Freedom from Fear

People do not voluntarily give up their freedoms unless they are afraid. –Dan Bongino By Dr. Jim Ferguson Becky and I have done many self-driving tours in our travels. We’ve driven around Spain, Ireland and Scotland to name just a few. Driving in foreign...

The Christmas Piano 

By Ralphine Major It was before the days of iPads, iPods, and smart phones.  Christmas 1964 was the Christmas before our dairy farmer father developed a life-changing heart condition.  I’m not sure exactly how it came about, but “piano” landed on my Christmas list. ...

Retirement challenges

  By Joe Rector Thanksgiving is finished, and we have run through what little bit of leftovers we had from the feast. Amy planned perfectly so that every meal doesn’t include something made with turkey. Lacey and her family are back in Nashville, and Dallas is...

‘Do something about the series with Vanderbilt’

By Tom Mattingly The “Robert R. Neyland Era” at Tennessee, one that began in 1926 and continued through 1952, with two interruptions for military service, almost didn’t happen, based on events occurring shortly after he took the job. It was in the spring that year, as...

Mike Hutchens’ Last Ride

By Mark Nagi The Knoxville Catholic Boys’ Basketball program won’t be the same come March. Whenever their season ends, that will also mark the completion of the long and successful coaching career of Mike Hutchens. “40 years is a lot of anything,” Hutchens said. “I...

Democrats and minorities

By Dr. Harold A. Black blackh@knoxfocus.com   My parents were not converted from republicans to the democrats by Franklin Roosevelt and Harry Truman. In fact, they detested Roosevelt whose FHA denied them a home loan because the house was located in an all-black...