Tennessee Tech University’s Appalachian Center for Craft will host more than 30 workshops for the community over the months of May and June as part of its 2025 summer workshop season. Topics range from bladesmithing and bookbinding to glassblowing, wood turning, raku pottery, sourdough bread and more.

Workshops are taught by craft artists from across the country who will converge at the Craft Center to share techniques and inspire creative growth. Open to adults 18 and older, the workshops are designed to accommodate a range of skill levels, from novice to advanced.

The Craft Center seeks to provide quality craft education and a space for creative retreat through its summer workshops —all offered in a serene setting that invites creative exploration and immersive learning for all.

“We invite you to take some time for yourself and make something! Experience the transformative impact of hands-on learning in a community of craft enthusiasts and makers,” said Ashley Lusietto, program manager for the Appalachian Center for Craft.

The Craft Center is located off Highway 56 between Silver Point and Smithville, on the northeast side of Hurricane Bridge. Situated on over 500 wooded acres, the campus overlooks Center Hill Lake in scenic Middle Tennessee. The Craft Center features over 87,000 square feet of spacious studios, a retail store, exhibition galleries, a cafe, on-campus housing, and more. Weekend and weeklong workshop participants are invited to purchase on-site room and board, with meals catered by Chartwells. Workshop guests are also welcome to purchase lunch.

Workshops require online registration and payment of at least 50% of the tuition to reserve a seat. Participants are responsible for room and board as well as material fees, if applicable. A 25% discount on tuition is available for Tennessee Tech students, faculty, and staff, in addition to residents of Putnam, Dekalb, Smith and White counties.

For more information, including workshop policies, room and board details, and a schedule with workshop descriptions and instructor bios, visit our website: https://www.tntech.edu/fine-arts/craftcenter/summer.php.

Connect with the Appalachian Center for Craft on Instagram or Facebook using the handle @TNTechCraftCenter.

The Appalachian Center for Craft is a campus of the nationally accredited School of Art, Craft & Design within the College of Fine Arts at Tennessee Tech University. Its mission is to promote excellence in American craft by teaching both tradition and innovation in professional studio craft and fostering access to the highest quality craft education, craft artists, craft works and events in a community arts context. photos & article submitted by Ashley Lusietto

The Carthage Junction Depot welcomes renowned ceramics artist, Susan DeMay for a one-day event Saturday, April 26. Her work will be on display and available for purchase from 10-4pm. Ms. DeMay will be answering questions and meeting the public at the formal reception from 1-3. 

Susan DeMay produces functional and decorative stoneware pottery and other artistic forms, such as wall works, sculptural vases, and tile projects. She maintains a studio, Made by deMay, in Smithville, Tennessee with the help of a number of assistants. Her work includes a production line of tabletop wares as well as a series of art pieces. All clay work uses colorful glazes with a variety of surfaces, put together to create rich, expressive palettes and distinctive designs. Each series has evolved from many years of working with electric kilns fired to cone six.

Susan DeMay was raised on a farm in Palmyra, New York.  She was in the last graduating class before the merger between George Peabody College for Teachers and Vanderbilt University. She was subsequently brought on to the faculty of the Art and Art History Department to teach ceramics part time. for nearly two years. A short break allowed for nearly a year in Europe on a Belgium Cultural Exchange Grant; and then for studies at the Appalachian Center for Craft in Smithville, Tennessee, and to finally establish her own studio there.

Susan returned to Vanderbilt in 1985 and settled into a dual career as a professor and studio artist. Her ceramics studio produced several production lines, most famously sold at the Smithsonian Museum Stores. Susan continued to experiment with wall works and sculptural works. In 2003 she shifted the balance of her work to full time teaching and scaled down her studio operations. She has kept active professionally by presenting and demonstrating at the National Conference of Ceramics Educators. She has written numerous articles that have appeared in national and international publications and books. Her work has been included in five Lark Book Series and books for beginners studying clay. The latest book was The Best of 500 Ceramics: Celebrating a Decade in Clay. “Sixty-four prominent contemporary ceramic artists served as jurors for this special edition, each selecting what he or she found to be the most technically masterful, stylistically inventive, and historically important pieces featured in the ceramics books of the Lark’s 500 Series.”

Susan conducts numerous glazing workshops in the region and participates in many exhibitions around the Southeast. Her work can be found in public and private collections. Susan currently teaches ceramics at Cumberland University, where she has taught on and off since 2010, when she taught the first solely clay class there.

We hope you all will join us in warmly welcoming Susan to Smith County by visiting on April 26.

Carthage Junction Depot is located at 185 Gordonsville Highway, Brush Creek, TN. It is home to  monthly arts events highlighting the creative work of regional artists and craftsmen. You can find out more information about upcoming events and exhibits at the Depot on the Events tab on the Carthage Junction Depot facebook page or via Smith County Chamber of Commerce publications.. 

The Second Harvest Food Truck will be at the Smith County Agriculture Center on Wednesday, April 23rd. The truck generally arrives at 10 a.m. Volunteers work to unload the truck and get the food ready for pick-up shortly after. Food is distributed until it is gone. Cars line up around the Ag Center early. Those hoping to receive food at this distribution are encouraged to be in line no later than 10 a.m.

The food trucks are sponsored by the Hunger Relief Fund of Smith County and grants from Second Harvest Food Bank of Middle TN. Churches, businesses and individuals donate to the hunger relief fund all year. Usually two dates are scheduled each month. For more information feel free to contact the Smith County Chamber of Commerce 615-735-2093.

The Smith County Amateur Radio Club will meet Monday April 21 at the Chamber of Commerce in Carthage. The topic is Antenna Feed Lines.  Anyone is invited to attend. Contact Larry Puhl for further information 224 489 4330.

The Pavilion Senior Living invites families and children to an Easter Egg Hunt on April 18 at 2:00 PM. The event will take place at The Pavilion at Carthage, located at 130 Lebanon Hwy, South, Carthage, TN 37030.

This fun-filled afternoon is open to the public and promises an exciting Easter celebration for all ages. Families can enjoy the thrill of hunting for colorful eggs while spending quality time together.

“Residents will look forward to seeing the kids and families,” said event organizers. “This is a wonderful opportunity to bring generations together for joy, laughter, and community spirit.”

Come join the fun and make special memories with residents! For more information, please contact The Pavilion Senior Living.

The Second Harvest Food Truck will be at the Smith County Agriculture Center on Wednesday, April 9th. The truck generally arrives at 10 a.m. Volunteers work to unload the truck and get the food ready for pick-up shortly after. Food is distributed until it is gone. Cars line up around the Ag Center early. Those hoping to receive food at this distribution are encouraged to be in line no later than 10 a.m.

The food trucks are sponsored by the Hunger Relief Fund of Smith County and grants from Second Harvest Food Bank of Middle TN. Churches, businesses and individuals donate to the hunger relief fund all year. Usually two dates are scheduled each month. For more information feel free to contact the Smith County Chamber of Commerce 615-735-2093.

The Smith County Rescue Squad will host its annual roadblock fundraiser on Saturday, April 5, 2025, in Carthage, South Carthage, and Gordonsville. Volunteers will be stationed at key locations from 8:00 a.m. to approximately 12:00 noon, collecting donations to support the Squad’s lifesaving operations.

Founded 59 years ago, the Smith County Rescue Squad continues to operate solely on donations and grants, with a dedicated team of 100% volunteers providing emergency assistance free of charge.

For those unable to contribute at the roadblock, donations can also be made via:
🔹 Venmo: @SCrescue
🔹 Website: www.smithcountyrescue.org
🔹 Mail:
Smith County Rescue Squad
Attn: Chief
513 Jefferson Ave E
Carthage, TN 37030

All funds raised will go toward essential Squad operations, including fuel, utilities, maintenance, and general supplies. As the primary search and rescue team for Smith County, the Squad relies entirely on community support to continue its mission.

Your generosity makes a difference—thank you for supporting the Smith County Rescue Squad! In case of rain, the event will be rescheduled for Saturday, April 12th.

The Gordonsville Church of the Nazarene will host a Community Giveaway on Sunday, April 13, from 1:00 PM to 4:00 PM at 164 Main St East, Gordonsville, TN 38563. This event is an opportunity for community members to come and take what they need—completely free of charge.

The Community Giveaway is designed to support individuals and families in need by offering a wide range of household goods, clothing, furniture, and other essentials. Items have been generously donated by members of the community to ensure that others can benefit from them. No registration is required, and all are welcome to attend.

The Gordonsville Church of the Nazarene invites everyone in the community to spread the word and attend this special event.

Come out for a special celebration at Treehouse Treasures as they mark one incredible year of bringing unique antique & handmade treasures to the heart of Carthage, TN! The entire community is invited to visit on Saturday, April 5, 2025 for the One Year Anniversary Open House. The event will run from 10 AM to 4 PM at our location at 320 Main Street North, Carthage, TN.

Owner Rita Key says, “This milestone is not just a celebration of our success, but of the wonderful customers who have supported us throughout the year. We are so grateful for your patronage and excited for everyone to come out and enjoy the shopping and don’t forget the refreshments.”

What to Expect at the Event:

· Door Prizes: Don’t miss your chance to win one of our fantastic door prizes! We will be giving away.

· A $100 Gift Card

· Two $50 Gift Cards

· A Large Basket of Goodies, Filled with delightful surprises! (valued at $300+)

· Meet the Venders: Get a chance to meet some of the venders and their wonderful decorated booths. Meet some of our crafty venders whose creations are featured in our store.

· Light Refreshments: Enjoy complimentary refreshments as you shop and explore all the amazing treasures we have in store.

Special thanks is extended to all the venders who donated door prizes for our One Year Anniversary : Genene Kyle, Penny Sue Vaden, Tony Horton, Sarah Christian, Jeff & Lisa Dickson, Tammy Montoya, Tracy Woodard, Crystal Clark, Teresa Wilson, Vicki Smith, Darryl Mallen, Paula Poindexter, Delayne Davenport, Holley Aulridge, Donna Mason, Jennifer Maynard, Kim Wright, Angie Wagner.

Treehouse Treasures has quickly become a beloved destination for unique gifts, antiques, home décor, jewelry, and art. Whether you’re looking for something special for yourself or a one of a kind gift, we have something for everyone.

Come celebrate and discover the latest items in the variety of collectibles, home decor, antiques and much more. It will be a great day for some shopping fun with a chance to win some great prizes.

· When: Saturday, April 5, 2025 10 AM – 4 PM

· Where: 320 Main Street North, Carthage, TN

For more information check us out on Facebook: Treehouse Treasures, the one with the trunk in the picture or you can call or text 615-735-7494.

Carthage, TN – March 28, 2025 – Highpoint Health – Riverview with Ascension Saint Thomas announces its upcoming Women’s Health Expo on Sunday, April 27th, from 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM. This informative event is designed to empower women of all ages with valuable knowledge and resources to support their health and well-being. There is no cost to attend.

Attendees will have the opportunity to learn about a variety of important topics, including prenatal and postnatal care, postmenopausal health, gynecologic care and procedures, pelvic floor health, as well as preventive care such as weight loss and fitness. Local organizations will be on-site offering products, free samples, safety demonstrations, and more.

Participants can also meet Highpoint Health – Riverview’s knowledgeable providers, enjoy light refreshments, and enter for a chance to win exciting door prizes. Tours of the Labor and Delivery and 3-D mammography suites will be available.

“We’re thrilled to announce this year’s expanded Women’s Health Expo, offering so much more than just obstetrics and pregnancy information,” said Jamie Green, Women’s Services Director at Highpoint Health – Riverview. “This is a fantastic opportunity for women in our community to connect with our providers, gain valuable insights into important health issues, and discover local organizations dedicated to supporting their overall well-being.”

Mark your calendars! The event will be held at Highpoint Health – Riverview at 158 Hospital Drive, Carthage, TN 37030. Don’t miss this free event dedicated to women’s health.

For more information about Highpoint Health’s Women’s Health Services, please visit https://www.highpointhealthsystem.com/womens-health.