Chamber Has Ribbon Cutting for Vintage Owl

September 17, 2018
By: Dwayne Page

The Smithville-DeKalb County Chamber of Commerce had a Ribbon Cutting for new Chamber member, The Vintage Owl located at 109 West Walnut Street in downtown Smithville. Owners are Chase Collins and Michelle King. Operating hours are Thursday to Saturday from 10 AM to 5 PM and Sundays from 12 to 5 PM.  Fresh cookies, coffee, and water are there for their customers to enjoy while browsing their store. For more information, check out The Vintage Owl on their FaceBook page, or call Chase at 615-489-3998 or Michelle at 615-390-5698.

September 17, 2018
By: Bill Conger

The DeKalb County High School Marching Band took 4^th place overall out of 14 bands at yesterday’s (September 15) band contest in Crossville.  Cumberland County High School hosted bands around the region at the 36^th Annual Upper Cumberland Marching Band Festival.

“All I ask is that they improve every week,” says Band Director Tracy Luna. “Thus far, they’ve improved every week that they’ve been there and then some. They’ve exceeded my expectations.”

“The awards go 1,2,3,4 with one being the top. Ultimately, we want to get a one, but if we get 2s, we’re satisfied because that means we’re an excellent band, and we’re improving and moving in the right direction.”

Judges award 1s for Superior, 2s for Excellent, 3s for Good and 4s for Fair.

“We want to stay away from the 3s and 4s, but if we get 1s we’ll be super happy,” says Luna. “I think our marching and playing deserved 1s, but … I’m a little bias.”

The band received 1s (Superior) in Visual Performance and Drum Major (Axel Rico scored 3rd Place out of 14).

and 2s (Excellent) in Musical Performance, Percussion, and Color Guard.

“The judges look for overall visual continuity of forms on the field,” Luna explained. “Do the pictures look right? How are their marching intervals between person to person? Are they in step left versus right foot? Also, there’s a music judge that judges musical quality— intonations and articulations and in-tune. Is the band in tune?”

Judges also evaluate the performances of percussion, color guard and drum major.

Next, the band performs the Andrew Lloyd Weber “Phantom of the Opera” music at Friday night’s football game in Cannon County. The ensemble’s next competition is scheduled for September 29^th in Trousdale County.

Working with the band besides Tracy Luna, is Assistant Band Director Jonathan Holland, Katie Graham-Color Guard, and Caleb Rowland-Woodwinds and Drum Major. 

Luna says a special thank you to all of the band boosters who make our job easier and a great experience for the students!

September 16, 2018
By: Bill Conger

For the past 12 years, Lynlee Judkins has been hitting the books in the DeKalb County School system, but unlike her other peers, the 17-year-old young lady faces an additional challenge—Down syndrome.

Lynlee, the daughter of Shana Judkins, has been chosen to be the “Face of the Race” for the annual “3.21Run4DS.” The 5-K and Fun Run for Down Syndrome Awareness is set for October 6 starting at 8 o’clock at DeKalb West School, 101 Bulldog Lane, in Liberty.

Lynlee and her mom have faced a variety of hurdles since she was born.

“It was a little unnerving,” says Judkins when she was told about her daughter’s condition. “But it doesn’t take long to adapt. That’s how she is, and I have to take care of her. I wouldn’t have it any other way.”

With Down syndrome came several health complications. The little girl has undergone four open heart operations in her lifetime because of a congenital heart defect. She has struggled with sleep apnea and hip problems along with communication issues.

“She doesn’t say a lot of complete sentences,” says Judkins. “But you can understand what she’s saying. I think her speech is pretty good, but she could use some work on it.”

Judkins has had the support of her mom and step-dad with whom she lived the first several years.

“I’ve kept Lynlee many days in life, and spent a lot of time with her,” says step-grandfather Harvey Felts. “She has a whole family of people who adore her. She doesn’t have any brothers or sisters, but she has aunts and honorary aunts, and people who care a lot about her.”

Lynlee also has touched the hearts of her peers at school. They elected her Class Favorite and Attendant her freshman year.

“I couldn’t believe it,” Shana Judkins said. “My sister-in-law was a teacher at the time, called and said, ‘Are you sitting down?’ Oh, gosh! Is this bad? And then she told me she was elected attendant.”

Lynlee’s life is filled with school, church, and numerous trips to the lake.

“We have fun [on] the boat,” Lynlee says.

“She likes to ride her bicycle,” her mom adds. “She likes to play bowling on the Wii, and of course, she likes to chat with her friends. I think her goal in life is to get as many contacts as she can in her phone or on her iPad. Right now that’s the big thing, getting all these numbers.”

Lynlee is a good reader and tech savvy but also mischievous.

“She’s very sneaky,” says Shana. In fact, Judkins says if she turns her head during a meal, sometimes Lynlee will quickly grab a biscuit or other favorite food off mom’s plate.

“She’s real funny,” mom says, laughing. “She’s bull-headed too.”

After graduation, mom says Lynlee will likely attend the Independence program at Tennessee Tech. But for now, the teenager is ready to shine in the “3.21Run4DS” on October 6. Race day registration begins at 6:30. Early packet pickup will be October 4^th, 6-7 p.m. at DeKalb West. For more information or to register, visit www.321Run4DS.org.

Money raised from past races has helped Down syndrome and special needs students throughout Middle Tennessee.

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