When you think about big businesses headquartered in Tennessee most folks think of FedEx, Dollar Store, Bridgestone or Cracker Barrel. There was one up until 2010 that I had no clue was headquartered in Tennessee; that little gem is Pilot Flying J. Until January 16, 2024, the company was headquartered out of Knoxville and headed by the Haslam family. Yes, former Governor Bill Haslam along with his brother Jimmy, owner of the Cleveland Browns, made their fortune through the company founded by their father. more

The major league baseball season opens this week. Many “purists” are upset with three big changes to the game this year. The bases (not counting home plate) have been enlarged. A pitch clock has been instituted. And the shift of additional fielders to one side of the diamond has been eliminated. more

Sunday night, Brittany and I had the opportunity to see Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons in Nashville. It was an amazing concert and the first time I’ve ever been to the Opry House. I’m not a regular concertgoer because let’s be honest, how can anyone afford the expense, but last night was something special. 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

Dale Kelley, our father, had a dream and a vision for a lake to be built in Carroll County, Tennessee. Dad’s dream was for the lake to generate pride for Carroll Countians through residential growth, economic development, and recreation. 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

Throughout history, women have faced diversity. It has taken women of a special nature to tear down the walls blocking their path and have had to shatter many a glass ceiling. One such woman from Tennessee history is Martha Craig Daughtrey. She is one of the leaders in firsts for women across the state. From being the first female U.S. Attorney for the Middle District of Tennessee in Nashville to the first Tennessee State Supreme Court Justice. more

The first wedding I ever attended was in 1962. I was fifteen. And about the only thing I remember was there must have been a bad storm….or the church hadn’t paid its electric bill. It was pretty dark in the sanctuary, and this was in the middle of the afternoon! more

 I’m not against New Year resolutions. I even made one once. But it didn’t work out. I explained it in great detail to Jane Hill. I told her it came to me in a vision in late December. And I “resoluted” it because there was definitely a higher power involved; it was like some unseen force destined it to be….  more

Rising to the top in the political arena is nearly impossible without committing a few sins along the way. Some in Tennessee’s history stand out for their questionable ethics and have enveloped themselves with cronyism and nepotism. The governorship of Ray Blanton is probably the most atrocious in the modern era. more

Eight months after the United States entered World War II, the federal government launched the Manhattan Project. The Manhattan Project was the codename for the research and development undertaken to produce the first nuclear weapons. In September 1942, United States Army General Leslie R. Groves was assigned to manage the project. Groves approved three locations for this new clandestine project: Oak Ridge, Tennessee, Hanford, Washington and Los Alamos, New Mexico. more

The story of Buford Pusser is one of intrigue wrapped in mystery. Depending on who tells the story dictates the level of truth, glamorization, or defamation varies. more

Many factors influence the makeup of our personality and our station in life: genetics, the disposition we’re born with, culture, the country we live in, early childhood experiences, education, our childhood caregivers and probably even more factors. It’s a complex issue to try and cipher. more

I had my first taste of chewing tobacco when I was 15 years old. Warren County Twist should have had a warning label on it plainly stating, “Take two aspirins before inserting.” This was back in 1962. I reckon you chewed at your own risk in those days…. more

10 Years Ago — The Chamber Golf Tournament had 100 golfers and 30 volunteers for the event. The first place team for the first flight was Hamilton Ryker, made up of players Parker Jones, Troy Jones, Joe Saganski, and Stan Welch. more

McKenzie was all abuzz in May of 1975 with the anticipated arrival of Hollywood Legend Bob Hope. The film icon was scheduled for a stage performance at Bethel College on Sunday, May 31 in order to raise much needed funds for the financially distressed McKenzie institution. Hope’s presence left the school with over $100,000 and the community with a life time of memories. 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

An often quoted phrase related to open government is one by Louis Brandeis, an attorney and associate justice on the Supreme Court whose work and writings spanned the late 19th and early 20th centuries. 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

Did you hear the one about the U. S. Representative who took the oath of office for the current session of Congress with his hand on a Superman comic book? That’s like some kind of amazing story from another planet! I didn’t get his name. But I am pretty sure he is from California. more