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There's
No Place like Home
By Don Bell--
didbydb@yahoo.com
Tennessee,
I always come back to her. I have lived in over 50 places most of which
have been in Tennessee. My father who died of a brain tumor in 1952 at
the age of 42 had left Tennessee to make the big money in the north. He
had tried many cities but could never be satisfied for a full year. He
would talk of moving back to Tennessee, building a stone house and
opening a garage. When he got the urge to move on he would take or send
me back home to stay with an aunt or uncle. Only once did he send me
somewhere other than Tennessee.
I spent some time in Union City
with my grand parents. Those were good times; I got to spend time with
my brother Joe, swim in a concrete pond, be there
to see all my cousins at Bell family reunions, and so many other things
I could only do in Tennessee.
Several summers and even a couple
school years were spent in or around Rives where I learned how to fish
in the Obion River. I would help empty the barrel nets and trout lines
set out by my Grandfather, Sheb.
I lived in Memphis with my father
for a while where I learned to roller skate on the brick walkways of a
church.
When Daddy died his friends,
mostly transplanted Tennesseans, and his family only had one thought of
where he was to be buried. There were several car loads to make the trip
back to Tennessee for his funeral. I was only twelve but I refused to
return to Chicago with my stepmother. I wanted to live with my Mother
and Sister in Martin only 11 miles from my brother in Union City.
I was in the only place I ever
considered home, Tennessee. I grew up in Martin, Tennessee. When I got
married we moved to the big money in Gary, Indiana for a short while but
returned home to live in Memphis, Sharon, Martin, and McMinnville.
Twenty years later I moved to Humble, Texas for some crazy reason. It
took almost a year to figure out that Texas was a good place to visit
but not to live so I moved back home to Clarksville. Worked in Nashville
for a while then moved to Tullahoma.
I spent a lot of time in the
Smokey Mountains and on many of the lakes. We would drive all over
Tennessee either on vacation or business.
I now live in Clarksville, a good
port to leave from to visit any of the three states of Tennessee, East,
Middle or West.
Tennessee has it all, no matter
what you like, mountains, lakes, plains, forests, hills and valleys. It
has four seasons, none too harsh. Then there are the people; real
friends, caring, loving and understanding. They call it the Volunteer
State because they care so much for their state and their people.
In these pages I will tell about
the people I love, Tennesseans. I will invite others to write about
their experiences. There have been many writers, poets, artists and
composers from Tennessee, a good place to be.
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Hi-Tech with a Big Attitude
LYNCHBURG TENNESSEE Country living. The
smell of fresh cut hay, the sound of crickets, the breezes blowing fresh country
air through the trees, and at night the vast expanse of sky to view the stars.
Nothing beats country living but If you come from a big city you might wonder if
we have kept up with the technology now offered in 2006. I would say
absolutely. Living in the country does not cut us off from all technology. We
have internet access, cable, cell phones and satellites.
There are cell phones, that most of the time
picks up, unless you live on Cob Hollow Rd. We have satellite, phone service,
and cable, at least for those who can get it to their home. I on the other hand
can not get access to charter cable due to a neighbor, no names mentioned, not
allowing access across their land. And yes we have internet access, but for me
this means dial up since I can’t get access to the cable line, did I mention my
neighbor, and no way am I paying a satellite company for digital internet
access. I’d have to take out a loan just to pay for what they charge. I’m
already paying for three sets of braces. But yes, we have kept up with
technology but maybe not in the same way you’re use too. We do it our way;
country style with Police scanners.
The most important technology we have that
keeps us all connected in Lynchburg, are police scanners. You hardly ever hear
much about them anymore since the general population watches CNN, The Today
Show, and Fox News. They even sigh up to receive the top headlines of the day
directly and instantly to them through their cell phones and palm held computers
to stay informed about the world around them, yet they know nothing about their
neighbors or town. We, on the other hand, take keeping in touch seriously.
It’s not that we are not interested in world events, but to us our own back
yards carries enough interesting news to keep us entertained for days.
You might be wondering how we keep informed
since we have no local radio or TV. news program, and our local 8 to 10 page
news paper, is only published once a week. Let me reassure you, we’re not
missing out. We know who was stopped for a traffic stop violation, or DUI. We
know which teenager boys were stopped for speeding and add it to our list of
boys our daughters can not date. And of course, we keep informed on the road
conditions and whose cows are blocking which road this week causing a traffic
jam. How do we know this you ask? We listen to the police scanner twenty-four
hours a day.
But Of course, we do not keep all this
information to ourselves. We the people of Lynchburg Tennessee brag on
ourselves for not being selfish. Within hour’s top, the grapevine has been
informed and the news spread through out most of the Lynchburg population. And
as needed, the individual or individuals are added to our churches prayer list
and a formal visit with plenty of food will be taken to the families affected
who are hiding behind closed curtains. No need to hide. We know who you are.
We own police scanners.
So does country living keep us ignorant and
in the dark? I should say not. No matter how much more technology is developed
I believe that country living would not be true country living without a police
scanner in the home.
Until next time, staying informed and
listening. Over and out
By:
Small Town Girl Reporter
Copyright 2006
www.smalltowngirlreporter@yahoo.com
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Slow Down a Bit
Sit, Whittle and be a
Part of the Town
By: Kimberly Bell
didbydb@yahoo.com
Lynchburg,
Tennessee, a quaint town full of nostalgia and
the warm souls of people offering a comforting
southern welcome.
There
are no fast food restaurants, nor cookie cutter
shopping malls. No arcade or any of the other
modern retail stores, but what you will find are
plenty of mom and pop shops overflowing with a
variety of unique keepsakes, odd knickknacks,
and the traditional Jack Daniels souvenirs.
With eagerness, shop owners receive customers
for a friendly visit, old or young. If you have
the time, venture into one of the many stores on
the square where shop owners are more than
willing to hunker down for a spell and swap
legends and lore.
There is a variety of gift shops in the area.
Choose from Butterfly Fields Soap Co.
offering homemade soaps and lotions, Angels
in the Holler specializing in Willow Tree
Angels, Prayers and Promise Angels, Kneaded
Angels. Also 100% soy candles, rock potpourri,
Christian C.D.'s and Emile Pandolfi music along
with other unique gifts, and for the fishing
fanatics visit Gone Fishing to find that
elusive lure or have one custom made. Browse
through the Lynchburg Hardware and General
Store and purchase the flavorful Jack
Daniels coffee, or even a custom built Jack
Daniel's Grill. You'll be the envy of your
neighbors.
 Walk
the square and enjoy the fragrant smells of
barbeque coming from the Bar B Que Caboose,
where owners Ken and Samantha Fly serve the
finest barbeque around. Don't miss the
entertainment with a live radio show and band on
Friday nights and Saturday mornings. Ken Fly is
also author of a children's story, "Sadie the
Christmas Witch." He will be glad to sign your
own personal copy and regale you with his newest
projects.
As you continue around the square, flavors that
bring back the smells of grandmas house will
entice you into the Iron Kettle. Each day a
plate lunch is served from scratch. Meat loaf,
pork chops, grits, mashed potatoes, green beans,
pinto beans, corn bread, corn and more. If
you're game for trying something different enjoy
their homemade Jack Daniel's hamburger.
After a satisfying meal, walk on down to Jack
Daniel's Distillery for a grand tour. The world
famous Jack Daniel's Distillery visited by folks
from all around the world will satisfy your
curiosity on any fact you have ever wanted to
know about Jack Daniel's Tennessee sippin
whiskey, along with the ordinary stories and
history of the creator of Jack Daniel's Whiskey,
from his dress code, to his philosophy, and the
true story of when Jack Daniel kicked the safe
out of frustration which led to his untimely
death. The folks at Jack Daniel's will welcome
you like family and are more than willing to
answer all your questions. At the end of the
tour, enjoy a cold glass of Jack Daniel's
lemonade without the Jack since Lynchburg is a
dry county. The only place to buy Old No. 7 in
Moore county is at Jack Daniel's Distillery.
The only warning you will have about their fine
Tennessee Whiskey is to drink responsibly, and
be careful what you kick.
After taking, the grand tour and you're all
tired out; mosey on down to the Lynchburg
Country Inn. Enjoy a refreshing dip in the pool
and the aromas in the air, a whiff of Jack
Daniel's mellowing, the fragrant smells of
down-home cooking, and the fresh aroma of
Tennessee country air.
Ya'll come back now, you hear.
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Coming Soon
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Lynchburg
Gazette
Products
From
Lynchburg
Tennessee
The Best Known
Small Town
In The World |
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Sorta Retired Native
Always Looking for Something to do
Plays Tourist
By:
Don Bell
didbydb@yahoo.com.
I
live near Lynchburg, Tennessee, a quaint town
full of nostalgia and the warm souls of people
offering a comforting southern welcome (that's
my wife's words and she's right).
I'm sorta retired and always looking for
something to do. Just the other day I was
browsing (that's slow walking) around the
Lynchburg Square, going in all the shops trying
to act like a tourist. I found they treat every
one extra nice, tourist or local folks. There
are less than 400 people living in Lynchburg.
361 to be exact, now that's a small town, but
remember it is the home of Jack Daniel's
Distillery whose products are bought and
consumed world wide. If you want to know more
about Jack come on down for the free tour. You
can get all the information at their web site
www.jackdaniels.com
or at
www.lynchburgtenn.com
the Chamber of Commerce Site. The Lynchburg
Gazette, is an on line guide for tourist and
interested people, a brain child of mine because
I'm sorta retired and always looking for
something to do. I will be adding to the site to
make it a real guide and to keep you informed
about what's happening around here. You can find
more links to some really good and informative
sites on the Lynchburg Gazette pages.
Back to browsing: I went in Jackie's Gift
Gallery where I was met by Jackie and Mike
Stubblefield. I was totally amazed at the
nostalgic collectables they have. I have always
been a Coca Cola collector and thought I had
seen everything concerning Coke. In Jackie's I
found many Coke items I had never seen and that
was just the beginning. Go there to see all
kinds of collectables; The Wizard of Oz, John
Deere, The Andy Griffith Show, I love Lucy,
Farmall, The Three Stooges, Elvis, John Wayne,
Gone With the Wind and of course Jack Daniel's
are some they have. If you like dogs see their
assortment of breed purses and accessories. Take
a look at their wood crafts which include
Lighthouse, Americana, Apple and Tennessee
Walking Horse themes.
If you walk a short piece from Jackie's you will
see the Gazebo, that's where locals do their
pickin and grinin (as in banjos and guitars).
For all the major events you will be treated to
some really good music here as they call in the
big names to entertain you. Look around the
little park, you might find a whittler or two
passing the time of day on one of the benches
there.
I looked thru the wooden arch at the Moore
County Jail and saw a closed sign hanging
on the door. Then I remembered it is now a
museum and people around here close for lunch. I
rambled over to the Bar B Q Caboose for a bite
to eat myself. This is where locals go for
barbeque.
I decided to check out another place just a
couple doors down, Angels in the Holler
specializing in Willow Tree Angels,
Prayers and Promise Angels, Kneaded Angels.
Also 100% soy candles, rock potpourri,
Christian C.D.'s and Emile Pandolfi music along
with other unique gifts. The name has been
changed but it is still the same great store
with an even better selection of gifts.
By then I was ready for my afternoon coffee. I
went a few more doors down passing the Walking
Horse Museum and to the Iron Kettle, my choice
for a country dinner (around here we call lunch
dinner and dinner supper. My favorite waitress,
Jessica, formally of the Waffle House in
Tullahoma was there to serve me a just brewed
cup of coffee, I guess she was tired of city
life and had come back home to work until school
started.
I went on around the square (why do you go
around a square) past the Farmers' Bank and
caught a whiff of Tipsy Cake, boy did that smell
good. Then on by the Lynchburg General Store
where I could smell Jack Daniel's Coffee and
then peeked in the Lynchburg Drug Store where
they still have a Soda Fountain just like the
ones I hung out in while in High School. Then I
spotted a place called Tim's Flies and Lies,
a good place for a sorta retired person who is
always looking for something to do. I can go
there to swap flies and lies. Across the corner
is a barrel store where they have all kinds of
things made from whiskey barrels. I thought I
had done great years ago when I made a table out
of one. You will have to see for yourself. It
will be worth the trip just to pick the barrel
you want.
I have always been a go-getter and since it was
time for my wife to get off work, I had to
go-get-her. I'm going back to town soon and will
let you know all about it in the next issue of
"The Lynchburg Gazette". |
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