History Hayride at Edgar Evins State Park October 16th

Cooler weather, campfires, storytelling, roasting marshmallows – a chance to snuggle down under blankets – all these are pleasant happenings in the fall and are part of Edgar Evins State Park's 5th Annual History Hayride, on Center Hill Lake Saturday, October 16. There are still a number of seats available!

This is a wholesome, family-oriented event rather than a Halloween ride although one of the new characters will be a gravedigger from the 1930s when bodies were exhumed from existing cemeteries to be reinterred during the construction of Center Hill Reservoir. Some of the other characters will include an area moonshiner, a local foxhunter, and the Revolutionary War veteran who founded the town of Liberty. Back by popular demand will be Elizabeth Dale, the lovely daughter of the founder of Liberty who later became known as "The Black Widow of Hazel Green."

Click here to listen to Park Manager Carl Halfacre talk about the History Hayride

As many as nine wagon loads will leave at 30-minute intervals from the park's office at the observation tower. The ride will take approximately 90 minutes to make a complete circuit, stopping at several scenes where costumed re-enactors will present historical sketches.

Hosted by the Friends of Edgar Evins State Park, this event is an opportunity to learn about the history of the park and the area, while enjoying fresh air and spectacular lake and hillside scenic views. Reserve your spot now as this event sells out quickly! Admission is $10 per person, with all proceeds benefiting the Friends of Edgar Evins State Park whose efforts help improve and preserve the park. Light refreshments also will be served, including marshmallows – and it is recommended you BYOB (Bring Your Own Blanket) and dress warmly in layers. Phone the park office for reservations: (931) 858-2446 or toll free at (800) 250-8619.

Edgar Evins State Park is located on the shores of Center Hill Lake in the steep, hilly Eastern Highland Rim. The 6,000-acre park provides excellent recreational opportunities and accommodations on one of the most beautiful reservoirs in Tennessee. Wildlife is abundant, including three different owl species, numerous hawks and wintering bald eagles as well as the rare Cerulean Warbler – a summer resident of the park's mixed hardwood forests, which include stands of Tulip Poplar, Oak, Hickory, Buckeye and Wild Cherry. The park was dedicated in 1975 and named for James Edgar Evins, a DeKalb County businessman and mayor of nearby Smithville. As a two-term state senator, Evins was instrumental in the development of Center Hill Dam and Reservoir. For more information about the History Hayride, please call (800) 250-8619. Additional information about the park can be found at www.tnstateparks.com/EdgarEvins.

7th Annual Habitat for Humanity Chili Cook-Off and Bake Sale Set for October 29th

Enjoy chili and delicious baked goods while helping raise money for Habitat for Humanity of DeKalb County during the 7th annual Chili Cook-off and Bake Sale Friday, October 29th at the 303 building downtown Smithville.

Serving time will be from 10:30 a.m. until 1:00 p.m. YOU BE THE JUDGE! Purchase your bowl for $5.00 (or $10 for a pottery bowl) and eat all the chili you want from all the teams and vote for your favorite! Come and have lunch. Take out available. All proceeds go to Habitat for Humanity of DeKalb County.

Tecia Puckett Pryor says the chili cook-off and bake sale is one of two major fundraisers held during the year for Habitat. "We just completed our third Habitat house and we'll be starting on our fourth house next year and we'll be choosing a family this winter. So the proceeds from this year's cook-off will be going toward that house."

The event last year raised approximately $3,500

Last year "The Courthouse Gang" from the DeKalb County Officials won the "Best Chili" award, and "Monster Mash" from the DeKalb County Board of Education followed in second place. In the decorating contest, the "Red Hot Chili Papers" from The Smithville Review won first place honors.

For more information or to enter a team, contact Tecia Pryor at 615-597-7370 or Jeff McMillen at 597-4153.

Habitat for Humanity of DeKalb County is a locally run affiliate of Habitat for Humanity International, a nonprofit, ecumenical Christian housing organization. Habitat for Humanity builds and renovates houses in partnership with volunteers and families in need, regardless of their ethnic or religious background. The houses then are sold to those in need at no profit and with no interest charged. To contact Habitat for Humanity of DeKalb County, please call 215-8181.