Sometimes I write the story because I can’t help myself. It’s like day following night. Reaching for a second potato chip. Or those swallows returning year after year to San Juan, Capistrano. more

This morning as I scrambled to find a topic about Carroll County, my topics were few and far between based on level of interest. What came to mind was how I knew little to nothing about Carroll County’s namesake, Governor William Carroll. So guess what, this week’s article is a biographical sketch of the late governor. more

It’s tough going off with a bunch of Christian folks…when you are the only heathen in the group! They didn’t hesitate for a second to jump on an airplane and take off. To Guatemala of all places! more

While researching the Big Pecan Tree story last week I joined a Facebook group focused around the history of the Natchez Trace State Park. As I went down the rabbit hole, I came across a thread about Gene Autry and how the family had its roots in Carroll County. With limited time, I put a pin in it and decided to come back. more

I’ve told you before about living life backwards. It’s a grave misfortune borne by Baby Boomers that CBS, CNN, The Wall Street Journal, Golf Channel, Farmers’ Almanac and all the other “news sources” fail to report. more

Even though our family makes regular use of Natchez Trace State Park, I forget portions of the 48,000 acres of land lie within Carroll County. Part of the park’s claim to fame was surviving as the home of the “World’s Largest Pecan Tree,” now merely an oversized rotting stump, the once-grand attraction lives on through legends and a few tourists’ vacation photographs. more

“Mr. Gorbachev, tear down this wall!” — Ronald Reagan, address at the Brandenburg Gate, June 12, 1987. more

The girls’ basketball team from my little hometown just won the state championship. I was thrilled. Once a McKenzie High School Rebel, always a McKen... more

Let me put this out there first thing, I am not a local sports aficionado. I have a love for sports, but my historical mind does not have a filing cabinet dedicated to local sports history. For anything before 2000 that happened in Carroll County sports, I have to rely on our archives or the word of someone that is a self-proclaimed expert in all things sports. more

I’ve got to find a new way to get rid of my junk. EBay didn’t work. Oh, I sold an old putter that was just taking up space on their website within a couple of days. That part was easy. And Cathy was thrilled she didn’t have to dust around it anymore. more

Those who know me would be justified in expecting me to go into great detail regarding the Ukraine situation. Truth be told, I simply have no words to express the pain and grief I am experiencing over what I see take place hour by hour. I ask God daily to forgive me for my lack of faith when I ask “why?” I have to keep reminding myself God is in control. more

Golston “Bill” Stout was born on May 14, 1936, in Nashville to William Franklin Stout and Etta Mai Hand. His father is deceased and his mother still lives in Nashville. He went to Nashville schools in early life, graduating from Cohn High School. After graduation from high school, Stout had planned to attend college in Cookeville but wound up taking a job with Cain-Sloan Department Stores instead. more

My first newspaper article appeared the second week of March in 1984. A pound of bacon at the time cost $1.69. I had to look that up. And I don’t know how that is relevant because I have no idea what a pound of bacon cost today. more

The first thing I noticed was the short pants. They didn’t quite get down to his ankles. When we were in high school we would derisively refer to them as “high waters.” With age, I have become less “derisive” about anybody, place or thing. more

Rarely do I like to pull out my political soapbox and preach about the wrongs of the world. But, in light of what is taking place in Eastern Europe between Russia and Ukraine, I can’t help but reply to the talking heads with a simple facepalm. more

Trezevant Trezevant was founded in the year 1857. A large camp was located there to build the Louisville and Nashville railroad which was not completed until 1859. more

I used to sit by the telephone waiting for it to ring. Mostly to no avail. Apparently, no one in our house was very popular. more

WESTPORT After the American Civil War, in the late 1860s, the first railroad was laid through western Tennessee. This venture was done by the Northwestern Railroad with the help of the Chattanooga Tennessee Railroad. In 1872, the Chattanooga line bought out the Northwestern then changed its name to the Nashville-Chattanooga and St. Louis Railway (NC&ST.L). more

I don’t think I passed out. Or went into a trance. But my mind was definitely defying logic. It was enough to give you whiplash! And I don’t think I ever left the room. more

The Twenty Third District The southern part of the Twenty Third District lies along the banks of Crooked Creek. The land has hills rolling down toward the creek. The hill land is mostly clay, but the bottomland is rich black soil. more