The Pregnancy Resource Center (PRC) of Smith County is opening its doors to the community with an exciting Open House event on September 7th from 2:00 to 4:00 PM. This special gathering invites locals to come and explore the life-saving updates and new developments happening at the center.

Located in the heart of Smith County, the PRC is a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing compassionate support, education, and resources for individuals and families facing unplanned pregnancies. The Open House serves as a unique opportunity for community members to learn more about the center’s mission, meet the team, and see firsthand how the organization is growing to better serve the area.

The event promises a welcoming and informative atmosphere. Attendees will be given a guided look at recent improvements, have the chance to ask questions, and connect with staff and volunteers who are passionate about making a difference in the lives of families.

For more information, individuals are encouraged to visit the PRC’s website at prcsmithcounty.org/supporters or call 615-281-8054. A QR code is also included on the flyer for easy access to their mission details online.

Whether you’re a longtime supporter or newly curious about what the PRC does, this Open House is the perfect chance to get involved and see the impact being made in Smith County. Don’t miss this meaningful event!

The Carthage Junction Depot is pleased to present the art of Cynthia Leason for a one day exhibit, August 16 from 10-4pm. The exhibit is free and open to the public. Some of the exhibited works will be available to purchase from the artist.

Beautifully realistic charcoal and graphite drawings created by local artist, Cynthia Leason will be on display at the historic Carthage Junction Depot this Saturday, August 16 from 10am to 4pm.

Cynthia’s art “career” began at a very young age. Her uncle saw something in her when she began drawing the cartoons from the newspaper. He bought her a “Learn to Draw” book. He asked that she draw one item from each page, before buying a new book.

Throughout high school, she dabbled in several mediums under the tutelage of one art teacher in particular. Mr Haag guided and encouraged her explorations. She was granted a $100 scholarship to pursue her art education at SUNY Fredonia, NY. After 3 semesters in a 4yr program, she felt she had not progressed and was increasingly frustrated with the critiquing of subject matter more than teaching techniques.

In the early 90’s, she ventured into shirt painting and sold a few pieces. As life would have it, tough times led her to “real” jobs and her art was put on hold. After retiring in 2019, she found inspiration at the Smith County Fair’s art exhibitions. It was a slow start, again dabbling in several mediums.

In 2024, she discovered a love for charcoal. With renewed confidence, Cynthia says, “After many failures, I think I got it!”
Cynthia strives to provide detail without the photorealism. “I want my work to be recognizable from afar and shocking in the detail upon stepping in close.”
She still tries different mediums in an effort to continue to explore the wonders of art and the surprises it can reveal.

You can come meet Cynthia, see her beautiful work, and maybe even bring home a piece of your own this Saturday, August 16 at the Carthage Junction Depot. The Depot is located at 185 Gordonsville Hwy, Brush Creek, TN, right beside the Crump Paris Sports fields. Find out about other upcoming art events on the Carthage Junction Depot facebook page.

Carthage, TN — Get ready for a weekend of celebration, community, and uplifting music at the Labor of Love, Faith & Music Festival, happening on August 29th and 30th at Defeated Creek Marina, 160 Marina Lane, Carthage, Tennessee.

This family-friendly event promises something for everyone, from live music and local crafts to delicious food and fun activities for kids. Organized and sponsored by CWOW (Church Without Walls), the festival is a fundraiser for Hearts & Hands Ministries Inc., with a mission to bring people together for a cause while enjoying a meaningful and joyful holiday weekend.

Festival Highlights

Live Music:
Music lovers will enjoy nightly performances from 6:30 PM to 9:30 PM, featuring a lineup of talented artists and choirs including The Nesbitts, Kempville Choir, The Chitwoods, Terri Lynn Weaver, and the Community Kids Choir — along with many friends joining in for special sets.

Car Show:
Classic car enthusiasts won’t want to miss the car show taking place on Saturday from 9 AM to 2 PM. Registration runs from 9 AM to 11 AM, with a trophy awarded to the top car at 2 PM. For more information, contact Danny Bates at 615-804-1686.

Activities for the Whole Family:
Children can enjoy the bouncy house, while families are encouraged to bring lawn chairs and stay for the day. The event also includes a Craft Fair, providing a great opportunity to shop local handmade goods.

Food and Fellowship:
Expect plenty of delicious food, warm fellowship, and fun throughout the weekend. The festival is designed to be a relaxing and entertaining way to spend Labor Day weekend with friends and neighbors.

Crafts and Music Coordination:
For those interested in participating with craft booths or music, contact Scott Nesbitt at 615-388-1415.

For more details, visit www.cwowtn.com.

Don’t miss out on this wonderful opportunity to celebrate community, faith, and music in a beautiful lakeside setting. Come out to Defeated Creek Marina and be part of something special this Labor Day weekend!

The Annual Community Appreciation Day for the Forks River Fire Department, District II will be held on Saturday, August 16, 2025, from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at the Forks River Fire Hall!

Enjoy a free meal, featuring hamburgers, hotdogs, chips, beans, and drinks. While there is no cost for the meal, donations are appreciated. All donations benefit the Forks River Station. Bring your family, check out the fire equipment, and chat with our dedicated firefighters.

The Forks River Fire Hall is located at 598 Cookeville Highway, Elmwood, TN. If you can’t make it but would still like to support the station, you can mail your donation to Forks River Fire Department, P.O. Box 114, Elmwood, TN 38560.

LANCASTER, Tenn. — Congressman John Rose will host the 5th Annual Rose Family Farm Fish Fry on Saturday, September 20, 2025, from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at 693 Lancaster Highway in Lancaster.

The annual event is free to attend and open to the public. Community members are invited to enjoy a fish fry lunch and fellowship with neighbors at the Rose family’s farm.

Those planning to attend are encouraged to register in advance at https://secure.winred.com/rose-for-tn-inc/2025-rose-fish-fry.

The Smith County Amateur Radio Club will meet Monday August 18 at 6 PM at the Chamber of Commerce in Carthage. The topic of the meeting is “Meteor Scatter for Radio Communications”.

Anyone is invited to attend. For more information, contact Larry Puhl – 224 489 4330

          The Upper Cumberland Human Resource Agency (UCHRA) will hold a commodities distribution in
Smith County on Tuesday, Sept. 2, from 9 until 11 a.m. at 159 Ag Center Ln.; South Carthage, TN.
Clients can sign up ahead of time online or at the distribution site on the day of the event.
         Visit uchra.org/2025-commodities-distribution-events for more information about UCHRA’s
commodities program including instructions on how to apply.
The Upper Cumberland Human Resource Agency does not discriminate on the basis of age, race,
sex, color, national origin, religion, or disability in admission to, access to, or operations of its
programs, services, or activities.
        This project is funded under a Grant Contract with the State of Tennessee.

Get ready to ride for a cause! The Justified Motorcycle Club is hosting a benefit ride in support of the Pregnancy Resource Center of Smith County, and the event is coming up soon.

Mark your calendars for Sunday, August 10, with registration beginning at 12:00 p.m. This family-friendly event invites bikers from all over the region to come together for an afternoon of fellowship, fun, and fundraising.

Proceeds from the ride will go directly to the Pregnancy Resource Center, which offers vital services and support to expectant mothers and families in the community.

Don’t forget—this ride is just around the corner! If you or your riding group are looking for a meaningful way to give back, this is a great opportunity to enjoy the open road while supporting a powerful cause.

For more information or to get involved, contact the Pregnancy Resource Center at 615-281-8054.

Let’s hit the road and make a difference—one mile at a time.

State Rep. Michael Hale, R-Smithville, will host a summer hunger summit at 6:00PM CT on Thursday, July 31, at the Smith County Agricultural Center (159 Ag Center Lane, South Carthage). You can find directions to the event HERE. 

The event will bring together community leaders, elected officials, and residents from Smith and Jackson counties to address food insecurity with a focus on child hunger. 

“We have a responsibility to ensure no child in our community goes hungry,” Rep. Hale says. “This summit will bring the right people together to generate practical ideas and partnerships that can make a real impact.” Michael Hale represents District 40 which includes Cannon, Dekalb, Jackson, Smith and part of Wilson counties. 

Attendees will participate in group discussions to identify gaps in food access and develop long-term strategies to support families. TJC’s Child Anti-Hunger Advocate Lillian Marcum adds, “1 in 5 children in Tennessee face food insecurity. We must face this issue together as Tennesseans and work towards a better future for all.” 

The summit is free and open to the public. Organizers plan to hold a second event and will announce more details soon. 

For information, contact Jackson Lelle at 615-741-2192 or jackson.lelle@capitol.tn.gov.

### 

About Healthy Meals, Healthy Kids Tennessee / www.tnschoolmeals.com 

Healthy Meals, Healthy Kids Tennessee is a statewide partnership working to bring state policy solutions that expand access to school meals in Tennessee. Active partners include the following: American Heart Association Voices for Healthy Kids, The Urban Child Institute, The Education Trust TN, Second Harvest Food Bank of Northeast TN, the YMCA, and the Tennessee Justice Center. 

About Tennessee Justice Center / www.tnjustice.org 

For over 28 years, the Tennessee Justice Center has been standing with vulnerable Tennessee families and helping them access basic necessities of life. Since opening our doors in 1996, TJC has used lawsuits, legislation and coalition building to overcome injustice, winning $2 billion in health care and hundreds of millions in financial and nutrition assistance for Tennesseans. Aside from lawsuits, TJC helps assist seniors and other individuals with TennCare, SNAP, and other public benefit programs.

Underwood Hometown Realty invites the community to join them as they celebrate two years of growth, service, and support with a special Open House and Ribbon Cutting ceremony.

The event will be held on Friday, August 1, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at their new office located at 20 E Main Street in Gordonsville, Tennessee. The official ribbon cutting will take place at 11 a.m.

Guests are encouraged to stop by, tour the new office, and enjoy light refreshments while meeting the Underwood Hometown Realty team. The event is a way to thank the community for its support and to celebrate the company’s continued growth.

Attendees will also have the chance to enter to win exciting giveaways, including a Blackstone grill, Milwaukee pruning saw, $500 Sav-Way gift card, free Underwood Hometown Realty T-shirts (while supplies last), and other local gift cards.

Underwood Hometown Realty expressed their gratitude to the community for the encouragement and trust shown over the past two years and looks forward to celebrating this milestone together.

For more information, contact (615) 683-3300, email info@underwoodhometownrealty.com, or visit underwoodhometownrealty.com.

Event Details:

📍 20 E Main Street, Gordonsville, TN 38563

🗓 Friday, August 1

⏰ 11 a.m. – 2 p.m. (Ribbon Cutting at 11 a.m.)