Brad Halfacre Named Park Manager at Edgar Evins State Park

November 29, 2018
By: Dwayne Page

Ranger Brad Halfacre has been named as the new Park Manager at Edgar Evins State Park following the recent promotion of former Park Manager, Kenny Gragg, to Middle Tennessee Parks Area 3 Manager. Gragg, a resident of Baxter, had been at Edgar Evins State Park for approximately one and a half years. Halfacre has been at the park about 3 years.

Gragg assumed his new position as area manager on September 16th. He will be responsible for the oversight of nine parks including Edgar Evins, Cummins Falls, Burgess Falls, Rock Island, Cumberland Trail, Booker T. Washington, Harrison Bay, Red Clay, and Hiwassee/Ocoee. Reflecting on his time at Edgar Evins he said, “It had always been a dream of mine to work at Edgar Evins State Park. Growing up in the Cookeville area, I had frequented Edgar Evins throughout my youth. It was a pleasure serving as park manager and having the opportunity to help direct Edgar Evins into a more sustainable place. We accomplished a lot in my short tenure through the hard work of park team members and volunteers. I am proud to have been a small part of the Edgar Evins team.”

“Brad Halfacre was an easy pick for Park Manager of Edgar Evins,” continued Gragg. “His passion for Edgar Evins will drive his decisions and guide him through his tenure. I have no doubt Brad will be successful as park manager. Brad is the son of prior park manager, Carl Halfacre, and grew up at Edgar Evins. Now he has the opportunity to raise his own children at Edgar Evins. I am happy for Brad and look forward to continued work with him in his new role.”

Brad Halfacre is a 1995 graduate of Upperman High School in Baxter, and a 2004 graduate of Tennessee Technological University in Cookeville, where he majored in Wildlife and Fisheries Science with a concentration in Fisheries Biology. Currently he is enrolled in the Master’s program at Tennessee Tech in Public Safety. He is a graduate of the National Association of State Park Directors –State Park Leadership School, Green Leadership and the Park Managers Technical Institute, as well as an Advanced Emergency Medical Technician. Halfacre started with Tennessee State Parks in 2006 at Henry Horton, and transferred to Edgar Evins in October 2015. When asked about his beginning plans as the new park manager he said, “One of my first projects will be to open the view shed behind the cabins. We will begin cutting trees very soon. This project will enhance our customer’s experience by providing a stunning view. Also, I am very excited about the six mile mountain bike and multi-use trail that is currently being constructed. When completed it will be a great addition to the trail system at Edgar Evins.”

Fount Bertram, President of the all-volunteer Friends of Edgar Evins State Park says, “Although we are happy Kenny Gragg has been promoted it is something of a shock after his being with the park a relatively short time. We have enjoyed working with Kenny and wish him well, but it’s not like we will never see him again as he will still be part of the overall Edgar Evins team. Certainly we agree with his choice of Brad Halfacre as his successor as Park Manager. We have known Brad a long time and look forward to continuing to work for the park under his management.”

There will be an official Meet the (New) Manager reception and farewell party for Kenny Gragg after the holidays.

Edgar Evins State Park is located in DeKalb and Putnam Counties on Center Hill Lake. It is approximately 20 miles north of Smithville and 30 miles west of Cookeville and 60 miles east of Nashville. The physical address is 1630 Edgar Evins Park Road, Silver Point TN 38582. For more information about the park visit the website at https://tnstateparks.com/parks/edgar-evins For more information about the Friends of Edgar Evins State Park you may visit their website at www.foeesp.com

November 29, 2018
By: Dwayne Page

About half of the students in the chorus at the high school will be performing as part of a multi school mass choir in the Nashville Christmas parade this Saturday, December 1st.

“The parade will be televised on ABC from 9 to 11 a.m. and the mass choir that our students will be in is scheduled to be on TV at roughly 10:05 a.m.” said Director Josh Gulley.

November 29, 2018
By: Dwayne Page

The very 1st DeKalb Festival of Trees is set for December 3rd at the DeKalb Community Complex.

“ This event has taken on a life of its own,” said Director of Complex, Josh Issac. “ I had a goal of 21 trees but now we have over 40. The community has really rallied around this and I couldn’t be more excited,” he said.

The festival will kick off on Monday December 3rd from 5-9 pm. It’s a free event but you are asked to bring new toys to the event and place them under the tree you would like to win “ Tree of the Year”.

All toys will go to the DeKalb Foster Care system. “ What a great way to give back and show kids that Christmas is all about giving,” said Issac.  Also there will be FREE pictures with Santa and Mrs. Clause and refreshments. There are over 20 vendor booths expected at the event for Christmas shopping needs. With elves , reindeer , and over 40 trees this is truly an event that you can’t afford to miss. A special thanks to all businesses , churches, and organizations who have given time and money to decorate all the trees,” said Issac.

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