Good morning, Cookeville.

The clocks fell back this weekend, and my body hasn't gotten the memo. I was wide awake at 5 AM, and the microwave is still living in daylight saving time. I've also hidden the leftover Halloween candy from myself. Again. It didn't work last year either.

In today's Cookeville Scoop:

Let's get into it.

Early Learning Academy Ribbon Cutting - The Chamber cuts the ribbon today from 11 to 11:30 AM on Putnam County Schools' new Early Learning Academy at 545 Scott Ave. The old Park View Elementary has been renovated into a 65,000-square-foot home for pre-K, with 24 classrooms under one roof. Community members are invited, so come see where a lot of our littlest Cookevillians will make their first friends! Details.

Sawmill Poetry at Plenty - Start the week with something for the soul. Plenty Downtown Bookshop (41 W Broad St) celebrates poet Mark Harry Creter Monday night, as the beloved theatre professor, director, and actor reads from the chapbook he published earlier this fall. An open mic follows, so bring a poem of your own if you're feeling brave. Sign-up starts at 6:45 PM, and the reading begins at 7. Event details.

Cummins Falls Public Meeting - Have opinions about Cookeville's favorite swimming hole? Tennessee State Parks wants them. On Tuesday from 5:30 to 6:30 PM, the park's visitor center (390 Cummins Falls Ln) hosts an in-person meeting to gather input on Cummins Falls' strategic management plan and share the statewide parks plan. It's free and in-person only. Meeting info.

7 Brew opens on West Main, Cookeville's second 7 Brew stand opens today at 660 W Main St. It's drive-thru only, so think of it as a sweet, foamy pit stop: picture a Blondie with whipped cream and caramel drizzle, or an Ocean Breeze energy drink topped with cold foam. Opening week brings free small drinks Monday through Thursday from 8 to 9 AM, noon to 1 PM, and 5 to 6 PM (one per customer). Location page.

Irrationale Kitchen+Taps has Tuesday specials that land right on Election Day, and they work no matter how your races turn out. Tuesday brings $9 fried green tomatoes or pretzels with cheese, the $15 "Girl Dinner," and $1 wings. Celebrate (or commiserate) after you vote. Find them at 1227 N Washington Ave. See the specials.

First Watch heads-up, Pancake people, mark Monday, November 9! First Watch opens that day in the old IHOP spot at 1115 Interstate Dr, serving made-to-order breakfast, brunch, and lunch from 7 AM to 2:30 PM daily. Opening week comes with free Project Sunrise Coffee, and the first 100 guests on day one get a free tumbler. UCBJ report.

Putnam County already turned out in a big way. When early voting closed last Thursday, 13,204 people had voted, up almost 54% from the 8,577 who voted early in the last midterm. If you weren't one of them, Tuesday is your day!

All 18 Putnam County precincts are open from 9 AM to 7 PM on Tuesday, November 3. You vote at your own precinct, so look yours up on GoVoteTN before you head out (it also shows your sample ballot). Bring a current or expired photo ID issued by the federal government or the State of Tennessee. College student IDs and IDs from local governments or other states won't work. If there's a problem with your ID or registration, you can still cast a provisional ballot.

Here's what you'll see, top to bottom:

Then come three yes-or-no constitutional amendments (and these are worth reading before you get to the booth). Amendment 1 would let courts deny bail before trial for certain serious charges, like capital offenses, terrorism, and second degree murder, and require judges to explain bail decisions on the record. Amendment 2 would bar the Legislature from ever imposing a state property tax. Amendment 3 would expand the constitutional rights of crime victims, including the right to be informed about and take part in the parole process.

Polls close at 7 PM, and the waiting game starts. Unofficial results post on the Tennessee Secretary of State's Election Night Reporting dashboard as counties report in, so you can follow Putnam County and the statewide races from your couch. And if you're voting late, bring an umbrella for the walk out. Rain moves in Tuesday night, and Wednesday looks soggy.

One more heads-up: the Putnam County Library system is closed Tuesday for Election Day.

Putnam County Election Commission

TDOT says the SR 111 J-Turn safety project in Putnam County is heading toward the finish line. Crews are rebuilding shoulders now and expect to start full-depth asphalt paving at night within the next two weeks. Concrete median work is scheduled to start Monday, November 9, with final paving, striping, signs, and guardrail following over the next three to four weeks. Expect intermittent lane closures, and slow down in the work zone.

Soon this project will finally make a U-turn toward done.

Herald-Citizen report

Monday

Moving for Better Balance (Beginner) – Free balance class for seniors at Cane Creek Rec Center… 9 to 10 AM
7 Brew Grand Opening – The West Main stand opens, with free small drinks during opening-week hours… 8 to 9 AM, noon to 1, and 5 to 6 PM
Bowling World Monday Special – Buy one hour of bowling, get one free at 545 Neal St… 10 AM to 4 PM
Art Quest – Hands-on art with teacher Annette Romero, ages 12 to adult… 10:15 to 11:30 AM
Early Learning Academy Ribbon Cutting – Celebrate the new pre-K home at 545 Scott Ave… 11 to 11:30 AM
Lunch and Learn: Medicare 101 (Part 2) – Medicare basics with Rebecca Sobus at the Cookeville library… noon to 1 PM
Mah Jongg Club – First meeting of the library's new American Mah Jongg club… 2 PM
Club de Lectura en Español – Spanish-language book club discussing El corresponsal… 6 to 7 PM
Sawmill Poetry at Plenty – Featured poet Mark Harry Creter, then open mic at 41 W Broad St… 6:45 PM sign-up, 7 PM reading
Monterey Board of Mayor and Aldermen – Water rates for the new Calfkiller line are on the agenda… 7 PM
Games Against Roasted – Free party games and Jackbox at Roasted (21+)… 7 to 9 PM

Tuesday

Election Day – All 18 Putnam precincts open; bring a photo ID… 9 AM to 7 PM
Rosenwald Schools Exhibit – Free exhibit at the Cookeville History Museum, 40 E Broad St… 10 AM to 4 PM
Moving for Better Balance (Intermediate) – Free class led by a retired physical therapist at Cane Creek Rec Center… 10:30 to 11:30 AM
Cummins Falls Public Meeting – Share your input on the park's future at the visitor center… 5:30 to 6:30 PM
Putnam County School Board – Regular monthly meeting in the Central Office board room, 1400 E Spring St… 5 PM
Ruck Fit – Sandbag and bodyweight workout at Cane Creek Rec Center… 5:30 to 6:30 PM
Trivia Tuesday – Free, delightfully cynical trivia with prizes at Roasted (21+)… 7 to 9 PM
Election Results – Unofficial returns post on the state's dashboard after polls close… from 7 PM

Looking ahead

Little Women, the Musical – Tech's Backdoor Playhouse production opens… Thursday, Nov 5, 7:30 PM
Mistletoe Market – 50+ vendors at Leslie Town Centre ($3 cash, 10 and under free)… Friday, Nov 6, 9 AM
Tennessee Tech Homecoming Parade – Down Dixie Avenue before the VMI game… Saturday, Nov 7, 10 AM

Mah Jongg Club is brand new at the Putnam County Library in Cookeville (50 E Broad St), with its first meeting today at 2 PM. It'll meet twice a month, and both newcomers and longtime players are welcome. The library provides one large-tile American Mah Jongg set, so bring your own if you've got one. Grab a friend and learn your Craks from your Bams.

Library closures ahead. All Putnam County Library branches are closed Tuesday for Election Day. Plan ahead for later this month too: the Cookeville branch will be closed November 9 through 14 for construction. If you've got holds or returns, today is your day this week.

Meet LIBERTY, an adult Border Collie and Dalmatian mix (medium, spayed) at the Cookeville / Putnam County Animal Shelter. She was adopted from the shelter as a puppy and came back after three years, only because her family's landlord changed the rules. Her notes say she's friendly with other dogs and children, house trained (not crate trained), and protective of her family. She'll go after cats, so she needs a cat-free home. She loves running outside and sunbathing, and she's just as happy lying around the house.

Dog adoption fees are $170 (cash or check). Hours are Monday 12 to 5 and Tuesday 12 to 6, and appointments are recommended: call (931) 526-3647.

LIBERTY on Petfinder

Monday 72 / 57 | 2% rain
Tuesday 77 / 63 | 4% rain
Wednesday 68 / 53 | 91% rain

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Thanks for reading, and for showing up for this town in costumes on Saturday and at the polls on Tuesday. Find your precinct, bring your ID, and maybe swing by the new 7 Brew for a free drink on the way. See you next time. 🧡

-- Travis

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