Bob Turney, 75, is “not slowing down soon.” The retired local optometrist is planning his 100th climb up Mount LeConte in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park in October, taking the Alum Trail, “when the colors are in and it’s beautiful, if everything goes well. “I’m at 95 (climbs) now, and I try to do one a month,” Turney added. Mount LeConte is the third highest mountain in the Smokies at 6,593-foot elevation, while Clingman’s Dome is the highest at 6,643 feet and Mount Guyot is the second highest at 6,621. “I’ve always loved the mountains,” Turney said. “I just love the beauty … fresh air. I love the people that I meet along the trail from all over the world. “I’ve been a nature lover for years,” he added. “I grew up a Boy Scout, so it’s been an outdoor adventure for me. “We couldn’t live in a better part of the country and have a more beautiful national park than what Smoky Mountains National Park is.”
Read MoreMURFREESBORO — A sophomore pitcher with just 20 innings of work in 2023 — and no starts — took the mound for Farragut to begin its Division 1-4A state title game against rival Hardin Valley Academy. Though admitting his “whole body was shaking just because of nerves,” Cole Draper pitched a shutout gem against a potent Hawks offense, allowing just three hits — only one through six innings — one hit batter and one walk while striking out four. Big defensive plays and timely hitting — including a three-run first inning — allowed the Ads (36-8) to repeat as state champs, winning a state record 12th in program history with a 6-0 victory at MTSU’s Reese Smith Jr. Field Friday night, May 26. “But you get out there and realize it’s just another game. You take a deep breath and pray to God, ask Him for help, just put it in His hands,” said Draper, who finished 2023 with a record of 3-1 with four saves and a 1.04 earned-run average. “Obviously he was fantastic, a sophomore with a bright future,” said Admirals skipper
Read More