It’s been 220 years since that first enumeration and although some of the definitions and methods have changed, we are still confronted with formulating the best and most accurate way to obtain the needed information.

Although advancements in technology have made it easy to chat instantaneously with someone on the other side of the world, we have a gap in the availability to such means for persons across certain demographics. This is why the federal government relies on the tried-and-true method of the U.S. Postal Service.

In March, you will receive a 10-question census form in the mail. Simply complete the form as accurately as possible and return it via U.S. mail.   That’s it. You’re done.

Let’s suppose you elect not to provide the information requested in a timely manner. That’s when you get a knock on your door, starting in April, from the census taker. Granted, these are not scary people but there’s always the possibility that they will show up at an inconvenient time. Unless you enjoy playing impromptu host to temporary federal employees, you should probably consider mailing the initial form when requested.

When you drop that form into the mail receptacle, listen closely for the “cha-ching!” sound. This is the sound of our region’s portion of the $400 billion dollars in infrastructure funds received as a result of apportionment based on the census. This money is used for hospitals, job training centers, schools, senior centers, emergency services and road and bridge projects.

More importantly, the updated population numbers are used to determine Texas’ representation at the federal level, giving us louder voices in Washington, D.C.

This census in particular is important for Smithville because it’s an opportunity to become a “home rule” city. If Smithville’s population has reached at least 5,000 the city can, with the approval of voters, draft its own charter  allowing for more independence in self governance.

If you have any questions or concerns, visit the website www.2010.census.gov.  There will also be a rallying event at the Smithville Recreation Center on Thursday, Apr. 1 to raise awareness of the census. Keep reading your Smithville Times for more information on upcoming events.

Annual Trivia Challenge Returns

Get ready for a battle of the ages in Smithville. The teams are forming and the rivalries are brewing. In fact, the name of this event is misleading because the stakes are not trivial at all.

Get ready for the Third Annual Trivia Night to be held Friday, Feb. 19, starting at 7 p.m. (doors open at 6:30 p.m.) at First United Methodist Church’s Ragsdale Crockett Family Activity Center.

As before, the entry fee for a team of up to 8 players will be a donation of $80. The winning team will win a $100 prize and bragging rights. The proceeds from the event this year will go toward a youth/adult mission trip to Matamoros, Mexico to help with vital support for food, education and housing provided to poor residents of the area by an organization called Middleman Ministries. They also hope for the proceeds from this event to provide funding for some badly-needed fresh water pumping equipment for the region they are serving.

Along with the trivia competition, the FUMC ministries group hopes to have a silent auction take place.

More details will be coming forth in early February, but now is the time to form your teams and save the date.

Fish Fry and Fun Nite

It’s the 21st year for the annual Fish Fry and Fun Nite, the primary fundraiser for the Smithville Volunteer Fire Department and the Smithville Noon Lions Club.  Each $100 ticket entitles the holder and a guest to dinner, drinks and a chance to win up to $6,000 at the Smithville Recreation Center on Feb. 6.

Check-in begins at 6 p.m., where contestants will submit part of their tickets to the famous “pill bottles” which are then transferred into the tumbler. As each ticket is drawn, contestants for the grand prize are eliminated, some winning smaller prizes along the way. The final seven tickets remaining at the end are guaranteed a prize of at least $275 with the last two tickets being worth thousands of dollars.

For more information or to purchase a ticket (tickets may also be purchased by groups as well), contact any member of the Smithville Noon Lions Club or Smithville Volunteer Fire Department. If you don’t know a member of one of these groups, call the Smithville Area Chamber of Commerce at 237-2313 and they’ll be happy to hook you up.

Save The Date for the Harlem Ambassadors

The next major fundraiser for the Smithville Noon Lions takes place Feb. 20 at the Smithville High School gym when they welcome the Harlem Ambassadors. The visitors will be showcasing their dazzling skills as they take on the Smithville DunkSTARS starting at 7 p.m.

Not only is this a high-flying and fantastic family event, it’s an affordable ticket. Pre-sale admission for adults is $7 and $5 for students and seniors over 65. Children 2 and under are free of charge. Pre-sale tickets are available at all the banks in Smithville as well as the Smithville Area Chamber of Commerce and the Smithville High School office. Tickets will be available at the door on the night of the event for $9 for adults and $7 for students and seniors.

There will be a limited number of center court seats for $25 each sold exclusively at the chamber of commerce office.

For information about the availability of these tickets, call 237-2313.

The Lions Club is also offering dinner tickets good for two slices of large pizza and a drink for $5 each. Dinner will be served starting at 5 p.m. until 6:45 at the Smithville High School cafeteria.

Until Next Week

Don’t forget to make a donation to the Haiti disaster relief efforts. Texting “Haiti” to 90999 on your cell phone results in a $10 donation via your cell phone bill. Because we live in a country so free and prosperous, it’s easy to forget that there are people in other countries (right here in our hemisphere) that live in abject poverty on a daily basis and who are not able to provide the resources necessary to recover from something as great as this earthquake.