The 2025 State 4-H Archery Jamboree was the culmination of weeks of practice and hard work for 31 4-H’ers who put their sharp-shooting skills to the test and represented Smith County.

During this statewide competition held at Hyder Burks Ag Pavilion on Friday, April 11 and Saturday, April 12, archers from Smith County snagged three spots in the Top 10 in the Senior High Genesis Division. Easton Bibbings was the overall 1st Place shooter, Abby Purtee placed 4th, and Cameran Lacasse placed 6th.

On Friday, William Limeburner competed in the Junior Compound (Hunter) Division.

Competing in the Junior Genesis Division on Saturday were McCall Kemp, Titus Chartier, Aeslyn Lacasse, Joshua Krog, Josie Harville, Jake Myers, Tristan McCarter, Gracie Driver, Amelia Hodges, Scarlett Hicks, and Chloe Beechboard.

Competing in the Junior High Genesis Division were Avery Yerge, Marshall Taylor, Clay Driver, Luke Chartier, Joseph Krog, Aubrey Hicks, Dillon Lacasse, Rose Hughes, and Patrick Hughes.

Competing in the Senior High Genesis Division were Easton Bibbings, Abby Purtee, Cameran Lacasse, Owen Meeks, Robert Purtee, Jordana Lacasse, Turner Harville, Emmy Bibbings, Tana Harville, and William Krog.

These archers have practiced diligently since February, and we are so proud of them! By participating in archery through 4-H, youth learn and practice important shooting sports safety skills, spend time outside and away from screens, develop new friendships, and learn a new skill that can help them develop self-confidence.

Our 4-H Archery program wouldn’t be possible without our dedicated team of volunteer coaches who have dedicated their time and effort to make this season successful: Rocky Cowell, John Laurie, Nathan Purtee, and Sheryl Taylor.

If you are interested in learning more about the 4-H Archery program in Smith County or becoming a volunteer coach, please reach out to Rachel Petty at 615-735-2900 or rpetty@utk.edu.

Heartland Real Estate & Auction is hosting an Online Only Estate Auction ending on May 18th at 4 PM, offering an assortment of rare coins, historic currency, and unique collectibles. Featured items include Silver Eagles, Morgans, Peace Dollars, Franklin Halves, Kennedy Halves, Walking Liberty Halves, Eisenhower Dollars, Mercury Dimes, Seated Liberty Quarters, Liberty Nickels, and Indian Head Pennies. Additionally, the auction includes stock certificates, World War II coin and stamp collections, Confederate currency, military currency, ration books and coupons, and a large selection of foreign coins and currency from around the world.

Potential bidders can preview the collection in person on May 9th from 1 to 5 PM at 601 Main St N, Carthage, TN 37030. Successful buyers can pick up their items on May 20th from 1 to 6 PM.

Interested participants can place their bids at HeartlandREandAuctions.com and are encouraged to review all terms and conditions before bidding. For more information, contact Jason Martin at (615) 735-9001 or Kim Bush at (615) 489-5577.

Smith County High School, in partnership with AdviseTN, is currently accepting applications for a full-time College Advisor position. This role offers a unique opportunity to support students in their journey toward higher education and career success.

Key Details:

• Position Start Date: July 14, 2025
• Position End Date: June 30, 2030
• Salary: $50,000 starting, with a comprehensive State of Tennessee benefits package, including TCRS retirement, paid parental leave, tuition assistance, and more.
• Required Qualifications: Bachelor’s degree in education, counseling, social work, higher education, or a related field.

Interested candidates should submit a cover letter and resume to sarah.ligas@tn.gov. For more information about AdviseTN, visit CollegeforTN.org/advise-tn.

The Smith County community garden known as the Giving Garden was officially planted this past Wednesday, marking the start of its second growing season. Following a successful first year, the garden continues its mission to provide fresh produce and shared community space for all Smith County residents.

Located at 15 New Middleton Road, directly behind Living Water Ministries in Gordonsville, the garden is maintained by the church but open to the entire community. Anyone is welcome to plant, help tend the garden, or simply pick and enjoy the harvest.

“This garden is for everyone,” says Pastor Kevin Blackburn of Living Water Ministries. “It’s free for everyone—and you can’t steal free.”

The Giving Garden is a community effort rooted in kindness and generosity, providing fresh food and a place to connect for people across the county. All are welcome to get involved, whether you have a green thumb or just want to enjoy the fruits of this shared labor.

For more information or to get involved, contact Living Water Ministries 615-683-8387.

Our Smith County Family and Community Education (FCE) Clubs had their annual Rally on April 26th. This year’s theme was “FCE-It’s What You Make It.”

Thanks to everyone who attended and helped prepare for this event. Sixty members and guests came out and enjoyed the day. Each club decorated their own table with their own beautiful and unique style depicting the spring and the wonderful opportunities FCE brings. The cultural arts entries were lovely. A special thanks was extended to our great sponsors: Granville Bed and Breakfast and Gifts for the Hallie Mai Clemons Award, Citizens Bank for the Colossal Cake Contest, Janice Lynch for the 100% Membership Award, Smith County Drug Center for High Attendance and High Enrollment Awards, Farm Bureau, Wilson Bank and Trust, DTC, Smith County Bank, and Sanderson Funeral Home for Rally sponsorships.

Special events included Cultural Arts, Fashion Review, and the Colossal Cake Contest. Judges for these events were Kenny Nix and Regina McCathern judging Cultural Arts and Fashion Review and Seasons Catering judging the cake contest. First and second place winners are eligible to enter the Regional Cultural Arts and Fashion Review Contest.

A candle lighting memorial ceremony was held in memory of our three deceased club members: Reba McCall, Riddleton Club; Ruby Hale, Elmwood/Chestnut Mound Club; Ruby Fisher, Carthage Club.

Everyone enjoyed a delicious meal catered by Seasons Catering. After the meal, the cakes entered in the cake contest were enjoyed. A $650 check was presented to Smith County Heritage Museum, from this year’s Chocolate Extravaganza fundraiser.

We invite everyone to join one of the eight FCE clubs around the county or become a mailbox member. The University of Tennessee Extension of Smith County offers its programs to all eligible persons regardless of race, color, national origin, sex, age, religion, disability, or veteran status and is an equal opportunity employer. For more information contact Mary Parker Draper at the Extension Office at 615-735-2900.

Pictured below is FCE County Council officers and members of FCE on the Museum Board presenting donation to the Heritage Museum. (L-R): Jennifer Byrnes Blubaugh, Teresa Gentry, Myra Fisher, Pam Billington, Andrew “Tip” Reid, Lisa Harville, Laura Gibbs, Jill Mears, Dorothy Moyers, Teresa Kemp, and Judy Long.

Pea Salad

1 10 oz pkg frozen baby green peas (thawed)

1 cup diced celery

1 cup chopped cauliflower

¼ cup diced green onions

1 cup chopped cashews (optional)

½ cup sour cream

1 cup prepared ranch salad dressing

Crisp, cooked, crumbled bacon

Mix all ingredients together and serve.

Submitted by: Janie Mundy, Defeated FCE Club

All of the local garden centers are hustling with vegetables, flowers, and shrubs. The weather is the perfect temperature for working outside and in the garden. I hope to get some of my warm season vegetables in the garden this weekend. The biggest part of my garden always seems to be tomatoes because everyone loves tomatoes. Here’s a few tips to keep your tomatoes going strong all summer.

First, plant your tomatoes in well-drained soil in full sun. Always start with a healthy tomato that is free of disease and insects. It’s easy to be tempted to purchase those tomatoes that are on the reduced rack because they’re so cheap, but try to resist the temptation! I usually wander through the sales area also, but many of them are too far gone or already showing signs of disease. There is no reason to buy a diseased plant and bring it home to your healthy plants. I prefer buying taller tomato plants because you can bury them deeper in the soil. Tomatoes have the ability to form roots all along the buried stem and this helps out during periods of drought.

Secondly, avoid watering them from overhead. Wet leaves are more susceptible to diseases and tomatoes have enough foliar diseases to worry about. Early blight is a fungal disease that is common in tomatoes. It lives in the soil and it infects the tomatoes when soil is splashed on the leaf. If you can prevent soil splashing on the leaf, you can suppress early blight. One way to do this is to use some type of mulch to prevent the soil from splashing up on the leaf. Water sparingly because tomatoes only need about an inch of water per week.

Lastly, harvest the fruit when it becomes ripe. Do not leave rotten fruit on the vine because it can spread disease and attract rodents to the garden. Tomatoes will generally ripen after you pick them if they are beginning to show color. I feel like every year, I lose a few tomatoes to a groundhog, squirrel, or some other varmint. I’m in the habit of walking the garden every day to try and harvest on a regular basis. Store your tomatoes at room temperature and we normally lay ours on the kitchen counter. If you have never grown tomatoes, try growing a few this year. There are many dwarf types that do well in a container on the porch! My grandfather was in the Alzheimer’s wing at a nursing home the last part of his life and I’ll never forget taking him tomato plants. He planted them in the landscape beds and babied them all summer long. Gardening gets in your blood and it stays with you for the rest of your life.

As always, if you have any questions regarding any horticulture facet, feel free to contact Lucas Holman, UT Horticulture Extension Agent, Wilson County at 615-444-9584 or Lholman1@utk.edu.

The University of Tennessee Extension offers its programs to all eligible persons regardless of race, color, national origin, sex, age or disability and is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Through its mission of research, teaching and extension, the University of Tennessee Institute of Agriculture touches lives and provides Real. Life. Solutions. ag.tennessee.edu

U.S. Representative John Rose’s (TN-6) district staff will hold a series of local office hours for constituents to connect directly with caseworkers and receive assistance with federal agencies throughout the month of May. During the local office hours, district staff will be available to answer questions and assist constituents with federal casework, such as social security and veterans’ benefits, steps for obtaining a passport, and more. Local office hours occur monthly. If you have questions, please contact one of Representative Rose’s offices so a staff member may help you. “We are ready to assist constituents with federal casework and welcome anyone with questions to sit down with staff,” said Representative Rose. “My goal is to make the expertise of my staff and the resources of this office easily accessible to every person I represent.” Details for local office hours can be found below and on Representative Rose’s website.

Tuesday, May 20, 2025

TIME: 1:00pm-2:00pm

WHAT: Smith County Local Office Hours
LOCATION: Smith Co. Chamber of Commerce, 939 Upper Ferry Rd., Carthage, TN 37030

WHO: Representative Rose will be represented by Field Representative Lou Nave during this visit.

U.S. Representative John Rose is currently serving his fourth term representing Tennessee’s Sixth Congressional District and resides on his family farm in Lancaster 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

Students looking to earn their graduate degree from Tennessee Tech University can save on application costs throughout the month of May. The College of Graduate Studies is waiving the application fee for new domestic applicants all month long – a $35 savings.

“Tennessee Tech cares about making a postgraduate education accessible and attainable for more Tennessee students,” said Julie C. Baker, interim associate provost and dean of Tech’s College of Graduate Studies. “By waiving application fees throughout May, we hope to encourage more prospective students to take that first step in the application process and realize that a graduate degree from a top-ranked university is closer in reach than they might think.”

Tech’s College of Graduate Studies offers more than 60 graduate degree programs and concentrations across the master’s and doctoral levels, including a mix of online and in-person course offerings. According to Baker, the university offers multiple tools to help students accelerate their timetables for degree completion and lower their tuition costs.

For example, the university’s Master of Professional Studies (MPS) track allows students to take seven-week courses, potentially doubling the coursework they can complete in a single semester. Likewise, Tech’s Fast Track program, available in more than a dozen academic departments, allows students to begin earning graduate-level credit hours during their undergraduate studies.

Recent changes from the Tennessee Higher Education Commission also allow students to apply a fifth year of the HOPE lottery scholarship toward graduate school, further lowering out-of-pocket costs for many Tennessee students.

Last year, Tech’s College of Graduate Studies was named among the top 250 graduate schools in the nation by Abound, a college guidance system for degree-seeking adults. Tech’s online Master of Business Administration (MBA) program was ranked among the top 130 online MBAs across all public and private universities nationwide earlier this year by U.S. News & World Report.

“For students who have thought at all about a graduate-level education with Tennessee Tech, there’s no better time to jump in,” concluded Baker. “Take advantage of our waived application fee throughout the month of May and let our faculty and staff help you make the most of your graduate study experience.”

The College of Graduate Studies’ application deadline for fall 2025 is Aug. 1. Learn more and apply online at https://www.tntech.edu/graduatestudies/admissions/apply.php.