Come out to the Smith County Ag Center on Friday, February 5th from 5-9pm and Saturday, February 6th from 9am-6pm to be a part of the Sweetheart Shoppe hosted by the Middle Tennessee Traders Market.

Relax on Friday evening, enjoying the “Sip and Shop” while you get that certain someone a gift they will love! The Fun continues on Saturday where you will find delicious foods and many wonderful vendors whose booths are filled with unique items!

By Mary Parker Draper, Extension Agent – Smith County

With Valentine’s Day right around the corner, you may be wondering what to get your loved ones. Well, on February 12^th from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. the Family and Community Education Clubs, FCE, will again be hosting the Chocolate Extravaganza! This year will be a drive-through event. Customers can pull up to the Chamber and an FCE member will bring your chocolate boxes out to your car. All boxes will be pre-packaged with an assortment of brownies, cookies, candies, etc. Chocolate boxes are only $5.00 each. Proceeds will benefit the youth of Smith County and sponsor FCE projects. 

We hope to see you at Smith County Chamber of Commerce on February the 12^th!

P-Nut Butter Balls

• 1 stick softened butter
• 1 lb. confectioners’ sugar
• 3 cups Rice Krispies Cereal
• 2 cups crunchy peanut butter
• Chocolate bark 

Mix melted butter, sugar, Rice Krispies, and peanut butter. Shape into balls. Dip balls into melted chocolate bark. Submitted by Janice Lynch, Grant FCE Club.

Letter submitted by Emmanuel House Board President Monica Mowdy.

As president of the board of directors of the Emmanuel House, I have been blessed to be a part of this wonderful organization. The Smith County Emergency Shelter for Women and Children, Inc. (also known as The Emmanuel House), has flourished in Smith County thanks to the generous individuals here as well as many other supporters from churches to businesses. Many of you have provided faith support, taught classes, provided transportation, and donation of much needed personal items and Christmas gifts. There have also been many wonderful employers that have offered employment to our residents. Thank you for taking a chance on us. We absolutely could not help women take that next best step in their lives without each and every one of you.

Like so many other individuals, businesses and other non-profit organizations, The Emmanuel House has been hit hard by the COVID-19 virus, but we have persevered thanks to generous people like you. As expected, some of our funding was affected due to cancellations and postponements of fund-raisers. It was our plan to hold our second annual Taste of River City on January 21, 2021; however, the Board of Directors have decided it would be best to wait until later in the New Year. We have a meager budget that is supported in part by the rent the residents pay. The rest of the funding comes from donations, grants and sponsorships and the decision to postpone is not one taken lightly due to the financial impact it could have on our operations.

Here is where you can help! As you plan your giving for the new year, I am personally asking that you consider including the Emmanuel House as one of the fine Smith County non-profit organizations. The easiest ways you can give are:

Mail a donation to:
The Emmanuel House PO Box 344 Gordonsville, TN 38563

Or send to:
Citizens Bank
Routing #: 064107729
Account #: 12277223

Thank you again for the support you have provided in the past and what you will give in the future. Remember to keep an eye out for an announcement regarding the new date for our next Taste of River City!

Sincerely,

Monica Mowdy

President

Start the new year out right by volunteering in our community! The Keep Smith County Beautiful committee is hosting a Martin Luther King, Jr. Day of Service on Monday, January 18, 2021.

The day will begin at 9:00 a.m., following a light breakfast at the Smith County Ag Center. Gloves and safety vests will be provided to all volunteers, and community service hours will be verified if needed. The day will end with a light lunch at 1:00 p.m.

This is a great family event and an opportunity to be a positive example for youth in our community. Make it a day on, not a day off!

Join the Keep Smith County Beautiful committee in serving the community through cleanup and beautification!

For more information about this volunteer event, contact Barbara Kannapel at 615-489-5900 or Erika Ebel at 615-739-3649. You may also visit the Keep Smith County Beautiful Facebook page.

2020 Chick Chain Winners: Abby Malone and Kacie Malone

Which came first, the chicken or the egg? The chicken will definitely come first for many Smith County 4-H’ers who choose to participate in the 4-H Chick Chain Project.

The 4-H Chick Chain gives 4-H members the opportunity to develop an understanding and working knowledge of good poultry management and marketing practices. As with any 4-H livestock project, Chick Chain teaches personal responsibility by working with animals that depend on the 4-H member to provide proper feed, housing, care, and management. The member also develops self-esteem and decision-making skills that will be beneficial throughout their life.

Smith County’s Chick Chain project involves a 4-H member purchasing baby chicks and raising them for laying hens. The day-old chicks should arrive in April. The 4-H member provides housing, brooding equipment, feeders, waterers, and feed.

After raising a set of birds in the Chick Chain Project, 4-H’ers participate in the Smith County 4-H Poultry Show which is held in October. The 4-H member selects their best three birds, and they are judged as a pen with the other entries. Trophies, ribbons, and prizes are awarded to the best entries. An auction will also take place where 4-H’ers will have the opportunity to sell their hens to local buyers.

Upon successful completion of the project, the 4-H member has a flock of laying hens. This often develops into a small business where the 4-H member may sell the excess eggs. Participants may also have fully developed laying hens available for sale.

Orders for this year’s Chick Chain are due in the 4-H office by Monday, February 1st. Australorps and Rhode Island Reds are this year’s breeds, and 4-H’ers can purchase between 12 and 25 chicks for $3 each. Order forms can be picked up at our office or found on our website at http://smith.tennessee.edu. If you have any questions or need more information, please call the Smith County Extension Office at 735-2900.

The 2021 Smith County Cattlemen’s Association annual meeting schedule to be held this month has been postponed. More information is to come when available. You may follow the Smith County Cattleman’s Association on Facebook also for updates.

A Community Blood Drive will be held inside the Activities Room of the Smith County Chamber of Commerce from noon until 6 p.m. on Monday, January 4, 2021.

The Smith County Chamber of Commerce is located at 939 Upper Ferry Road in Carthage, Tennessee.

To schedule your donation appointment in advance, go to www.redcrossblood.org and enter the sponsor code Carthage19.

Save time on the day of your donation appointment by completing your pre-donation reading and health history questions with Rapid Pass online.

Download the Blood Donor App today to get your digital donor card, schedule your next appointment, track your lifetime donations, view your blood pressure, and follow your donation on its way to a hospital.

The Red Cross tests every blood donation for a variety of infections. Donations will also be tested for COVID-19 antibodies.

Your donation makes a difference!

To learn more about the American Red Cross and the blood donation process, click here.