Church to Offer Shelter from the Cold

December 21, 2022
By: Dwayne Page

The Smithville Cumberland Presbyterian Church will open their fellowship hall Thursday night as a warming shelter to the homeless or individuals and families without heat.

“Perhaps you have heard that its going to be really cold in middle Tennessee Thursday night through the weekend,” said church pastor Isaac Gray. “In response to this we want to provide a warm place for those who might need it during this cold snap. If you do not have adequate heating then you are welcome to come to the Smithville Cumberland Presbyterian Church located at 201, South College Street,” Gray continued.

“We will be open on Thursday night and Friday night, December 22 & 23 and maybe even Saturday night, December 24 if the need is present. We will open our facility at 10 p.m. both nights. However, if no one arrives by midnight evening our volunteers will leave under the assumption there may not be a need that evening. Please, if you wish to seek shelter, be at our location at 201 South College Street before midnight. If even one person shows up, we will stay the entire evening. We will also be open on Friday, December 23 during the daytime due to the dangerously cold temperatures throughout the day” added Gray.

For more information, call 615-597-4197 or connect with the church through facebook.

…WIND CHILL WARNING IN EFFECT FROM MIDNIGHT THURSDAY NIGHT TO
NOON CST FRIDAY…
* WHAT…Dangerously cold wind chills expected. Wind chills as low as 20 below zero.
* WHERE…All of Middle Tennessee.
* WHEN…From midnight Thursday night to noon CST Friday.
* IMPACTS…These cold wind chills could cause frostbite on exposed skin in as little as 30 minutes.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS…
Avoid outside activities if possible. When outside, make sure you wear appropriate clothing, a hat, and gloves.

December 21, 2022
By: Dwayne Page

Winners have been announced in the 22nd annual Dowelltown Christmas City Lights Contest.

For Best Scene Overall, 1st place went to Jailyn Bolding and Hannah Walker. Earl and Carrie Snyder took 2nd place and Vicky Hobbs received 3rd place

Winners for Best Door/Porch were 1st place Eric and Cindy Snow and 2nd place Darlene Mathis.

Amanda Gibbs won 1st place for Best Window and Kim and Gary Johnson earned 2nd place.

The contest was sponsored by DTC Communications, Wilson Bank & Trust, and Liberty State Bank.

December 21, 2022
By: Dwayne Page

A DeKalb County native who served 30 years in the military has been nominated for Dish Network’s Hometown Hero of the year.

First Sergeant Patricia Canerdy, a graduate of DeKalb County High School, served in the US Army from 1979 until her retirement in 2009. She now resides in Alabama. Canerdy is among five military nominees for the honor

Voting online continues through December 31.

“With DISH, you can watch dozens of movies and shows starring superheroes. But in the real world, heroes don’t always get the recognition they deserve. With DISH’s Hometown Heroes program, we’re trying to change that. From coaches to educators, military vets to healthcare workers and first responders, DISH wants to recognize the hometown heroes that are changing the world one community at a time,” according to a DISH Network press release

“At DISH, we know military members sacrifice a lot to serve our country and our communities. It’s time to give them the thanks (and the salute) they deserve,” the statement continued.

Throughout the year, DISH honors Hometown Heroes in a variety of categories. In addition to Military Member or Veteran of the Year, DISH honors the First Responder/ Healthcare Worker of the Year; and Educator of the Year.

The pride of recognition isn’t all these heroes will be receiving. Each recipient will also get a prize package worth more than $6,400 in value.

In nominating Patricia for the honor, her husband Donald wrote “1,000 words cannot begin to tell my hero’s story. She served 30 years in the Army, was a veteran of Desert Storm and Iraq. She juggled taking care of an entire transportation unit of Soldiers, me and our 3 sons. She retired in 2009 and her serving, loving heart never rests. Her old soldiers still call her and ask her advice. She volunteers countless hours at the church, cooks meals for anyone she thinks is hungry, makes quilts for babies she will never see or hold, has crocheted thousands of hats so people can stay warm, helps veterans with filling out paperwork, making appointments, or just chatting with one that’s having a hard time. She is the shoulder that so many have relied on when they needed to cry but sucks it up and marches on when she has needed to cry herself. All the times she was away from home we never felt alone cause she was always sending us messages telling you how much she loved and missed us. I wish you could look at her army records and talk to her soldiers”.

To vote for Patricia Canerdy as your Hometown Hero, visit: http://spr.ly/618738u7z