Author Description

When our group began, one of our founding members, Nancy Jarrell, shared the history of the town spring that had been a refreshing stop for hucksters and travelers before the town was founded. After Cookeville was settled it was a natural place for social gatherings and even baptisms. Here at picnics and watermelon feasts it was the spot for small talk to be exchanged, for deep political and religious convictions to be spoken, where local stories were repeated and preserved. Here the town vision was enlarged and its heritage celebrated. Eventually it was forgotten, bulldozed over, paved, and lost completely to view and posterity. Cookeville Creative Writers chose Town Spring for our collected writings. In each edition we gather again our small talk, our feelings, convictions, and regional lore to celebrate our heritage. It is wonderful to report that the original Town Spring has been resurrected here in our town. It is the center of a children's park with a wonderful fountain and play area. It is faced by the Putnam County Library, the Drama Center, the History Museum, Dogwood Park (a beautiful little nature park), and it has an outdoor tiered arena for free outdoor concerts, family movies, and other events of interest to towns people and the hundreds of others from the Upper Cumberland who visit our city.. Talking and sharing contrasting points of view and stories are how friends and communities are built and continue to grow and thrive. We are happy to make a contribution to continue the legacy of our Town Spring.