I entered the LeConte Center in Pigeon Forge, Tenn. and found myself in a sea of smiling faces. They were looking forward to hearing and seeing their favorite gospel music performer either on the stage or in their booth at the National Quartet Convention. The people walked gleefully towards their seats for the event only […]
When I was growing up, I had many role models. My parents were great role models imparting many lessons. Some were easily learned while others took a bit of strict discipline to get them through my thick head. My grandfather Jesse and both my grandmothers were role models. My older brothers in a way, even […]
I am sitting on experience overload as we all are dealing with the nationwide pandemic shutdown and my local region is reeling due to tornadoes and flooding. So, I am turning us to a bit of levity to raise the spirits: My great Uncle Dud Doolittle was an entrepreneur extraordinaire who operated the little general […]
When I was a little boy, my brother and I shared a room with two maple single beds, a maple night stand, and a maple dresser with six drawers – three on each side with a large mirror spanning its width. The beds had pineapple finials on their posts. My older brother left me behind […]
Award-winning author Randall Franks joins long-time Ringgold Georgia Mayor Joe Barger in writing his autobiography Testing the Metal of Life (The Joe Barger Story) by Joe Barger with Randall Franks is released in October 2023. “Former Mayor Joe Barger called me several months ago and asked me to come over to his home,” Franks […]
As Labor Day passes by this is the first one that I actually recall being on strike on the day we acknowledge the contributions of American workers. I am part of the film and television industry and earlier this year, the screenwriters went on strike, and shortly thereafter the actors followed suit. While I am […]
It is only through paying attention that we can save our hometowns. In big cities, its often difficult to understand who does what, and how they are spending our money. In a small town though, it’s your city council that is responsible for deciding what is spent annually within its budget, or bi-weekly if the […]
Sometimes you just got to be hit on the head with a sledge hammer, a five iron or an iron skillet to realize something that has been staring you in the face all your life. I recently went to a One Book One Community event in my hometown where we welcomed a Georgia author who […]
As I awake, I turn off the alarm, I turn and plant my two feet firmly upon the floor. It is another day, I thank the Lord for another chance to serve Him. This day will be a blessing to someone, maybe God will use me to me a tool in that blessing. If not, […]
Across our country we are coming to the time when cities will host elections for the council members and mayors. Often, as Americans, we look towards the big races taking folks to Washington or the state capitols around the country but we forget about those positions that are closest to us. We forget those that […]
