Columns

I have written about my hiking lately. Not counting dog walks and casual rambling, I logged 18 miles on the trail in one seven-day period recently.
But I believe in diversification, which is why I’m getting my two bicycles ready for riding soon.
I’ve been an avid cyclist since I learned to ride on my older sister’s navy-blue bicycle at age 5. I never was able to ride using training wheels, not with the classic parental hand steadying the seat.

I wonder who “anonymous” is.
I ponder the question simply because whoever that person or entity is recently made a priceless investment in Roane County.
Through their philanthropy, The Roane Alliance now owns its building free and clear.
Only one stipulation President and CEO Leslie Henderson said was required.
The Alliance and its partners must continue to invest in upkeep and improvements in the property over the next 10 years.
Seems pretty reasonable to me.

Well, Gentle R­eader, the news over the weekend was dominated, as it probably will be for some little time, with the manoeuvres, machinations, and manifestoes concerning the government’s budgetary plans and actions.
After much ado, more than halfway into the fiscal year, apparently there has finally been agreement as to the 2010-2011 federal budget. You have read and heard about it ad nauseam no doubt, so we will not go into the subject in any detail.

Oh, what joy!
A  long, lingering recession and a long, hard winter finally seem to be behind us.
At least that’s how I felt Thursday morning when I stood at the front door of the Goody’s store grand reopening in Rockwood.
The sunshine was harsh, but smiles were prevalent.
I chatted with about three dozen eager customers lined up to catch the early-bird specials at the store.
One lady mentioned she was in town from Memphis and looking forward to some excellent purchases.