Small Town Living

Living in a small town has always seemed just right for me. I considered it a perfect place to raise a family. After all, I came from a small town, and I loved knowing my neighbors. Not only was there a beautiful ambiance, complete with no noise or crowds of people trying to get to the same place at the same time, there was also a sense of security not found in large towns.

I came to Dandridge with my husband and fell in love with its quaint setting and lovely people. As far as he was concerned, there was no place on earth but this place to live, and I soon joined him in his belief. Jefferson County is fortunate to be filled with similarly beautiful small towns and communities, and people who share quality standards and values.

I remember when I first came to live here. I was awed by the friendliness that I found. The courthouse lawn was a favorite gathering place for the older generation of men. There were benches on the lawn that provided a perfect place to sit in the shade and talk about whatever men talk about, giving friendly greetings to everyone that passed their way. I always considered them to be the ambassadors of the town, and when the benches were too full, you could find some of them had taken up stools at Tinsley Bible Drug Store. As a matter of fact, you could always find friendly faces at that drug store.

During those days, everyone knew everyone else. There were no strange faces, unless they were visiting or just passing through. Now, Dandridge and Jefferson County have grown enough that the opportunity to know everyone is a lost art, but the ambiance and friendliness remain ever intact, thanks to these communities assimilating the older generations’ values and character. Just the other day, I was at a fast food pay window and while handing my card to the girl at the cash register, it fell to the ground. My door was too close to the wall to open, and cars were in front of me and lined up behind me. The girl was great. She said, “Don’t worry, we’ll get it,” and asked me to pull up to the next window when the car in front left. As I pulled up, I saw a girl jump out of the window, get my card, and be helped back in the window by two other good Samaritans. In a flash, my card appeared with my order, as though nothing out of the ordinary had occurred, and all with a smile: proof that friendliness still abounds.