The Vagabond – The fate of Parson Blackburn’s whiskey
By Danny Crownover The Vagabond reported in a past column about a Chickasaw Indian village once located south of Big Wills Creek around Rainbow Drive near the entrance to Whorton Bend. The village was called Natchez Village. Around the 1750s, the Principal Chickasaw Chief Chinnaby brought his people to that location. They originally were Natchez […]
Pious Bob – Correcting Our Posture, Walking Uprightly
By Robert Halsey Pine “For a day in your courts is better than a thousand elsewhere. I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God than live in the tents of wickedness. For the LORD God is a sun and shield; he bestows favor and honor. No good thing does the LORD withhold […]
Inspiration from God’s Word – Sharpening your knife
By Toni Ford There is a story about a young logger who approached a foreman of a logging crew asking for a job. “That depends,” replied the foreman. “Let’s see if you can cut this tree down in a timely manner.” The young logger stepped forward and skillfully started cutting the giant tree. Impressed, the […]
An unsuccessful Declaration of Independence from my manuscript
By Vicki Scott This Fourth of July did not bring me independence from the agony of finishing the publication process of my book. The George Wallace Senior Center in Glencoe was closed the 4th and 5th of July for the celebration of our country’s independence. My husband Alan had to work on Friday, the 5th. […]
Keep Smiling with Rosie Preston – We must overcome
Every day, breaking news updates us about one crisis after another. How do we overcome the catastrophes? This definition does not imply just what is going on in our physical world but in our emotional and spiritual worlds as well. Using the word ‘today’ is significant because it is impossible to change yesterday and we […]
In & around the SEC – Coaching Rankings Part I
By Cole Frederick/Sports Correspondent Clemson and Alabama have alternated the past four national championships and have been head and shoulders above the rest of college football the last four seasons. Despite losing several key pieces, both teams are expected to reach the College Football Playoffs again. Nick Saban and Dabo Swinney are perhaps the two […]
Local teams compete in summer basketball play dates
Photo: Rising senior Ashley Morgan of Glencoe (left) and rising junior Sydney Yancey of Southside (right) participated in summer high school basketball play dates. (Gary Wells/Messenger file photo) By Chris McCarthy, Publisher/Editor Although the high school football season is visible on the horizon, several local high school basketball teams participated in summer play dates over the […]
Gadsden City removes Ali Smith’s interim tag
Photo: Pictured is Gadsden City head football Ali Smith with (from left) daughter Kelis, wife Lamesha and son Khamari. (Not pictured: daughter Alicia) (Courtesy of GCHS) By Chris McCarthy, Publisher/Editor After 13 years and four head coaches, Gadsden City finally hired a local product to lead, guide and direct the school’s football program. Longtime GCHS assistant […]
Gadsden State athletes earn academic honors
Several Gadsden State student-athletes recently were named to the National Junior College Athletic Association’s 2019 Academic Awards with the qualifying grade-point average for each honor. Named to the first team with a 4.0 GPA were Alexis Rich (pictured above), Grace Nolen and Landry Bussey from women’s volleyball; Sloan Gartman and Stephen Walker from men’s tennis; […]