Singer-songwriter Sam Lewis Coming to Smithville Saturday Night

September 25, 2019
By:

He’s collaborated and played with the likes of Chris Stapleton, John Prine and Kacey Musgraves and he’s coming to Smithville Saturday night.

Singer-songwriter Sam Lewis will be appearing at Bert Driver Nursery’s Burlap Room Beer Garden and Taphouse Saturday at 7 p.m.

Lewis, who earned an opening slot on country megastar Chris Stapleton’s Traveller tour, is known for his soulful vocals and introspective songwriting. Stapleton once called him “a modern day Townes Van Zandt.”

“Most of what I do kind of fits in the Americana genre, which has become very popular over the last 20 years,” he said in a recent interview. “It’s just a blend. They are really just songs. Sometimes they can sound a bit traditional country or folky, bluesy, and there are a lot of R&B influences in what I do but overall I call it soul music.”

Lewis grew up in North Carolina and moved to Nashville in 2009 to pursue his music career.

“I realized pretty quickly I needed to probably write and record my own music as much as possible and to tour that music,” he said. “I have done different types of writing and I am just now getting back into the co-writing world of things in Nashville. I had a difficult time [at first] navigating the co-writing experience and now I have a bit more understanding as to what I am comfortable with in lending that type of help in the song crafting scheme of things.”

Lewis said he tours about 150-160 days a year.

“The further I get away from Nashville the more I play solo, but I have bands and I am bringing a four-piece band to Smithville with fellows I have played with over the years,” he said. “I have a duo show, a trio show. That’s the beautiful thing about shows. You can play them a lot of different ways.”

But songwriting is still his first love.

“Writing tops performing for me,” he added. “I don’t think I would be that inclined to perform without having that writing attachment element to it. But performing is fun. I enjoy being able to take folks somewhere for just a little while. But I don’t think I could live without the songwriting. It’s a big part of who I am.”

More information about Lewis and his albums can be found at www.samlewistunes.com

September 25, 2019
By:

For the 2019-2020 school year, DeKalb County Schools is again partnering with NHC Healthcare in Smithville for an intergenerational partnership between students and assisted living residents. Intergenerational classrooms are places where the young, old, and in between can pursue lifelong learning in mutually beneficial ways. The partnership will provide an opportunity for intergenerational learning and sharing of values between generations.

Amy Fricks, STEAM teacher, describes this year’s plan for the iGen Partnership. “Students will visit to meet with the assisted living residents of NHC during the school day. Approximately eighty-five 8th graders, including students from DeKalb West School and DeKalb Middle School, will visit the residents at NHC. We are working on interactive projects where the students and residents can collaborate together,” she said.

Kathy Bryant, Supervisor of Instruction, explains the experience of the iGen partnership. “The iGen classroom time during the school day can expand opportunities for interactions among the students and residents that might not otherwise occur due to school schedule limitations. Additionally, the iGen classroom visits will foster learning and socio-emotional development for students and provide an opportunity for powerful relationships that enrich the lives of young people and elders.”

“I am very excited for our 8th grade students to participate in the iGen grant. Ms. Fricks being added to our schools as a STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, Mathematics) teacher has opened up a new world with technology and art for our students. Students are so excited to attend STEAM class. By partnering with NHC, our students will be able to interact with residents and show off the skills they are learning in class through project-based activities. This is a wonderful opportunity for our students and the community,” adds Sabrina Farler, Principal of DeKalb West School.

Lacey Foutch, Principal of DeKalb Middle School, will host an end of the year iGen luncheon. “At the end of the year, DeKalb Middle School will host a luncheon for the participating residents and students from both schools. Students will have the opportunity to present their completed projects to the residents and other students while enjoying lunch with their iGen partners.”

“We are again excited to be able to financially support this project for our residents and the students. Last year proved to be an invaluable experience for all, and we are looking forward to this year’s partnership,” noted Clint Hall, NHC Director.

September 25, 2019
By: Dwayne Page

DeKalb County land owners will learn how much their 2019 property taxes have increased next week.

Trustee Sean Driver has announced that tax notices are going out in the mail soon and the taxes will be due and payable starting  October 1, 2019 through February 29, 2020 before any interest becomes due on March 1, 2020. The Trustee’s office will be open all day on Saturday, February 29 from 8:00am to 4:30pm.

For 2019, the DeKalb County property tax rate has increased to $2.1235 from $1.8335 per $100 of assessed value.

The tax notices include an example provided by Trustee Driver on how the property taxes are calculated.

For example, Appraisal Value $125,000 x Assessed Value @ 25% equals $ 31,250 x Residential Tax Rate 2.1235% results in $ 664 tax to pay

As in recent years, the 2019 property tax notices are printed in a DeKalb County school color. This year the notices bear the “Gold” school color of DeKalb West School.

“For 2019, I have chosen an “Old Gold” color, with black lettering, which will go back many years when I attended DeKalb West Elementary. I can still remember the “Old Gold” Bulldog at the Liberty Basketball Gym. Today, however, you will see the school colors are Black and Golden Yellow Gold. Time changes everything,” said Driver.

The Trustee’s office offers up to 6 different options to pay your property taxes:

*Come in person to the office to pay

*Mail in your payment

* Pay online @ www.tennesseetrustee.org, then select DeKalb and follow the instructions to the next screens. The Vendor BIS (Business Information Systems) accepts Discover, MasterCard, or American Express-The Vendor convenience fee of 2.75% on the total tax bill will apply and fees are subject to change for using credit/debit cards. Also, a $2.75 fee will be assessed on an e-check payment of any amount.

* A QR (Quick Response Code) is also your means of accessing the website www.tennesseetrustee.org with your smart phone.

* Dropbox located on the outside of the building at the County Complex (County Offices Section) for your convenience after hours or on weekends.

*Partial Payments are accepted and you the taxpayer sets the amount to pay until full payment is made.

The Trustee’s office will start accepting applications for the Property Tax Relief Program on October 1, 2019 through April 6, 2020. If you would like to inquire more about a possible tax relief for property taxes, come by the Trustee’s office in the County Complex at 732 S Congress Boulevard-Room 103, Smithville or call 615-597-5176.

Eligibility for Property Tax Relief:

*The State of Tennessee offers qualified property owners tax relief on property taxes. This program was implemented in 1973 and has  a few changes every year. At this time, DeKalb County has 406 applicants on the program for 2019. As a property owner for 2019, you can qualify for Tax Relief if: ( A.) Your DeKalb County home is your primary residence, ( B.) You are 65 years old (or older) on or before December 31, 2019, (C.) Under 65 years of age with a total and permanent disability per the SSA or another qualifying agency, and (D.) The 2018 Annual Income of all living owners on the deed and their spouses DID NOT exceed $29,860.00. If the State of Tennessee qualifies you for Tax Relief, then you can receive a rebate up to $140.00 for 2019. You must pay your 2019 tax bill IN FULL to start the application.

* Also, the State of Tennessee offers TAX RELIEF to Disabled Veterans and the surviving spouses of a disabled veteran. You must provide proof from the Veteran’s Administration that you have a total and permanent disability rating that was service connected. You and your spouse will NOT have to report any income to apply as a disabled veteran or the widow or widower of a disabled veteran. If the State of Tennessee qualifies you as a disabled veteran or the surviving spouse of a disabled veteran, then you can receive a rebate up to $863.00.

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