Good morning, Cookeville.

Election Day is behind us, which means the yard signs can finally come down and my phone can stop asking if I've made a plan to vote. Grab an umbrella on your way out today. Wednesday's a soaker, but the back half of the week dries out nicely (and gets sweater-cool).

In today's Cookeville Scoop: - The Mistletoe Market is back Friday with 50+ vendors, food trucks, and Santa selfies - Little Women opens Thursday as Tech's homecoming week heats up - Pet of the Week: HURON, a 4-month-old orange-and-white kitten

Let's get into it.

Jeff Zentner at Plenty - Plenty Downtown Bookshop (41 W Broad St) welcomes back staff favorite Jeff Zentner on Wednesday from 6 to 7:30 PM. His second novel for adults, Love, Like Apples, came out Tuesday. It follows a boy from an Appalachian apple orchard to a 1970s New York puppet show on PBS. Zentner talks it through with David Arnold, author of Mosquitoland. RSVP here.

Little Women, the Musical - Tech's Backdoor Playhouse brings Jo, Meg, Beth, and Amy to the stage starting Thursday at 7:30 PM, with more shows Friday and Saturday at 7:30, Sunday at 2, and again Nov. 12 to 14. Wendy Mullen directs. Tickets are $22, $16 for seniors and military, and $6 for students with ID. It's a cozy pick for a cold November night. Show details.

Handbags for Hope - Make the short drive to Sparta Friday from 6 to 10 PM for a ladies' night out at Duck Pond Manor (655 Duck Pond Rd) that helps survivors of domestic violence. Expect dinner and drinks, a silent auction, goodie bags, door prizes, and purses stuffed with gifts, plus a chance to win an authentic Louis Vuitton bag. Tickets run about $80 to $132. Get tickets.

Mint Condition Exchange Ribbon Cutting - Calling all collectors! Downtown's new trading card and collectibles shop at 18 W Spring St (next to Picasso's Gift Shop) gets its Chamber ribbon cutting Friday at 2 PM. Think sports cards, Pokémon, One Piece, comic books, and sealed product. Come meet the team and see what's in the cases. Event details.

Middle TN Eye Ribbon Cutting - Middle TN Eye has cared for Upper Cumberland eyes for more than 30 years, and on Wednesday at 1 PM the Chamber celebrates its newly renovated office at 600 E Veterans Dr. The team offers comprehensive eye exams, cataract surgery, LASIK, and medical eye care. Stop by and see the refreshed space. Event details.

Big O's Donuts is up for sale. The East Spring Street favorite has been frying since 1973, and the business and its property at 829 E Spring St are now listed for $1.2 million. That's a drive-through window and a half-acre of Cookeville history. Whatever comes next, this feels like a good week to swing by for a warm, glazed dozen (and maybe daydream about owning the place). UCBJ report.

Father Tom's Pub has two new reasons to sit a while. The West Side Frisco stacks a 5-ounce burger with grilled onions, Swiss, and fresh tomato on buttery Texas toast, with homemade 1000 Island on the side (8-ounce burgers after 3:30). Dishwashing queen Ruby inspired the Mushroom & Dumpling Soup: roasted mushrooms and from-scratch dumplings in a creamy, Italian-seasoned soup, finished with parsley. It's vegetarian-friendly, and it's here all day this week while it lasts. Find them at 32 N Cedar Ave. See the specials.

The Putnam Room has a plan for rainy Wednesday nights. Whiskey Wednesdays mean half off all whiskey, bourbon, and Scotch from 5 to 9 PM at 319 E Spring St. Pair a pour with dinner from Chef Thomas Hobson's kitchen, or come early for weekday happy hour from 4 to 5:30. Reservations are welcome at 931-644-3722. See the specials.

You know the holidays are getting close when Leslie Town Centre fills up with holiday décor, gift ideas, and people carrying three bags they swore they didn't need. That happens Friday, for the 23rd year.

The Mistletoe Market opens Friday, November 6, from 9 AM to 7 PM at Leslie Town Centre (One West First Street) in the Historic Westside. More than 50 local boutiques and regional vendors will be set up under one roof with gifts, holiday décor, specialty products, and gourmet treats. Food trucks will be on site, area businesses are donating door prizes, and yes, there are selfies with Santa. (Plan your little one's outfit accordingly. Or yours. No judgment.)

"Mistletoe Market is one of our favorite events of the year because it brings together so many wonderful businesses and members of our community," says Kathryn Molina, director of Leslie Town Centre.

The best part is where your money goes. Proceeds help Leslie Town Centre offer rental discounts to nonprofits that use the building for banquets, meetings, and fundraisers all year long. "The proceeds help us make our facility more accessible to nonprofits," Molina says, "allowing them to put more of their resources toward the important work they do in our community." So your $3 admission works twice: once for your Christmas list, and again for the groups that serve the Upper Cumberland.

Friday's long hours make it easy to fit in. Duck out on your lunch break, or swing by after work. The rain should be long gone by then, too.

Here's the practical stuff. Admission is $3, cash only, at the door, and kids 10 and under get in free. If Friday doesn't work, the market continues Saturday from 9 AM to 5 PM. Questions? Call 931-372-7200.

Bring cash, bring your list, and maybe bring a bigger tote than you think you need!

Event details

Another puzzle piece for the 39 Depot project could fall into place Thursday. City Manager James Mills plans to ask the City Council to approve buying the Amerigas property at 80 Depot St, which the city needs to connect Oak Avenue from one side of the railroad tracks to the other. Closing is still weeks away. The master plan calls for 376 parking spaces, a new stage and plaza south of the Depot Museum, and a fix for "malfunction junction" at Cedar and Broad.

Looks like this one is right on track.

Herald-Citizen report

Wednesday Election Results – Unofficial Putnam County and statewide returns from Tuesday's election… all day
Rosenwald Schools Exhibit – Free exhibit at the Cookeville History Museum, Wednesday through Friday… 10 AM to 4 PM
Drums Alive! – Drumstick-and-stability-ball fitness at the Baxter library… 10 to 11 AM
Dementia Caregiver Support Group – Monthly support for caregivers at the Cookeville library, a week earlier than usual… 11 AM to noon
Crafternoon – All-ages crafts with supplies included at the Baxter library… 11 AM to 1 PM
Middle TN Eye Ribbon Cutting – Celebrate the eye practice's renovated office at 600 E Veterans Dr… 1 PM
Lego Club – Free building time for ages 5 to 12 in Baxter… 3 to 4 PM
Children's Cooking Class – Kids 5 to 18 learn homemade mac and cheese at the Monterey library… 3:30 to 4:30 PM
Board Game Club – 100+ games for ages 13 and up at the Cookeville library… 3:30 to 7:30 PM
Tai Chi Workshop – Gentle "meditation in motion" at Cane Creek Rec Center… 4 PM
Line Dance Lessons – Beginner-friendly line dancing at 37 Cedar ($7)… 5:30 PM
Jeff Zentner at Plenty – Zentner and David Arnold talk Love, Like Apples (RSVP)… 6 to 7:30 PM
Tech Men's Basketball Home Opener – The Golden Eagles host Blue Mountain… 6:30 PM
Homecoming Lip Sync – Homecoming teams battle on stage in Derryberry Auditorium… 7 to 9 PM
Tracks & Racks – Karaoke and a pool tournament under one roof at Roasted… 7 to 10 PM
Trivia Night at Midtown Social – Free trivia, and the winner takes a $25 gift certificate… 7 to 8:30 PM

Thursday Storytime in Algood – Fall and harvest stories for ages 0 to 4… 9 to 10 AM
Spanish Class – Basic phrases with Nicolle Vargas at the Cookeville library (ages 15+)… 9 to 10 AM
Moving for Better Balance – Free balance class for seniors at Cane Creek Rec Center… 10:30 to 11:30 AM
Thanksgiving Storytime in Monterey – Stories and crafts about all we're thankful for… 10:30 to 11:30 AM
VIP – Monthly program for adults with developmental disabilities and their caregivers… 10:30 to 11:30 AM
Homecoming Hangout – Midday homecoming hangout at Tech's Centennial Plaza… 11 AM to noon
Senior Bingo – Bingo with free popcorn and prizes at the Cookeville library… 2 to 3 PM
Imagine Foundry on the Go – Hands-on making in Algood, best for ages 4 and up… 3:30 to 4:30 PM
Your Library, Your Questions – Chat with library director Kathryn Wisinger in Baxter… 3:30 to 4:30 PM
Cookeville City Council – Regular meeting at City Hall, 45 E Broad St, with the 39 Depot land purchase expected… 5:30 PM
Recovery Rally in Livingston – Food, family fun, prizes, and community services at the Joe L. Evans Community Center… 5:30 to 7:30 PM
Homecoming Carnival – Carnival night on Tech's Main Quad… 6 to 8 PM
Business Mixer – Free networking at St. Thomas Aquinas Parish Hall, 421 N Washington Ave… 6 to 8 PM
Tech Women's Basketball Exhibition – A tune-up game against Emory & Henry… 6:30 PM
Steven Dunn Reading – The Whiting Award-winning novelist, with guest Leonard Tucker, at Bell Hall… 7 PM
Dabgo Music Bingo – Music bingo on your phone at Roasted… 7 to 9 PM
Little Women Opening Night – Tech Theatre's musical opens at the Backdoor Playhouse ($22)… 7:30 PM
Bomb Shelter Comedy Open Mic – Five-minute sets from brave locals at Roasted… 9 PM

Friday Mistletoe Market – 50+ vendors, food trucks, and Santa selfies at Leslie Town Centre ($3 cash, 10 and under free)… 9 AM to 7 PM
Read, Play, Grow – Stories and play for ages birth to 3 at the Cookeville library… 10 to 11 AM
Chair Yoga – Gentle chair yoga in Algood at 10 AM and Baxter (ages 50+) at 11 AM
Train Tales – Preschool train storytime at the Depot Museum… 10:30 AM
Writers Workshop – A monthly craft session at Plenty for writers of every level ($20, drink included)… 11 AM
Family Wellness Pharmacy Ribbon Cutting – The locally owned pharmacy at 330 N Oak Ave celebrates 10 years… 11 AM
Senior Trivia – Trivia with the Baxter Senior Center at the Baxter library… 11 AM
Book Club in Algood – Discussing Jacqueline Woodson's Brown Girl Dreaming, with copies to borrow at the branch… 11:15 AM
Monterey Library Book Sale – The Friends' monthly sale, now on a new day and time… noon to 6 PM
Mint Condition Exchange Ribbon Cutting – Welcome downtown's new collectibles shop at 18 W Spring St… 2 PM
Teen Smash Bros. Tournament – Single-elimination Super Smash Bros. Ultimate for ages 13+… 3:30 to 5 PM
Life Drawing at CAS – A life drawing session at Cookeville Art Studio and Gallery… 5:30 to 8:30 PM
Tech Volleyball vs. Western Carolina – The Golden Eagles host the Catamounts at the Hooper Eblen Center… 6 PM
Handbags for Hope – A ladies' night in Sparta benefiting domestic violence survivors… 6 to 10 PM
Peter Pan – Cookeville Children's Theatre opens at CPAC; Friday is sold out, but shows run through Nov. 21… 7 PM
Cavaliers at Riverdale – Cookeville opens the 6A playoffs on the road in Murfreesboro… 7 PM

Looking ahead Tech Homecoming Parade – Down Dixie Avenue, then the homecoming game at Tucker Stadium at 1:30… Saturday, 10 AM
Mistletoe Market, Day 2 – Another round of holiday shopping at Leslie Town Centre… Saturday, 9 AM to 5 PM

Tech's homecoming week has the whole campus playing "Game On Golden Eagles," and the community is invited. Homecoming teams take the Derryberry Auditorium stage for the Lip Sync Competition Wednesday from 7 to 9 PM. Thursday brings a Homecoming Hangout at Centennial Plaza (11 AM) and a carnival on the Main Quad from 6 to 8 PM. Saturday's parade rolls down Dixie Avenue at 10 AM, so bundle up.

The Dementia Caregiver Support Group meets a week early this month, Wednesday from 11 AM to noon at the Cookeville library (50 E Broad St). Tracy Bruneau, the Tennessee Department of Health's Dementia Navigator, leads this monthly hour of community and support. If you need to bring your loved one, Cornerstone Caregiving will care for them during the meeting (six max, so sign up through the library's event page). If you know a caregiver who could use an hour of company, pass this along.

Teen gamers, sharpen those reflexes. The Cookeville library hosts a single-elimination Super Smash Bros. Ultimate tournament on the Nintendo Switch Friday from 3:30 to 5 PM for ages 13 and up. The champion takes home an Ozark Trail camping chair, and every player leaves with a book. It's a pretty great way to kick off the weekend.

Wednesday Red Silo Brewing – Blues Jam, 7 PM. Link

Thursday Red Silo Brewing – Open Mic Night, 6 PM. Link
Dream Country Brewing – Studio Fam Jam with Kat Starr & Clay Faris, a free, beginner-friendly jam, 6:30 PM. Link
Roasted – Jimi Nu, the Florida rapper on the No Limit reunion tour, 11 PM ($40, $75 VIP, 25% off with a TTU ID). Link

Meet HURON, a neutered male orange-and-white Domestic Shorthair at the Cookeville / Putnam County Animal Shelter. When the shelter shared his story last week, he was 4 months old and had been waiting for his forever family since Sept. 15. In his own words, he's "ready to trade shelter life for a loving home." If you've been hoping for an orange cat, here's your sign!

Kitten adoption (under 5 months) is $125, and cats 5 months and older are $105, cash or check. Fees include spay or neuter, age-appropriate vaccinations, and a microchip. The shelter at 2650 Gainesboro Grade is closed Wednesdays for now, so visit Thursday from 12 to 6 or Friday from 12 to 5. Appointments are recommended: call (931) 526-3647.

Meet HURON

Wednesday 68 / 52 | 98% rain
Thursday 69 / 43 | 20% rain
Friday 64 / 41 | 6% rain

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Thanks for reading, and for being a town that shops local, shows up for its neighbors, and cheers on its Golden Eagles. Stay dry Wednesday, find something merry Friday, and wear a coat to the parade Saturday. See you next time. 🧡

-- Travis

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