SES Students and Staff Pay Tribute to Veterans

November 5, 2023
By: Dwayne Page

Smithville Elementary School renewed its in-person Veteran’s Day tribute a week ahead of the official observance last Thursday, November 2 in the auditorium of the county complex.

Veterans in attendance were the honored guests for the assembly which featured songs of praise and patriotism from children as young as kindergarten to second grade age along with SES teachers, staff, parents, and the public.

Although many of the youngsters may have been too young to understand the significance of the occasion, SES Principal Anita Puckett said it was important for them to be exposed to some of the community’s hometown heroes.

“If there is anything these students take away from their experience at Smithville Elementary School is that we value those that have served our country for our freedom. I know they may be too young but with knowledge is power. I never want these children to ever take for granted the opportunities that this country has and the freedom we have been given due to those that have served. I am grateful to each of you,” said Principal Puckett in her welcoming remarks.

The program then continued with a recording of the National Anthem by the United States Marine Band, a music video of Daily & Vincent’s “Unsung Heroes”, and a recognition by Erica Birmingham of all veterans in attendance. Each of the classes sang along with recorded military tributes to the veterans including kindergarten students who joined in singing “The Army Goes Rolling Along”; first graders who sang “The Marine’s Hymn”, and “Wild Blue Yonder”; and Second graders singing “Anchors Aweigh” and “Semper Paratus”.

Misty Agee then read the following poem by author Jonanna Fuchs:

“On Veteran’s Day we honor
Soldiers who protect our nation.
For their service as our warriors,
They deserve our admiration.

Some of them were drafted;
Some were volunteers;
For some it was just yesterday;
For some it’s been many years;

In the jungle or the desert,
On land or on the sea,
They did whatever was assigned
To produce a victory.

Some came back; some didn’t.
They defended us everywhere.
Some saw combat; some rode a desk;
All of them did their share.

No matter what the duty,
For low pay and little glory,
These soldiers gave up normal lives,
For duties mundane and gory.

Let every veteran be honored;
Don’t let politics get in the way.
Without them, freedom would have died;
What they did, we can’t repay.

We owe so much to them,
Who kept us safe from terror,
So when we see a uniform,
Let’s say “thank you” to every wearer”.

The assembly of children and others then joined in singing with Lee Greenwood’s recording of “God Bless the USA” which was followed by Principal Puckett reading from Psalms 33:12-22 as a blessing to the veterans before closing the program.

A special thanks to the veterans who attended the program including the following and their branch of military service:

Norm Osburn, Army
Dale Pedigo, Army and Civil Service
Shannon Postle, Navy
Family of Clyde Thomas, Navy
Caleb Tramel, Marine Corps
Michael Peterson, Marine Corps
Ken Werner, Marine Corps
Julie Goodrich, Air Force
Dean Broadhead, Air Force
Robert “Bobcat” Secott, Air Force
Ronnie Redmon Sr, Air Force
Phil Prater, Army
Nathan Thomas, Army
Ronald Miller, Army
Jesus Hernandez, Army
James Wilmoth, Army
Charles Cantrell, Army
Ben Franklin, Army
Michael Cooper, Army
Michael VanDyne, Army
Jim Tollison, Army
Ronnie Bates, Army
Jerry Hinton, Army
Ed Bray, Army
Thomas Garrett, Army
Mark Rennaker, Army
Clyde Miller, Army National Guard
Glenn Worley, Marine Corps
Joshua Howe, Marine Corps
John Hummer, Marine Corps
Jacob Rankhorn, Marine Corps
Dane Powell, Marine Corps

November 5, 2023
By: Dwayne Page

Royalty were crowned in eight categories during Saturday’s Annual Fall Fest Pageants sponsored by the Last Minute Toy Shop non-profit organization.

Deanna Marie Agee, 15-year-old daughter of David and Dama Agee of Smithville was crowned queen of the age 15-18 category.

Baylei Anne Benson, 12-year-old daughter of Karey and John Washer and Christopher Benson of Smithville won the Fall Fest Queen crown of the age 11-14 group. She was also awarded for prettiest hair, attire, and most photogenic.

First runner-up was Kenli Faith Fish, 13-year-old daughter of Tiffany Pedigo and Cody Fish of Smithville.
Charley Loren Prichard was second runner-up and was awarded for prettiest smile. She is the daughter of Andy and Chrissy Prichard of Liberty.

11-year-old Arraya Jenae Taylor was judged to have the prettiest eyes. She is the daughter of Angie Taylor of Smithville.

Other participants were 11-year-old Lyra Dell McMinn, daughter of Jake and Amanda Franklin; and Mila Goff, 11-year-old daughter of James and Krista Goff of Smithville.

Charlee Mac Winfree, 8-year-old daughter of Ryan and Lindsy Winfree of Smithville was the winner of the Fall Fest Pageant in the age 7-10 category Saturday. She was also awarded for prettiest hair and attire and she received the people’s choice optional award.

First runner-up was Maddie Moore, 9-year-old daughter of Andrew and Alli Moore of Smithville. Second runner-up was Stella Grace Adcock, 9-year-old daughter of Byron and Paige Adcock of Smithville. Adcock was also awarded for prettiest smile and eyes.

Rozlyn Marie Prichard, 6-year-old daughter of Mark and Amanda Prichard of Smithville is the Fall Fest Queen for ages 4-6. She was also awarded Saturday for prettiest attire and smile.

First runner-up was Kathryn Ann Williams, 6-year-old daughter of Dillon and Hailey Williams of Alexandria. She was also awarded for prettiest hair, eyes and for being most photogenic.

Winners of the Fall Fest Pageant (girls ages 25-48 months):
Queen- Sydney Ann Barrett, 25-month-old daughter of Stephen and Vickey Barrett of Dowelltown. She was also awarded for prettiest eyes.

First runner-up: Jazmin Ariel Perez, 3-year-old daughter of Joel Perez and Blanca Jones of Smithville. Perez was also awarded for prettiest hair, attire, most photogenic and for the people’s choice award.

Second runner-up: Elena Rose Ritchie, 3-year-old daughter of Destinee Ritchie of Dowelltown. She was also awarded for prettiest smile.

The other contestant was Maelei Gail Dawson, 25-month-old daughter of Pamela and David Dawson of Smithville.

Winner of the Fall Fest Pageant (boys ages 13-24 months): King- Kasen Jacob Franklin, 20-month-old son of Jake and Amanda Franklin of Smithville. He also received the people’s choice optional award.

Winner of the Fall Fest Pageant: (boys ages 1 day to 6 months): King- 6-month-old Paxton Thomas Turner of Smithville. He also received the people’s choice optional award and for prettiest smile.

Winner of the Fall Fest Pageant: (girls ages 1 day to 6 months: Queen- Anyiah Karentyn Lorraine Banks, 2-month-old daughter of Mackenzie Castorena and Carlos Banks of Smithville.

November 4, 2023
By: Dwayne Page

What began two years ago as an effort to help a struggling mother provide Christmas gifts for her children, has grown today into a year-round mission to assist hundreds in need of clothing and other family essentials.

God’s Grace Ministry, operated by Whitney Lester and Alisha Chapman, is located at 301 South Third Street, in the building across from DeKalb Dental Center just off the public square downtown.

Almost a year ago, Lester and Chapman who had been operating individually out of their homes making available to the public clothing donated to them, decided to begin working together and because of their joint venture, the ministry has now become one of the most sought after in the community.

In a recent interview with WJLE, Lester explained how it all started.

“I had been helping people previously but two years ago, a lady reached out to me. She was a struggling single mother in a bad situation, and it was right before Christmas and she needed help getting her kids something for the holiday because she couldn’t afford it. I started reaching out to people on Facebook asking for gently used toy donations. I was already taking in donations at home and using them for like a give back day where families who needed help with Christmas could shop for free for their kids. That’s how it started and from there we had people reaching out about clothing and other things that I could not do by myself. Alisha saw what I was doing and reached out saying she would help so we just jumped into it together from there back in January,” said Lester.

“A lot of people sell clothes on Facebook and I was tired of selling them so God just gave me a sign to give back to the community so I reached out to Whitney and we started and on that first day we had car loads of things dropped off at both of our houses and after working out of our houses, we did our first free shopping day at the Cumberland Presbyterian Church,” said Chapman who also participated in the WJLE interview.

With the growth of the ministry came the need for more space which led to the downtown location.

“We began to realize there was a very big need for help in this town so as we began to outgrow from our houses, we got a storage building and then outgrew that after which we got a boat storage and outgrew that.” Chapman continued.

“We decided we were overwhelmed and needed a store front and that’s when we made arrangements to acquire our current location and we have been here since around the first of May. Looking back we had gotten through everything by the grace of God and that’s when we decided to call this God’s Grace Ministry based on scripture in the Bible from 2 Corinthians 12:9-10,” added Lester.

“We know its all by the Grace of God because it all just fell into place and over time, we have expanded doing a free hot meal day for the homeless and we have done baby showers for single moms, a food pantry, baby pantry, and homeless pantry. We have probably helped over 40 homeless people as well as more than 1,000 families here and in surrounding counties combined,” said Chapman.

“We carry all sizes of clothes from infant to 3x & 4x for men, women, and children. We also have a selection of home décor, towels, wash cloths, hygiene products, diapers, wipes and other things for babies and even shoes and bedding,” said Lester.

Both Lester and Chapman have full time jobs so they operate the ministry in their spare time. Family members keep the store open for them during the day. Neither Lester or Chapman is paid for their services in running God’s Grace Ministry and all the funds received to keep it operating is through the generosity of the public through donations.

“Its all donation based. If you can’t afford what we offer its free but donations are appreciated and we use those to go back into the operation to help pay for rent and utilities at our current location”, said Lester.

“As far as donations, we get them from all over the place and as far away as Murfreesboro. Although we are not yet a 501 (c) 3 we are a non-profit. Some people who donate are helping families pay rent or groceries. Our pantry does not try to take away from other pantries. Ours is just to get people through temporary hard times or until the next food pantry,” said Chapman.

“We have so many single pregnant moms that we help and places like EVOLVE Addiction Treatment, the Police and Fire Departments, Court System and American Red Cross know about us and what we do. A few months ago, we did a Back to School Bash and gave out 150 backpacks and had someone do haircuts. We plan to make that an annual thing. We are also planning more baby showers over the next few months,” she added.

God’s Grace Ministry is currently open on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays from 9 a.m. until 3 p.m. and when possible, on Saturdays. Summertime hours are 9-5 weekdays.

If the ministry keeps growing, Lester and Chapman said they may eventually need a larger venue and more help.

“We have a friend who helps us and wants to look into offering low-income childcare for families struggling who can’t work because they can’t get someone to watch their kids. There are a lot of things like that up our sleeve, but it takes time and funds to do that,” said Chapman.

The ministry has several upcoming events including a Free Hot Meal Day on November 11 at 5 p.m. at the Refuge Church on the public square for the homeless and those who do not get a regular hot meal. “We appreciate the Lipstick Pig and Patty’s Restaurant for donating,” said Lester.

Thanksgiving meal food boxes will be available November 18 for those who have already signed up to receive them.

“A free shopping day will be held on December 2 through our toy program in which parents can come and Christmas shop for kids. Just come in and get what you need,” added Chapman.

For more information call 615-308-8784 or 615-318-6250.