Another February, more rain and flooding

By Ralphine Major As I recall, it was one of the largest snows of the season in 1986, and it came on a Friday.  The date was February 14.  Focus readers may remember that many people were caught off guard by the beautiful white flakes that began falling around...

The Robins are Here!

Spring’s Around the Corner! By Ralphine Major It was in early February when we first noticed them.  On a cold Sunday morning, there was lots of chirping coming from the field that was once our orchard.  It was covered with the little birds most often identified by...

Knoxville’s Blount Mansion

By Ralphine Major It is among Knoxville’s historic treasures linking the past with the present. I first learned about Blount Mansion as a fifth grader.  Our teacher was a social studies major, and she made sure to schedule a field trip for our class to visit Blount...

Greeneville’s President Andrew Johnson

By Ralphine Major The scenic drive was filled with farm land—beautiful green pastures dotted with homes and cattle. Greene County in Upper East Tennessee is known for its agriculture.  When we visited the area many years ago, that was of particular interest to...

Losing a Friend Ends an Era

By Ralphine Major It was one of this area’s biggest developments following the 1982 World’s Fair. In 1984, East Towne Mall brought to the east end of Knoxville what West Town gave the west end years earlier.  When the two-story structure opened, gravel parking lots...

Whoo! January’s Over!

By Ralphine Major Winter’s longest month has already ended!   It is the block of time that puts us on track to face the upcoming year after the long-awaited holiday season celebrating Christmas and New Year’s. January marks the birthday of Elvis Presley, though it is...