Neighbors Helping Neighbors Blood Drive Monday, March 27

March 26, 2023
By: Dwayne Page

A DeKalb County Neighbor’s Helping Neighbors blood drive will be Monday, March 27 from 11 a.m. until 5 p.m. at the Smithville Senior Center, 718 South Congress Boulevard, Smithville on the bloodmobile in the parking lot.

You may schedule an appointment at www.bloodassurance.org/dekalbcountyneighbors. You may also contact Jimmy Poss at 615-464-7426 or Jimposs72@yahoo.com.

Remember to eat a good meal, drink additional water, avoid energy drinks and bring your ID. Blood Assurance is the sole blood provider for the local hospitals and your donation is needed for an adequate supply. One donation can save three lives. Each donor will receive a “Lucky Lifesaver” t-shirt while supplies last.

March 25, 2023
By: Dwayne Page

A WJLE Radiothon to raise money for the DCHS Class of 2023 Project Graduation will be Monday, April 10 from 9:00 a.m. until noon.

DCHS teacher John Pryor will be the host of the radiothon.

High school seniors and parents on the Project Graduation committee will be answering phones, taking pledges during the drive. Any member of the Class of 2023 is urged to stop by the station to make an appearance on the radiothon to talk about their school activities and future plans.

Last year’s event raised a record breaking $12, 785 for the 2022 Project Graduation event

Project Graduation is an all-night drug-free, alcohol-free graduation party for members of the DCHS Class of 2022 committed to having a safe, wholesome, yet entertaining celebration together for the last time as a class. The event begins following the graduation ceremony Friday, May 12

Call 615-597-4265 during the Radiothon to make your pledge from 9:00 a.m. until noon on Monday, April 10. Listen LIVE on FM 101.7/AM 1480 and LIVE streaming at www.wjle.com.

March 24, 2023
By: Selah Bell

Tennessee Tech University’s Appalachian Center for Craft will host its annual Celebration of Craft on April 1 at the Smithville campus. The event will be from 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. and is free and open to the public.

The celebration will feature various events including live music, demonstrations, kids’ crafts, food trucks, a gallery sale, and a silent auction.

“Silent auction items include pieces by Craft Center faculty, students, artists in residence and other affiliated artists,” Ashley Lusietto, ACC program manager, said. “The auction will include a variety of works including, wood, glass, metal, ceramic and more.”

The proceeds from the auction will go towards the Craft Center’s outreach programs such as The Focus on Fine Craft Workshop program for high school students.

“Students visit the Craft Center and choose from a variety of hands-on workshops, including woodcarving, slab clay construction, Shibori fabric dyeing with indigo and glass bead making,” Lusietto said.

Live crafting demonstrations will occur throughout the day. They will be narrated by artisans and held in the various studios throughout the center. Demonstrations will include exhibitions of blacksmithing, glass blowing, ceramics, fibers, and wood.

Kids’ tables will offer free crafts in wet felting, shrinky dinks, paper flowers and cardboard weaving. The kids crafting tables will be run by the School of Art, Craft and Design’s art education students.

Music entertainment will be provided by Spoonful, a group that performs blues and classic rock music, and a performance by the Global Educational Center, which will include a multicultural dance.

The ACC is located at 1560 Craft Center Dr., Smithville.