Good morning, Cookeville.

May is rolling right along — the weather is warm, the library calendar is somehow packed with good stuff, and we've got both a dance recital and open auditions at CPAC this week. There's also some bittersweet news: Hix Farm Brewery has permanently closed. We're sharing a proper farewell below, because that place meant something to this community.

In today's Cookeville Scoop:

Let's get into it.

Livingston Dance Studio Spring Recital at CPAC — If you have a dancer in your life, this is the week to grab tickets. The Livingston Dance Studio's spring recital is happening at the Cookeville Performing Arts Center, and there's a strict limit of four tickets per household through Tuesday night at midnight. Starting Wednesday morning at 9 AM, that limit goes away. Tickets are $9 for reserved seating. Call the CPAC box office at 931-528-1313 or visit cpactn.com to check show times and grab seats.

"All Because of Agatha" — Play Auditions at CPAC — CPAC is holding auditions for a new mystery-comedy called "All Because of Agatha" by Jonathan Troy. No experience necessary and no preparation required — you'll just read from the script when you arrive. Auditions are Monday, May 11 at 6:30 PM and Tuesday, May 12. Free to audition and a genuinely fun way to get involved in community theater if you've ever been curious.

Lunch & Learn: Bookkeeping for Small Business Owners — The Putnam County Library is hosting a free, practical session on bookkeeping for small business owners and aspiring entrepreneurs on Monday, May 11 from noon to 1 PM at the Cookeville branch. Jeanette Philips is presenting, and it's the kind of useful, no-cost resource that's easy to overlook. Bring your questions. No registration required — just show up.

Men's Church Summer League — Registration Still Open — If you're looking for a summer basketball league, the City of Cookeville's Men's Church Summer League is still taking registrations through May 22. Games are played Monday evenings at Cane Creek Gymnasium starting June 1, with scheduled times at 6:15, 7:15, and 8:15 PM. It's a 12-game regular season plus a single-elimination tournament. Contact Colby Phillips at [email protected] or 931-526-9767 for details and to register your team.

Savor Cookeville is now open in the Historic WestSide District at 35 W Broad St, and if you were a fan of Seven Senses, this is good news: the Savor team is serving the same Southern American menu with its Southwestern, Creole, and Asian flair that made Seven Senses a neighborhood favorite. The space feels fresh, the menu is familiar in the best way, and they're open Tuesday through Saturday for lunch and dinner. Worth a visit this week. savorcookeville.com

Drake's Happy Hour — Drake's runs a two-window happy hour Monday through Friday: 3–6 PM and again from 9–11 PM. It's an unusual setup and a genuinely good one — whether you're stopping in for a post-work drink or a late bite after the kids are down. Good to keep on your radar for the week ahead.

The Putnam Room Happy Hour — The Putnam Room in historic downtown Cookeville runs happy hour from 3–5 PM daily, with a Saturday late-night hour from 8–10 PM as well. If you haven't stopped in for a mid-afternoon drink in that beautiful space, this week is a perfectly good reason to start. theputnamroom.com

Take-and-Make Mother's Day Craft at the Putnam County Library (Cookeville branch) — Monday, May 11, 3:30–4:30 PM. Mother's Day was yesterday, but if you didn't quite get a homemade gift together, the library has you covered today. Stop by and pick up craft supplies to make something at home. Supplies are limited and first-come, first-served, so stop in during the window. Free. No registration needed.

Pages & Paws: Therapy Dog Story Time at the Putnam County Library (Cookeville branch) — Tuesday, May 12, 10:00–11:00 AM. A springtime story paired with certified therapy dogs, made for kids ages 3–7. It's about as easy a yes as it gets for a Tuesday morning. Free. No registration needed — just show up.

Book Club: The Anxious Generation at the Putnam County Library (Cookeville branch) — Tuesday, May 12, 3:00–4:00 PM. The library's book club is discussing Jonathan Haidt's "The Anxious Generation" this week, which feels particularly relevant for anyone raising kids right now. Copies of the book are available at the library if you'd like to read along. Free. All are welcome.

Lunch & Learn: Strawberry Jam Making at the Putnam County Library (Monterey branch) — Wednesday, May 13, noon–1:00 PM. Liz Fournet walks through strawberry jam from start to finish — technique, tips, and kitchen know-how for making your own. Strawberries are at peak season right now, so the timing is perfect. Free. Stop in if you're in the Monterey area.

Medieval Arts Night at the Putnam County Library (Cookeville branch) — Wednesday, May 13, 5:00–7:45 PM. This one is genuinely fun: the local medieval reenactment group is setting up at the library to demonstrate leather work, weaving, calligraphy, and manuscript arts. It's not what you'd expect on a Wednesday evening, and that's exactly why it's worth going. Kids and adults both tend to love it. Free. All ages welcome, no registration needed.

Cookeville Farmers Market — Open daily from 6 AM to 6 PM at 530 Mahler Ave. Spring produce is coming in strong, and the early-morning and early-evening hours are still comfortable before summer heat really settles in. Free to browse, and a great way to stock up for the week.

Have a tip, event, or story idea for next week? Reply to this email and let us know. And if you know someone who wants to stay connected to what's happening around town, share this with them — word of mouth is how we keep growing.

Thanks for being here with us, Cookeville. We hope you have a great week out there. See you next time. 🧡

-- The Cookeville Scoop Team