The brouhaha over the mural and the perception of a scene it projects coupled with the Confederate battle flag as a rallying point for the Rebels mascot at South Cumberland Elementary School sent me back to my own experiences which I had not reflected upon in years.

“The more that you read, the more things you will know. The more that you learn, the more places you’ll go!”

Are you better off today than you were Jan. 20, 2017? 

It seemed like the answer to our consumer prayers — self-checkouts at local stores.

Editor’s Note: Last year, some folks in Illinois were so upset over the naming practice of lumber, they sued a couple of building supply retailers for “deceptive” marketing practices. Last fall, the case was thrown out, with U.S. District Judge Edmond Chang stating no reasonable consumer wou…

2018 is full of promise, full of brand new perspective and full of hope. This year I wish for you to do at least one thing you are afraid of, do at least one thing that you’ve always wanted to do and do at least one thing that you never thought you’d have the opportunity. 

Here we are at the start of another year. The first of the year always seems like a nice time to look back at the good and the bad from the past 12 months and wipe the slate clean moving forward into a new year. No doubt more than a few of us looked back at the resolutions we started 2017 wi…

We’re a short seven weeks away from a new year, and many people may be wondering what they can do in the coming months to make their community a better place. 

Next year, Cumberland County residents have the opportunity to vote for representatives at every level of government from the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives to a new governor. We’ll also have a number of local elections. All 18 seats on the Cumberland County Commission will be up f…

If the pictures flashing on the big screens looked like ones found on the pages of East Tennessee Mug Shots it is because they were published there. What you won’t find with these “before shots” are the present day “after” pictures.

Another year, another headline on problems with our state’s standardized testing programs. TN Ready has been decidedly not ready since it rolled out in 2016. The latest issues — almost 10,000 scores miscalculated and hundreds of teachers assigned the wrong student — do nothing to inspire con…

A community is prosperous when the local economy is thriving. When there are more dollars in the hands of our citizens through job creation, more tourists coming to Cumberland County or new residents moving in, this causes a ripple effect to our retail and service industries, greater tax rev…

I started this column several years ago to offer a break to the partisan rhetoric that often finds its way to opinion and editorial pages. I wanted to write about things that were amusing, that I enjoy, or that show kindness and the good in this world — and the occasional column about langua…

At 3:02 p.m. Friday, the season officially changed to fall.

My never-ending battle continues this year in my quest to eliminate or at least significantly reduce the ridiculous, early public onslaught of over-the-top pumpkin spice products and recipes being unwillingly shoved in our faces annually.

Last fall I received a troubling letter in the mail. 

Much like the beloved character Bubba from Forrest Gump, who painstakingly reviewed each and every way imaginable to enjoy shrimp, I consider myself somewhat of a funnel cake connoisseur. And I always look forward to the Cumberland County Fair when I can indulge my tastebuds with an ever-exp…

When we hear it's fair time in Cumberland County, many of us (myself included) probably start hearing that carnival music in our heads. Our mouths start watering for that deliciously bad for you fair food, like funnel cake, fried cookie dough and donut burgers (seriously!). We think about al…

What makes you happy?

All commissioners were in attendance for the special called meeting for adoption of the county’s new budget for the 2017-2018 fiscal year. The evening began with two public hearings.

One of my first home improvement projects several years ago was building a set of custom floating shelves.

As a classic rock and roll music lover, lover of live music performance and pop-culture music history buff I have to admit I was thrilled Wednesday afternoon when all three worlds collided for me when I stumbled across a series of three video gems of epic proportions on YouTube.

We’d just started the hike when we came upon the spur trail to an overlook. The loop trail to Yahoo Falls was only a little over a mile-and-a-half, and my friends and I had driven two hours just to get to the trailhead in the Big South Fork. A few extra steps didn’t seem out of order.

Legal Aid Society of Middle Tennessee provides legal advice and representation on civil legal issues for seniors in 48 Middle Tennessee counties. 

One of my favorite songs offers an ode to the pack rat – “Times are tough/I’ve got too much stuff!”

Music is an art form that defies age barriers. At least it is in my mind.

When I graduated high school, some smart person gave me a book — “Where’s Mom Now That I Need Her?”

I remember my college graduation day. After checking to make sure the degree was actually IN the folder, I couldn’t help but stare. That piece of paper was going to cost a fortune that my 22-year-old self couldn’t really comprehend.

What was your first car?

Have you ever wondered what life would be like without a free press?

Sunday night, as I was contemplating turning off the Netflix and heading to bed, the power went out.

I decided I wanted to be a journalist when I was in high school. 

One of my dearest childhood friends turned 150 years old last week.

This column was originally published Feb. 3, 2012, prior to the Super Bowl. It seemed apropos to rerun the column since this is Super Bowl weekend and the Patriots are once again playing and I will once again be watching for the commercials.

Mary Tyler Moore was nothing short of amazing. She addressed a whole host of social issues in the '70s with her smile.

Editor’s Note: Over the holidays, I spent a little time north of the Mason-Dixon Line, where my Southern speech drew a couple of good-natured laughs.  Thankfully, the communication troubles were amusing, not troublesome, but I was reminded of this event a few years ago when the Oak Ridge Nat…

For a generation, we’ve been telling our youth that education is the golden ticket to success. Whether it be a skilled trade certification, an apprenticeship, a two-year degree, a four-year degree, a master’s degree, etc., the diploma you get when you complete your studies is supposed to be …

For many, 2016 will forever be known as the biggest bummer of a year ever.

Each year at Christmas when my family trims the Christmas tree I relive our family history through little reminders — Christmas ornaments.

Edna Buchanon said, "Friends are the family we choose for ourselves." 

I had decided I wouldn’t bother with Christmas decorations this year. I hadn’t even gotten around to fall decorations. Then end of football season came and went with my summer wreath still on the door and the UT Vols wreath packed away. 

There’s a banner displayed at every Rotary Club meeting — no matter where you are — that shares four questions to ask before speaking. 

It’s been a rough November for Tennessee. One tragedy after another has left us broken-hearted for families across the state and the nation. But as our Volunteer State so often does in the wake of tragedy, we are pulling together to help our neighbors.  

A large oak-framed color chalk and pencil drawing of my wife and I hangs in our bedroom. It's been in our home, wherever that may be, for the past 28 years.

There is no doubt that we are incredibly blessed to live in this nation and, especially, this community.