From the Maple Tree

I watched “Christmas Vacation” again Saturday. At the anticipation of comedy, laughter ensued from me before anything had actually happened. It’s just that good.

Stories upon news stories exist this week that make for solid column fodder. In the news, presidential wannabe Donald Trump called for the banning of all Muslims from entering the country. Apparently he doesn’t realize that refugees seeking religious freedom founded America.

It’s time for the second installment of the immensely popular but seldom read Unquotable quotes column. This is the column where anything you say can and will be used against you, without your consent and without your name.

I’m thankful for much this Thanksgiving, and most of it has little to do with how we celebrate the holiday.

The horrific attacks on Paris have everyone justifiably concerned about safety immigration. GOP presidential candidate Ben Carson sent letters to Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell and House Speaker Paul Ryan calling on the U.S.

In the most surreal moment of my life, my wife, Britni, and I learned back at the beginning of September that she was with child (I’ve always wanted to say it like that). I’m still in a constant state of disbelief; I can hardly take care of myself, much less another human being.

Reporters are always fishing for quotes. Quotes can legitimize, flesh out and cap a story. Occasionally, though, a quote will be said off the record or spoken out of context or said in jest. These often become my favorite quotes, and yet they go nowhere. They never see print; they’re never read.

I decided to do my own paranormal investigation last week.

With a chill in the air and my wits just barely about me, I maneuvered a few beautiful Taylors neighborhoods to find quite possibly the most terrifying locale in our coverage area – the Devenger Road Bridge.