It’s May, and much is happening with The Tennessee Magazine:
A few weeks ago, I traveled to Mousetail Landing to take photos for this month’s state park feature (see page 36). Park Manager Daniel Burgess graciously showed me around the Linden park, and at that time, trailsides and lakeshores were bursting with spring’s emerging colors. Especially evident were dogwood, purple phlox and fire pinks like those above. It reminded me that this is an awesome time of year to take to the trails at any of our impressive state parks across Tennessee.
Speaking of springtime spectacle, this month’s magazine also features a trip to just a handful of Tennessee’s botanical gardens. Plan to visit these or find your own where you can bathe in the beauty of flowers, shrubs and even works of art.
May is Military Appreciation Month, and Memorial Day is Monday, May 27. Bill Carey’s history column beginning on page 28 describes Franklin High School’s Wall of Remembrance in memorial to alumni who paid the ultimate sacrifice in service of their country.
Antsy McClain’s humorous and heartfelt musings have generated some wonderful reader response. He’s back this month (page 10) with thoughts on Brushy Mountain State Penitentiary, youthful mischief and finding the straight and narrow.
Finally, our cover story features Jason Bivens, a Warren County blacksmith who appeared on “Forged in Fire,” which happens to be one of my favorite shows. See page 12 to learn more about him, his craft and how he did in the competition.
Thanks for reading,
Chris Kirk
Editor, The Tennessee Magazine
