Addison Paige Curtis Wins Miss Princess Pageant

July 14, 2022
By: Dwayne Page

The 2022 Miss Princess of the DeKalb County Fair is Addison Paige Curtis of Smithville, the 9-year-old daughter of Heather Page and John Curtis.

Curtis was among 14 contestants ages 7-9 who competed for the title Wednesday night at the DeKalb County Fair.

Addison succeeds the 2021 Miss Princess Katy Jo Bowen of Liberty, the 8-year-old daughter of the late Joseph Bowen and Kimberly and Cody Atnip.

Eight-year-old Harper Jade Hale was first runner-up. She is the daughter of Bobby Lee and Ciara Hale of Alexandria.

Second runner-up was Clara Ruth Cox, the 8-year-old daughter of Brandon and Whitney Cox of Smithville

Seven-year-old Stella Adcock, daughter of Byron and Paige Adcock of Smithville, was third runner-up

Samara Emberton was fourth runner-up. She is the 9-year-old daughter of Steven Emberton and Stephanie Whiteaker of Smithville.

Eight-year-old Eden Donnell, daughter of Travis and Amber Donnell of Alexandria, was Most Photogenic and Annalyn Elyse Garrett, 8-year-old daughter of Ryan and Erica Garrett of Liberty earned the Miss Congeniality honor.

Others in the top 8 were Arraya Jenae Taylor, 9-year-old daughter of Angie Taylor of Smithville; Jacqlin Ila Rose Prichard, 7-year-old daughter of Mark and Amanda Prichard of Smithville; and Emilet Aldino, 8-year-old daughter of Omar and Cecilia Aldino of Smithville.

July 14, 2022
By:

The Smithville-DeKalb County Chamber held a Ribbon Cutting ceremony at the DeKalb County Agriculture Building Wednesday during the DeKalb County Fair to celebrate the new interior projects. With the support of the DeKalb County Mayor’s office, the Chamber applied for and was awarded a $50,000 Three Star Grant to create a commercial kitchen and 2 meeting/classroom spaces for the new agriculture building.

According to Chamber Director Suzanne Williams, “Jeff McMillen oversaw all the construction. I can’t say thank you enough for all the time and energy Jeff spent on getting everything done in such a timely manner.” Williams continues, “We believe the economic impact of this project will be significant. These additions will provide a generous space to hold diverse events, trainings, sales, auctions, meetings, programs, and more all throughout the year.”

Plans are for this multi-purpose ag building to be utilized in numerous ways including DeKalb Cattle Association events, equipment auctions, school functions, concerts and other entertainment-type events, culinary classes, 4-H development programs, cattle and horse sales, Senior Center events and programs, Community Events, Birthday Parties/Family Reunion type events, trainings, and various uses during the DeKalb County Fair.

An Ag Center Task Force will be formed to research resources, create entrepreneur courses for agriculture businesses, and to investigate agriculture-related resource enhancement for DeKalb County. Community Partners will include the DeKalb County Fair Association Board, DeKalb County Government, City of Alexandria Mayor and Aldermen, Smithville-DeKalb County Chamber of Commerce, Alexandria Lions Club, DeKalb Cattlemen’s Association, U.T. Extension, DeKalb County 4-H, DTC Communications, Alexandria Senior Center reps, School Agriculture Students, local businesses, and many local volunteers and farmers. In addition, we plan to work closely with and seek input from the Tennessee Department of Agriculture.

Williams expressed her appreciation to Three Star Director Jody Sliger and the Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development. “This project wouldn’t have happened without their support. We feel that DeKalb County businesses and especially the small businesses in Alexandria will benefit significantly from the events held throughout the year at the DeKalb County Agriculture Center.”

July 13, 2022
By: Dwayne Page

The 2022 DeKalb County Fair’s Mrs. Fair Queen is 47-year-old Amy Clare Lockhart of Smithville. The pageant was held Tuesday night.

Lockhart, who was also named Miss Congeniality, succeeds the 2021 Mrs. Fair Queen, 24-year-old Briana Ellis of Smithville.

Amy Clare and her husband Keith reside on their farm overlooking the hills of Short Mountain where they raise spotted saddle horses, cattle, and sell quality hay. As a real estate broker at Town & Lake Realty, Lockhart has been passionate about her career of 23 years. Amy Clare has always taken pride in calling Smithville her home. She has enjoyed living and raising her family in a small town.

First runner-up was 36-year-old Jana Beth Tripp of Alexandria.

Tripp has been married 19 years and is a mom of two. She is currently an Alexandria Alderman and is running for Mayor. She does private in-home care for elderly and is a member of the Smithville Business and Professional Women Club and the Alexandria Fire Department Association. She attends First Baptist Church of Alexandria.

27-year-old MaKayla Shea Turner of Smithville was Second runner-up and Most Photogenic.

Turner works full time and is a student pursuing a biology and health science degree. She enjoys reading, crocheting, collecting antiques, and going on adventures with her husband.

Meanwhile 66-year-old Jeanette Adcock Mabe of Smithville was crowned Senior Fair Queen Tuesday night.

Mabe grew up and attended school in White County. When she married Carlon Mabe, they moved to DeKalb County where she worked for 22 years before going to Shiroki North America and she has been there for 26 ½ years. Mabe loves music and has been in the community chorus for many years. She is the pianist at the Bright Hill Methodist Church and attends Indian Creek Missionary Baptist Church where she is organist and backup pianist. Mabe loves the great outdoors, motorcycle riding, hunting, fishing, and boat riding.

She succeeds the 2021 queen 70-year-old Susan Frazier Hinton of Smithville.