Press release by Bradley Hicks While growing up in Colorado Springs, Colorado, Col. Jack Rhodes saw his future whenever he stepped outside. He had a view of the U.S. Air Force Academy from his home....

THE SCENT of warm butter-covered popcorn and the huge roar of the crowd… does anything bring you back faster than a Friday night under the stadium lights? For me, it’s a flood of memories: the...

ON JULY 17, community members gathered under a large tent at Unity Medical Center (UMC) to celebrate its 10th anniversary — a milestone marking the merger of United Regional Medical Center and...

IF YOU’VE ever seen a fighter jet cut across the sky, you know what powerful looks like. You know what freedom sounds like. That roar overhead reminds us that we live in a country where people put...

SINCE ITS founding in 2002, Bonnaroo has blossomed into one of the largest music festivals in the United States, annually welcoming tens of thousands of attendees to “The Farm.” The festival is a...

FRED KASPER only had seconds to duck when a rocket careened toward his vicinity in Iraq. The blast ripped his body from the ground like a tornado tearing a door from its hinges. The American sailor...

MARINE STAFF Sgt. Richard Claing humbly steps to the front of the crowd as Master of Ceremonies to honor all the fallen heroes for the Veterans of Foreign Wars’ (VFW) Memorial Day service. Claing, a...

A FAMILY LOADS up their navy blue Jeep in Tennessee and takes a cross-country road trip. It’ll take several days to get to the Sequoia National Park in California. There may be hours when the Jeep...

LEMONADE DAY teaches young people to be entrepreneurs by guiding them through the process of launching and managing their own businesses. Manchester was an early adopter, even weaving the program...

LEBRON HAGGARD’S dream formed within the confines of his Manchester garage. Inside, he and his friends milled malt, combined the grain with hot water, boiled its contents, initiated fermentation,...

WHEN PEOPLE walk into Dawn Selvage’s clinic, they do not feel reduced to a number that pays the bill. Instead, they enter a home, where patients are treated like family. In Selvage’s eyes, that’s...

WHEN YOU choose a locally owned business over a national chain, you’re not just spending your money, you’re planting it. And the roots of that investment reach deep. Every dollar counts, and it...

EACH SUMMER, Manchester shakes off its small-town quiet and bursts to life as Bonnaroo rolls in, transforming our backyard into a bright, colorful world all its own. The thick summer air comes...

THE GOLDEN, sticky sweetness drizzles onto warm toast, slightly pooling before you take a bite. The rich, floral taste lingers on your tongue. It’s a gift from thousands of tiny workers buzzing...

A STUDENT IN our community today will walk the halls of Congress with a pinned American flag on their chest. A student in our community today will pray their knees still hold when their nerves get...

ADDIE BROWN’S heart rapidly thumps as she enters the Celeste Center’s oval arena. Sitting high on her horse, Wimpy Cocktail — also known as Otis — the 13-year-old rehearses maneuvers in her mind and...

FOR OVER two decades, Advanced Nurse Practitioner Saharra Jewell has served the Coffee County community in women’s health. For many, her office at Amani Women’s Health Center is much more than an...

SHOES SQUEAK on the basketball court, water splashes over the side of the swimming pool, a fishing reel whirs as a line is cast — these activities happen all across Manchester on the daily, and...

PASTOR JACOB Schofill, a soft-spoken yet passionate man of faith, never imagined how much his life would change after receiving a call from a street evangelist named Jason Belyew. Belyew, a Chicago...

WISTERIA HILL Boutique is a cozy shopping destination where timeless style and a touch of country charm come together effortlessly. The boutique has a warm, inviting vibe, with soft lighting that...

EVERY YEAR, hurricanes roar across the United States, leaving in their wake devastation that alters the lives of thousands of people. Hurricanes alter landscapes and communities, displace families,...

THE SOUNDS of the self-checkout registers beep through the entire store. The short lines of people with baskets and carts move across the reflective tile like a conveyor belt and out the door. Uh,...

You know that first breath of spring? The way the warmer air gives you goosebumps — the air is soft, full of promise, carrying hints of something new. After months of cold, we step outside, and for...

What if love could build not only physical access but also deeper connections? A group of men from Forest Mill Church of Christ took that question to heart when they started a ramp ministry — an act...

Manchester Native Lisa Marcrom's fingers glided across her client's tense muscles, a particular relaxation method that seemed to soothe the body and mind. The client's crumpled brow started to...

The PinkHouse lives on, beautifully preserved in the pages of “The PinkHouse Project Cookbook.” Tucked inside the pages are an abundance of family recipes and stories of love, heartache, and...

Growing up in a world of unpredictability, where stability was a luxury and trust a fragile commodity, was the reality for Mary Hazelwood. As a child, Hazelwood experienced the instability of the...

In a world where health care often feels like a race against time, what if the most important aspect of healing wasn’t about the ailment at all? Martha Henley, the CEO of Unity Medical Center (UMC),...

Tasha Hill vividly remembers the moment that changed her life. She was sitting in a jail cell, lost in the throes of addiction, feeling utterly hopeless. With parents who also battled substance...

A nurse walked down the hallway his mother walked decades before he did. Beep … beep … he could hear the sounds from patients’ rooms. He kept a small keepsake pinned to his scrubs, a pin his mother...

As Roxanne Springfield Patton strolled through the streets of Manchester, she felt the warmth of familiarity and a connection to the town that influenced her. To those looking from the outside in,...

Kim Watkins stood in front of her classroom, the old pages of a homemade book cradled in her hands. The colorful, hand-drawn pictures, carefully illustrated with crayons and pencils, glistened under...

The people of the year 1000 faced division, uncertainty, and fear for the future. They didn’t know it then, but they stood at the edge of change, transitioning from the Dark Ages to the Middle Ages....

Susannah Lance stepped onto Manchester’s streets with little more than hopes and dreams. Having experienced what it was like to live with almost nothing, she knew she wanted to give back to the...

IN THE dimly lit hallways of the Franklin County and Coffee County recovery courts, a new kind of hope now walks the halls where remnants of past mistakes once lingered. Allen Burnette was once...

AUTUMN SETTLES into our town like a puppy in a warm bed. There’s a magic in the air that only this season can bring. Golden leaves drift gently from the trees, painting the sidewalks in shades of...

AFTER YEARS of searching for a community that felt like home, Beth Davenport and her husband, Brad Davenport, found themselves at Canvas Community Church, where their lives transformed in unexpected...

THE CROWD gathered as Eric Frazier wheeled himself onto the front porch of his new home. Emotions were high — the kind that binds a community together in moments of sincere honor and reflection....

IT’S A busy police station. Phones ring, radios crackle, and officers rush in and out. A desk sergeant in the middle of filing paperwork grabs a jacket and assures a dispatcher that they’re already...

SHE FLASHES her lights and pushes the gas pedal a little harder. The walkie-talkie is too quiet, so she spins the dial and makes her bulletproof vest a little more comfortable. She worked hard to...

METRO SERVICES is a workforce Management company and a catalyst for transformation. The founders started the organization believing that every individual possesses untapped potential. Cody Amis,...

WE RARELY wake up asking, “How will I change the world today?” When we face the blare of an alarm, most of us instinctively reach for the snooze button, begrudgingly start our day, and confront the...

AS WE transition from October to November, we celebrate the unsung heroes in our kitchens — those recipes that nourish our bodies and souls. These recipes honor the culinary traditions and...

SWEET CORN stalks, reaching for the sun, surrounded Adam Daugherty. Kneeling in the rich Coffee County soil, his hands, accustomed to the feel of masonry tools, held a cob. Daugherty didn’t see...

OUR FOOD nourishes us, from the soil beneath our feet to the table where we gather with family and friends. The hot sun beams from the sky into the field of sprouting seeds. Farmers rise early,...

GROWING UP on a farm teaches you a lot about life — hard work, commitment, respect, and the resilience to get back up when you fall. For Leslie Copeland, these lessons have profoundly shaped her...

MAGGIE SMITH grew up on a family farm — a legacy tilled and nurtured by generations of women before her. This legacy imparted immense respect for the connection between nature and the food on our...

COOKING WITH produce, meats, and spices from nearby farms and growers brings the freshest flavors to our tables. And choosing local ingredients benefits our community while enhancing our family...

WHEN THE stadium lights blaze and the roar of the crowd echoes, true fans know the game-day experience begins in the parking lot. Celebrate your team’s spirit with these tailgating recipes, which...

NATALIE BROWN stood on the sidelines of the local recreational league’s field, cheering on her daughter, Aubrey Brown. For Natalie, it was a place where she learned important life lessons. In this...

THE GRASS, damp from the morning dew, squished beneath Preston Chalker’s sneakers as he walked across his backyard. In his hand, a miniature replica of the driver his grandpa, Felix “Pa” Nunley,...

BONNIE WIGLEY sat reminiscing on the sofa, her eyes fixed on the two mismatched stuffed dogs in Luca Wigley’s lap. The house was peaceful and full of love. Bonnie traced the memory that will forever...

THE CROWD fills the stands, row after row, of people in our high school’s colors. The family in front of you sits down with a fresh hot dog from the concession stand. It’s still steaming with a...

WHEN I was 8, I wanted to be a teacher. I remember my third grade teacher clicking the chalk on the green board on the wall. And when I was 9, I wanted to be a director. My parents bought me a...

THE SECOND the clock reached 11 a.m., I hopped in my car and began my trek toward what is perhaps the most coveted pizza in Manchester. Clearly, the community loves it as much as I did since...

THERE ARE sanctuaries of dreams in every decade. The court is saturated with the aura of hard work and anticipation as the bleachers fill with spectators, their voices resounding with encouragement...

TOWERING OAK trees cast cool shadows as you wander along winding trails. Breathe in the sweet fragrance of honeysuckle colliding with the earthy musk of damp soil. A warm sigh of wind rustles the...

THE STADIUM lights blurred as Leslie Henley Trussler raced down the runway, her heart hammering a counterpoint to the roaring crowd. The wind whipped past, whispering doubts such as “too fast” and...

WALKING THROUGH the double doors, a medley of grunts, thuds, and sneakers squeaking against polished floors fills the air. Bodies blur across the spring floor, twisting, leaping, and defying...

IF YOU took a snapshot of any moment in our country’s history, there is a hurt we were trying to heal. The same is true today. It’s our independence that lets us correct our wrongs, to heal, and to...

Hit with the sudden desire to stand like a child at the case of pastries upon entering, this particular Sunday smelled of a cozy home-cooked meal and dozens of sweets. Not even minding the...

A SMALL ROOM is full of warm light, and there’s a gentle murmur of conversation, emphasizing the anticipation that rises before a special event. One lively character plays the guitar, the others...

THE SUN shimmered off the asphalt. The constant squeak of sneakers against  cracked pavement echoed between the siding of the Shady Grove mobile homes. It was a counterpoint to the distant wail...

SUMMER IS coming. And surely your home will sit empty for a week in this heat. The playful cheers of the kids on summer break go missing for a week that was planned for a year. The dishes sit in the...

Immediately struck by the warmth emanating from the kitchen, I was directed by a friendly smile to order at the counter. The restaurant’s rustic charm seemed to extend to its team, who chipped in to...

Walk into Detention @ the Elementary, where excitement awaits. Gone are the rows of desks and stern expressions of teachers. In their place, chatter erupts from families and friends united in their...

WE OFTEN overlook the significance of basic abilities such as independence, clear sight, good hearing, problem-solving skills, and easy access to essential resources. Navigating the challenges...

INSIDE THE Manchester Coffee County Conference Center (MCCCC), there is a warm atmosphere full of genuine smiles and friendly conversations. Each room offers comfortable seating, creating a...

SAVOR THE essence of a hometown getaway with heartwarming flavors that celebrate locally available ingredients. From comforting classics to tempting treats, give yourself a break and bring the charm...

THE ECONOMIC Policy Institute reports that for every dollar spent at a locally owned business, 68 cents of it stays in the local economy. Compare this to 32 cents staying in a local community when...

FOLLOWING MY feet and my appetite, I let my senses carry me past the beautiful pink doorway and toward the source of freshly baked goods. Brianne Melcher, owner of and baker for bakehouse, was as...

IN SHORTY Miller's historic building, Amy Chalker’s boutique, Chasin’ Trends Clothing Co., exudes a warmth and charm that is as much a reflection of its owner’s personality as it is a celebration of...

WE ARE still uncovering hundreds of years of history in Coffee County. At the Joanna Lewis Memorial Museum of Coffee County History, we travel back as far as 1836 — the year the county was founded....

THE LAST bite of your rocky road ice cream melts on your tongue, the waffle cone crumbling in your hand. Contentment settles over you as you perch on the cool black bench beneath the courthouse...

THE METAL beams tick, tick, tick with every inch the cart climbs to the top of the hill. The experienced thrill-seekers in the front cart raise their hands as the coaster inches toward the climax of...

NOTING THE comfortable thrum of chatter behind the veil of sizzling meats and spices, I walked through the doorway and was greeted by multiple cheery hosts who led me to a well-lit booth on the left...

“NEVER SAY never.” If you had asked nurse education teacher Deana Crosslin 21 years ago if she would end up being a teacher, she would have simply told you, “No way.”  Four years as a school nurse...

A SUN-DRENCHED FIELD shimmers in the morning light, crisp air crackles with anticipation, and a joyous symphony of cheers erupt as a young girl rounds the bases, pure triumph etched on her face....

THE AIR crackles with a mix of nervous anticipation and focused determination as a line of fifth graders stand at the ready, bows drawn, arrows notched. Each release unleashes a glimmer of...

RISE AND shine to breakfasts that fuel minds and bodies alike! Celebrate the power of wholesome, delicious meals to kickstart learning and energize young students. We’ll dish up recipes packed with...

IN THE quiet corners around us, away from negativity, thrive the true heartbeats of our community — the local charities and the selfless individuals who support them. It’s in these spaces, often...

COFFEE COUNTY is home to many great places to eat, and not all of them can be found in the same place every day. Local food trucks sell everything from burgers and tacos to barbecue and...

THE SUBSTANCE Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration designates Aug. 27 to Sept. 2 as Overdose Awareness Week. However, the pervasive threat of overdose confronts many local community...

TheHeARTStudio serves as a sanctuary of healing, a sacred haven where paintbrushes dance, and colors knit tales that defy verbal expression. Founded by the visionary Selina Hyzer, this unassuming...

THE ACT of preparing a homemade meal transcends the boundaries of sustenance; it becomes a gesture of empathy, a tangible expression of care that resonates deeply with those facing adversity. Amidst...

IT’S HOLDING the door open for the person behind you. It’s sending a sweet text when they cross your mind. It’s stopping by to say “hi” when they’ve had a bad day. Showing up and showing love is...

EXCHANGE PROGRAMS offer a bridge of understanding, compassion, and friendship. Meet the Academic Program Development administrator and host families of Cultural Homestay International in Tennessee,...

THERE ARE specific individuals in our society who stand out as symbols of hope, love, and steadfast faith. Michael Young, a native of Murfreesboro, is undoubtedly one of these remarkable...

IT STARTED in high school. “We were originally in homeroom together in high school, here in Coffee County,” Doug Vaughn explained. Although he and his wife Dianne had known each other for three...

THE FIRST sounds of life are screams and cries of joy. Oxygen fills little lungs for the first time. The lights above are bright. And the beeping machines from every corner of the room can be...

TINA TAYLOR, a passionate administrator at Autumn Oaks Assisted Living, exudes genuine enthusiasm when discussing the facility’s mission and services. Her spirit extends beyond the facility,...

MARIAH PHILLIPS, a seasoned nurse with 7 ½ years of experience, has dedicated her career to the field of obstetrics. After sitting down with her for a while and listening to her story, you’ll...

IN A world often dominated by medical professionals, Marcrom Pharmacy in Manchester is a ray of hope and healing. General Manager Joe McKamey goes beyond dispensing medications, spearheading...

LIKE THE cozy warmth of a heated blanket, Good News and the holidays are in the air once again. The season of festive lights, crackling fireplaces, and familiar carols is upon us, inviting a sense...

STORMS DEMAND our attention. They’re no big deal to some and stir crippling anxiety in others. Between those extremes is everyone else. Despite these differences, one thing unites us: our desire for...

IN THE parking lot of Southern Family Market lies a food truck paradise where different food trucks congregate to help one another and serve the community. Each being a delight on its own, every one...

WE ENCOUNTER unsung heroes who walk among us without recognition. They may not be wearing a cape and a mask, but they’re a hero regardless. Their unwavering commitment to service and sacrifice makes...

THANKSGIVING AND Christmas are getting closer, and it’s time to plan for parties and get-togethers. Old standards served alongside new recipes on family buffets with family china, and finger foods...

Community Table’s Extended Free Meal Program  Community Table serves free meals on the fourth and fifth Thursday of each month at 1916 McArthur Dr., Manchester. Starting in August, they will also...

WITHIN THE humble embrace of Italian-American cuisine, time loses its grip. The warm atmosphere, embodied by kind waitresses and friendly cooks, was a testament to the small-town mindset that felt...

NOTHING EXCITES me more than the idea of autumn. The trees are beautiful and never fail to take your breath away and then give it back to you. The perfect Saturday is a cool breeze coming in from...

OUR HOMETOWN sports is not simply a spectacle of athletic prowess; it is a celebration of the human spirit — an embodiment of the unwavering bond that emerges when we come together to support our...

A SIMPLE SEARCH through the street food finder in Manchester produced the barbecue truck worthy of tracking down each time it’s in town. Amidst a bustling convoy of food trucks, each promising a...

The city welcomes new certified sites  TENNESSEE GOVERNOR Bill Lee and Economic and Community Development Commissioner Bob Rolfe announced four new Select Tennessee Certified Sites, which meet...

IF YOU have been to the Manchester Food Lion, you have probably met Helen Reardon. She has served and encouraged many in the community of Manchester since she began working there in 2006 and...

NORTH COFFEE Elementary can’t help but stand out. Principal Adam Clark said that excellence comes from a focus on relationships.  “I try to [connect] with all the kids in the school,” Clark...

GIVING BACK to the community is a huge part of the Chick-Fil-A Leader Academy at Coffee County Central High School, and the 23 students that were involved this year stepped up to the plate by...

HALLOWEEN IS one of the best times of the year as kids (and adults) dress up and go door to door, asking for as many candies and sweets as possible. Unfortunately, October 31 only comes once a year...

AS THE sun casts its golden glow upon our world, we find ourselves awakening to the delights of summer – the vibrant colors, the warm breezes, and the echoes of laughter and togetherness. With the...

THE STEAM wafted toward my face each time I blew into the cup between my palms. “A small latte with lavender and honey, please,” I asked the kind woman at the counter just a few minutes before — my...

NESTLED IN a charming, close-knit community, where the American flag dances in the breeze and freshly cut grass invigorates the soul, stands the cozy yet stately home of double-amputee Marine Corps...

A CULINARY REVOLUTION is happening on four wheels in our warm, vibrant community, where hospitality runs deep. Food trucks are taking small towns by storm, and it’s time we stop and savor the charm...

VARIOUS INITIATIVES have been established to pay tribute to brave veterans and keep their legacy alive. One remarkable initiative that garnered widespread attention and admiration is the National...

AS A member of a group of people that only make up about 14% of the country’s population, and as a woman, I have faced unique challenges and experiences that have shaped my identity and journey of...

"IT WILL be fun!” I said enthusiastically to two eye-rolling teens as I surprised them with news that we would play Bingo on a Friday night. To say they were not very enthusiastic would be putting...

WANT TO know how to save your house plant? Or are you looking for a way to find locally sourced products? Maybe you’ve just bought a few chickens and need to know the best food to feed them. This is...

AH, RETIREMENT! We dream about it, save for it, and imagine how we’ll fill our days. While many seniors and retirees find countless ways to spend their time, others discover extra time on their...

WHEN I think of the next generation, I feel excitement. I want this issue of Good News to be a joyous celebration of the young adults who will be the leaders of tomorrow, carrying the torch of...

MOSTLY, IT is rare to leave a restaurant feeling a strong sense of communal satiety, as if you have dined with everybody you were meant to meet while around the meal you were meant to enjoy. At...

STEPHEN CROOK, the executive director of the Industrial Board of Coffee County, possesses a wealth of knowledge regarding industry opportunities in the region. With nearly nine years of experience...

THE COFFEE County-Manchester Library is looking not only to grow plants but to grow the community. They recently hosted a seed swap event where patrons and the public could stop in and learn more...

IT IS the best of times; it is (sometimes) the worst of times. I have three children, ages 16, 12, and 5. It’s not lost on me how fast they grow. Now, with a child who is nearing 18, it really does...

THE AIR is thick and heavy, like a woolen blanket draped over the landscape. The sun blazes down, casting a golden glow over the world below. The grass is tall and green, swaying in the breeze like...

PIT-STOP RESTAURANTS are perhaps some of the most overlooked establishments in the culinary world. In Manchester, however, the whole town revolves around the home of the ‘Bonnaroo Burger.’ With a...

NOW IS the perfect time to unplug and connect with Manchester Parks and Recreation, a department whose mission is to provide affordable, inclusive, quality programs and facilities to all individuals...

RENOWNED FOR its excellent patient-centered care and top-notch facilities, Unity Medical Center (UMC) has solidified its commitment to the community’s healthcare needs. Since its inception in 2015,...

EVERY YEAR, people from all over the nation come together to enjoy entertainment, community, and great food at Bonnaroo Music and Arts Festival. One familiar face you might have seen there is Mrs....

WILLOWBROOK GOLF Club lies deep in the rolling hills of Manchester. Nestled among the greenery and pristine landscapes, it is a coveted destination for golf enthusiasts worldwide. And it’s not hard...

THEY SAY home is wherever your heart is; for Jenny Pettay, her heart is in Manchester. New to town, Pettay has fallen in love with the community. To show her appreciation and support for the local...

THE ECONOMIC Policy Institute reports that for every dollar spent at a locally owned business, 68 cents of it stays in the local economy. Compare this to 32 cents staying in a local community when...

STAR OLYMPIAN Usain Bolt is known as the fastest man in the world, and his reputation was cemented when he won the gold medal in the 100-meter race at the 2008 Beijing Olympics and 2012 London...

KUBO GRILL is a bustling home for what seems to be one-fourth of the town’s population in mid-afternoon. It was, therefore, a delight to be seated quickly. I maneuvered myself around the stage,...

RETIRED NAVY Chief G. Lamar Wilkie is an accomplished writer whose works are inspired by his life experiences. His recent book, “A Man’s Guide to Babies,” was born from his experience as an...

WE’RE GETTING close to the part of the summer when our favorite musical festivities occur. Ticket sales reach record highs, and families from all over the nation come together to enjoy good music,...

DAVID PILLOW and Ryan Vaughn brought a new level of sophistication to The Standard Grooming Lounge. They opened the barbershop on March 14, 2022. In just a short time, they have already made waves...

THE LONG-AWAITED summer months are finally here, and kiddos are ready for fun in the sun. While it’s essential to enjoy the time off, it’s important to encourage them to keep reading over the...

MEMORIES OF books, card catalogs, and hushing librarians come to mind when we recall the libraries of our childhood. We can almost smell that perfect mixture of paper, dust, and nostalgia. Those...

Sometimes life just isn’t what it seems.  There are situations where we view each other through the fishbowl of life. We watch from outside, sure of what we’re seeing. Meanwhile, inside, life is its...

I THINK OF education the same way I think of the spring season. In that time of year, out of season and lifeless-looking trees begin to bloom and become like new. The new nutrients, new water, and...

I TEETERED BEHIND the edge of the counter in anticipation, trying to catch a better glimpse of the man shaving thick slices of the simmering meat just a few feet away from me. Tummy rumbling, I...

DOTSON’S COUNTRY Market, once housed on Hillsboro Boulevard in Manchester, now has a new place to call home. The market is currently located at 1306 Hillsboro Blvd., a few buildings away from its...

THE COFFEE County Middle School’s golf team won their first SEC season in 10 years and went on to win first place in the conference tournament, with golf coach Rachel Williams coaching for the first...

WE FEEL the most comfortable when we know where we’re going. Knowing our destination, all the familiar landmarks along the way, and where we’ll settle in once we’ve arrived gives us a sense of...

THERE IS nothing quite like the idea of curling up with a good book and taking the afternoon to journey off into another land or planet and go on a grand adventure with unforgettable characters or...

THE TEST of history has proven that women have been foundational, like a sturdy rock that can withstand a storm. They overcame obstacles century after century, constantly adapting to the needs of...

JUST OVER 100 years ago, women finally received what other Americans, but not all, already had — the right to vote. Now, we have the opportunity to lift up and celebrate the groundbreaking women...

IT’S THE curse of getting older — you know — being told that we are acting like our parents by taking on their traits, actions, and beliefs. And it’s true. Now, at 39, I find it happening to me,...

STARIA DAVISON, the founder of the Storehouse Food Pantry in Manchester, received the vision to open the Storehouse Food Pantry in 2018 to serve the community and “feed God’s people.”  Davison...

IMAGINE LIFE is a car, and our goal is to make it from one side of the country to the other. The only way to do that is by having a full tank of gas. What is the gas in our lives, as humans, that...

ROSES ARE red, violets are blue, treat your loved one to a treat that is made by you! Whether you’re celebrating the beginnings of a new relationship, or spending the day with your longtime...

I DON’T KNOW a stranger. Call it a hazard of my job as a writer, but I genuinely enjoy meeting people, and it is even better if I can turn them into friends. There’s a great quote by Maya Angelou...

EVERY COMMUNITY member deserves a safe and affordable place to live and raise a family. Your house becomes a home at the Manchester Housing Authority (MHA). It is an equal housing opportunity...

WE MAY have made it to the other side of the COVID-19 pandemic, but there is still a real epidemic today: drug overdose. McCall fell into drug dealing and usage at 11 years old. At 25 years old,...

READING TAKES us places. We journey to new worlds, gain new ideas, and learn as we read. Without solid reading skills, we stay in one place or go backward. We can become uncomfortable and unsure of...

STARTING THE new year off right, folks strapped on their walking boots and braved the cold for the annual First Day Hike at Old Stone Archeological Park. The hike was part of a series of First Day...

THANKS TO cell phones, video games, and social media, there have never been more distractions for our youth. Although we are technically more connected than ever before, we can sometimes feel more...

TRANSFORMATION IS defined as a dramatic change in the form, appearance, or character. Human transformation is an internal shift that brings one in alignment with their highest potential. Helping...

EACH YEAR, hundreds of locals make their way down to the historic downtown square in Manchester for a day of traveling back in time, before cell phones and the internet existed. Games and activities...

PARKS CAN be magical places. They offer a sense of wonder and produce curiosity of a time long ago. Back to a time long before the internet, cars, indoor plumbing, or air conditioning—to a time when...

MAYBE IT’S superstitious. Perhaps it’s tradition. Or it’s possible that it’s because the food is just so darn good. Whatever the reason, Southerners cannot seem to get enough traditional New Year’s...

THE FOURTH annual Manchester Veterans Day parade was held on November 19. People lined the city streets in honor of those who have served. This year’s parade theme was “A Salute to Military Service...

SINCE 1857, the Coffee County Fair has been a staple of Middle Tennessee life. Now in its 165th year, there are tractor pulls, carnival rides, beauty pageants, and competitions in everything from...

MANCHESTER AND Coffee County are robust and thriving communities with a population that has been steadily growing for years. That population increase is reflected in the school system. Recently,...

COFFEE COUNTY is home to many incredible people who work every day to make their home a better place. One such person is Dr. Jill Johnson, Animal Health Veterinary Medical Officer and long-time...

FOR MANY years, sports fans of Coffee County have looked forward to the annual Coffee Pot game as Manchester and Tullahoma battle for bragging rights and the Coffee Pot trophy. It has been a...

WHEN THE University of Tennessee Space Institute (UTSI) is brought up, most people think of aerospace engineers and complicated experiments. The reality, however, is that one of the largest and most...

AT HOME on his day off he’s making pancakes for his children, calming his crying child after a tumble, and picking up around the house while his wife, a teacher, is at work. With quiet patience,...

MENTION “EMERGENCY,” and a child of the ‘70s may have a totally different mental image than a generation or two removed. Gage, DeSoto, and the crew at Station 51 of the Los Angeles County Fire...

WHEN TRAGEDY and hardship strike, we want to help. We demonstrate our love and care in various ways, but feeding those hit hard meets a basic need and fuels them to manage their situations. Few...

THE CALENDAR may seem to be winding down, but the Millennium Repertory Company isn’t. The footlights barely cool off before the switches are flipped for the next production. In August, the Teen...

THE ELECTRIFYING atmosphere under Friday night lights is majorly fueled by loyal fans scattered across stadium seats. Young children with painted faces, parents with cushioned seats, and...

MANY PEOPLE think that when veterans leave the military, they are done serving. In Manchester, they couldn’t be more wrong. This past year, VFW Post 10904 earned its fourth consecutive All-American...

THE SCHOOLS of Manchester have thriving athletic programs in many sports, but they are not the only organization that promotes physical welfare in the community. The Manchester Parks and Recreation...

FOR YEARS, the Manchester City School District has been looking for a service dog to work in their school system… and that wish has finally been granted in the form of the Bernedoodle puppy, Daisy....

WHILE IT may not be the first thing someone thinks when they think of ‘Coffee County,’ the University of Tennessee Space Institute (UTSI) has been a part of the community for nearly six decades. In...

THE COFFEE County Children’s Advocacy Center (CCCAC) recently unveiled a new recognition for those who work tirelessly advocating for children in Coffee County. According to the CCCAC director,...

WHEN WE tell the story of our lives, it is not solely about us. When we tell the story of our successes, our triumphs, and even our failures, it involves more than just ourselves. There are a whole...

IT’S QUIET. Which is very uncommon for a Friday night football game. The score is close, and one right or wrong play could decide the whole game. It’s almost as if the whole crowd knows this, and...

It’s finally here! Although the outside temperature argues for summer, your school spirit knows it’s fall. Tonight you’ve chosen shorts and flip-flops, but soon it will be flannel shirts, pants, and...

IT’S HOT. The humidity is as thick as honey on a fluffy buttermilk biscuit that has just come out of the oven. People sit in their camp chairs and fan themselves with whatever is in arm’s reach as...

THE CLASSROOM is like railroad tracks. Hard workers spent years, decades—centuries even—laying the groundwork for the trains to run smoothly from coast to coast. They’re strong. And they last for...

IT MIGHT be one of the most exciting yet stressful times of the year, rivaling that of Christmas. It requires preparation, planning, logistics, time, and money. I’m almost sure there are military...

WITH THE first cup of steaming coffee in my hand and the stiffness still in my joints, I gently ease into my spot on the couch. A fresh, new day offers a blank page, although the to-do list in my...

THE WORDS “back to school” can stir up many different emotions. Some young parents hear “school” and are instantly filled with dread and anxiety. Leaving their wide eyed babes for the first time can...

DEFINING THE meaning of teacher requires more than Merriam-Webster; it takes a deeper look and a second glance. More than a job with a summer-long vacation, teachers are motivated by their love for...

SURROUNDED BY a sea of classmates, a student filled with potential may feel invisible or wish he could disappear. Another student’s highest aim might be to coast through school until graduation. One...

SAFETY HAS always been a goal for the Manchester Public Works department. This is especially true now, as the department continues work on multiple sidewalks across Manchester. The project has been...

IN COFFEE County’s backyard sits one of the largest and most complex flight simulation facilities in the world – the Arnold Engineering Development Complex (AEDC). Within the complex are 58...

IN JANUARY of 2021, Tennessee began providing funds for public school districts to give summer learning opportunities to rising first through eighth grade students. Westwood Middle School has taken...

THE BEGINNING of the year marked a large change in the industrial community of Coffee County, as Cookeville native Stephen Crook was hired as the Coffee County Industrial Board executive director....

ALTHOUGH THE softball and baseball seasons are over, the Coffee County High School fields are not complete. In the off season, both sets of bleachers are being replaced by new aluminum seating that...

DON’T LET the image of a roadside lemonade stand staffed with a child dreaming of a pony fool you. Lemonade Day is the real deal. Instead of a pony, the stands’ operators are dreaming of owning and...

IF YOU took a snapshot of any 10 years in our country’s history, there is a hurt we were trying to heal. The same is true today. It’s our independence that lets us correct that, to heal, and to...

FOR THE first time, Coffee County Central High School (CCCHS) has been able to implement the full scope of a new program to facilitate student leadership. The Chick-fil-A Leader Academy is a...

AMONG THE many teachers recognized by Coffee County High School’s (CCHS) Champion Teacher program is veteran psychology teacher, Kelly Smith. Smith grew up in Coffee County and attended CCHS and has...

WHILE IT may not always be as celebrated as other sports, track and cross country athletes work just as hard – and at Coffee County Central High School, they are no less successful. Throughout the...

Here are fun facts to challenge your players:  DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE: John Hancock’s was the first and only one on July Fourth. The remaining signatures were added over time,...

WHEN VIKTOR Makela arrived in America from Finland, the Statue of Liberty welcomed him. He brought more than a few material possessions with him; he arrived with a heart filled with dreams. Makela...

WE WELCOME a summer celebration more than ever, and Independence Day is the perfect time to gather for food, fun, fireworks, and flag-waving. There’s an event near you, so there’s no excuse for...

HMMM AAAHH. It smells like the weekend. Those grilled pineapple burgers will be lip-smacking, mouthwatering, and juicy down to the last bite. However, what lies on the grill is much more than your...

WHEN I was a young buck, I decided if there was a rule, I was going to break it. There have been many distinct times in my life when I have felt suffocated by others’ control, expectations, or...

MAY 19 is officially Lemonade Day in Manchester, Tennessee, and the day means a lot more than just a celebration of a delicious drink. Vice Mayor Mark Messick made the official proclamation on May...

MURALS CAN make a drab, broken wall beautiful and bring a dreary city to life again. The Coffee County-born nonprofit DO. MORE. ART.-events (DMA-events) has been working tirelessly to bring...

MANCHESTER HAS always had a history in industry. It was named after the first industrialized city in the world, Manchester, England, and in the 1800s was home to several mills that harnessed the...

RECOVERING FROM life-controlling issues is challenging but possible. Greater still, restoration of families through recovery is more than possible through God and Be the Bush Recovery Ministries’...

It’s hard to want to eat a large meal after a long day working or playing out in the blistering heat. You know you need something substantial to sustain you, yet you’re so worn out. Those hearty...

Right in our own backyard, we have access to one of the most di- verse ecosystems in the world. Henry Horton State Park (HHSP) neighbors the peaceful Duck River and is waiting to be explored. The...

Tims Ford Reservoir is 10,600 acres in South Central Tennessee, a major portion of which is located in Franklin County. The lake is considered one of the most picturesque in Tennessee. It’s regarded...

Located below Tims Ford Dam, the Elk River is popular for panfish and trout fishing. The tailwaters below the dam are about 50 feet wide with gravel bars and intermittent deep pools. For...

HAVE YOU ever given something away and later felt regret settle in? Last summer, I was push-mowing our grass. I thoroughly enjoy breaking a sweat and getting a little exercise while doing yard work....

Whether it’s relaxation or adventure you’re seeking, you don’t have to look far to find it. Middle Tennessee’s waterways will refresh and restore you. A lazy float with nature’s soundtrack of...

According to nature.org, the Duck River is one of the state’s most scenic waterways and North America’s most biologically diverse freshwater river. It is located entirely within the state of...

TENNESSEE MAY not have sandy shores. We may not have Buckingham Palace sitting in our backyard. Vacation spots all around the world, from Big Ben to the Eiffel Tower, attract tourists from far and...

ONE OF the programs at Coffee County Central High School is focused not towards the students, but towards the teachers. Once a month at the faculty meeting a teacher is chosen to be the “Champion...

THE ARTS are an important part of any school program, and the fine arts department in the Coffee County School District has a wealth of opportunities for students to engage in. One of these...

WHILE THERE are beautiful historic sites all across Tennessee and the world, Coffee County boasts one special historical treasure in its own backyard. The Old Stone Fort State Archaeological Park...

INDUSTRY IN Coffee County is continually growing and improving. Most recently this growth has been shown in Manchester’s own industrial park, by the plan to establish a new distribution center for...

THE COFFEE County Red Raider wrestling team had its first ever male state medalist at the Tennessee High School Wrestling Championship: sophomore Jacob Barlow. “Jacob has been wrestling since he was...

Chirp chirp chirp echoes the sound of nature’s sweet- est alarm clock. Groggily, you begin to stir from a deep sleep, almost forgetting where you are. Then, it dawns on you. Whooo hoo! Excitement...

THE MERRIAM-WEBSTER dictionary defines the word selfless as “someone who has no concern for self, or unselfish.” As the world keeps turning, it may feel like selfless people are few and far between....

WEBSTER MAY define selflessness as having no concern for self, but givers in our community give the world and our lives deeper meaning. They take to heart the well-being and care of others and place...

MOST PEOPLE, especially festival-goers, are familiar with Manchester due to the wildly fun music festival it hosts each summer, Bonnaroo Music & Arts Festival. This festival gives Manchester a...

Easter parades may have passed on by, but its many other traditions are alive and well. Even though the internet has changed how we watch movies, families still watch “The Ten Commandments” every...

AS MORNING’S first light nudged the last of the darkness, Mary Magdalene walked with heavy heart and feet along the dirt road. The garden’s birdsong and fragrant blossoms, usually welcomed,...

FOR NEARLY 10 years, the owner and manager of Harvest Local Foods, lifelong Manchester resident Ellen Briggs, has been creating relationships with farmers, vendors, and customers. Before it became a...

IN 2018 a satellite campus of the Tennessee College of Applied Technology (TCAT) opened in the Coffee County Interstate Industrial Park. Recently, the campus was moved to a building on Volunteer...

AT COFFEE County Central High School (CCCHS), students are encouraged to achieve. One of the ways this is done is through the high school’s Renaissance program. Through the program students get to...

FOR THE first time since 1965, playing under the name Manchester Central, the Coffee County High School (CCHS) basketball team has made it to the state tournament. That achievement could be...

FEW PATHS to positive personal growth are more noble than resolving to help others through increased acts of generosity and kindness. According to Psychology Today, doing good for others—no matter...

KATY RIDDLE’S enthusiasm for her work at the Manchester Chamber of Commerce is contagious. The community’s caught it, too, as proven by the interest and success of the 46th Annual Awards Gala held...

LONG BEFORE the sun rises over the horizon, Mama is up putting dishes in the oven and ironing everyone’s Sunday best. Then, it’s a hurried push out the door and into the car. Pulling into the church...