Speaker Dr. Brad Harrub will be presenting “Fortifying Your Faith” a gospel seminar at Gordonsville Church of Christ on Friday March 18th and Saturday, March 19th at 6 p.m. and Sunday, March 20th at 9 a.m. with lunch to follow at 11 a.m.

Children’s classes will be available each day for children ages 1 year old – 3rd grade.

Various topics to strengthen your faith walk will be shared. The seminar is free and open to the public. Contact the Gordonsville Church of Christ, 106 Lisa Drive, Gordonsville, (615) 683-6212 for more information.

By Mary Parker Draper, Extension Agent – Smith County

I will be offering a six-week, one-hour Tai Chi workshop starting Thursday, March 24, 2022, and continuing every Thursday through April 28. The workshop will be held at the Smith County Chamber of Commerce from 9:00 a.m. until 10:00 a.m. each week.

Tai Chi from the Arthritis Foundation is designed for individuals with or without arthritis, rheumatic diseases, or related musculoskeletal conditions primarily characterized by diffuse muscle pain, decreased muscle strength, and fatigue. Individuals with very mild illness, minimal joint involvement, or an inactive daily routine might find the program challenging. Some generalized muscle soreness or feeling tired from increased activity may be likely. All ages are welcome.

The Program’s Demonstrated Benefits Include:

· Decrease in pain and stiffness of joints

· Improved daily physical functioning

· Improved balance leading to decrease in falling

· Improved abdominal muscle strength

· Improved flexibility

· Increased confidence in one’s ability to exercise

The cost for this workshop is $48. Spaces are limited. Call the UT Extension Office at 615-735-2900 to register today! The deadline to register is March 18th.

By the Way…. Here’s some FOOD for THOUGHT

Williamsburg Tea Room Creamy Tomato Soup

1/4 cup minced onion

3 tablespoons butter

3 tablespoons flour

3/4 teaspoon salt

1/4 teaspoon pepper

1 cup milk

4 cups tomato juice

1 small bay leaf

Minced parsley, for garnish

Sauté onion in butter until tender. Add flour and seasonings, stir until smooth, and cook one minute. Gradually add milk and tomato juice. Cook until thick and bubbly, then add bay leaf and simmer one minute. Remove bay leaf. Garnish with parsley before serving. Submitted by Night Owls FCE Club.

Great employment opportunities are available in Smith County. HG Staffing is hosting Job Fair this Thursday, March 10th, 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. at their office located at 120 Pauline Gore Way, Carthage. They will feature information regarding immediate openings for multiple shifts and various locations.

Positions are Temp to hire. Pays up to $17 an hour. Great HG Staffing Benefits begin immediately. Full and Part-time schedules are available. Prospective employees must be 18 years or older, pass a drug screen and background check.

JR Smith, English and Journalism Instructor at Smith County High School and sponsor/director of the production shared that Smith County Playhouse was an idea meant to fill a need. “We have so many students in this county who love theatre and are very talented in this area, but had no outlet close to Carthage for children’s theatre.” The last musical that was produced at SCHS was in 2015, and aside from a few high school plays, the SCHS auditorium wasn’t being used for anything other than a classroom.

In an effort to create change, a team was established over the summer of 2021. They outlined goals for what Smith County Playhouse would look like and also chose Annie for our Spring 2022 musical. “We chose Annie because we felt like it’s positive theme about the possibilities of “tomorrow” was perfect while we were trying to make our way through the COVID-19 Pandemic,” Smith shared.

Smith was sure to add that Annie could not have been produced if not for the amazing community. Smith County Playhouse has been able to raise over $30,000 for the show through various fundraising and grant-making efforts. Every penny has gone to renovating and improving the auditorium and providing the students with meaningful real-world opportunities.

The students have been an integral part of the process of creating this musical. Set designer, Jim Bare, has been working with students since the fall. He’s taught a dedicated group of students how to use tools and design various set pieces. Other adult volunteers helped with painting, sound and lighting design, hair and makeup, costuming, and more. Students are consistently working with these volunteers to gain valuable knowledge.

Auditions for Annie were held in November. Over 100 students from around the county came to audition, and a cast of 70 was selected. The students range from 2nd-12th grade. Students come from a variety of different backgrounds. There are students who are on the football and baseball team. Some students are cheerleaders. Others are in the band. A few are in FFA. Very few of the students had participated in a theatre program before, and have shown tremendous growth since the auditions. Smith asserts “every single one of the students have gained confidence through the process, a life skill they can take with them after high school. With all of our students and adult volunteers working hand-in-hand, we have put together a fantastic product that we are excited to share with the community.”

The production of “Annie” by the Smith County Playhouse begins Friday March 11th with their first show at 6:30 p.m. at the Smith County High School Auditorium. Additional shows will be presented on Saturday, March 12th at 6:30 p.m. and Sunday, March 13th at 2:30 p.m. The shows will continue the weekend of March 18th-20th with show times at 6:30 p.m. on Friday and Saturday and the 2:30 p.m. show on Sunday.

Tickets can be purchased at Smith County Drug or online at http://smithcounty.booktix.com/

The Smith County Chamber of Commerce is partnering with UT Extension and the Department of Children and Families Services to provide this informational luncheon on Tuesday, March 15th 12 – 1 p.m. at the Smith County Chamber of Commerce Community Room.

The session will highlight the information future in-home childcare providers will need to be successful. Anyone interested in learning more about providing in-home childcare services that may be eligible for future training, licensing and funding should plan to attend. Seating is limited. Please call (615)735-2093 to register.

This parent education session, on Wednesday, March 9th at 5 p.m. at the Smith County Chamber of Commerce is available for anyone who has a student entering kindergarten in Smith County for Fall 2022. Participants will be given information to help their students get ready for what they will be learning in kindergarten. Additionally families will learn what to expect for kindergarten registration and the upcoming school year. Please RSVP to the Smith County Board of Education at 615-735-9625.

By Chris Hicks, County Director, – UT Extension Smith County

The Center for Profitable Agriculture, along with UT Extension state and area specialists, will conduct an educational program on specialty crops in Smith County on March 2, 2022, titled “Considerations for Growing and Marketing Specialty Crops in Tennessee”. This workshop, part of a statewide series, will focus on addressing basic production and marketing considerations for specialty crops.

The specialty crop to be included in this program are the “berry” crops: strawberries, blackberries, and blueberries. UT Fruit & Nut Specialist Dr. Dave Lockwood will be on hand to discuss production-related information, and Area Farm Management Specialist Les Humpal will join us to discuss budgets and economic considerations of berry production.

Specialty crops are defined as fruits and vegetables, tree nuts, dried fruits, and horticulture and nursery crops, including floriculture. “Specialty crops are an important part of the agriculture landscape in Tennessee, and this series of workshops should be helpful to established producers as well as those looking for a start in an agriculture venture,” says Troy Dugger, Program Coordinator for the Center for Profitable Agriculture, located in Columbia, Tennessee.

The 2-hour session will be held on March 2 at 11:00 a.m. at the Smith County Chamber of Commerce. A catered meal will be provided, but you must pre-register to attend. Pre-register for this free workshop by calling the UT Extension office at 615-735-2900 by February 25.

The Center for Profitable Agriculture is a joint effort of University of Tennessee Extension and the Tennessee Farm Bureau Federation. UT Extension provides a gateway to the University of Tennessee as the outreach unit of the UT Institute of Agriculture. With an office in every Tennessee county, UT Extension delivers educational programs and research-based information to citizens throughout the state.

By Mary Parker Draper, Extension Agent – Smith County

UPDATE – Pre-orders have been extended through Friday, February 11, 2022.

With Valentine’s Day right around the corner, you may be wondering what to get your loved ones. Well, the Family and Community Education Clubs, FCE, will again be hosting the Chocolate Extravaganza! Due to the success of last year’s event this year will be pre-orders only. All boxes will be pre-packaged with an assortment of brownies, cookies, candies, etc. Boxes are just $5.00 each, and proceeds benefit FCE and community projects. To order your boxes visit the Chamber of Commerce during normal business hours from February 1st-10th. Fill out your order form and include your payment in provided envelope into the designated box. Cash or check will be accepted. FCE members will be at the Chamber of Commerce on Monday, February 14th from 10:00-1:00pm to deliver orders. Simply drive up to the Chamber of Commerce and a FCE member will come out to assist you. For questions or more information contact Mary Parker Draper at the extension office at 615-735-2900.

Crock Pot Candy

16 oz salted dry roasted peanuts

16 oz unsalted dry roasted peanuts

12 oz semi-sweet chocolate chips

6 oz white chocolate chips

1 ½ lb. while almond bark

In crockpot, place chocolate chips, white chocolate chips, and almond bark (broken into pieces). Pour peanuts on top. Turn crockpot on low and cook for two hours. When done, stir with spoon and drop onto wax paper to cool. Recipe makes about 90 small pieces or 60 medium pieces. Submitted by Carol Gann, Elmwood/Chestnut Mound FCE Club.

Several artists will be featuring their artwork and handmade crafts at the Carthage Junction Depot on Saturday, February 12, 2022. The event will take place from 10am- 4pm. This event is free and open to the public.

The artists that will be featuring their work are: Susan Jarrett, Rob Harvey, David Dulworth, Barbara Upchurch and Rachel Carson.

Come out and enjoy these beautiful arts, crafts and handmade good for the home.