They chose me!!!

Just was voted on and now will be serving one year on the new Smyrna Charity Assistance Board. I think it will be a good experience and if it works out for me and my bad knees I will try to 're-up' next year when my initial time is up.

Tonight they make the appointments

For those who took the time to fill out an application to be on a town board, commission or committee, the appointments are happening tonight. The meeting starts at 6pm and the appointments are near the end of the agenda, but the agenda is not crowded. I hope those who applied get picked and I wish you all luck and well wishes.

I'm rather excited as I have applied for the new Smyrna Charity Assistance Board. I think it will do lot of good and will allow people to feel that they have a vested interest in the workings of so many different non-profit groups.

I'm watching it tonight on Channel 3, it will stream the meeting live and is one of the great services of the town.

Zama Japan

Smyrna's sister city is Zama Japan. Every couple of years they have an exchange program with students from that city and they are getting ready for next years exchange. The main item they need are host families. Right now the Town of Smyrna is accepting applications (pdf) for local host families. If you feel that this could work for you think about it and then fill the form out.

The Sister City Concept
Smyrna Sister City Program is part of a national not-for-profit volunteer movement initiated more than 40 years ago by President Dwight D. Eisenhower’s people-to-people concept. The goal of people-to-people was to further international understanding and goodwill between the people of the U.S. and the rest of the world. Sister cities programs enable citizens from throughout the world to learn more about each other through educational, social, cultural and business exchanges.

This could be a great educational experience for your family so don't pass by as opportunity knocks.

local food bank fundraiser

A local LaVergne food bank run by the LaVergne First United Methodist Church will be hosting a fundraiser in Smyrna tomorrow and you and your hunger are invited. The money earned goes solely to the food bank so it stays in our area. Have a good meal and a bit of the money goes to help others have a good meal. 

Teddy Bear Tea

The Sam Davis home has a lovely program planned for young ladies and their Teddy Bears with a special Tea Party. Please call for reservations as seating is limited and have a fun time.

Sam Davis Home, Teddy Bear Tea 

March 16th 2013 

            Dress in your Sunday best and bring along your favorite teddy bear (or other stuffed animal or doll) as we invite you to attend the Teddy Bear Tea at the Sam Davis Home.  This tea party is a wonderful way for young ladies ages 4-10 to spend a few hours with their favorite bear and special lady, whether she is her mother, grandmother, aunt, older sister, or another.  Enjoy delectable treats and savory teas, create a fun craft and cozy up with your teddy bear as you travel on an adventure in Story Time!  Tour the inside of the Sam Davis Home with Fannie Davis as she shows you where the young ladies of the house once played and sipped tea.
Teddy Bear Teas will be held on March 9^th and 16^th from 10:00 am to 12:00 pm and 2:00 pm to 4:00 pm.  With four tea times to choose from, this is an event that should not be missed!  Reservations are required with the admission price of $10 per guest, excluding teddy bears.  Reservations can be made by phone at (615) 459-2341 or by email at admin@samdavishome.org.  Please make reservations early as this popular event fills quickly.

Mobile Health Unit for March

The Mobile Health Unit Collaborative is a reflection of MTMC's Mission which calls us to "improve the health of individuals and communities" and to have "special attention to the poor and the vulnerable." This Collaborative effort helps achieve access to health care, helping overcome barriers and obstacles. MTMC, as a faith-based institution, is motivated by the principles of Human Dignity and the Common Good. These same principles are shared by our collaborative partners: The Guidance Center, Primary Care & Hope Clinic, Saint Thomas Corporate and Community Medicine, and Saint Thomas Emergency Services and Event Medicine. The Mobile Health Unit is in service four days per week. We are available to serve during these hours of operation, and we are happy to answer questions at any time.


Primary Care & Hope Clinic:

Thursday, March 21st:  Wherry Housing, 8 - 12
Thursday, March 28th:  Smyrna Middle, 8 - 12



Special Events
*Free Health Screening at Habitat For Humanity, Thursday, March 14th, 8 - 12 (ages 18 and older)
*Black Fox Family Literacy Night, March 21st, 5 - 7:  free blood pressure/glucose checks
*Special Kids Race, Saturday, March 23rd

History presentation this Saturday

A email letter from local Representative Mike Sparks gives details on a free historical presentation you might want to attend. While the exploits of Sam Davis is relatively well known in the area, the actions of other locals are sometimes overlooked and overshadowed.

Saturday, March 9, 2013, 9-11AM: FREE HISTORY LESSON!!! 

Quick - who can tell about DeWitt Smith Jobe?  Dee Smith?  General Thomas Benton Smith?  Didn't think so. 

DeWitt Smith Jobe was a member of the famous Coleman Scouts.  DeWitt was captured, tortured (eyes gouged out, tongue cut out & dragged behind a horse) is one of the most amazing stories of the Civil War which happened here in Rutherford County.
The story doesn't end with DeWitt's horrific death by Union troops as his cousin, Dee Smith, also a Confederate soldier it is said he killed upwards of fifty Union soldiers as retribution for the death of his beloved cousin. 

Feel free to come listen Rutherford County's official historian Greg Tucker, former Smyrna High history teacher William McPeak, Sons of Confederate Veterans James Patterson, John Moore (a distant relative of DeWitt) and others will speak. 

The event is open to everyone at NO CHARGE! 

Many thanks to David Tucker, Al Anderson, Jonathon Fagan, Lori Barnard, Ashley North, Giles Creek Baptist and others for their help.

Not all lists are good

Not all lists are good and uplifting. This is one of those occasions.

There is part of the blogger platform that allows you to see statistics to help you make your site better. Sometimes the statistics and information is simply sad. This is one of those days.

One of the informative items is a list of keywords that people searched for in google or some other search engine, that brought them to my website. The image below shows the terms used to find 'This is Smyrna' for the last month.

Of the 10 search terms or phrases, half of them are about the drug Molly. Molly is MDMA (3,4-methylenedioxy-N-methamphetamine) in a crystallized form.

Back in January 2012 I did a single post that mentioned Molly and a Smyrna Police drug Bust. One single time. This is disheartening on so many levels. TN-Zero is a local task force set up to deal with the problems of 'Bath Salt' style drugs, and drugs in general. If this shows the depth of the problem, then they really have a lot of work ahead of them.

Tax Help this Saturday

The Smyrna Library has on hand people to help you with your taxes.

Free VITA Income Tax Assistance 

Saturdays: Feb. 16, 23; March 9, 23
9:30 a.m. - 2:30 p.m. 

Please arrive early, as registration is done the day of the assistance. 

Please bring the following:

• All Forms W-2 and 1099
• Information for other income
• Information for all deductions/credits
• Copy of previous year's return
• Proof of account for direct deposit or refund (voided check)
• Social Security cards or Individual Taxpayer ID notices/cards for self, spouse, and dependents (both spouses must be present if filing jointly)
• Proof of ID for self and spouse
• Total paid to day care provider(s) and tax ID number(s)
• Birth dates for self, spouse and dependents; proof of foreign status if ITIN 

Volunteers will not prepare Sch. C with losses, complicated Sch. D, Form SS-5, Form 8606, Form 8615, or Form SS-8.

Look into volunteering

Yesterday was the official last day to apply for a position on one of the many boards, commissions, and committees...but it isn't to late to apply. On the February Town Council workshop Mayor Tony Dover stated that while they had some applications already, the need for more was there and they would take them as they got them.

I try to point out activities that happen around town and places that do good like the food bank or the clothing shop at Wherry Housing. There are a lot of things to do in Smyrna. I'm physically unable to do a lot due to my knees, but try to help others find out about them through this blog.

People talk about how the people have no say in government...but then never go to a town council meeting unless they're upset over some slight. The same people talk about how bad the economy is or how they wish they could help the ones the economy has shafted.

I understand that life is busy. You have jobs, your kids have activities that take up many nights each week, and at the end of the week you wonder where the time flew. That's life...but at the end of the day you have food, a job, several good sets of cloths, and no need to look at free health services from a van. Others are not that lucky.

Take a moment and look into the archives of the blog and see where you could make a difference. Do you feel you could volunteer for a sports league, work in the food bank outside of the holidays, go to the Smyrna Police Citizens Academy and become a volunteer for their alumni group.

Charity and change begins at home. I served 3 years on the Storm Water Advisory board and you might not believe it, but it was fun. I was even vice-chair for one year. This year I have put my name in for a board and hopefully will get it, and if I do I will try to make my community a better place.

At the end of the day isn't that what we all want?

Smyrna's Annual Easter Egg Hunt

Make plans for the Smyrna's Annual Easter Egg Hunt. 

I will post a reminder for this event the day before.

Help support our local food bank.

Who you gonna call?

Lists part 2

The phone book from last Friday is interesting for the fact that there is only one government telephone number listed...sort of.

The First Smyrna mayor was Joseph Engles, an Attorney. He first took office in 1869 when Smyrna was first Incorporated. He was the mayor until the town was dis-incorporated in 1881.

A little from an online timeline will help.

1881 Smyrna incorporation is revoked by the state of Tennessee.
1905 First telephone switchboard is installed in Smyrna.
1908 Bank of Smyrna (later People's Bank of Smyrna) is founded.
1915 Smyrna gets electrical power and is reincorporated with Dr. J.W. Engles, son of Joseph Engles, as mayor.
1916 John Hager, Sr. converts a 1913 Studebaker into the first Smyrna fire engine.
1924 Smyrna assesses property tax to support a fire department.
1930 Census counts 531 Smyrnæans.
1937 Smyrna builds a municipal water system with fire hydrants.

Note that the first phones were in 1905, so maybe Peyton Clothing co had that number 1 number since the beginning, or was it a system where you had to call 'Sarah' like in the Andy Griffith Show to connect you to Mount Pilot.

In the 1930 phone book the Mayor at the time was Dr. J.W. Engles, the son of the first Mayor. He was listed and you could get him by dialing 57.

There is two listings that oddly enough have the same number. The Smyrna Auto co. and the Fire Department. Who you gonna call? Both I guess.

This is just a section from the town website for the Smyrna Fire Department.

At this time Ben Culbertson, the grandfather of current Fire Chief William Culbertson, was appointed the first official fire chief and placed in charge. The engine was housed at the Smyrna Auto Company, located at 108 North Lowry Street. Mr. Doss O'neal, who is pictured with the 1924 Model-T, worked at this site and kept the apparatus in good condition. In 1931, the Town Commissioners again voted to replace the 1924 Model -T. A 1931 Chevrolet 1 1/2 ton truck was selected. This apparatus carried a large water tank and had a force pump mounted on the engine itself. 

By 1937 the Town was equipped with water hydrants and the 1931 Chevrolet was reworked for a smaller tank but was equipped with fifteen hundred foot of hose. No major fire losses were reported after the implementation of city water. A humorous side note from this era, was that if a fire occurred at night, the responding fire fighters would have to break a small glass pane at the Smyrna Auto Company  to gain entry, due to being locked at nights.

 I guess "break glass in case of fire" really meant something back then.

One of the Photos of the first Smyrna firetruck shows many of the original volunteer firemen. This is the vehicle they had when the 1930 phone book was printed. Awesome isn't it.

From right to left on the rear was Allen Gooch, Sam Edmondson and Alden Maddux. Seated as the driver is Doss O'Neal, Chief Ben Culbertson is seated in the passenger seat. The first doctor in Smyrna, Dr. J.M. Shipp is to the right of the apparatus in the white shirt, facing the camera. Photo taken at delivery of apparatus by train in 1924.

Of course this image of their shiny new truck was in 1924, but most are listed in the 1930 phone book.

Allen Gooch (A number for Mrs. Allen Gooch is 15)
80  Sam Edmondson
60  Aldon Maddux
Doss O'Neal (No O'Neals in any community in the phone book)
6  Chief Ben Culbertson.

Back then in a community of only 531 people I guess everyone knew the mayor to a point, as either a friend, their doctor, or mayor. Talk about the smallness of a community.

Today and tomorrow

Only today and tomorrow is left for you to decide if you want to volunteer for any of the Smyrna community boards, commissions and committees.

Council member Henry Cole posted the following for those who want to know what positions are opening. Now understand that for the most part the people in these positions that decide to stay will get the vote to stay in...but there is always some turnover and you could be just what they're looking for.

The Smyrna Town Council will appoint citizens to the following Boards and Committees at the March Council Meeting. To Apply Go to The Town Website Smyrnatn.org
a. Appointment of one (1) member to the Packaged Liquor Board to serve unexpired term ending 2015.
b. Appointment of two (2) members to the Board of Zoning Appeals to serve three (3) year terms ending 2016.
c. Appointment of one (1) member to the Citizens for Sister City Relations to serve unexpired term ending 2014 and two (2) members to serve three (3) year terms ending 2016.
d. Appointment of four (4) members to the Parks Advisory Board to serve two (2) year terms ending 2015.
e. Appointment of three (3) members to the Planning Commission to serve two (2) year terms ending 2015.
f. Appointment of two (2) members to Project Assistance to serve three (3) year terms ending 2016.
g. Appointment of two (2) members to the Board of Adjustment & Appeals to serve unexpired terms ending 2015.
h. Appointment of two (2) members to the Beer Board to serve four year terms ending 2017.
i. Appointment of four (4) members to the Storm Water Advisory Committee to serve two (2) year terms ending 2015.
j. Mayor to appoint two (2) members to the Historic Zoning Commission to serve five (5) year terms ending 2018.
k. Appointment of two (2) members to the Industrial Development Board to serve six (6) year terms ending 2019.
l. Appointment of three (3) members to the Arts Commission to serve two (2) year terms ending 2015.
m. Appointment of one (1) member to the Smyrna Charity Assistance Board to serve one (1) year terms ending 2014, a Council Representative to serve one (1) year term ending 2014, two (2) members to serve two (2) year terms ending 2015, and two (2) members to serve three (3) year terms ending 2016.
n. Mayor to appoint one (1) member to the Smyrna Housing Authority to serve a five (5) year term ending 2018.

If interested you will need to print off the following form (PDF LINK) and get it in by the end of business on March 5th...tomorrow.

Who is number 1?

This is the first of a series of posts I am going to call 'lists'. In society one of the main lists that we deal with is the list of those with phones. In 1930 the phone directory of Rutherford County was all in one and here it is for those that might be interested in a glimpse into the past for Smyrna.

One thing that stands out are the numbers...or lack of in a way. To call these numbers you had just a short number for most. On the cover to contact Kerr's Drug Store in Murfreesboro you had to only call 179. 

Now you might not of heard of Kerr's Drug (Picture), but they have a nice history in Murfreesboro. The Albert Gore center in Murfreesboro has this to say about that store and its history.

Martha and Jesse Messick owned Messick Family Drugstore on the Murfreesboro Square. Prior to the Messicks’ ownership, the drug store was operated as Kerr Drugstore, named for Colonel B.B. Kerr, the owner who filed for bankruptcy in 1930. In 1962, Jesse Messick returned to work at Kerr Drugstore as a pharmacist after having previously worked there as a soda jerk in his teenage years. When the owner died, Messick bought the business and named it Messick Family Drugstore. In 1984, the Messicks opened Messick Home Care, a medical equipment supply company, in the back of the store. Jesse Messick died in 1988 on the same day ground was broke for the Messick Home Care building. In 1997, Martha Messick and her family were forced to sell Messick Family Drugstore and Messick Home Care due to rising costs and hardships associated with managed healthcare and insurance companies. The drugstore was sold to the Revco Drugs chain and the home care business was sold to Housecall Medical Resource.

I will admit that I am one of those sad history loving people that could spend hours every day looking into the past of our community.  Here is the inside cover of the 1930 phone book for our county.

Instead of putting the whole thing here I just will show the Smyrna section. It should be noted that if you look at the smaller communities listed on the cover that LaVergne is not there. In the Smyrna listings a couple are annotated as being LaVergne. I guess to small to have their own listings.

click to enlarge

click to enlarge

click to enlarge

Now on page two of the Smyrna section you might note that Davis Garage on Dixie Highway, telephone number 47-J, is bold. I guess they spent a hint more to get looked at for business sake. Now finding pictures of some of these old stores is a might difficult, but the work of one writer has helped me here. Leslie N. Sharp wrote this nice book titled "Tennessee's Dixie Highway" and it covers the section from Springfield to Chattanooga. On the cover is the Davis Garage in all of its glory in 1922.

Tennessee's Dixie Highway

Davis Garage was located where Dixie Highway, now called locally "Old Nashville Highway" and Hazelwood intersected. I'm not sure what corner, maybe one of our readers knows which one.

Her book is for purchase at Amazon.com so if you want to learn a little about this important road please go and purchase it.

Now the big question as I asked "Who is number 1"? It seems it is Peyton Clothing Company with the telephone number of 1. A number not hard to remember. I'm not sure if that means they bought the first phone in Smyrna, or they were where the local exchange was, but the honor of being number one in the 1930 phone book goes to Peyton Clothing Co.

The sad part for me is that I cannot find out anything on Peyton Clothing co. in the regular places I look. Do you or someone you know have anything you'd like to share about it? Comment away.

I will be using this phone book for one or two more posts in the next week or so...then I will pull out another list to play with.

Who is number 1?

Who's number 1 in Smyrna? Find out tomorrow in a new multi-part series I call 'lists'.

Teddy Bear Tea

The Sam Davis home has a lovely program planned for young ladies and their Teddy Bears with a special Tea Party. Please call for reservations as seating is limited and have a fun time.

Sam Davis Home, Teddy Bear Tea 

March 9th 2013 

Dress in your Sunday best and bring along your favorite teddy bear (or other stuffed animal or doll) as we invite you to attend the Teddy Bear Tea at the Sam Davis Home.  This tea party is a wonderful way for young ladies ages 4-10 to spend a few hours with their favorite bear and special lady, whether she is her mother, grandmother, aunt, older sister, or another.  Enjoy delectable treats and savory teas, create a fun craft and cozy up with your teddy bear as you travel on an adventure in Story Time!  Tour the inside of the Sam Davis Home with Fannie Davis as she shows you where the young ladies of the house once played and sipped tea.
       Teddy Bear Teas will be held on March 9th and 16th from 10:00 am to 12:00 pm and 2:00 pm to 4:00 pm.  With four tea times to choose from, this is an event that should not be missed!  Reservations are required with the admission price of $10 per guest, excluding teddy bears.  Reservations can be made by phone at (615) 459-2341 or by email at admin@samdavishome.org.  Please make reservations early as this popular event fills quickly.

Women’s History Month tour

In honor of Women's history month the Sam Davis home has a special tour set up for those interested.

Women's History Month March 1-31, 2013 

Lessons for Ladies

In honor of Women’s History Month, the Sam Davis Home will offer a special month-long tour in March titled Lessons for Ladies.  This tour will feature the domestic arts, etiquette, and education of women during the 19th century. Also highlighted on the tour will be the individual stories of prominent women who lived during this time as well as those who were important to young Sam Davis’ life. Many women did not have the opportunity to tell their story during the 19th century in the United States. Now, their stories, everyday activities, and special occasion celebrations can be heard at the Sam Davis Home.  Reservations made at least 24 hours in advance will include a set tea time.  Please contact the Sam Davis Home at (615) 459-2341 or visit www.samdavishome.org for more information.

Watermelons on the road

Right on the east side edge of Smyrna is where the 'Old Jefferson' and 'Jefferson Springs were. I've written about them in the past, but thought this story might tickle you. Sam Ridley Blvd is named after one of the Ridley twins, and Knox told of a trip out to the Springs.

Knox shared a “personal story” of one particularly memorable journey from hometown Smyrna out to Jefferson Springs. 

“We had Daddy’s Model T Ford, but due to me and my twin Sam being so short, I had to lay on the floor to work the pedals as Sam drove the car,” Knox recalled. 

“One trip, as we were cruising out along Jefferson Pike on the edge of Smyrna, we came up behind a slow moving flat-bed truck loaded with watermelons,” Knox noted. “Sam told me to get up out of the floor of the car, and go out over the car’s hood as he edged up closer to the truck.” 

“Well, I generally did what Sam suggested, so I crawled out over the car hood, got up in the truck and ‘borrowed’ a watermelon, which we thoroughly enjoyed later that hot summer day we spent out at Jefferson Springs,” Knox concluded. 

Both settlements, Old Jefferson and Jefferson Springs, have faded in Stones River’s  mist of passing time…

The article has more details of the community if you're interested.

They scored what!

Admit it. A lot of people worry about the part of the restaurant they do not get to see. 'How clean is it', 'what are they doing to my food', and 'should I worry' are just some of the questions that goes through your mind. Maybe you worry about the condition of the school cafeteria that feeds your children on a daily basis. You should.

Well fear not. The Tennessee Health Authorities places online the scores of their inspections AND what they found at each inspection for all sites and for all to see.

One example is the new Carpe Cafe on Front Street. Just opened their main page and it looks like this.

Carpe Cafe 

Facility Location:
115 Front
Smyrna 

Facility Inspection History:
Click on an inspection link below to see additional details 

# of Critical Violations on Last Inspection:   0
# of Non-Critical Violations on Last Inspection:   0
Inspection Type  Inspection Date  Violations  Score
Other Inspection  4-Feb-2013  0 critical  100

Looks good. Perfect score. In fact if you click on the word "other inspection" you pull up the inspection report.

Carpe Cafe - Inspection Report 

Inspection Information:
Inspection type: Other
Inspection date: February 04, 2013
Number of critical violations: 0
Number of non-critical violations:   0
Score: 100 

Definition of critical and non critical violations 

Violations:
No violations were found during the inspection 

Comments:
None

 Looks like a clean place to have a good meal. So if you're worried about the condition of your best eatery, take a moment and check out their history. It is as easy as clicking a few buttons and it will either put your mind at ease, or scare the heck out of you.