Yes, I finally answered the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge. There I was, at Coolidge Park on a beautiful Saturday morning, just minding my own business….and then, well just click and watch:
As you can see from the ending, I always admired Frank McDonald, who was a great businessman, and a bright, funny musician and entertainer with the Dismembered Tennesseans. He was always so nice to me, even when he didn’t have to be.
Frank McDonald 1930-2000
He lived a great life, with a difficult ending due to ALS. I’m honored to participate in this enjoyable awareness campaign in his memory, and to make a donation to ALSA.org. I hope you will too.
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Other notes on a Sunday morning: my friend Alan Pressley is one of the most thoughtful people I know. Every time he hears about someone in need, or someone who needs cheering up, or just a pat on the back, he springs into action. I’ve accompanied him on several surprise visits, as he presents his hand-made shadowboxes to grateful recipients. Inside those framed boxes are autographed SEC or UTC memorabilia, autographed by everyone from Nick Saban to Pat Summitt to Russ Huesman and more. All these big names never say “no” to Alan, because they know his heart is in the right place. Here is a photograph from a recent presentation:
Hamilton County Judges Clarence Shattuck, Christy Mahn Sell, Gary Starnes and David Bales
A few months earlier, these judges had honored one of their own, former Judge and Alabama football great Ron Durby, who retired early due to health reasons. Alan was very touched by how these judges had stepped in to reduce their colleague’s workload, and the genuine love and concern they had shown during Durby’s final few weeks on the bench. He framed the newspaper coverage of their retirement sendoff for Judge Durby, and I know they will always cherish this keepsake. I appreciate Alan for always thinking of himself before others.
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The new Publix in north Chattanooga has opened, and I am told (unofficially, but quite believably) that the store has DOUBLED its original sales projections.
I don’t know how Publix trains their employees, but every other retailer should train theirs the same way. It’s really nice to greeted with a smile, and offered assistance from everyone who’s wearing a Publix shirt.
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I try to stay politically neutral, because well, it’s part of my job description. But I can’t be neutral about Hamilton County Clerk Bill Knowles. He was just re-elected for the umpity-umpteenth time with no opposition, and is beginning his 41st year on the job. He and his wife Marlene have been married 59 years, and have raised a wonderful family. Bill is that rare public official who is always on the job, always available, always returns your calls, and isn’t afraid of an inquiry from the media.
Bill Knowles
The former barber has constantly been out front, when it comes to modernizing his offices, and making life easier for those of us who used to endure long lines while renewing our tag each year. Even without opposition, he was (again) the leading vote-getter in the recent election, which is impressive. I mean, voters could easily bypass his name, and move on to a contested race in which their votes really mean something. Instead, every election, we stop at Bill’s name and vote for him anyway, because he deserves a pat on the back. If there was a Hamilton County Elected Officials Hall of Fame (and maybe there should be), Bill Knowles should be the first inductee. He’s simply the best.
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Finally, to close with a song, here’s a song John Denver started writing 44 years ago this month. It took him nine months to finish it! He began writing it in August of 1970 while enjoying the scenery of the Rocky Mountains near his home in Colorado. He recorded it in 1971, released it in 1972, and it finally became a top-10 hit in 1973. In his autobiography, he wrote, “I remember, almost to the moment, when that song started to take shape in my head. In mid August, Annie and I and some friends went up to Williams Lake to watch the first Perseid meteor showers. Imagine a moonless night in the Rockies in the dead of summer and you have it.”
The song briefly became controversial FCC was permitted by a legal ruling to censor music deemed to promote drug abuse. Some radio stations refused to play the song until Denver publicly explained that the “high” was his innocent description of the sense of peace he found in the Rockies.
Ironically, Colorado legalized the recreational use of marijuana earlier this year, and “Rocky Mountain High” is the state song. So, when many people hear it today, I’m sure they get a different meaning than John Denver originally intended. As far as we know. Have a great week, and enjoy the music!
