Tag Archives: Tennessee

Tennessee Bill Would Require Coverage for Autism Treatment

Tennessee could be the next state to require private health insurance companies to cover the cost of autism therapy. There is a bill that, if passed into law, would require the coverage. If that happens, it will greatly benefit Tennessee families who are currently struggling to pay for the cost of the treatment that their children need. There are 34 states that have passed laws that require private insurance companies to cover the cost of treatment for autism. A growing number of states that do not have this law in place are beginning to take the steps to make it … Continue reading →

Tennessee Genealogy Resources

The nickname of the state of Tennessee is “The Volunteer State”. Are you searching for more information about your ancestors who once lived in Tennessee? It’s always nice to have a volunteer help you with your research. Lacking that, you could try using some of these Tennessee genealogy resources instead. Ancestry.com has a page that is filled with links to all of their Tennessee genealogy collections of records. In order to access these records, you will need to have an Ancestry.com membership. Sometimes, a collection will be offered for free. Return to their page often. Ancestry.com does a great job … Continue reading →

Scary Places: The Orpheum Theater in Memphis, Tennessee

Since I am doing the “Scary Places” series, I figured I would toot my own hometown’s horn and talk about one of its scariest places, the Orpheum Theater in downtown Memphis, Tennessee. Most Memphians are aware of the story of Mary. It is even said that she has a favorite seat – C-5. The Orpheum was built in 1890. However, that original building burnt to the ground in 1923. It was rebuilt and the “new” Orpheum was completed in 1928. It was after the rebuild that reports of a ghost named Mary started to surface. Mary is a little girl … Continue reading →

Unique Summer Destinations

Forget about the annual trip to the beach and ditch the traditional getaway to the amusement park, if you are looking for a real thrill this summer pack up the family and head to Nashville, Tennessee to explore the Bell Witch Cave. Movie fans might be familiar with the notorious site that has been the subject of ghost stories for two centuries. The cave is tied to the legend of John Bell, a local farmer, who died in 1820 — three years after the family reported a spirit named Kate was terrorizing them. The legend has been the subject of … Continue reading →

Murphy, Tornadoes, and One Ruff Night

Just shy of a month ago violent weather hit one afternoon and caused Murphy, Mr. Meow, Tabby, and I to huddle together in the laundry room due to potentially tornadic activity heading our way. If you’ve caught any of the news today, you’re well aware Tennessee was one of the states ravaged by bad weather once again last night. It was a dark and stormy night… There were tornadoes in the Nashville area around 10 p.m., but not near where we live. Thankfully we weren’t forced to seek refuge in the laundry room again. (But I did have everything set … Continue reading →

Great Travel Deals at Rustic Retreats

I wouldn’t consider myself someone who enjoys roughing it. However, when I lived in Atlanta there were times I got tired of city living and longed for a nature escape. If you are live amidst urban chaos then you too might benefit from some rural R&R in a scenic pastoral setting. And if you act now you can take advantage of some great deals being offered by various rustic lodgings throughout North America. Take a look: Vermont Nothing says peace and quiet than the bucolic charms of southern Vermont and the award-winning Deerhill Inn. The property is decorated in what … Continue reading →

Shelters are Bad Enough, Deplorable in Tennessee

Not all Tennessee animal shelters are horrendous, but it seems there’s been way more bad than good lately. Case in point. (Three, actually.) Bad Shelter #1 The first time I heard a stir was last year. I forget which county the shelter was in, but wherever it was it had to be shut down for unsanitary conditions and poor treatment of the animals. I think lack of funding was a major contributor in that case. Bad Shelter #2 Then back in December the Sumner County Animal Shelter found itself in trouble. One of the local news stations, WSMV, conducted an … Continue reading →

Traveling To Tennessee

In 1996 I was driving alone from Wisconsin to Atlanta, Georgia. I had just gotten a job field producing and reporting for a news agency that was documenting the Summer Olympics from start to finish. I was thrilled about my new gig, but far less enthused about making the long drive with all of my belongings by myself. Regardless, the road trip proved to be quite eventful and extremely educational. It was on this trip that I would experience what life was like in Tennessee (if only for a couple of days). My first visit to the state was brief … Continue reading →

Nashville Pit Stop

Right now tens of thousands of travelers are preparing to leave on their annual pilgrimage to Memphis, Tennessee. The Elvis die-hards will spend the next week celebrating the life and times of their favorite entertainer at his Graceland home. Memphis is a fabulous place to visit, but Tennessee is also home to another wonderfully family-friendly city—Nashville. If you are traveling to the area with family members of varying ages consider making pit stops at the following attractions. They all offer activities to keep even the youngest member in your group happy. Nashville Zoo at Grassmere The Nashville Zoo is considered … Continue reading →

Travel Updates: Dollywood’s Newest Adventure and Baggage Help In Rome

DOLLYWOOD’S NEWEST ADVENTURE If you didn’t make it out to Dolly Parton’s Dollywood theme park this summer you may want to start planning your trip for next year. By then construction on a new $5 million raft ride equipped with water guns to soak targets, other riders and bystanders will be complete. If you like thrill rides and are working your way up the skilled marksman ladder then the River Battle ride is one you won’t want to miss. It sends eight passengers on rafts down a 500-foot channel lined with more than 100 targets. You can take aim at … Continue reading →