Throughout the year, sometimes it seems we are overwhelmed by the “bad” news that makes headlines or that leads the TV news broadcasts. During the early days of the pandemic, John Krasinski’s “Some Good News” was popular as people were hungry for something to balance all the depressing news we were hearing as we were stuck at home day after day.
People ask, “Why don’t you print any good news?” We do. In next week’s paper you’ll find our annual Year in Review looking back at the top stories of 2021, but today, we offer you 21 “good news” items that made headlines in The Franklin Press during 2021.
1 Vaccine rollout. Whether you got a vaccine or not, the availability of the COVID-19 vaccination led to the re-opening of schools and businesses, fewer severe cases, and a slow return to our “normal” way of life.
2 Part of getting back to normal meant celebrating the return of events such as the county fair, downtown Main Street gatherings, the carnival, in-person church services and programs at the library.
3 Skaters now have a safe place to skate thanks to First United Methodist Church opening its Faith on Wheels skate park, and the town has committed to building a skatepark on the Whitmire property. And, if you’re a disc golf fan, there’s a new course at the Whitmire property.
4 HCA broke ground for the new hospital to be completed by next fall. While many disagree with HCA’s purchase of Angel Medical Center, at least we still have a hospital; many rural communities do not.
5 First Baptist Church created some “trail magic” sharing food and fellowship with Appalachian Trail hikers for four weeks this past spring.
6 The Special Liberty Project moved its headquarters to Franklin and offers programs for veterans and families.
7 Macon County resident Terry Bell receives the Order of the Long Leaf Pine, the highest honor the governor presents to people who have made significant contributions to the state and their communities.
8 Macon County people are generous – they give to food pantries, non-profit charities, the new MPP diaper bank, Little Free Libraries, and MANNA offers free community markets each month.
9 Friends of the Greenway celebrated the completion of the segment connecting the south and north ends of the Greenway meaning walkers and cyclists no longer have to cross four lanes of traffic.
10 Even while pandemic recovery continues, some segments of the local economy are thriving – the housing market was hot throughout the year, new businesses opened, retail sales were up, and tourist visitation continues at record numbers.
11 Our elderly residents were at most risk during the COVID pandemic. The Macon County Senior Center continues to offer virtual programs to help keep seniors safe, active and involved. (The center is once again offering in-person programs as well.)
12 The Women’s History Trail added a new marker in honor of Cherokee woman Na’ha (Rebecca) Morris who lived along the shores of the Little Tennessee not far from the marker at the Nikwasi Mound kiosk. The organization also reached its $400,000 goal to create a sculpture for the trail.
13 A Florida visitor found a record 286.6 karat sapphire at Mason’s Ruby and Sapphire Mine.
14 Southwestern Community College and Western Carolina University offered free tuition.
15 Students graduated from the first Youth Conservation Corps session after spending four weeks this summer helping maintain the Bartram Trail.
16 The Nikwasi Initiative began creating a series of small orchards that will become the Barbara McRae Cherokee Heritage Apple Trail along the Greenway.
17 Construction began to extend broadband to the more remote areas of the county and the state budget includes additional funding for broadband expansion.
18 Franklin High School students with mobility issues now have an easier time getting around campus thanks to the purchase of a mobility quad.
19 Even though road construction can bring frustration, it was good to see the addition of the roundabout at Clark’s Chapel and Wells Grove Road to alleviate congestion during school hours, the near completion of the Highway 441 project, and all lanes on Cowee Mountain are once again open.
20 Local organizations received $145,000 to make home repairs for low-income families, and a new veterans organization is helping veterans spruce up their homes.
21 Even though travel restrictions were more relaxed this year, many people chose to enjoy a staycation right here at home. We enjoyed learning about all the local tourist attractions during our “Take a Macation” series this past summer.
+ 1 extra from our editor: I got to move home to Franklin and join the team at The Franklin Press! (MO)