Kenneth A. Jones

59 year old Kenneth A. Jones of McMinnville died Sunday at his residence. He was born in Warren County, was a network operations switchman with Ben Lomand Telephone Co-Op, a U.S. Army Veteran, Ham Radio Operator, and a member of First Baptist Church. Jones was preceded in death by his parents Clayton Arvell and Mary Katherine Childers Jones, and a sister Judy Woodlee.
Survivors include his wife of 38 years Doris Jones, their children Tim and wife Gretchen Jones, Chelsie Young, grandchildren Preston and Grace Young, brother Curtis and wife Reba Jones, all of McMinnville. Several nieces, nephews, family members, and friends also survive.
The funeral service will be at 1:00 p.m. Thursday at McMinnville Funeral Home Chapel.. John May and Bo Hendrix will officiate. Burial will follow at Jefferson Cemetery. Military grave rites will be administered by American Legion Post 173 and V.F.W. Post 5064. The Jones Family will receive friends Wednesday from 3 P.M. until 8 P.M. and again Thursday from 10 A.M. until 1 P.M. at McMinnville Funeral Home.
Memorial contributions may be made to Relay For Life

Robert Trautwein

86 year old Robert Trautwein of Smithville died Saturday at DeKalb Community Hospital. He was a pattern maker. The family has chosen direct cremation. He was preceded in death by his mother, Louisa Trautwein and a sister, Dorlie Isaac. Survivors include his wife, Rose Marie Meyer of Smithville. Two sons, Robert Trautwein, Jr. of California and Marcel Trautwein of Wisconsin. Four grandchildren, Lisa, Jason, Xavier, and Vontasir. A sister, Lilli Gunsch and many other relatives in Switzerland also survive. DeKalb Funeral Chapel is in charge of the arrangements.

Greenbrier Girl Repeats as Fiddling Champion for Jamboree Beginners

A Greenbrier girl, for the second year in a row, took home this year’s top Jamboree award as the best fiddler in the National Championship for Country Musician Beginners.
Cara Digiovanni 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 Bert, Milas, Sadie, Jim, Mickey, Allison, and Adam Driver.
Meanwhile Kyle Ramey of North Vernon, Indiana 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 three of those categories and third place in two others.
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-Cara Digiovanni of Greenbrier; Second Place- Ivy Phillips of Chapmansboro, Tennessee; and Third Place- Kyle Ramey of North Vernon, Indiana..
Buck Dancing: First Place- Shelby Dunn of Fairview, Second Place- Ivy Phillips of Chapmansboro, and Third Place-Raygan Sellers of Goodlettesville.
Clogging: First Place- Sarah Fisher of Smyrna; Second Place-Amy Fisher of Smyrna; and Third Place- Brayden Chunn of Greenbrier.
Dobro Guitar: First Place- Kyle Ramey of North Vernon, Indiana; Second Place- Cara Digiovanni of Greenbrier and Third Place- Raygan Sellers of Goodlettsville..
Mandolin: First Place-Kyle Ramey of North Vernon, Indiana; Second Place-Anna Clara Stockhoff of Brentwood; and Third Place- Ben Hester of Chapmansboro
Five String Banjo: First Place- Josiah Newman of Scottsville, Kentucky; Second Place- Grayson Phillips of Chapmansboro and Third Place- Kyle Ramey of North Vernon, Indiana.
Flat Top Guitar: First Place- Kyle Ramey of North Vernon, Indiana, Second Place- Cara Digiovanni of Greenbrier; and Third Place- Carson Wood of Pleasantville, Tennessee.
PICTURED SECOND FROM TOP:
BACK ROW FROM LEFT: Bert Driver, Mickey Driver, Jimmy Driver, Adam Driver
FRONT ROW: Milas Driver, Sadie Driver, Allison Driver, and Cara Digiovanni

Fanning Big Winner at Fiddler 5K

40 year old Scott Fanning of Lebanon was the overall winner of the 13th annual Fiddler 5K held Saturday morning in Smithville.
Fanning completed the course in 17:29.
Fiddler 5K and One Mile Fun Run (7-2-11) from dwayne page on Vimeo.
Meanwhile, 16 year old Morgan Voyles of Sparta was the overall winner in the women’s race. She completed the course in 21:41
In the male master’s category, 53 year old Jimmy Dawson of Cookeville was the overall winner. His time was 19:52.
In the female masters, 43 year old Lora Simpson of Sparta was the overall winner. Her time was 25:19
The overall winner of the One Mile Fun Run was nine year old Caden Close of Smithville. His time was 7:13
Twelve year old Tyra Graham of Smithville completed the One Mile Fun Run course in 8:20, the best among females.
The Fiddler 5K and One Mile Fun Run is a fundraiser to benefit Habitat for Humanity of DeKalb County.
Race director Tecia Pryor said “we had a record turnout this year for the 5K – we had 322 entries for 5K and 78 for fun run for 400 total participants. This is a record and exceeds our previous record from 2009 of 387 total participants”.

Three Injured in Car Crash at Snow Hill

Three people were injured in a two car crash Friday night on Highway 70 at Snow Hill.
Central Dispatch received the call at 11:00 p.m.
Trooper Jimmy Tisdale of the Tennessee Highway Patrol told WJLE that 35 year old Andrea Jones of Watertown was east on Highway 70 in a 2000 Chevy Malibu when she drove off the right shoulder of the road, overcorrected to the left and came across the highway into the westbound lane where she struck an oncoming 2003 Ford Taurus, driven by 22 year old Bradley Reddick of Flowery Branch, Georgia. Both Jones, Reddick, and a passenger of Reddick’s car, 22 year old Jessica Ford of Knoxville were taken by DeKalb EMS to DeKalb Community Hospital.
Trooper Tisdale, who was assisted in the investigation by THP Lieutenant Randy Maynard and Trooper Mark Jones, said charges are pending. The DeKalb County Sheriff’s Department and the Main Station of the DeKalb County Volunteer Fire Department were also on the scene.

Kenneth P. Garrett

77 year old Kenneth P. Garrett of the Short Mountain Community died Thursday. Born in Cumberland County Kentucky, Garrett worked as an RN for more than twenty years. He also served as a Cannon County Farm Bureau board of director, a Cannon County Commissioner, Cannon County School Board member, school board chairman, and he was a Sunday School Superintendent/Lay Leader of the Short Mountain Methodist Church at Half Acre for more than thirty five years. Garrett was preceded in death by his parents, Charlie John Garrett and Mary Effie Pierce Garrett; siblings Virgil, Verdie Ellen, Thomas Hershel, Clara Edith, and Manual Odell. The funeral will be Sunday at 2:00 p.m. at the Chapel of Woodbury Funeral Home. Royce Martin and Gerald Melton will officiate and burial will follow in the Melton Cemetery. Visitation will be Saturday from 4:00 p.m. until 9:00 p.m. Garrett is survived by his wife of 56 years, Sara Marie Hale Garrett. Daughters, Marcia Ann and husband Gerald Melton and Melanie Sue and husband Frank Nistad. Grandsons, Matthew and wife Laura Daniel, Caleb Daniel, Skylar Daniel and granddaughter, Tylee Xian Marie Nistad. He is also survived by a brother, J.E. Garrett of the Short Mountain Community. Woodbury Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.

Carl Odell Teachman

85 year old Carl Odell Teachman of Smithville died Friday at DeKalb Community Hospital. Teachman was born in Salt Fork, Oklahoma, the son of the late Edward H. and Neva Cowen Teachman. He was a veteran of the U.S. Army and he worked as an assembly/manufacturing operator for Boeing Aircraft. Teachman was a Shriner, a 50 year member and Past Master of Masonic Lodge Sunflower Lodge 86 F&AM. A private family memorial service will be held at a later date. Burial will be in Resthaven Cemetery in Wichita, Kansas. Survivors include two sons, Michael Wayne Teachman of Smithville and Joel Teachman of Kansas. Two brothers, Edward Teachman, Jr. of Phoenix, Arizona and Douglas Teachman and wife Barbara of Blanchard, Oklahoma. Three sisters, Wanda Gard and husband Darwin of Smithville, Twylah Almeda and husband Bob of Hayward, California, and Edrie Zwiers of Wichita, Kansas. Two grandchildren, Tobey and Jerimiah. Two sisters-in-law, Jean Teachman of Arizona and Bertha Teachman of Haysville, Kansas. Special friends, Tom and Barbara Meadows. Many nieces and nephews also survive. In addition to his parents, Teachman was preceded in death by his wife, Dorothy Teachman; four brothers, Lawrence, Harold, Blaine, and George; and three sisters, Geneva, Kelly, and Lora Jane. Oak Lawn Funeral Home in Sparta is in charge of the arrangements.

Alabama Man Wins Fiddlers Jamboree’s Biggest Award

The Grand Champion Fiddler of the 40th annual Smithville Fiddler’s Jamboree and Crafts Festival is Will McMeans of Lester, Alabama.
CLICK LINK BELOW FOR SATURDAY PHOTO GALLERY OF FIDDLERS JAMBOREEMore Pictures
He won the Berry C. Williams Memorial Award Saturday night after the Grand Finale Fiddle-Off between the best Junior and Senior Fiddler.
CLICK LINK BELOW TO SEE FRIDAY PHOTO GALLERY OF FIDDLERS JAMBOREE
More Pictures
McMeans made it to the fiddle off by winning the Junior Fiddling competition and he won the Grand Championship by beating the winner of the Senior Fiddling contest Don Sadler of Cookeville.
Will McMeans from dwayne page on Vimeo.
Winners in the Saturday session of the Fiddler’s Jamboree are as follows:
Junior Fiddlers (Ages 13-39): First Place-Will McMeans of Lester, Alabama; Second Place- Chris Gray of Lawrenceburg; and Third Place- Austin Vick of Lyles, Tennessee.
Junior Old-Time Appalachian Flatfoot Dance (Ages up to 39): First Place- Chris Stewart of Bon Aqua; Second Place- Justin Frazor of Woodbury; and Third Place Matthew Campbell of Murfreesboro.
Senior Old-Time Appalachian Flatfoot Dance (Ages 40 & Over): First Place- Tommy Scruggs of Hartsville; Second Place- Jeff Yates of Adams, Tennesse; and Third Place- Tommy Jackson of Franklin
Tennessee Toe Tappers from dwayne page on Vimeo.
Senior Buck Dancing (Ages 40 & Over): First Place- Lonnie Stewart of Fairview; Second Place- Jeff Yates of Adams, Tennessee; and Third Place- Eileen Stewart of Nashville.
Bluegrass Fiddle (Neil Dudney Award): First Place- Tori Huntley of Loretto; Second Place- Will McMeans of Lester, Alabama; and Third Place- Chris Gray of Lawrenceburg. The Neil Dudney Award was presented to Huntley by members of Mr. Dudney’s family..
Rocky Top Revue of Franklin take 3rd place in Square Dancing competition from dwayne page on Vimeo.
Senior Clogging (Ages 40 & Over): First Place-Lonnie Stewart of Fairview; Second Place-Eileen Stewart of Nashville; and Third Place- Jeff Yates of Adams, Tennessee
Bluegrass Banjo: First Place-Weston Stewart of Anderson, Alabama; Second Place- Kurt Stephenson of Dyersburg; and Third Place- Buddy Robertson of Callahan, Florida.
Harpeth River of Franklin takes 2nd place in square dancing from dwayne page on Vimeo.
Bluegrass Band: First Place-Cross Connection of Dyersburg; Second Place- A Step Ahead of Greenbrier; and Third Place-Straight Line Drive of Big Rock, Tennessee.
Senior Fiddlers ( Ages 40 & Over): First Place- Don Sadler of Cookeville; Second Place- Perry B.C Cooper of Knoxville; and Third Place- Delmer Holland of Waverly
Square Dancing: First Place-Tennessee Toe Tappers of Pleasantville; Second Place- Harpeth River of Franklin; and Third Place-Rocky Top Revue of Franklin.

Flags Presented to Women from Japan and California during Fiddlers Jamboree

A woman from Japan received a United States flag while Linda Lohr of Ontario, California was presented a Tennessee State flag during the Fiddler’s Jamboree on Friday evening
The flags, which have flown over the state capitol, go to the persons who travel the greatest distances, both from inside and outside the country, to get here.
The flags were presented by State Senator Mae Beavers and State Representative Terri Lynn Weaver. They also read a proclamation, which was adopted by both the state house and state senate and signed by the Governor, paying tribute to the Fiddler’s Jamboree on the occasion of the 40th anniversary of the festival.
Youth Square Dancing Winners: Main Stage Explosion from dwayne page on Vimeo.
CLICK THE FOLLOWING LINK TO SEE PHOTOS OF THE FIDDLERS JAMBOREE ON FRIDAY
More Pictures
The first day of the 40th annual Smithville Fiddler’s Jamboree and Crafts Festival ran non-stop from about 9:00 a.m. Friday morning until close just after midnight Saturday morning.
Kelsey, Buddy, & Charli Robertson of Florida win Group Gospel Singing Competition from dwayne page on Vimeo.
Preliminaries were held in sixteen categories of music and dance competition followed by the finals featuring the top three acts in each event.
The following are the winners in each category:
Old Time Appalachian Folk Singing (Solo/Duet):
First Place- Graham Sherrill of Nashville
Second Place- Emily Dean of Greenbrier
Third Place- Tammy Melton of Monterey
Flat Top Guitar:
First Place- Jack Elmore of Cookeville
Second Place- Kurt Stephenson of Dyersburg
Third Place- Rob Pearcy of Smyrna
Hogslop String Band from dwayne page on Vimeo.
Junior Clogging (Ages 13-39):
First Place- Justin Frazor of Woodbury
Second Place- Kelly Eicher of Allensville, Kentucky
Third Place- Kelsey Jones of Lyles
Junior Buck Dancing (Ages 13-39):
First Place- Chris Stewart of Bon Aqua
Second Place- Justin Frazor of Woodbury
Third Place- Kelsey Jones of Lyles
Dobro Guitar:
First Place- Jason Sanders of Lancaster
Second Place- Rob Pearcy of Smyrna
Third Place- Frannie Digiovanni of Greenbrier
Mountain Dulcimer:
First Place- Kurt Stephenson of Dyersburg
Second Place- Roger Amundsen of Longwood, Florida
Third Place- Preston Warden of Mount Juliet
Hammer Dulcimer:
First Place- Howard Friedman of Knoxville
Second Place- Beth James of Newport
Third Place- Chris Brown of Beech Grove
Novelty Event:
First Place-The Nash-Vegas Ramblers of Nashville
Second Place- Caney Forkers of Cookeville
Third Place- Keri Wright of McEwen
Youth Square Dancing:
First Place-Main Stage Explosion of Springfield
Second Place- Main Stage Fusion of Springfield
Third Place- Main Stage Extras of Springfield
Old Time Fiddle Band:
First Place-Hogslop String Band of Nashville
Second Place- The Tennessee Wildflowers of Smithville
Third Place- Sowbelly Stringband of Longwood, Florida
Autoharp:
First Place- Kurt Stephenson of Dyersburg
Second Place- Jace Aaron of Nashville
Third Place- Bettye Cash of Cookeville
Gospel Singing (Solo):
First Place-Graham Sherrill of Nashville
Second Place- Emily Dean of Greenbrier
Third Place- Larry Chunn of Greenbrier
Country Harmonica:
First Place-Isaac Vick of Lyles
Second Place- Tyler Martelli of Chattanooga
Third Place- Daniel Amick of Pleasantville
Old Time Banjo:
First Place- Graham Sherrill of Nashville
Second Place- Daniel Rothwell of Smyrna
Third Place- Erick Vick of Lyles
Gospel Singing (Duet, Trio, & Quartet):
First Place- Kelsey, Buddy & Charli Robertson of Callahan, Florida
Second Place- Missionary Ridge of Beech Grove
Third Place- The Nash-Vegas Ramblers of Nashville.
Mandolin:
First Place-Chris Brown of Beech Grove
Second Place- Kurt Stephenson of Dyersburg
Third Place- Daniel Amick of Pleasantville
The Fiddler’s Jamboree resumes at 9:00 a.m. on Saturday, July 2nd with preliminaries in the following categories:
Junior Fiddlers (ages 13-39); Junior Old Time Appalachian Flatfoot dance (ages up to 39); Senior Old Time Appalachian Flatfoot dance ( ages 40 and over); Senior Buckdancing (ages 40 and over); Senior Clogging (ages 40 and over); Bluegrass Banjo; Bluegrass Band; Bluegrass Fiddle, Senior Fiddlers (ages 40 and over); and Square Dancing. The winner of the Bluegrass Fiddle will receive the Neil Dudney Award, named for the former longtime President and Coordinator of the Fiddlers Jamboree.
Preliminaries will be held in each event and then the top three finalists will be called back Saturday night to compete for first, second, and third place.
The winners of the Junior and Senior Fiddling competition will square off for the Grand Champion Award, the Berry C. Williams Memorial Trophy at the conclusion of the festival.
Meanwhile, the National Championship for Country Musician Beginners will be held Saturday afternoon during the Jamboree featuring competitions for children, up to age twelve, in the categories of Buck Dancing, Clogging, Dobro Guitar, Mandolin, Five String Banjo, Flat Top Guitar, and Fiddle.
Preliminaries will be held in each event and then the top three finalists will be brought back to compete for first, second, and third place.
One child will receive the Best Overall Instrumental Entertainer and the top fiddler will get the James G. “Bobo” Driver Memorial Trophy.
WJLE will broadcast most of the on-stage entertainment LIVE and on-line at www.wjle.com.
In addition to music and dancing competitions onstage, the Fiddlers Jamboree also features hundreds of crafts displayed along many of the downtown streets, plenty of delicious foods for sale at local food booths, and lots of shade tree picking around the town square.

Chamber Awards “Project Welcome Mat” Winners

The Smithville- DeKalb County Chamber of Commerce honored the winners Thursday in “Project Welcome Mat”.
“Project Welcome Mat” awards three categories, “Most Original”, “Best Worded”, and “People’s Choice”
Cash Express received the ” Most Original” award for their signs ” Howdy Ya’ll” and “Singing, Dancing & Fiddles Galore, Smithville Jamboree has all this and more”
Liberty State Bank won the “People’s Choice” award for their two-sided sign which read on one side “Times are Hard, Money is Tight, Free Jamboree Entertainment Friday and Saturday night” and on the other side “Picking and Grinning, Tapping Your Toes, the Jamboree is the Big 4-0”
The “Best Worded” award went to DeKalb Community Bank for their sign ” Welcome to Jamboree Music, Food & Family. Slap a Knee, Lick the Lips, & Even Swing the Hips”
DTC Wireless, DTC Communications in Alexandria, and the First Free Will Baptist Church received honorable mention
Suzanne Williams, Executive Director of the Chamber, said “We want to thank all the businesses and churches that used their message signs to welcome Jamboree visitors. It’s vitally important to make sure that our guests know how appreciated and important they are. We also are grateful for the five Chamber members who allowed us to set up Jamboree information and Welcome Centers. They include Potters Home Center, Premiere Realty of Center Hill Lake, DeKalb Ace Hardware, The Real Estate Team, and Center Hill Realty’s Silver Point location.
(TOP PHOTO)
Pictured from left: Chamber Director Suzanne Williams, Liberty State Bank Vice President Ronnie Goodwin, Amanda Green, Lisa Garrison, Gail Bailiff, Denise Barrett and Erica Melton
(SECOND PHOTO FROM TOP)
Pictured from left: Jamie Dawson, Chamber Director Suzanne Williams, and Tracey Ludwig
(THIRD PHOTO FROM TOP)
Pictured from left: Teresa Johnson, Jennifer Dunn, June Keith, Chad Colwell and Chamber Director Suzanne Williams
(FOURTH PHOTO FROM TOP)
Pictured from left: Erica Melton, Denise Barrett, Gail Bailiff, Amanda Green, Lisa Garrison, Liberty State Bank V.P Ronnie Goodwin, and Chamber Director Suzanne Williams
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Pictured from left: Jamie Dawson, Chamber Director Suzanne Williams, and Tracey Ludwig