Beautiful & Crisp Fall Day!

Beautiful & Crisp Fall Day!, a photo by Tom C. Frundle on Flickr.

Rock Springs Road here in Smyrna

Poinsettias

The local middle school is running a fund raiser for a trip to Washington. If you want to get into the holiday mood nothing helps as much as a poinsettias

Eighth-graders at Smyrna Middle are selling poinsettias in order to raise funds for a class trip to Washington, D.C. Standard sizes include a six and one-half-inch pot with one plant and five or more blooms ($10) and an eight-inch pot with three plants and 12 or more blooms ($15). Pots will be wrapped in red, green or gold foil and shipped in a plastic sleeve that protects the poinsettia and provides easy transportation. The sale continues until $14. Checks should be made out to Smyrna Middle School. Plants will arrive between late November and mid-December. For more information, contact Torian Hodges-Finch at hodgesfincht@rcschools.net.

1100 jobs to be filled in Smyrna

Looks like there is going to be another mass call out for job applicants for the new Nissan expansion.

The Tennessee Department of Labor and Workforce Development and Yates Services LLC will host a job fair Wednesday, Nov. 2, to help Nissan fill more than 1,100 positions at its Smyrna vehicle-production facility.

Good luck. Just in the last few days the gov announced that unemployment was up slightly in our county.

Fate Sanders Sunset

Fate Sanders Sunset, a photo by John Cothron on Flickr.

This was my first stop for sunset shots on Percy Priest Saturday evening

PPSunrise-4127

PPSunrise-4127, a photo by fisher.me on Flickr.

From my very first sunrise shoot.

Small Town U.S.A.

Small Town U.S.A., a photo by Tom C. Frundle on Flickr.

Drug take back for Smyrna

If you have old medicine and wish to dispose of it there is a scheduled drop off run by the local police departments that is there to help you.

"Drug Take Back" events are set for Saturday in Smyrna and La Vergne where local police and federal authorities will be collecting unused and expired prescription drugs for proper disposal.

The events are scheduled for 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at La Vergne City Hall on Murfreesboro Road and the North Rutherford YMCA off Sam Ridley Parkway in Smyrna, according to the Community Anti-Drug Coalition of Rutherford County.

Local Theatre

Oracle Productions is putting on a story of murder and hayhem for our local town and you're invited.

The scares don't stop at Halloween, thanks to playwright Scott Crain and Oracle Productions — whose sinister original tale The Ripper puts a steampunk spin on the grisliest serial-killer saga of all. Runs Nov. 5-6 and 11-13 at the Springhouse Worship and Arts Center in Smyrna. Tickets are $10 and available through the website: oracleproductions.org 14119 Old Nashville Highway, Smyrna, 364-5199

Followup to jewelry store robbery

The robbery that I posted about Wednesday of last week has taken an unusual turn. The clerk during the robbery fired a shotgun at the vehicle as it fled with the suspected criminal...but there possible could have been uninvolved vehicles struck.

From the SPD.

On October 19, 2011 the Smyrna Police Department responded to an armed robbery at American Jewelry on Sam Ridley Parkway. During the course of the investigation, officers on scene discovered that a vehicle driven by an uninvolved individual received damage during the incident. Detectives from the Smyrna Police Department are conducting an investigation to determine if this vehicle may have been struck by fragmentation or shot pellets fired by the robbery victim. Once the investigation is complete, Smyrna Detectives will consult with the District Attorney's Office to determine if charges will be filed.

The DNJ has more details.

Charges could be filed against an American Jewelry store clerk who fired a shotgun at a fleeing robbery suspect here Oct. 19 if police determine shotgun pellets or bullet fragments struck a vehicle occupied by a mother and her young daughter.

A Smyrna Police incident report reads that Smyrna resident Kelly Renee Bearden and her daughter, who attends Rock Springs Elementary School, were in the area of American Jewelry the night the clerk — whose name has not been released by police — fired his shotgun at a robber who was fleeing the store.
......
“Once the investigation is complete, Smyrna Detectives will consult with the District Attorney's Office to determine if charges will be filed,” Gibson wrote in a Wednesday news release.

The use of a firearm has many legal ramifications to it and this is one of them. As a gun enthusiast I understand the danger of knowing your target AND what is behind it. Bullets do not care whom they strike, so in a high stress situation you need to be extra careful.

Event Reminder - Saturday

Dog of the Week: Axle

Axle is a beautiful boy that was trained in the Nashville Prison system; he is gentle with people and other animals. Great companion.

Sex Male
Altered Yes
Primary Breed American Pit Bull Terrier
Coat Length Short
Grooming Needs Low
Shedding Amount Moderate
General Color Tan
General Age Young
General Size Potential Large
Ear Type Erect

Personality and Behavior
Activity Level Highly Active
Exercise Needs Moderate
Indoor/Outdoor Indoor Only
Requires a Yard Yes
Requires Home with Fence Any Type
Energy Level Moderate
Housetrained Yes
Reaction to New People Friendly
Likes to Vocalize Some
Obedience Training Has Basic Training
Personality & Behavior Qualities Leash trained, Crate trained, Good in a car, Obedient, Playful, Independent/ aloof, Affectionate, Eager to please, Intelligent, Gentle

Compatibility Information
Good with Kids Yes
Good with Adults All
Good with Cats Yes
Good with Dogs Yes

http://www.petfinder.com/petdetail/21168229

On Stage

The Lamplighter's Theatre has for your viewing enjoyment the following.

The off-Broadway hit, The Boys Next Door, is the second offering of Lamplighter’s Theatre Company’s “A Place to Belong” season. This very funny yet very touching play focuses on the lives of four mentally-challenged men who live in a communal residence under the watchful eye of a sincere, but increasingly despairing, social worker. The play is marked by the compassion and understanding with which it peers into the half-lit world of its handicapped protagonists, compelling BackStage magazine to call it “…one of the most unusual…and one of the most rewarding plays in town.”

This poignant, at times humorous look at the lives of four mentally-challenged men will have you chuckling one moment, while reaching for your tissues the next. Lamplighter’s Theatre Company’s production of The Boys Next Door runs October 21,22, 23, 28, 29 & 30. Friday and Saturday performances are at 7:30 pm; Sunday performances are at 4:30 pm.

Please Note: We are rating The Boys Next Door as a PG. This play deals with a few mature issues, and while it usually addresses these issues in a light and innocently humorous vein, some parents may find this inappropriate, especially for younger children. Children under the age of 4 years will not be admitted. Additionally, there are two short scenes in which mild coarse language is used. We believe that this play has significant value and that our audience will find it to be a totally enriching experience; however, since most of our shows are G rated we feel obligated to make you aware of occasions where this may not be the case.

Sam Davis Home Smyrna Tennessee

Sam Davis Home Smyrna Tennessee, a photo by Woodstock Rifles on Flickr.

Sam Davis (1842–1863) is called the Boy Hero of the Confederacy. He was born in Smyrna, Tennessee. He served in various combat roles in the Confederate army in 1861 through 1863 during the American Civil War. As a Confederate courier, he was captured on November 20, 1863, and upon suspicion of espionage was executed by the Union Army after a captivity of only seven days.

Slave Toe Prints Sam Davis Home

Slave Toe Prints Sam Davis Home, a photo by Woodstock Rifles on Flickr.

Slaves made the bricks for the Davis home. Here's a brick showing the toe prints of a slave.

Lamplighter’s Theatre open audition

Our local theatre group is having open auditions this coming Saturday and Monday. If interested drop them an email for more information and give it a try.

Auditions This Saturday and Monday!

Lamplighter’s Theatre Company is pleased to announce auditions for Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol.

Auditions will be on October 22 from 2:00-4:00 P.M. and October 24 from 7:00-9:00 P.M.

Appointments are not necessary. Simply come during the posted hours.

Production dates are December 9-11 and 16-18

There are roles available for men, women, and children of all ages. NOTE: the role of Ebenezer Scrooge has been pre cast. All other roles are available.

Rehearsals will start November 6th and will generally be on Sunday, Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday. (There will of course be no rehearsal on Thanksgiving.)

Auditions will consist of readings from the script. Prepared monologues are not required; however, since some people do not do well with cold readings, you may also present a prepared monologue.

This year’s production will be presented in the classical Dickens era style. The show is being directed by Ronnie Meek. If you are unable to make these dates but would like to audition please send an email to ronmeek@gmail.com.

Good luck to all.

Sister city program

The last trip for the Smyrna sister city program was cancelled due to the horrendous earthquake that happened earlier this year. After a small hiatus they're back on track for a trip next year and are planning some fund raising activities I thought you should know about.

But as the country is recovering, talks have resumed about having a group of students head from Smyrna to Zama next summer and a fundraiser has been scheduled for the students.
...............
steak dinner fundraiser for the trip has been set for 5 to 8 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 12 at Smyrna First United Methodist Church, 301 Sam Davis Road. Tickets, which are $10, can be purchased at Town Hall, 315 S. Lowry St., or Gil’s Ace Hardware, 415 Nissan Drive.

The group will also have a booth at Halloween in the Park from 3 to 8 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 29 at Sharp Springs Natural Area Park.

Steak Dinner! Now that's a real fundraiser.

Walden Farm: Sheep

Walden Farm: Sheep, a photo by SeeMidTN.com (aka Brent) on Flickr.

Walden Farm: Sheep
Walden Farm is a fall agritourism farm just outside of Smyrna in Rutherford County. They have all the things you'd expect from such a place: a corn maze, hay rides, and pumpkins as far as the eye can see.

Walden Farm: Pumpkins and more pumpkins

Walden Farm: Pumpkins and more pumpkins, a photo by SeeMidTN.com (aka Brent) on Flickr.

Walden Farm is a fall agritourism farm just outside of Smyrna in Rutherford County. They have all the things you'd expect from such a place: a corn maze, hay rides, and pumpkins as far as the eye can see.

I'd say this is a bit of an optical illusion in one sense. There are multiple piles of pumpkins here. The smallest pumpkins are in the closest pile, at a price of $2 each. They get larger until you get to the furthest pile, where they a $10 each. They get even larger where there's a small $15 pile in the top left. The largest of the large are in the back under the shed where they are individually priced.

Walden Farm: Ornamental Gourds & Pumpkins

Walden Farm: Ornamental Gourds & Pumpkins, a photo by SeeMidTN.com (aka Brent) on Flickr.

3 for $1.00

Walden Farm is a fall agritourism farm just outside of Smyrna in Rutherford County. They have all the things you'd expect from such a place: a corn maze, hay rides, and pumpkins as far as the eye can see.

Helping the local police

The local police is asking for your help to local a suspect in a local robbery.

Click images to enlarge

WE NEED YOUR HELP LOCATING A SUSPECT

Today, October 19, 2011 around 5:00 pm, a black male entered American Jewelry on Sam Ridley Parkway in Smyrna and requested the clerk repair his watch. The clerk serviced the watch and returned it to the suspect who then asked to look at some bracelets. After the clerk removed several trays from the jewelry case, the suspect produced a chrome, semi-automatic handgun and demanded the clerk place the jewelry in a black nylon bag. The suspect then bound the clerk's hands and forced him to lay down in the office. The suspect then exited the store and left in a dark colored, late model two door vehicle, possibly a Toyota Celica or similar styled vehicle.




The suspect is described as a black male, approximately 5'8" - 5'10" tall and weighing 160 - 170 pounds. He had goatee style facial hair and appeared to be in his mid-late 30's. He was wearing a dark colored stocking cap with a bill and also wore a black leather jacket. His pants were dark denim and he was wearing a black t-shirt with a multi-color design on the chest. He left the store with stolen cash, a Christian Bernard watch, multiple pairs of diamond stud earrings and multiple bracelets including a large diamond tennis bracelet.



The suspect vehicle is a late model, dark colored, two door car, possible a Toyota Celica. The clerk was able to free his hands and retrieve a shotgun and shoot the suspect's vehicle before the suspect escaped. The vehicle should have damage from a shotgun blast to the right passenger side of the vehicle. The suspect also entered the store wearing a very distinctive and expensive watch. The watch brand is Hublot and has an approximate value of $20,000.


Anyone with information about the suspect or this crime is requested to contact the Smyrna Police Department at (615) 459-6644.

That is one expensive watch.

Sheep'ish tale from old Smyrna

The last few historical articles I have posted were about the worst of human nature...so let's wet our taste buds with a funny tale from Smyrna and a sheared sheep...no kink involved.

The first article is from the New York Tribune from June 25th 1883. You need to read the story to appreciate this one.


The "Fo' de Lawd's sake" is a bit much, but the tale has a lot to offer those who need a good laugh.

The next article is from the Dodge City Times (Dodge Kansas) dated August 30, 1883. This is pretty much a repeat of the first one. I'm surprised that such a story would get so far afield.


This last one goes into much detail, and avoids the 'colorful' language of the plow boys. This is from the Anderson Intelligencer dated Sept 21 1883.




This sounds like one of those family stories that start with "remember that time Uncle John sheared his sheep and..." and the family laughs over dinner. I know my family has some wild stories we bring up every once in a while for a good laugh.

Smyrna..Where men and men...and sheep wear clothing.

Event reminder

Do not forget that this week there is the costume ball for kids Friday at the Rosenwald park.

Johns-King Home

Johns-King Home, a photo by Tom C. Frundle on Flickr.

The image on Flickr was accompanied by this description.

This residence is also acknowledged as the Johns-King Property is in Smyrna, TN and not far from Old Jefferson. It was recently Identified by the Murfreesboro Post as one of the top 10 endangered historic internet sites in Rutherford County.

It was constructed in 1805 as a log residence, by the Weakley household soon after receiving a land grant for the location. Then in 1840, Thomas and Unity Smith Johns bought the property and created numerous improvements.

The creating was used as a Confederate hospital and headquarters in the course of the Battle of Stones River. In 1863, farmers Benjamin and Mary King purchased the home soon after their prior property in LaVergne was destroyed by Union troops and their descendants occupied the residence for a lot of years.

Open house at the fire station

Kids love big shiny things and firetrucks is right at the top of their list. Why not sneak a little education in while you let them have fun looking at and interacting with the gear at the local fire station.

Smyrna Fire Department Hosts Open House
Fire Prevention Week Is Coming!
Protect Your Family From Fire!
Sunday October 16, 2011, 1p.m. – 5p.m.
Station 1, 401 West Enon Springs Road

This is fire prevention week and the Smyrna Fire Department has a message for you.

What’s the best way to protect your family from fire? Be ahead of the game, of course. With more than 360,000 home fires reported in the United States in 2009, according to the nonprofit National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), your best defense is a good offense. That’s why Smyrna Fire Department is teaming up with NFPA during the October 9-15, 2011, to let our community know: “It’s Fire Prevention Week. Protect Your Family From Fire!” This year’s campaign focuses on preventing the leading causes of home fires -- cooking, heating and electrical equipment, as well as candles and smoking materials. Additionally, it urges people to protect their homes and families with life-saving technology and planning.

I hope you and your kids have fun at their open house.

Double Hatchet Murder II

A big thanks to Jerome Azbell for introducing me to a new newspaper archive so I can end this story in a proper manner.

Last week I told you of the bloody story of William Cook and the hatchet murder of his wife and niece. The story from what I had been able to find ended on a cliffhanger with his arrest. The ending is told in newspaper articles from around the country.

The first think I found was that many of the initial stories from last week were old. As newspaper had need to fill small spaces in the columns, they pulled interesting and shocking stories from other sources to fill their need.

The next article is from the Youngstown Vindicator - Aug 26, 1913. It is pretty much just another filler, but pre-dates the September articles of last week. I guess even in Ohio a murder like this was shocking from a distance.


The next article was from the Spartanburg Herald-journal Aug 30 1913 from Spartanburg South Carolina. This tells that he was brought to Nashville due to threats of Mob Violence. Since he was arrested in Nashville according to some articles, he might have been brought to Smyrna, then moved back when the people got upset...or was initially arrested in Smyrna, and newspapers said Nashville because Smyrna was small. Either way the idea of mob violence in Smyrna was interesting.

Also note that the hatchet murder had become a clubbing. The Hickory Bludgeon with blood still on it had been found and is part of the evidence...but no more hatchet.



The story skips a little as a lot of newspaper that followed it such as the Atlanta Constitution are behind pay firewalls, so the story jumps. We find in this article from The Daily Republican - Nov 26, 1913 published in Cape Girardeau Missouri (price $.05) that he has not just been convicted, but that he is seeking to get the order for electrocution overturned. The article says that the order for his death is to be carried out in less then one month. Swift justice you might say...but wait.



I went to the state of Tennessee website and viewed the list of executed individuals in Tennessee and found that Cook was not there...but the information listed might explain why.

Until 1913, all individuals convicted of a capital offense were hanged.� There are no official records of the number or names of those executed.� From 1913 to 1915, there was no capital punishment in Tennessee.� C. Rye was Governor during the first execution by electrocution.� From 1916 until 1960, 125 persons were executed by electrocution in Tennessee

As Cook was convicted in 1913 I am confused by the article that mentioned electrocution as the state website says that period was ALL convicted individuals were hanged. Then for a 3 year period starting just as his first conviction happened executions stopped. In 1916 they restarted with electrocutions being the method used. I'm not sure why this discrepancy exists, but the story continues.

I found an article by Donald F. Paine that explained how he could be ordered executed this way.

Before 1913 the state hung ’em high. For example, that was the method of execution exacted upon Catlett Tipton and Pleas Wynn for the 1896 Sevier County Whitecaps murders of William and Laura Whaley (see my August 2001 column). But on Sept. 27, 1913, Gov. Ben Hooper signed what became Chapter 36 of the Public Acts. It mandated construction of a Nashville Penitentiary death chamber with “an electrical apparatus … sufficient for the infliction of punishment of death.” I have seen a photograph of that original electric chair.

The Governor had just order in the month before his conviction the construction of “an electrical apparatus" to induce death. It likely was the 3 year pause that allowed him to escape such a death.

I figured that justice would be swift, but since he did not show on the list of individuals executed the next article likely explains why. From St Petersburg Florida we find that while still convicted of the murder of his wife, he is about to face another jury for his niece...in January 1920.



Seventh time!!!! Well either he had a great attorney, or the case was very weak. At least the article says that he was convicted of his wife's death, but once again I wonder if he served his time and left the state, or was shived in the prison yard.

trying to follow a story from almost a hundred years ago is a bit frustrating.

Raise the tariffs!

Smyrna used to be the site of a Lane Cedar company mill for the surrounding area. Cedar was an important natural resource, so much so that local efforts to protect the markets that use cedar occurred. In the book "Tariff schedules: Hearings before the Committee on ways and means, House of representatives" 1913, a copy of a petition was entered into the records for others to read and a like one was from Smyrna. Here is the small petition and the reason for it.

Murfreesboro, Tenn., January 7, 1913. Hon. W. C. Houston, Washington, D. C.

Dear Sib: Referring to Schedule N, Paragraph 472, pencils, of the present tariff:

We object strongly to any reduction in the present tariff on pencils. A number of our people manufacture elate for pencil factories and any reduction in the tariff on pencils would make the price of the manufactured stock so low that some of our poeple would no doubt have to go out of business or cut the price of our labor to equal the pauper labor of Europe. The farmers own the cedar wood that is left in the Southern States, and a reduction in the tariff on pencils would mean a tremendous loss to these men.

Red cedar formerly found only in the Southern States of this country is now shipped in large quantities and much cheaper from the German East African possessions to Germany, where the authorities have publicly recommended to the people not to use any other cedar. The lower the tariff on pencils here the more finished pencils will be imported made of the African wood, thereby cutting down the farmers' income and lowering the wages of the laborers.

Our people depend for their living upon protection of the finished article made in this country as against the low-priced wood used in Germany, Italy, France, and Japan in the manufacture of pencils. Yours, very truly,

Jno. M. Buttes, President, First National Bant. (And 6 others.)

(A similar petition dated Smyrna, Tenn., Jan. 14, 1913, with 12 signers was also received and filed.)

I'm not sure whom the 12 signatures are, but in 1913 the population of Smyrna was below 500. A loss of business would have really hurt the town.

Monday Morning iPhoneography

Monday Morning iPhoneography, a photo by Tom C. Frundle on Flickr.

taken from Sam Ridley Parkway

No shirt. No Buddha, No service...

No shirt. No Buddha, No service..., a photo by Tom C. Frundle on Flickr.

Our own Omni Hut in Smyrna

Seeking victims of crime in Smyrna

This is an odd one. Instead of seeking a suspected criminal, the Smyrna Police Department is seeking possible victims. The police press release mentioned there could be other victims, and are asking you to step forward if you feel you have been wronged.

A pastor from the 1st Free Methodist Church in Smyrna was caught via video camera attempting to burglarize the home of a church member.

The burglary victim noticed on several occasions that medications were missing from the home. The burglaries occurred while the victim was away from the home so the victim set up a video camera in hopes of catching the suspect.

On July 4, 2011 the video camera did capture the victim's pastor, Rickey Alan Reed (55), at the rear door of the home attempting to manipulate the lock mechanisms and gain entry to the home. After viewing the video, the victim contacted Smyrna Police on July 15, 2011 and filed a police report.

An arrest warrant was issued for Reed and he was notified of the warrant. Reed did report to the Smyrna Police Department on September 18, 2011 and was processed on the warrant. Reed was charged with Aggravated Burglary and he did make bond on his charges.


During the course of this investigation, Smyrna Police have determined that Reed may have burglarized the homes of other church members but many of these members are hesitant to report these burglaries to police. We want to encourage anyone suspecting Reed of burglarizing their home to contact Detective Kevin Krieb of the Smyrna Police Department. Det. Krieb can be contacted at (615) 459-9742, ext. 5148.

We do have a copy of the victim's surveillance video.

When a person in authority, whether it is religious, political, or familial does something rotten, the impact is much greater then a betrayal by a random stranger.

In our town

Each month the Smyrna Police Department releases basic crime figures to let you know what is going on here. Here are the numbers for September and the accumulated numbers for the year. Sadly Smyrna suffered its first murder last month in a domestic situation. A piece of good news is the capture of a suspect in two robberies in Smyrna and more elsewhere.

Local Robbery Suspect arrested

A suspect has been arrested for two robberies that occurred in Smyrna in the last few months. The first was in July at the Hot Spot Tanning and the second was at Hollywood tanning in August. Both times near the very end of the month. The suspect is a local resident and admitted to robberies in Mt. Juliet, Nashville and Murfreesboro...he's been a busy little bee.

The Smyrna Police Department released the following statement today.

Around 3:30 pm on October 6, 2011, Smyrna Police Detectives located and arrested Dustin A. English (30) for 2 counts of aggravated robbery. English was the suspect in robberies from two Smyrna businesses, Hot Spot Tanning and Hollywood Tan. English was apprehended at his home on Kilgrow Court in Smyrna and was brought to the Smyrna Police Department for processing. English confessed to committing the two robberies in Smyrna as well as several other robberies that occurred in Murfreesboro, Nashville and Mount Juliet. English was unable to post the $30,000 bond and was transported to the Rutherford County Sheriff's Office. His court date is set for October 13, 2011.

More details on WSMV and NewsChannel5.

NOTE:
On another NewsChannel5 article it turns out his crimes were drug related.

Police said English admitted to detectives that he robbed the store because he needed money to support a drug habit.

Halloween in the park

An Early warning for those interested. The Parks and Recreation department is having their annual 'Halloween in the park' and you and your children are invited. The event is scheduled for October 29th at the Sharps Springs Natural Area park.

Double Hatchet murder in Smyrna

Sounds shocking but Smyrna had a bloody past that few know about. For instance the Cook murders is one good example.

I was in the Library of Congress' collection of newspaper and came across this small tidbit of information.


This was a small filler in the the Hayti Herald from Hayti, Mo on September 14th 1913. I was surprised as you would think that tales of murder would become part of a towns past and passed on. I then realized that so many people that live here really just live here because it is a bedroom community. This disconnect from our past is a great failing.

With this small bit of murder and mayhem I dug further and found a more detailed account in the oddest of places...Kentucky. The Crittenden press-record from Marion Kentucky on Sep 18, 1913 went into more detail on the situation.





Wow. The story changes some from hatchet to include the usage of clubs. An odd case like this during this time period does not have the luxury of CSI magic to find the killer. I wondered if this story would be open ended.

In a humorous instance of being early to press, or lacking the latest information I found that the Crittenden press-record was trumped by the Farmers Champion from Elgin Oklahoma on the same exact date. They had just a small bit of information, but it was more up to date. An Arrest!



Cook was the murderer!?!?!?!

Then my search came up cold and I never found out if he was convicted or this was a false arrest. Stay tuned for part 2 where the assistance of a local librarian gives me the answers that I sought.

Wilderness Walk Saturday

This Saturday the Parks and Recreation is hosting a wilderness walk for those interested.

The free, family-friendly event is from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the park, located at 1000 Espy Drive.

There will be a fish release by Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency, a guided nature walk, hayrides, wildlife demonstrations and crafts for children.

Lunch will be provided and the area is stroller friendly, so all ages are welcome to enjoy the great outdoors.

It is getting cooler so enjoy the outdoors while you can.

Costume Ball for the kids

This October 21st the Parks and Recreation department is putting on a Costume ball for local children. There is also a talent contest and lots of activities for the children. Make plans and a good costume and have a great time.

Yummy chili today

Today the town has its focus on Front street with Depot Days, but a lot is happening elswhere. Take a moment and go meet a fine group of people at the Senior Center.

Depot Days Chili Dinner

Smyrna Senior Citizen Center
When - Saturday October 1st
Where - Smyrna Senior Citizens Center
100 Raikes Street
Time - 4:00PM - 7:00PM
Price - Adult's $6 Children under 10 - $3
Proceeds to benefit our Senior Center!!!
Dine In or Carry Out
Chili, hot dogs, homemade desserts, tea, lemonade, or coffee
Call 459-4839 or stop by to purchase your ticket, Thank you for your support!!!