October 18, 2023
By:
The DeKalb Animal Coalition had an Italian night themed dinner and fundraiser, Thursday, October 12, at the beautiful Evins Mill Inn. Local businesses and residents came together to sponsor tables…C&S Farms/Realty Firm; DeKalb Animal Clinic, Dr. Amanda Dempsey; Market on Main; Sarah J. Cripps; Gayla Hendrix; Center Hill Realty; Hilton and Cathy Conger; First Bank; Sue Puckett and Jackie Vickers; Ken and Linda Coggins; Crede and Corina Colgan; Jeff and Daryl Moore. Music by Mack Garner, set the mood.
After an amazing Italian dinner, Charles Atnip led the live auction, with his wit, humor and enthusiasm, boosting sales! Honky Tonk National Golf provided golf packages, with the winners, Crede Colgan (who sold his hat for $500!), Hilton Conger, Tecia Puckett-Pryor, John Pryor, Tony Bishop. Linda Bishop and Melissa Knowles, each bought trips to Florida. Clark Adcock, C&S farms/the realty firm bought a diamond pendant and Todd Bates, Bates Construction, bought diamond earrings. Jewelry was donated by Jewelry Emporium, Cookeville. Many other winners from the silent auctions.
It was a great time for locals to get together for a very important cause. The Coalition wishes to express gratitude to Evins Mill for a wonderful dinner, warm hospitality, and generosity.
The shelter is filled to capacity, with expenses sky-rocketing. Just year-to-date the spay/neuter expense has been $26,000. The shelter needs several fundraisers a year to cover the expenses that are over and above the annual funding. DeKalb County has a serious animal welfare problem, eventually an expansion will be necessary; as well as, a replacement for their 2006 animal control truck. That’s where the generosity of our community fills those voids. If you would like to donate, please go to dekalbanimalsheltertn.com.
Next, will be the Haunted History Walking Tour, by Sarah J. Cripps. Come along if you dare Thursday and Saturday, October 26 & 28 starting at 6:30 p.m. each night. The cost is only $10 for adults and $7 for children 10 years of age and younger and all proceeds raised will be donated to the DeKalb Animal Coalition for the continued operation of the DeKalb Animal Shelter. The starting point of the tour each night is the Smithville First United Methodist Church Christian Fellowship Center, 100 West Church Street. Ticket sales start at 5:30 p.m. with complimentary refreshments. The tour begins at 6:30 p.m. Advance ticket sales are the at the law office of Sarah J. Cripps at 201 West Main Street Smithville.