DESA to again feed the needy on Christmas Eve

December 9, 2019
By: Dwayne Page

The DeKalb Emergency Services Association (DESA), in partnership with local businesses and volunteers, will be preparing and delivering Christmas Eve Meals to the needy or underserved on Tuesday, December 24.

“We feel that this is just another way our local emergency service providers and our supporters can serve our community. If you or a family member would like a hot meal on Christmas Eve, please call one of the numbers listed below to be added to our delivery list. We will need your address, phone number, and number of persons in your household. The meals are scheduled to be delivered between 10:00 a.m. and 12:00 Noon,” says Association President Blake Cantrell.

DESA will accept names of persons requesting meal through Wednesday, December 18.

To get your name on the delivery list, call 615-597-7411 or 615-712-4286.

Additionally, if you want to support this community project by donating food items or volunteering your time to prepare meals and/or make deliveries, you can contact any of the phone numbers above.
A total of 562 food trays were prepared and delivered to 250 stops along the route by dozens of volunteers on Thanksgiving morning. Recipients received a meal of smoked turkey, mashed potatoes and gravy, dressing, green beans, cranberry sauce and rolls along with a homemade dessert.

December 8, 2019
By: Dwayne Page

Holiday lovers young and old by the hundreds gathered downtown Smithville Saturday evening for the sights and sounds of the annual parade followed by other activities, entertainment and special treats.

For the first time, the Smithville Christmas Parade and Christmas on the Square, usually held on separate days, were combined into one night of holiday fun with the parade kicking it all off just as the sun was starting to set.

Many parked along the route to see the show as the parade motored from Smithville Elementary School down Congress Boulevard before turning onto Don Cantrell Street by City Hall into the Public Square. 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.

DeKalb Funeral Chapel won 1st place for their float entry. Second place went to First Bank and Wilson Bank & Trust took 3rd place. The DeKalb Junior Pro Football Team won the Spirit Award presented by the Smithville Business and Professional Women’s Club.

The parade was sponsored by the Smithville Fire Department.

The Alexandria Christmas Parade is scheduled for Sunday, December 15 starting at 2 p.m. The line-up begins 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.

December 8, 2019
By: Dwayne Page

More than 2,300 toys were collected for the Lighthouse Christian Camp Christmas Ministries and DeKalb County Foster Children during last week’s 2nd Annual Festival of Trees held at the County Complex.

The Elizabeth Chapel Baptist Church took top honors for DeKalb County Tree of the Year with 276 votes (gifts). To be named Tree of the Year, it had to have the most gifts placed under it.

Other award winners:
*Prettiest Tree: DeKalb Funeral Chapel
*The Spirit of Christmas Tree: Center Hill Realty & Chalets
*Christmas Unique Tree: The Vintage Owl
*Best Overall Themed Tree: DeKalb County Florist
*Most Touching Tree: Beth Tripp
*The Tree I want in my Living Room: Middle Tennessee Natural Gas & Smithville Assemblies of God

The 2nd Annual Festival of Trees opened to a packed house last Monday night at the county complex for the unveiling of an impressive collection of uniquely decorated Christmas trees.

The festival has quickly become a local holiday favorite and serves as a charity venue for non-profit groups.

The trees remained on display throughout the week and visitors to the complex were urged to vote for their favorites in several categories and to place gifts under the tree they liked the best.

Monday night’s event also featured FREE pictures with Santa on the North Pole Stage, refreshments, and the Christmas Shopping Court where vendor booths displayed delightful Christmas gift ideas for sale.

“The Festival of Trees has been a great success,” said founder and creator Josh Issac . The Festival of Trees has taken on a spirit of its own. So many people jumped in to help and participate this year and you could feel the excitement as we got closer to the event,” Issac continued. “With over 40 trees this year it was a must see and all the trees stepped it up this year. You could tell everyone was competitive for charity. This is such a reflection of how our community comes together and cares. That’s why I love to live here,” added Issac.

Rounding out the top 5 Trees this year were:
2nd Place: Christpoint Church
3rd Place: Outreach Baptist Church
4th Place: DeKalb West Jr. Beta Club
5th Place: DeKalb Department of Human Services

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