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Everyone, Last week while in DC, I and about 10 other organizations met with the EPA to talk about the fallout from Rapanos, the new wetlands mitigation rule, TMDLs, and nutrient standards. The experience was largely typical. They talked about what they were doing and answered questions vaguely. They received many 1,000s of comments on [...]

Sorry for the lack of posting recently. I have been busy graduating from college. It is finally done; I am a Carson-Newman alumnus. So weird to even think about that. Graduation was such a great, yet surreal, experience. It was perfect. The weather, the music, the speaker, and the overall feeling were all perfect. All of the graduates and the crowd were close together so it all felt very intimate. I really enjoyed walking into the stadium between CN's professors; it was a nice way to say goodbye.

Hallerin Hill gave an excellent speech called "The Love Boat." He encouraged us to love our job, love ourselves, love our neighbor, and love God above all. I loved it when Hallerin said love is what makes us hold our poots on the first date; Dr. Arrington, our provost, dropped his jaw to the ground in laughter. Both President Joe Bill Sloan and Dr. Arrington confirmed that this was the best commencement speech Carson-Newman has ever had.

Everyone then walked across the stage to receive their diploma cover with a letter inside saying that diplomas would be mailed in a few weeks. I'm glad that they didn't stop me from walking across. I was afraid they were going to stop me since I had orange and blue stripped rugby socks underneath my gown. As I shook hands with Joe Bill, he told me, "I like those socks of yours." I was so happy.

As Joe Bill was making his "charge" to graduates, we all felt the rain dropplets hitting us. I think Arrington saw lightning behind the stadium because he suddenly jumped up and told Joe Bill to cut it short. He then stopped, we sang the Alma Mater, and had the recessional. We threw our mortarboards in the air, and I shot up the silly string. Everyone then hurried out of the stadium in the gym where the reception was being held.

Flying Graduates


Walking to Graduation Together


Tossing the mortarboards


The socks


The fam

My friends and I were afraid that graduation would be held at the Smoky Mountain Expo Center aka cow barn due to the threat of rain. Well, what else should we do but protest in the provost's office? I'm happy to report that our efforts were successful, and we are having graduation at Carson-Newman!

Hey Everyone, The Tennessee Clean Water Network sponsors an annual essay contest with prizes for essays about Tennessee water. The prizes are awarded in honor of the late Wilma Dykeman, the 2007 recipient of the Bill Russell River Hero Award. Wilma Dykeman’s legacy includes being the writer of 16 books, including [...]

Keeping with the cooking theme, here is a video of a Free “class” offered every Monday night at the Food City located in The Crown Point Shopping Center on Eastman Road in Kingsport.

I saw the 2008 Bristol Rhythm and Roots line up announcement on David Cate’s blog idav. Checkout their video, sounds like a good one.

And, speaking of music, David also has a video of Charlie Goodwin performing live on Studio One.

If you are in Johnson City tomorrow (Sept. 15 2007), make sure you swing by and see the Dragon Boat Races at Winged Deer Park.

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From No Silence Here
I wanted to give everyone an update on Johnia’s case.

I’ve spoken to the TBI and they are more than willing to step in and offer their assistance in the investigation - all they need is to be asked by the DA’s office. Mike and I met with Attorney General Randy Nichols on June 1st and spoke to him about this very issue. He got back to us 28 days later and told us that he would not ask the TBI for their help.

Now, 19 months after Johnia’s death, we are still no closer to solving her murder. So, in an attempt to keep my daughter’s case alive, I am planning a walk in Knoxville on Friday, July 14 to publicly ask Mr. Nichols to bring the TBI in to help with the case.
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