Opinion

I’ve been in newspaper journalism for more than two decades. While writer’s block can happen, it’s nothing compared to the difficulty I’m having in writing this column. Let’s just jerk the Band-Aid off: my final day at the Herald will be on or before June 16, so this is goodbye.

Desperately Seeking Good News

Remembering Two Braves Legends

Boy, I have heard from SO many people about how fabulous the American Revival event at The Caverns was. I can only imagine how perfect it must have been to sit in that cave and listen. Nicholas Ma was incredibly gracious in his praise for everyone involved, and the best part may be that the event raised $30,000 for the Littell Partin Center, helping push those final renovations closer to completion. Another quick update: the Miracle on the Mountain park has moved its ribbon-cutting and grand opening from this Saturday to June 13 at 9 a.m. From the photos I’ve seen, it looks absolutely amazing. The summer VBS season also kicks off on June 1 and continues through July. First up are Mt. Zion Baptist, Laager Church, and Tracy City Methodist. And while we’re talking about summer traditions, everybody ought to start thinking about float ideas for the big 250th Birthday Celebration. Pelham always gets the festivities rolling on the Saturday before the Fourth. So many blessings all across this mountain lately.

Happy graduation season! There is something joyful in the air everywhere you go this time of year. Around here, it also marks one of the great seasonal shifts of mountain life. Monteagle especially feels the change, because our town has always moved to the rhythm of the seasons. Sewanee students head home, Assembly families begin arriving, summer residents return, and suddenly the whole mountain eases into a different kind of energy that lasts until school starts again in the fall. I always think about the stories my mom used to tell about Tubby’s back in the day and the fascinating mix of people who gathered there. She described it as a true melting pot where you never knew who you might run into on any given evening. Of course, the rowdier stories only seemed to surface years later from the people who actually lived them.

Growing Up on Penny Candy

Hey neighbors! You know Mother’s Day is this Sunday, and Momma isn’t cooking. Around here, that usually means one thing—you’d better have a plan. Several of our local restaurants will be open, which is likely your easiest option. Or you can do like we do—fire up the grill, bring something in, and keep it simple. My crew is coming down from Fentress County for the day, and I’m counting the minutes. Time together feels a little more sacred these days, and I don’t take that lightly. There are more wonderful mothers in this community than I could ever name, but you know who you are—thank you for raising such good, grounded people. And while we’re talking about folks who’ve made a lasting impact, I want to tip my hat to Eugene Parson on his retirement after 50 years with Tennessee State Parks, including so many of those years right here on the South Cumberland. He’s been that steady, friendly presence generations of visitors have come to know, and his kind of service won’t soon be forgotten.

Dear iPhone, I Need a Break

This job is not an easy one. If you’ve never been in newspaper journalism, specifically in the capacity of covering the news, you likely have no idea just how difficult it can be.

Train Wreck Radio