Last Edited: December 29, 2022 @ 8:51 am

Funds raised from the event will provide free books to children under five in Montgomery County

CLARKSVILLE, MONTGOMERY COUNTY TN - The Imagination Library Board of Montgomery County hosted its second Grown-Up Spelling Bee fundraiser on September 27 at the Customs House Museum. This non-traditional spelling bee was presented by Two Rivers Electric. Thanks to the support and generosity of the community, the event raised $17,600 to promote early childhood literacy in Clarksville-Montgomery County, with 100% of the profits going towards paying for books for children under the age of five. 

Erin Yow, the board's fundraising chair, kicked off the event by welcoming everyone and informing the spectators and participants that the Imagination Library of Montgomery County provides approximately 9,000 books each month to preschool children in the community. 

During this adults-only event, guests watched teams of grown-ups compete to be the top spellers at the bee, all while bribing the guest judges and providing laughs along the way. 

The Imagination Library Board would like to thank Clarksville Mayor Joe Pitts, County Trustee Kimberly Wiggins, and Judge Katy Olita for being great sports and bringing wit and wisdom to the judge's panel. United Way Executive Director Valerie Guzman and County Public Information Officer Michelle Newell served as the hilarious hosts for the evening. The giant gong and humorous musical selections were provided by Darrin Hoffman, who serves as band director at Montgomery Central Middle School.

Congratulations to The Super Spellers and the 'Real' Bees for stinging the competition! These two teams were crowned co-champions at the bee. 

Special thanks to all the sponsors: Two Rivers Electric (title sponsor) and Realtor Jenn McMillion (major sponsor). Altra Federal Credit Union, Keller Williams Realty, Byers & Harvey, Fortera Credit Union, Clarksville-Montgomery County Public Library, CPD Juvenile Engagement Team, Ann Waddle, One Hour Heating & Air Conditioning all sponsored teams for the event, and 5 Star Media Group, Sango Eye Care, Screaming Eagle Express Car Wash, and Trazo Meadery were additional sponsors. 

Also, a shout out to our silent auction basket donors who helped bring in almost $1,400: The Willow Salon, Hygeian Hand & Foot Refinery, Elevation Chiropractic, The Pink House, Montgomery County Beekeepers Association, TriStar Bank, Beachaven Winery, Allstate Agent Alexis Goines, I Am Invisible, and Giggles Bad Bees. 

Lastly, thanks to Imagination Library Board Members Erin Yow, Alexis Goines, Laura Hoffman, Nicole June, Karen Morrow, Bobette Bouton, Ann Waddle, Sarah McKinney, Sandra Brandon, and Michelle Newell, who donated their time, talents, and resources to make the Grown-Up Spelling Bee a reality.

The Imagination Library requires donations from community members to continue providing free books for Montgomery County children from birth to five years old. The Governor's Early Literacy Foundation matches all proceeds brought into Montgomery County. If you want to donate or pledge, visit the Imagination Library of Montgomery County page to spread the joy of reading and learning to local children. Parents can sign their children up for the free book program online.

About Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library

Since launching in 1995, Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library has become the preeminent early childhood book gifting program in the world. The flagship program of The Dollywood Foundation has gifted well over 150 million free books in Australia, Canada, The Republic of Ireland, United Kingdom and the United States. The Imagination Library mails more than 1.8 million high-quality, age-appropriate books each month to registered children from birth to age five. Dolly envisioned creating a lifelong love of reading, inspiring them to dream. The impact of the program has been widely researched and results suggest positive increases in key early childhood literacy metrics. Penguin Random House is the exclusive publisher for Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library. For more information, please visit imaginationlibrary.com.

Last Edited: June 13, 2023 @ 7:44 am

MONTGOMERY COUNTY, Tenn. – The Montgomery County Trustee's Office administers a state-funded County Tax Relief and Tax Freeze Program to help homeowners age 65 and older, disabled homeowners, and disabled military veterans pay their property taxes. You may qualify for tax relief and tax freeze if you meet specific requirements now through April 5, 2023.

To qualify for tax relief this tax season if you are a homeowner 65 and older or disabled, the combined 2021 income of all owners and married couples, even if they are not on the deed, cannot exceed $31,600. For disabled homeowners to qualify for a tax freeze, the homeowner must be 65 by December 31, 2022, and the combined 2021 income of all owners and married couples, even if they are not on the deed, cannot exceed $40,500. The list of qualifications for disabled veterans can be found at Property Tax Relief 2022

"Every year, we have expanded the program from serving approximately 3,000 to over 7,000 this year, helping Montgomery County homeowners with tax relief and freeze. It is an honor to help our residents through this process," said Montgomery County Trustee Kimberly Wiggins.

To be considered, the applications and supporting documents must be filed with the Trustee on or before April 5, 2023. For more details about the tax relief and tax freeze programs for residents of Montgomery County, visit mcgtn.org or call the Trustee's Office at 931-648-5717.

Last Edited: December 29, 2022 @ 8:51 am

The Clarksville-Montgomery County Veterans Day Parade will take place on Saturday, Nov. 5, with pre-parade ceremonies set for 9 a.m. in front of the historic courthouse (south side) on Third Street in downtown Clarksville. 

The keynote speaker is Army Command Sergeant Major (Ret) Richard A. Woodring, a combat veteran who deployed to Iraq, Afghanistan, Bosnia, and Kosovo and has served in various assignments throughout the United States, including Washington, D.C. Woodring has a broad range of leadership experience and a litany of awards and decorations for his service to the country.

This year’s Veterans Day parade theme is “Salute to Veterans in Law Enforcement.” 

The Parade will begin at 10 a.m. at the corner of N. Eighth and College Streets, next to the Sundquist Science Building at Austin Peay State University, with the reviewing stand at the Third Street side of the courthouse. The parade will proceed from College left onto University Avenue, right onto Main Street, left onto 3rd Street, left onto Commerce Street, left onto University Avenue, right onto Franklin Street, left onto 8th Street, and back to the APSU parking area.                               

“The Veterans Day Parade allows the community to come together and thank our military veterans for their service and sacrifice. I hope to see a good crowd to support them,” said County Mayor Wes Golden.

“Our staff is always honored to host this community parade. We work with our remarkable veterans daily and appreciate the value they add to Clarksville and Montgomery County. Taking time to support our veterans is a small token of appreciation for their contributions,” stated VSO Director Andrew Kester.

For those unable to attend in person, the parade will be live-streamed on the Montgomery County, Tennessee, official Facebook page. It will also be filmed and posted on CDE Lightband’s Clarksville Community Network (CCN) by Veteran’s Day. For more information, contact the Montgomery County Veterans Service Organization at 553-5173. Parade entry forms for veterans groups and other local organizations, as well as route maps, can be picked up at the office between 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., Monday – Friday, or by e-mail request to 

[email protected]. Parade entries will be accepted through Friday, Oct. 21.

Last Edited: December 29, 2022 @ 8:51 am

This Friday, Oct. 21, is our final 2022 Downtown @ Sundown featuring Rock United! Starting at 7 p.m., Rock United will take the stage for the entirety of the night. This band will be sure to keep you entertained with a 70’s Classic Rock party right here in Downtown Clarksville! 

Local food trucks will also be set up before and during the shows. Burgasm, Firelime Offshore Grill, and Heather’s Homemade Ice Cream are all expected to be on site. Tater Headz will also be open at the walk-up eatery on Legion Street and Third Street. Beer and other beverages will be for sale, with all proceeds benefiting our featured non-profit, United Way of the Greater Clarksville Region.

Main Street will be blocked off between Second Street and Third Street at 4:30 p.m. to make room for the food trucks. Downtown @ Sundown Concerts are free and open to the public and take place on the first and third Fridays of each month through October. Chairs and blankets are welcome; however, pets, coolers, smoking/vaping, or outside alcohol will not be allowed on site.

Downtown @ Sundown is the title sponsored by TriStar Beverage and Shelby’s Trio and sponsored in part by Waste Connections of Clarksville. 

To stay up to date with events happening at the Downtown Commons, visit our Facebook page at Downtown Commons and our Instagram page.

Last Edited: December 29, 2022 @ 8:51 am

Montgomery County Animal Care and Control is once again partnering with Wyatt Johnson Subaru as part of the Subaru Loves Pets initiative, donating $100 to the shelter for each dog adopted through October with a limit of $3,100. 

MCACC will be open for adoptions from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. every Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, and Saturday at 616 N. Spring Street. National Make a Dog’s Day, also recognized on Oct. 22 as a day that dog lovers are encouraged to do special and consider adopting an underdog from a shelter. The month will culminate with MCACC’s Annual October Adoption event at the shelter on Saturday, Oct. 29, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

“We are so excited to once again partner with the awesome team at Wyatt Johnson Subaru to help us find new and loving homes for our homeless pet population! The Wyatt Johnson team reaches out to us each year and is as passionate as we are about helping pets find new homes. Thank you again to the Wyatt Johnson Subaru Family, Subaru, and the ASPCA for their contribution towards the adoption fees at Montgomery County Animal Care and Control!” said Dave Kaske, Director of Animal Care and Control.

According to the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA), nearly 3.3 million companion animals enter shelters nationwide each year. A core principle of the Subaru Loves Pets initiative is an ongoing commitment to helping all pets find their perfect, loving home. Subaru and its retailers have donated over $45 million to local and national organizations to support the adoption, rescue, transport, and health of more than 350,000 animals.

For more info about adopting a dog or cat from MCACC visit mcgtn.org or call 931-648-5750.