No Shave November Campaign Raises $1,400 for Martha Melching Fund

December 4, 2018
By: Dwayne Page

Almost $1,400 was raised by the Smithville Police Department through the “No Shave November” campaign.

During Monday night’s monthly meeting of the Mayor and Aldermen, Police Chief Mark Collins was asked how the fundraiser turned out and was commended for the effort.

“The No Shave November is always fun for the guys. They enjoy having a beard for a little while. This year we were able to raise almost $1,400 for a good cause. Dewain Hendrixson of DeKalb County Ace Hardware matched whatever the police department employees raised which was around $560 so he wrote us a check for that amount and then we had some outside donations from other people,” said Chief Collins.

Participating officers let their beards grow in November as part of an annual nationwide cancer awareness campaign

This year’s observance locally was held in memory of the late Karen Jacobs and all proceeds are going to the Martha Melching Fund. Melching, a DeKalb Middle School Guidance Counselor, is eight months pregnant and was recently diagnosed with breast cancer.

Chief Collins said he appreciates all donations for this cause and is especially grateful to Hendrixson for his pledge of support.

December 4, 2018
By: Dwayne Page

The DCHS Band will be unable to participate in the Smithville Christmas Parade Saturday due to prior commitments.

Band Director Tracy Luna has issued the following statement to explain:

“Seasons Greetings from the DCHS Fighting Tiger Marching Band! As you know, the Smithville Christmas parade was postponed from Saturday, December 1 to the following Saturday, December 8 because of inclement weather.  We completely support this decision as the right one because no one wants their parade rained on.  Unfortunately, this postponement means that the Fighting Tiger Band will be unable to perform.

We have many moving parts when it comes to our students and their commitments. Many of our students have All MidState tryouts at the time of the parade.  Others have work or family commitments as Christmas draws closer and we cannot reschedule all of the conflicts.

We hope that everyone will understand that we take great pride in trying to being at as many community events as possible, but sometimes things just don’t work out for us, and that is ok.   Other community parades that we have attended or are attending are the Liberty and Alexandria Christmas parades.

We hope everyone enjoys the parade on Saturday and we will see you in the 2019 Smithville Christmas Parade!

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays!”

December 4, 2018
By: Dwayne Page

The American Cancer Society invites you to make a special donation in honor or in memory of a loved one during the holiday season through “Love Lights a Tree”. A special memory board is being erected on the south side of the courthouse that lists the names of loved ones.

The DeKalb County Unit of the American Cancer Society seeks your support in the “Love Lights a Tree” fundraising campaign to raise money for research to find a cure as well as cancer education and patient services. Donations may be made throughout the holiday season. The persons you honor or remember do not necessarily have to have suffered from cancer.

The names are in “honor of” and in “memory of” for a donation of five-dollars per name. Forms may be obtained at the local banks. For more information, contact Ivadell Randolph at 615- 597-5296, Lynda Luna at 615- 597-5837, Renee Cantrell at 615-684-2688, or Gail Taylor 615-597-5936.