[00:00:00] Speaker A: Foreign.
[00:00:18] Speaker A: Well, good morning, everybody, and welcome to the December version of Chamber Chat. Ginger Wood. Can you believe it's December?
[00:00:24] Speaker B: It's the holiday edition. I wore my shirt and everything to bring joy.
[00:00:28] Speaker A: Well, I wore my Christmas gray.
[00:00:32] Speaker B: Thank God it's radio, I'll tell you.
[00:00:36] Speaker A: Dtc.
[00:00:37] Speaker C: Yeah.
[00:00:37] Speaker B: We love you.
[00:00:38] Speaker A: Oh, my goodness. Well, you know, being the holiday season, we've got so many things happening. I'm just like, I'm so hyper this morning.
[00:00:45] Speaker B: It's great.
[00:00:46] Speaker A: I'm gonna have to breathe.
[00:00:47] Speaker B: It's a, it's a good month to know everything that can be done because you have something every day.
[00:00:53] Speaker A: Well, that's for sure. And you're gonna find out this morning. We've got lots of great guests. That's. I know you'd rather hear them than you. Us two.
[00:01:00] Speaker B: Us too.
[00:01:00] Speaker A: But anyway, we're about to bring them on. But first, I want to invite everybody. The chamber is going to be having a ribbon cutting on. Let's see, what is that? Friday, December 12th at 1pm at Gammon, Druick and Watson. They're the sweetest bunch of people.
[00:01:14] Speaker B: Yeah, they, they bought Janie and Associates and they're still serving DeKalb county doing a great job.
This is the time of year where people start thinking about, well, you know, what, what, what our taxes are going to look like.
[00:01:28] Speaker A: And let's not bring up the bad stuff.
[00:01:30] Speaker B: Well, you know, it's the end of the year. It is. It's not a bad time to be celebrating CPAs and people who do it better than us.
[00:01:39] Speaker D: Yeah.
[00:01:39] Speaker A: Thank goodness.
But they're full service tax accounting and business consulting firm and just super nice people.
[00:01:45] Speaker B: Yeah, they're super great.
[00:01:46] Speaker A: Phone number 615-758-0481. But hope to see you at the ribbon cutting.
[00:01:51] Speaker C: Yeah.
[00:01:52] Speaker A: You know Jen. Yes, I know. Your. One of your favorite things of the year is a chamber prayer breakfast.
[00:01:58] Speaker B: The favorite thing.
[00:01:59] Speaker A: Yeah.
[00:01:59] Speaker B: I was thinking this year the prayer breakfast may be the favorite thing.
[00:02:04] Speaker A: Yeah. You get you pretty excited about that. But we're so grateful to Smithville First Baptist Church and brother Chad Ramsay's here And thank you for hosting the chamber prayer breakfast.
And you've got. It's a good thing. You've got great cooks there. The men's group makes our breakfast.
[00:02:19] Speaker B: We're so well oiled machine.
[00:02:21] Speaker E: Yeah.
[00:02:21] Speaker F: Really good at this.
Really good at flipping jackets.
[00:02:25] Speaker B: Yeah, they're awesome.
[00:02:28] Speaker A: They're professionals.
So we're so grateful for you doing that. And it's made my life so much easier. You're the Answer to my prayer.
[00:02:35] Speaker B: Fantastic space. People. People know where it is and a.
[00:02:39] Speaker F: Good message and just, just a good service. It was just wonderful to be part of the community and to do that every year.
[00:02:44] Speaker E: So.
[00:02:45] Speaker G: Yeah.
[00:02:45] Speaker B: Yeah.
[00:02:45] Speaker A: Well, we. I want to say a big thank you to our sponsors, our prayer breakfast sponsors, Center Hill Realty, Escape to Center Hill, DTC Communications, Mallory Finstler, State Farm Insurance, Middle Tennessee Natural G Hometown Help the Playland Pals, well Worth Bank, Wilson bank and Trust and Caney Fork Electric.
[00:03:07] Speaker B: Yeah, it was a.
Everybody knows this is a great program and we all support it, you know, in wonderful ways. We had great prayers from our Leadership DeKalb class and our DeKalb County Senior Fair Queen, Tawana Roberts. She is so, so graceful. So, so lovely.
[00:03:27] Speaker A: Beautiful inside and out. Yeah.
[00:03:29] Speaker B: And she also, I mean, I loved every word that Captain Larry Cripps said, but there were a lot of them. And she got to about 10 after 8 and she's like, oh, gosh, I still had to do a prayer. And she got out there without skipping a beat. She had a prayer prepared and she said about eight words instead. And so big shout out to everyone who participated in the fabulous singers and musicians and Susan Hinton.
[00:04:02] Speaker A: Oh, my goodness.
[00:04:03] Speaker B: Yep. Definitely a treasure here in Amber Spurgeon. She was awesome. Yeah.
[00:04:10] Speaker A: Oh, and our young affairs to the fair when she was there.
[00:04:13] Speaker B: Yes.
[00:04:14] Speaker A: Kelly ig.
[00:04:15] Speaker E: Yes.
[00:04:15] Speaker B: She led the pledge, which was great.
[00:04:17] Speaker A: Yeah.
[00:04:18] Speaker B: So we want to say again, thank you to everyone who participated.
We appreciate everyone who came out and we hope that it just continues to grow and grow because this is an opportunity for us, us to enter the, Enter the holidays, enter the season in, in prayerful reflection of who we are as a community. And it's just a great, just a great event.
[00:04:43] Speaker A: Well, Brother Chad, I'm sure you've got some upcoming news now, right?
[00:04:46] Speaker F: Happens in December.
[00:04:51] Speaker B: What do pastors have to talk about?
[00:04:54] Speaker F: There's a ton of stuff as we go. The, the parades coming up. This week we also got at our church, we have on the 14th, we're doing our Christmas musical. We're calling it the Christmas Musical Ish. So come to find out what the ish is. The ish on the 14th that evening. And then our church is also doing a Kindle Lot service. So if your church doesn't have a Kindle Lot service and wants to come on Christmas Eve for a candlelight service, we'd love to invite you for that.
As always, just get plugged into any local churches. I know the Methodist has their Nativity walk. Is it a Walkthrough.
[00:05:29] Speaker B: Walkthrough.
[00:05:30] Speaker A: Yeah, we're gonna be talking about that.
[00:05:31] Speaker F: So that's. That's going on. And other churches have other musicals.
It's just a great season for all that. There's a lot of stuff going. All the churches around town, and I.
[00:05:40] Speaker B: Just want to say, sometimes people feel like it's a competition, and I just want to say what a wonderful feeling there is downtown Smithville. Of all the churches that are downtown, we. We serve one God. We want to be in fellowship with everyone. And it's just a really.
There's no competition.
[00:06:00] Speaker F: The only competition is who can get to the restaurant the fastest.
[00:06:04] Speaker B: Exactly. That's right.
And I think we do sit in the back row so that they can kind of gauge, you know, like that fourth quarter exit like that. Can I slip out so I can be the first one?
[00:06:19] Speaker F: The answer is no.
[00:06:20] Speaker A: No.
[00:06:20] Speaker B: We notice those of us in the choir. We are watching.
[00:06:25] Speaker A: Thanks, Brother Ted.
[00:06:26] Speaker F: You all have a merry Christmas.
[00:06:28] Speaker A: Thank you, too.
Well, you know, Jen. Yes. Our new CAO of Ascension, St. Thomas DeKalb Hospital, is here.
[00:06:35] Speaker B: It's way up here on my.
On my thank you list.
[00:06:38] Speaker E: Yeah.
[00:06:39] Speaker H: I love.
[00:06:39] Speaker A: I love Isaac Heller. Let me just put it that way. He's sitting right here, but I really do. He is right here. He's here. I want to say, you know, he came from the deep, deep, deep, deep South. Like, south of south part of Florida.
[00:06:51] Speaker B: Right.
[00:06:51] Speaker A: And. And then we give him this weather. I'm wondering how he's coping.
[00:06:55] Speaker I: You know, this is kind of how.
[00:06:56] Speaker G: The winter is in.
[00:06:58] Speaker I: In Florida. Just. You get that cold, that wet cold.
[00:07:01] Speaker B: Just a couple months ago.
[00:07:02] Speaker I: Yeah.
[00:07:03] Speaker B: Yeah.
[00:07:03] Speaker A: My Joe floored, so I'm not. I'm not ready for the winter here, that's for sure.
[00:07:08] Speaker B: Hopefully we'll bounce back and have some warmer weather. I do want to say huge thank you. I know we'll talk about leadership DeKalb. But, Isaac, thank you so much for hosting a big part of our leadership CAB session this last month. And, hey, we can just throw it.
[00:07:23] Speaker A: In there if you want to talk about it.
[00:07:25] Speaker B: Lining up our great speakers and the hospital, the class really got an opportunity to see the inner workings of the hospital in a way that I think really helps us to appreciate and want a hospital in our community. And it was great. I really appreciate it.
[00:07:43] Speaker I: Yeah.
Thank you for coming and letting us host and sharing kind of some of the things that we do there with the community. I like to kind of pull the veil back and see and let folks see the things that you don't often think about. You think of doctors and nurses, but you don't think about, you know, cardiac rehab and actually what happens on the.
[00:08:03] Speaker B: Nursing unit, how the patient actually gets to where they need to go during certain times, and some big investments that are happening. So that was really great to be kind of on the inside scoop of some of the great things that are happening for our hospital.
[00:08:18] Speaker A: Yeah, tell us about some of those.
[00:08:20] Speaker I: Yeah, so one of the things, you know, the reason I came on today is to talk about our bone density machine. So starting Monday, we'll have our first bone density patient scheduled at DeKalb.
[00:08:33] Speaker B: Oh, I've done that.
[00:08:34] Speaker I: Yeah. Bone density scans, as you might know, are used in the diagnosis of osteoporosis. So, you know, there's a. There's a wide variety of people who can be at risk for that. And you don't really know, you know, until you break a bone.
[00:08:49] Speaker B: So, yeah, a lot of times we think older women, but it can hit anybody.
[00:08:54] Speaker A: Did you look at me when you said that?
[00:08:55] Speaker B: Yeah, older women, frail bones, not a frail bone in her body.
[00:09:03] Speaker I: One thing I was surprised to see is actually steroid use can cause osteoporosis. So you see some younger men who use steroids have osteoporosis. And so, again, a wide variety of people can have that.
[00:09:18] Speaker B: And now they're going to be able to do that here.
[00:09:20] Speaker I: Yeah, now we can diagnose that here.
And, yeah, we're excited to do that. It's also often paired with mammograms, so women who need their mammogram, or men actually get mammograms as well. And when they come in, there's an opportunity to go ahead and schedule your bone density scan at the same time.
[00:09:40] Speaker B: That's great.
[00:09:41] Speaker I: Yeah, that's right. And then other than that, we've got a lot of.
[00:09:47] Speaker I: Capital going into the hospital. We just. We're about to upgrade an ophthalmology microscope that's used in cataract surgery.
And then we're also replacing some air handling units. And a lot of money and capital projects right now are happening at DeKalb Hospital. So we're excited to do that and make sure we can continue to operate at our full capacity and take care of as many patients as need. Taken care of.
[00:10:15] Speaker A: Well, I need to bring my husband on sometime because when he was in the hospital, he couldn't quit bragging on. I mean, I got jealous. I'm like, what, you're used to me.
[00:10:23] Speaker B: Taking care of you?
[00:10:24] Speaker A: I mean, why was this such A big difference. But.
Oh, my goodness. But if you even say St. Thomas DeKalb Hospital, he always does his spiel. He was just so well taken care of, and we're very grateful for that. But you made me look really bad.
[00:10:39] Speaker I: We love to hear that.
[00:10:40] Speaker A: We love to hear me looking bad.
[00:10:41] Speaker B: Yeah.
[00:10:42] Speaker A: Thank you.
Well, thank you for all the continued improvement and thank you for hosting the leadership we have. And I think you're in that group this year.
[00:10:50] Speaker E: Yes.
[00:10:50] Speaker B: He's part of the class.
He did double duty.
[00:10:53] Speaker A: Oh, yeah.
[00:10:54] Speaker B: Because he. He was in the class, but he was also helping to make. Make it happen. That's right.
[00:10:59] Speaker I: We also enjoyed the prayer breakfast. That was great.
[00:11:01] Speaker G: And then.
[00:11:02] Speaker I: And that was a ton of fun. You did a great job facilitating. So really appreciate that and love being.
[00:11:08] Speaker G: A part of it. Yeah.
[00:11:09] Speaker A: And, you know, speaking of that, I forgot to thank my. My helpers, you know, like. Like Randy Caldwell and. And Jen Sherwood, you know, and let's.
[00:11:19] Speaker B: Say Steve Cantrell was volunteer to take the money.
[00:11:22] Speaker E: Yeah.
[00:11:22] Speaker A: Okay.
[00:11:22] Speaker B: I mean, you know, you need. You need a gal with a cash box. I'm your gal.
[00:11:26] Speaker A: Well, I showed up that night and. And some of the First Baptist group was there, and Steve Cantrell was already there setting up tables, and I was like, oh, and let's see, who am I forgetting? Oh, Shara Ed Cog.
[00:11:36] Speaker E: Yep.
[00:11:37] Speaker A: And I'm just so grateful because, you know, I can. Y' all know, y' all can tell by looking at me I cannot do.
[00:11:43] Speaker D: All this to myself.
[00:11:44] Speaker A: I'm like a rooster with her head cut off.
[00:11:46] Speaker B: Well, and. And that's what makes it a community event, is not just who comes, but who participates in making it happen.
[00:11:53] Speaker D: Yes.
[00:11:54] Speaker A: But anyway, thank you for being here this morning. We'll see you back in February, I hope.
[00:11:58] Speaker I: Sounds great.
[00:11:58] Speaker A: Okay, Sounds great. We lay out in January, don't we?
[00:12:01] Speaker B: No, we're. We're recovering recovery.
[00:12:04] Speaker A: What we got now, Jen?
[00:12:06] Speaker B: Oh, Santa will be visiting this Smithville City hall this Friday, December 4, from 3 to 5pm so the kids, you pick them up from school and just bring them on over to Smithville City Hall. So stop by and take a picture. Let them know what's on your wish list. There's still time, you know.
[00:12:24] Speaker A: G And I found out.
[00:12:25] Speaker B: Yes.
[00:12:26] Speaker A: When you're almost 70, it's kind of going in reverse. I need to get rid of stuff instead of getting more stuff.
[00:12:30] Speaker B: I hear you.
[00:12:30] Speaker A: I'm like, santa, could you come take some of my stuff away?
[00:12:34] Speaker B: Do you know anybody that needs this stuff? Because I'm Ready to unload.
[00:12:38] Speaker A: But it's so much fun. And also, there's. There's more opportunities for Santa.
[00:12:42] Speaker B: More. There's pancakes with Santa. That's on Saturday from 10 to 11.
And.
[00:12:50] Speaker B: It'S a. All you can eat for $10.
Santa, Mrs. Claus, Elsa, Anna and Ola. Those sound like the frozen crowd.
[00:13:00] Speaker A: Be fun.
[00:13:01] Speaker B: Are all going to be there for pictures with Santa and that gang. There's free reindeer food.
[00:13:08] Speaker A: Oh, you'll need that for Christmas Eve.
Yeah, yeah. They get hungry when they're, you know, traveling around.
[00:13:19] Speaker A: We won't tell anybody that.
[00:13:20] Speaker B: So we're. So that'll be another fun event. That's Saturday, December 6th. Is that the right date?
[00:13:27] Speaker B: So I said Friday the 1st 4th. That's what I did wrong. That's tomorrow. Thursday the 4th is when Santa's gonna be, I don't know, City Hall.
[00:13:35] Speaker A: Yeah, I guess so.
Double check that. Yeah, call Josh Miller.
[00:13:40] Speaker B: Make sure you call City Hall. But I'm pretty sure it's Thursday after school.
All right.
[00:13:44] Speaker A: Oh, talk about fun things that are happening.
[00:13:46] Speaker B: Oh, my goodness. Look at these two fabulous towns.
[00:13:48] Speaker A: Well, Randy Caldwell and Don Dollar here. And you know when. When WCT contacted me and said, who can we get from DeKalb county that would be on TV and dance together? I went, oh, or two. Yes.
[00:14:02] Speaker B: Yes.
[00:14:02] Speaker A: They said, yes. I can't believe it. And y' all are awesome. How is the dance? Tell us.
[00:14:07] Speaker E: First, I got to ask you a question. Did you. Did you schedule the hospital on purposely in case we break a leg?
[00:14:14] Speaker E: Absolutely.
[00:14:17] Speaker E: You drew me into this. Now you're scheduling.
[00:14:20] Speaker A: Well, all I know is the day that Edgar Evan State park brought a snake in and I had promised to hold it. Yeah. I had a nurse schedule that day.
[00:14:27] Speaker B: Remember?
[00:14:27] Speaker A: I had her standing behind me. Yeah. So, yeah, I think I'm a thinker subconsciously.
[00:14:34] Speaker B: So WCTE is doing an event. It's in February.
[00:14:38] Speaker A: It is on the 12th.
[00:14:41] Speaker B: Okay.
[00:14:41] Speaker J: Here's the wonderful flyer.
[00:14:43] Speaker B: Yeah.
[00:14:43] Speaker J: With our QR code. You'll see these town fabulous.
[00:14:47] Speaker B: All the reasons why we're fabulous mugs there.
[00:14:50] Speaker J: Thank you for nominating us. I don't know if that's a thing.
[00:14:53] Speaker A: No, she's thanking you.
[00:14:55] Speaker E: I'm still debating.
[00:14:58] Speaker J: No, we been practicing like crazy.
WCTE and PBS are such an amazing, like, organization for bringing children's programming, community sponsorship, just a lot of things that we all grew up with.
[00:15:11] Speaker G: Think about it.
[00:15:12] Speaker J: Sesame street, all the things that, like, build communities and build people and like, to carry that on is a really important feature. And I don't know how dancing is going to help, but only for fundraising, hopefully. Or just.
[00:15:27] Speaker J: Comic relief, maybe.
[00:15:28] Speaker B: So it's a competition.
[00:15:30] Speaker E: It is. There's 12. There's 12 other participants. We are one of two couples representing DeKalb County. Okay, so it is a fundraiser.
[00:15:38] Speaker B: Yeah.
[00:15:39] Speaker E: And so there are awards for who raises the most.
[00:15:44] Speaker B: So you could be a really bad dancer and still win.
[00:15:46] Speaker E: Absolutely.
[00:15:47] Speaker A: Oh, it's like karaoke. You don't want anybody good. You want the worst.
[00:15:51] Speaker B: Yeah. You want it to be entertaining. Entertaining.
[00:15:55] Speaker E: Yeah.
[00:15:56] Speaker J: Fan favorite. Okay, the fan favorite is $1 per vote. You don't have to be in person. You can just even go on the QR code. Oh, it's $1.
[00:16:06] Speaker B: Yeah.
[00:16:06] Speaker J: As many times as you want to. Best costume.
[00:16:10] Speaker B: Huh.
[00:16:11] Speaker J: And then I think there's someone putting.
[00:16:13] Speaker B: Some effort into this. Look at this.
[00:16:17] Speaker J: Which, of course, we're out here to do.
[00:16:19] Speaker G: Yes.
[00:16:19] Speaker E: And as far as the fundraising part, the QR Code, which you can donate on our name with the QR Code, that's open until the day before the event, and then for the favorite dancer, will open up that morning. So you don't have to see us dance in order to vote for us to be your favorite performers.
[00:16:36] Speaker J: It is televised live.
[00:16:37] Speaker E: Yes. Yes.
[00:16:39] Speaker B: No pressure. No pressure.
Please vote before you see you live. Huh?
[00:16:45] Speaker E: So we're thinking. I mean, we've actually had a blast, I think, doing it. I was a little apprehensive at first, but we've got a great choreographer instructor that's helping us through it, and we're excited about the song that we're doing, too, and the routine that we've got planned as well. Once we kind of. Once I get it down.
[00:17:03] Speaker A: So what is that date again? That way it'll be televised February 12th. February 12th. Oh, I can't wait.
[00:17:09] Speaker J: And it will go out to the other previous station, like, oh, this is so much fun.
[00:17:13] Speaker B: And we're so glad that you are representing Smithville and DeKalb county also as.
[00:17:18] Speaker J: Two, like, former leadership people.
[00:17:20] Speaker B: Yes.
[00:17:20] Speaker J: About how, like, this all ties into, like, building our community and, like, how we just support each other and build this whole future forward for our life.
[00:17:28] Speaker A: Well, this is. Takes a lot of bravery to do, so I'm so grateful to both of y'. All.
[00:17:33] Speaker B: And it does sound like fun, too.
[00:17:35] Speaker A: And it's fun and it's exercise. Oh, oh, fun exercise.
[00:17:38] Speaker B: That's right.
[00:17:40] Speaker A: We got a kangaroo coming in here. Here in a second. Okay.
[00:17:46] Speaker A: So, Jen. Okay, so I, you know, I had some state people and some of our regional people contacted me I'm like, what? What have I done now? You know? And they're like, have you seen social media? And I'm like, they said, check this out. They sent me this link. It was the Tennessee Vacations, Tennessee Holiday Magic. And I went, oh, that's probably sweet.
And so I clicked on. It said, Christmas lights in Tennessee.
[00:18:10] Speaker H: Yes.
[00:18:11] Speaker A: And it said Dollywood, Smoky Mountain Christmas.
[00:18:14] Speaker B: Oh, I love it.
[00:18:15] Speaker A: Hollywood Lights at Cheekwood, Nashville. It said Candyland Christmas in Johnson City.
[00:18:21] Speaker B: I think that's the number. The number one number of lights. Is that right?
[00:18:26] Speaker A: And they said Holly Holiday of Wonders at Memphis Botanical Garden.
[00:18:30] Speaker B: Yes.
[00:18:31] Speaker A: They said the Ruby Falls Enchanted Christmas.
[00:18:34] Speaker B: Oh.
[00:18:35] Speaker A: Smoky Mountain lights at the Knoxville Zoo.
[00:18:38] Speaker B: Yes.
[00:18:39] Speaker A: Let it glow at Discovery park of America in Union City.
[00:18:42] Speaker B: Amazing list.
[00:18:43] Speaker A: Dancing list. I mean, dancing lights of Christmas in Lebanon.
[00:18:47] Speaker F: Wow.
[00:18:48] Speaker A: The Asian Light Festival at the Chattanooga Zoo. And the Smithville Christmas on the Square.
[00:18:55] Speaker A: We are so awesome.
[00:18:58] Speaker B: I know it.
[00:18:59] Speaker A: State didn't even know how it happened. They came and I met with them.
We were at City hall this week. And they're like, how did you do that? I went, it was nothing.
[00:19:07] Speaker B: I don't know.
[00:19:07] Speaker E: I don't know.
[00:19:08] Speaker A: It was magic.
[00:19:09] Speaker B: It is magic.
[00:19:11] Speaker A: Anyway, I was so excited to be like, in that list. Next to that list. Even next to one of those in that list.
[00:19:18] Speaker B: Right.
[00:19:18] Speaker A: And so it was like Smithville right before Pigeon Forge.
[00:19:24] Speaker A: So anyway, Randy, no pressure.
[00:19:27] Speaker B: Yeah.
[00:19:27] Speaker A: None of them are probably. Except maybe we got a beat. We got a baby kangaroo coming.
Oh, my goodness. Well, let.
So to talk about our Smithfield Christmas Parade and Christmas on the Square in our live.
[00:19:39] Speaker B: So many fun things.
[00:19:40] Speaker A: All right, so Kathy Hendrickson's here because she's part.
[00:19:43] Speaker B: That's right.
[00:19:44] Speaker A: You're part Jen. I'm part Randy Caldwell's part. And now Nick Linder. We brought him in because kangaroo. The young children and the old children love animals. Oh, my goodness. But we're about to get to that.
[00:19:57] Speaker A: Except snakes. Okay, good.
[00:19:59] Speaker B: All God's creatures.
[00:20:00] Speaker A: So.
[00:20:02] Speaker A: I guess everybody knows the parade, the Smithfield parade is going to start at 4 o' clock on Saturday, December 6th. Yes. And that's going to seamlessly. Right, Randy? Go into Christmas on the Square. Now, normally we had Christmas on square five or 530 or so, but it was having a gap.
So now everybody. I said, look, will y' all do this? They went, sure. Everybody said, sure. Yeah. Let's start at 4:45 when the crowds are there, everybody.
[00:20:29] Speaker D: Yeah.
[00:20:29] Speaker A: We don't want to lose anybody.
[00:20:31] Speaker B: Right.
[00:20:31] Speaker A: So the. The live windows are going to start at 4:45pm so it's going to be so much fun. We've got three teams of judges. They're not going to be going all together like what we've always done.
[00:20:45] Speaker B: So they saw us coming.
[00:20:46] Speaker A: They saw you coming.
[00:20:47] Speaker B: It's good that we've mixed it up.
[00:20:49] Speaker A: We have mixed it up. Three different groups.
[00:20:51] Speaker B: You won't know who the judges are this time. It's all.
[00:20:54] Speaker I: Yeah.
[00:20:55] Speaker A: Summer from Mount Julius.
[00:20:59] Speaker A: I'm not gonna tell but several of them are out of towners.
Mount Juliet.
So anyway. But the, the live windows, I just can't say enough about those. I've never seen such creative activity as what our downtown businesses and offices do. Because it's a very small space to work with.
[00:21:18] Speaker B: Right.
And so, but, and, and most of the time they're having to recruit a crew of people that have. They're stuck like two hours in a window. Like wait, I don't think I committed to this.
[00:21:33] Speaker A: Oh yes.
[00:21:34] Speaker B: No, you stay.
[00:21:35] Speaker A: Yeah. And a lot of them are children for two hours. So they're doing it anyway. We're so excited. And Mayor Miller is going to personally. The city fund, we need to Clarify that. Donate $250 to the first place winner and then it'll go to the charity of the first place winners choice.
[00:21:52] Speaker B: So the downtown business or organization that is doing the live window, who gets first place gets to tell Mayor Miller where that $250 is going to go.
[00:22:02] Speaker A: From his personal account.
[00:22:03] Speaker B: From his personal.
[00:22:04] Speaker A: Yeah, from his personal account. So we just love that.
[00:22:05] Speaker B: Always fun.
[00:22:07] Speaker A: So while we got to start with, you know, something we've not done. Well, you know, years ago we had the live nativity with on the other.
[00:22:15] Speaker E: Side of the square.
[00:22:15] Speaker A: But the Keltenberg folks brought that. But they, they got to where they couldn't do that anymore. And I was so grateful for the years they did it. But this year Randy and Nick is going to make some of this happen.
[00:22:26] Speaker E: We're going to make some magic happen.
[00:22:27] Speaker A: Yeah, we made it happen.
[00:22:29] Speaker B: This might not be your typical five kangaroo.
[00:22:33] Speaker A: This is not our typical nativity.
[00:22:36] Speaker E: We've got an Australian down here.
[00:22:38] Speaker B: That's right.
[00:22:40] Speaker A: We're doing this family bail, aren't we?
[00:22:42] Speaker E: Yeah, absolutely.
[00:22:43] Speaker A: So. So where is this going to be located? Or live animals.
[00:22:47] Speaker E: So if you haven't seen my window at the purple door, I was lucky enough to get a hold of a nativity scene. Blow mold scene. So that's what's in my window. Which I felt was very appropriate this year given everything that's going on. In the world. So I was lucky enough to get in contact with Nick because I had the idea in the forefront of my live window. I would like to see the manger animals in there. So I got a hold of Nick and we, you know, Nick is. Nick can tell you more about what animals, but I'm really excited about. And he, he's basically foregoing something else to do this in his hometown too. So he had, he had an opportunity to do this somewhere else and he decided he wanted to do this.
[00:23:21] Speaker A: Oh, we love your name.
[00:23:24] Speaker E: Thankful that Nick has worked that out that he could.
[00:23:26] Speaker B: So I just needed to describe this cute little kangaroo. So how. How many pounds does the kingdom?
[00:23:33] Speaker C: She is actually 10 months old.
She's a red kangaroo. They're the largest of the kangaroos. So she'll be there then we'll have a baby camel there.
[00:23:42] Speaker B: She has the sweetest little petite hands that almost look like a raccoon hand. And, and little, little skinny. She is looking around and she's got the world's largest ears that she is just checking it all out. She can go 3, 6, 60 with her head, which she is doing right now.
[00:24:02] Speaker A: She's liking to see Bill Conger there. You know, she's really got that. She might be trying to see John.
[00:24:07] Speaker B: Happening on the back end there.
[00:24:09] Speaker C: She's like, has anybody got any food in here?
[00:24:11] Speaker B: She. She does seem to be looking.
[00:24:13] Speaker G: Yeah.
[00:24:14] Speaker A: So, Nick, your business is called party animals, I think is. So.
[00:24:16] Speaker C: Yes. I work with a lady and she owns party Animals. So we do all this together.
[00:24:20] Speaker E: Yeah.
[00:24:20] Speaker C: And then we're actually starting a zoo here hopefully this spring.
[00:24:23] Speaker A: So we're excited about that.
[00:24:25] Speaker B: Yeah.
[00:24:27] Speaker C: Like I said, Randy called me about the Christmas and I was like, yes, I'd love to come do it and support my hometown instead of go somewhere else. So here we are.
[00:24:36] Speaker A: So besides that Christmas kangaroo, what else you gonna be bringing?
[00:24:39] Speaker C: So we've got a baby camel coming.
We've got a baby llama coming. We've got the little mini fuzzy cows, little Scottish Highlanders that everybody loves.
We've got a little baby zebu, which. They're the world's smallest domesticated cow. I mean, they're standing about this tall.
[00:24:56] Speaker E: Oh my gosh.
[00:24:57] Speaker C: And of course willow will be there at the purple door.
And we've got four horn Jacob sheep from the Bible. Oh, we've got some, some other sheep and goats.
[00:25:06] Speaker A: Is that the, you know the.
[00:25:07] Speaker C: They have four horns coming up this way.
[00:25:09] Speaker B: Four horns.
[00:25:10] Speaker A: Oh, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah.
[00:25:12] Speaker B: But ours are crazy.
[00:25:13] Speaker C: Ours are babies. So that you Won't see the big four horns, hopefully.
[00:25:16] Speaker B: Thank goodness. I'm not sure I'd want to see that.
[00:25:18] Speaker A: We did all the cute little cuddly stuff.
[00:25:20] Speaker G: Yeah.
[00:25:21] Speaker E: Yeah.
[00:25:21] Speaker G: It's kind of weird.
[00:25:22] Speaker C: Yeah.
[00:25:23] Speaker A: Well, you know, I think everybody, all ages, gonna love this. I mean, you know.
[00:25:27] Speaker B: I know. Yeah. And we do want to remind everyone to remain calm and be respectful. Don't feed them unless. Unless you're actually providing food.
[00:25:38] Speaker E: Make sure that there's something that happens after that.
[00:25:42] Speaker B: Yeah, yeah.
[00:25:46] Speaker E: Much easier after.
[00:25:46] Speaker B: We want to enjoy it, but respect.
And we. If. If. If this can really work out, which we hope it does, that means that we're showing respect to the animals, too, while we're doing it, because what an exciting opportunity.
[00:26:00] Speaker A: But don't go anywhere, because we got more. A lot more to talk about. Okay, so we'll go then over to the DeKalb courthouse.
[00:26:06] Speaker B: Oh, my gosh. So at the square.
[00:26:08] Speaker A: Yeah.
[00:26:08] Speaker B: There are so many activities. Yeah. We're just gonna do our little.
[00:26:13] Speaker A: Yeah.
[00:26:13] Speaker B: Just make sure that you. That you know where everything is and you get around. Don't just stop the parade and go down one street and think you saw it all.
[00:26:22] Speaker A: It's all over the place.
[00:26:24] Speaker B: So the DeKalb courthouse, all of the wonderful county officials open their doors, have complimentary refreshments and a very festive atmosphere.
[00:26:37] Speaker A: You're going on the west side.
[00:26:39] Speaker B: Okay.
[00:26:39] Speaker D: Yeah.
[00:26:40] Speaker B: Yep, yep.
[00:26:41] Speaker A: And then you'll have all the. They'll all be lined up at a table. Jen. With goodies. All free.
[00:26:47] Speaker D: Yeah.
[00:26:48] Speaker A: All kinds of stuff.
[00:26:49] Speaker B: All kinds of good stuff.
[00:26:50] Speaker A: Now, then you can walk onto the other side of the courthouse and on the same floor. And then the city of Smithfield is providing the photo booth. You know, the four little pictures. Always love that wacky picture. Put on anything that's cutesy. Yeah. Yeah.
[00:27:05] Speaker B: Silly.
[00:27:05] Speaker A: I love that stuff.
[00:27:06] Speaker E: Yep.
[00:27:07] Speaker A: What's next on the list?
[00:27:08] Speaker B: So the Smithville City hall is doing their outdoor Christmas display. And I'm telling you, every year, I think, oh, that's the prettiest. And then the next year, they add something else that's just really, really great.
[00:27:21] Speaker A: Not only that, the inside. I'm pretty sure Chase Collins had something to do with this. I walked in this week, and it just took my breath. It is beautiful when you first walk in.
[00:27:30] Speaker B: Oh.
[00:27:31] Speaker A: And then all the offices are decorated. It is so pretty.
[00:27:33] Speaker E: And Chase did do that.
[00:27:34] Speaker B: Yeah.
[00:27:36] Speaker A: And.
[00:27:37] Speaker B: And I just want to say, just in case you don't get enough sweets at the courthouse, there's also some delicious Christmas donuts.
[00:27:44] Speaker A: The Christmas Donut Christmas donuts.
[00:27:47] Speaker B: I mean, who knew that that was a thing right here in Smithville?
[00:27:50] Speaker A: Oh yeah, it is definitely.
[00:27:51] Speaker D: Donuts are good anytime.
[00:27:52] Speaker B: And then also around, around the square, Refuge Church is doing their hot soup again.
Of course it's free and it's while supplies last.
[00:28:02] Speaker A: So any warm up go the restroom.
[00:28:06] Speaker B: They have music. They'll have music going. It's a very festive environment for them too. And then downtown Main street, of course.
[00:28:14] Speaker D: Back to you.
[00:28:15] Speaker B: Right.
The Grinch Mobile, where is it going to be this year?
[00:28:19] Speaker E: It's going to be right in front of lake for Lake Homes Realty.
[00:28:22] Speaker B: Okay.
[00:28:22] Speaker E: So they've been there in the past. If you haven't seen the Grinch Mobile, it's. It's quite a sight.
[00:28:26] Speaker D: It is.
[00:28:27] Speaker E: It's a pretty cool. Cool vehicle.
[00:28:28] Speaker A: Take a picture with it in the gr.
[00:28:30] Speaker E: Yeah, absolutely. You know, of course there'll be live windows down there as well. You know, we're all sometimes a little bit secretive of what we're doing because.
[00:28:36] Speaker A: This is a. I don't even know.
[00:28:38] Speaker E: We all want to outdo one. Yeah.
So we kind of keep that close to the chest. Except for me this year I've kind of shared it with coming. Coming in, so.
And remember too that the live windows just aren't in there. You'll see some live windows, some other places with the cab floors and other places. So just keep in mind, explore the whole downtown.
[00:28:56] Speaker A: Yes. You got West Walnut, you got West May, you got the calf floor. And if you haven't been there for.
[00:29:02] Speaker B: A while, they're going to be businesses that maybe you didn't realize have been there since. Since last year.
[00:29:07] Speaker E: Yeah. I think some of the realty companies might be doing live windows. So. Yeah. So, you know, explore the square there. Now West Walnut Santa and live music will be at Cheryl Bobby's. And then we'll also have s', mores, you know, we've got some mores, you know, and Chase in the vintage aisle. We're sponsoring that. I think we're actually going to have some of the fire department there to. Man.
[00:29:26] Speaker A: That's right.
[00:29:28] Speaker E: Maybe some fire safety there. Yeah. I've been a little bit nervous about. Usually do that and I always make sure there's somebody there to monitor it there. Safety. Safety first.
[00:29:36] Speaker B: Right.
[00:29:37] Speaker E: We want to continue to do that. So keep that in mind. I know Chase is doing hot chocolate as well there too.
So a lot of things happening on both streets and some of the other surrounding streets as. As well.
[00:29:48] Speaker A: Oh, and then you walk over all the Way around to the library.
[00:29:54] Speaker D: You have to walk down the street to get there. But you get to look at all the beautiful sites as you go.
[00:29:58] Speaker B: Right.
[00:29:58] Speaker D: But we will participate and children will have a chance to visit with Santa. And I found out they're going to be visiting with Mrs. Claus as well. So. And we will start at six o' clock and usually it's six to seven. But you, you were usually there till the last child's finish. Cuz sometimes there's people that, you know, get in a little bit later.
[00:30:14] Speaker B: Yeah.
[00:30:15] Speaker D: And each child they'll receive a candy cane and then I'll get a craft to take home. And so bring your cameras or your cell phones and take those fun family pictures with Santa. Because a lot of times the whole family comes. We get whole groups of family and they will come and take pictures. The kids first and then all the.
[00:30:30] Speaker A: Family gets in the pictures.
[00:30:31] Speaker D: So we have.
[00:30:32] Speaker B: Well, because we all love Santa.
[00:30:34] Speaker A: We do, yes.
[00:30:35] Speaker D: And they use those for their family pictures. So we're glad that they come back every year here. Yeah.
[00:30:40] Speaker B: And while you're over on that side, make sure that you hit Evans. Evans park and the beautiful lighting that.
[00:30:47] Speaker A: The Smithville Electric employees. Oh, every year I send Richie the message. He's like, I know what she's talking about.
And he always says, yes, they do a fabulous job.
[00:30:59] Speaker B: And that's also, that's also a great place for a photo.
[00:31:01] Speaker D: Yes. I've seen a lot of people, they're taking pictures because it's just beautiful.
[00:31:05] Speaker A: Now Jen, if you need a little chillax time though. Yes you can. You got an idea for that?
[00:31:11] Speaker B: I do. So there's lots of flurry of excitement and lots of fun things and we want to invite everyone from Smithville First United Methodist Church to come and take a few moments of reflection. We have again, this is the third year we have even more Nativity sets for, for people to enjoy. So the Nativity sets are on display around our church sanctuary and it's opportunity for people to warm up. Oh, and because it's inside. Inside. But also many of our church members kind of grew out of several people realizing they had a Nativity collection. And then somebody else also had a. We had several that had their own Nativity collections and. And so our church members bring these sets out for display and you can see Nativity from around the world and from all corners of the United States. And it helps to remind us that this is what Jesus brought to us.
[00:32:21] Speaker A: The real reason for the season meaning.
[00:32:23] Speaker B: A meaning of peace, the lessons of love. And we can see this all, all throughout the world through the depiction of nativity. So that is actually going to start right after the parade. So 4:45 and it will go probably until, until people quit wandering in. So I'm gonna say 6 or 6:30. We'll just play that by ear. I think 445 to 645 is what we have.
[00:32:55] Speaker B: Listed. But, but, but if people are there still at 7 o', clock, we, that's no problem.
[00:33:01] Speaker G: Okay.
[00:33:02] Speaker B: We're just super excited to have it again.
And, and it really is just a really neat thing, you know, to see everything from Navajo to someone who picked up stray bullets in country in Africa and hammered them out to make nativity out of spent bullets in a war torn area.
[00:33:25] Speaker A: So turn something negative into something positive.
[00:33:27] Speaker B: It is amazing. And, and that's what Jesus does.
[00:33:30] Speaker A: Yeah.
[00:33:30] Speaker B: So, so it's, it's a really. I hope everyone will come out and enjoy that with us.
[00:33:35] Speaker A: Ah, well, anyway, so Randy, talking about staying open till the last person's there.
[00:33:43] Speaker B: Yes.
[00:33:44] Speaker A: I think there's going to be some opportunities for Christmas shopping that night.
[00:33:47] Speaker G: Absolutely.
[00:33:47] Speaker E: The shops will have some extended hours, so keep an eye out for that. I'm usually there to like you say, till the last person comes in the door. We're open till at 8, but if there's people still around, I'm sure the shops will be open. And keep in mind there's some great gifts that you can get local right here. So keep in mind your local dollars. Stay. Stay here. Not just in downtown, but all throughout DeKalb county too. There's other businesses too, that rely upon your business, thrive and flourish and still provide you an option rather than going to Nashville or online or anything like that. So, so some great opportunities for people to get some really unique gifts from people that are pouring their heart and soul into DeKalb County. Yeah, yeah.
[00:34:29] Speaker B: And if you don't know what all.
[00:34:30] Speaker A: The businesses are, go to visit decabtn.com and I think we've got everything listed there. If there's anything missing, let us know when. We'll get it on there.
[00:34:39] Speaker E: Yeah, yeah. And keep an eye on social media. Everybody's social media. You know, they'll have specials and things like that as well. So keep your eye out for that. We do the best we can with social media, but you know, that's, that's primarily where I think you'll see where we're trying to communicate what we've got going on with our businesses there.
[00:34:54] Speaker B: And, and it's fair To. To say here that it's not just downtown Smithville, although this is Smithville on the square. All. All of those opportunities to. To shop and to support local businesses. There are many businesses through throughout DeKalb county that we really. We really want to support this time of year.
[00:35:19] Speaker A: Beth went. My daughter Beth went to Tres Chic a few days ago and she's like.
[00:35:22] Speaker B: Mom, oh my gosh, it's so cute.
[00:35:24] Speaker A: You've got to see this place. And so anyway, I'm always working all the time.
[00:35:29] Speaker B: It has some great down here.
[00:35:30] Speaker A: Yeah, we're going to talk about that here in a minute.
[00:35:31] Speaker B: Minute.
[00:35:32] Speaker A: Is it. But I was going to ask Randy, is there anything else going on in Smith. Well, wait, before we do that, though, Jen, we got the Christmas carolers. Oh, we got to go quickly. Yeah.
If somebody wants to help.
[00:35:43] Speaker B: Yeah, just have them reach out to me so that I have music for you.
And. And we're just gonna. We're kind of winging it. So if you're. If you're a wing it kind of.
[00:35:52] Speaker A: Gal and you like to sing. Yeah, come on. Come on down. You sing better than I do. Yeah.
[00:35:58] Speaker B: We're gonna figure it out together.
[00:36:00] Speaker D: So.
[00:36:01] Speaker A: So.
[00:36:02] Speaker B: And all the parade, all of that is on DTC3.
And so if you can't come down in person, I know a lot of people love to be. Would love to be there, but it's cold or they can't stand or they. They're feeling under the weather. So the parade will air on DTC channels 3 and 30 and will be available on DTC3TV website.
So we hope everyone tunes in.
[00:36:30] Speaker D: Yes.
[00:36:31] Speaker A: Randy, did we catch everything for Smithfield?
[00:36:33] Speaker E: I think so. Other than, you know, keep in mind, we're still going to continue to shop late local on Fridays. First Friday month, we won't be doing it for December because we got the parade, you know, coming up. So we won't have it there. But just. Yeah, just keep your eye out. We'll be on again in January and, you know, hopefully have some new news for.
[00:36:49] Speaker A: Actually, we skipped January. We do, we do.
[00:36:53] Speaker B: I know.
[00:36:54] Speaker A: Oh, well, we'll have to. Unless you want to host it. We'll let you come.
[00:36:59] Speaker B: Here we go.
[00:37:00] Speaker A: We got volunteers.
Yeah, we get a little lazy. We're like, oh, we're going to.
[00:37:04] Speaker B: We're recovering.
[00:37:05] Speaker D: Recovering.
[00:37:06] Speaker E: I'm going to be too busy practicing my dancing.
[00:37:08] Speaker A: Yeah, that's great.
[00:37:09] Speaker E: I'm going to have time and, you.
[00:37:10] Speaker B: Know, January 1st, it just depends on where it falls. It seems to.
[00:37:15] Speaker A: I'm like, oh, I need, I need a little break.
[00:37:18] Speaker B: You know, in Suzanne's defense, it's not just showing up. I mean she.
[00:37:22] Speaker A: Somebody wrs all these.
[00:37:24] Speaker B: Of lining folks up.
[00:37:26] Speaker A: So.
[00:37:28] Speaker A: Yeah, it's magic. It's magic, right? This just happens by magic.
[00:37:31] Speaker E: Well, since you're not going to have January, I don't know if we'll be on here before February, but remember.
[00:37:37] Speaker B: That's right.
[00:37:38] Speaker A: We'll get Dwayne to do your.
[00:37:40] Speaker E: We're going to get an interview.
[00:37:42] Speaker A: We'll get Dwayne to do that for us.
[00:37:44] Speaker E: So we're going to.
[00:37:44] Speaker A: Oh yeah.
[00:37:45] Speaker E: Keep an eye on us for.
[00:37:46] Speaker B: So we were talking about last of Christmas shopping all over.
[00:37:49] Speaker A: You've got to go see Alexandria. I'm so proud. We've been, we've been working on Alexandria for three years now and, and we got them into the Tizzy Downtowns program and then we had all these awesome, you know, people start buying the property and, and they're just, it's, it's going to be the cut.
Our goal is to be. This is going to be the cutest little town in Tennessee. Yep. And, but I haven't even had time to write a press release about this, but we just received a hundred thousand dollar grant for their downtown. So. For their exterior.
[00:38:22] Speaker B: So congratulations.
[00:38:23] Speaker A: We don't have the contract yet, but it's, it's. I've got the email and so. And we're also. I'm not gonna tell you what this is for yet because we just got the grant sent off this week. I'm working with Uppercumben Development District, but we've got another, we're planning for another $250,000 for Alexandria for another project. So hopefully I'll have a good news on by February.
[00:38:42] Speaker E: I don't know.
[00:38:43] Speaker A: So anyway, say a prayer.
And then Liberty and Alexander parades. Kathy, you mentioned what those are. Have you got that?
[00:38:51] Speaker D: Okay, it says Sunday, December 7th at 2pm The Liberty Christmas Parade. And then Saturday, December 13th at 4pm The Alexandria Christmas Parade.
[00:38:59] Speaker J: So.
[00:38:59] Speaker A: Oh, they're all.
I tell you, a lot of these parades have the same things go. But for some reason you go. And they all look so different.
[00:39:07] Speaker B: So feel so different.
[00:39:08] Speaker A: They feel so different. So try them all.
[00:39:10] Speaker B: Yeah.
So anyway.
[00:39:12] Speaker A: Okay, Kathy, what's going on at the.
[00:39:13] Speaker D: Library other than the Christmas on the square? We get that.
[00:39:16] Speaker H: Yes.
[00:39:17] Speaker D: We will have story time on Friday, December 12th at 10am There will be stories and a goodie bag for the children that attend that.
And then starting in January, we've been doing this for several years. Now find forgiveness at the libraries. It's a new year, so it's a new you a the county libraries. And so a lot of people, you know, maybe they don't come to the library because they have some overdue fines. Well, this is a, this is a time to kind of remedy that. So we're inviting you to come back to the libraries. Justin Potter and the Alexander libraries. From January 2 to January 31, the libraries are often free. Forgiveness for eligible libraries.
[00:39:52] Speaker A: The slate is wiped clean.
[00:39:53] Speaker D: That excludes though damaged or lost books.
[00:39:56] Speaker B: Now those are still out there.
[00:39:58] Speaker D: Still out there. If we could just get our books back, that's our main goal, is get them back in good condition. So that's why, you know, we can get a lot of our books back. And that's. That's great. It helps us out and helps them out too. So for additional information you contact the custom Border Library at 615-597-4359 or visit us on Facebook, Instagram or our
[email protected].
[00:40:19] Speaker A: And the library looks beautiful. I love your little houses all set up. It's so pretty to see my reindeer outside. Gotta get your reindeer out.
[00:40:26] Speaker D: Out when it's not raining.
[00:40:29] Speaker B: What, they're reindeer.
[00:40:32] Speaker B: Yeah, they want the rain.
[00:40:33] Speaker A: Exactly.
They're not called out for no reason.
[00:40:37] Speaker B: They're not. No reindeer. They're reindeer.
[00:40:40] Speaker D: I don't want to be out reindeering them.
[00:40:41] Speaker A: So she's the non reindeer.
[00:40:44] Speaker B: Yeah, they're not called umbrella deer.
[00:40:47] Speaker A: Well.
[00:40:49] Speaker A: Since we just had a kangaroo on.
[00:40:52] Speaker B: Yes.
[00:40:52] Speaker A: Emily Bell, our Australian former Australians. Now she's pure Alexandria. Yeah, she's from Hosanna Farm. And now they've started Hosanna Farm Childcare. She wanted to be here this morning, but Santa's down there today. He's gonna be reading stories. This time of year at 9:30, they're gonna have story time with Santa for children. If you want to go down there and hear Santa tell stories and. Or if you want to schedule a tour, they're taking applications now. This is not your regular childcare place. I mean, it's gonna be about nature and, and animals and music.
It's a full experience. But just call Emily at 615-529-2401 and she'll give you a tour.
[00:41:32] Speaker B: That's right.
[00:41:33] Speaker A: Well, good morning. Bill Conger is here this morning from Haven of Hope. And you know, I'm so glad that I'm here with you, Bill, because your topic is good mental health during the holidays. Yes, we are all ears.
[00:41:49] Speaker G: I gotta Say, first of all, it's an honor to be sitting in the chair with the kangaroo.
[00:41:55] Speaker B: From the kangaroo.
Yeah. It's not. Yeah.
[00:41:59] Speaker A: Oh, it's a sweetest.
[00:42:00] Speaker B: It's not warmth.
[00:42:01] Speaker E: Yeah.
[00:42:01] Speaker B: Be careful where you sit.
[00:42:06] Speaker G: But, yeah, I mean, this. This time of the year, you know, as we talked, you guys talked the last hour, you know, half hour or so of lots of excitement, lots of fun and. And think about the upbeat things. But have to be careful about our mental health because things get kind of overwhelming at times. You know, one of my favorite Christmas movies is A Christmas Story, you know, with Chevy Chase. And I think about that as one guy. What's his name again? Clark. Grisball.
[00:42:30] Speaker D: Yeah.
[00:42:31] Speaker G: Yeah. Sets the highest expectations in the world. His wife tries to politely say, honey, you know, just kind of dial it down a bit.
[00:42:39] Speaker B: Yeah.
[00:42:40] Speaker G: Of course, he doesn't listen.
[00:42:41] Speaker E: So.
[00:42:41] Speaker B: Right.
[00:42:41] Speaker G: And all this, you know, happens and sets. You're setting yourself up for disappointment whenever, you know, you expect so much and we put all these demands on us. So. So one thing to do is to try to try to set some boundaries for yourself during the holiday. Say, okay, well, you know, don't feel like you've got to have the perfect Christmas, you know, and another thing that a lot of times is loneliness and isolation.
[00:43:03] Speaker B: Yeah.
[00:43:03] Speaker G: And because, I mean, during this time, for some people, I just.
[00:43:07] Speaker D: It's another day.
[00:43:08] Speaker A: Yeah.
[00:43:09] Speaker G: And it's hard and sometimes you lost someone or you have family conflicts or things like that, and it can be kind of, you know, tough to be there. So some things you can do is just try to make even. Even small connections with people.
[00:43:21] Speaker E: Yeah.
[00:43:21] Speaker G: You know, maybe have, you know, a small group gathering or meet one on one with somebody if you're, you know, if you're. You can get, you know, anyway some type of small connection that you can get. And I wouldn't even suggest, you know, put a plug in for our church, you know, because, you know, come and visit us. We have. We love to connect with people and love to have smaller groups and be a great time for fellowship and to get to know people and. And not just in the big worship service, but in smaller groups and discipleship groups. You have a chance to really get to know people and extend out and.
[00:43:55] Speaker B: You know, and it's not quite as intimidating either. Like, you're not stepping into a big, huge crowd.
[00:44:01] Speaker G: Right.
[00:44:02] Speaker B: It gives. Especially if you are a person that is willing to invite that person and then you're taking them. You're giving them the opportunity to come with you instead of a Person having to stand there with courage at the.
[00:44:17] Speaker D: Door and trying to find a seat in the church.
[00:44:21] Speaker B: Right.
[00:44:21] Speaker G: That's hard if we don't have personal invitation. But consider this my personal invitation.
[00:44:25] Speaker B: Right.
[00:44:25] Speaker G: And I'll, I will meet you at the door and I would just love to introduce you to people.
But counseling, we look at not only the physical and mental and of course emotional, but we look at the spiritual part. And since I'm a Christian counselor, I think about during this time of the year a lot of people are dealing with, like I said, the loneliness, but.
[00:44:46] Speaker E: Also.
[00:44:49] Speaker G: Get stressed a lot.
One way I found a deal with that is, is, you know, we can do various things, but one thing is to be able to just, you know, avoid burnout. You know, make sure you focus in on yourself, do some self care during that time, stop down some time.
But I think about the loneliness and grief that some people experience. This and sometimes special vigils we have, I think we have light for life for Christmas or something like that around here. We have just special times that you can spend with someone. Back when I was a single guy, many years ago, you know, we had, I was just living this small efficiency apartment and it get kind of lonely, you know. And I would, but I would, you know, get back and I start reading some of the positive verses of the Bible, you know. And so I would encourage people to, you know, I might sound a lot more like Chad and I may be out of counsel this morning. But, but, but I think it's important, important to have that you have that special relationship. You may not have that another be missing other relationships from family or from friends, but you always have that special relationship with Jesus that you can have and it's not some distant one you can have. And I think that special connection can really lift hearts and spirits. And.
[00:46:03] Speaker G: So that's a, that's a big.
[00:46:04] Speaker A: All about building relationships with the Lord, with people.
[00:46:07] Speaker B: And thank you for that reminder.
[00:46:09] Speaker D: Yes.
[00:46:09] Speaker A: And if you have, if you know somebody that's not got anybody to have, you know, a meal with, maybe you can invite them over to enjoy, you know, with your family.
[00:46:17] Speaker D: We used to know their neighbors. Everybody used to know their neighbors. When I was growing up, we knew all our neighbors. Now I don't know any neighbors around me. I mean, that's the way it is. We're living in that kind of society. You don't know who's living next door to you. That's kind of sad.
[00:46:29] Speaker G: It really is.
[00:46:30] Speaker B: Well, and I remember Will's grandma, when she lived with us she said, you know, so everyone I've cared about is gone.
[00:46:41] Speaker A: Yeah.
[00:46:41] Speaker B: And there is. There is some truth to that that, you know, if all of your siblings have passed you. Yeah. One by one friends. And. And so it's important for us to keep. To be mindful of that. And.
And even. Even if it's just a small token like what you're saying, even if it's just a small token of reaching out, making. Making that connection that. That may make a big difference for someone.
[00:47:07] Speaker G: One of my desires is to always, you know, help hurting people. And I think some of them hurt more during the holidays.
[00:47:12] Speaker A: Yeah.
[00:47:13] Speaker G: Well, so the pastoral care counseling at the church. So if somebody's in position, they can't afford it. Even though we do sliding scale and Samaritans fund at the Haven.
Feel free to call the Smith First Baptist Church. And I'd be love to, you know, connect with you and give you a place to kind of show your heart.
[00:47:32] Speaker A: Oh, y.
[00:47:33] Speaker G: And also, don't forget, be careful the budget this time of year. You know, we all want to spend big time bucks.
[00:47:39] Speaker D: Yeah.
[00:47:39] Speaker B: That is so true.
[00:47:40] Speaker G: The calendar year paying it off.
[00:47:41] Speaker E: So that sets you up for.
[00:47:44] Speaker E: Huge.
[00:47:45] Speaker B: Financial is a huge stressor.
[00:47:46] Speaker H: Yeah. Yeah.
[00:47:47] Speaker G: Homemade gifts and lots of, you know, creative things little people like you can come up with.
[00:47:50] Speaker D: It's like, oh my goodness.
[00:47:53] Speaker D: Make them something. Yeah.
[00:47:55] Speaker A: Thank you for. For this reminder because, you know, the holidays makes your joy greater and it can also make your sorrows.
[00:48:01] Speaker B: Right, right.
[00:48:02] Speaker A: So.
[00:48:02] Speaker B: And there is a national.
[00:48:06] Speaker B: Mental Health Prevention Line 988. If you or anyone you know are contemplating suicide or need, need just a impartial person to call. That is manned 24 7. And that's a very simple number. 988.
[00:48:23] Speaker A: 988. Thanks, Bill.
[00:48:25] Speaker B: Thank you, Bill.
[00:48:27] Speaker A: Well, let's see here. Oh, he's. I see him in the distance. He's about to walk in. Ranger Lee Chadwell.
[00:48:33] Speaker B: Hey, Ranger Lee.
[00:48:34] Speaker A: Ranger Lee is here from our favorite state park.
Absolutely. The very best state park at Gravy State Park.
[00:48:42] Speaker B: Good morning.
So you got to start us off by talking about the Dan 5K.
[00:48:48] Speaker A: How'd that go?
[00:48:49] Speaker H: Oh, it went really good.
It was the. The damn five miler.
[00:48:53] Speaker A: Yes.
[00:48:54] Speaker H: So it's a full five miles and it starts across. That had to be rough over at the launch ramp. And so it ran all the way across the dam down by Big Rock Market to the entrance of the park and all the way up to the office.
[00:49:10] Speaker B: Oh, how can it possibly be uphill, though? Whole way.
[00:49:13] Speaker H: But it is when I talk to people about it, I feel like one of the old timers come. Well, you know, back in the day we ran this race uphill, both ways.
[00:49:23] Speaker D: Barefoot, going to school.
[00:49:24] Speaker C: Right.
[00:49:25] Speaker H: So it, it was a really good day. The weather was nice. We're actually looking at moving it to the fall. So we'll probably do November 21st for next year.
[00:49:34] Speaker E: Okay.
[00:49:35] Speaker H: We had a little over 100 people.
[00:49:37] Speaker A: Oh, wow, that's great.
[00:49:39] Speaker H: And the fastest time was just over 36 minutes.
[00:49:43] Speaker B: Wow, speedy.
[00:49:45] Speaker A: I must have been a young person.
[00:49:49] Speaker D: Moving on.
[00:49:50] Speaker A: This was somebody that was 16 or 18.
[00:49:53] Speaker H: I think you're right on that.
[00:49:56] Speaker H: But no, we had, yeah, we had people of all ages come out and run and everybody had a good time.
So that was us, the Army Corps of Engineers and our friends group helped put it on to sponsor it. And then we also had sponsors with Red Silo, Big Rock Market.
[00:50:16] Speaker H: Cane Fork Outdoors and Smithful Donuts.
[00:50:20] Speaker B: Oh, great.
[00:50:20] Speaker A: See, that works out.
[00:50:21] Speaker B: Eat a donut, run it off.
[00:50:23] Speaker H: That's right.
But yeah, it was good, a lot of fun and look forward to it next year.
[00:50:30] Speaker A: So what you got coming up?
[00:50:32] Speaker H: Well, we've got a friends group meeting on Saturday the 6th at 1 o' clock down at our interpretive center. And then a little bit later on that same night from five to six, we'll do lighting of the tower at the main park office and they'll have refreshments and some food.
[00:50:51] Speaker A: What is that date again, the lighting?
[00:50:53] Speaker H: December 6th.
[00:50:55] Speaker A: Oh, okay.
[00:50:55] Speaker H: So this upcoming Saturday.
[00:50:57] Speaker E: Yeah.
[00:50:59] Speaker H: And then our next thing after that we'll have our first day hike and feast. And so that'll be, I want to say eight o'.
[00:51:09] Speaker C: Clock.
[00:51:10] Speaker H: I gotta cheat real quick.
[00:51:12] Speaker A: Tim, you're a hiker, aren't you?
[00:51:13] Speaker B: Yeah. That's a great, that's a great event.
And most state parks, if not all, are doing January 1st, a first day hike or some sort of event.
And so it's really become a statewide tradition. It's. It's just a really great thing for state parks to do.
[00:51:33] Speaker H: Yeah, it's one of their signature hikes.
I think we have four or five statewide signature hikes. And so the first day one is definitely one of them. And it is from nine to 11 and they'll be doing the Millennium Trail. So it's about two and a half miles.
[00:51:49] Speaker B: Kind of goes so easy. It's just easy peasy, easy peasy. Everyone should come out and enjoy it and that's right.
[00:51:55] Speaker H: And then they'll have a soup. A friends group will be doing a soup and at the shelters after the hike. So then after you hike you can hang out and talk with some people and mingle.
[00:52:09] Speaker A: It's a good way to start the year. Exercise and get some fresh air. Yeah.
[00:52:13] Speaker H: See we have, we kind of go with that.
[00:52:14] Speaker B: Go.
[00:52:15] Speaker H: You do some exercise, some running, hiking, and then you chow down on some food.
[00:52:19] Speaker D: That's the way to go.
[00:52:20] Speaker B: It's my kind of party.
[00:52:21] Speaker A: Oh my goodness. Is that all you got?
[00:52:24] Speaker H: I believe that's all.
[00:52:25] Speaker A: Okay, we'll hang out because we got you.
We're supposed to read some stuff here.
[00:52:29] Speaker B: I think you get to add in.
[00:52:31] Speaker A: Yeah. There we go. All right. So the seventh annual festival of Trees. Yes.
[00:52:36] Speaker H: Is.
[00:52:37] Speaker A: Oh my goodness. I'm already looking. When I'm leaving work at night, the trees are already all over the place.
[00:52:42] Speaker B: We're already starting to set it up. But the big reveal is Monday, December 8th. It starts at 4:30 and it'll go through 7:30 we're talking about.
The location is DeKalb County Complex and it is all over. Just go through door number one and, and start your tour. It's a free event, but we ask that you bring an unwrapped toy and can vote for your favorite tree.
[00:53:10] Speaker A: So you put the present. The present, yeah, it's easy.
[00:53:13] Speaker B: So that you, you bring the unwrapped toy, you leave it wherever you want to leave it. And, and that tree then with the most toys gets tree of the year.
Also some other voting. It's very competitive and there's lots of variety.
Different businesses kind of pick their own business theme.
Churches are important, involved individuals are involved. So you'll see many, many, many different types of trees and decorations. There are digital pictures with Santa for five bucks and light refreshments and all those toys and any donation that you might drop there will go to the last minute toy shop. And it is. That also is such a great event that Angie Meadows and her crew put on to allow families to actually select Christmas gifts for their, for their children.
[00:54:10] Speaker A: It is so well done, so organized.
[00:54:12] Speaker B: It's amazing.
[00:54:13] Speaker A: They brought me in to look at it before everybody came and I was like, oh my goodness. I mean, it was beyond anything I could have expected. It's.
[00:54:20] Speaker B: It's just a great event. And so you're supporting a great event.
Angie's still looking for a few trees.
[00:54:27] Speaker A: Yeah.
[00:54:28] Speaker B: So if you are interested in setting up a tree and participating that way, please contact Angie Meadows at the Smithfield Review.
[00:54:38] Speaker A: We already talked about leadership DeKalb. We did, but we didn't mention the sponsors. I Don't think well.
[00:54:42] Speaker B: We want to say a huge thank you to DeKalb, Ace Hardware and Ascension, St Thomas, DeKalb and all of our speakers. That day. We focused on housing and housing insecurity in DeKalb County. So we had folks from Habitat, from Humanity, and we visited the lovely ladies at the Smithville Housing Authority along with all the others. So we just want to say a big thank you to everyone who participated.
[00:55:08] Speaker A: And I want to say real quick, I know we're about to be out of time, but I want to say a big thank you to Julie David and Harmony Lane, Farm and Creamery. I miss them already.
They've come closed. The grill is open. You can still eat there through the.
[00:55:23] Speaker B: End of the month.
[00:55:24] Speaker A: We are so grateful to her and all that she brought to our county. Oh, my goodness. What a positive experience.
Oh, my goodness. I'm sure we'll still see her around, hopefully. But we are so grateful to you, Julie, and all that you've done.
[00:55:36] Speaker B: And we love that light that you brought to everything that you did. She's just a wonderful, amazing person.
[00:55:43] Speaker A: And, you know, just because they're so fabulous, if you need your. Your Christmas pictures made and you need a good place for it, Studio 105 is Christmas ready.
So go and have your go down and schedule that you bring your own photography or bring your own cell phone and make your own. The scenes are magical, but the Chamber wants to help promote your news or special events. Call 5-97-I mean, 615-597-4163 or email me at
[email protected] or tag me on Facebook and I'll have you spread the word.
[00:56:17] Speaker B: And we want to say huge thank you to all of our guests this morning, especially that adorable little willow, the kangaroo.
And we are grateful for WJLE Radio and DTC TV for sponsoring this crazy thing we call Chamber Channel every year.
[00:56:31] Speaker D: And you can watch chamber chat on DTC3 as well as their website. Just go to DTC3TV and click on Chamber shows to view the program anytime you want to.
[00:56:41] Speaker H: And we appreciate our listening and viewing audiences.
[00:56:44] Speaker A: And we won't be having a January program.
[00:56:46] Speaker B: We're laying out.
[00:56:49] Speaker A: In February. We're chilling out, chilling out to February.
[00:56:53] Speaker B: So, yeah. Oh, same chat time, same chat. I feel like I've never done that before.
[00:57:02] Speaker A: Oh. Merry Christmas, everybody.
[00:57:04] Speaker G: It.
