The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Nashville District is offering the public free guided tours of the Center Hill Power Plant. These are the first tours of the power plant since the Corps restricted visitation after Sept. 11, 2001.
Approximately 45 minutes in length, tours are scheduled on July 21, Aug. 18, and Sept. 22, with tours beginning at 10 a.m., 11 a.m., and noon.
Tour size is limited and is on a first-come, first-serve basis. All guests including minors are required to submit a request form at least five days prior to the tour and receive confirmation from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Nashville District.
Center Hill Lake Resource Manager Kevin Salvilla said it is the Nashville District’s mission to unlock the story of the Center Hill Lake Power Plant and its many benefits to the nation. “Guided access will be provided inside the power plant where participants can view the generators and gain an understanding of how the plant operates and the importance of hydropower generation to the community and the nation,” Salvilla said.
Registered tour participants will be required to check in at the Center Hill Power Plant reception area approximately 15 minutes prior to the designated tour time where they will receive a brief introduction prior to beginning the tour.
In addition to the guided power plant tours, Corps Park Rangers will be available from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Resource Manager’s Office to answer questions and conduct a brief presentation on the many benefits that Center Hill Lake provides. Linda Adcock, project manager for the Center Hill Dam Seepage Rehabilitation Project, will also be providing a brief update at the Resource Manager’s Office’s Shop Conference Room on the progress of construction. Visitors may stop by any time from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. to take part in this update and receive the latest information on the rehabilitation project. Registration is not required for access to the Resource Manager’s Office.
To request a tour registration form and to learn more about the tours’ rules and details, please call the Center Hill Lake Resource Manager’s Office at (931) 858-3125, or visit the Center Hill Lake website at http://www.lrn.usace.army.mil/op/cen/rec/.

The City of Smithville will host an appreciation to Cecil Burger for all his years of dedication as a former city employee, mayor and alderman.
The event will be held at Greenbrook Park on Saturday, July 14 at 6:00 p.m. All current and former mayors, aldermen, and city employees and their families are invited.
After forty five years of service to the City of Smithville, including sixteen years as mayor and six years as alderman, Burger ended his long association with the city on Saturday, June 30.
Mainly because of his health, Burger decided not to seek re-election as aldermen. “I’ve got a little health problem and I decided that I might not be able to do the job I should”, said Burger.
In twenty two years, Burger never lost an election, having first been elected mayor in 1990. He served eight terms, sixteen years in that office until 2006 when he chose instead to run for alderman. Burger just completed his third term as alderman.
He began his career with the city in 1966 as secretary-treasurer, which also meant overseeing the city’s public works operation and city employees. He served as city judge for the first couple of years as well. Burger retired from the secretary-treasurer position in 1989 but came out of retirement fifteen months later after being elected mayor in 1990.
During his time with the city as an employee and alderman Burger served under or with ten mayors starting with Othel Smith, John Bill Evins, Charles Gentry, Edward Frazier, Gary (Gus) Johnson, Hilton Conger, Waniford Cantrell, Dewey Love, Bruce Medley, and Taft Hendrixson.
The fifty two aldermen he served under or with as a city employee, mayor, and alderman from 1966 through 2012 include Jim O. Amonett, W.H. Smith, Sr., Eugene Webb, Freddy Colvert, Hobert Hendrixson, John Bill Evins, Bass Estes, Floyd Brown, Sr., Edward Frazier, Robert Alexander, Carter Braswell, Paschal Cantrell, Donnie Lewis, Alfred Parker, T.C. Atnip, Ray Johnson, Bob Smithson, Gary (Gus) Johnson, Tom Keith, Hilton Conger, Dr. Kenneth Twilla, Bill Maffett, Marsha Darah, Cordell Walker, Charles Trapp, Paul Hendrixson, Dr. Melvin Blevins, Elmus Johnson, David Redmon, Jim Eddins, Dewey Love, Bruce Medley, Elzie McBride, Charles Burchfield, Larry Wright, Jack Cantrell, Jerry Taylor, W.J. (Dub) White, Charles Olson, Bert Driver, Steve White, Paul Young, Brad Mullinax, Mark Loring, Jackie Rigsby, Aaron Meeks, Willie Thomas, Tonya Sullivan, Jerry Hutchins, Sr., Shawn Jacobs, Danny Washer, and Gayla Hendrix.
In an interview with WJLE, Burger said he appreciates all the support he has received during his career with the city. “The people have been good to me and I appreciate it very much. They supported me well and I’d still help them if I could,” said Burger.
“We (city) grew a right smart while I was mayor and we tried to serve the whole city. I don’t know of anything special (we did) only trying to do our work with everybody. I had a lot of good help. I appreciate my friends who have helped me out all these years. They helped me when I was mayor and still do. I have plenty of friends. I’ve tried to treat them like I wanted to be treated,” said Burger.

A 30 year old Smithville man involved in a two vehicle crash over two weeks ago has died.
Chris Gammons passed away Monday, July 9 at Erlanger Hospital in Chattanooga.
Gammons was one of four people in that accident which occurred on Saturday morning, June 23 on Highway 70 near the intersection of Highway 96 (Dale Ridge Road) on Snow Hill.
Gammons and Troy Bruno, both of Smithville were airlifted from near the scene of the crash by Life Force and Air Evac helicopter ambulances. The other two in the wreck were 32 year old Cleva Elaine Gammons of Smithville, wife of Chris Gammons, and 52 year old Johnny Hickey of Liberty. Hickey was not injured but has been charged with three counts of vehicular assault as a result of the crash investigation. He may be facing additional charges now as the result of Gammons’ death
Central dispatch received the call at 3:28 a.m that morning.
According to Trooper Darrell Knowles of the Tennessee Highway Patrol, Hickey was traveling west on Highway 70 in a 2004 F350 full size flat bed truck when he crossed the turning lane and into the path of an eastbound 2002 Nissan Altima, driven by Cleva Elaine Gammons. Chris Gammons was a front seat passenger and Troy Bruno was a back seat passenger of the Altima. Chris Gammons was ejected and landed on the highway, in front of the Altima. Bruno was trapped in the backseat and had to be extricated by members of the DeKalb County Volunteer Fire Department’s Extrication and Rescue Team.
Bruno and Chris Gammons were transported by DeKalb EMS to a helicopter landing zone on Highway 70 at the intersection of Toad Road. One of them was airlifted by a Life Force helicopter and the other was flown out by an Air Evac helicopter. Mrs. Gammons was transported to DeKalb Community Hospital, where she was treated and released.
On the scene were Trooper Knowles of the THP, DeKalb EMS, Sheriff’s Department deputies, DeKalb Fire Extrication and Rescue, and members of the Short Mountain Highway, Main Station, Liberty, and Cookeville Highway stations of the DeKalb County Volunteer Fire Department.
The complaint against Hickey states that he admitted to consuming four beers. Several field sobriety tasks were given. Hickey did not perform as demonstrated. Hickey was transported to the emergency room of the hospital for a blood alcohol test and then to the DeKalb County Sheriff’s Department for booking.

Parents working on checklists to get their children ready for the start of school have an important health item to include: required immunizations. In Tennessee, children enrolling in school for the first time and all children going into 7th grade must provide schools with a state immunization certificate before classes start as proof they have had immunizations necessary to protect them and their classmates from serious vaccine-preventable diseases.
Kindergarten students and those who will be entering the seventh grade next month must have their immunizations up to date or their parents risk those children not being enrolled in school.
Dee Anna Reynolds, School Health Coordinator, and Director of Schools Mark Willoughby addressed the issue during the April school board meeting. “Our nurses checked records for students in the sixth grade who will be going into the seventh grade. Parents of students who are currently not compliant in the sixth grade should have received a letter prior to spring break giving them the opportunity to get those immunizations current and up to date then on the first day, registration day August 2, Coordinated School Health and our school nurses will be there checking those records one final time,” said Reynolds
Director of Schools Willoughby said incoming kindergarten students must also meet state immunization requirements. “Basically the state of Tennessee says that in the seventh grade year, you don’t start school unless your immunizations are up to date. For the past two years, we have actually been letting students come (to school) and to work with them on trying to get those immunizations up to date in a time frame. This year we’re doing more homework up front in notifying those parents. They’ve already gotten one notification before spring break. We’re going to follow the state guidelines and for seventh graders and kindergarten students, if they come to school to register and they do not have their immunizations up to date, we’re going to ask them at that time to go get their immunizations,” said Willoughby.
Reynolds added “Just to let parents know, there are two shots that we’re checking for, because all other shots should be current anyway up until sixth grade, and that is the Tetanus-diphtheria-pertussis booster (“Tdap”) and then there’s a second dose of Varivax which is chicken pox. The only way they would be allowed back in school without that second dose of Varivax is if they do have a doctor’s documentation of having had the chicken pox. So that’s the two we’re looking for and checking for in our sixth graders who will be seventh graders next month,” said Reynolds.
“We understand the challenges of getting children ready to start school; having immunization certificates completed and ready helps make the start of school go more smoothly,” said Kelly Moore, MD, MPH, medical director of the Tennessee Immunization Program. “Getting vaccinated is a safe and simple way to protect us all from potentially deadly diseases, and it helps ensure children won’t miss important classroom time due to a preventable illness.”
Most insurance plans, including TennCare, fully cover recommended and state-required childhood vaccines, as well as the cost of annual well child examinations through the age of 21. Insured children are encouraged to visit their primary healthcare provider or other provider who can administer vaccines and bill insurance for any services they might need. TDH strongly recommends a visit to the child’s primary care provider so the child can have an annual well child physical exam at the same time. Annual wellness visits are important to keep children healthy through all the changes of the pre-teen and teenage years, but many don’t get these important preventive health services.
Local health departments have vaccines available for all uninsured children, those whose insurance doesn’t cover vaccines, and any child who has difficulty getting in to see a healthcare provider to get a required vaccine. Local health departments can issue immunization certificates and transcribe immunization records for any child if the family isn’t able to get a certificate from their healthcare provider for any reason.
It is important to note that certain important vaccines are recommended, but not required, for
pre-teens and teens, and that most teens are missing at least one vaccine recommended to
protect their health. These include a vaccine against certain types of meningitis and the HPV
vaccine against viruses that cause cervical cancer in women and other cancers in men. Many teens have missed out on getting a second dose of chickenpox vaccine or the tetanus,
diphtheria and pertussis booster shot (Tdap), both of which are now required for 7th graders.
Parents should talk to their healthcare provider about vaccines their child may need to stay healthy, even if not required for school.
The complete list of Tennessee Child Care and School Immunization requirements is available on the TDH website at: http://health.state.tn.us/TWIS/requirements.htm. Questions about school policies on when or how immunization certificates must be provided should be directed to local schools.
“Thanks to the cooperative work of primary care providers, families, schools and local health departments, Tennessee has very high immunization rates among our school children, which saves lives and protects their health,” Moore said. “But we can’t rest on our laurels; in order to eliminate the needless burden of vaccine-preventable diseases, we have to make sure all children are vaccinated on time with the vaccines recommended for them. This effort to defeat vaccine-preventable disease begins again with each child born in Tennessee and continues for a lifetime.”
The mission of the Tennessee Department of Health is to protect, promote and improve the health and prosperity of people in Tennessee. For more information about TDH services and programs, visit http://health.state.tn.us/.

A 50 year old man, after being accused of beating up his girlfriend, allegedly assaulted an ambulance service EMT/Paramedic Sunday after he was taken to the hospital complaining of back pain
50 year old Bret Kenneth Boring of Johnson Chapel Road, Sparta is charged with domestic assault and simple assault. His bond is $4,000 and he will be in court on August 2. Sheriff Patrick Ray reports that on Sunday, July 8 a deputy was called to check out a complaint of a physical domestic at a residence on Johnson Chapel Road. Upon arrival, the officer spoke with the victim, a female, who said that Boring had assaulted her. She had blood on her face, arms, and chest. Her nose appeared to have been broken. The woman said that Boring was “going to kill her”. She had cuts on her chest , arms, and on her left ear. Boring was found in the woods behind the residence. It was determined that he was the primary aggressor and he was arrested for domestic assault.
Boring was later charged with the simple assault offense by a DeKalb Ambulance Service EMT/Paramedic who said that Boring struck her, after he was taken to the hospital. According to the warrant, Sheriff Ray said that EMT/Paramedic Kim Cox reported that Boring was being transported by EMS because he complained of his back hurting. But at the hospital when he was asked to move from one cot to another, he refused. As EMS staff were getting a sheet, preparing to move him to another cot, Boring hit Cox with his fist on the right side of her face, causing her nose to bleed. She had a small cut to her nose along with swelling and soreness under her eye. Boring was very belligerent during the entire time and stated that he would “kill them all by tomorrow”, according to the warrant.
32 year old Anthony Doel Atnip of Johnson Chapel Road, Sparta is charged with violation of an order of protection and domestic assault. His bond is $6,500 and he will be in court August 2. Sheriff Ray reports that on Tuesday, July 3 a deputy responded to a 911 domestic call at a residence on Johnson Chapel Road, where a man had allegedly assaulted his step-father. Upon arrival, the officer spoke with the victim who said his step-son, Atnip, had hit him in the side of the head while trying to grab the phone as he (victim) was calling 911. The step-father also had a cut to his right index finger. Atnip told the deputy that he had consumed six beers and that he had punched a hole in a television set and had broken a mirror. The officer determined that Atnip was the primary aggressor and he was placed under arrest. Central dispatch also informed the deputy of an active order of protection against Atnip.
68 year old Kenneth Wayne Stanley of Sevierville is charged with public intoxication and cited for possession of drug paraphernalia and simple possession of a schedule VI controlled substance (marijuana). His bond is $1,000 and he will be in court on August 2. Sheriff Ray said that on Saturday, July 7 a deputy responded to the Midnight Express to check on someone passed out in the parking lot. Upon arrival, the officer found a man, Stanley face down on the ground with a cut to his nose and a knot on his right arm. He had a strong odor of an alcoholic beverage on his person and he was unsteady on his feet. His speech was very slurred. EMS was called to come to the scene due to Stanley’s injuries but he refused to be transported. Due to his level of intoxication and for his own safety, Stanley was placed under arrest. Stanley gave the officer consent to search his vehicle and a small black bag was found in the center console. The bag contained a grinder, five pipe cleaners, two pipes, two lighters, a pipe tool, and a small plastic bag containing .4 ounces of marijuana.
48 year old Timothy Ross Bogle of Smithville is charged with a second offense of driving under the influence and cited for failure to maintain his lane of travel. He will be in court August 2. Sheriff Ray said that on Saturday, July 7, a deputy was traveling on Highway 70 west when an oncoming red Chevrolet truck crossed into his lane before moving back into the proper lane. He (Bogle) then ran off the right shoulder of the road. The officer stopped the vehicle and made contact with the driver, Bogle who had a strong odor of an alcoholic beverage on his person. The deputy asked Bogle to get out of the vehicle. Bogle said that he had consumed five beers and had taken a percocet. Bogle was very unsteady on his feet. He submitted to but performed poorly on all field sobriety tasks. He also submitted to a blood alcohol test.
27 year old Michael Frederick Teachout is charged with public intoxication. His bond is $1,000 and he will be in court July 19. Sheriff Ray said that on Saturday, July 7 a deputy responded to a complaint of man who appeared to be intoxicated, standing in the roadway on Highway 56 north. While enroute, the officer was told that the man was on Hurricane Bridge, sitting on the guard rail and kicking at vehicles as they passed by. Upon arrival, the deputy made contact with the man, Teachout, who was found to be very intoxicated. He had a strong odor of an alcoholic beverage on his person and he was very unsteady on his feet. Due to his being a danger to himself and the public, Teachout was placed under arrest.
Two men are facing public intoxication offenses after the sheriff’s department was called to break-up a fight at Pates Ford Marina on Saturday, July 7. According to Sheriff Ray, 50 year old Joseph Allan Maples of Potts Camp Road, Smithville was cited and 24 year old Michael Keith Davidson, Jr. of Lafayette, Georgia was charged with public intoxication. They will be in court on July 19. Bond for Davidson is $1,000. Upon arrival at the parking lot of the marina, the officer made contact with both Maples and Davidson who were very intoxicated. Maples could not stand on his own and Davidson was very unsteady on his feet. Davidson had a strong odor of an alcoholic beverage on his person and his speech was slurred. Davidson admitted to consuming too many beers. He was placed under arrest for his own safety and for causing a disturbance in a public place.
28 year old Melissa Ann Wheeler of Midway Road, Smithville is cited for driving without a license, no vehicle registration, violation of the financial responsibility law (no insurance), failure to maintain lane of travel, and leaving the scene of an accident. She will be in court on July 18. Sheriff Ray said that on Sunday, July 8 a deputy responded to a one car crash on Belk Road. Upon arrival, the officer found the vehicle, but it was unoccupied. After an investigation, the officer learned that Wheeler had been the driver. Wheeler admitted to driving, stating that she had left the scene because she had to take care of something. She could not provide proof of having a drivers license, insurance, or vehicle registration.
22 year old Gabriel Montero Ramdrez of Smithville is cited for driving without a license, violation of the financial responsibility law (no insurance), unregistered vehicle, and leaving the scene of an accident with property damage. He will be in court on July 18. Sheriff Ray said that on Saturday, July 7 Ramdrez was involved in a one car crash with property damage but no injuries. He left the scene of the accident. He was later arrested. A computer check revealed that he had no license, he could not produce proof of insurance, and his vehicle was not registered.
25 year old Austin Wood of Gassaway is cited for a third offense of driving on a suspended license. He will be in court July 25. Sheriff Ray said that on Monday, July 2, Wood was stopped by a drug detective for not having a valid drivers license. The officer had prior knowledge that Wood did not have a valid drivers license because he was arrested on June 5 for driving on a suspended license. His license were suspended for failure to satisfy citations and driving while his license is suspended.

Tennessee Gov. Bill Haslam has announced the appointments of 165 Tennesseans to 62 state boards and commissions including one from Smithville.
Dr. Melvin Blevins has been named to the TennCare Pharmacy Advisory Committee. The advisory committee meets quarterly to make evidence-based recommendations to the TennCare Bureau regarding medications to be included on the Preferred Drug List.
Earlier this year, the legislature passed Haslam’s recommended reforms to many of the state’s boards and commissions, and most of those changes take effect between July and October.
The governor continues his review of the state’s complete range of boards and commissions to determine other potential reforms that might be made to improve efficiency, effectiveness and accountability.
“I appreciate the willingness to serve the state and the commitment of these men and women,” Haslam said. “Tennessee will be well-represented on these boards and commissions, and I look forward to continuing our review to make sure Tennesseans have a government responsive to them.”
Appointment terms are varied due to differing statutory requirements or term limits determined by specific qualifications.

Beginning Friday, July 13, registered voters will have the opportunity to cast their ballots for the August 2 state primary and county general elections. DeKalb County Administrator of Elections Dennis Stanley is encouraging voters to take advantage of early voting.
“Early voting is a convenient way for voters to be sure their voices are heard,” said Stanley. “With this kind of flexibility, I hope that our voters will not miss this opportunity to exercise their right to vote.”
Early voting will be conducted at the DeKalb County Courthouse. Hours are: Mondays Noon until 5:00 p.m.; Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Fridays 9:00 a.m. until 1:00 p.m.; Thursdays 2:00 p.m. until 6:00 p.m. and Saturdays 9:00 a.m. until Noon. A “Sample Ballot” can be viewed at http://www.dekalbelections.com/. You may contact the DeKalb County Election Commission office at 597-4146 for more information. Early voting ends Saturday, July 28.
“I am grateful to the county election officials, poll workers, and others who are willing to put in the time and effort that goes into a successful election,” said Secretary of State Tre Hargett. “Their hard work and dedication ensures that all Tennesseans have an opportunity to exercise their right to vote.”
Voters are reminded that they will need to present a state or federal issued photo ID in order to vote in person, whether during early voting or on Election Day.
Examples of acceptable forms of ID, whether current or expired, include driver licenses, U.S. passports, Department of Safety photo ID cards, U.S. military photo IDs and other state or federal government photo ID cards. College student IDs are not acceptable.
If you would like more information about early voting or the new law, call 1-877-850-4959 or visit the Division of Elections web site at www.GoVoteTN.com.

The 41st annual Smithville Fiddler’s Jamboree was historic in the sense that for the first time a mother and daughter competed for the most coveted prize of the festival, the Berry C. Williams Memorial award, presented to the best overall fiddler.
Maddie Denton of Murfreesboro, who took the Junior fiddling title earlier in the day Saturday, went on to win the fiddle off against her mother, Marcia Denton of Murfreesboro, who had earlier won the senior fiddling competition.
M2U00730 from dwayne page on Vimeo.
Fiddler’s Jamboree Coordinator Jack Barton presented Maddie her award at the conclusion of the festival, which ended around 10:45 p.m. Saturday night.
Winners in the Saturday session of the Fiddler’s Jamboree are as follows:
Junior Fiddlers (Ages 13-39): First Place-Maddie Denton of Murfreesboro; Second Place- Hillary Bevels of Shelbyville; and Third Place- Corrina Logston of Nashville.
M2U00731 from dwayne page on Vimeo.
Junior Old-Time Appalachian Flatfoot Dance (Ages up to 39): First Place- Chris Stewart of Nashville; Second Place- Kris Jamison of McEwen; and Third Place Jacob Campbell of Murfreesboro.
(PLAY VIDEO OF ROCKY TOP REVUE)
something from dwayne page on Vimeo.
Senior Old-Time Appalachian Flatfoot Dance (Ages 40 & Over): First Place- Ruth Alpert of Santa Barbara, California; Second Place- Jay Bland of Kennesaw, Georgia; and Third Place- Stanley Reece of Whitleyville,
Senior Buck Dancing (Ages 40 & Over): First Place- Jay Bland of Kennesaw, Georgia; Second Place- Stanley Reece of Whitleyville; and Third Place- Ruth Alpert of Santa Barbara, California.
Bluegrass Fiddle (Neil Dudney Award): First Place- Maddie Denton of Murfreesboro; Second Place- Hillary Bevels of Shelbyville; and Third Place- Corrina Logston of Nashville. The Neil Dudney Award was presented to Denton by Mr. Dudney himself..
Senior Clogging (Ages 40 & Over): First Place-Tammy Scruggs of Bethpage; Second Place-Sherry Guenther of Monterey; and Third Place- Eileen Stewart of Nashville
Bluegrass Banjo: First Place-Kurt Stephenson of Dyersburg; Second Place- Weston Stewart of Anderson, Alabama; and Third Place- Jeremy Stephens of Danville.
Bluegrass Band: First Place- The Grasscutters of Cookeville; Second Place- The Ward Family Bluegrass of Columbia; and Third Place-Ellis Porch of Dyersburg.
Senior Fiddlers ( Ages 40 & Over): First Place- Marcia Denton of Murfreesboro; Second Place- Perry B.C Cooper of Knoxville; and Third Place- Don Saddler of Cookeville
Square Dancing: First Place-Rocky Top Revue of Franklin; Second Place- Harpeth River of Franklin; and Third Place-Tennessee Toe Tappers of Adams.

A girl from Chapmansboro took home this year’s top Jamboree award as the best fiddler in the National Championship for Country Musician Beginners.
Ivy Phillips was crowned the Grand Champion fiddler Saturday and won the coveted James G. “Bobo” Driver Memorial Award, named for the man who started the children’s competition during the 1980’s as part of the annual Fiddler’s Jamboree and Crafts Festival. The award was presented by members of Mr. Driver’s family including Russell Ambrose, Adam Driver, Jimmy Driver, and Bert Driver. Phillips also won first place for beginner buck dancing and clogging and second place in beginner dobro guitar.
fidd from dwayne page on Vimeo.
Meanwhile Kyle Ramey of North Vernon, Indiana, for the second year in a row, received the “Entertainer of the Year” Award, which is presented to the best overall instrumental entertainer among winners in the dobro guitar, mandolin, five string banjo, and flat top guitar competition. Ramey took home first place in all four of those categories and placed second in another, fiddling.
The National Championship for Country Musician Beginners showcases the talents of children up to age twelve in seven categories of competition.
This year’s winners are as follows:
Fiddle: First Place-Ivy Phillips of Chapmansboro; Second Place- Kyle Ramey of North Vernon, Indiana; and Third Place- Jalee Roberts of Murfreesboro.
Buck Dancing: First Place- Ivy Phillips of Chapmansboro; Second Place- Ally Johnson of Springfield, and Third Place- Jalee Roberts of Murfreesboro
Clogging: First Place- Ivy Phillips of Chapmansboro; Second Place- Brayden Chunn of Greenbrier; and Third Place- Amy Fisher of Smyrna.
Dobro Guitar: First Place- Kyle Ramey of North Vernon, Indiana; Second Place- Ivy Phillips of Chapmansboro and Third Place- Jake Ramsey of Smithville.
Mandolin: First Place-Kyle Ramey of North Vernon, Indiana; Second Place-Bethany Ward of Columbia and Third Place- Anna Claire Stockoff of Brentwood
Five String Banjo: First Place- Kyle Ramey of North Vernon, Indiana; Second Place- Josiah Newman of Scottsville and Third Place- Wallace Layman of Kodak.
Flat Top Guitar: First Place- Kyle Ramey of North Vernon, Indiana, Second Place- Bethany Ward of Columbia; and Third Place- Anna Claire Stockoff of Brentwood.
(TOP PHOTO: IVY PHILLIPS WINS BEGINNER FIDDLING COMPETITION)
(SECOND PHOTO FROM TOP: LEFT TO RIGHT: RUSSELL AMBROSE, ADAM DRIVER, JIMMY DRIVER, AND BERT DRIVER WITH IVY PHILLIPS)
(THIRD PHOTO FROM TOP: KYLE RAMEY WITH NOLAN TURNER)
(REST OF PHOTOS SHOW KYLE RAMEY IN THE CATEGORIES HE WON INCLUDING FIVE STRING BANJO, DOBRO GUITAR, MANDOLIN, AND FLAT TOP GUITAR)

The annual Fiddler’s Jamboree Craft Awards were presented Friday.
Jayne Vinsant of Sterrett, Alabama received the “Best of Show” award for her hand painted glasswork and mixed media wearable art jewelry, created from vintage pieces made into new contemporary works.
Jonathan Griffith of Murfreesboro, formerly of Liberty, received the “Best Appalachian Craft” award for his functional and decorative handcrafted pottery.
The “Best Newcomer” Award went to Carolyn Whittenburg of Portland for her display of fine art (decorator) gourds and rain sticks.
Dana Godsey and Ann Hill of Crossville received the “Best Craft Display” award for their primitive art work and paintings, rustic looking handmade frames. They also do hand stitching on aged fabric.
The awards were presented by Emma Adkins and Tabitha Farmer, the Fiddler’s Jamboree Directors of Crafts.
(Top Photo: Emma Adkins, Jayne Vinsant, and Tabitha Farmer)
(Second Photo from Top: Tabitha Farmer, Jonathan Griffith, and Emma Adkins)
(Third Photo from Top: Carolyn Whittenburg, Emma Adkins, and Tabitha Farmer)
(Bottom Photo: Tabitha Farmer, Ann Hill, Dana Godsey, and Emma Adkins)