PARIS!

FOR THE SPRING 2023

On The Cover: Remi Claire Patterson, daughter of Lori Smith and James Patterson, didn’t care that she was all dressed up. She decided to jump in the little creek and cool off anyway. Photo by Jamie Mueller of J. Mueller Photography, jmuellerphotography.com

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Editor’s Notes

Out With Winter… Bring On Spring In PARIS!

This spring, PARIS! celebrates how our past has shaped our present, from catfish to an exciting new business,
musicians to school reunions, to well-deserved designations, and more.

Our Spotlight shines on Quinn Chapel African Methodist Episcopal Church and its placement on the National Register of Historic Places. Congratulations on this honor!

Speaking about spotlights, what about Helping Hand’s record breaking year! Read about the generous bids and the best volunteers around.

Arts and Entertainment highlights Henry County native and animator, Claire Layne, who received an international award for her short film.

Closer to home, Soundtracks introduces us to a self-proclaimed, river-rat thumbpicker, Josh McKee. His music,
his inspiration, and the best advice he ever received are not to be missed.

What else is happening in our own backyard? The vision of the Gulish family’s Laurel Hill Cattle Co. is coming to fruition. Check it out in Around Our Town.

It wouldn’t be spring without a tip-of-the-hat to Henry County’s official mascot, the catfish, but this article is pretty crazy. Hold onto your cutoffs and get ready for Catfish Noodling – Fishing Gone Wild!

Other spring-related stories will get you excited about the growing season. Make Your Bed off ers valuable tips for prepping your garden, while Spring Brings out the Honeybees educates us on the life of this beloved pollinator.

Reminisce features an old story about new beginnings that began in Spring 1882. When a young couple decided to wed, the bride’s father was not enthused. The solution? Elope in Paris, TN, but that’s just half the story!

Finally, School of Thought takes a trip down memory lane using the Henry County High School Alma Mater as its guide. Find out what reunion tours mean to alumni and how your class can schedule one.

Enjoy how our past shapes our present and future and enjoy PARIS!

Smantha

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In This Issue

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REMEMBER WHEN

Take a walk down Memory Lane in days long past. So interesting… Read More >>

REMINISCENCE: In The Spring A YOUNG MAN’S FANCY

By Thomas “Gary” Wallis

Imagine that it’s 1882 and you are a 20-year-old male smitten with love. However, the love of your life is barely 16. In all likelihood her father won’t consent to a wedding. Or, fearing the old gentleman would say worse, you’re afraid to even mention the possibility of marriage. What’s a poor fellow to do? Read More >>

SPOTLIGHT: Quinn Chapel AME Church, Historically Rooted in Christ

By Shannon McFarlin

To say that the past few months have been eventful for Quinn Chapel African Methodist Episcopal Church in Paris would be
an understatement. Read More >>

SCHOOL OF THOUGHT: Alumni Reunions, A Trip Down Memory Lane

By Michele Webb

Alumni reunions are a fun and exciting – and at times, nerve-racking for Henry County High School graduates! This time of year, former students often begin planning for reunion gatherings to celebrate milestone years of their graduations. Some of these will be timed with fall football homecoming activities, some are scheduled during the summer and other times of year. Read More >>

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT: Claire Layne, Henry County Native Wins Best Animation Award

By Meredith Vajda

Buchanan native and animator Claire Layne was drawn to fantasy films at an early age. She was entranced by
Dreamworks and Pixar and Walt Disney films like “Tangled,” historically-based but with a bit of fantasy. That, combined with her severe astigmatism and resulting need to see things close-up, led to a love of drawing. Read More >>

SOUNDTRACKS: Josh McKee, Thumbpicker on the River

By Kathy Ray

In this article of “Soundtracks,” meet local favorite, Josh McKee, a river rat thumbpicker who has spent most of his life on the Big Sandy River, Tennessee River, and Kentucky Lake. Read More >>

HELPING HAND: Record Breaking Year

By Shannon McFarlin

In a year of breaking records for the Henry County Helping Hand Radio Auction, the best was saved for last. Grand total of money raised for 2023 was an astounding $519,630 — much, much higher than ever before.
Read More >>

FACES & PLACES: People & Events About Town

Don’t miss this fun section chock full of fun, education, music and every good thing in Paris and Henry County. Read More >>

FEATURE: Oaklawn Brick Wall, Not a One-hit Wonder!

Throughout the years, the intersection of East Wood Street and Tyson Avenue in Paris has gained a certain amount of notoriety. The heavily traveled area has been the site of many traffic accidents that have caused parts of the retaining wall to be reduced to rubble repeatedly. Unfortunately, the results has caused the decorative wall to become a local attraction and a bit of a running gag. Read More >>

FEATURE: Catfish Noodling - Fishing Gone Wild!

By Warren Newcomb

When you hear the word “fishing,” you probably imagine standing knee deep in the water, lazily throwing a line, and hoping to hook a few trout for dinner. Read More >>

AROUND OUR TOWN: "Meating" the Need

By Karen Geary

Building a family business is never easy. It takes hard work, dedication, and love to hold all the pieces together plus develop a vision for the future. For Kris and Amby Gulish, the expansion vision of the family’s Laurel Hill Cattle Co. is coming to fruition. Read More >>

PARIS CUISINE: Egg-cellent EGGS!

When it comes to fan-favorite breakfast ingredients, nothing is more beloved than eggs. Whether you prefer them scrambled, sunny side up, fried or poached, eggs are not only delicious, they’re extremely versatile too. Read More >>

FEATURE: Spring Brings Out the Honeybees

By Bernard Leslie

A sure sign of Spring is the first spotting of honeybees in our yards, gardens, and orchards. As the earth in our area warms and comes alive and the first flowers emerge and trees blossom, if you look closely, you’ll see honeybees working, gathering pollen and nectar. Read More >>

IN THE GARDEN: Make Your Bed

By John Watkins

With winter finally passing and the bright promise of a new year in the garden is upon us, many of you may be planning to step up your gardening game by adding some new shrub or flower beds. Kudos to you my green-thumbed friends! Read More >>