Barton and Crook Attend State 4-H Congress

April 23, 2022
By: Tess Barton, 4-H Member

Tess Barton and Alyssa Crook, sophomores at DeKalb County High School, were selected to represent DeKalb County at the 75th Annual 4-H Congress held March 20-23, 2022 in Murfreesboro and Nashville. Over 500 students from across the state came together for this special 4-H event. These students had the opportunity to get up close with how state government functions. 4-H Congress focuses on citizenship development in Tennessee’s youth. In a hands-on setting, 4-H Congress teaches delegates about the legislative process, how a bill becomes a law, and the role each citizen can play in the political process.

Upon their Sunday arrival at the Embassy Suites in Murfreesboro, Tess and Alyssa joined the other delegates at an Opening Assembly where they enjoyed musical entertainment and dancing from the 4-H Entertainment Troupe as well as a parade of past Congress delegates from decades as far back as the 1940’s. Mary Ann Puckett, DeKalb volunteer leader for this year’s Congress, represented the 1990’s delegates, local attorney Tecia Puckett Pryor represented the 1980’s, and 4-H Agent Leigh Fuson paraded with the 2000’s group.

Monday was a long and busy day as all the delegates took charter buses to the State Capitol in downtown Nashville. Tess and Alyssa were designated as “senators” so they went into the Senate chambers where they participated in a mock Senate session moderated by 4-H student officers. They debated on mock bills with other delegates and even had the chance to cast votes from the actual desks at which our state senators sit. After the mock session, the girls had lunch at TSU Avon Williams campus and went on to explore downtown Nashville on foot in a scavenger hunt. Following the hunt and a group photo of all the Congress delegates on the steps of the War Memorial Plaza, DeKalb extension agents Leigh Fuson and Mykaela Young came downtown and accompanied Tess, Alyssa and Mary Ann on visits to meet state legislators who serve DeKalb County. Clark Boyd and Terri Lynn Weaver were available to share stories and answer questions with the 4-H delegates. Tess and Alyssa were each given a 2022 Tennessee Blue Book as a gift from their legislators. Once their time on Capitol Hill was up, the DeKalb group headed across town for a little shopping at the Assembly Food Hall and dinner on First Avenue at The Hampton Social–Nashville. Naps were in order on the bus ride back to Murfreesboro after the exciting day downtown!

On the final day of Congress, Tuesday, the delegation of students assembled to watch the History Bowl competition which was moderated by Lelan Statom, former 4-H’er and Emmy award winning meteorologist for NewsChannel5. Congress attendees then listened to campaign speeches from student officer candidates for 2023 4-H Congress. The positions up for election were Speaker of the House, Speaker of the Senate, and Governor. At the close of the morning assembly, Congress delegates had an authentic voting experience by selecting their choices among the candidates on actual voting machines used in the real elections in Rutherford County. Once the votes were in and the winners were named, Congress delegates went back to Nashville and enjoyed a lunch cruise down the Cumberland River aboard the General Jackson Riverboat. After lunch, the top-notch country music show “Tennessee Legends” was presented for everyone to watch. A good time was had by all aboard the boat.

Tuesday evening was the Citizenship Banquet where all the delegates dressed in formal attire as musical entertainment played, a delicious meal was served, speeches were given, and 4-H award winners were announced. A highlight of the evening was Governor Bill Lee’s keynote speech. He discussed how being a 4-H member impacted his life and how he remains committed to 4-H, and he encouraged youth to participate in their communities through 4-H and other avenues. Students and adults in attendance felt special having the Governor of Tennessee be a part of the Congress festivities. When the banquet was over, 4-H delegates kicked up their heels at the Inaugural Ball. The DJ expertly got the dance floor hopping with his lighting and music–a perfect way to send this year’s Congress delegates home on a fun, memorable note. Tess and Alyssa were proud to represent DeKalb County in this premiere 4-H event. For more information about 4-H, please call 615-597-4945.

April 23, 2022
By: Dwayne Page

Its story telling time again in DeKalb County with the 17th annual Dots Storytelling Day dedicated to the children of DeKalb County to raise money for the Imagination Library.

Dots Storytelling Day is sponsored by the Smithville Study Club and DeKalb Family Consumer Education Club (FCE). This year’s theme is “Wrinkles in Time”. The event will be presented on Saturday, May 7 from 1 p.m. until 3 p.m. at the DeKalb County Complex History Room.

“This year’s storytelling will be dedicated to one of our wonderful storytellers the late Brownie Tittsworth,” said spokesperson Susan Hinton. “If you love a good story or want to tell a good story call me for more information at 615-597-9300. Hope to see you there” said Hinton

April 22, 2022
By: Dwayne Page

The City of Smithville is seeking a grant to fund a transitional housing program for women in recovery from substance abuse.

During a special called meeting Thursday evening at city hall, the aldermen voted to adopt a resolution authorizing the filing of an application for a $750,000 Community Development Block Grant for Recovery Housing through the Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development with no local grant match or costs to the city. The Upper Cumberland Development District will apply for the grant on behalf of the city to be administered by the Upper Cumberland Human Resource Agency if approved. The filing deadline is April 29.

Under terms of the grant program, the UCHRA would manage the transitional housing facility as a city partner to serve from 8-12 females or women with children in recovery who would be charged rent to live there.

Contract terms between the city and UCDD/UCHRA, the partnering agencies, as to how the program would be operated and where it would be located will be worked out after the grant application has been filed. Mayor Josh Miller said the city could still turn down the grant if the mayor and aldermen change their minds or can’t come to terms with the partnering agencies.

“If you (aldermen) decide to pass this resolution to apply for this grant, it is only to let them (UCDD) apply for transitional housing. The only thing we’re voting on tonight is to allow them (UCDD) to apply. This does not mean (transitional housing) is coming. If we get the grant, we still have to structure this the way it needs to be structured and there would be a lot of meetings with that,” said Mayor Miller.

Meanwhile, in other business the aldermen voted to hire Linda Robinson to fill a vacant office clerk position at city hall. She will begin work Monday, April 25.