Coon Hunt Fundraiser for Jude on November 25, 2023
A Benefit Coon Hunt for Jude’s Hallelujah Story will be held on November 25th 2023. The cost will be $50 per cast. Each cast will have a chance to win $500. Anyone bringing in a coon will get an additional entry for the $500 cash prize. Sign up between 3-5 p.m. with a midnight deadline for the hunt. 100% of the profit will benefit Jude’s Hallelujah Story.
Jude Thayer McCaleb was diagnosed with a rare genetic disorder called MPS1 late last year. This official diagnosis came after 3 long years of testing, specialists visits, and prayers. As part of his treatment plan, Jude and his family travel weekly to Vanderbilt Children’s Hospital so he can receive special enzyme infusions. Funds raised from this event will go
towards the inevitable expenses incurred with his diagnosis.
Smith County Chamber Corner Show – November 2023
Check out the November 2023 edition of the Smith County Chamber Corner Show!
This month’s show features local businesses, community organization and events going on in and around Smith County.
If you would like to promote your event or local business on the Smith County Chamber Corner Show, contact the Smith County Chamber of Commerce by calling 615-735-2093 today.
Watch the full show below, or catch it on DTC3 TV.
Smith County Financial Management Committee holds first meeting
The Smith County Financial Management Committee met on November 2nd, 2023. Over 20 members of the community including board of education members attended the meeting.
The Financial Management Committee includes the following: Jeff Mason, Barry Smith, Mickey Barrett, Greta Kirby, Erika Ebel, Cordell Smith, and Justin Mauldin. The first order of business at the meeting was assigning positions within the committee.
The meeting began with public comments.
The committee elected Justin Mauldin as chairman of the board. Cordell Smith was elected as vice-chairman. Staci Bush was appointed as interim secretary until the financial director can take over.
The committee discussed the requirements and review process to decide on a financial director. It was decided at the meeting to table the above so the committee can research further.
The next meeting will take place on November 16th at 5:00pm in the small meeting room of the Smith County Ag Center.
Ephraim Rodenbach-New Role Sports Information Director at Smith County High School
Smith County High School recently announced that Ephraim Rodenbach was promoted to the very first Sports Information Director through TSSAA. A Sports Information Director (SID) is an assistant to the Athletic Director who is knowledgeable and interested in sports at a school and is in attendance at man of the school’s athletic contests and is very knowledgeable in technology skills to complete the job. With Eohraim’s communication skills and overall knowledge base of SCHS and the happenings with all the sports activities, SCHS staff indicated that he is very well suited for this position.
Rodenbach is a member of TSWA (Tennessee Sports Writers Association), while also being very active with SCHS during his 4 years content on the school broadcast and co-anchors the SCTV Broadcast and morning announcements. Rodenbach has helped with football, basketball, and baseball by filming games, photographing games, and commentating and producing sports broadcasts. With his intelligent skills with social media and technology,
He is a tremendous asset to SCHS by creating social media posts and monitoring these. Congratulations to Ephraim for being prompted as Sports Information Director of Smith County High School.
Commodities Distribution on November 21st Smith County Ag Center
The Upper Cumberland Human Resource Agency (UCHRA) will hold a commodities distribution for Smith County on Tuesday, November 21, from 9 a.m. until 11 a.m. at the Smith County Agricultural Center. Extra amounts will be passed out for the holidays and please have your vehicle cleared out. Sign-up will be available at the distribution site, or online at uchra.org/communityservices.
The Upper Cumberland Human Resource Agency does not discriminate on the basis of age, race, sex, color, national origin, religion, or disability in admission to, access to, or operations of its programs, services, or activities. This project is funded under a Grant Contract with the State of Tennessee.
Tennessee Tech’s Appalachian Center for Craft to host annual Holiday Festival
Guests of all ages are invited to Tennessee Tech University’s Appalachian Center for Craft for the annual Holiday Festival Nov. 18-19 at its campus in Smithville.
The event will feature a discount in the retail gallery and free kids’ crafts all weekend. In addition, guests on Saturday can enjoy face-painting, lunch by Logan’s Snack Shack, a student art sale and workshops. Holiday Festival workshops are ticketed and advanced registration online or by phone is encouraged.
All weekend, visitors can take advantage of a special holiday shopping discount in the Craft Center’s retail gallery. Handmade goods from local and regional artists will be 25% off, including cards, jewelry, ornaments, glassware, textiles, prints, paintings and more. On Saturday only, guests can shop the Visual Art Society student art sale, which features work by students in Tech’s School of Art, Craft and Design.
Younger visitors can participate in free kids’ activities in the Craft Center cafe. Activities will include clay cutouts, beaded ornaments and holiday cards. These drop-in crafts are free for kids of all ages and available all weekend while supplies last. Face painting will be available Saturday only. Minors must be accompanied by parents or guardians.
On Saturday, the Craft Center will offer hands-on workshops in their glass, wood and fibers studios. Participants can sign up to work one-on-one with Craft Center artists, David Rios and Fae Palentyn, to create their own glass ornament and learn the basics of glass blowing. In the woodshop, local wood-turner Myra Orton will teach pyrography. Participants will learn how to use burning tools to “draw” designs on wood. Lastly, fibers artist Sally Garner will lead a workshop on hand-dyed scarves, teaching participants how to use indigo dye and shibori techniques on silk.
On Sunday, visitors can watch artist demonstrations in the gallery, including puppet making with Holly Arms, basketry for sculptural forms with Sally Garner and live painting with Emma Loy.
Guests can purchase lunch from Logan’s Snack Shack all day on Saturday. Lunch options will include hotdogs, Polish sausage, Asian street tacos, BBQ nachos and more.
Hours for the Holiday Festival are Saturday, Nov. 18 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday, Nov. 19 from noon to 5 p.m. The Appalachian Center for Craft is located at 1560 Craft Center Drive in Smithville.
Guests are strongly encouraged to register for workshops in advance due to limited seating, however workshop registrations are available at the door, subject to availability. Learn more and register for workshops at tntech.edu/craftcenter/holiday or call 931-372-3052.
Kidz Central Playground at Crump Paris Park Getting Some Major Repairs and Upgrades
Smith County Mayor Jeff Mason recently shared the details for the improvements at the Kidz Central Playground at Crump Paris Park. The funding originated about two years ago when Smith County received a direct allocation from the State through a funding offered by Governor Bill Lee for all counties. With the first round of funding Smith County was able to purchase a new tanker for the fire department, oil distributor for the Highway Department and some tools for the Rescue Squad. With the next round of funding the county commission approved an allocation $342,000 for repairs and replacement of playground equipment.
Demolition of the playground area began last week. The hope is to have the renovation and repairs completed for a grand opening in early Spring 2024. The new equipment will be steel and plastic to cut down on the elements causing decay.
Some type of monument/signage will be a part of the new area to honor the ones that contributed to the building of
and the purchase of pickets for the old play ground. The play ground will keep the inclusive swing that was donated by a leadership class that Mrs. Lisa Hembree helped acquire. The new equipment will include a couple of new inclusive pieces.
Smith County Sheriff’s Office Now Hiring Correction Officers
The Smith County Sheriff’s Office has openings for correction officers. Shifts available are 6 a.m. – 6 p.m. or 6 p.m. – 6 a.m. with every other weekend off. Officer will work Monday, Tuesday, Friday, Saturday & Sunday one week and only Wednesday and Thursday the following week. Starting pay is $17.10 per hour plus overtime opportunities. Paid health insurance, holidays and personal time off are included benefits. Experience is a plus but not required. Applications can be picked up at 322 Justice Drive, Carthage TN.
Some of the duties include ensuring the safety of institutional employees and guests, enforcing rules, preventing disturbances and maintaining the order of the facility are some of the duties necessary for a correction officer. Additionally they may be required to search for contraband weapons or drugs, settle disputed between inmates, supervise inmate work assignments, end violent. confrontations or fights among inmates, inspect facilities and conduct security rounds.
Free Infant and Child CPR Training hosted by the Pregnancy Resource Center
Free Infant and Child CPR training will be hosted by the Pregnancy Resource Center at the Smith County Chamber of Commerce on Wednesday, November 15th from 2-4 p.m.
Training is provided by Riverview Regional Medical Center. Call or text 615-281-8054 to register.
SCHS Hunting Club hosts Doe Hunt on December 16, 2023
The Smith County HIgh School Hunting Club will host a Big Doe Hunt on December16, 2023. Entry fee is $20. All deer must be taken in legal sporting manner and field dressed before weighing. Cash Prizes will be announces at the close of weigh in. Scales for the hunt will be located at the Crump-Paris Farmer’s Market from 3-6 p.m.
Hunters are encouraged to donate doe to Hunters for the Hungry for processing at Vaden’s Processing. Hunters must have a ticket for each doe weighed in. Each hunter may weigh up to 3 does. All deer must be checke in to TWRA with a confirmation number before weigh in. For more information please email or call the numbers listed above.
Art Show at Carthage Junction Depot Featuring Patricia Tenpenny – Interconnected
The Carthage Junction Depot is proud to feature the artwork of Patricia Tenpenny for a one day show on November 11. Tenpenny is a visual and performing artists and founder of 10penny Arts in Middle Tennessee. She received her BFA from Middle Tennessee State University and her MFA from Louisiana State University. After teaching art at the college level for twenty years, Tenpenny is now focusing on her own work and classes which she has offered in person and online.
In her paintings, she primarily focuses on Sacred Geometry. This refers to the shapes and proportions that are repeating in all things throughout the universe, both seen and un seen. Many describe it as the divine matrix or God’s fingerprint. Starting with a point that grows into a circle, and from there it can multiply in unlimited ways. At various stages of growth, patterns have been recognized and identified. For example, the initial circle being called the Egg of Life, develops into the Seed of Life, which develops into the Fruit of Life, and onto the Flower of Life. Within the Flower of Life pattern, you find the Jewish, Tree of Life. At the Fruit of Life stage, Plato identified the building blocks of the universe or what has become known as the 5 Platonic solids (tetrahedron, hexahedron, octahedron, dodecahedron, and icosahedron). In addition to the natural world, the patterns and proportions found within Sacred Geometry are found in art and architecture world wide. It doesn’t matter the location, culture of religious affiliation, the patterns and proportions are omnipresent.
As a recently certified Therapeutic Art Life Coach, the artist is focusing on the use of expressive arts as being a therapeutic tool or as a way to help heal from modern day stresses. Simply looking at Sacred Geometry is an excellent meditation tool, or a way to help calm the mind and bring you into the present moment. Creating it works even better. It engages both sides of the brain and allows those with no artist background a system with unlimited potential to create. In addition to Sacred Geometry, Tenpenny offers a variety of classes and events that emphasize the therapeutic benefits of a creative practice. For more information or to contact her, please see 10penny Art on Facebook or Instagram or email her at patriciatenpenny@gmail.com
Come meet the artist and enjoy a display of her work from 10-4 November 11 at the Carthage Junction Depot, 185 Gordonsville Hwy, Brush Creek. This event is free and open to the public.
Keep an eye out for upcoming art events like this and the upcoming December 9 Art Crawl On the Carthage Junction Depot Facebook page.
Food for Thought – Thanksgiving Meal Tips
With the Holiday Season here, I can almost smell the aroma of fresh baked cookies. With this thought I wanted to share some tips on how to have a healthier and safer Thanksgiving meal.
In desserts, such as cookies, pie fillings, and custard, try replacing one fourth to one third of the sugar with spices comparable to cinnamon, cloves, and nutmeg, or with flavorings such as vanilla extract.
For lower fat reduce the butter, shortening or oil by half and replace the other half with unsweetened applesauce or mashed banana. Use reduced-fat version for recipes calling for sour cream or mayonnaise. Try using non-fat yogurt in place of mayonnaise for dips. Use skim or low-fat milk instead of whole milk.
Increase the fiber in your meals by replacing half of the all-purpose flour with whole-wheat flour. Add extra vegetables to casseroles and salads. Fruits can also be added to salads and desserts. Pinto beans, white beans, and kidney beans are great to add in soups or stews.
Now for the main dish, the turkey. For an uncooked turkey, be careful with handling to prevent cross contamination to other foods. A frozen uncooked turkey should be thawed thoroughly in the refrigerator, not at room temperature. At room temperature the outside of the turkey may thaw and spoil before the inside is completely thawed. A safe minimum temperature for cooking your turkey is 165°F internally.
For cooked frozen turkeys, look for the inspection mark on the package that means the turkey was set in a USDA or state inspected plant under controlled conditions. Always follow package instructions for handling the turkey. If there are no instructions on the label, use the following steps.
Thaw the wrapped, cooked, frozen turkey on a tray in the refrigerator. Allow around 24 hours for every five pounds of meat. Plan to eat thawed turkey within three to four days. You may eat the turkey cold or reheat at 165°F. If you are going to reheat the turkey cut the meat off the bone. Legs and wings may be left whole. However, the breast should be sliced and refrigerate in shallow container.
If you pick up your turkey from a grocery store or caterer while turkey is hot, keep it hot. Put the turkey and side dishes in an oven to keep foods at 140°F or above. Covering your dishes with foil will help keep the food moist. It is not good to keep food hot longer than 2 hours.
When picking up food cold, keep it cold. Remove stuffing from the turkey cavity and refrigerate as soon as possible, always within two hours. Serve your meal within one to two days.
Remember to “Keep Hot Foods Hot” and “Cold Foods Cold”! Have a great Thanksgiving Meal!
Ruth Chris Sweet Potato Casserole
Crust
2 cup brown sugar
2/3 cup flour
2 cup pecan pieces
2/3 cup butter, melted
Set aside and make sweet potato mixture.
6 cup mashed sweet potatoes, cooked or baked
2 cup sugar
1 tsp salt
2 tsp vanilla
4 eggs, well beaten
2 sticks butter, melted
Pour sweet potato mixture into buttered dish. Sprinkle crust mixture over top. Bake at 350°F for 30-45
minutes. Allow to set for 30 minutes before serving. Submitted by Jenna Key, Night Owls FCE Club
UT Extension News – Kyle Owen Competes at Sunbelt Ag Expo
Smith County Agriculture News – By Katie Martin, Smith County Extension Agent
Kyle Owen has represented our county and our state well this year as Tennessee’s Farmer of the Year. On October 16th and 17th, he had the opportunity to meet with nine other Southeastern State Farmer of the Year winners as they all competed for the title of Sunbelt Ag Expo Southeastern Farmer of the Year.
This is the thirty-third year for the Southeastern Farmer of the Year award. It recognizes excellence in agricultural production and farm management along with leadership in farm and community organizations. The award also honors family contributions in producing safe and abundant supplies of food, fiber, and shelter products.
Kyle and his family traveled to Tifton and then to Moultrie, Georgia, to experience all the Sunbelt Ag Expo had to offer. Kyle participated in a Farmer of the Year roundtable discussion with current and past state winners. He was recognized during a reception where he was awarded the signature green blazer which is given to state winners. Kyle and his family were then able to experience a VIP tour of the Sunbelt Ag Expo which includes exhibitors showcasing the latest in farming technology, demonstrations, seminars, and much more. Finally, a luncheon was held where the overall Southeastern Farmer of the Year winner was announced.
While Steve Cobb of Lake City, Arkansas, was ultimately selected as the 2023 Sunbelt Ag Expo Southeastern Farmer of the Year, we are so incredibly proud of Kyle and his farming operation! When asked about his experience, Kyle said, “Overall, it was a very positive experience where we learned a lot, met some great people, and was a great opportunity for myself and my family.”
As Kyle’s Extension Agent and nominator, it has been an honor to watch his success in this program. Seeing a local farmer recognized on such a high level further inspires us as an Extension Staff to work hard to serve the diverse needs of all farmers in Smith County.
For further information about the Farmer of the Year program or any other agriculture topic, please call our office at 615-735-2900.
Smith County Drug Prevention Coalition Hosts Veterans Luncheon on November 15th
The Smith County Drug Prevention Coalition will host a Veterans Luncheon on Wednesday, November 15th at 11:30 a.m. at the Smith County Chamber of Commerce, 939 Upper Ferry Road, Carthage.
The guest speaker will be Rob Pharris, an army veteran who will share his inspiring story.
Organizational Meeting of the Smith County Amateur Radio Club – Monday, November 13th
The Smith County Amateur Radio Club will hold its organizational meeting Monday, November 13 at 6:30 PM in the Community Room of the Smith County Chamber of Commerce Building at 939 Upper Ferry Rd in Carthage.
Anyone with an interest in amateur radio is invited to attend. We will have updates on the new Smith County amateur radio repeater, and the Amateur Radio Emergency Services training. We will also discuss a potential club project, building a seismograph. Other potential club activities are radio Fox Hunting, and Parks on the Air events.
Visit the Smith County TN Amateur Radio Operators Group Facebook page for further information.
