The FOP State Trooper Lodge #44 will host “Cruisin for Cothron Car Show” on Saturday, October 19th at the Putnam County Expo Center, Cookeville TN. Registration starts at 9 a.m. Entry Fee is $20

All proceeds will benefit Trooper Adam Cothron who was shot while conducting a traffic stop on July 19, 2024. Trooper Cothron is currently undergoing extensive physical therapy at the Shephard’s Center in Atlanta, GA.

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The William Walton Harvest Festival, originally set for this Saturday, September 28th, has been postponed to Saturday, October 26th, due to anticipated adverse weather conditions from Hurricane Helene.

We are excited to announce that the Harvest Queen Pageant, along with our fantastic vendors, food trucks, and entertainment, will still take place on the new date. This festival is a beloved community tradition, and we can’t wait to celebrate with everyone once the weather clears up.

For those interested in being part of this year’s festivities, there are still vendor spaces available. If you’d like to showcase your goods or services, please reach out to the Smith County Chamber of Commerce at 615-735-2093 for more information.

We appreciate your understanding and support as we adjust the festival date, and we look forward to a wonderful celebration on October 26th. Mark your calendars, and get ready for a fantastic day filled with fun, food, and community spirit!

The Smith County Drug Prevention Coalition has postponed the annual GLOW WALK to celebrate recovery to Thursday, October 264h at 6:30 p.m. This is a FREE event, no need to register. Just meet at the Rails to Trails in South Carthage at the Gazebo across from the Town Hall. 

It is a glow walk, glow sticks will be given away and the path will be lit up. Individuals may want to bring a flashlights since there may be dark areas on the trail. 

There will be food available for purchase, vendors, free face painting, and free glow in the dark t-shirts for participants. It’s a great time to come out and walk with your family and show support to the recovery community in Smith County! This is all about breaking the stigma surrounding addiction and supporting those doing their best to overcome it! 

On Saturday, October 19, 2024, a Fish Fry and Benefit Auction to benefit foster children in Smith County will be held at the Smith County Ag Center. The Fish Fry will begin at 4:00 p.m. and the Benefit Auction will start promptly at 5:00 p.m. 

Items for the auction include tools, home decor, gift certificates, and much more. Food will be provided from Helen’s Restaurant including fried fish and chicken along with all of the fixings. 

All proceeds from the event will benefit foster children in Smith County during the upcoming Christmas season and throughout the year as needs arise.

Tickets may be purchased at the door or in advance at the various local banks including Citizens Bank, Smith County Bank, BankTennessee, or Wilson Bank & Trust.

The Carthage Rotary Club will offer their fall “all-you-can-eat” pancake breakfast on Friday, October 11 and Saturday, October 12 at the former Gordonsville Shop Rite. Breakfast will be served from 6:00 AM until 9:30 AM on Friday and from 7:00 AM until 9:30 AM on Saturday. Tickets may be purchased for $7.00 from any Rotarian or at the door. Children 4 years and under eat free. Rotarians will deliver carry-out orders to Carthage for free.

Proceeds will benefit the scholarships awarded to seniors at Gordonsville High School and Smith County High School. The former Gordonsville Shop Rite is located on Main Street across fromTown Hall and Bass Funeral Home in Gordonsville.

Tennessee Tech University will host its annual open house Preview Day on Saturday, Oct. 5. The university will welcome students, parents and guests to campus with a full itinerary of activities to discover all that life at Tech has to offer.

The free event will begin with check-in at 8:30 a.m. in the Multipurpose Room of the Roaden University Center. Outside, guests can enjoy coffee, music and donuts on Centennial Plaza. The Golden Eagle marching band and Tech cheerleading squad will welcome visitors with a performance on the plaza beginning at 8:45 a.m.

From 9 a.m. to noon, prospective students and parents are invited to visit with representatives from each of Tech’s academic departments at the Academic Discovery Fair on the main quad. Beginning at 9:30 a.m., guests can tour residence halls, classroom and laboratory spaces or even take a full guided campus tour.

Across campus at the Lab Science Commons building, guests can visit the Student Organizations & Club Fair from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., where free t-shirts will also be distributed.

From 10:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., registered guests can enjoy a free lunch in The Caf or grab a meal on the go from food trucks lined up along Wings Up Way.

Then, at noon, guests are invited to get a first look at the university’s new state-of-the-art Ashraf Islam Engineering Building during a talk with President Phil Oldham in the building’s atrium.

To round out the day, prospective students and parents are encouraged to come cheer on the Golden Eagles at their home football game against South Carolina State University at 1:30 p.m. Students registered for Preview Day will receive a voucher for free admission.

“We know that choosing where to attend college is a personal decision for students and their families. At Tennessee Tech, it’s personal to us, too. That’s why we want to invite prospective students and parents to come experience our campus for themselves with an entire day tailored just for them,” said Frank Tittle, director of admissions at Tech. “Guests will be able to meet with representatives from each academic department, engage with student organizations, tour new campus spaces, enjoy a free meal and take in a Tech football game. Preview Day is truly a one-stop shop to discover what this community is all about.”

Registration for Preview Day is currently open. There is no cost for the event, but all students and guests are asked to register in advance. To learn more, visit www.tntech.edu/previewday or call (931) 372-3635.

Tennessee Tech is ranked as a “Best National University” by U.S. News & World Report. The university offers more than 225 programs of study and Tech grads leave with the least debt of all public universities in the state. In fact, based on total cost and alumni earnings, Tech provides students with the highest return on investment for any public university in Tennessee, according to PayScale.

Smith County Headstart will host an open house on Wednesday, October 16th 1-3 p.m. at their facilities at 201 Joy Alford Way, Carthage.

This is a fantastic opportunity to learn more about our Headstart program, which is dedicated to providing quality early childhood education. You’ll have the chance to meet our dedicated staff, ask questions, and discover how our programs can benefit your child’s development.Get Information about the headstart program, meet the staff and enjoy some fun activities.

For more information contact 615-735-1868.

The Pleasant Shade Community Center, located at 743 Pleasant Shade Hwy, on October 14th from 4 PM to 7 PM will host their annual Fish Fry. Enjoy a delicious meal featuring your choice of crispy fish or tender chicken, paired with golden hushpuppies and two tasty sides. All this, plus a refreshing drink and a sweet dessert, can be yours for just $15.

Children aged 8 and under can enjoy a special child’s plate for only $8, which includes two pieces of fish, hushpuppies, crispy French fries, and a drink.

Gather your friends and family for an evening filled with great food, community, and fun.

The Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency will be celebrating 2024 National Hunting and Fishing Day (NHFD) on Saturday, Sept. 28. This special day recognizes generations of sportsmen and women for their contributions to the rich tradition of wildlife conservation funded by hunting, fishing, and boating license sales.

One of the main goals of National Hunting and Fishing Day is to recruit new hunters and anglers by encouraging participation and increasing public awareness of the connection between hunting, angling, and conservation.

“We encourage people of all ages to go outdoors and experience the mental and physical benefits of outdoor recreation,” says TWRA Executive Director Jason Maxedon. “TWRA offers events throughout the year to teach people the skill they need to enjoy hunting and fishing, and we are grateful for license buyers who support wildlife conservation through their purchases.”

Wildlife and fisheries conservation in Tennessee is primarily funded by the sales of hunting and fishing licenses, boating registrations, and a portion of the Real Estate Transfer Tax. In addition to license sales, TWRA also receives federal grant funding from excise taxes on the sale and manufacturing of certain outdoor recreation gear, firearms, ammunition, and fishing equipment.

National Hunting and Fishing Day was established by the U.S. Congress in 1972 to recognize hunters and anglers for their financial contributions to wildlife conservation. The event is celebrated in all 50 states annually on the fourth Saturday in September.

September 28 is also the launch of the statewide fall archery season for deer and the fall archery season for turkey in select counties. Check the 2024-25 Tennessee Fishing, Hunting, and Trapping Guide for specific season regulations and visit TNWildlife.org for more information on events and opportunities to get involved.

Mark your calendars for the highly anticipated 2024 William Walton Harvest Queen Pageant, taking place at the William Walton Harvest Festival on Saturday, September 28th, at 4 p.m. This exciting event showcases the poise of young contestants from our community.

Age Categories: The pageant features six age groups for girls aged 1 to 18:

• Tiny Miss: 1-3 years
• Little Miss: 4-6 years
• Petite: 7-9 years
• Junior: 10-12 years
• Teen: 13-15 years
• Miss Harvest Queen: 16-18 years

Each contestant must be the actual age for their respective category.

Entry Details: To participate, there is an entry fee of $25. Contestants can also opt for additional elective categories including Most Photogenic: $10, Best Dress: $5, Best Smile: $5 .

People’s Choice Awards: In addition to the main categories, we will award a People’s Choice award for each age group. Supporters can cast their votes for just $1 during the pageant, making this a fun and engaging way to cheer on your favorites!

How to Enter: Contestant applications are available for pickup at:

• Smith County Chamber of Commerce
• Smith County Register of Deeds Office (Turner Building)

The preferred deadline for applications is Thursday, September 26th. However we will take applications on Saturday, September 28th by 3 p.m. the day of the event. All contestants must be checked-in, receive their number and be ready to walk the stage by 3:30 p.m. Contestants are encouraged to come pageant ready. The space to change in the courthouse is limited and not air-conditioned.

For any questions or further information, please feel free to reach out to the Smith County Chamber of Commerce at 615-735-2093 or contact Jerri Lin Vaden-Malone at 615-489-5570. You can also email at jvaden@titlesearcher.com.