2020 DeKalb County Fair Postponed Due to COVID 19

June 1, 2020
By: Dwayne Page

Another longstanding summer tradition has fallen victim to the fallout of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The 164th edition of the DeKalb County Fair, the Grandpa Fair of the South, which was to take place July 13-18 , 2020 has been postponed until a later date in accordance with the latest guidelines pertaining to attractions and large venues by the Tennessee Economic Recovery Group.

“It is with sadness the DeKalb County Fair Association Board of Directors has had to make the decision to postpone this year’s fair but it is in the best interest of the public due to the Covid 19 pandemic,” said members of the DeKalb County Fair Association in a statement released Monday, June 1.

Although large, non-contact attractions and venues including concert and performance venues, amusement and water parks, auditoriums, theaters and dinner theaters, zoos, large museums and more can reopen safely under new Tennessee Pledge guidelines, strong measures are recommended to protect the public, including screening of event workers and patrons, creating plans for managing guest flow, and limiting capacity to ensure separation between small groups.

“The overall goal of this board is to stay in compliance with the governor’s orders, protect our community, volunteers, fair visitors, and to reduce exposure to individuals and surfaces that may result in the spread of Covid 19. The social distancing guidelines of 6 feet apart would be impossible to follow as a fair visitor. The board was also uncomfortable soliciting sponsors for the fair at this time due to the hardship many businesses have encountered, ” the statement continued.

“We appreciate the support our friends and neighbors have shown the DeKalb County Fair down through the years and hope the community understands the reasons for this decision”.

Although plans are to have the DeKalb County Fair later in the year, no specific date has been set. “The new fair date is to be determined by the board as information and guidelines are made available by the State of Tennessee,” the statement concluded.

May 31, 2020
By: Dwayne Page

A lively dog may be just want you need to liven up your home.

Meet “Captain” the WJLE/DeKalb Animal Shelter featured “Pet of the Week”.

“Captain is a 2 to 3 year old Lab mix. He has been in the shelter a little over two weeks. Captain is a great guy. He is really loving and good. Captain gets along with other dogs. He came in as a stray with another dog. She has been adopted already but Captain is waiting on somebody to bring him home. He would love to go on walks with you and spend time outdoors. If you want a lake buddy I guarantee you this guy would enjoy being out on the boat with you,” said Shelter Director Megan Moore.

Megan Moore with Captain from dwayne page on Vimeo.

“To adopt Captain, go to our website. www.dekalbanimalcoalition.org and look for a tab to fill out an application. Fill it out and email it back to us. We will call to set up an appointment time for you to come in and meet Captain to see if he is a perfect fit for you,” said Moore.

The DeKalb Animal Shelter is currently only open by appointment due to Covid-19.

“If you are interested in any of our dogs and cats fill out an adoption application and send it to our email. We will call and set up a time for you to come in and meet your favorite pet and go from there. We are not currently open to the public for in-person visits but all our pets are posted online. Stay up to date with us on our website, facebook page, or Instagram,” said Moore.

May 31, 2020
By: Dwayne Page

A DeKalb County basketball legend will be laid to rest today (Sunday).

79 year old Helen Fay Lee of Smithville passed away Thursday night at her residence. She was also a retired educator having served for many years as teacher, high school girls basketball coach, and guidance counselor.

Helen, who became known as “Fabulous Fay” for her athletic skills on the court including an unstoppable hook shot, rose to fame in the 1950’s during the years of half court basketball. She had developed a love for the game prior to high school while playing for Coach Floyce Vickers at the New View Elementary School in the Young Bend Community. During the 1958-59 season, Helen helped lead the DeKalb County (Smithville High School) girls basketball team to the State Tournament Championship game before losing to Porter 47 to 46. The girls team, coached by Everett Lee Mitchell, finished the season 24-2.The two defeats included a 50-49 loss to Lebanon during the regular season and the loss to Porter in the state championship game. She was a four year player with many accolades, including All-District, All-State, and District MVP. Helen is also a member of the 1,000 point club.

Helen later joined an Amateur Athletic Union (AAU) squad, coached by John Head and went on to play for a national championship team that included Tennessee women’s basketball legend, Nera White. Interested in becoming a basketball coach and school teacher, Helen enrolled in Peabody College in Nashville after two years on the AAU team and got her first coaching job at Nashville East Senior High in 1965 after graduating college. Helen later met and married Rick Lee and after Rick’s tour of duty in Vietnam, the couple relocated from Missouri to Oklahoma, and then to Nashville, before settling in Smithville where Helen joined the teaching staff at DCHS and served as the head girls basketball coach for eight seasons. Rick also became a teacher in the local school system. Helen later moved from the classroom to the administration at DCHS where she served as guidance counselor until her retirement in 2002.

Helen was born on April 21, 1941 in Smithville to her parents, the late Woodrow Wilson & Lillie Mai Taylor Young. She was a member of the Mt View The Baptist Church of Christ.

Funeral services will be held on Sunday, May 31, 2020 at 2 p.m. from the Chapel of Love-Cantrell Funeral Home. Bro. Dennis Wood will officiate and burial will follow in the Young Bend Cemetery. Visitation will be Sunday from 10:30 a.m. until the service time at 2:00 p.m. Due to Covid-19 precautions, social distance measures will be observed.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her daughter, Misty Ross and a brother, Eddie Wayne Young. Survivors include her husband of 54 years, Rick Lee; two grandchildren, Ben and Maggie Felton; and a brother, James Young all of Smithville. Two sisters, Carolyn and John Whitley of Mt. Juliet and Judy Rodgers of Hendersonville. Six nieces and nephews also survive.

Love-Cantrell Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.

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