Life

Susan Steen: Color outside the lines to hear great stories


“Age should not have its face lifted, but it should rather teach the world to admire wrinkles as the etchings of experience and the firm line of character.” ― Clarence Day Jr. Although I don’t wear much makeup these days, putting on eyeshadow has never been too difficult a task for me. Well, it wasn’t difficult until a few years ago […]

Real estate: Setting the pace for clients


Setting the pace for anything can be challenging as it takes practice, experience, commitment, and confidence. When training for a run, many people need to work with pacing coaches or apps to learn how to set their own pace, feel their pace intuitively, and know when to pick it up or when to ease up. Real estate is no different. […]

Dr. Mark Kestner: Here are tips to chew on for improved digestion


For readers that endure chronic digestive problems, whether it is constipation, diarrhea, bloating, gas or cramping, this article can be helpful. For many, following the tips below can result in significant improvement in digestive function within a few days. For readers with diagnosed digestive conditions, diseases or other medical issues related to digestion, talk to your primary care provider before […]

Martha Gerdeman: What do you do when family stories don’t match the facts?


Last week I wrote about Hannah Queen, whose husband Asa died of illness during the Civil War. I mentioned that my grandfather (Hannah’s grandson) claimed that Asa died at Gettysburg, which was not the case. I have no idea how that story got handed down; the unit of which he was a part was not even at Gettysburg. One thing […]

Cheryl Lewis: Singer Dylan Scott makes his family comfortable in Wilson County


It’s no accident that Dylan Scott loves music. From the time he was his newborn son’s age, Dylan’s world has been saturated with guitars, singing and all things country. That means 4-wheelers on dirt trails, camo donned in the wee hours, roaring bonfires and good times, with a side of biscuits and gravy stirred in. It also means hot mics, […]

Music Spotlight: Bryce Leatherwood



When I heard the buttery twang that encapsulates Bryce Leatherwood, I knew exactly why he won Season 22 of NBC’s “The Voice.” Even before he sang a word, you knew he had it. Bryce Leatherwood is a 23-year-old singer/songwriter who aims to carry the torch of the country music he grew up with. He was born and raised in Woodstock, Ga., and […]

Jack McCall: Yes sir, manners make you feel good


I have come to the conclusion that good manners and appropriate language are never out of place. In the house where I grew up we answered our father in the affirmative by responding, “Yes, Sir,” and in the negative by saying, “No, Sir.” Likewise, we answered our mother in the affirmative by saying, “Yes, Ma’am,” and in the negative by […]

Becky Andrews: Rename that show ‘Mom Vs. Wild’ and add some kids


I realized two things about the reality show “Man vs. Wild” a few years back. One, if I were ever stranded in a jungle with nothing but my wits to survive, I wouldn’t make it. I don’t even think I’d try. Instead, search and rescue would find me curled up in a fetal position, sucking my thumb. And two, Bear […]

Let’s Eat: North Italia serves just enough, not too much


North Italia, 2159 Green Hills Village Dr. and 4041 Aspen Grove Dr. in Franklin. I have a friend, a wise Ukrainian grandmother, who cooks without recipes or measurements. Her judgment for combining and seasoning food is, “Just enough, not too much.” That’s how I feel about North Italia. Everything on the Italian-inspired menu is restrained. Take the Burrata di Stagione, […]

Joe Dubin: ‘And don’t forget to put your seatbelt on!’


Time has a way with us, and it also has a way with places that we remember growing up. Sure, most of the places we reminisce about in our youth are gone or they have been rebuilt and look nothing like they did from years past and that is okay. My mother always said to make your memories out of […]

Dr. Mark Kestner: Some steps to take to reduce chronic knee pain


Chronic knee pain is very common and a reason for many people to lose the ability to carry on normal daily functions.  Chronic knee pain can result in lost mobility, weight gain, accidental injury, work disability and many other problems. It is a very serious problem for a great number of people. Pain of the knee joint inhibits normal activity and […]

Susan Steen: Put on your purple to show epilepsy awareness


“The good physician treats the disease; the great physician treats the patient who has the disease.” – William Osler After a couple of incidents recently, I was reminded of how important great physicians are. In one of the incidents, my mother had a quick trip to the emergency room. As I spoke with the physician, I explained about some of […]


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