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Elly Mae and Little Jimmy

A love for critters of all shapes and sizes is one of the traits that audiences came to know about “Elly Mae Clampett.” That attribute combines along with her ability to whip Jethro or anything else that came her way that needing whipping.

Dreaming of the new year

A new year is upon us and with its arrival is the promise of another opportunity. Perhaps it’s the practice of making resolutions, or the celebrations of ringing out the old and ringing in the new. I always see Jan. 1 as a new chance to do things more effectively.

Lights are flickering and the halls are decked

Flickering lights shimmered in the breeze hanging from trees, light poles, porch eaves and buildings as I drove around my hometown last week. It is such a heartwarming sight to see the efforts made both by our city staff and individual property owners to raise people’s spirits during the Christmas season. For me the warmth […]

Seeing through the masks

Have you ever wondered what is beyond the face someone is showing you? Is there another series of thoughts running through their head that is different than the words coming out of their mouth or the expression on their face?

An Evening Among Friends

The sun swept across the dark wood floor forming a light spot in the shape of a heart that I noticed as my mother buzzed around the room with dishes in her hand setting the table. On the kitchen stove, pans were gurgling as meatballs simmered in a sauce, angel hair pasta boiled with a […]

Communication is the key to relationships

Communication – the exchange of thoughts, messages, or information, as by speech, signals, writing, or behavior. Most of us begin this process from the first time we point at something to indicate we want it. After we slowly master “Mama” and “Dada,” we eventually grow our vocabulary and with the right training we become equipped […]

Jeff Foxworthy, more than a comedian

After our show “In the Heat of the Night” went off the air, I was looking for an opportunity to move on to another show. There were not many opportunities for Southern actors at that time, “Walker, Texas Ranger” was on the air, comedian Brett Butler had a Southern base sit-com called “Grace Under Fire.” […]

World of Bluegrass is coming

My bluegrass excitement always builds this time of year as I prepare for the coming of the International Bluegrass Music Association’s World of Bluegrass September 30-October 4 in Raleigh, NC. I am returning this year to assist with directing a portion of the award presentations. There is a star-studded line-up for the 25th International Bluegrass […]