Catherine Marshall chose to focus on January-November 1912, thus omitting the celebration of Christmas from her novel, Christy. Join historian and author Marilyn Mitchem for her presentation, the first ever, on Christmas at Ebenezer Mission. You’ll celebrate Ebenezer Mission's first Christmas with Katherine Plantz, who, rather than stay in Wisconsin and mourn the loss of her father with family, left for Tennessee to celebrate with strangers. Be fascinated as you learn how the local mountain people observed Christmas with the sometimes humorous, sometimes deadly, mix of merriment and moonshine. You'll relive John and Leonora Whitaker Wood's service at Ebenezer Mission, and the ways they strove to teach the lesson, "It is better to give than to receive," to their students. Interwoven throughout Marilyn's presentation is the tale of a luxuriant, undomesticated plant, "neither evergreen nor everbronze," and one man's vision for it as the economic salvation of Appalachia.

10:30-11:30 AM: I Lift Up Mine Eyes Unto the Hills [Great Smoky Mountains Heritage Center]

Presented by Kathy Gwinn

Kathy will be sharing with us the role faith played in the day-to-day living of the Mountain People. What were their greatest struggles and needs? How did their continued practice of “looking up” to the Creator of those mountains make a difference between giving up or pressing on? We will also hear about the life stories of the earliest ministers, the Circuit-Riding Preachers. Those men were called by God to shepherd the flock albeit over the mountains or down in the Valley.

LUNCH BREAK

ALL AFTERNOON ACTIVITIES TAKE PLACE AT THE HIGHLAND MANOR INN CONFERENCE ROOM

1:00-2:00 PM: Writer's Forum [Highland Manor Inn Conference Room]

Tom Blomquist	Brenda Lilly

Tom and Brenda will share about their work on Christy and discuss how the series was brought to the screen. This will be a fascinting look into the role of the writer and how projects are envisioned and created for an audience.

2:00-3:00 PM: Creating a Cast

Presented by Jo Doster

Jo Doster will share with us her inside knowledge of the casting business. In particular she will discuss her involvement with the Christy series and first PAX film. Working on location, Jo encountered many of the actors we know and today as our beloved Christy cast. It's an unparalleled opportunity to learn about what happens before the "show hits the road!"

3:00-4:00 PM: Meet the Cast of Christy
We'll be talking to the actors and their roles on Christy as well as their broader repertoire of performance and work. Additionally there will be time for questions as well as autographs and photos!

7.30pm-10:00pm - Group Hayride through Cades Cove [Great Smoky Mountains National Park]

Growing up in the southern Appalachians has given Lane Batot a true perspective of life in the mountains along with the important role of hunting. With the episode The Hunt as reference, Lane will present the realities of hunting during Christy's time. He’ll explain hunting methods, the kinds of game and unique hunting dog breeds, such as the Plott Hound and the Mountain Cur. He'll also have on hand a variety of hunting gear such as a horn for calling back the dogs, which in some cases, is still in use today.

11:15 AM - 12.00 PM: Time to Shine

Bill Leistner's the kind of fellow who has amassed a thousand stories and even more jokes in his lifetime. A huge hit at ChristyFest™ 2007 Bill is back this year with even more stories and anecdotes about his life, the area, and one thing he knows a lot about - moonshine. You'll learn the ins and outs of historical moonshine making and about some of the characters ol'Bill can tell you about. You'll also be able to see a real [retired] still.

12:00-12:45 PM: Picnic

Together we'll sit and share a meal with friends and perhaps even a few Presenters and Cast and Crew members!

Optional catered lunch: Advance reservations are necessary for the box lunch, cost is $8.50. Box lunches include your choice of Chicken Salad or Turkey Sandwich with sides. Reservations for box lunch can be accepted via Main Registration until June 10th. You may still attend the picnic even if you do not pre-order a box lunch though you will have to supply your own meal.

12:45-2:00 PM: Inside the Hollywood Studio

Taking Christy from book to television screen was a huge undertaking. A large cast, shooting on location and recreating accurately the time and place of Cutter Gap all presented unique challenges to all involved of this project. Yet many of those involved with Christy have also complete other enterprising projects. In this session we'll take a look at what our Cast and Crew members have done before and Christy, as well as understanding how Christy affected their lives and bodies of work. For a list of who will be present, visit the Cast and Crew page.

2:00-3:00 PM: Cast and Crew Autograph Session

Here’s a chance for the cast and crew to swap howdies with each other and mix with fans of the series. Those involved in the many various aspects of the producing the series--some of who live in the area--are invited to join us. We’ll enjoy the opportunity to meet the cast and crew, get some autographs and snap some pictures!

7:00-8:00 PM: Pickin' on the Porch [Wood N’ Strings Dulcimer Shop]

Mosey on over to Mike Clemmer’s Dulcimer Shop for an hour of good ol’ fashioned music making on Mike’s backyard porch. Mike will have a special guest who will delight us with some melodies featuring this original mountain instrument. Bring a blanket or lawn chair to sit on. Food and drinks will be available for purchase.

8:15-10:00 PM: Entertainment and Evening of Fun