Justin Potter Library Receives State Recognition for Long Running Annual “Older Americans Day” Observance

May 11, 2025
By: Dwayne Page

Justin Potter Library is being recognized by the Tennessee Secretary of State-Tennessee Archives ListServ as part of a “Senior Service Spotlight” for its long running “Older Americans Day” celebration, held each May in conjunction with National Older Americans Month.

“ListServ” provides an open forum for discussion of archives related topics and serves as a network for libraries to share ideas and learn about grant opportunities and new programs to better serve the public.

“As part of our “Senior Service Spotlight”, we’re excited to highlight Justin Potter Library and its long running, community-centered “Older Americans Day” event. This celebration honors the older adults in the community with care, creativity, and a whole lot of teamwork,” in an article posted on the “ListServ” website.

“Older Americans Day”, now in its 45th year, will be held Wednesday May 14 in the theatre area of the Mike Foster Multi-Purpose Center located at 712 S Congress Boulevard. Vendor displays will be located in the gym area from 9:00 AM until 10:30 AM with drawings for door prizes and entertainment to follow. This year’s theme is “Flip the Script on Aging”. The featured entertainment will be local ventriloquist, David Turner.

“Older Americans Day” is hosted by Justin Potter Library in partnership with the Alexandria Activities Center and the Smithville Senior Center. Everyone who is an Older American is invited to this free event. For more information, call Justin Potter Library at 615-597-4359 visit on Facebook, Instagram or the website at dekalblibraries.net.

In a letter to DeKalb Library Director Kathy Hendrixson, State Data Coordinator Christy Chandler of the Tennessee State Library and Archives, offered congratulations.

“I am writing on behalf of the Tennessee State Library and Archives to extend our heartfelt congratulations to you and the team at Justin Potter Public Library for the well-deserved recognition your library has received. You have demonstrated the value of your library through outstanding service, particularly in your long-standing commitment to serving older adults in your community through the annual “Older Americans Day” celebration”.

“To continue this meaningful tradition for 45 years is an extraordinary achievement. Your efforts to honor and uplift the contributions of older Tennesseans not only build community but also serve as a reminder of the library’s role in connecting generations and celebrating lives of experience and wisdom. Your library’s dedication is a shining example for others across the state”.

“We at the Tennessee State Library and Archives are proud to count you among the committed leaders of Tennessee’s library community. Your library’s success reflects positively on the entire system, and we are confident that your continued service will inspire others to follow your lead”.

“Congratulations again on this outstanding achievement. We look forward to seeing your continued success and the inspiring ways Justin Potter Public Library connects with its community”, wrote Chandler.

“Its always nice to be recognized especially by your peers for something we have done for 45 years but that’s not why we do it. We do it because we love and serve our community especially our older Americans. They have lived a life of service to others and are now in their golden years. We just want to recognize them for what they have contributed and are still contributing to our community,” Library Director Kathy Hendrixson told WJLE.

Although she can’t take credit for starting the program 45 years ago, Library Director Hendrixson has carried on the tradition.

“I didn’t start this (Older Americans Day observance). It started in the 1980’s and Ms. Idell Spann was probably the director at that time,” said Hendrixson. “She got it started and later Director June Vaughn continued it through the years. The program has grown. We used to have the observance in a small section of the library. We had to move the furniture to make room for maybe 50 people, and we had no vendors at the time. We added to the library (expansion) in 2003 and while we still had to move some furniture we could hold more people with a few vendors. In recent years, the event has been held at the county complex auditorium which is a much larger venue,” said Hendrixson.

The recognition, shared with other libraries in the ListServ forum, served as a means of honoring Justin Pottery library while giving others food for thought about starting their own annual “Older Americans Day” celebrations.

In the ListServ article, the following suggestions were offered based on how Justin Potter Library organizes its Older Americans Day event:

Here’s how they do it – and how you can, too:

Why It Matters
Attendees regularly express their appreciation and joy, and many return year after year. It’s more than a party – it’s a celebration of belonging, respect, and connection.

“We couldn’t do it without a great staff and library board. It’s truly a team effort.” – Kathy Hendrixson, Director

Origins and Growth
Older Americans Day at Justin Potter Library began before 2000, originally held in the library itself, with staff rearranging furniture and shelves to create space for seating and entertainment. In 2003, a library expansion allowed the program to grow—and grow it did! The event has since moved to the DeKalb County Complex, giving attendees access to the auditorium, gym, cafeteria, and Senior Center all in one location.

Attendance and Partnerships
Today, the event draws 125-140 attendees and includes 20+ vendors, ranging from the local Police and Fire Departments to healthcare providers, veteran services, and community agencies. The entire program is built on collaboration, with contributions from the Sheriff’s Department, Senior Centers, library board, and many volunteers.

Replication Tip: Identify key partners in your community or your region who share your goal of supporting older adults -senior centers, law enforcement, and local health agencies can all play a role.

Goody Bags, Lunches, and Door Prizes
Each attendee receives a thoughtfully assembled goody bag and sack lunch. Library staff and board members prepare sandwiches (chicken salad or pimento cheese – tradition matters!), while items like cakes, chips, water, and fruit are donated by businesses and senior centers. Local businesses are invited to donate promotional items and door prizes, and the response is strong – up to 60 prizes and 160 goody bags each year.

Replication Tip: Write to local businesses early and explain the purpose of your event – many are happy to donate in-kind items that promote their services while supporting the community.

Entertainment & Atmosphere
Entertainment is a highlight – from Elvis impersonators to ventriloquists, storytellers, and musical groups. The library pays for the entertainment, with costs rising over the years, but the joy it brings is well worth the investment.

Replication Tip: Explore local or regional entertainers and consider grant or local arts funding if costs are a concern.

Staying Library-Centered
Even in a large venue, the library stays front and center—offering large print materials and popular reads (like Amish fiction) that older patrons love. Staff use the event as a chance to connect attendees with resources and invite them back to the library year-round.

Marketing the Event
Promotion is ongoing and multi-channel: news releases to local newspapers and radio (WJLE), social media, and appearances on Chamber Chat—a monthly radio and local TV segment featuring library programs.

Replication Tip: Use community media outlets to reach older adults and their caregivers. Radio, local access TV, and flyers in community centers still go a long way!

May 10, 2025
By: Dwayne Page

As plans move forward to build a new elementary school, the board of education is already thinking about where the next new school might someday be built.

During its regular monthly meeting Thursday night, the school board adopted the proposed 2025-26 fiscal year budget 7-0 which includes setting aside $1.3 million from its $13 million school reserves for the purchase of land although no location for a new school, either high school or middle school, has been publicly identified. With the county already having committed to issuing bonds up to $55 million dollars to build a new elementary school funded by local option sales tax revenue, it would most likely be several years before another project gets off the ground.

Members of the board are Danny Parkerson, Alan Hayes, Jim Beshearse, Eric Ervin, Megan Moore, Jason Miller, and Shaun Tubbs.

The proposed new school budget also includes $2,000 teacher bonuses from the state through the voucher program to those who qualify, and $2,000 bonuses funded locally to those educators who don’t qualify for the state bonuses. Support staff would each get a $1,000 bonus funded locally with passage of this budget.

“After passing the resolution that we would accept the state bonuses for teachers we went ahead and put that money in our budget we knew was coming which will be roughly $500,000 for those teachers that qualified for it,” said Director of Schools Patrick Cripps. “But everybody deserves something so those educators not on the list that would not have received a bonus we put it in our budget so they can receive the same amount as those who are on the list so they will clear $2,000. In addition, the support staff will get a bonus, and they will clear $1,000. That puts the total local allocation for bonuses at $245,000,” Director Cripps explained.

“Other than step raises and the bonuses nothing additional in salaries will be in the budget. What we are doing this year is strictly from what the state is sending us and what will come from our reserves to cover the rest,” Cripps said.

During Thursday night’s monthly meeting, the school board awarded a bid for a $400,000 project to build walls inside DeKalb Middle School. That project will be done over the summer when school is out and will be funded from within the budget without dipping into the schools’ reserves or fund balance.

Other than the DMS walls, Director Cripps said nothing major is planned as far as capital projects, but something could crop up during the year that needs to be addressed.

“The last few years we have done a lot of facility upgrades. We don’t have anything at this point, but you never know when something is going to pop up,” he said.

As with most budgets the school district has seen an increase in the annual cost of doing business especially with insurance.

“The big thing with this budget and for the last couple of years is a big increase in insurance. We knew this year we had to do some budget amendments to get the insurance covered. For this budget we increased our budget line for insurance so that made our budget climb,” said Director Cripps.

During and after the Covid pandemic, the school district received extra federal funds including the Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief Fund (ESSER) which was used to purchase textbooks and that freed up local money to be used for other needs. But now the ESSER funds have been depleted with no more on the way. Still, the school district continues to search for new programs like Graduation Alliance to meet needs and save money.

In partnership with the DeKalb County School District, Graduation Alliance provides versatile pathways to high school graduation for youth and adults.

“We signed a contract with a great adult high school to help us with the kids and our budget. Our graduation alliance virtual adult high school has generated almost $4.5 million and that reflects on the Tennessee Investment in Student Achievement (TISA) money we receive. But under this contract we only get 10% of that or $450,000. The rest flows back out to that company to teach those kids although we keep the data on them. It’s a way for us to generate money in addition to what the state is sending us,” he said.

Director Cripps said the 2024-25 schools operating budget may come close to balancing by year’s end.

“I think we will hit right on the mark with our budget this year. If we had not done the DMS walls I think we would be under budget for the year,” he said.

Director Cripps will now present the proposed 2025-26 school budget to the county budget committee for approval at a meeting later this month.

May 10, 2025
By: Dwayne Page

The DCHS Tigerettes are the district 7 3A Softball Tournament Champions after defeating Stone Memorial 9-0 in 5 innings Friday at the Danny Bond Field. A game highlight was Hannah Brown’s grand slam homerun. The Tigerettes will host the first round of the Region Tournament Monday in Smithville and WJLE will have LIVE coverage.

Meanwhile, the 2025 baseball season ended for the DeKalb West Bulldogs Friday (20-4) with a 1-0 loss at home to Upperman in the Area 3-AA Sectional Championship. The Bulldogs, who had won the Area 10 District Regular Season and Tournament Championships, would have secured a berth in the TMSAA Class AA State Tournament had they beaten Upperman.

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