Music lovers, get ready! On Saturday, February 1, 2025, Nobels in Carthage will host a Tennessee Songwriters Week qualifying round at 5 p.m. on the Rainy Night Stage. This exciting event will feature live performances of original songs from local songwriters, with two winners advancing to the Showcase Round at The Franklin Theater on March 1. From there, finalists will have the chance to perform at the legendary Bluebird Café in Nashville.

Part of the sixth annual Tennessee Songwriters Week, this event celebrates the state’s rich music heritage while supporting local artists and venues. Tennessee, home to seven genres of music, remains a global leader in storytelling through song.

Signups for the Qualifying Round at Nobels close on January 25, 2025. Visit Nobels’ website for details and registration.

The highly anticipated 7th Annual River City Ball is preparing for another extraordinary year, and organizers are now accepting donations for its silent, live, and online auctions. Presented by Hotel Walton and Caney Fork Farms, the River City Ball has become a cornerstone event in Smith County, bringing the community together to raise funds for worthy local causes.

Businesses and individuals are encouraged to participate by donating auction items. Interested participants can directly message the River City Ball team or email rivercityball@outlook.com to coordinate their donations.

The 2025 beneficiary of the River City Ball is the Smith County Rescue Squad, a volunteer-driven organization that provides emergency services such as vehicle extrication, technical rescue operations, water rescues, and search-and-rescue operations. For over five decades, the Rescue Squad has answered calls for help from Smith County residents and travelers alike. As a volunteer group, they rely on community support to continue their lifesaving work.

The 7th Annual River City Ball will be held on Saturday, May 10th, 2025, at Catesa Farms. Tickets will go on sale on February 5th at 6:00 PM, and attendees are encouraged to secure their spots early.

Since its inception, the River City Ball has raised over $100,000 to support community projects that enhance the quality of life in Smith County. For more information, follow the River City Ball on Facebook or Instagram.

WASHINGTON, DC—On Monday, U.S. Representative John Rose (TN-06) celebrated the inauguration of Donald J. Trump, 47th President of the United States. The historic ceremony took place inside the rotunda of the Capitol, a first since the second inauguration of Ronald Reagan in 1985.

Rep. Rose issued the following statement following the transfer of power:
“I joined the millions of Tennesseans who took a sigh of relief a few minutes ago,” Rep. Rose said. “The United States is back. The long nightmare of open borders, inflation fueled by deficit spending, and overregulation are over. I am thrilled to see President Trump back in the White House. I wish him, Vice President JD Vance, and the entire Trump-Vance Administration godspeed as they work to get our country back on track. I will be praying for their success.”

U.S. Representative John Rose is currently serving his fourth term representing Tennessee’s Sixth Congressional District and resides in Cookeville with his wife, Chelsea, and their two sons, Guy and Sam. The Sixth District includes Cannon, Clay, Cumberland, DeKalb, Fentress, Jackson, Macon, Overton, Pickett, Putnam, Smith, Sumner, Trousdale, Van Buren, and White counties as well as portions of Davidson, Scott, Warren, and Wilson counties. Representative Rose is an eighth-generation farmer, small business owner, and attorney, and currently serves on the House Financial Services Committee and House Agriculture Committee.

For His Glory Ministries is delighted to invite the community to a Free Soup and Chili Event on Saturday, February 1st, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. (or while supplies last).

This event is open to everyone, and no cost or registration is required—just come as you are and enjoy a warm meal in a welcoming atmosphere. In addition to the delicious soup and chili, we will also have a selection of clothing, shoes, blankets, and winter weather accessories available for those in need.

Whether you’re looking for a hearty meal, warm essentials for the winter, or just an opportunity to connect with others in the community, this event is for you..

Due to the extremely cold temperatures forecasted for this coming Monday morning, January 20th, Keep Smith County Beautiful has decided to cancel the MLK Day litter clean-up event.

We encourage citizens to find their own ways to give back to the community on this national day of service.

Information about the spring litter clean-up event soon will be coming soon, so stay tuned.

Chocolate is a staple for Valentine’s Day in my book. What is better than chocolate? Homemade chocolate!

This Valentine’s Day why not treat your loved one or yourself to a box of homemade chocolate goodies? On Friday, February 14th from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. (or until sold out) the Smith County Family and Community Education Clubs (FCE) will again be hosting their Annual Chocolate Extravaganza!

This year FCE members will pre-package boxes by the dozen. A box of assorted brownies, cookies, candies, etc. is only $5.00. The candies and cakes prepared may contain or come into contact with common allergens such as tree nuts and peanuts.

Proceeds will benefit the Smith County Heritage Museum and FCE projects. Come out to the Smith County Chamber of Commerce on February 14th and support a worthwhile cause!

Chess Pie

3 eggs

1 ½ cups sugar

3 tablespoons melted butter

1 tablespoon plain white corn meal

1/3 cup buttermilk

½ teaspoon salt

1 ½ teaspoons vanilla

1 unbaked 9-inch pie crust

Beat the eggs with a wire whisk. Add sugar, melted butter, cornmeal, buttermilk, salt and vanilla. Mix ingredients well and pour into unbaked 9-inch pie shell. Bake in a preheated 375-degree oven on the bottom rack for 15 minutes. Then reduce heat to 350 degrees and bake 20 more minutes. Submitted by: Barbara Acuff, Elmwood/Chestnut Mound FCE Club.

The Annual MLK Day of Service event is scheduled for Monday, January 20th. It is an inspiring day of community action and collaboration. In partnership with Keep Smith County Beautiful and a host of generous sponsors and volunteers will come together to clean and beautify roadside areas throughout Smith County.

Participants are encouraged to join this initiative to honor the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. by giving back to their community. Breakfast and lunch will be provided to all volunteers.

The event will begin at 9 a.m. at the Smith County Chamber of Commerce, located at 939 Upper Ferry Road in Carthage. Volunteers of all ages and abilities are welcome, so gather your friends, family, or coworkers, and help make a difference in the county you call home.

For more information you can follow Keep Smith County Beautiful on Facebook.

The Carthage Rotary Club is excited to announce its upcoming Cornhole Tournament Fundraiser, set to take place on Saturday, February 8, 2025, at the Smith County Agriculture Center, located at 159 Ag Center Lane in Carthage, TN.

Registration for the tournament begins at 9:00 a.m., with the first round of tournament play starting promptly at 10:00 a.m. The entry fee is $50 per team, making it an affordable and entertaining way to spend the day while competing for fantastic prizes. The first-place winners will take home a $500 cash prize, while the second-place team will win $250. All prizes will be awarded at the end of the tournament.

The Cornhole Tournament isn’t just about competition—it’s also an opportunity to bring the community together to support local charities and community projects. Every dollar raised through this event will directly benefit these initiatives, making it a meaningful way to give back to Carthage and its residents.

Attendees can also look forward to a variety of food and beverage options, provided by on-site vendors.The event is perfect for families, friends, and community members of all ages. Even if you’re not competing, come out to cheer on your favorite teams, enjoy the festive atmosphere, and support a worthy cause.

Gather your teammates, practice your cornhole skills, and join the Carthage Rotary Club for a day of fun and giving back to the community. For more information or to pre-register, contact the event organizers at (615) 486-9429.

For His Glory Ministries, in collaboration with The Spot and other community partners, is excited to host a free backpack giveaway event. Each backpack will be filled with essential items designed to support individuals currently facing uncertain housing situations.

Just plan to show up on Sunday, January 28th, at dusk to receive your free backpack. The event will take place at The Spot, conveniently located at 107 3rd Avenue East.

This giveaway is part of our ongoing commitment to serving our community and providing resources to those in need. Please help spread the word to anyone who might benefit from this opportunity. Free soups, chili and drinks will also be available.

The Smith County Humane Society has announced two upcoming events to assist both the community and its four-legged residents. These initiatives, taking place at the Smith County Ag Center, aim to bring people together for a good cause while providing much-needed resources for pets.

Dog Food Giveaway – Friday, January 17th, 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM

To help support pet owners in need, the Humane Society will host a Dog Food Giveaway at the Smith County Ag Center, 159 Ag Center Lane, South Carthage. Families are invited to stop by and receive a free bag of dog food on a first-come, first-served basis, with a limit of one bag per family. This event is designed to alleviate the burden on pet owners and ensure that local dogs are well-fed and cared for.

Humane Society Spaghetti Dinner – Friday, January 17th, 3:30 PM to 7:00 PM

Later that same day, the Humane Society will host its annual Spaghetti Dinner to raise funds for its rescue and adoption programs. Meals are available for dine-in or carry-out and include spaghetti with sauce, garlic toast, salad, a drink, and dessert. Tickets are priced at $10 for adults and $6 for children. The dinner will also take place at the Smith County Ag Center, offering a delicious way for the community to support animal welfare efforts.

For more information about these events or to support the Humane Society, visit their website at SmithCountyTNHumane.com.