Help the Angel Tree Project Provide Christmas Gifts for Children

November 28, 2019
By: Dwayne Page

The 25th annual Angel Tree Project is underway and your support is needed to help make this holiday season merrier for 315 children.

Laura Stone said Angel Trees are located at all bank locations in Smithville and Alexandria. Each angel represents a child and his or her wish list for Christmas. Select an angel from the tree, buy a gift for the child, and return the gift to the bank where you picked up the angel by December 6.

“This is our 25th year serving children 12 and younger living in DeKalb County. Angel cards are on trees in the local banks. People of the community can pick up an Angel and buy for a child. The wish list on the Angels is just a suggestion. It is what the child specifically asked for. Sometimes people will buy only what is on there. In some cases they will buy additional things. It’s not necessary that you buy everything on the list. We need the gifts back by December 6.  It is your choice if you want to wrap the gifts,” said Stone.

“With this being our 25th year we have seen a lot of faces grow up in the program. What  warms my heart are those children who benefited from the Angel Tree when they were young. They are now adults and know the positive impact it had on their lives and will now support the Angel Tree and adopt angels themselves.”

Please consider adopting an Angel today or if you have no time to shop, donations can be made at Wilson Bank or any Smithville or Alexandria bank branch and the Volunteers will do the shopping for you.

November 28, 2019
By: Dwayne Page

The first of three DeKalb County Christmas Parades over the next few weeks will be Sunday, December 1.

The annual Liberty Christmas Parade gets underway at 2 p.m. with the line-up at 1 p.m. at Salem Baptist Church. No pre-registration is needed. Anyone wanting to participate may just show up for the line-up at 1 p.m. Refreshments will be available and prizes will be given away after the parade.

(View video of the 2018 Liberty Christmas Parade below)

The Smithville Christmas Parade will have a new start time on Saturday, December 7 at 4 p.m. To enter just show up at Smithville Elementary School at 3 p.m. Entries will enter from Walker Drive to the Smithville Elementary School property. Horses for the parade are to be brought to the Bill Page Ballpark. Antique cars will line up near Food Lion on Bryant Street. No 4 wheelers or motorcycles will be permitted in the parade but side by sides will be allowed with a licensed driver. For more information call Smithville Fire Chief Charlie Parker at 615-597-4141.

The Alexandria Parade will be Sunday, December 15 at 2 p.m. with the line-up at 1 p.m. on West Main Street. To enter contact the Alexandria City Hall to fill out an entry form. Call 615-529-2171 for more information.

Immediately after the Smithville Parade on Saturday, December 7 Christmas on the Square will begin around 5 PM. Some of the activities are as follows:

*Courthouse Open House – Stop by to visit the elected county officials and enjoy free refreshments and a festive atmosphere.

*Smithville City Hall – Lots of indoor and outdoor Christmas lights & decorations to see as you enjoy cupcakes, cookies, and hot chocolate with city officials and staff and lots of little elves.

*Christmas Shopping

“Live” Windows in Downtown Businesses/Offices – Many of the downtown windows will have “live” scenes in their windows from 5 to 6 PM. You may vote for your favorite. Take a picture and post your favorite on the Smithville-DeKalb County Chamber Facebook Page. The LIVE display window with the “Most Likes” will get points added to the judges’ tally sheet. Chamber Director Suzanne Williams and Smithville Mayor Josh Miller will be presenting 1st, 2nd, and 3rd places along with a “Chamber Choice” award for the “Live Window” contest. Mayor Miller is personally donating $250 to the top winning store’s favorite charity.

*A FREE Photo Booth & Christmas DJ Music – Enjoy your favorite holiday music throughout the night plus have a fun, complimentary picture made at the Cosmo Creations Photo Booth located inside the Courthouse & sponsored by the City of Smithville!

*Justin-Potter Library – Beginning at 6:15 PM, Santa will be there to hear your child’s wish list and pose for a picture, so be sure to bring your camera. Children will also be able to make a Christmas ornament!

*Smithville Electric – The lights will be shining bright at Evins Park’s Open-Air Stage decorated by Smithville Electric employees.

*DeKalb Animal Shelter Pet Photos with Santa – Beginning at 5 PM for a $10 donation, you can have your pet’s photo made with Santa. The location is 301 N. Public Square at Gayla Hendrix’s office.

November 28, 2019
By: Dwayne Page

Hundreds were fed on Thanksgiving thanks to the generosity of the community and especially local emergency service providers.

The 3rd annual effort by the DeKalb Emergency Services Association in partnership with local businesses and volunteers was held to make sure the most needy and underserved among us had a hot delicious meal for Thanksgiving.

A total of 562 food trays were prepared and delivered to 250 stops along the route by dozens of volunteers. Recipients received a meal of smoked turkey, mashed potatoes and gravy, dressing, green beans, cranberry sauce and rolls along with a homemade dessert.

Cooking and food preparation started early Thursday morning at the county complex kitchen. Volunteers then loaded their personal vehicles with food trays and set out to deliver them in time for the recipients’ noon time meal.

A similar meal delivery is planned for Christmas Eve. More information on that is forthcoming.

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