PARIS!

IN THE WINTER 2025

On The Cover: Ashli Newcomb captured this photo of Chris Scott holding the sled while grandkids Caroline Kate Newcomb and Ford Newcomb are bundled up to slide down the hill. Donna Scott prepares to give them a little push.

Summer 2024 PARIS
Smantha and daughters

Editor’s Notes

Cool Readings within the pages of PARIS! In Winter

One of the best things about winter in Henry County is that we usually get several beautiful snows, but they rarely stay around too long. In fact, a snow in our neck of the woods is a license to close schools for a day or two, perhaps leave work a little early, cook a big pot of chili or build a snowman.

Having said that, a group of people who NEVER slack off in a snow are the fine folks at Helping Hand. That means that no matter what it looks like outside, there will be items for sale, an auctioneer at the microphone and volunteers manning the phones (see calendar on page 19).

After a fun day in the snow, come inside, sip on some hot cocoa, and read a little PARIS! Magazine. You won’t be disappointed.

In this issue we introduce you to a new writer, Jesse Parker, Jr., who’ll be sharing stories from his younger days. Jesse will make you laugh, but through his writings you’ll feel just how important his family and Henry County roots are to him.

Read more about Paris’ history with Beth Fay’s article about a homegrown jewelry thief, Shannon McFarlin tells us about the old bottling companies that once occupied Henry County, and she also enlightens us with an article about the spectacular ginkgo trees growing here.

Feeling hungry? Karen Geary’s got you covered in Paris Cuisine with some good old recipes she’d tucked away for years. She also has a pretty special Valentine’s story about her findings in her Mamaw’s bible as she was hunting down those recipes. With the recent passing of former President Jimmy Carter, she was reminded of a time when she was involved with his inauguration and shares that with us too.

There’s no shortage of great people in Henry County and in this issue we spotlight a couple of them. Crystal Kendall is the superhero next door and Darren Webb who bravely fights wildfires. Keep reading and you’ll see where there’s a new tv series being filmed in Paris, John Watkins imagines a different type of playoffs, and give the crossword puzzle a try. If you’re still looking for something to do, check out the Calendar of Events. One things for sure, sunny or snowy, hot or cold, there’s no shortage of things to do in Henry County.

Stay warm!

In This Issue

Read online or get your copy.

Delicious and Refreshing Bottling Companies in Henry County
Delicious and Refreshing Bottling Companies in Henry County

In May of 1888,the first Coca-Cola was served in Atlanta, Georgia. But did you know that this world famous soft-drink has ties to Tennessee too? And did you know that Paris had its own cola manufactured right here? According to the Tennessee Historical Commission, though the Coca-Cola company is headquartered in Atlanta, they did not bottle their beverage themselves. Instead, Coca-Cola supplied their syrups to individual bottling companies, to then distribute their product so that it could be enjoyed beyond the soda fountain. Read More >>

REMINISCENCE: DALLAS HALL Paris’ Homegrown Jewelry Thief
REMINISCENCE: DALLAS HALL Paris’ Homegrown Jewelry Thief

By Beth Fay

You’ve heard of Bonnie and Clyde and Baby Face Nelson, but here is the story of Henry County’s own gangster, Dallas Hall. Read More >>

FEATURE: To My Valentine, A Lesson From  Mamaw’s Bible
FEATURE: To My Valentine, A Lesson From Mamaw’s Bible

By Karen Geary

While returning my ratty manila envelope full of clipped recipes to my bookcase (see Paris Cuisine on page 30 for mention), I noticed my Grandmother Thacker’s worn Bible sitting on the shelf with other keepsakes and books. Like many people my age, not only did I inherit my parents’ photographs, mementos, and what-nots, but my grandparents’, too. Read More >>

RECOLLECTIONS: Musings of the Bowden Family
RECOLLECTIONS: Musings of the Bowden Family

By Jesse Parker, Jr.

I’m Jesse Parker and was born in Henry County, Tennessee, in the 1960s. When my father JD Parker re-enlisted in the Navy, my mother Polly and older brother Harvey moved to California. Eventually I had two younger brothers, Timothy and William, and a sister Kathryn. Read More >>

FEATURE: JIMMY’S  PRAYER Local Woman Recalls Presidential Blessing
FEATURE: JIMMY’S PRAYER Local Woman Recalls Presidential Blessing

By Susan Jones

With the recent passing of Jimmy Carter, the 39th President of the United States, the world received a refresher course on his life. PARIS! designer Karen Geary has a distinctive memory of Carter’s inauguration including a special memento. Read More >>

FEATURE: Darren Webb Wildwire Fighter
FEATURE: Darren Webb Wildwire Fighter

By Shannon McFarlin

It takes a rare kind of person to do what Darren Webb does. In addition to his duties as Assistant Fire Chief at the Mansfield Volunteer Fire Department, he also is on call with the U.S. Forestry Service, which means he spends weeks at a time in danger zones around the country, fighting wildfires and facing life and death situations. Read More >>

SPOTLIGHT: The Superhero Next Door: Crystal Kendall
SPOTLIGHT: The Superhero Next Door: Crystal Kendall

By Noah Way

When most think of superheroes, they typically think of the fictitious ones. Batman, Spider-Man, Superman, and other rogue vigilantes in capes and tights that often grace our screens and childhood comic books. Read More >>

HELPING HAND: 2025 Radio Auction Jan 6 - Feb 26
HELPING HAND: 2025 Radio Auction Jan 6 - Feb 26

Donate or call in to participate in Henry County’s Helping Hand Auction. PHONE 731-644-1695. Donated items accepted till 9:00 am daily. Auction headquarters located at the Paris Convention Center #1 at 1510 East Wood Street in Paris. Read More >>

JUST FOR FUN: Winter Crossword Fun
JUST FOR FUN: Winter Crossword Fun

Join snowflake friends for our Paris-themed crossed in the winter issue of PARIS!
Read More >>

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT: "Sitting room Only" New TV Series Being Filmed in Paris
ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT: "Sitting room Only" New TV Series Being Filmed in Paris

Is Paris the next Hollywood? Recently, “The Mike Weatherford Show” asked that question on the popular local podcast. The question has merit, as over the past couple of years as the art scene in Paris continues to flourish, so has the independent film scene in Henry County. Read More >>

FACES & PLACES: People & Events About Town
FACES & PLACES: People & Events About Town

Don’t miss this fun section chock full of the latest happenings in Paris and Henry County in these and many more sightings around town. Read More >>

IN THE GARDEN: The Great Garden PLAYOFFS
IN THE GARDEN: The Great Garden PLAYOFFS

By John Watkins

The good old Wintertime – when the frost covers your windshield in the mornings when it knows darn well that you don’t have an ice scraper, and the sun decides to go down at five in the afternoon before you can even leave the office. Read More >>

AROUND OUR TOWN: Spectacular Gingko Trees
AROUND OUR TOWN: Spectacular Gingko Trees

By Shannon McFarlin

One of the most magical trees, if not THE most magical, is the ginkgo tree, and Paris is fortunate to have at least 16 of them for people to enjoy and marvel over Read More >>

PARIS CUISINE: I'll Make it One Day
PARIS CUISINE: I'll Make it One Day

We all have them – recipes tucked away in the junk drawer, hiding with the ketchup packets, take-out menus, flashlight, and other what-nots. Or the recipes are clipped and filed away in a ratty manila envelope or shoebox. And if you are so blessed, you have your mother’s or grandmother’s old cookbooks or recipe boxes full of their family’s favorites. Read More >>

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