Project Welcome Mat Encourages Businesses to Greet Fiddlers Jamboree Visitors

May 31, 2022
By:

The 51st annual Smithville Fiddlers Jamboree and Crafts Festival is coming Friday and Saturday, July 1 & 2 and the Smithville-DeKalb County Chamber of Commerce invites all county businesses to again use their changeable signs or marquees to post welcome greetings for our Jamboree visitors.

This marks the 21st year for the Chamber of Commerce “Jamboree Project Welcome Mat” for the 51st Annual Smithville Fiddlers’ Jamboree and Crafts Festival. Businesses having changeable signs or marquees are asked to post welcome greetings for our Jamboree visitors. The wording may be only a simple “Welcome to the Jamboree” or as elaborate as you choose. Chamber Director Suzanne Williams says, “With thousands of visitors coming into town for our 51st celebration, every effort should be made by the local merchants to show our guests that we appreciate them and welcome their business. Let’s keep on showing folks how friendly the DeKalb County / Smithville area can be!”

All businesses may participate in “Project Welcome Mat.” There will be recognition awards in 4 categories: “Best Worded,” “Most Original,” “Most Creative,” and the “People’s Choice Award.”

Plaques will be presented to winners along with media recognition. If your business would like to participate in the contest, email the Chamber at swilliams@dekalbcountychamber.org or call 615-597-4163. Wording should be in place no later than Thursday, June 16th at 2 PM.

May 31, 2022
By:

Caney Fork Electric Cooperative assistant general manager Ben Newman has been named the co-op’s next general manager, with the retirement of Bill Rogers.

Newman, a Warren County native, came to Caney Fork in April 2019 as the cooperative’s attorney and was named assistant general manager in August 2021. He’s a graduate of Warren County High School and the University of Tennessee, Knoxville.

Newman earned his law degree in 2009 from the University of Memphis and practiced with the Law Office of Galligan and Newman in McMinnville before becoming Caney Fork’s attorney. He has also served as McMinnville mayor and city council member.

“I am blessed the Caney Fork board of directors chose me to take on the leadership role previously held by the esteemed Bill Rogers,” Newman said. “Bill has worked hard for many years to get Caney Fork in an excellent position and I feel fortunate to learn from him.”

Members of First United Methodist Church, Newman and wife Ashley live in McMinnville. They are the proud parents of 7-year-old daughter Iva and son Stokely, 4.

Newman’s Caney Fork Electric roots run deeper than his employment at the cooperative.

His grandfather, Edley Newman Jr., helped establish Caney Fork Electric Cooperative, going door-to-door to register members to receive electric service at their homes in the early 1940s and then serving as CFEC’s general manager.

Newman said that in preparing for his new role leading the cooperative, he has reviewed board minutes from CFEC’s first meetings to learn more about the cooperative’s bedrock principles and met with employees to better understand who they are and the vital roles they fill in service to the cooperative and their communities.

“Caney Fork and its members are fortunate to have some of the best employees around who work diligently to provide the membership with excellent service — often while faced with difficult obstacles — and I plan to keep the high level of workmanship and customer service thriving,” Newman said. “I truly feel blessed to work with the Caney Fork Electric Cooperative family and will give my all to make sure the lights stay on for decades to come.”

Rogers’ retirement brings to an end a 37-year career at Caney Fork Electric Cooperative that began shortly after his graduation from Tennessee Tech. He began in 1985 as an engineer and climbed the ladder as he gained experience, progressing to chief engineer, manager of engineering, assistant general manager and then general manager in 2008.

May 30, 2022
By: Dwayne Page

A prayer, songs of patriotism, and the placement of a wreath marked a Memorial Day observance Monday morning outside the courthouse near the Veterans Memorial Monument. The program was hosted by the American Legion Post 122, Marine Corps League Detachment 177 and the DeKalb County Veterans Service Office.

Members of the community chorus gathered before and during the program for flag waving songs followed by a prayer from minister and Veteran Don Rigsby. Members of the Marine Corps League Detachment 177 posted colors followed by State Representative Terri Lynn Weaver leading the audience in singing the Spar-Spangled Banner, the Marine Corps League Detail 3-volley fire and the playing of Taps by rising DCHS Sophomore Jaden Wildes, a member of the Fighting Tiger Band. Local veterans then gathered around the Veterans’ memorial monument to place a wreath in remembrance of all those who have made the ultimate sacrifice for America’s freedom.

Susan Hinton, the moderator of the program read the following lyrics to a song called “Some Gave All” from County singer Billy Ray Cyrus’ 1992 album of the same name.

I knew a man, called him Sandy Cane
Few folks even knew his name
But a hero, yes was he
Left a boy, came back a man
Still many just don’t understand
About the reasons we are free
I can’t forget the look in his eyes
Or the tears he cried
As he said these words to me

All Gave Some, Some Gave All
Some stood through for the red, white and blue
And some had to fall
And if you ever think of me
Think of all your liberties and recall
Some Gave All

Now Sandy Cane is no longer here
But his words are oh so clear
As they echo throughout our land
For all his friends who gave us all
Who stood their ground and took the fall
To help their fellow man
Love your country and live with pride
And don’t forget those who died
America can’t you see?

All Gave Some, Some Gave All
Some stood through for the red, white and blue
And some had to fall
And if you ever think of me
Think of all your liberties and recall
Some Gave All

And if you ever think of me
Think of all your liberties and recall
Yes recall
Some Gave All
Some Gave All

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