For those of you who may not remember the content of a dozen or so pieces I have written that mention where I’m from, I’ll refresh your memory.

I grew up just outside of Jasper in Walker County. I was born there and I was raised there.

I was 20 years old before I moved off anywhere else. That was when I enrolled in UNA for my final two-and-a-half years of college in pursuit of my degree in journalism.

I received a quality education at UNA, mostly due to small class sizes and the professors being top notch. This gives each student the opportunity to interact with their professors, which makes for a better learning experience.

I mention my professors at UNA because it was my journalism professor, Dr. Martin, who helped me to this position. If any of you have ever wondered, that’s how the Walker County transplant became Sports Editor at The Franklin County Times.

And let me tell you, I’ve been glad ever since.

The only things I knew about Franklin County before I moved here was this paper existed, I had met Scot Beard, my predecessor, once before, I had been to Russellville before thanks to playing against their high school football team (my team lost) and I had to drive through going between Jasper and UNA.

I came here from Tuscaloosa to start my first full-time job in my profession, so I was excited. When I was searching for a job it didn’t really matter to me where I ended up, with the job market in the shape it is in.

Since I have been in Russellville, I have learned many things about Franklin County and the people who live here.

I have had this same conversation with some people in the past (mostly at sporting events), but here are my findings for the rest of you.

Franklin County is a great place to live. That may not come as much of a surprise, but this is coming from someone who grew up elsewhere and has lived in three other cities.

There is more or less a county-wide feeling of hospitality here that you just don’t get in Walker or Tuscaloosa Counties.

The young men and women that I cover playing sports have a much higher degree of “raising” than I saw in kids in Walker County, so the level of manners and respect that these young men and women have came as a bit of a surprise.

The hospitality of the others folks, parents, coaches, etc., has also been above my expectations.

I recently found out that there was a job opening at the daily newspaper in the sports department in my home town.

My stepmom told me about it and said it could be a good opportunity. I told her that I didn’t even want it.

I’d rather stay in Franklin County working the best job I’ve ever had.