Phil Cook was never not in my life... more

I’m not much for buying things on the side of the road. Cathy insisted. She wanted some fresh home-grown tomatoes. I got to thinking about a good BLT with just the right amount of mayonnaise. And I hadn’t had a baloney and tomato sandwich in years... more

Teachers’ cars are in the parking lots. The sounds of the band practicing have returned to Holly Hills, the neighboring subdivision. The soccer girls are practicing when I drive by headed to breakfast. Middle and high school football players are on the practice fields. All of our schools have fresh wax on the halls. These indicate that the class of 2023 are about to begin their senior year. Students will attend the traditional half-day August 2nd and begin a full day schedule August 3. I want to welcome all of our new and returning students for what is going to be an exciting year. more

After the opening of the Sesquicentennial vault was a bust thanks to water damage. I decided to look through the Banners 1972 archives and find a little memorabilia for our readers. more

Today’s political climate resembles a category five hurricane due to the highly charged division between the two political parties. Yes, both parties are to blame as neither truly looks for a middle ground. For most of my adult life, I have studied politics and government and in the last five years or so I’ve even thrown my hat into the political arena. more

NASHVILLE — The Tennessee Organization of School Superintendents Board of Directors met on July 7, 2022 and voted unanimously to provide this public statement refuting the disparaging statements about public educators made by the President of Hillsdale College, Larry Arnn in Franklin, Tennessee released late last week. more

Mrs. Ethel Elizabeth Mitchum’s face had more wrinkles than a cheap cotton shirt fresh out of the wringer. But don’t think unattractive here. Her eyes literally sparkled when she talked to you. And she had the most approving smile you ever saw! Like she had been waiting, and hoping, to run in to you since she first woke up that morning! more

A few months back, I came across a Facebook post about “Weakley County’s notorious gangster of the 1940s.” I had never heard of Earl David Birchem, but his crime spree and subsequent capture were very intriguing. This story may be a little longer than most, but it is well worth the read. I would also like to take a second and thank Shawn M. Herron and The Courier-Journal for supplying the research for the story. more

I spent most all of this past Fourth of July weekend humming the same tune over and over. more