Come out on February 22nd from 11 AM to 2 PM for a free old-fashioned meal underneath the Smith County Library, across from Domino’s at 215 Main Street North, Carthage, TN. Everyone is welcome to enjoy a hot meal, free clothing, and great fellowship. Come eat —everything is completely free! Share in a time of community and kindness. We look forward to seeing you there!

UT TSU Extension-Smith County is proud to partner with the Tennessee Environmental Council to be a tree pick-up location for 2025. Tree pick-up will be Friday, March 14th from 8:00 am to 4:00 pm. You must reserve your trees no later than Sunday, March 2nd.

To reserve your trees for pick-up at Smith County Extension use the link below.
https://www.flipcause.com/secure/cause_pdetails/MjIzMzUx

f you want to pick a different pick-up location visit the Tennessee Environmental Council website.
https://www.tectn.org/tennesseetreeday.html

Smith County Baseball has announced that tickets are now available for the 2025 First Pitch Dinner and Live Auction. The event will take place on Saturday, February 22nd at Catesa Farms in Riddleton, with dinner starting at 6:00 p.m.

Each $50 ticket includes two meals and entry into a raffle for a $5,000 grand prize. Attendees will also have opportunities to win door prizes and participate in a live auction featuring gifts and services donated by local businesses. Those unable to attend are still eligible to win the $5,000 raffle prize.

Proceeds from the event will benefit the baseball program, with recent funding providing upgrades such as a player development building, renovated locker room, new press box, and coaches’ office.

For tickets, contact any Smith County baseball player or parent.

This Saturday, February 15 the Carthage Junction Depot will display artwork honoring the animals we call family in a Pet Portrait exhibit featuring work submitted by local artists. The exhibit is free and open to the public. Some of the exhibited work may be available for purchase. Gallery, gift shop, and train museum will be open from 10-4pm.

Donations to the Smith County Humane Association are greatly appreciated! The Carthage Junction Depot is located at 185 Gordonsville Highway, Brush Creek.

Other upcoming events at the Depot gallery include: 

March  15: Youth Art Month Exhibit

April 26: Susan DeMay Ceramics

The Smith County Amateur Radio Club will meet at 6 PM on Monday February 17 at the Smith County Chamber of Commerce. The topic will be Basic Soldering. Anyone is invited to attend. See the website www.smithcountyamateurradio.com for further information or contact Larry Puhl, 224 489 4330.

Frequency: Receive: 444.50, Transmit 449.500 Positive Offset 5.0 MHz, PL 107.2 ARES NET begins Mondays, at 7 PM

Smith County TN Amateur Radio Club on facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100083453074179 WEBSITE: https:// smithcountyamateurradio.com ​

Smith County residents with a sweet tooth are in for a treat this Valentine’s Day! The Smith County Family and Community Education (FCE) organization is gearing up for its annual Chocolate Extravaganza on February 14, 2025, at the Smith County Chamber of Commerce from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., or until sold out.

This much-anticipated event will feature handmade chocolate goodies, available in pre-packaged dozen containers for just $5. Each box will include a delightful assortment of candies and cakes, though buyers should be mindful that some treats may contain common allergens such as tree nuts and peanuts.

FCE members will be on-site to assist with purchases, ensuring a smooth and festive experience for all attendees. As always, the event is about more than just indulging in delicious sweets—proceeds will benefit the Smith County Heritage Museum and various FCE projects that support the local community.

Chocolate lovers are encouraged to arrive early, as supplies are expected to sell out quickly. For more information, residents can call 615-735-2900 with any questions.

Don’t miss this opportunity to celebrate Valentine’s Day with homemade treats while supporting a great cause!

Smith County families are invited to an evening of love, laughter, and lasting memories at the Father-Daughter Sweetheart Dance on Thursday, February 22, from 5 PM to 8 PM at the Smith County Ag Center.

Sponsored by Delta Omega Beta Sigma Phi, this community event aims to bring fathers and daughters together for a night of fun while supporting a good cause. All proceeds from the event will benefit the Smith County Scholarship Fund and local families in need.

Tickets are priced at $60 per couple, with an additional fee of $25 per extra daughter. The event includes a delicious dinner and dancing, along with music, food, and a photo booth to capture special moments.

Tickets can be purchased in person at Bellar and Winkler, Citizens Bank – Main Branch, and Smith County Drug Center. Online ticket purchases are available at: https://SmithCountySweetheartDance.eventbrite.com.

Don’t miss this magical opportunity to celebrate the special bond between fathers and daughters while supporting a meaningful cause in the community!

By Ashley Lusietto

SMITHVILLE, Tenn. – Tennessee Tech University’s Appalachian Center for Craft presents “Family Craft Studio,” a new intergenerational program happening monthly on Saturdays from February through May 2025. This free, drop-in event series is open to the public.

Children and their guardians are invited to explore a different hands-on craft project each month, guided by Tech art education students. Family groups will craft together and learn new techniques while working with fibers, glass, wood and metals. Each project is designed to engage participants of various ages and skill levels.

Sessions take place from 9 a.m. to noon on select Saturdays. Participants may arrive anytime during the allotted timeframe. The program will be held in ACC’s 3D Design Room. Signage will be available to direct guests, and a campus map can be found on the Family Craft Studio website.

Spring 2025 dates and projects include:

• February 22: Felted Faces
• March 8: Fused Glass Tiles
• April 12: Marble Mazes
• May 17: Embossed Wind Chimes
  

Participants will take home their projects at the end of the session, except for those requiring kiln-firing or annealing, such as glass or clay pieces. These will be available for pickup at a later date.

Family Craft Studio is open to all individuals ages six and up. Minors must be accompanied by an adult for the duration of the session. Registration is recommended, though not required, and walk-ins are welcome as long as supplies last.

The Appalachian Center for Craft is located at 1560 Craft Center Drive in Smithville, Tenn. For more details or to register, visit www.tntech.edu/familycraft.

The Carthage Rotary Club is excited to host its Third Annual Cornhole Tournament on Saturday, February 8, 2025, at the Smith County Agriculture Center in South Carthage. This highly anticipated event promises a day of friendly competition and fun with all proceeds from the event supporting local charities and community projects.

The tournament will feature cash prizes, with the first-place team taking home $500 and the second-place winners earning $250. Teams can enter the tournament for an entry fee of $50. Registration begins at 9:00 a.m., with the tournament kicking off at 10:00 a.m.

The Smith County Agriculture Center, located at 159 Ag Center Lane in Carthage, will serve as the venue for the tournament.

For more information about the event, including how to register, please contact (615) 486-9429.

GriefShare is a supportive and welcoming group where individuals can find understanding and comfort as they navigate the difficult emotions of grief.

You don’t have to face your journey through grief alone. The GriefShare group in Smith County offers a 13-week program designed for anyone who has experienced the loss of a loved one. Each session includes video teachings by renowned Christian counselors and inspiring testimonies from those who have walked the path of grief.

Sessions are held every Tuesday at 6 p.m. at the Smith County Chamber of Commerce, located at 939 Upper Ferry Road, Carthage. Sessions will begin on February 4th and continue until April 29th.

This program is sponsored by First Baptist Church of Carthage, Bass Funeral Home, and Sanderson Funeral Home. Participation is free, and all materials, including workbooks, are provided at no cost to attendees.

For more information, contact Pastor Tim Frank at 931-261-8452 or via email at timfrank1960@gmail.com.