Policing With Compassion
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...
Community Safety And Empathy
FROM THE early morning hours to the late-night calls, Russel Myers’ life revolves around the Coffee County Sheriff’s Department. His career began in jails, but his determination thrust him to the...
Unsung Kitchen Heroes
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...
Heroes Among Us
SHERMAN WHITE remembered that day fondly as tears gathered in his eyes. The little boy he and his fellow firefighters had rescued from a car lay on the gurney. The boy’s future had yet to be...
The Role Of A Mother, The Spirit Of A Hero
WHITNEY AUSSIKER’S day begins early. She’s up before dawn, brewing coffee and getting her children ready for school, all while preparing for her demanding 24-hour shift as a paramedic. For Aussiker,...
Maggie Smith: Farm Roots and Food Science
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...
Russ Freeze: A Life Inspired By The Land
RUSS FREEZE, an experienced farmer, has spent his entire life on the farm, inheriting this special legacy from his family. Alongside him is his supportive wife, Audra Freeze, who contributes to the...
Renee Matthews: Country Kitchen to Community
RENEE MATTHEWS stood captivated in the heart of her childhood home kitchen. The sweet smell of simmering fruit, destined to become red jams bubbling in copper pots on the stove, awakened her senses....
Leslie Copeland: Rooted in Values, Reaching for Progress
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...
Letter From the Editor
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,...
Adam Daugherty: Healthy Soil, Healthy Crops
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...
Recipes: Better Eating, Better Living
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...
Mark and Carol McBride: A First-Generation Family Farm
MARK AND Carol McBride have nurtured McBride Angus Farms into a successful family operation rooted in faith, family, and sustainable agriculture. The couple has created a legacy that not only...
Jayden Reno: Building Confidence Through Movement
TODAY, COACHES play a crucial role in helping their students find their footing in the physical education realm. As a coach, you play various roles, from being a teacher to a cheerleader, mentor,...
Blaine and Gabriel Bonner: Teeing Off Together
BLAINE AND GABRIEL Bonner, twin brothers with a growing love for golf, are making waves on the fairways. In this competitive realm where the pressure to succeed can be intense, Blaine and Gabriel...
Monica Saine: Doubt Often Empowers Determination
THE STING of being called the “weakest” player on the team still lights Monica Saine’s fire today. In seventh grade, after making the cut for Westwood Junior High’s basketball team, she found...
Tailgate Like a Champion
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...
Aubrey Brown: The Real Home Run
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...
Preston Chalker: Backyard Swings and Birdies
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: Stuffed With Love
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...
Letter From the Editor; Where Champions are Made
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...
Caitlin Roberts: Small Town, Big Dreams
The showroom floor gleamed under fluorescent lights, and the smell of new car interiors hung heavy in the air. Fifteen-year-old Caitlin Roberts restocked the vending machine at the Toyota dealership...
Brandon & Briley Phillips: Breaking the Mold
BRILEY PHILLIP’S gaze lingered on the envelope, causing him to feel a mix of excitement and pride. The envelope was a tangible representation of his hard work and dedication to his growing business,...
Brad Schapiro: Alignment With the Divine
AS YOU sit in front of your computer, working hard, it’s easy to forget about the impact that your daily routine may have on your spine. With the rise of side hustles and leisure mobile activities,...
From a Single Fresh Dough to Each Cheesy Bite
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...
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