Project Welcome Mat Encourages Businesses to Greet Fiddlers Jamboree Visitors

June 2, 2024
By:

The Chamber of Commerce has announced the 23rd Annual “Jamboree Project Welcome Mat” in conjunction with the 53rd Annual Smithville Fiddlers’ Jamboree and Crafts Festival. This tradition invites local businesses with changeable signs or marquees to post fun and welcoming messages for the influx of visitors attending this year’s Jamboree to be held July 5th & 6th.

“With thousands of visitors coming into town for our 53rd celebration, this is an opportunity to show our guests that we appreciate them and welcome their business,” said Chamber Director Suzanne Williams.

All businesses are encouraged to participate in “Project Welcome Mat.” To celebrate their creative efforts, recognition awards will be given in four categories: “Best Worded,” “Most Original,” “Most Creative,” and the “People’s Choice Award.” Winners will receive plaques and media recognition for their outstanding contributions.

To enter the contest, businesses should email a picture of their sign to the Chamber at director@dekalbcountychamber.org or by text at 615-464-7760 by Tuesday, June 18th at 12 PM.

“Let’s come together as a community to warmly welcome our Jamboree visitors and showcase the hospitality that DeKalb County and Smithville are known for,” said Williams.

June 2, 2024
By: Dwayne Page

School’s out for summer so let’s party! The Adventure begins Thursday, June 6 as Mr. Bond and his science guys kick off a grand summer of reading on opening day of the 2024 DeKalb County Libraries Summer Reading Program for the Justin Potter and Alexandria Libraries. The fun gets underway at 2 p.m. in the DeKalb County Complex Theatre Room.

Mr. Bond’s Science Guys will treat youngsters to an amazing interactive and educational show. Children of all ages can now register for Summer Reading at both libraries. Each child that registers and meets his or her goal will receive a participation certificate and other goodies at the end of the Summer Reading schedule. Program attendance in not required to participate.

The four-week summer reading program is held each Thursday at 2 p.m. through June 27 in the DeKalb County Complex Theatre Room.

Adventure Begins at Your Library programs include the following events:

Thursday, June 6th at 2:00 pm – Opening party with Mr. Bond’s Science Guys and
DTC Photobooth.

Thursday, June 13th at 2:00 pm – Barry Mitchell’s “Adventures in Fun with a Chicken”

Thursday, June 20th at 2:00 pm –. Edgar Evins State Park Rangers and Animal Friends.

Thursday, June 27th at 2:00 pm – Final Party with Bob Tartar’s Animalogy Critters.

For more information, call Justin Potter Library at 615-597-4359 or Alexandria Library at 615-529-4124 visit us on Facebook, Instagram or our website at www.dekalblibraries.net.

June 1, 2024
By: Bill Conger

5th grade student Karson Mullinax was the recipient of the top reading award this year at DeKalb West School. DWS School Librarian Amanda Mullinax, who is also his mom, presented Karson with the Amanda Mullinax Librarian Award for earning the most Accelerated Reader points since starting at DeKalb West. He has earned 1,877.3 points in his school career, securing him a prestigious spot on the plaque in the school library.

“He was proud that he accomplished a goal of his,” Mrs. Mullinax said. “He wanted his name on the plaque in the library!”

Karson is a brilliant student who shies away from the spotlight. But two of his teachers had no trouble bragging on the kind-hearted, studious young man.

“Karson was one of those students that was constantly reading in class,” says Karson’s 4th grade teacher Cindy Snow. “As soon as he finished with his work, he was reading a book. Free time…reading a book. During math class…reading a book. He would read any chance he would get. It seemed that reading was his “escape”, and he could totally zone everything else out while reading.”

“Karson is one of very few students in my many years of teaching that I have watched first hand find the joy in reading,” 5th grade ELA teacher Rachel Desimone said. “He will complete his schoolwork and then back into the book he goes! The AR point system encourages some students as they watch their rocket soar to new heights, but I think Karson would stick with reading even if it weren’t for that. This says a lot about him and his love for reading.”

During his 4th grade years, Mullinax was already reading the lengthy Harry Potter series. Of late, he enjoys the Percy Jackson series and rereading the Wimpy Kids books.

“He has always loved books!” his mom said. “We all read to him when he was younger, which I believe showed him the importance. Here’s a funny: It wasn’t long after he learned to read himself that he made it very clear that he didn’t want me to read aloud to him anymore. He said, “You read too slow!” Which, in comparison to him now, is true; he is a much faster reader than I am!”

His teachers see that Karson’s passion for reading is reflected in his academics.

“At the end of this school year, Karson earned “Leader of the Pack” awards in every subject area, meaning he had one of the top three highest averages in the grade,” Desimone explained. “Karson has truly excelled over the course of the year in every type of content learning.”

“Due to the fact that he is such an avid reader, he has always had a more expanded vocabulary than most students,” says Snow. “He is quick to understand and create puns and figurative language, and we enjoy (outside of school) using quite a bit of sarcasm and joking with each other,” she adds with a laugh. “Also, his writing shows evidence of the fact that he loves to read. He is imaginative, humorous, and detailed in various forms of writing.”

« First ‹ Previous 1 79 87 88 8990 91 99 189 2405 Next › Last »