessions counter! It hadn't been 15 minutes!

So, it just goes to show you that things are happening rapidly at the Princess. Most things are on schedule, but there are a few "hard to find" items that are making an opening a little hard to define.

READ MORE HERE!

Bill Landry sold and signed more books than he expected to Saturday. People gathered at the Rocky Top General Store way before the assigned time to begin, so Bill just sat down and started signing.

There was a line already formed when I arrived, and that was at 11:30! The signing wasn't to begin until noon.

Bill told me and others that he was overwhelmed by the turn out and thanked me for helping him spread the word. "Because of you, people really showed up!"

I told him, "No, people came because they love you Bill." He smiled and seemed pleased.

So, thanks everyone for making Bill's day!

Other photos HERE.

If you would still like to order a copy of his new book, CLICK HERE!

The Creative Arts Co-op is proud to present its annual Christmas production. This year's show is the American classic 'It's A Wonderful Life- A Live Radio Play'.

Join us as the characters come to life in front of you and George Bailey's story unfolds.

The details are:

'It's A Wonderful Life - A Live Radio Play'
December 16 & 17, 2011
Both Shows begin at 8:00pm
Tickets are $5.00 at the door.
at the Creative Arts Co-op Visual & Performing Arts Center, 426 Ruritan Road, Harriman.

For more information, contact 865/765-1129 or visit (link...).

Taiwan election is very hot now, President Ma seeks his second term but DPP Small Ying try to overthrown the KMT regime. at the same time Mr. song former provincial chief try to seize his final power before he go to tomb.It is a political drama and three roles playing in the stage spend a lot of money to invite people to watch their cheating vote play. A false democracy builds on the foundation not the trust of people but the money seize group and money is a worse democracy system. Many people will sale their vote for few hundred NT and the interest group put their few ten millions NT to both sides. If people can choose three oranges which are all rotten, it is sad story. When the election day comes, many wit will choose not to vote or vote with tears Amen.

No, the Princess isn't quite ready for you yet, but your seat is being stalled this week, and one will be reserved for you on opening night!

The new seats, which were donated by Regal Cinemas, are being assembled, piece-by-piece...literally, this week and are being install according to Frank Sparkman's engineering drawings. It appears the seating will be five abreast on each side, with 10 in each of the middle rows. This configuration promises the most seats for the floor space, but until they are all in, the exact count can't accurately be determined.

Read more and see more photos HERE!

Restoration at the Princess is moving along so fast that I can hardly keep up with it all!

However, there is still no "grand opening" announcement, but a few weeks could make all the difference.

Go to the PRINCESS BLOG to see the latest photos!

If you have been waiting for the Princess Theatre to open before volunteering to help, here's what you need to do ASAP!

If you want to be on the team of folks doing whatever is required to ensure a great theatre experience, then stop by Harriman Jewelry, H.G. Furniture, or Rocky Top General Store and pick up a "Princess Volunteer Form", and get it mailed to Megan Anderson, or just returned to the store, ASAP!

GO HERE FOR MORE INFORMATION!

The Princess Dream is to make the Princess a unique educational tool that will prepare students who are interested in stage, sound, film, television, radio...all of the "media/theatre arts". The Princess, and the Channel 15 studio, will be a hands-on tool students can use as they do class study.

Some of Roane County's young leaders discussed what needs to happen this week.

Read more HERE!

If you would like to volunteer at the Princess, contact Wilma Mullins right away!

The Fraternal Order of Police and Roane County Park are sponsoring a Haunted Trail on Saturday, October 29, in Roane County Park from 7:30PM to 11PM.

Bring the family!

Download: the Haunted Trail flyer (29KB PDF, 8.5"x11").

-- OneTahiti

SATURDAY OCTOBER 29TH
ROANE COUNTY PARK
7:30-11PM
Sponsored by: Fraternal Order of Police & the Roane County Park.

Download: the Haunted Trail flyer (29KB PDF).

-- OneTahiti

I took my mom to see "The Rainmaker" at today's matinee at Roane State. It's one of Golebiewski's best directions! I implore you to take someone to see it next week. The cast is on fire and very professional.

Continued...

Just a reminder of the upcoming events the Creative Arts Co-op has planned for October...

Continued...

Our thanks to Tim Plemons and crew for their dedicated, and often hard, work in recreating the Princess' original paint scheme. It's not easy painting on your back, or balancing on one foot from a scaffolding brace! Walking into the auditorium now makes people who are old enough to remember, like me, feel so good. You can almost sense that the Princess is smiling herself! She's coming back to life!

More photos on the PRINCESS BLOG!

What a wonderful historical event I was privileged to witness Wednesday - James "Dub" Harmon, manager of the Princess from 1951 until 1964, met Megan Anderson, the fifth and newest Princess manager, for the first time!

Read more on their meeting and a little history of theaters in Harriman on the Princess Blog.

The Creative Arts Co-op is holding open auditions for the holiday community theatre production of 'It's a Wonderful Life - a live radio show'. The classic Chirstmas tale offers characters for almost all ages and both genders. Auditions will be cold readings fom the script.

For more information, please contact the Creative Arts Co-op at 865/765-1129 or visit (link...).

It hasn't been quite 2 years, but in November 2009 I took photos of the inside of the Princess before any restoration work began. I wanted to document the project from beginning to end.

Continued...

Torry Martin, Sandy Brownlee, and Denny Brownlee visited the Princess last week. The three, along with Marshal Younger, who will take a tour later, are looking for a “Princess” to star in their next movie called “The Christmas Star”, which centers around a small-town theater, coincidentally named “The Princess”. The group heard about our Princess through Muse Watson, who never misses a chance to spread the Princess gospel wherever he goes.

Read more on the Princess Blog.

I caught Tim Plemons (Superior Interior) laying on his back, like Michelangelo Buonarroti painting the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel, painting the Princess ceiling! Can you imagine the crick he has in his neck every evening after work?!

Tim is following the "art deco" paint scheme as was shown in old color photos and descriptions of the original design. Plus, there is no mistaking what was found on the ceiling and walls during the restoration.

Check out more photos on the PRINCESS BLOG!

It's time for the Creative Arts Co-op's Halloween Murder Mystery. This year's show is entitled '2nd Annual Psychics Convention'. Join us for the funniest psychic convention ever to come through Roane County. Out-of-this-world characters, plot twists, clue hunts, and delicious desserts.

The details are:
'2nd Annual Psychics Convention'
October 14 & 15, 2011
Both Shows begin at 8:00pm
Tickets are $20.00 per person and include show, desserts, and beverages
Reserations receommended.

For reserations, please contact the Creative Arts Co-op at 865/765-1129 or visit (link...).

Join the Creative Arts Co-op for its 2nd Annual 'Terror in the Theatre' haunted house. This interactive, walk through experience will have you shrieking for more.

The details are:
'Terror in the Theatre' haunted house
at the Creative Arts Co-op Visual & Performing Arts Center,
426 Ruritan Road
Harriman
October 21, 22, 28 & 29, 2011
7:30pm until ?
Tickets are $5.00 at the door.

For group rates or more information, call the Creative Arts Co-op at 865/765-1129 or visit (link...).

Just cause we deserve it! Mark Kroos, whom I discovered on knoxivi.com - a Knoxville internet TV channel - is absolutely amazing. His music is captivating, engrossing, and will simply pull you in to listen to it. Listeing to it and WATCHING him play it is utterly fascinating. He is one of VERY few to play this kind of guitar. He recently won a world title playing the guitar. Just amazing! I'm not gonna give it away. If you don't know Mark Kroos and his music, just check out these links!!

(link...)

(link...)

(link...)

(link...)

(link...)

There ya go! One for each of the weekdays - plus a bonus! - remaining till WC finds us another Feel Good Friday! Enjoy!

RB

I have been a resident for just about 4 years hear in Rockwood. I was wandering where are some good places to find some old barns, houses, trains or track to photograph. I moved here from Maryville, TN I love it in Roane County TN!

Thanks for the help.

History is made everyday!
facebook.com/adamsphotography37854

MORE ON THE BLOG!

Well, we're at it again...And it's funnier than ever.

The Creative Arts Co-op will take the stage with the second comedy night of 2011 on September 22, 2011. From sketch comedy to audience-inspired improv (All unscripted)to stand-up comic Tom Allen - there is a laugh for everybody.

Here are the details:
Thursday, September 22, 2011
8:00pm
$5.00 at the door
Must be 18 or older and not easily offended.

For more information, contact the Creative Arts Co-op at 865/765-1129 or visit (link...).

You don't actually have to go inside the Princess these days to see the work being done at the Princess. It sometimes spills out onto Roane Street.

This week has seen roofing work on the tops of the old Margrave and Tappan Buildings had debris sliding off a shoot and down into a dumpster, a semi was unloading more duct work today, blocking one lane of traffic, while carpenters were hard at work framing rooms and covering it all with sheet-rock.

More photos on the Princess Blog!

The Creative Arts Co-op is preparing another entertaining murder mystery, and it's taking aim at the 'beautiful people'. And we're not taking any prisoners.

Continued...

I'm a little late getting this out, but I just received the press release about, and a photo of, my friend Bill Landry and his new book that is coming out next month*.

However, the current big news is his appointment as East Tennessee's Historical Commission Representative.
_____________________

The official announcement reads:
Governor, Bill Haslam, announced on July 5, 2011 that Bill Landry has been appointed as East Tennessee Representative of the Tennessee Historical Commission. The appointment is effective immediately and runs through June 30, 2016.

In making the announcement, the Governor writes:
“In the thorough, aggressive search for candidates, your individual characteristics and professional qualifications were exceptional among the number of nominees who expressed interest. I consider it very important to ensure that Tennessee’s boards and commissions are filled with the most dedicated and qualified citizens. I believe that your participation is certain to leave a positive impact on this board and the work it does.

Thank you for your interest in state government and for your willingness to serve your fellow citizens of Tennessee in this way. Please accept my very best wishes. I look forward to working with you and all Tennesseans to make our great state an even better place to live, work, and raise a family.”

Landry’s appointment coincides with the much anticipated publication of his new book, “Appalachian Tales and Heartland Adventures.” Celtic Cat Publishing will release the 200 page tabletop book in September 2011*. The book includes approximately 170 pictures and 100 stories that provide behind the scenes insight into the making of the Series.

*Bill's book will be sold locally at the Rocky Top General Store. I'll let you know when it is available, and when Bill will be there to autograph your copy!

More on Bill on the Princess Blog...click here!