Vista Gatherings – December 2, 2014

Health Care Enrollment for the Uninsured

Despite the new University of Tennessee report that the number of uninsured people in Tennessee is at a 10-year-low, there are still at least 7.2 percent of Tennesseans who are uninsured in the area of health care.

To assist with the enrollment process, Barbara Myers will be at the Art Circle Library in Crossville on Thursday December 11, from 11 A.M. to 3 P.M.

Myers, a resident of Cookeville, is skilled in explaining the Health Insurance Marketplace options and to assist in determining if you quality for money-saving tax credits and cost sharing reductions.

You can enroll on site by having appropriate information with you when you meet with Myers: family size, income, social security number, last year’s income tax as filed.

Christmas luncheon set

President, Chester Bush, invites all active or retired Government employees, and their guests, to the Annual Luncheon and Christmas Party of Cumberland County Chapter 1719, National Association of Active and Retired Federal Employees Association (NARFE).

The event will be held at noon on Tuesday, Dec. 9, at the Cumberland Mountain State Park Restaurant.  It’s rumored there will be games and gifts as well as the opportunity to enjoy a delicious meal.

For reservations, call Joyce at 287-0321 – being certain to tell her if you are bringing guests.

Cost is approximately $14 which includes lunch, beverage and gratuity.  You may also email,your reservation to::  [email protected].

Nativities On Display

If you need a break, if you want to refresh your memory of what Christmas is really all about …we invite you to visit the Nativity Collection set up in the library of Fellowship Baptist Church, 12 Westminster Court, Fairfield Glade. Admission is free.

Viewing hours are Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 9 A.M. to noon (CST) and Wednesday evenings from 5:30 to 6:30 P.M. during the entire month of December. If you are part of a church, school, ladies or other group who would like to come at a private viewing time, just call the church office at 931-456-2525 to make arrangements.

The collection is quite diverse, with nativities ranging from one inch to over 3-feet tall, from numbered collector nativities to flea market purchases and from an antique candle wax nativity to a painting by a local artist. There are ‘touchable’ ones made from cloth and from plastic that are safe for children to play with (and children who come to see the display are encouraged to do just that.)  There are around 150 in all and no two are exactly alike.

Any questions or need directions, call the church at 931-456-2525. Merry Christmas everyone!

Hospice meeting Dec. 15

The Fairfield Glade Hospice Auxiliary will be meeting Monday, December 15th at 3 P.M. in the Social Hall of the St. Francis Catholic Church, at 7503 Peavine Road.

Please Note the Date Change!

All current and new members are encouraged to attend.  Guests are especially welcomed to attend to learn about the fund-raising mission and work of the Hospice Auxiliary.  Please feel free to call Shirley Wilkinson, Membership Chair, (456-0032) with questions or for more information.

The Fairfield Glade Hospice Auxiliary raises funds for Hospice of Cumberland County, specifically for the on-going operation of Cumberland House.  Cumberland House is a six-suite end-of-life facility which accommodates all persons without consideration of ability to pay.  No one is turned away.

The Monday, December 15th meeting will begin with refreshments at 2:30 P.M. and a business meeting to follow at 3.

urrent on-going projects include the sale of Auxiliary cookbooks, “Caring and Sharing,” for $10 each and sales of beautiful porcelain angel ornaments for $20 each.  The items make great gifts and support the work of the Auxiliary.  Plan to attend and sign-up for an activity you would enjoy – that’s what we do!

Community Chorus Christmas concerts set

What? It’s not even Thanksgiving! Leaves are falling, temperatures dropping, and holiday tunes on the radio tell us it’s once again that most wonderful time of the year. Joyful music we all anticipate reminds us of fond memories and the spirit of the season.

The Cumberland County Community Chorus looks forward to this time as well, and will be presenting their annual Christmas Concert series on Saturday, December 6th at 3 P.M. at The First United Methodist Church, 100 Braun Street, Crossville, with repeat performances Sunday, Dec. 7th at 3 P.M. at Fairfield Glade Community Church, 521 Snead Drive, Fairfield Glade and Monday, Dec. 8th at 7 P.M. at Fairfield Glade United Methodist Church, 231 Westchester Drive, Fairfield Glade.

If you are unable to attend these performances but would like to share your support for the scholarship fund and the Chorus’s concerts, you can make a check payable to: “Cumberland County Community Chorus” and mail to Jan Schimmel, 352 Lige Road, Crossville, TN 38555.

The Chorus is always looking for new members! People who have had singing experience as well as new singers who would like to join the Chorus are encouraged to call the Director, Marty Gibson, at (931) 260-6055 or by email at [email protected] for more information.

Scholarship information and applications are available by contacting Ann Cox at 484-5550.

Dog Treats to be featured at Bake Sale

Dog biscuits in different flavors and sizes will be featured at the annual Fairfield Glade Dog Park Bake Sale on Dec. 5. In addition to dog treats, plenty of tempting people food — cakes, pies, cookies and breads — will be available as well.

The event will be held at the Fairfield Glade  Village Green Mall from 8 A.M. to 2 P.M., or until the baked goods run out, according to Chris Mattheis, fundraising chairman for the group.

He said that last year dog biscuits sold faster than any other item, so this time members will focus more of their baking skills on canine goodies. Different recipes and sizes of treats will offer something for parents of large and small dogs alike.

The bake sale is one of three fundraising events by the dog park.

Funds go toward covering a multitude of expenses, from paying the park’s monthly water bill to helping realize long-term improvements.

For more information, please email Chris at [email protected].

Kinseekers meet Dec. 4

Kinseekers will host its monthly meeting on Dec. 4, will be held at 1 P.M., at the Fairfield Glade Community Church,  located at 521 Snead Dr.

This meeting will be a “chat and chew”.  This meeting is a laid back way to gather with members and try to get our brick walls knocked down.

Do you have a relative in your tree and just can’t seem to find them ANYWHERE? Bring what information you have to this meeting and maybe our members can help you with some suggestions you didn’t think of or searches you haven’t tried.

Bring some type of snack to share and your own drink.  (Get it? “chat and chew”)  As always their meetings are open to everyone who is interested in genealogy.

If you decide to join our group it only costs $10. for the year.  Any questions, feel free to contact Erin at 456-8367.

Zumba class offered

Starting Tuesday, Dec. 9 at 8 A.M. at the Fairfield Glade Library, 455 Lakeview Drive. A fun and fast-paced hour of moving and dancing to great music. Join the party! Cost is $3.

Questions? Call Julie at 456-4849.

Moonlighters to celebrate New Year’s Eve 

The Moonlighters Dance Club will be hosting a New Year’s Eve Dance Party at the Fairfield Glade Community & Conference Center.

The public is invited to join the group for a festive evening.  The party will be from 8:30 P.M. to 12:30 A.M.

The City LitesBand will be providing a variety of music for your dancing and listening pleasure.  You are asked to bringan appetizer and BYOB.  Ice, water, party favors and a midnight champagne toast will be provided.

Reserve now for the  Moonlighter’s New Year’s Eve Dance Party

All tables will seat eight.  Guest couples $45; Individuals $22.50.

Make check(s) payable to the Moonlighters Dance Club and send to: Jean Crouch, 16 Victoria Way, Fairfield Glade, Tn  38558.

If you need any other information please e-mail [email protected] or call 720-319-1457.

Neighbors & Newcomers to host meeting Dec. 4

Due to the holidays, Neighbors and Newcomers will not be meeting in November and will be combining their November and December meetings.

They will be meeting on Dec. 4th at the Discovery Center on Peavine Road near Food City.

The meal will be catered by Big Boy Barbecue and will be Salad, Ham, Mashed Potatoes, green beans, rolls, apple cobbler, tea and coffee.

Please contact Robbie at 456-2790 to make reservations. All reservations must be made or cancelled by Nov. 29.

The club is open to all residents of Cumberland County and if you have friends or relatives visiting, please invite them to join us for an afternoon of fun.

Speaking of fun, the entertainment for the Holiday meeting will be none other than Jay Fox. Everyone has heard him sing and he has an outstanding voice. They will also be collecting money for the annual Shirley Butka Christmas shopping trip to buy presents for needy families.

Let’s all chip in and make the Christmas season brighter for kids who would not have had anythings. And, to make the meeting super special, they will be taking cream puff orders for our January meeting. Forte’s will be catering it at the library .

A big thank you to all who donated for Thanksgiving Turkeys. They collected over $600 and this will help feed many families in our area.

As always meals are $13 and dues are $12 with checks the preferred method of payment.

One Step Beyond luncheon set for Dec. 5

One Step Beyond Christmas Luncheon will be held at Forte’s Restaurant, Crossville, Tn Friday, Dec. 5 at 1:30 P.M.

Put this date on your calendar and plan to attend.  The meal will be 1/2 chicken, roasted potatoes, salad, bread, drink and dessert.  Pay by check, cash or credit card to Forte’s at the luncheon.

If you plan to attend, call Ron Hochheiser 931-210-4393 or Bobbye Bitto 931-707-8607 on or before Nov. 30 for reservations so Forte’s can get the number in attendance in order to prepare the meal.

The group welcomes those that are 50-plus in years who are single, widowed or divorced.

Glade Garden Club Hosts Poinsettia Sale

The Fairfield Glade Garden Club is starting the Christmas season off in a spirited way by hosting their annual Poinsettia Sale in the first week of December.

As in the past, it will be held in the rotunda portion of the Village Green Mall with an array of decorative multicolored plants from the traditional bright red to blends of red, pink and white.

The important thing to remember is this sale benefits the students that grew them through the scholarship foundation initiated by Past President, Helena Schmidt at the inception of the club back in 1994, a tradition that has grown over the years.

The dates and time of the sale will begin on Thursday, Dece. 4, from 9 A.M. to 3 P.M. followed by the same time periods on Friday Dec. 5 and Saturday Dec. 6.

New Generation Dance 

The New Generation Dance Club is a dinner dance club that features a social hour starting at 5:30 P.M. with dinner served at 6:30 and dancing continuing until 9:30 to live music.

Their dances are held at the Fairfield Glade Community Conference Center and dress is usually smart casual or dressy.

If you are new to this area, this is a great way to meet people.

Or, if you are a longtime resident and looking for a nice evening out, plan to attend our next New Generation Dance Club event on Tuesday, Dec. 9. For more information, please call Evelyne at 287-0097.

They meet four times per year in March, May, October and December on the second Tuesday of these months.  Membership for the first year is $35 per couple.

The FOL “Bling Sale,” Cool Thoughts for a Warm August

The FOL Bling Sale will not happen until Saturday, Dec. 13.

Also, if you have sold jewelry at a garage sale and have leftovers; think of donating the remainder to the FOL Bling Sale.

Drop off your donations at the Fairfield Glade Village Mall across from Kroger or at the Library in downtown Crossville.

Your donations are greatly appreciated and will help fund books and needed improvements to our Cumberland County Art Circle Library.

Community Band plans Christmas concert

The Cumberland County Community Band, under the direction of Brian Bacon, will present An International Christmas Celebration, featuring music of Ireland, Africa, England, Ukraine, Caribbean and more, at 7 P.M. on Dec. 11th at Stone Memorial High School auditorium.

The CCC Band, composed of talented amateur and professional musicians ranging in age from 12 to 90, is celebrating it’s 14th anniversary with this event.

The band was founded in 2000 by Crossville native, Murray Kidwell. Kidwell now plays flute in the band and will be conducting a portion of the concert, A Christmas Festival, by Leroy Anderson, which was performed in the inaugural concert.

The band would like to thank the community and all of our audience members who have supported us over the past 14 years.

Plan to join them to celebrate the season with an enjoyable evening of new as well as old favorites. There is no admission charge.

Volunteers needed 

You are invited to think about starting next year as a member of the AARP Tax-Aide team of counselors.

The local coordinators for the AARP Tax-Aide sites in Pleasant Hill, Tansi, Jamestown, Fairfield Glade and Crossville need you.

For more information about the program please call 456-4212.

Fellowship Baptist has Holiday Plans

December equals a busy month at Fellowship Baptist Church (12 Westminster Court, Fairfield Glade) and they are inviting everyone in the area to join them as we celebrate with Christmas-related activities.

Again this year, Sharon Hilton’s display of Nativities, which now numbers close to 150 sets, will be set up in the church library from Monday, Dec. 1 through Wednesday, Dec. 31.

The regular viewing times will be Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 9 to Noon and Wednesday evenings from 5:30 to 6:30 P.M. (CST).  Admission is free. If you are part of a group that would like to come, call the church office at 931-4563-2525 to schedule a private viewing time.

Wednesday, December 3, the SAM (Single Adult Ministries) will have their Potluck Christmas Party with a White Elephant Gift Exchange, in the church Fellowship Hall starting at 11:30 A.M.

Any questions, need directions?  Contact the church at 931-456-2525.  Office hours are Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 9 A.M. to Noon.  Sunday Bible Study is at 8:30 A.M. and Church at 10 A.M.  Prayer Meeting is at 6  on Wednesdays.

Tea Party to meet

The Cumberland County Tea Party will meet at the Community Complex (Fair Grounds), 1398 Livingston Rd., Crossville TN 38571, on Tuesday, Dec. 9,  at 6 P.M. The doors open to the public at 5:30 P.M. All concerned citizens who believe in limited government are invited to attend.

Representative Cameron Sexton, who represents District 25, comprised of Cumberland County, and portions of Putnam and Van Buren Counties in the Tennessee General Assembly, will speak. Sexton was elected to the House in 2010. As a freshman legislator, he was named the House Freshman Republican Legislator of the year by the Knoxville News-Sentinel for the 107th General Assembly. He won re-election in 2012 and again in the 2014 election when he garnered 77% of the vote.

Representative Sexton has sponsored legislation which focused on Tennessee’s seniors, veterans, and business owners. He passed legislation which increased the exemption levels of the Halls Income Tax to lessen the tax burden and make thousands of Tennessee’s seniors’ income tax free.  For more information on the Tea Party, log on to:  www.cumberlandcountyteaparty.net.

Wild About Cats Seeks Volunteers

You can make a humane, “hands-on” difference for lost and abandoned cats trying to survive this winter.

A local rescue group, Wild About Cats, is seeking volunteers to help feed or foster homeless cats.

Volunteers interested in feeding are asked to visit some 6 to 7 locations in and around Crossville and Fairfield Glade one day a week to put out fresh food and water for feral and stray cats which have formed into colonies.

To volunteer or make a much needed donation, please email Nancy at [email protected].

When possible, cats are captured to be neutered and given a basic set of inoculations