Saturday, December 2 The TP Chamber of Commerce and the Town of Tellico Plains will present the 7th Annual Victorian Christmas Candlelight Walk from 5 to 9 PM. Enjoy hot drinks, refreshments and entertainment as shop-owners in the historic downtown open their doors for "Open House." There'll be candle-lined streets, carriage rides, Victorian Costume Contest, Gingerbread House Contest, Santa House, Cookie Caper, Live Nativity Scene, music and much more. Free Admission. Vendors selling gift merchandise are encouraged to reserve a space. Call The Bookshelf for details at 423-253-3183.

The art of storytelling will be celebrated in Cleveland, Tennessee the week of March 19 through the 24 when the Cleveland Storytelling Guild, Cleveland State Community College, and the Museum Center at 5ive Points present the twelfth annual Ocoee Story Fest. Featured teller for this event will be Willy Claflin, internationally known and loved storyteller, and his side-kick Maynard Moose. Various events will take place during the week, culminating with two concerts to be held at the Coleman Auditorium at Cleveland State Community College on Friday evening, March 23, at 7:00 pm and then again on Saturday, March 24, at 2:00 pm. Willy will be presenting a workshop open to the public on Tuesday evening, March 20, at the Museum Center located on Inman Street in Cleveland beginning at 6:00 pm. This fun-filled, interactive workshop will be beneficial to anyone who has children, teaches children, works with children, or is simply a child at heart. Willy will be teaching storytelling techniques that anyone can learn and will share activities designed for working with children ages 3 and up. Cost for the workshop will be $20. Although primarily for adults, children (accompanied by an adult) age 7 and above are welcome to participate. Pre-registration is recommended, but last-minute attendees will be welcomed. Call Judy Baker at 479-7887, Sylvia Idom at 364-8853 or visit the Guild website, www.Tntellers.org for more information and to register. With help from the Allied Arts Council of the Cleveland/Bradley Chamber of Commerce, this two-time Parents’ Choice Gold Award winner will be visiting several local schools during the week, sharing the art of storytelling. On Friday, March 23, the Museum Center at 5ive Points will be hosting Willy in a Lunch and Learn event from 11:00 am till 1:00 pm. Bring your sack lunch and enjoy an eclectic program of stories including fractured fairy tales, traditional ballads, folk tales and anything else Willy dreams up. This event is open to the public and is free. Willy will be sharing his gift of story on Friday evening, March 23 beginning at 7:00 pm at the Coleman Auditorium at Cleveland State Community College and then again on Saturday, March 24 at 2:00 pm. Admission to the concerts is $5 for adults, $3 for seniors and students. As an added bonus, a gifted young storyteller out of Nashville, Hannah Smythe, will be sharing the story she told as a finalist and the youngest to tell, at the recent National Youth Storytelling Showcase in Pigeon Forge. Hannah, a second grade student, will be telling in both concerts.