4-H Summer Camp Registration Now Open

May 8, 2019
By: Leigh Fuson

The days are getting longer and warmer, and the countdown to summer is on! You may be making plans for a beach or theme park vacation, but University of Tennessee Extension encourages parents to consider sending their youth to 4-H camp. 4-H is the youth development program of UT Extension, which cooperates with Tennessee State University and volunteers, to deliver quality youth programs throughout the year, including summer camp.

With a long tradition of youth development and STEM education, 4-H camps offered across the state are an amazing opportunity. Junior camp is for anyone currently in 4th-6th grade and takes place at Clyde York 4-H center in Crossville. DeKalb County 4-H members can attend this camp June 10th-14th. It features shooting sports, arts and crafts, swimming and a water slide, canoeing and kayaking, zip lining, sports and games, and much more! Cost is $300 which includes all meals, room & board, transportation, t-shirt, and activities. Registration deadline is May 17th.

“Tennessee 4-H camps are a chance for youth to explore their relationship with the world around them while having loads of fun. Tennessee 4-H camps move by the motto “learn by doing” and also by 4-H’s experiential learning method of ‘Do, Reflect, and Apply.’ Youth are engaged and involved from the time they arrive to the time they depart,” says Daniel Sarver, a youth development specialist with UT Extension.

Not only are campers having fun, making new friends, and creating life-long memories, but they are learning responsibility and life skills while being away from home. Many parents may worry about sending their children to camp, but Tennessee 4-H camps are accredited by the American Camp Association, are directed by caring professionals and volunteers, which include on-site camp staff and county 4-H agents.

For more information and to register for camp, please stop by the UT/TSU Extension office located in County Complex or call 615-597-4945. Payment plans are available. 4-H is a proud part of UT/TSU Extension, the UT Institute of Agriculture, and the TSU Cooperative Extension Program. UT/TSU Extension provides equal opportunities in programs and employment through the cooperation of county, state, and federal governments. Programs are open to all people regardless of race, color, sex, national origin, or disability.

By: Dwayne Page

Members of the DCHS and DeKalb Middle School Bands entertained during the annual Spring Concert held Tuesday night under the direction of Director Tracy Luna at the Ina Ruth Bess Auditorium at the high school.

(VIDEO BELOW SHOWS PERFORMANCE OF DCHS BAND FEATURING AXEL RICO)

IMG_5991 from dwayne page on Vimeo.

Members of the DCHS Band: Breanna Beaty-Euphonium FDM, Savannah Buckley-Trumpet, Hunter Davis-Flute, Emilee Finan-Trumpet, Charlie Ford-Alto Sax, Brecken Gammons-Trumpet, Xavier Jackson-Flute, Victor Luna-Tuba, Javontae Martin-Alto Sax, Josh Moon-Trumpet, Haylea Owen-Euphonium, Harrison Pryor-Percussion, Alex Rico-Alto Sax, Blaine Sexton-Bari Sax, Harley Sloan-Tenor Sax, Kristopher Stansberry-Alto Sax, James Tramel-Trumpet, Savanna Warren-Euphonium, and Linda West-Clarinet

DeKalb Middle School 6^th Grade band members:

Leauna Cullum-Alto Sax, Erick Hernandez-Trumpet, Maria Little-Clarinet, Aaron Maple-Clarinet, B.J. Mosely-Tenor Sax, Amy Nokes-Flute, Sarah Ray-Clarinet, Balian Sanders-Trombone, and Alexis Stanley-Trumpet.

DeKalb Middle School 7^th grade band members:

Daniela Amaya-Clarinet, Nevaeh Baker-F Horn, Merissa Brown-Tenor Sax, Jonathan Hernandez- Trumpet, Olivia Holmbeck-F Horn, Ayden Jones-Trumpet, Dayana Martinez-Percussion, Kyle Miller-Percussion, Jazmine Wagner-Euphonium, Owen Warren-Trombone/Euphonium

DeKalb Middle School 8^th grade band members:

Michaela Banfield-Percussion, Stevie Banfield-Percussion, Lauren Clark-Clarinet, Tiana Clark-Clarinet, Dixie Hill-Alto Sax, Kyle Holmbeck-Percussion, C.J. Lattimore-Trumpet, Christopher Luffmam-Trumpet, Eli Martin-Alto Sax, Sayla McBroom-Alto Sax, Hannah Swoape-Clarinet,  and Gavin Conger-Percussion.

May 8, 2019
By: Dwayne Page

Food trucks who often roll into town to serve meals in Smithville will soon have to comply with fire safety codes and obtain a permit from the city at no charge. The same rules will apply to temporary food vendors who set up on city streets under tents and in booths during special events including the Fiddlers Jamboree and Crafts Festival.

Smithville Fire Chief Charlie Parker addressed the issue with the Mayor and Aldermen during Monday night’s regular monthly meeting.

Although the city adopted the latest set of International Fire Codes in 2015 which addresses regulations for mobile or temporary commercial outdoor food vendors, the rules have apparently not been strictly enforced. But according to Chief Parker,  the risk to public safety is greater as some of these food vendors now use commercial cooking appliances which pose more fire hazards.

“In years past it wasn’t as much of a problem because there weren’t as many commercial appliances used. They (vendors) mostly served up barbeque, ice cream and things like that. But now they are bringing in deep fryers and commercial grills. Last year (during the Fiddlers Jamboree) I noticed there were two 100 pound propane tanks setting behind one of the tents and other tents had them. There is quite a bit of risk involved in some of that. We’re trying to make it a little more fire safe. This won’t guarantee there is not an accident or incident going to happen. We just want to make it as fire safe as we can to keep anything from happening,” said Chief Parker.

While some cities choose to ignore the regulations during special events and festivals, Chief Parker said Smithville should not make an exception because it exposes the city to liability.

“I have been researching this for a while. I have called pretty much every surrounding city and county across the state from Bonnaroo to Metro Nashville and there is a wide range of things they allow. Some places allow the commercial appliances with some exceptions. Some places don’t want to know about it. It may be in the rules but they choose to ignore it. Just because you don’t acknowledge it doesn’t mean you’re not liable. It is adopted into our city codes so whether we choose to address it or not we’re just as responsible,” said Chief Parker.

Effective June 15, the City of Smithville and the Smithville Fire Department will be requiring a Commercial Outdoor Food Vendor Fire Safety Permit on all mobile or temporary commercial outdoor cooking trucks, trailers, tents, or temporary structures within the corporate limits of Smithville in order to comply with fire safety codes, regulations and in the interest of safety.

The fire safety permit will be required for all vendors to operate an outdoor commercial food truck, trailer, tent or any temporary structure within the city limits of Smithville.

There will be (2) types of permits:

(1) Annual permit (1 year from the date of issue). No charge at this time for this permit.

(2) Temporary (2) Two day permit (limit of (2) two per year) FREE. No cost for this permit.

Vendor operators may obtain a copy of the rules or apply for a permit by contacting the City of Smithville during normal business hours.

The fire safety permit does not replace the Tennessee Department of Health Food Inspection permit that is also required.