DeKalb West Royalty were crowned Saturday night during the annual Harvest Festival, sponsored by the PTO.
Tracy Lawrence, Secretary of the DeKalb West PTO, says the Harvest Festival is the organization’s major fundraiser for the year and thousands of dollars was raised through LIVE and Silent Auctions, games for the kids, a cake walk, pizza supper, and ticket sales from all the classes in the school which determined the kings and queens.
Officers of the DeKalb West PTO in addition to Lawrence are President Missy McKay, Vice President Julie Cook, and Treasurer Sean Driver.
The King and Queen of the Pre-Kindergarten to Second Grade Division are Abbie Gann and Devon Maxwell of Debra Poteete’s Kindergarten class. Gann is the daughter of Michelle Gann and Jeremy Gann and Maxwell is the son of Christie Maxwell.
Others representing the division were:
Amy Young’s Pre-K class:
Jasmen Chapman, daughter of Jamie and Debbi Chapman
Bristol Redmon, son of Joseph and Brittney Redmon
Tonya Ellis’ Kindergarten class:
Bonnie Hale, daughter of Derrick Hale and Carrie Hale
Lane Goss, son of Rich Goss and Spilman White
Lindsey Holmes’ First grade class:
No Girl
Jaden Baines, son of John and Traci Beaulieu
Cindy Pulley’s First grade class:
Savannah Curtis, daughter of Jeff Curtis and Glenda Curtis
No Boy
Cathleen Humphrey’s First grade class:
Becca Lawrence, daughter of Charlie and Tracy Lawrence
Allen Curtis, son of Royce Curtis and Alicia Curtis
Susan West’s Second grade class:
Lynsey Ellis, daughter of Donnie and Tonya Ellis
Justin Johnson, son of Darrell and Inga Johnson
Regina Kent’s Second grade class:
No Girl
Jordan Bailiff, son of Ricky and Chrissy Bailiff
Shelia McMillen’s Second grade class:
Chloe Gleed, daughter of Sarah Gleed and Randall Crutcher, Jr.
Parker Vantrease, son of Jeremy and Missy Vantrease
Meanwhile, the King and Queen of the division for Grades 3 to 5 are Taylor Hale and Christopher Hobbs of Jeana Caplinger’s Fifth grade class. Hale is the daughter of Teresa Hale and Jerome Hale. Hobbs is the son of Randy and Vickie Hobbs
Others representing this division were:
Lori Pryor’s Third grade class:
Makenzie Ray, daughter of Roy and Pam Schaffnit and David and Shirley Ray
Seth Harris, son of Robbie and Annette Rowland
Shawn Baker’s Third grade class:
Kenda Whitehead, daughter of Roger and Donna Whitehead
Parker Prince, son of Michael and Leigh Ann Prince
Amanda Mullinax’s Third grade class:
Kyrsten Grater, daughter of Sandra Grater
Cody Antoniak, son of Sean and Jessica Antoniak
Tammy Payne’s Fourth grade class:
Callie Mulloy, daughter of Randy and Nancy Mulloy
Grayson Redmon, son of Mike and Elizabeth Redmon
]
Kim Crook’s Fourth grade class:
Lydia Brown, daughter of Stephen and Amanda Brown
Dillon Sullivan, son of Ricky and Kristi Sullivan
Jane Watson’s Fifth grade class:
Jasmine Parker, daughter of Paul and Andrea Diestelow and John and Lisa Parker
Hunter Robertson, son of Stacy Young and Jason Young
The King and Queen of the division for Grades 6 to 8 were Destinie Edge and Alex King of Janet England’s Sixth grade class. Edge is the daughter of Debbie and Jamie Chapman and Reed and Sonya Edge. King is the son of Fred and Susie King
Others representing the division were:
Jenny Cantrell’s Sixth grade class:
Kaylee Braswell, daughter of Fay Elrod
No Boy
Martha Damron’s Seventh grade class:
No Girl
Kirkland Smallwood, son of Jimmy Smallwood and Jennifer Smallwood
Vicki Wilson’s Seventh grade class:
Ashley Grater, daughter of Sandra Grater
Matthew Winsett, son of Steve and Lisa Hylsky
Cynthia Preston’s Eighth grade class:
Lydia Trail, daughter of Heidi Trail and the older sister of Christian Trail
No Boy
Melanie Molander’s Eighth grade class:
Katie Willoughby, daughter of John Lee Willoughby and the late Sandra Willoughby

A 34 year old man was arrested on Wednesday, November 10th, after he allegedly stole a purse from the vehicle of a Dairy Queen employee.
Smithville Police report that Jimmy Lane Estes of Bell Street is charged with burglary and theft. An employee of Dairy Queen reported that someone had stolen a purse from her vehicle while she was inside working. Fellow employees spotted Estes on video surveillance going from one car to another checking doors to see if they were locked. Sergeant Randy King was dispatched to Bell Street where a resident informed him that Estes had arrived there with a purse under his shirt. They took the purse from him and called central dispatch. After the victim identified the purse, warrants were taken against Estes. His bond is $5,000 and his court date is December 2nd.
Meanwhile in other city crime news, 29 year old Cynthia Denise Walls of Cookeville Highway is charged with driving under the influence. On Friday, November 5th, Officer James Cornelius was called to check out a suspicious vehicle at the ball field on Allen Ferry Road. Upon arrival Officer Cornelius and Sergeant Randy King found a vehicle with the engine running and a female inside who appeared to be unconscious. The officers rapped on the window several times before she woke up. The officers spoke with the woman, Walls, and she appeared to be in a confused state as she exited the vehicle. She was also unsteady on her feet. Bond for Walls is $1,500 and her court date is December 2nd.
32 year old Eric Lee Linder of McMinnville was arrested on Friday, November 5th for driving on a revoked license. Officer David Phillips stopped Linder’s vehicle for a traffic violation. A computer check of his license through dispatch revealed them to be revoked. Bond for Linder is $1,000 and his court date is December 30th.
33 year old James Milton Butler of California was arrested on Friday, November 5th for aggravated assault. Sergeant Randy King was informed that an argument began between Butler and the victim and at one point he hit the victim on the right side of his face. The victim was transported by private vehicle to the hospital for injuries sustained. Bond for Butler is $5,000 and his court date is December 2nd.
52 year old Edwin Dale Evans of Smith Road was arrested on Saturday, November 6th for public intoxication. Officer David Phillips was called to Mapco Express on East Broad Street where a man appeared to be incoherent. Upon arrival and speaking to the man, Evans, Officer Phillips noticed his speech was slurred and he was unsteady on his feet. Bond for Evans is $1,000 and his court date is December 2nd.
25 year old Florence Diane Nesbitt of Redmon Road was arrested on Monday, November 8th for filing a false report. On October 7th, Ms. Nesbitt filed a sexual assault report and upon further investigation it was determined that the incident had not occurred. K-9 Officer Bradley Tatrow made the arrest. Bond for Nesbitt is $1,000 and her court date is November 18th.
25 year old Jordan Thomas Adams of Game Ridge Road was arrested on Tuesday, November 9th for possession of a schedule VI controlled substance with intent to resale and violation of the drug free zone (park). Corporal Travis Bryant was notified that Adams had gone to a local business and allegedly attempted to sell a schedule VI drug to employees there. Corporal Bryant made contact with Adams at Green Brook Park on South College Street. Corporal Bryant asked Adams to get out of the vehicle and he conducted a pat down search Two baggies of a green leafy substance believed to be marijuana were found on Adams’ person. His bond is $1,000 and his court date is November 18th.
27 year old Billie Jo Perrigan of Tommy Harrell Street was arrested on Tuesday, November 9th for disorderly conduct. Corporal Travis Bryant was called to Tommy Harrell Street to check out a complaint alleging that Perrigan was harassing her neighbors. Upon arrival, Corporal Bryant observed Perrigan outside yelling and harassing the neighbors. He instructed her to go inside and stop yelling and causing annoyance. She was belligerent. Corporal Bryant then told her that if she didn’t go inside he was going to arrest her for disorderly conduct. Perrigan failed to heed the warning and continued to disturb the neighbors. She was arrested. Her bond is $1,000 and her court date is November 18th.
28 year old Travis Montell Patrick of Village Place was arrested on Wednesday, November 10th for a third offense of driving on a suspended license. Officer Matt Farmer stopped Patrick’s vehicle for a traffic violation. A computer check of his driver license revealed them to be suspended. Bond for Patrick is $1,000 and his court date is December 1st.
Meanwhile anyone with information on criminal activity should please contact the Smithville Police Department at 597-8210 or the Tip Line at 464-6046.
Any information received that will help the Smithville Police solve any criminal offense will be greatly appreciated. All information is confidential.

The DeKalb County Board of Education is divided on whether to join the City of Smithville and the DeKalb County Commission in allocating funds for the hiring of two people to direct traffic in the school zones at Northside Elementary and at DeKalb County High School.
During Thursday night’s school board meeting, third district member Kenny Rhody made a motion to appropriate a third of the cost, $3,000, just as the city and county have done. And if the money is not all spent this school year, the rest could be rolled over to the next school year. First district member John David Foutch seconded the motion. But during a roll call vote, Foutch, Fifth district member W.J. (Dub) Evins, III, and Second district member and Board Chairman, Charles Robinson voted against it. Rhody, Sixth district member Bruce Parsley, and Fourth district member Billy Miller, voted in favor of making the $3,000 appropriation. Seventh district member Johnny Lattimore was absent. Since the measure did not receive the required four votes needed for passage, the motion failed on a 3 to 3 tie vote.
Last month, Lattimore made a motion that a school board committee be appointed to meet with county and city officials to discuss the issue. Chairman Robinson appointed board members Miller and Rhody to join him on that committee.
During Thursday night’s meeting, Robinson updated the board on what transpired at that committee meeting. “We met with the county commission, along with Mr. (Mark) Willoughby during their workshop held on October 21st. (Police) Chief (Randy) Caplinger represented the City of Smithville. Basically what we were told was that they wanted our money but they didn’t want to have anything to do with hiring, training, or conducting traffic control at the schools.”
“After some discussion, County Mayor (Mike) Foster reported that the county would hire and train personnel and it was suggested that for auditing purposes for the school system to create a paper trail, that a contract or memorandum of understanding be prepared by the county attorney on how our share of funding would be documented to satisfy our auditing issues. At that time, the amount agreed to was $3,000 from each the county government, city government, and the board of education.”, said Robinson
Director of Schools Mark Willoughby added that “At that meeting, there was not a concrete figure as far as a price that would be paid (to the traffic control officers), possibly $10.00 per hour to $15.00 per hour, so I don’t know if that has been worked out. Three thousand dollars could be a changing dollar amount. I would think as far as this year goes, since we’re almost at Thanksgiving time, that this year it will not be $3,000, even if they started tomorrow. I don’t know if they have the people trained yet in order to accomplish this goal or not.”
Evins said he believes the school system should not be in the law enforcement business. “We’ve never been in the business of directing traffic. I just don’t see that this is a school issue. With our portion of the county property taxes, I think in this budget it’s about $2.1 million dollars and while school transportation is not required by the state of Tennessee, we provide that out of county funds, which is about three quarters of a million dollars each year. Plus another $250,000 for three new buses as we rotate them in, so we’re spending about a million dollars on transportation in getting two thousand out of three thousand kids back and forth to school. We’re already spending nearly half of our county tax money on transportation. But if it takes it, put $3,000 in there and go with it, but I think we ought to re-visit it. We need to be buying microscopes, instead of investing in radar equipment.”
Willoughby replied “I agree. I have always been of the belief that educating children on our property was our business that we need to take care of . That is our priority. Roads is not our responsibility although we want safety for all kids. But since this has gone on so long and we have not been able to get it accomplished by other people, hopefully by all three organizations going together, we can have a safer area for people pulling in and out.”
Evins then asked, “Are they (officers) going to write citations? I understand they’ve written 40 plus citations. Where is that money going?
Parsley inquired further, “Do we get a third (of the money) from citations written in the school zones, if we’re responsible for it (traffic control)?”
Willoughby responded, “There was some discussion about what would happen in school zones if there was an accident, would we be responsible? Unless our buses are involved, that school zone is like any other part of the road, we wouldn’t have any more responsibility because it’s a school zone. It’s the same responsibility there would be if we were not in a school zone and there was an accident.”
Foutch said “traffic control is not a function of the board of education.”
Kindergarten students will have to attend school for a full day, just like all other students, starting in January.
The board of education approved the change Thursday night.
Currently kindergarten students may attend for a full day, or a half of a day. Parents have that option.
But Michelle Burklow, Supervisor of Instruction for Pre-K to 6th grade, said she recently e-mailed several school systems in surrounding counties inquiring about their policy concerning all day kindergarten. According to Burklow, she received responses from thirteen county school systems and “all of them are a full day kindergarten and have been for several years.”
“The research shows that our teachers will have more time to dedicate to math, science, and social studies in a full day time period, where now our focus is on reading. We will be able to have our babies in our classrooms longer to prepare them academically for first, second grade, and all the way through”, said Burklow.
She added that only a small percentage of kindergarten students leave early now anyway. Most of them already remain in the classroom all day.
Meanwhile in other business, the board of education Thursday night adopted a resolution of appreciation honoring Director of Schools Mark Willoughby.
The resolution states as follows:
Whereas, Mr. Willoughby has served as director of schools for our school system for four years; and,
Whereas, he has consistently demonstrated effective leadership and made decisions with integrity and honesty; and,
Whereas, he has created budgets for our district and to provide the resources necessary for our schools to operate a quality educational program; and,
Whereas, he provides support for the programs at the schools, helping students and faculty to grow and develop academically and socially; and,
Whereas, he has built support within the community for our school system;
Therefore, be it resolved, that the Board of Education officially recognizes the services of Mr. Willoughby to the students of DeKalb County and extends its appreciation for his work to enhance the learning environment of the students in our district;
Be it further resolved, that the DeKalb County Board of Education hereby declares November 18th, 2010 as Director of Schools Appreciation Day in DeKalb County.
Be it further resolved, that each school principal takes necessary measures to implement the Employee Appreciation Program in their school and recognize our director this month;
Be if further resolved, that this resolution of appreciation be recorded and spread across the minutes of the Board of Education on this 11th day of November, 2010.
In other business, Director Willoughby released his monthly report on personnel.
Employment:
Kristen Van Vranken, Speech Teacher, new position
Transfer:
Kelly Daniels, certified substitute teacher, transferred to a full-time teaching position at DCHS
Resignation:
Jeff Poteete, substitute bus driver
Leave of Absence:
Tiffany Wheatley, teacher at SES, leave as requested.

A Veteran’s day parade and a patriotic program were held Thursday morning as a way of paying honor to all veterans for their dedicated and loyal service to our country.
In his remarks to a large gathering at the 303 building downtown, Major General Dave Evans, the guest speaker, said it is fitting that we remember the service of our veterans. “This special day is dedicated to all who answered the call to duty, whether they live in honor among us or they sleep in valor. But it’s only right that the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month of each year, be set aside as our nation remembers the moment when the guns of World War I went silent and we set aside time to recognize the service and the sacrifice of our nation’s veterans. From Valley Forge to Vietnam, from Kuwait to Kandahar, from Berlin to Baghdad, our veterans have borne the cost of America’s wars. They have stood watch, vigilantly over the peace that we enjoy. We, the American people are grateful to these veterans and all who have fought for our freedom. So today, let us honor all of our veterans, who unselfishly placed their lives on the line for our freedoms.”

Evans also read a poem by Virginia (Ginny) Ellis called “Thank You, Dad”
“Good night, Dad,” I watched my father,
As he climbed the stairs to go to bed;
“Good night, son,” he softly answered,
With a vague salute to his white head.
I waved back from my big chair,
But Dad’s wave was more salute;
He learned that sixty years ago,
As a World War II recruit.
The story goes … Dad was eighteen,
When World War II broke out;
About the age my son is now,
Too young to know what life’s about.
I think I know how I would feel,
If they drafted my young son;
I suppose my grandfolks felt the same,
December Seventh, Nineteen Forty-one.
Dad seldom talked about the war,
But I remember, as a kid,
Once I asked him where he went,
And what it was he did.
He said, “Someday, son, I’ll tell you,
When you’re old enough to know,
About the battlefields I fought on,
And the bloodshed I saw flow.”
And, you know, he’s never told me,
I’ve asked time and time again;
I do know he has some medals,
In velvet cases in his den.
He used to get them out each year,
When he donned his uniform;
Parades would be held on holidays,
And Veterans would perform.
“That’s my Dad,” I’d point out,
As he marched proudly down the street;
His old unit reunited,
Those old guys never missed a beat.
But I wonder how he felt and thought,
When, still a boy, he went to war,
Was it just a new adventure?
Did he know what the fight was for?
He gave up his days at college,
Instead of pigskins, he had guns;
He heard no cheers for touchdowns,
Just, “Thank God, they’re on the run!”
When I was just a little kid,
Sometimes Dad screamed out at night;
Mom would say, “Go back to bed,
War dreams give your Dad a fright.”
My Uncle Ned was killed in France,
That was Dad’s youngest brother;
Dad wouldn’t talk about him much,
What I knew … I learned from Mother.
That was the war, they said,
To end all future wars;
How many have we had since then?
Will there be many more?
My Dad’s a gentle, quiet man,
Who won’t discuss his fears or pains;
He fought for those unborn, as yet,
To insure this land remains.
There is no proper way to thank him,
That will have to come from God above;
But I can, at least, extend my hand,
In sincere respect and love.
Joe Goodwin, who was a Prisoner of War during World War II, read a poem during the program by an unknown author called “The Final Inspection”
The soldier stood and faced his God,
Which must always come to pass;
He hoped his shoes were shining bright,
Just as brightly as his brass.
“Step forward now, soldier,
How shall I deal with you?
Have you turned the other cheek?
To my church have you been true?”
The soldier squared his shoulders and said,
“No, Lord, I guess I ain’t;
Because those of us who carry guns,
Can’t always be a saint.
I’ve had to work most Sundays,
And at times my talk was rough;
I’ve had to break your rules my Lord,
Because the world is awfully tough.
But, I never took a thing
That wasn’t mine to keep;
Though I worked a lot of overtime,
When the bills got just too steep.
And I never passed a cry for help,
Though at times I shook with fear;
And sometimes … God forgive me,
I’ve wept unmanly tears.
I know I don’t deserve a place
Among the people here;
They never wanted me around,
Except to calm their fears.
If you’ve a place for me here, Lord,
It needn’t be so grand;
I never expected or had too much,
But if you don’t, I’ll understand.”
There was a silence all around the throne,
Where the saints often trod;
As the soldier waited quietly,
For the judgment of his God.
“Step forward now, soldier,
You’ve borne your burdens well;
Come walk peacefully on Heaven’s streets,
You’ve done your time in HELL!”
Members of the DeKalb County High School band marched in the parade and then performed during the program. Others participating were DCHS student Samantha Lewis, who gave a rendition of the National Anthem; Edward Frazier, who served as moderator of the program and led the audience in the Pledge to the Flag; local minister and veteran Charles “Chuck” Olson, who offered the invocation; and Susan Hinton, who performed a variety of patriotic music on the piano. At the conclusion of the program, a wreath was laid at the site of the veterans memorial monument on the south side of the courthouse.
A parade was held to kick off the day’s activities, featuring local veterans riding in a pickup truck; Joe Goodwin, former POW; the DCHS band; motorcycle riders; DeKalb EMS, members of the city fire department, and city and county law enforcement officers.

Christmas is arriving early in Smithville, as Indian Creek Baptist Church prepares to serve as a collection point for Operation Christmas Child. Soon, with the help of local volunteers, the site will be brimming with festively wrapped shoe boxes full of gifts.
Through Operation Christmas Child, the world’s largest Christmas project, Smithville residents are helping send shoe box gifts this year to more than 8 million children in 100 countries suffering from natural disaster, war, terrorism, disease, famine and poverty. From Smithville, the shoe box gifts will be sorted and sent using whatever means necessary—sea containers, trucks, trains, airplanes, boats, camels, even dog sleds—to reach suffering children around the world.
Operation Christmas Child uses tracking technology that allows donors to “follow your box” to the destination country where it will be hand-delivered to a child in need. To register shoe box gifts and find out what country they are delivered to, use the EZ Give donation form found at www.samaritanspurse.org.
This is the first year Indian Creek Baptist Church has served as a drop-off point for Operation Christmas Child. The church is located at 967 Hurricane Ridge Road, Smithville. The National Collection Week for Operation Christmas Child is Monday, November 15th through Monday, November 22nd and the center will be open, as follows:
Monday, November 15th through Friday, November 19th – 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Saturday, November 20 – 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
Sunday, November 21 – 4:30 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.
Monday, November 22 – 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon
In 2010, organizers hope to collect over 500 gift-filled shoe boxes from families, kids, churches, schools and civic organizations in the area.
For further information please contact:
Indian Creek Baptist Church: 615/597-7299 or
Sue Puckett: 615/597-7370 (office)
615/597-7325 (home)
615/464-7700 (cell)
Since 1993, Operation Christmas Child, a project of international Christian relief and evangelism organization Samaritan’s Purse, headed by Franklin Graham, has delivered more than 77 million gift-filled shoe boxes to needy children in some 130 countries.
What You Can Do To Get Involved:
PREPARE—Enlist families, churches, scout troops, community groups and businesses to take part in creating shoe box gifts for needy children worldwide.
PACK—Fill shoe boxes with school supplies, toys, necessity items, hard candy and a letter of encouragement. Step-by-step shoe box packing instructions are available at www.samaritanspurse.org.
PROCESS—Sign up to join Operation Christmas Child volunteers at collection sites in Smithville as part of the effort to prepare millions of shoe box gifts for delivery to underprivileged kids on six continents.
For more information on how to participate in Operation Christmas Child, call 1-800-353-5949 or visit www.samaritanspurse.org. National Collection Week is Nov. 15-22.

It’s official.
63 year old Gerald Wayne (J.B.) Bounds of McMinnville will remain in prison at least for another year.
The State Board of Pardons and Paroles has voted to concur with a recommendation by two of it’s members Yusuf Hakeem and Charles Taylor that Bounds be denied parole due to the seriousness of the offense in the 1981 fatal shooting of 27 year old Sherman Wright of DeKalb County.
Following Bounds’ latest parole hearing last month, Hakeem and Taylor recommended that Bounds be “put off” for two years before his next parole hearing, but the state board has decided instead to review Bound’s case again in October, 2011.
The board has requested that Bounds undergo a psychological evaluation prior to his next hearing, as was recommended by parole board members Hakeem and Taylor.
Bounds, convicted of first degree murder, is serving a life prison sentence at the Southeast Regional Correctional Facility in Pikeville.

The Remote Area Medical Volunteer Corps of East Tennessee is returning to DeKalb County on Saturday and Sunday, November 13th & 14th at DeKalb County High School providing free health care services to people of all ages regardless of income. A similar event took place in DeKalb County at the high school in August, 2005.
Remote Area Medical (RAM) is a non-profit, volunteer corps dedicated to serving mankind by providing free health care, dental care, eye care, and technical and educational assistance to people in remote areas of the United States and the world.
Founded in 1985, Remote Area Medical is a publicly supported all-volunteer charitable organization. Volunteer doctors, nurses, and support workers participate in expeditions (at their own expense). Medical supplies, medicines, facilities and vehicles are donated.
County Mayor Mike Foster says the November clinic will be open to anyone, no matter where you live. There are also no income guidelines. All you have to do is show up. “They go all over the eastern United States into areas that are in need and provide free medical care, especially eye care and dental care. Probably most of the people coming to this clinic would not seek medical help locally. Most of them are people who would go untreated.”
“They do eye care, dental care, and some general medical services. They’ve got 46 doctors and eleven fourth year medical students coming along with a lot of local assistants, nurses, lab techs, and others who will be here to help. One dentist is flying down from Chicago and bringing his entire staff. Everyone is donating their time for free. We had hoped to have the mammography unit here but it has already been scheduled to be somewhere else this weekend. We have about 125-130 volunteers who will be helping. We’re still in need of more local medical professionals who would like to come and they don’t have to be there for both days, maybe one day or part of a day. We’re also still in need of some donations.”
“All the county does is help pay the motel bill for the volunteers. We’re still a little bit short on donations for that. Some of the local businesses, banks, and industries have made pledges and we’re getting close.”
“Elizabeth Chapel Baptist Church is cooking for the volunteers on Saturday. Sunday lunch meal is being prepared by the Smithville Church of Christ. We really want to thank them for stepping up and doing this.”
“This is a really good thing. We had about 700-800 people (patients) here last time. They (eye care providers) made close to 300 pairs of glasses. This weekend, they will start seeing patients around 6:30 a.m. each morning and they will take the first people in line. We’ve already had some people say they’re going to take their place in line as early as midnight if need be.”
If you would like to make a donation or provide food for the volunteers call the county mayor’s office at 597-5175.

The Chamber Prayer Breakfast will be held on Tuesday, November 23rd at 7 AM at the Smithville Church of God Fellowship Center. Our theme this year is “Prayer – Where Our Strength Lies.” Former local, Ralph Vaughn, will be the keynote speaker. Ralph is probably best remembered as the manager of WJLE for 15 years and as the Program Director and emcee of the Smithville Fiddler’s Jamboree for 21 years.
Special music will be performed by pianist Tomomi McDowell and Fluty and the Flutones. Local Boy Scouts will present the flags. Prayers for our community, our leaders, and our children will make this a meaningful and memorable experience. A delicious breakfast will be catered by Jason Evans, head chef at The Inn at Evins Mill. Leadership Director Jen Sherwood and the Leadership DeKalb Class of 2011 will serve the beverages. Doors open at 6:30 AM. Tickets are $12 per person and can be purchased at the Chamber office or from the Chamber Board of Directors.
Chamber Executive Director, Suzanne Williams says, “I would like to invite everyone to join with us at this special event in giving thanks to God for the abundant blessings He has given us in our county and to be able to begin this holiday season with our community family.” For more information, call the Chamber at 597-4163.