Chamber Receives Three Star Grant for DeKalb Agriculture Building

July 14, 2022
By:

The Smithville-DeKalb County Chamber held a Ribbon Cutting ceremony at the DeKalb County Agriculture Building Wednesday during the DeKalb County Fair to celebrate the new interior projects. With the support of the DeKalb County Mayor’s office, the Chamber applied for and was awarded a $50,000 Three Star Grant to create a commercial kitchen and 2 meeting/classroom spaces for the new agriculture building.

According to Chamber Director Suzanne Williams, “Jeff McMillen oversaw all the construction. I can’t say thank you enough for all the time and energy Jeff spent on getting everything done in such a timely manner.” Williams continues, “We believe the economic impact of this project will be significant. These additions will provide a generous space to hold diverse events, trainings, sales, auctions, meetings, programs, and more all throughout the year.”

Plans are for this multi-purpose ag building to be utilized in numerous ways including DeKalb Cattle Association events, equipment auctions, school functions, concerts and other entertainment-type events, culinary classes, 4-H development programs, cattle and horse sales, Senior Center events and programs, Community Events, Birthday Parties/Family Reunion type events, trainings, and various uses during the DeKalb County Fair.

An Ag Center Task Force will be formed to research resources, create entrepreneur courses for agriculture businesses, and to investigate agriculture-related resource enhancement for DeKalb County. Community Partners will include the DeKalb County Fair Association Board, DeKalb County Government, City of Alexandria Mayor and Aldermen, Smithville-DeKalb County Chamber of Commerce, Alexandria Lions Club, DeKalb Cattlemen’s Association, U.T. Extension, DeKalb County 4-H, DTC Communications, Alexandria Senior Center reps, School Agriculture Students, local businesses, and many local volunteers and farmers. In addition, we plan to work closely with and seek input from the Tennessee Department of Agriculture.

Williams expressed her appreciation to Three Star Director Jody Sliger and the Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development. “This project wouldn’t have happened without their support. We feel that DeKalb County businesses and especially the small businesses in Alexandria will benefit significantly from the events held throughout the year at the DeKalb County Agriculture Center.”

July 13, 2022
By: Dwayne Page

The 2022 DeKalb County Fair’s Mrs. Fair Queen is 47-year-old Amy Clare Lockhart of Smithville. The pageant was held Tuesday night.

Lockhart, who was also named Miss Congeniality, succeeds the 2021 Mrs. Fair Queen, 24-year-old Briana Ellis of Smithville.

Amy Clare and her husband Keith reside on their farm overlooking the hills of Short Mountain where they raise spotted saddle horses, cattle, and sell quality hay. As a real estate broker at Town & Lake Realty, Lockhart has been passionate about her career of 23 years. Amy Clare has always taken pride in calling Smithville her home. She has enjoyed living and raising her family in a small town.

First runner-up was 36-year-old Jana Beth Tripp of Alexandria.

Tripp has been married 19 years and is a mom of two. She is currently an Alexandria Alderman and is running for Mayor. She does private in-home care for elderly and is a member of the Smithville Business and Professional Women Club and the Alexandria Fire Department Association. She attends First Baptist Church of Alexandria.

27-year-old MaKayla Shea Turner of Smithville was Second runner-up and Most Photogenic.

Turner works full time and is a student pursuing a biology and health science degree. She enjoys reading, crocheting, collecting antiques, and going on adventures with her husband.

Meanwhile 66-year-old Jeanette Adcock Mabe of Smithville was crowned Senior Fair Queen Tuesday night.

Mabe grew up and attended school in White County. When she married Carlon Mabe, they moved to DeKalb County where she worked for 22 years before going to Shiroki North America and she has been there for 26 ½ years. Mabe loves music and has been in the community chorus for many years. She is the pianist at the Bright Hill Methodist Church and attends Indian Creek Missionary Baptist Church where she is organist and backup pianist. Mabe loves the great outdoors, motorcycle riding, hunting, fishing, and boat riding.

She succeeds the 2021 queen 70-year-old Susan Frazier Hinton of Smithville.

July 13, 2022
By: Dwayne Page

Keaton Sawyer Hale and Kendyl Reign Atnip were crowned Little Mister and Miss at the DeKalb County Fair Tuesday night.

Hale is the 5-year-old son of Bobby Lee and Ciara Hale of Alexandria and Atnip is the 6-year-old daughter of Brooke Hutchings and Cody and Kimberly Atnip of Liberty. Both Hale and Atnip were named Most Photogenic in their respective pageants.

They succeed the 2021 Little Mister and Miss Colton Graham Duke and Kallen Averie Curtis. Duke is the 6-year-old son of John and Whitney Duke of Smithville, and Curtis is the 6-year-old daughter of Heather Page and John Curtis of Smithville.

The pageants featured contestants ages 4-6.

First runner-up in the Little Mister Pageant was Robert Maddux Hale, 5-year-old son of Kimberly and Austin Hale of Smithville. He also earned the Mister Manners honor and Thomas Blaine Bragg, 4-year-old son of Morgan and Justin Bragg of Smithville was second runner-up.

First runner-up in the Little Miss contest was Haddeigh Grace Harvey, 5-year-old daughter of Chad and Kayla Harvey of Alexandria.

Dallas “Toby” Agee, 5-year-old daughter of Donny and Stephanie Agee of Smithville was second runner-up

Third runner-up was Neyland Hadlee Garrett, 5-year-old daughter of Ryan and Erica Garrett of Liberty

Ansley Grace Snow, 6-year-old daughter of Andy Snow and Ashleigh Snow of Smithville was fourth runner-up

Eloise Oxley was Miss Congeniality. She is the 5-year-old daughter of Matthew and Haleigh Oxley of Dowelltown

Others in the top eleven were Eloise Oxley, 5 year old daughter of Matthew and Haleigh Oxley of Dowelltown; Summer Elizabeth Longmire, 5 year old daughter of Drew and Kristy Longmire of Smithville; Oaklynn Fayth Hale, 6 year old daughter of Kimberly and Austin Hale of Smithville; Aleeya Weslyn Graham, 5 year old daughter of Derek and Andria Graham of Smithville; Braelyn Kayde George, 6 year old daughter of Misty Glover and Jay George of Smithville; and Lakelyn Jayde George, 6 year old daughter of Misty Glover and Jay George of Smithville

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