The Sumner County Commission recognized April 30 as National Therapy Animal Day last month in honor of all therapy animals and their dedicated handlers who volunteer their time and compassion countywide each year.

For too long Americans have watched Big Tech trample on the principles of the First Amendment—free speech, freedom of thought and belief, free assembly and the open exchange of ideas. As more information is filtered through online platforms, the First Amendment is becoming a dead letter. That’s why I’m taking action to hold these corporations accountable.

I suppose we all could use a little inspiration from time to time. After all, it seems, life does have a way of taking the wind right out of our sails. It’s easy to find ourselves, at best, drifting along; and at worst, downright depressed.

Members of the Portland Municipal Airport, along with friends, officials and chamber staff, recently cut the ribbon to celebrate the South Taxiway Extension at the facility. SUBMITTED

The Strawberry Quilt Show was a popular event this year with around 200 people coming out to view the beautifully crafted quilts. Forty-one quilts were entered in the show with 35 entered to be judged.

Editor’s note: This is the first in a series featuring local artists in the Portland area.

Portland High School Mathematics teacher, Dr. Michael Hamilton was named the Portland Sun April Teacher of the Month. Pictured (l-r) Alva Hall (assistant principal), David Woods (Principal), Hamilton, Randy Moore (Portland Sun) and Allen Dyer (assistant principal). SUBMITTED

With the 80th annual Middle Tennessee Strawberry Festival coming up this weekend in Portland, you know it must be time, or almost time, for picking your own strawberries at area farms.

Progress on the “new” City Hall building is on track.  Each day brings new things to discover as we enjoy checking the progress.  The landscaping and surrounding grounds look great.  The first time we saw the new sidewalk on the northside my mind flashed back to another picture, I had seen, …

The Highland Rim Historical Society is fortunate to have a few copies from an early Portland newspaper called The Portland Herald, thanks to former City Historian, Patrick Meguiar.

Hands of Hope is planning a Valentines Fundraiser for Feb. 12. The event will be held at McKendree United Methodist Church Fellowship Hall and will be open to 30 couples or 60 people.

Our Bailey Museum at the Portland Public Library was recently given three record/ledger books from Nancy Donoho Hodges. The first book has records of the School Improvement Association for the Sumner County Grammar and High School of Portland, TN. for the years 1923-1930.

I was saddened to learn recently of the death of Dawn Wells, who portrayed sweet Kansas farm girl Mary Ann Summers, the only normal person amidst six other (kooky) castaways stranded on “Gilligan’s Island.”

Highland Academy, under the direction of music director Haroldo Alvarez held their sacred Christmas concert at Highland SDA Church on Saturday, Dec. 12. Choir and band along with some congregational participation performed well-known Christmas favorites. SUBMITTED

Christmas lights were everywhere as the Portland Christmas Parade recently traveled down Highway 109 officially ushering in the Christmas season for the city. The parade theme was “Songs of the Season.” The parade is the only night time parade in the county and has become a popular event for…

Saturday, Nov. 28 was a wonderful display of a community coming together to support Everett Kondus who will be entering Vanderbilt Children’s Hospital in early December to receive a bone marrow transplant.

Small Business Saturday was declared a success even though the pandemic kept some at home however, shoppers who participated wore masks and practiced social distancing.

With Christmas rapidly approaching, it’s apparent that singer, songwriter and super children’s book patron Dolly Parton has the solution for what to give the country music lovers in your life.

Portland found a way to honor veterans this year even though the nation is in the middle of a pandemic caused by the COVID 19 virus. The veterans’ celebration was held outside at the North Firehall. While the group was smaller than usual, all veterans were honored.

When I was studying writing and journalism, my teacher said that to attract attention you need a “news peg” for your story.

It was Halloween with a twist in Portland, with many participants practicing safety protocols because of the pandemic.

Click here for a link to a flipbook of the 2020 Main Street Guide to Sumner County.

Cemeteries are full of stories and mysteries.  Here is a mystery I recently discovered at Maple Hill Cemetery in Portland.