Boots, Baton, and The Pageant!

(Part 9 in Dwight Kessel series) By Ralphine Major ralphine3@yahoo.com “Why did you twirl fire?” my mother asked looking at the picture. “My teacher’s idea,” I replied. My unlikely bond with the baton had started nearly a year earlier when my brother decided the...

The Madness of March!

By Ralphine Major It’s back! For the first time in two years, fans are able to see basketball teams compete in the NCAA Tournaments. Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, tournaments were canceled in 2020. Tennessee is my team! Unfortunately, the VOLS and Lady VOLS are...

‘We first met at the pageant’

By Ralphine Major Those words spoken by Dwight Kessel sparked a search through my years of keepsakes. I found the pageant booklet, Knoxville’s Jr. Miss Pageant 1971; a photo of me in the evening gown my mother had made; and the talent picture of me onstage at the...

Easter Always Offers Hope

By Ralphine Major “You see lots of Easter bunnies and candies in stores but not much pertaining to Christ,” a lady told my brother recently.  On my next trip to the store, I remembered what she had said and paid particular attention to the merchandise.  Upon entering,...