Habitat for Humanity hosts another successful Chili Cook-Off!

October 14, 2023
By: Tecia Puckett Pryor, Development Committee Habitat for Humanity of DeKalb County, Tennessee, Inc

It was a beautiful day for the 19th Annual Habitat for Humanity Chili Cook-off and Bake Sale, held Friday, October 13, 2023, on the town square and the lawn of the DeKalb County Courthouse. Nineteen chili teams participated in the cook-off; over 600 bowls of chili were served; and a record breaking $10,000 was raised for Habitat for Humanity, which will be used to build the next Habitat house in DeKalb County. Habitat officials report that this was again a very successful cook-off, which began in 2004.

“The Courthouse Gang” from DeKalb County Officials took Top Chili Honors, with the “MTNG: The Chili Zone” from Middle Tennessee Natural Gas placing second. Third place chili honors went to “Current Keepers” from Smithville Electric.

The Best Decorated Booth Award went to “The Courthouse Gang” from DeKalb County Officials; with “Current Keepers” from Smithville Electric coming in second place and “MTNG: The Chili Zone” from Middle Tennessee Natural Gas placing third.

The Golden Spoon Award went to “Hell Hath No Fury Like FBC Chili” from First Baptist Church, who raised the most additional money for Habitat in cash donations at their booth, with “The Courthouse Gang” from DeKalb County Officials coming in second and Mallory Pfingstler, State Farm coming in third.

Rounding out the participating teams were: “The Loan Arrangers” from Liberty State Bank; “Top Gunners” from Amvets Ladies Auxiliary Post 101; “The Courthouse Gang” from DeKalb County Officials; “Funky Chicken Chili” from DeKalb Prevention Coalition; “FirstBank’s Secret Sauce Chili” from FirstBank; “Galaxy” from Galaxy Ford; Mallory Pfingstler, State Farm; Town and Lake Realty; DeKalb UT Extension; Hywater Title, LLC; “Current Keepers” from Smithville Electric; “Hot Checks Chili” from Wilson Bank & Trust; “Tennessee ‘Meats’ Texas” from WY FORGE CO.; “MTNG: The Chili Zone” from Middle Tennessee Natural Gas; “Hell Hath No Fury Like FBC Chili” from First Baptist Church; “Silence of the Dems” from DeKalb County Democratic Party; “Legal Limit Spice” from Center Hill Title, LLC/Tecia Puckett Pryor, Attorney; “Family and Consumer Foodies” from DCHS FCCLA; and “Mom’s Holmes Made Chili” from Holmes Group Inc. In addition, DeKalb Title sponsored the “Treat Tent”.

Habitat for Humanity of DeKalb County thanks each of these teams for their enthusiasm and support of the event; all those who donated the delicious baked goods; City Mayor Josh Miller and his staff and County Mayor Matt Adcock and his staff for facilitating the event space; and all the fine local folks who came out to support Habitat and this great community event.

Habitat also thanks the following for their donations: Lucas Antoniak and Mary Ann Puckett for graphic design services; Smithville Food Lion for cheese, crackers and drinks; Dr. Pepper for drinks; Smithville Fire Department for ice; Smithville Electric System for ensuring we had power and putting up the temporary electric pole; Middle Tennessee Natural Gas for tables and chairs; DCHS Tiger Bakery, DeKalb County 4-H and local churches for baked goods.

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 or find them on Facebook @HFHDeKalb TN.

October 14, 2023
By: Dwayne Page

Scam Alert!

Sheriff Patrick Ray is admonishing the public to be on guard against a new scam that has been perpetrated against some in the community.

“The scammer is calling people telling them they owe money for unpaid tickets or where they missed grand jury and now they owe a fine. They even give a phone number for you to call if they miss you. The number is 615-546-0193. The recording sounds very close to the sheriff’s department’s recording. Do not fall for this scam. The Sheriff’s Department never calls people and tells them they owe money for fines. We do not take any money for fines at the Sheriff’s Department,” said Sheriff Ray.

If you have a complaint or need more information you may call Sheriff Ray directly at 615-597-4935 extension 7.

October 13, 2023
By: Dwayne Page

Don’t be surprised if you see a line of automobiles early Saturday morning, October 14 stretching from downtown Smithville on South College Street as far out as Green Brook Park.

It’s become a regular occurrence at least twice a year as families needing food get in line to be served by the Smithville Cumberland Presbyterian Church’s mobile food pantry in partnership with Second Harvest Food Bank of Middle Tennessee.

The distribution begins at 9 a.m. with registration starting at 8:30 a.m. No one being served ever has to leave their automobile. Volunteers working the pantry will prepare food boxes filled with non-perishables, vegetables, produce, canned goods, breads, bakery treats, and sometimes dairy products and deliver them directly to the vehicles waiting in line. Automobiles will line up facing north on College Street to North Market Street.

Myra Reffue, Pantry Coordinator, said this food distribution has been a community outreach mission of the church for several years.

“Second Harvest always sends us enough food to feed about 300 families and we try to limit it to two families per car and depending upon the size of the family there is enough food distributed to feed each family for about a week. The pantry is often sponsored and paid for by TVA so the church doesn’t have to pay anything. Many times we get sponsorships from companies that go through Second Harvest and if there is no sponsor the church covers the cost,” said Reffue.

The food pantry always gets help from volunteers both from the church and the community to off load the Second Harvest truck and to prepare and deliver the food boxes but others who want to participate are welcome.

“Anyone who wants to volunteer needs to be there by 7:30 a.m. Saturday morning, October 14. For more information you may call 615-597-4197, extension 3,” added Reffue.