I’ve written about suicide, talked to people about suicide, been in schools and work settings to help them formulate a plan for dealing with losing a coworker or student to suicide, and I’ve counseled untold numbers of people left behind in the aftermath of suicide. more

10 Years Ago — Madison Graves placed third in the Eighth District 2014 Congressional Art Competition. Madison Received this award from Congressman Stephan Fincher for her piece titled “Get a Grip.” more

Tann employed a range of deceitful tactics to procure children, often preying on vulnerable families under the pretext of providing them with better opportunities. Many of the children taken into TCHS’s custody were born to unmarried mothers, who were coerced or deceived into relinquishing their parental rights. Tann’s ability to manipulate and exploit the vulnerabilities of these families underscored her cunning and ruthlessness. more

Since I’m not writing anymore, I’ve had more time to think…. about life, choices, mistakes, heartaches, good times, main events, and the short list of folks who just barely crossed my path, but had a lasting effect on my small, narrow universe. I would count Rebecca Cortney Lancaster in the latter category. more

I grew up in the age of paper, before the age of plastic. I’m talking paper grocery sacks (which I used to fill and carry out as a grocery boy). more

10 Years Ago — McKenzie Rotary co-hosted the District 6760 Conference at Paris Landing, where Evan Reams and Alexander Tu spoke about Rotaract Clubs. more

In Tennessee history, Georgia Tann stands as a haunting figure, notorious for orchestrating one of the most extensive and nefarious child trafficking schemes of the 20th century. Under the guise of philanthropy, she operated the Tennessee Children’s Home Society, a seemingly benevolent institution that, in reality, served as a front for her lucrative and morally bankrupt enterprise. This article delves into the life and legacy of Georgia Tann, shedding light on the depths of her depravity and the enduring impact of her actions. more

10 Years Ago — Brooke Baucum signed to play softball for the Lady Wildcats. more

Recently, I saw a post on Facebook asking, “What’s one thing you’ve done that you’ll never do again?” more

I have told you I am getting out of this writing business, and I mean it. But a beautiful young girl in the Omnibus Class at Faith Christian School asked if I was a Democrat or a Republican. Good golly, I’ve had that very story in mind for the last ten years…I just didn’t know how to start it. more

It was 1979, and I was the guest song leader for a church’s summer revival (although it was called “a gospel meeting” because “revival” sounded too much like a rival religious group). more

10 Years Ago — Carla Craddock slides safely for an RBI triple against the Lady Bulldogs. *Carroll County coordinated a health mock crash for high schoolers. *Jason Martin and Brittany Washburn announced their engagement. more

Last week, much to my chagrin, I was not only surprised by the story of Lem Motlow but also by the fact that I have never written about one of Tennessee’s most prolific sons, Jack Daniel. I’m not one to shy away from occasional libations, especially one of the brown spirit nature. So this week, it is a fine time to devote a little ink to the whiskey maker. more

I thought this writing business for me was over forever…and then Pam Collins died. more

10 Years Ago — The Huntington Cross Country Team Partnered with the Baptist Memorial Hospital to put on a 5k Rabbit Color run. more

We were a motley looking crew. Our foreman, Louis, was built like a fire hydrant dressed in overalls with an ever-present plug of home-grown chewing tobacco in his cheek. He was in charge of the tar wagon, mainly because he was the only one living who knew how to operate the ancient machine. more

This one comes courtesy from historian and author Bill Carey. more

Operation Tennessee Waltz was a sting operation set up by federal and state law enforcement agents, including the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation. The operation led to the arrest of seven Tennessee state lawmakers and two men identified as “bagmen” in the indictment on the morning of May 26, 2005, on bribery charges. more

My father grew up the son of a sharecropper working a farm with mules during the Great Depression. That experience greatly influenced how he raised me and my siblings. One thing we were taught was to always “turn out that light!” when leaving a room. It didn’t matter if we were just going to the bathroom and would be right back, we were still supposed to turn out the light. more

10 Years Ago — McKenzie United Neighbors hosted Second Harvest Mobile Pantry at First Baptist Church and served over 250 needy families. more