Edgar Evins State Park Rangers & Animal Friends Visit Justin Potter Library (VIEW VIDEOS HERE)

June 6, 2019
By: Dwayne Page

Children at Justin Potter Library were treated to a visit from “Bentley”, a red-shouldered hawk and “Otis” , a three month old Opossum during Thursday’s Summer Reading Program event.

“Bentley” and “Otis” were brought out for the children to see by Park Manager Brad Halfacre and Andrew Webber, Seasonal Interpretive Park Ranger at Edgar Evins State Park.

IMG_6982 from dwayne page on Vimeo.

“Bentley” is called a red-shouldered hawk because he has a red color on his shoulders. A red-shouldered hawk is not as large as the red-tailed hawk, something very common in middle Tennessee,” said Halfacre.

IMG_7001 from dwayne page on Vimeo.

“In captivity “Bentley” gets a great diet of frozen mice. He does eat some quail, chicken gizzard, and sometimes a fresh dead squirrel from the road. I have had him about a year. I wanted to turn him back into the wild but unfortunately that wasn’t able to happen because he imprinted on me.  In the wild a hawk would be scared of humans but “Bentley” got used to me. When I got him I would open the cage and throw him a mouse. I kept feeding him as he got bigger and later tried to release him. He flew off fine but he couldn’t hunt on his own so he came back to my house and waited  for me to feed him. It took me about three more months to catch him again. Once I caught him again we started the permitting process and now he is a resident bird at the park,” said Halfacre.

WJLE first introduced “Otis” during last Saturday’s National Trails Day at Edgar Evins State Park.

“We rescued him about three months ago after his mother was attacked by a dog when he was really little. When opossums are first born they live in their mother’s pouch and when they get older they ride around on their mother’s back. Otis’ mother was attacked by a dog and he was the only one that survived the attack. We will have him for the rest of his life. When he is fully grown he will have about 52 teeth. He is a nocturnal animal which means he sleeps during the day and is active at night. Otis will live to be about 10-15 years old,” said Webber.

Other Justin Potter Library’s Summer Reading Events:

*Thursday, June 13 at 2 p.m.: Barry Mitchell’s Aliens, Astronauts and a Turtle in Space

*Thursday, June 20 at 2 p.m.: A Universe of Stories & Activities with DPC, Board of Education and UT Extension

*Thursday, June 27 at 2 p.m.: Final Party at the DeKalb County Complex Theater: Scott Humston’s Music, Magic, and Comedy

Alexandria Library Summer Events:

*Story Time & Activities Wednesday, June 5, 12, & 19 at 2 p.m.

For more information call Justin Potter Library at 615-597-4359

June 6, 2019
By: Dwayne Page

Smithville and DeKalb County’s largest two day tourist event is less than one month away.

The 48th Annual Smithville Fiddlers’ Jamboree and Crafts Festival will be held Friday and Saturday, July 5th & 6th. The Festival begins at 9:00 am each day, and continues until the final competition has been awarded. With over 35 music and dance categories, streets full of hand-made crafts, and over a dozen food booths, there is something for everyone at the Jamboree. You have to experience it in person…come and see the Jamboree!

(2018 Fiddle-Off Champion Maddie Denton Below)

Preliminaries will be held in the following categories on Friday, July 5:

Old Time Appalachian Folksinging (Solo); Junior Clogging (ages 13-39); Junior Buck Dancing (ages 13-39); Old-Time Appalachian Folksinging (Duet, Trio, Quartet); Dobro Guitar; Mountain Dulcimer; Hammer Dulcimer; Novelty Event (Spoon Clacking, Jug Blowing, Washboard, Tub, Saws-Appalachian Related Only); Autoharp, Gospel Singing (Solo); Country Harmonica; Old Time Banjo; Youth Square Dancing (4 Couples-8 Total Dancers); Gospel Singing (Duet,Trio, and Quartet); Mandolin; and Old Time Fiddle Band.

(2018 Grand Champion Fiddler for Beginners Uma Peters)

The top three acts in each category will be called back for the finals on Friday night and a first, second, and third place will be awarded.

(2018 Square Dancing Champion Rocky Top Revue of Franklin)

A United States flag and a Tennessee State flag will be presented on Friday evening. The flags, which have flown over the state capitol, go to the persons who travel the greatest distances, both from inside and outside the country, to get here. The flags will be presented by State Senator Mark Pody and State Representatives Terri Lynn Weaver and Clark Boyd.

The Smithville Community Chorus is expected to perform with a variety of patriotic songs.

Fiddler’s Jamboree Craft Awards will be presented during the weekend for “Best of Show”, “Best Appalachian Craft”, “Best Newcomer”, and “Best Craft Display”

On Saturday, July 6, preliminaries will be held in the following categories:

Junior Old Time Appalachian Flatfoot dance (ages up to 39); Senior Old Time Appalachian Flatfoot dance ( ages 40 and over); Senior Buckdancing (ages 40 and over); Senior Clogging (ages 40 and over); Bluegrass Banjo; Junior Fiddlers (ages 13-39); Flat Top Guitar; Contest Fiddle for the Neil Dudney Award; Bluegrass Band; Senior Fiddlers (ages 40 and over); and Square Dancing (4 Couples-8 Total Dancers).

Preliminaries will be held in each event and then the top three finalists will be called back Saturday night to compete for first, second, and third place.

Bluegrass legend, Ronnie Reno, will be honored with the 2019 Blue Blaze Award on Saturday, July 6th during the festival  at approximately 5pm followed by a mini-concert performed by Reno on the main stage

The winners of the Junior and Senior Fiddling competition will square off for the Grand Champion Award, the Berry C. Williams Memorial Trophy at the conclusion of the festival.

Meanwhile, the National Championship for Country Musician Beginners will be held Saturday afternoon, July 6 during the Jamboree featuring competitions for children, up to age twelve, in the categories of Buck Dancing, Clogging, Dobro Guitar, Mandolin, Five String Banjo, Flat Top Guitar, and Fiddle.

Preliminaries will be held in each event and then the top three finalists will be brought back to compete for first, second, and third place.

One child will receive the Best Overall Instrumental Entertainer Trophy Award and the top fiddler will get the James G. “Bobo” Driver Memorial Trophy.

In addition to the on-stage musical entertainment, the Fiddlers Jamboree will feature many crafts, plenty of delicious food; and lots of shade tree picking around the public square.

WJLE will broadcast most of the on-stage entertainment LIVE on AM 1480/ FM 101.7 and LIVE Streaming at www.wjle.com.

For more information on the festival, go to www.fiddlersjamboree.com

June 5, 2019
By: Dwayne Page

The DeKalb County Fair returns for its annual weeklong run Monday through Saturday, July 15-20.

With the theme “Celebrating 163 years at the Great DeKalb County Fair, this year’s edition will feature another fun filled week of rides by Prime Time Amusement Company, the opening of a brand new Ag Center for hosting various fair activities, and many crowd pleasing events including the Demolition Derby, Bullwhip Rodeo, ATV/Motorcycle Racing, the Lip Sync Battle and much more.

Two new beauty pageants will be added this year, a Mrs. Fair Queen for ladies up to age 49, and a Miss Senior Fair Queen for women age 55 and older.

Cash drawings will be held each night and you must be present to win. Any cash not won during the week will be given away on Saturday night.

The Farm Bureau mobile “Tennessee Agriculture in the Classroom” AgSimulator will also be on site during the fair behind the Commercial Building and in front of the new Ag Center. Students and adults will get to experience the feel of a real harvester cab while true ag facts and harvest simulations play inside the simulator.

The TWRA, Tennessee Division of Forestry, and Tennessee Highway Patrol will have displays and information to share.

The 2019 DeKalb County Fair Premium Book is now available and copies can be obtained at the following locations: In Liberty at Liberty State Bank and the Post Office; In Dowelltown at the Post Office; in Smithville at the UT/TSU Extension Office, USDA Office, Liberty State Bank, Wilson Bank & Trust, Smithville Review, Smithville Post Office, DeKalb County Register of Deeds; and in Alexandria at Liberty State Bank, Wilson Bank & Trust, Alexandria Senior Center, the Village, Alexandria Post Office, Alexandria Library, and Alexandria City Hall.

Non-perishable items for display in the Kenneth Sandlin Center will be accepted on Saturday July 6th from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. and on Saturday July 13 for perishable entries from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m.

The schedule of Fair events each night is as follows:

Monday, July 15:
*Cattle Show at the Ag Center- 6:00 p.m.
*Bullwhip Rodeo at the T.C. McMillen Arena- 7:30 p.m.
*Junior Fair Princess Pageant for contestants ages 13-16 at 6:00 p.m. followed by the Fairest of the Fair Pageant for contestants ages 17 to 20 at the Lions Club Pavilion
*Lip Sync Battle (Round 1) at the Lions Club Pavilion
*Cash Drawing-9:30 p.m. at the Lions Club Pavilion

Tuesday, July 16:
*Poultry Show: 6:00 p.m. at the Tot Kelly Barn
*Little Mister for contestants ages 4-6: 6:00 p.m. at the Lions Club Pavilion
*Little Miss for contestants ages 4-6 following the Little Mister Pageant
*Demolition Derby: 7:00 p.m. at the T.C. McMillen Arena
*Corn Hole Tournament: 7:00 p.m.
*Cash Drawing-9:30 p.m. at the Lions Club Pavilion

Wednesday, July 17:
*Cooking Lamb: 6:00 p.m. at the Ag Center (First Come, First Served)
*Little Miss Princess Pageant for contestants ages 7-9: 6:00 p.m. followed by the Miss Sweetheart Pageant for those ages 10-12 at the Lions Club Pavilion
*Kiddie Tractor Pull: 7:00 p.m. at the Ag Center
*ATV/Motorcycle Racing: 7:00 p.m. at the T.C. McMillen Arena
*Cash Drawing-9:30 p.m. at the Lions Club Pavilion

Thursday, July 18:
*Senior Day: 9:00 a.m. Alexandria Senior Center
*Junior Goat Show: 6:00 p.m. at the Ag Center
* Baby Show for contestants one day to 12 months: 6:00 p.m. followed Mrs. Fair Queen (up to age 49) at the Lions Club Pavilion followed by Miss Senior Fair Queen (age 55 and older)
*ATV/Motorcycle Racing: 7:00 p.m. at the T.C. McMillen Arena
*Cash Drawing-9:30 p.m. at the Lions Club Pavilion

Friday, July 19:
*Sheep Show: 6:00 p.m. at the Ag Center
*Toddler Show for contestants 13 months to 48 months: 6:00 p.m. followed by Lip Sync Battle (Finale) at the Lions Club Pavilion
*Antique Tractor Pull: 7:00 p.m. at the T.C. McMillen Arena
*Cash Drawing-9:30 p.m. at the Lions Club Pavilion

Saturday, July 20:
*Horseshoe Tournament: Noon at the Tot Kelly barn
*Gospel Singing: 6:00 p.m. at the Lions Club Pavilion
*Super Tractor/Truck Pull: 7:00 p.m. at the T.C. McMillen Arena
*Cash Drawing-9:30 p.m. at the Lions Club Pavilion

Take a stroll down Memory Lane and enjoy nightly entertainment at the Memory Lane Stage in Memory Village which features replicas of Prichard’s Motors, DeKalb Telephone Cooperative, Jennings’ Barber Shop, DeKalb Community Bank, Alexandria Drug Store, Jennings Produce, Alexandria Mercantile, and DeKalb County Fair Veterans Building.

Rides on the Midway will be provided by Prime Time Amusement. Unlimited rides will be available for $15.00 on Monday night; $16.00 on Tuesday night; $14.00 on Wednesday and $18.00 on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday.

Admission to the fair is $5.00 per person. Children age four and younger will be admitted free! Gates open at 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday and at 4:00 p.m. on Saturday. The exhibit building is open from 5:00 p.m. until 9:00 p.m. Monday through Friday and Saturday from 4:00 p.m. until 9:00 p.m. Parking is Free!

Meanwhile the DeKalb County Fair Decorated Hay Contest will be featured again this year. It is open to any youth or adult resident of DeKalb County. Hay can be entered Saturday July 13th – From 10:00 am till 2:00 pm. Hay bales may be decorated Saturday and Sunday July 13th and 14th. Must be completed by 4 p.m. Sunday, July 14. Hay Bales must be removed by July 21.

There are three categories: Decorated Round Bale, Decorated Square Bale, and Decorated Display.

Visit the DeKalb County Fair website at the link below for information about renting booth space, being a sponsor, entering pageants and shows, entering exhibits and events. The contact person and phone number for all of these are listed on the website at
www.dekalbcountyfairtn.com/

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