Women Having Greater Influence in Local Elections

September 1, 2019
By:

Last week marked the 99th anniversary of the passage of the 19th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, guaranteeing women the right to vote.

Over time, women began to become more involved in the electoral process and eventually reached the point of becoming candidates and elected officials. For the first time in history, there are six women on the DeKalb County Commission.

“Women play a key role in the outcome of the election results in DeKalb County,” said Dennis Stanley, Administrator of Elections.

“At 52.6 percent, we have more women than men who are registered to vote,” Stanley said. Of the county’s 15 precincts, more women are registered in 10 of those precincts—Alexandria, Liberty, Dowelltown, Snow Hill, Church of God, The Courthouse, Johnson Chapel, the County Complex, Keltonburg, Blue Springs and the Church of Christ Annex.

And they do vote. In the November 2018 state election women out-voted the men 2,992 to 2,929, a difference of 63 votes. In the August County General and state primary elections, women out-voted men by a 141 votes county-wide.

A district breakdown shows how important Amendment 19 has become, not only nationwide, but in local races. In August last year, there were 66 more women votes than men in District 3, 27 more in District 2, and 72 more in District 7.

“These numbers obviously indicate the significance and importance of that amendment 99 years ago,” Stanley said.

September 1, 2019
By: Dwayne Page

The Smithville First Assembly of God held a recognition dinner Saturday night at the county complex to pay tribute to school teachers in DeKalb County for the work they do in educating the children in our community.

Pastor Iain Swisher hosted the program.

“We are all here to say “thank you”. Tonight we get to honor you and serve you because we are blessed to have you,” said Swisher

Following the meal drawings were held for gifts to the honorees in attendance donated by local businesses and others.

During his brief remarks, Swisher talked about the influence teachers can have on the lives of the children they educate.

“In my life growing up I had a 4th grade teacher and she had above her white board a message which said “just because everybody is doing it doesn’t make it right and just because nobody is doing it doesn’t make it wrong”. That has stayed with me even to this day. It is something I hold on to and try to instill in my children. Teachers you are making a big difference and having an impact on our children’s lives. God Bless you,” he said.

Swisher then read the following poem by Stacy Bonino in tribute to teachers:

“I am so much more than just a teacher,
“I am a counselor and psychologist to a problem-filled child,
I am a police officer that controls a child gone wild.
I am a travel agent scheduling our trips for the year,
I am a confidante that wipes a crying child’s tear.
I am a banker collecting money for a ton of different things,
I am a librarian showing adventures that a storybook brings.
I am a custodian that has to clean certain little messes,
I am a psychic that learns to know all that everybody only guesses.
I am a photographer keeping pictures of a child’s yearly growth,
When mother and father are gone for the day, I become both.
I am a doctor that detects when a child is feeling sick,
I am a politician that must know the laws and recognize a trick.
I am a party planner for holidays to celebrate with all,
I am a decorator of a room, filling every wall.
I am a news reporter updating on our nation’s current events,
I am a detective solving small mysteries and ending all suspense.
I am a clown and comedian that makes the children laugh,
I am a dietician assuring they have lunch or from mine I give them half.
When we seem to stray from values, I become a preacher,
But I’m proud to have to be these people because …
I’m proud to say, “I am a teacher.”

Quoting from another source, Swisher added “A teacher is a multi-tasking educational rock star who lives to inspire and loves to encourage. They’re kind of a big deal”.

“The influence of a good teacher can never be erased”.

August 31, 2019
By:

The Upper Cumberland’s first annual Hemp Fest is coming to Smithville’s Burlap Room and Beer Garden on Labor Day weekend, Saturday August 31.

IMG_9405 from dwayne page on Vimeo.

“We’ll celebrate the end of summer with an evening of live music, and showcase some of our region’s CBD businesses and craft breweries,” says Bert Driver, sponsor and host of The Middle of Somewhere Hemp Fest.

“Hopefully, Hemp Fest will also help raise awareness of industrial hemp’s potential as an important cash crop for our area’s future.”

Gates open at 4 pm, rain or shine, on the seven acres of Bert Driver Nursery on Highway 70 just west of Smithville in DeKalb County. The family-friendly event includes a play area with sandbox for children. Pets allowed but they must be leashed.

At least two food vendors will be on hand and several of the Upper Cumberland’s CBD producers will be exhibiting their products for purchase. Locally-brewed craft beers by Calfkiller Brewery and VonSeitz TheoreticAles and will be available onsite at The Burlap Room Garden & Tap House.

Katy Kilbourne, state plant pathologist and inspector with Tennessee’s Department of Agriculture will be there to advise those interested in growing hemp “what to expect from your inspector.”

Live entertainment kicks off on the Wisteria outdoor stage with music by steel drum percussionist Tony Hartman at 6, followed by the Americana roots band Blue Mother Tupelo around 7:30.

“We want to grow Hemp Fest into a yearly gathering for fans of live music, farmers, families and friends throughout the Upper Cumberland,” says Driver. “Come out and help us kick it off with a great start.”

Tickets for The Middle of Somewhere Hemp Fest are $10 in advance, $15 day of show and children under 10 admitted free. Capacity is limited and tickets are moving fast.

For information on booth space or tickets contact Driver at 615.597.9560 or message through the Bert Driver Nursery Facebook page.

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