DeKalb Fair Association To Host Fun Filled Day of Activities on Halloween

September 4, 2020
By: Dwayne Page

Although it will not be quite like the traditional Grandpa Fair of the South, the DeKalb County Fair Association has announced that a one day event is planned for Saturday, October 31 on the fairgrounds with several activities including pageants, exhibits, and fun things for kids. But there will be no carnival rides or hilltop events as in the past such as a rodeo, demolition derby, and motorcycle racing, etc.

Johnny Barnes, a member of the Fair Board, told WJLE Friday that board members voted Thursday night to move forward with plans for the event to coincide with Halloween.

Like so many other fairs and summer events, the DeKalb County Fair, originally scheduled for July 13-18, was postponed this year due to COVID-19 in accordance with guidelines pertaining to attractions and large venues by the Tennessee Economic Recovery Group. But in that announcement made on June 1, the Fair Board said plans were to have an event later in the year if possible.

“We voted to proceed with a one day fair and fair activities on October 31. We are going to try to have some of our traditional entries and fair activities during the day. We plan on having some pageants and some entries for our crops, canning, and crafts and all those things that usually take place in the women’s building. We also have plans for doing numerous activities for kids throughout the day. We plan on doing a pet show, some Halloween costume contests, kiddie tractor pull, and a few other events we are still working on. We would also like to do an antique car and tractor show for other interested parties to come to during the day. We hope to get as many community partners as possible involved to help us pass out candy in a trunk or treat activity that evening for all the kids who want to come out and trick or treat,” said Barnes.

According to Barnes the committee will meet again next week and try to finalize all the festivities for the day. “When we get more details we will release a full schedule for the day and deadline for all entries to be turned in,” said Barnes.

September 4, 2020
By: Dwayne Page

“Mother Teresa” is a most remarkable cat.

This 18 month old feline, the WJLE/DeKalb Animal Shelter featured “Pet of the Week” has not only nursed four of her own but five other orphaned kittens during her stay at the shelter, thus earning her the name “Mother Teresa”. It’s time she found her forever home. Can you help?

DeKalb Animal Shelter Employees Emmaly Bennett and Jennifer Angaran with Mother Teresa from dwayne page on Vimeo.

“Teresa came into the shelter with four kittens of her own and we had five baby orphan kittens that she also nursed. She is about a year and a half old. She is super affectionate. She gets along well with everybody including kids and other cats. She has been at the shelter the longest of all the animals we have here after Oscar, the four month old cat we featured last week, got adopted. Teresa’s adoption fee is $85. She has already been spayed and is up to date on all her vaccinations. If you would like to meet her go online to fill out an adoption application. Email it to us and we will call you to set up an appointment so you can come in and meet her,” said Shelter employee Emmaly Bennett.

“We are still doing everything by appointment only. Give us a call and we can walk you through that process or visit our facebook page. You can find our adoption application at dekalbanimalcoalition.org. On the adopt tab scroll all the way to the bottom to find the application and send it to our email and we will call you and schedule an appointment,” said Bennett.

The shelter, located on Transfer Station Road behind Tenneco Automotive off Highway 70 east in Smithville, has been in operation since November, 2017 under the DeKalb Animal Coalition, a 501 c 3 non profit organization.

Phone 615-597-3647 (DOGS) for more information.

September 4, 2020
By: Dwayne Page

Last year the DeKalb County Tigers started the season 0-2 with losses to Warren County and Upperman but then defeated Stone Memorial to launch their region campaign. The 2019 Tigers ultimately finished the regular season at 6-4 and runners up in the region before a 2-1 run in the state playoffs.

(Click link below to hear WJLE’s Tiger Talk Program)

https://www.wjle.com/tiger-talk-september-4/

Tonight, the Tigers find themselves in the same position with losses to Warren County and Upperman but they are hoping that history repeats itself, at least in terms of turning around the season as they travel to Crossville to meet the Stone Memorial Panthers. Kick-off is at 7 p.m. and WJLE will have LIVE coverage with the Voice of the Tigers John Pryor and Luke Willoughby.

Stone Memorial opened their season with a 34 to 14 loss to Grace Christian of Knoxville two weeks ago but defeated Clay County 32-0 last Thursday night.

Tiger Coach Steve Trapp, speaking on WJLE’s Tiger Talk program, said while the Tigers kicking game improved in the Upperman game with the addition of Jasper Kleparek to the team there were some letdowns that need to be addressed.

“There were some things we definitely fixed. Our kicking game was better. Having Jasper join our team really gives us a lot of confidence in the kicking game as far as extra points and field goals. I think our punt game was a lot better. T.J. Alexander and the punt team did a very good job. But in the end there was one big special teams play that got us like in the first week, a dropped snap on a punt. This time it was on a kickoff return to open the third quarter and we wound up losing by six points. I think another big thing as far as the negative goes is first down efficiency. That leads to third down efficiencies. I think we had some crucial drops on first down and third down and that eliminates drives. We have to be good on first downs to make third downs easier and convert third downs to extend drives. Upperman was able to do that more often than we were and that was the difference in the game,” said Coach Trapp.

As for tonight’s opponent, “there are a lot of similarities between us as far as the spread offense and things like that. Defensively they do things a little differently than what we do. They are always going to have a threat at quarterback. A dual threat guy who can run and throw. Its no different this year. Again a lot of things we do they do as well so we have to cover the entire field and our defense has to be prepared. Defensively they are probably going to blitz more than what we have seen the last couple of weeks so we have to be ready for that as well,” said Coach Trapp.

The Tigers have never won a regular season region football championship and Coach Trapp knows its important to win that first game especially in only a four team region.

“We have a goal each year to win the region. Its something we have never done here. There are only four games in our region and to lose one may eliminate you from the opportunity to be the first place team. Regardless we want to get the region season off on the right foot. Right now its all about being a clean football team that executes and plays hard each and every play,” said Coach Trapp.

DeKalb County High School Principal Randy Jennings has a message for Tiger football fans planning to make the trip to Crossville tonight for the game at Stone Memorial.

“Due to the large size of the stadium at Stone Memorial High School there will be no ticket restrictions for fans. All fans will have to wear a mask and social distance upon entering the stadium”, said Principal Jennings.

WJLE’s Pre-Game shows begin with “Coach to Coach” at 5:00 p.m. featuring former UT assistant coach Doug Matthews with former coach Dave McGinnis and broadcaster Larry Stone talking Tennessee and SEC football.

“Coach to Coach” is followed by “Murphy’s Matchups at 6:00 p.m., a look at Tennessee High School Football from Murphy Fair with commentary on games and coaches interviews.

“Tiger Talk” airs at 6:30 p.m. with the Voice of the Tigers John Pryor interviewing Coach Steve Trapp and Tiger football players Aiden Curtis, Isaiah Harrington, and Diego Coronado.