NASHVILLE, Tenn. – The Tennessee Commission on Aging and Disability (TCAD) recently announced a total of $1 million in grants to senior centers across 82 of the state’s 95 counties­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­–the most in the Commission’s history.

“As the aging population increases in our state, senior centers remain a vital resource to older adults,” said TCAD Executive Director James Dunn. “I commend Governor Lee and the Tennessee General Assembly for their continued support of these centers, and I’m grateful for the renewed appropriation that will serve to further improve the lives of our older adults from Memphis to Mountain City.”

In the FY23-24 State budget, the Tennessee General Assembly allocated funding for senior centers and tasked TCAD with developing a competitive process to distribute the funds.

On July 5, TCAD published its application process for senior centers. Following the deadline, TCAD received 140 full applications–a record number in the grant’s history. After utilizing the competitive, objective criteria, 125 senior centers throughout 82 counties were individually awarded $8,000 grants.

In 2021, TCAD granted 80 grants to senior centers in 59 counties after receiving a $400,000 appropriation. In 2022, the Tennessee General Assembly increased the appropriation to $1 million giving TCAD the ability to award grants to 125 senior centers across 81 counties.

Smith County Senior Center was one of the centers to receive the $8,000 competitive grant. Click here for a list of senior centers that were awarded a grant.

Submitted by Billy Woodard, Executive Director Smith County Chamber of Commerce

For nearly 17 years, the Smith County Ag Center has been the hub of a heartwarming community initiative—the Food Drive. Taking place on the second and fourth Wednesdays of most months, this program serves as a beacon of hope, providing perishable items and up to six non-perishable mobile pantries throughout the year to families facing food insecurity in Smith County and the cities of Carthage, Gordonsville, and South Carthage.

At the forefront of this compassionate effort is Mrs. Reba Fields, the lead Volunteer Coordinator for both the perishable and non-perishable trucks. Her dedication and leadership have been instrumental in making the Food Drive a resounding success. Under her guidance, a team of dedicated volunteers comes together, tirelessly working to ensure that no one in their community goes hungry.

“The Food Drive is not just about providing food; it’s about uplifting spirits and nourishing souls,” said Mrs. Fields. “We work hand in hand, shoulder to shoulder, to create a stronger and more caring community.”

One of the program’s outstanding features is its ability to provide both perishable and non-perishable items to families in need. The perishable distributions on the second and fourth Wednesdays of most months ensure that residents have access to fresh and nutritious food regularly. Additionally, up to six non-perishable mobile pantry distributions are conducted each year.

However, organizing these non-perishable distributions comes with a cost. Each non-perishable truck costs $2,500, which is covered through a combination of various grants, local donations from individuals, and generous support from local churches and businesses. This collective effort ensures that the shelves remain stocked, and the community remains nourished.

The Food Drive is managed by the Smith County Chamber of Commerce, under the leadership of Executive Director Billy Woodard. The chamber works in close partnership with Living Water Ministries, led by Pastor Kevin Blackburn, as well as the Smith County Government, led by Mayor Jeff Mason. Together with Second Harvest and several local churches and charitable organizations, they form a formidable alliance dedicated to serving those in need.

Moreover, the Food Drive would not be possible without the support and assistance of various community organizations and entities. The Smith County Sheriff’s Office, The Emmanuel House, The Help Center, and numerous other groups actively aid in the program’s success.

As the Food Drive approaches its 17th year, it celebrates the profound impact it has had on thousands of Smith County residents. Through the generosity and selflessness of its volunteers and donors, the program has transformed the lives of countless families, spreading warmth and hope even during challenging economic times.

“It is a really good program and helps a lot of people. I enjoy working with the volunteers and helping people to have food they would otherwise not be able to afford,” remarked Mrs. Fields with a smile.

The Smith County Ag Center’s Food Drive stands as a testament to the remarkable strength and compassion of its community. As it looks ahead to many more years of service, this cherished initiative continues to uplift hearts, nourish souls, and remind us all of the power of unity and compassion.

The next food truck will be held on September 15th 9 a.m. Additional dates include September 27th, October 13th, October 25th, November 17th and December 15th. If you would like to have more information or would like to volunteer, please contact the Smith County Chamber of Commerce at 615-735-2093.

COOKEVILLE, TN – Students who want to attend Tennessee Tech University next fall can get an early start because the application for Fall 2024 admission is now open.

“Applying for admission now puts a student in the best position to receive scholarships and to learn a lot about student life, academic choices and paying for college,” said Karen Lykins, vice president for Enrollment and Communication.

Tennessee Tech continues to make college affordable with the Presidential Scholars program, which guarantees scholarships to students who apply and meet the criteria. These scholarships recognize a student’s hard work in high school by awarding amounts from $3,000 to $10,000 based on ACT score and grade point average if the student’s application is received by Dec. 15.

“The important thing for students to remember is to apply early in their senior year to qualify for Tech scholarships and to have the needed time to go through the admissions process and checklists for enrollment,” said Frank Tittle, director of admissions.

“Tech’s Office of Admissions is excited to start visiting high schools and participating in college fairs,” said Tittle “We look forward to showing students how Tennessee Tech offers the best day-to-day experience on campus of any university in the state.”

Students are encouraged to work with their parents and high school counselors to make sure they have the needed documents to complete the application, such as transcripts and test scores.

“Here at Tennessee Tech, our team of admissions counselors are always available to help,” said Tittle. “Our goal is to make the process of applying as smooth as possible for incoming students and their families.”

Tennessee Tech is ranked as a “Best National University” by U.S. News & World Report. The university offers more than 200-plus 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.

Find out more at tntech.edu/admissions.

The DeKalb-Smithville Order of the Eastern Star is collecting stuffed animals for At-Risk children in our communities of DeKalb County and Smith County. The toys will be distributed by our Lodge to various Law-Enforcement and First Responder agencies in both counties. Children in auto accidents and other negative scenarios will receive the toys.

With your support and contribution the Eastern Star hopes to give back to children and families who are experiencing difficult situations and trauma. Collection sites are as follows:

Carthage Savway

Video Quest/#Holly’s in Carthage

AmVets Post #57

Carthage Benevolent Lodge #14

Wilson Bank and Trust in Gordonsville

Citizen’s Bank in Gordonsville

DeKalb Masonic Benevolent Lodge #358

Liberty State Bank in Liberty

Liberty State Bank in Alexandria

Discount Tobacco Outlet in Smithville

Prichard’s Foods in Alexandria

Mike Foster community center in Smithville 

Your support helps put a smile on our children’s face during traumatic times.

Sweet Freezies is a new business in Smith County that offers tasty freeze dried treats.  While freeze dried candies including gummy bears, air heads, starburst and skittles seem to be the confectionary stars, they also offer freeze dried vegetables, fruits and even pizza.

The business is owned by Blake and Olivia Long who live in Smith County.  They have two children. They said that when they noticed that freeze dried baby snacks were their daughter’s favorite it gave them an idea that has been a creative outlet and business venture.  Oliva said she was born in Smith County and her family goes back 4 generations.  “Smith County is  home for me.  I get to work from home and selling this amazing product to the community and bring something new that wasn’t here, is my favorite thing about owning Sweet Freezies in Smith County.”

Sweet Freezies will take wholesale orders and fill custom orders.  They recently finished a mobile sales trailer and hope to add a dedicated site at their home. They are excited to continue to offer their tasty sweets and treats to Smith County for years to come.

They have worked hard to get their name and business out in the community in a short period of time by participating in surrounding festivals and Fairs.  They recently became members of the Smith County Chamber of Commerce. 

You can contact Sweet Freezies by phone/text 615-489-0589, on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100091576111694. Look for them at area events including the Upper Cumberland Gam Con on Sept.1st and 2nd and William Walton Harvest Festival on September 30th.

NASHVILLE — Tennessee residents are allowed to hunt without a license on Saturday, Aug. 26 which coincides with the opening day of squirrel season.

Free Hunting Day is an event the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency annually provides in hopes of increasing interest in hunting. Squirrel hunting is one of Tennessee’s oldest and favorite traditions. The day serves as an excellent opportunity for people to experience the enjoyment of the sport.

The TWRA encourages regular hunters to introduce friends and family members (young and old) to the outdoor sport. It is also an excellent opportunity for people who have not tried hunting in a while to be reintroduced to the sport.

In addition to opening of squirrel season, the three-day archery only on private lands only antlered deer hunt is set for Aug. 25-27. The only exception is in Unit CWD where guns and muzzleloaders are allowed and select public lands are open for hunting.

On Free Hunting Day, state resident hunters are exempt from hunting licenses and WMA permit requirements. Many of the WMAs are open to hunters seeking public access on Aug. 26. Hunters are asked to check the information for specific WMAs in the 2023-24 Tennessee Hunting and Trapping Guide. Sportsmen are required to ask for permission to hunt on private lands they do not own.

The TWRA offers a reminder that hunter education requirements are not waived for Free Hunting Day. Anyone born on or after Jan. 1, 1969 is required to have successfully completed a hunter education course. An apprentice license is required for those born on or after Jan. 1, 1969 if the hunter education course has not been completed. This license exempts the hunter from the mandatory hunter education law for one year from the date of purchase but may only be purchased for up to three consecutive years during the lifetime of the hunter. Those under 10 years of age do not need a Hunter Education certificate but must be accompanied by an adult at least 21 years of age who must remain in a position to take immediate control of the hunting device.

Hunters can harvest up to 10 squirrels a day from the opening day of squirrel season through March 15, 2024. The season ending date was extended last year from the final day of February by the Tennessee Fish and Wildlife Commission. Each hunting day begins a half-hour before sunrise and ends a half-hour after sunset.

For more information about hunting in Tennessee, visit TWRA’s website at www.tnwildlife.org or contact your nearest TWRA regional office.

Juicy ripe peaches, sweet corn, and crunchy cucumbers . . . nothing tastes better this time of year than fresh produce. Right now, you will find fruits and vegetables at the peak of harvest. Because they are at the peak of harvest, these fruits and vegetables are typically less expensive and are some of the freshest (and tastiest) you can find.

As you get ready to load up on fresh produce, consider these tips and money saving strategies to help you make the most of your fruit and vegetable purchases:

· Keep in mind that pre-cut or pre-washed fruits and vegetables are more costly and can even spoil more quickly.

· Check the weekly supermarket/grocery store ads for sales on fruits and vegetables. Be sure to purchase only the fruits and vegetables you can use before they lose their quality or spoil.

· Make friends with a gardener. At times, gardeners may have excess fruits and vegetables to share.

· Create a meal plan for the week that allows you to use the same or similar fruits and vegetables throughout the week. A meal plan helps you in planning your produce use so your fruits and vegetables do not go bad.

· Pick your own at local farms. Summer and early fall are great times to pick your own fruits and vegetables. This can be a fun and less expensive way to buy in bulk and freeze, can, or dry for later.

· When trying new fruits and vegetables, buy in small amounts. The small amounts will allow you to taste test the new fruits and vegetables with your family, making certain they will eat them.

Armed with these money-saving strategies, you will be ready to enjoy all the delicious produce the season has to offer.

Marinated Vegetable Salad

1 can English peas, drained

1 can shoe peg corn, drained

1 can French green beans, drained

1 small jar pimentos

½ cup green peppers, chopped

½ cup green onions, sliced

½ cup celery, chopped

1 small can sliced water chestnuts

For marinade, combine ½ cup Wesson oil, ½ cup sugar, and ½ cup cider vinegar.

Bring sugar, vinegar, and oil to a boil. Let cool and pour over drained vegetables. Let set at least 4 hours before serving. Submitted by Lisa Harville, Night Owls FCE Clu

By Katie Martin, Smith County Extension Agent

We are excited to share a new opportunity for all of our outdoor enthusiasts! We hope you will mark your calendars and plan to join us on Saturday, September 9, 2023, from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. as the Upper Cumberland Extension Team hosts our first Woods, Water & Wildlife Field Day. This event will be held at the Hyder Burks Ag Pavilion in Cookeville, Tennessee.

You can expect a day of learning, networking, and hands-on experiences as industry experts cover topics such as wildlife habitat management, aging and scoring deer, controlling nest predators, tree stand safety, feral hog control, filming your hunt, timber stand improvement, attracting waterfowl, and much more.

Lunch is provided and this event is being offered at no cost to attendees thanks to our generous sponsors. We hope to see you there!

For more information about this event or any other Extension event, contact the Smith County UT Extension office at 615-735-2900.

DEFEATED, Tenn. (Aug 14, 2023) – The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Nashville District announces the beach restroom and picnic area within the Defeated Creek Recreation Area is closing Monday, Sept. 11, 2023, for removal and replacement of the existing restroom facility at the beach.

The remaining amenities, beach and boat ramp, in the immediate area will remain open. Visitors that
wish to visit the area will have access to the restrooms adjacent to the two shelters within the recreation area through Oct. 31.

For more information about the closure or concerns, please call the Resource Manager’s Office at 615-735-1034.
The public can obtain news, updates and information from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Nashville District on the district’s website at www.lrn.usace.army.mil, on Facebook at www.facebook.com/nashvillecorps and on Twitter at www.twitter.com/nashvillecorps. The public can follow Cordell Hull Lake on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/cordellhulllake. Follow us on LinkedIn for the latest Nashville District employment and contracting opportunities at https://www.linkedin.com/company/u-s-armycorps-of-engineers-nashville-district.

NASHVILLE — The Aug. 20 entry deadline is nearing for the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Foundation’s 2023 Conservation Raffle. Ten outstanding outdoor experience packages will be awarded.

This year’s packages include the new addition of an Oliver Travel Trailer valued at $89,000, and the return of opportunities to win a $50,000 voucher which can be applied to a new vehicle from any Mid-South Ford dealership, and a fishing package featuring a Tracker Pro Team 175TF.

Other packages include an elk tag for the Tennessee Premier Elk Zone; archery deer hunt on Presidents Island; turkey hunting package; waterfowl hunting package on historic Reelfoot Lake, an Outdoor Adventure package featuring a $5,000 Academy + Sports Outdoor gift card, a Best of the West long-range shooting package, and a Heritage package which includes a Tennessee Henry rifle and four lifetime sportsman licenses. All 10 packages feature additional items and details of the prizes can be found at https//twrf.net.

A single ticket is $20, three tickets for $50, and 10 for $100 and are on sale now through Sunday, Aug 20. There is no limit to the number of raffle tickets that can be purchased, and the more tickets purchased, the better opportunity there is of grabbing one of the packages. Raffle tickets may be purchased online directly at https://conservationraffle.com.

Ten winning ticket numbers will be drawn on Aug. 22. The lucky winners will get to select their prize in the order they are drawn. All winners will be announced at the Aug. 25 meeting of the Tennessee Fish and Wildlife Commission at Pickwick Landing State Park. The announcement will also be live streamed on the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency website. Anyone who purchased a ticket will be notified of the live stream by email.

Proceeds from the raffle fund important conservation projects like public land acquisition and habitat management. TWRF is a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting habitat conservation, responsible land stewardship, and Tennessee’s hunting and fishing heritage for the benefit of the TWRA and Tennessee’s outdoor enthusiasts.

The Carthage City Council held its monthly meeting on Thursday, August 3, 2023, at 6:00 pm. Several items were discussed. Watch the full meeting below.

Thanks to Theresa’s Gifts for sponsoring Smith County Insider’s live broadcast of this meeting.

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Secretary of State Tre Hargett announced Bledsoe County native and current Chattanoogan Christina Temple has joined the department as its new Chief of Staff.

“I am excited to welcome Christina to the Secretary of State’s office,” said Secretary Hargett. “We are fortunate to have someone with her extensive skill set and vast experience join our team. Christina will be vital in strengthening our department’s legislative outreach and connection with constituents across Tennessee.”

As Chief of Staff, Temple will serve as a senior advisor to Secretary Hargett and lead legislative affairs with the Tennessee General Assembly and Tennessee’s congressional delegation. Additionally, Temple will play a critical role in strengthening the department’s relationships within state government.

“As a ninth-generation Tennessean, it is an honor to return home and serve the State of Tennessee,” said Chief of Staff Christina Temple. “I have long admired the important work and leadership of Secretary Hargett. I look forward to being a part of the incredible mission of the Office of the Secretary of State and serving the people of Tennessee to the best of my ability.”

Temple served as the New Hampshire State Director for the Republication National Committee during the 2022 election cycle. Prior to that, Temple worked as Coordinator on the Delegates and Party Organization team on President Trump’s 2020 campaign. As a political consultant at Hill City Strategies, Temple has worked on various political campaigns.

The Secretary of State’s office mission is to exceed the expectations of our customers, the taxpayers, by operating at the highest levels of accuracy, cost-effectiveness and accountability in a customer-centered environment. To learn more visit, sos.tn.gov.

Friends of Cordell Hull Lake and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Nashville District staff at Cordell Hull Lake are proud to announce the inaugural year of “Dinner On the Dam” fundraiser 5:30 to 9 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 7, 2023. This event will host 150 patrons from around the Upper Cumberland and allow attendees the exclusive opportunity to dine on the historic Cordell Hull Lock and Dam in celebration of the 50th anniversary of Cordell Hull Dam.

The Friends of Cordell Hull Lake is a non-profit group of community citizens and business owners with a mission of promoting and preserving the natural, historical, and recreational resources of beautiful Cordell Hull Lake.

Natasha Deane, president of Friends of Cordell Hull Lake, said, “The ‘Friends of Cordell Hull Lake’s partnership between Smith and Jackson County communities and the USACE is a real boom for the lake community. Our fundraising efforts not only support educational and recreational activities on Cordell Hull Lake, but they also support the community itself by providing new and improved lake access points and memorable settings for events and special occasions. Our October 7th ‘Dinner on the Dam’ event will be spectacular and certainly memorable! We hope you’ll join us in supporting the Friends of Cordell Hull Lake by becoming a member or supporting one of our many events through a direct contribution. Find out how to join in the fun by visiting us at www.friendsofcordellhulllake.org.”

Limited tickets are now available online at https://fochl.square.site/.

All ticket holders will be required to submit and pass a background check for admittance. Entrance and valet parking for the event will be on the lock side of the dam at 24 Cordell Park Road in Elmwood, Tennessee, via Horseshoe Bend Road. Requests for accessibility accommodations may be made until Sept. 29 by calling the Cordell Hull Lake Resource Manager’s Office at 615-735-1034.

The Carthage Benevolent Lodge #14 will be hosting its 8th Annual 2 Man Golf Scramble on September 2, 2023.

Proceeds from the scramble will go towards assisting the Carthage Lodge with several charities, including the “Widows and Orphans Fund”, Local Angel Tree Donations, Shriners Hospitals, and many more!

The scramble will be held at Southern Hills Golf & Country Club, located off of Baxter exit at 4770 Jared Rd, Cookeville, TN 38506. The event will begin at 8 a.m. with a shotgun start. 

• $60 per player
• Bring your own team
• 3 flights of prize money will be awarded for 1st, 2nd, & 3rd
• Meal Provided – Meat & 3
• Closest to the hole competition
• Straightest drive competition
• Tons of door prizes
• Mulligans
• 50/50 drawing
• Lucky Ball

To register call the Southern Hills Golf & Country Club 931-431-5149.