Thousands Celebrate the Arrival of Christmas in Smithville

December 4, 2022
By: Dwayne Page

‘Twas a merry and delightful Saturday night in downtown Smithville as thousands of spectators celebrated the arrival of the holiday season during the Smithville Christmas Parade and Christmas on the Square.

It is believed to have been the largest parade in Smithville’s history in terms of participants with the long line stretching from the New Life Connection Center down Congress Boulevard to the public square.

Country music legend John Anderson served as Grand Marshal of the Parade with his wife Jamie riding with him. Mr and Mrs. DeKalb County Alex and Ashby Woodward were this year’s honorary Grand Marshals.

Although it was still somewhat cloudy and temperatures were chilly which is typical for a December day, the rain had ceased before parade time. Many onlookers parked along the route to see the show while others gathered downtown to get a closer look as the parade passed by and to scoop up some candy tossed to them by Santa and other participants. After the parade, many people stayed in town to shop and to enjoy all that Christmas on the Square had to offer including LIVE model window displays at several businesses, a reception by local public officials at the courthouse and city hall who served up refreshments, a photo shoot with Santa by the DeKalb Animal Coalition at the law office of Gayla Hendrix, a fun photo booth at the courthouse, and a visit with Santa at Justin Potter Library

DeKalb Funeral Chapel won 1st place for their float entry. Second place went to Hurricane Marina and the Memorial Baptist Church took 3rd place. The DCHS Fighting Tiger Band won the Spirit Award presented by the Smithville Business and Professional Women’s Club.

Winners of the Chamber of Commerce sponsored “Live” Windows Contest were: First Place-The Attic on Walnut Street; Second Place- The Purple Door Antiques and Uniques; and Third Place- Real Source.

The parade was sponsored by the Smithville Fire Department.

Santa will make two more appearances today (Sunday) in DeKalb County.

The Liberty Christmas Parade will be today (Sunday, December 4) at 2 p.m. The lineup begins at 1 p.m. on West Main Street near Salem Baptist Church. In addition to floats, the entries this year will include a category for kids and a separate one for animals/4 wheelers and then another for antique vehicles/tractors. Refreshments will also be served. Santa and Mrs. Claus will be available for pictures.

The Alexandria Christmas Parade will be today (Sunday, December 4) at 5 p.m. The lineup begins at 4 p.m. on West Main Street near the car wash. For more information call the Alexandria City Hall at 615-529-2171 or obtain entry forms at www.townofalexandria.us.

December 3, 2022
By: Dwayne Page

Christmas is the season for giving and for more than 125 children who participated in Saturday’s 8th Annual Regifting Event it was their chance to share in the experience of doing something special for others.

This year’s five-hour Regifting event was held at the county complex in the history room.

Regifting, an extension of the Patchwork UC ministry, gives children ages 4 to 12 an opportunity to shop for their parents or caregivers at no cost. The gifts are then wrapped, tagged, and prepared for Christmas giving. Kids also prepare blessing bags to share with others and quilt squares that are later used to make quilts for those in need. Donations are collected throughout the year for this event so that those who can’t afford to buy gifts can still share in the joy of giving by regifting something.

Kim Walker came up with the idea eight years ago.

“It got started by us trying to figure out a way to help people in the community during the holidays and to give others a chance to participate who otherwise could not afford to, so we named it the Regifting Event. We also wanted this to be a way of teaching children about giving”, said Walker

“The idea is to give people a chance to regift something they have but we also get donations from businesses. Kids ages 4-12 shop for their parents or their caregivers. They go around the room and select two gifts, one for a male and another for a female. The gifts are then wrapped. During the day’s event the children also participate in making a blessing bag for someone in the community. This year the blessing bags are for God’s Food Pantry. The kids also decorate quilt squares which are later assembled to make a quilt which is given to someone in the community. This year we will have three quilts for people in DeKalb County and we are taking nominations so if you know of someone who needs a special blessing due to hard times whether it be financial, medical, emotional, or whatever reason we will accept their nomination and pray for God’s guidance in who to give the quilts to. Our mission is to show our love for the people in this community. We get a blessing out of it and we think others do too,” said Walker.

December 3, 2022
By: Dwayne Page

The DeKalb County Tigers won 60 to 49 in overtime on the road against the Watertown Purple Tigers Friday night while the Lady Tigers prevailed in the girls game 42 to 34.

Both DCHS teams, now 5-1, will travel to Smith County Tuesday night, December 6 and then open the District schedule at Stone Memorial on Friday, December 9. Action each night starts with the girls game at 6 p.m. followed by the boys game. WJLE will have LIVE coverage.

In the game with Watertown, the DC Lady Tigers led 11 to 5 after the 1st period and 25 to 12 at halftime. DC held a 31 to 25 advantage after the 3rd period and went on to claim a 42 to 34 victory.

Ella VanVranken led in scoring with 14 followed by Tess Barton and Cadee Griffith each with 9, Chloe VanVranken 4 and Dare Collins, Maddison Martin and Avery Agee each with 2.

The Tigers built an 18 to 13 lead after the 1st period but the game was tied at 21 by halftime. DC outscored the purple Tigers in the 3rd period to take a 34 to 27 lead into the 4th quarter but Watertown caught up and the game went to overtime tied at 46. The Tigers outpaced the purple Tigers in the overtime session 14 to 3 and won 60 to 49.

Robert Wheeler led the Tigers in scoring with 19 followed by Elishah Ramos 18, Conner Close 12, Zack Birmingham 6 and Stetson Agee 5.

DECEMBER
Tue, 12/6 6:00pm- Smith County- Away • Non-District
Fri, 12/9 6:00pm-Stone Memorial- Away • District
Tue, 12/13 6:00pm- White County- Home • District
Fri, 12/16 6:00pm- Cannon County- Home • Non-District
Mon, 12/19-TBA-Adidas Shootout-Riverdale • Non-District
Tue, 12/20-TBA- Adidas Shootout- Riverdale • Non-District

JANUARY
Tue, 1/3-6:00pm-Livingston Academy-Away • District
Fri, 1/6-6:00pm-Macon County- Away • District
Sat, 1/7-3:00pm-Warren County- Away • Non-District
Tue, 1/10-6:00pm-Watertown-Away • Non-District
Fri, 1/13-6:00pm-Cumberland County-Home • District
Tue, 1/17-6:00pm-Upperman-Away • District
Fri, 1/20-6:00pm-Stone Memorial-Home • District
Tue, 1/24-6:00pm-White County-Away • District
Fri, 1/27-6:00pm-Livingston Academy-Home • District
Mon, 1/30-6:00pm-Smith County-Home • Non-District
Tue, 1/31-6:00pm-Macon County-Home • District

FEBRUARY
Tue, 2/7-6:00pm-Cumberland County-Away • District
Fri, 2/10-6:00pm-Upperman-Home • District
Game times listed are the start of the Lady Tigers game. Tigers games to follow.

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