Link Love: Square Foot Gardening

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Menu Plan Monday 4/29/12

Monday: Baked Chicken & Potato Salad
Tuesday: Garlic Butter Fillets & Cauliflower
Wednesday: Jambalaya & Zucchini Oven Chips
Thursday: Creamy Chicken & Noodles
Friday: Black Bean Enchiladas
Saturday: Baked Chicken with Curry Sauce & Rice Pilaf
Sunday: Crustless Spinach Quiche

Publix $29 for $143

This was the week for frozen vegetables! I made two quick trips to Publix this week to take advantage of the 50% off sale on Bird's Eye vegetables and for their "Buy Theirs Get Ours Free" Promotions. BTW, the Bird's Eye coupons have been in the flyer at the food cooking station for weeks. I collected a few every time I went to the store waiting for this sale to happen. Sales are good through Tuesday!

Trip 1:

12 Bird's Eye Chef's Favorite Steam Fresh, 2.59 BOGO
-(12) .35/1 MF Q from "Discover the Wonder of Vegetables" booklet, doubled
Final Price: .60 ea

2 Pepperidge Farm's Swirl Bread, 3.99 BOGO
-(2) $1/1 Publix Q from single sheet flyer
Final Price: .99 ea

Kellogg's Bran Flakes, 4.39
Publix Bran Flakes, 1.71
-.50/1 IP Q for Kellogg's Bran Flakes, doubled
-Buy Theirs Get Ours Promotion
Final Price: 1.70 ea

2 Dasani Waters, 1.29
-Publix BOGO Q from Yellow Flyer
Final Price: .65 ea

4 Sundown Vitamins, 3.29
-(2) $5/2 Publix Q from Green Flyer
-(4) MF Qs peelies
Final Price: Free+

Sushi, 4.99 (not pictured)

-$5/$40 Publix Q from home mailer

Total before sales/coupons: $68.86
Sales: 21.23
Coupons: 31.69
OOP: $15.94 (Saving 77%)


Trip 2:

8 Bird's Eye Chef's Favorite Steam Fresh, 2.59 BOGO
-(8) .35/1 MF Q from "Discover the Wonder of Vegetables" booklet, doubled
Final Price: .60 ea

2 Bird's Eye Vegetables, 1.99 BOGO
-.50/2 MF Q, doubled
Final Price: .49 ea

2 Beneful Dog Food, $5.79 BOGO
- (2) $2.00/1 Purina Dog Food 3.5+ Publix Coupon printable
Final Price: .90 ea

8 Dole Pineapple Chunks, .89
-(4) .50/2 MF Qs, doubled
Final Price: .39 ea

Newman's Coffee, 6.99
Publix Coffee, 6.59
-1.50/1 MF Q for Newman's Coffee from Kroger Home Mailer
-Buy Theirs Get Ours Free Promotion
Final Price: 2.75 ea

4 Sundown Vitamins, 3.29
-(2) $5/2 Publix Q from Green Flyer
-(4) MF Qs peelies
Final Price: Free+

Zone Perfect Bar, 1.25
-Free Q from Manufacturer Mailing
Final Price: Free

-$5/$50 Publix Coupon from Cub Scouts

Total before sales/coupons: $74.41
Sales: 24.72
Coupons: 36.35
OOP: $13.34 (Saving 82%)

For the Locals: Franklin's Main Street Festival This Weekend!

Franklin, TN – Downtown Franklin’s 29th annual Main Street Festival is April 28-29,2012, featuring more than 200 artisans & crafters, three stages, two carnivals and an international food court to round out a full weekend of entertainment.

Hours for the free street festival are 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday, with the Fourth Avenue Street Dance continuing until 10 p.m., and all activities re-opening noon to 6 p.m. Sunday.

Presented by First Tennessee and produced by the Heritage Foundation of Franklin and Williamson County and the Downtown Franklin Association, the weekend event is expected to attract more than 100,000 visitors to a full slate of family-oriented activities, non-stop musical entertainment and international flavors of more than 20 food vendors.

Handmade work to be exhibited includes original oil and watercolor paintings, pottery, jewelry, furniture, woodworking, ornamental iron, stained glass, photography, home and garden accents, birdhouses, leatherwork, and much more.

In addition to a juried arts and crafts show with more than 200 entries, the festival offers a special area of children’s activities on Third Avenue South between City Hall and the Old Courthouse.

Free entertainment is offered continuously on three stages—the First Tennessee Stage on the Public Square, the Heritage Stage on Fourth Avenue North and the Beer/Wine Garden Stage on Fourth Avenue South.

Three food areas offer a tasty variety of everything from roast corn on the cob and stuffed baked potatoes, Polish sausage, Greek gyros, and Asian and Mexican cuisines. Southern fare includes barbeque, burgers and hotdogs, smoked turkey legs, funnel cakes, kettle corn and more.

There will also be a full-scale, traditional carnival at North Margin Street and Second Avenue North–the site of the future City of Franklin Bicentennial Park. The carnival opens earlier than the festival on Thursday and goes through Sunday.

Carnival hours are 5 to 10 p.m. Thursday and Friday, 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday and noon to 6 p.m. Sunday, April 28 through May 1. Thursday nights and all day Sunday are “wristband” days at the carnival, during which a $20 wristband offers unlimited access to the rides.

Entertainment Schedule: Saturday, April 28 4th Ave Stage

10 a.m. – Kristin Butke School of Irish Dance
11 a.m. – Freedom Elementary “Hot Shots” Jump Rope Team
11:30 a.m. – Moore Elementary “Eagle Jump Force” Jump Rope Team
Noon – Oak View Jump Rope Team
1 p.m. – Bluegrass
2 p.m. – Kelsey Muse
3 p.m. – Williamson County Fair Showcase
3:30 p.m. – Tommy Jackson’s Rocky Top Revue
5 p.m. – Peter Pandemic
6:30 p.m. – “10 Most Wanted”
8:30 – 10 p.m.- Make Me Smile

First Tennessee Stage
9:30 a.m. – B. W. & Company, Dixieland Strollers
9:50 a.m. – Ribbon Cutting
10 a.m. – Ann Carroll School of Dance
11:30 – Columbia State Community College showcase
Noon – Centennial High School Chorus
1p.m. – In Motion Dance Company
2 p.m. – Franklin School of Performing Arts
3 p.m. – Williamson County Community Band
4:45 p.m. Hinckley Brothers

Beer/Wine Tent 11 a.m. – 10 p.m. D.J. Entertainment

Sunday, April 29

First Tennessee Stage
Noon – Calling Glory
2:00 – Anthony Burnhauser
4:00 – Sugar Lime Blues

4th Avenue North Stage
12:30 – Vizcaya
2:30 – Roux du Bayou
4:30 – Reggae Infinity

Beer/Wine Tent Noon – 6 p.m. D.J. Entertainment

The Main Street Festival is produced by The Heritage Foundation of Franklin and Williamson County and it division, the Downtown Franklin Association. Proceeds from the event are used to fulfill the mission of the organization, which is to protect and preserve the architectural, geographic and cultural heritage of Franklin and Williamson County and to promote the ongoing economic revitalization of downtown Franklin in the context of historic preservation.

The Main Street Festival is located in Historic Downtown Franklin, Tenn., exit No. 65 from I-65, three miles west to the Public Square.

For sponsorship information, contact nwilliams@historicfranklin.com

For food vendor or arts/crafts vendor info, contact cshelton@historicfranklin.com

School and community groups that would like to perform, contact nwilliams@historicfranklin.com

Professional bands, please apply through www.tneventinfo.com

For more information, see www.historicfranklin.com or call 615-591-8500.

Cheap Bananas at Food Saver!

There are a few great deals at Food Saver this week! This week Food Saver has three pounds of bananas for $1 (or .37 per lb with the 10%). Also eggs are .68 (.75) and yellow or zucchini squash is $1 per lb ($1.10).

Menu Plan Monday 4/23/12

Monday:  Coconut Crusted Chicken Patties & Sauteed Mushrooms
Tuesday:  Turkey Spaghetti
Wednesday:  Burrito Pie
Thursday:  Roast Pork Loin with Garlic and Rosemary & Sweet Potato Fries
Friday:  Baked Pesto Chicken & Almost Loaded Baked Potato
Saturday:  Baked Sour Cream Tilapia & Danish Cucumber Salad
Sunday:  Quiche & Muffins


COCONUT CRUSTED CHICKEN PATTIES

12 1/2 ounce can mixed white and dark meat chicken, drained *
1/4 cup mayonnaise
1 tablespoon fresh parsley, minced
2 green onions, finely chopped
1 teaspoon Old Bay seasoning
1/4 teaspoon ground coriander
1/8 teaspoon cayenne
1/8 teaspoon pepper
1/2 teaspoon Tabasco or other hot sauce
1 egg white
1/4 cup finely shredded unsweetened coconut **
Oil for frying

In a medium bowl, break up the chicken with your fingers until it's finely shredded. Stir in all remaining ingredients, except coconut, until well blended. Divide into 4 equal portions on a wax paper-lined baking sheet. Gently shape into patties with your hands. Mixture will be very soft. Put the coconut in a small shallow dish. Carefully set one chicken patty in the coconut and gently turn over to coat both sides; place back on wax paper. Repeat to coat all the patties. Chill at least 1 hour. Heat oil in a skillet over medium heat. Fry patties 4-5 minutes per side, flipping carefully, until golden brown on each side.

Makes 4 servings
Can be frozen

For the Locals: Chevy Youth Baseball Event!

My kids love these events! It is a half day event at the Sounds Stadium with some of the players teaching kids baseball. Your kids can be clueless about baseball and still have a good time! The RSVP login password is playball. Go HERE to sign up! Here is the email sent to me, and they always request the recipient to forward to friends who may be interested.

Greetings from Chevy Youth Baseball!

As part of the Chevy Youth Baseball Program, your Selected Chevy Dealers are hosting youth baseball instructional clinics for ages 7-13. You are receiving this email because you signed up for a Chevrolet clinic in the past and I wanted to make sure you were aware of this upcoming opportunity as well! You have not been added to a distribution list and this is the only email you will receive unless you do in fact sign up for one of these events.

You will see that participants have the option to sign up for one of two clinics:

WHEN: Friday, June 15

Check-In 8:00-8:45 AM
Clinic 9:00-12:00 PM
Post-Clinic Snack 12:00 PM

WHERE: Greer Stadium

534 Chestnut Street, Nashville, TN 37203

– OR –

WHEN: Saturday, June 16

Check-In 8:00-8:45 AM
Clinic 9:00-12:00 PM
Post-Clinic Snack 12:00 PM

WHERE: Greer Stadium

534 Chestnut Street, Nashville, TN 37203

The invitations contain important information about the RSVP site www.ChevyYouthSports.com/rsvp, which participants will use to register for one of the available clinic days. Spots will fill on a first-come, first-served basis, and registration will close TWO DAYS before each clinic date.

Please do not hesitate to contact me with questions!

Jen

--

Jen Stoltz
GM Dealer Programs Senior Coordinator
1720 Windward Concourse | Suite 100 | Alpharetta, GA | 30005

Desk: 770.407.8564 | Mobile: 678.313.2470 | Fax: 770.407.8566

Email: jstoltz@gmdealerprograms.com

Web: www.youthsportswired.com

Facebook: www.facebook.com/youthsportswired

Twitter: www.twitter.com/youthsportswire

Link Love: Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Cup Cakes

If you are going to fall off your diet, do it for something worthwhile like these Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Cup Cakes! Yummmm!

Saved 80% at Harris Teeter's Super Doubles!

OOP: $19.40 (Saving 80%)

It's a little hard to switch gears from Publix to Harris Teeter after last week's gas card deals! We rarely have gas card opportunities around here so I really enjoyed my trips! It seems like the excitement for Super Doubles at HT has been very subdued this time around. I have been looking for several days for lists to share but have not come across as many as in the past. Even Hot Coupon World has been lame. However there are some great deals to be had! Check out Homemakingmom for a great list of good deals.

2 Reynold's Wrap, 3.49
-(2) $1.50/1 IP Qs, doubled
Final Price: .49 ea

6 Glass Plus, 2.99 BOGO
-(3) $1/2 MF Qs from tearpad found at Dollar General yesterday, doubled
Final Price: .49 ea

2 Ortega Taco Seasoning, 1.15
-$1/2 IP Q, doubled (watch this one as it only wanted to double to $1.15)
Final Price: .15 ea

Newton Fruit Thins, 3.49
-$1/1 MF Q, doubled
Final Price: 1.49

2 Smuckers Jelly, 1.99
(2) .75/1 IP Qs, doubled
Final Price: .49 ea

All Detergent, 3.99
-$3/1 MF Q found at my pediatrician's office
Final Price: .99

2 Bird's Eye Chef Favorites, 2.55 BOGO
-(2) .35/1 MF Qs from Publix Flyer, doubled
Final Price: .57 ea

2 ICBINB Margarine, 2.15
-(2) $1.25/1 IP Qs, doubled
Final Price: Free

2 Gold Peak Iced Tea, 1.50
(2) .75/1 IP Qs, doubled
Final Price: Free

3 Mission Tortillas, 1.99
-(3) $1/1 MF Qs Peelies found this trip on the product!
Final Price: Free

4 Lucky Charms, 3.00
-.50 ZVR
-(2) 1.75/2 IP Qs, doubled
Final Price: 1.12 ea

2 Ocean Spray Juice, 3.29 BOGO
-BOGO IP Q
Final Price: Free

HT Grated Parmesan, 2.47

Total before sales/coupons: 96.09
Sales: 29.23
Coupons: 47.46
OOP: $19.40 (Saving 80%)

Great Deal on Capri Sun at Food Saver

This week at Food Saver Cost Plus if you purchase 5 boxes of Capri Sun you will get $5 off when you check out making them $1.35 each. The B3G1 Capri Sun Coupon (3/18 SS) makes this an even better deal. However, the coupon expires tomorrow (4/18) so if you want to use it, you better hurry. The coupon took off $2.35 when I checked out making them .76 ea (.84 with the store's added 10%).

For the Locals: Free Vanderbilt Football Game Tonight

Check out the post by Ms Cheap which talks about tonight's free Vanderbilt Black and Gold Game!

Shopping at Publix for Cheaper Gas!

OOP: $38.85 (includes $50 Gas Card, saving 100%)

I am loving this gas card deal! Prices good through next Tuesday.

$50 Gas Card, $50
-$10/$50 Publix Q in Circular WYB $50 in groceries
Final Price: $40

6 Voskos Yogurt, $1 ea
-(2) $1/3 Publix Qs from Yellow Flyer
-(2) $1/3 IP Q
Final Price: .33 ea

4 International Delight Creamer, 3.09 BOGO
-(2) $1/2 MF Q Blinkies
Final Price: 1.05 ea

6 Degree Deodorant, 2.57 BOGO
-(6) $1/1 MF Q Peelies off any Dove or Degree Product (found this trip)
Final Price: .28 ea

6 Carefree Products, 1.07
-(6) $2/1 Publix Q from Green Flyer
-(6) $1/1 MF Qs
Final Price: Free +

2 Pine Sol, 2.50
-(2) .50/1 IP Qs, doubled
Final Price: 1.50 ea

Kraft Fresh Taste Cheese Product, 2.99 50% off
-$1/1 MF Q
Final Price: .50

6 Kraft Milk Bites, 2.99
-(3) -BOGO Milkbite Publix coupon (click peel & reveal to get to the coupon)
-(6) $1/1 MF Qs from Kraft Foods Try Today's Tastes Booklet
Final Price: .50 ea

$1.00 for Donation

-$5/$40 Publix Coupon

Total before sales/coupons: 130.22
Sales: 23.40
Coupons: 67.97
OOP: $38.85 (includes $50 Gas Card, saving 100%)

Great Publix Trip Saving 100%

OOP: $49.92 (includes $50 gas card, saving 100%)

There is a fantastic coupon for $10 off of a $50 gas card in the current circular! You just have to purchase $50 in groceries before coupons. If you have any free item coupons, now is the time to use them.

$50 Gas Card, $50
-$10/$50 Publix Q in Circular WYB $50 in groceries
Final Price: $40

12 Voskos Yogurt, $1 ea
-(4) $1/3 Publix Qs from Yellow Flyer
-(3) $1/3 MF Q from Publix Greenwise Market Booklet, March 2012
-$1/3 IP Q
Final Price: .33 ea

8 International Delight Creamer, 3.09 BOGO
-(2) .55/1 IP Qs
-(3) $1/2 MF Q Blinkies
Final Price: 1.03 ea

2 Kelloggs Frosted Flakes, 4.29 BOGO
-(2) .50/1 IP Qs, doubled
Final Price: 1.15 ea

Persian Lime, .50
-$1 off of fruit WYB Kelloggs Cereal Peelie
Final Price: Free

Mango, $1
-$1 off of fruit WYB Kelloggs Cereal Peelie
Final Price: Free

6 Carefree products, 2.39 ea
-(6) $2/1 Publix Q from Green Flyer
-(6) $1/1 MF Qs
Final Price: Free +

2 Marie Calendar Family Size Bakes, 3.99 on sale
-(2) $1/1 Publix Qs from Yellow Flyer
-(2) $1/1 IP Qs
Final Price: 1.99 ea

Crystal Light on the Go Mix, 2.99 BOGO
-.75/1 Publix Q from Stocking Spree Booklet
Final price: .74

-$5/30 Publix Q
-$5 Catalina from Kroger (current deal on pet food)

Total before sales/coupons: $139
Sales: 29.68
Coupons: 59.40
OOP: $49.92 (includes $50 gas card, saving 100%)

Saving Money on Cable/Internet!

We currently pay way too much for cable. I am embarrassed to even say how much ($180 per month without any movie channels). It was probably a good deal when we started with AT&T, but it is so not a good deal now! We have seven TVs hooked up with boxes each and one DVR. So I have been researching on how to save money. About a month ago we bought our first Roku box (Roku 2 XD version). It is this little gadget you attach to your television that will connect to your internet and transmit shows from online to your television. You will need a wireless server to do this, which we already had. It is an easy method of getting Netflix and Hulu Plus. These two actually provide all the content our family currently enjoys on television for about $7.95 each per month. Roku also has an awesome software called Pandora which turns your television into a radio with all your favorite artists. There is other content that I have not had a chance to explore but looks promising. We love Roku. The basic box is currently selling online for $49 at its website, but I would suggest the Roku 2 XD which is $79 (we purchased on sale for $65). You will need a Roku box for each television unless you want to move it around. You can connect each television/Roku box to your single Netflix/Hulu accounts and even watch different shows simultaneously on different TVs on the same account. We know this because we tested it ourselves. While the startup cost is potentially pricey, the amount saved by not paying for high priced cable would pay for it in just a few months.

So we definitely needed internet and would like to have local TV which you can not get with a Roku box. You can get local television with a really good HD antenna which you can purchase on Amazon. Just for an experiment, I went to Big Lots and bought one of their cheapy antennas (around $5) and tried it on my television. It picked up four channels clear as a bell. Apparently television is now transmitted in HD and if you can pick up the station from a tower close enough or an antenna strong enough, it comes in clearer than cable since it is not compressed. However, we would prefer to get the basic cable package thrown in with the internet since we have to purchase that anyway. We expected this to cost anywhere between $40 to $60.

So I called Comcast. I have the worst luck talking to vendors on the phone. They must hear my voice and just know that they can gouge me. My husband is fantastic at talking to them but even he could not get them to give us a good deal on the phone. He said the only way to get them to cut their price was to either chat online with them or go talk to them in person. By the way, they wanted $79 for basic basic cable and internet.

My husband went to see them. They have a desk at our local Best Buy (Cool Springs if you are local). He got a great deal! For $59 per month we got all the channels and HBO and Stars Movie channel for a year. We also got a DVR and it includes all the cable boxes for our TVs at no additional charge. We'll have to renegotiate after a year but still worth it.

So now we will have cable/internet for $59 per month and subscriptions to Netflix and Hulu Plus for $16 per month (can cancel any time). Thus, for $75 per month we have saved over $100 per month and now have many more options on our television. To do this, you will need a Roku box, a Motorola SB6121 SURFboard DOCSIS 3.0 Cable Modem and a NETGEAR N600 Wireless-N Dual Band Router WNDR3400 (our current router was old and the new ones are faster). Buy it on Amazon as it is cheaper with free shipping and no tax. I know this because my husband spoke with the guy at the store who pointed out the necessary products while my husband told me over the phone and I looked them up at Amazon.

While this deal is only good for a year and we will have to rearrange it in twelve months, by then the kids will be used to a Roku box (which they already love) and not be too upset to lose cable all together if necessary. Here's another cool thing. You can download an app on your phone for Netflix and connect to your account. So when you are out with the kids and want them to behave, just turn on Phineas and Ferb. There are over 80 episodes to chose from. Now that's a deal!

How Other People Shop!

I generally wake up early, probably because the dog snores. I am not unhappy about it since it is usually the only time of day that I don't hear any kids arguing, gleefully screaming, etc. The silence (except for the dog snoring) is nice. On Saturday mornings, I like to check out how everyone else did this week on their shopping. Since sales at Harris Teeter and Publix usually have a few more days to go, it also gives me ideas on how to shop. Here are a few sites you might like to visit as well.

I Heart Publix
Southern Savers
Frugal Follies
Lamberts Lately

For the Locals: Free Kid Movie at Franklin's Main Library Tomorrow!

If you are looking for a frugal event to take your kids to while on spring break, check this out!

"April 5th at 2:30 pm. Join us at the Main Library for a family movie matinee. Admission is free, and parents and children of all ages are invited. Our movie license won't allow us to advertise the title of the movie online, but it's a live-action film based on a classic children's story about three animal friends, two dogs and a cat, and their adventures as they try to find their way back home. Free popcorn! No reservations needed."

Publix Shop Saving 89%

OOP: $8.45 (saving 89%)

I had to go to the store for eggs to make deviled eggs for my husband's office. I probably could have gone to Aldi's as the eggs are cheaper but really wanted to take advantage of some of the great deals at Publix! Sale prices are good through Saturday (special sales week due to Easter).

10 Bird's Eye Vegetables, 1.99 BOGO
-(5) $1/2 MF Qs
Final Price: .49 ea

Publix Cheesy Shells, 1.89
-Penny Item
Final Price: .01

4 Orange Crush, 1.70 BOGO
-(2) BOGO IP Qs
Final Price: .42 ea

2 Lay's Chips, 4.29 BOGO
Final Price: 2.15 ea

4 Valley Fresh Canned Chicken, 2.50
-(4) $1/1 MF Qs
Final Price: 1.50 ea

2 Publix Bread, 1.35
-Free Publix Coupon WYB 2 Valley Fresh Canned Chicken
Final Price: Free

Hellman's Mayo, 4.67 BOGO
-$1/1 MF Q
Final Price: 1.33

Publix Eggs, 1.89

Cantaloupe, 2.00

6 Carefree Products, 1.07
-(6) $2/1 Publix Q from Green Flyer
-(5) $1/1 MF Qs
-$1/1 IP Q
Final Price: Free +

-$5/$40 Publix Coupon

Total before sales/coupons: $74.49
Sales: 24.76
Coupons: 41.28
OOP: $8.45 (saving 89%)

Link Love: Great Deal on Dove Products at Target

Check out the post at The Thrifty Deafies on a great deal on Dove products at Target!

For the Locals: Artwork by John Mellencamp

Here is a great exhibit to add to your calendar!

The paintings of John Mellencamp will be featured in his first museum exhibition, Nothing Like I Planned: The Art of John Mellencamp, 12 April 2012 to 10 June 2012 at the Tennessee State Museum in Nashville. Organized by curator Renee White, the exhibition contains 52 paintings, spanning four decades of output. Lois Riggins-Ezzell, Executive Director of the museum and a longtime supporter said, “For more than 30 years, I have been an ardent admirer of John Mellencamp, the heartland rock and populist champion of the people. More recently, I’ve become a serious devotee of John Mellencamp, the extraordinarily talented artist. We are very pleased to introduce John Mellencamp the Artist to a museum audience.”

Born in 1951 in Seymour, Indiana, a descendent of German immigrants, Mellencamp played music from the age of fourteen. His interest in painting came even earlier. “I started messing around with oil paints when I was about ten but, you know, without instruction,” he remembers.

Eventually, he focused on music, and by 1980, was earning accolades. Two years later, he won a Grammy. Even with a string of hit recordings reflecting diverse musical styles and innovating what would come to be known as the Americana genre, Mellencamp continued painting as a means of personal self-exploration. His first subjects were friends, family and landscapes reminiscent of the French impressionists. Mellencamp’s formal art training was sparse. “I briefly studied at the New York Art Students League.

There was so much information that I’m, to this day, still trying to learn and put into practice what my teacher taught me back then,” he admits. The award-winning songwriter, actor and musician shuns being designated “rock star” or “pop singer” and has a long history of musical exploration and innovation. One of his current projects is Ghost Brothers of Darkland County, a musical in collaboration with best-selling author Stephen King. He has long strived to use his music to promote social justice, and to underscore the plight of the American family farmer. He was acknowledged for these efforts with both the Woody Guthrie Award and ASCAP Foundation’s Champion Award.

Bringing the weight of personal history to both his music and art, Mellencamp always returns home to the state of Indiana where he still resides. A testament to the power of place and authenticity permeates his works.

His portraiture has evolved to a personal style that some critics describe as similar to the dark and shadowy paintings of the German Expressionists. This search for expressiveness by means of exaggeration and distortion of line and color in favor of a simplified style intended to carry an emotional impact is seen in the recent oil painting, Savannah GA. Mellencamp, like German Expressionist Max Beckmann, exalts the individual, a man standing in full frontal pose opposite the viewer.With arms out of sync with each other, the facial expression is dour and contemplative. There is an intense aspect of an inner world, an emotional force, something that explains why this style, like those earlier German Expressionism, is best manifested in times of social crisis and upheaval. Mellencamp understands the inequality of modern society. His realism is inseparable from his philosophical concerns; he provokes so that people will ask questions about the world around them.

When asked about his work, Mellencamp responded, “I learned a long time ago that you can’t control what people think. Do I have a mission of what I want to accomplish with this? I’ve already accomplished it. There it is. There’s the song. There’s the painting.”

A fully illustrated color catalogue with an essay by nationally-known art writer, Hilarie M. Sheets will accompany the exhibition.

The Tennessee State Museum is open free to the public.
Hours are: Tuesday–Saturday 10 G.M. to 5 P.M.; Sunday 1 to 5 P.M. Closed Mondays.