Haven of Hope Tees Off for Golf Tourney

October 19, 2020
By: Bill Conger

Some people say their golf game is downright scary. So, they would fit right in this Halloween at the Haven of Hope Golf Tournament. Cost to enter is $60 per person or $240 per team.

“All that money is helping to pay for what we do here,” said former Haven of Hope Executive Director John Quintero. “Even if somebody does not have money, we try our best to at least get emergency help to them. We feel good about the ministry we’re doing, and we think it will be money well spent.”

Lunch begins at 11 o’clock Saturday, October 31 followed by the Scramble at 12:00 noon at River Watch Country Club. You may register for the tournament online at www.havenofhopetn.org/golf-tournament or call (615) 597-4673. There will be tier winners, hole prizes, door prizes, and a $1,000 Hole in One prize. Spots are still available for hole sponsors at a cost of $125. For those who don’t golf, The Haven will also be pleased to accept donations.

Haven of Hope is a non-profit community mental health agency. Its mission is to provide individual, family and/or group counseling, classes and programs that have the potential to enhance the clients’ lives, their family and the community.

October 18, 2020
By: Dwayne Page

Three local churches are hosting food giveaways.

Snow Hill Baptist Church will have a drive thru food pick up on Sunday, October 18th at 1:30 p.m.. Please line up on the East side of the Church and drive around. Someone will put the food in your car. Stay inside your car; no restrooms will be available. Services are at 10:00 each Sunday morning. Everyone is welcome. Todd Pack is the Pastor.

Meanwhile the Smithville AG Harvest Food Giveaway will be Saturday, October 24 from 8 a.m. until 10 a.m. The drive thru pick-up is located in the rear of the church. Anyone is welcome to come and receive fresh food, produce, meats, and dairy all packaged together while supplies last.

The Smithville Cumberland Presbyterian Church is again sponsoring a drive thru mobile food pantry on Saturday, October 31 from 9 a.m. until noon rain or shine.

The church plans to prepare enough food boxes to serve up to 300 families regardless of their income status, on a first come, first served basis.

Registration begins at 8:00 a.m. and the food will be distributed starting at 9:00 a.m. Unlike most food distributions, those being served by the mobile pantry will not have to get out of their automobiles. They will drive thru in a pickup line and volunteers will deliver the food directly to their vehicles, placing the food boxes either in the back seat or trunk. Cars will line up facing north on College Street across from the Smithville Cumberland Presbyterian Church.

“We will line up right across from the church (Smithville Cumberland Presbyterian Church) on College Street. We’ll start registration at 8:00 a.m. We’ll need the name of the recipients and how many families are being served. We’re limited to two families per vehicle to make sure we have enough food,” added Isaac Gray, Minister of the Smithville Cumberland Presbyterian Church.

Others who wish to volunteer may show up Saturday, October 31 or call for more information at 615-684-5307.

October 17, 2020
By: Dwayne Page

Region Champs!

The DeKalb County Tigers clinched an historic regular season football championship of Class 4A Region 3 Friday night with a thrilling 24 to 20 come from behind win in the closing seconds of the game at Macon County.

Except for a meeting in two weeks against the winless Cumberland County Jets, DeKalb County has run the table at 3-0 in the region and owns the tiebreakers over both Macon County and Livingston Academy should the Tigers lose in the regular season finale at home against Crossville on October 30.

The moment is historic in that it’s the first region title for a DCHS Tiger football team in the school’s 57 year history. The distinction also assures the team of a first round home state play-off game in three weeks.

It wasn’t easy.

After playing to a scoreless tie through the first period, the Tigers grabbed the lead in the 2nd period and held onto it until late in the 4th quarter when Macon County scored a go ahead touchdown. But with 45 seconds left, DC completed a game winning scoring drive and then later stopped Macon County on a 4th down quarterback sack to seal the victory.

DeKalb County’s first score came on a 10 yard touchdown pass from Quarterback Axel Aldino to Desmond Nokes, capping a 9 play 63 yard drive with 3:43 left in the 2nd period. Kicker Jasper Kleparek came on for the PAT and the Tigers led 7-0.

Macon County answered with 2:18 left in the 2nd period on a 9 yard touchdown run by Hunter Herron, capping a 60 yard drive. Cameron Houston failed to connect on the PAT but Macon County got on the board trailing DC 7 to 6.

On their next possession, the DC Tigers struck quickly as Aldino found Nokes on a pass play good for 60 yards and a touchdown with 2:03 left in the half. Kleparek added the extra point and DeKalb County took a 14-6 lead.

Macon County then mounted a 66 yard touchdown scoring drive which Quarterback Braydee Brooks completed on a 3 yard keeper to cut the DC lead to 14 to 12 after Macon County’s 2 point conversion attempt to tie the game failed with 6 seconds left before halftime.

Neither team scored in the 3rd period but in the 4th DeKalb County expanded its lead to 17-12 on a 34 yard field goal by kicker Jasper Kleparek.

Macon County then got the ball and drove down the field scoring on a 4 yard touchdown run to give them their first and only lead of the game. The 2 point conversion was good on a pass from Brooks to Herron and Macon County pulled ahead 20-17 with just over 3 minutes left in the game.

DeKalb County started its last drive of the night from its own 25 yard line and drove 10 plays before Aldino found Nokes on a 14 yard game winning touchdown scoring pass play with 45 seconds remaining on the clock. Kleparek knocked home the extra point and DeKalb County went on to win 24-20.

DeKalb County has an open date next Friday, October 23 but will complete the regular season at home against winless Cumberland County in two weeks on October 30. WJLE will have LIVE coverage.

Class 4A Region 3 standings and team records:
*DeKalb County: 6-3 (3-0)
*Macon County: 6-2 (2-1)
*Livingston Academy: 5-3 (2-1)
*Stone Memorial: 3-5 (1-3)
*Cumberland County: 0-8 (0-3)