What comes to mind when you hear the word change? A zillion things come to my head mind when I hear the word CHANGE! It is one of my favorite words, and I think of it as an acronym as it can be used in so many situations. As an acronym, it can apply to many situations such as “Citizens having a new growth experience” or “Children having a new growth experience” or even “Communities having a new growth experience”.

There are so many “c” words that can be plugged into that saying and express exactly what needs to be said.

There are so many individuals who are resistant to change, but change is inevitable in numerable situations. I hear parents say sometimes that they would like to put something heavy on their child’s head so he would not grow up but stay that same precious child that he is now! But you and I both know that child will grow and do amazing things in life.

Change is everywhere. Sometimes we fight it, and sometimes it is to no avail!

Thinking about change that has occurred in Tullahoma in my 86 years since being born here, I have seen many changes. As a small child we walked so many of the places we needed to go. WWII was going on, and gasoline was rationed so we walked when we could. Many folks did not even have automobiles to drive. Tullahoma was a sleepy little town until Camp Forrest arrived with approximately 70,000 individuals to build it, the soldiers, and the workers. If you went to town on Saturday during that time, you could hardly walk on the sidewalks because they were so crowded. What a change it was for our town!

It was during that time that it was determined that Tullahoma needed a second elementary school because of all the extra young children due to the young families who came along with all the soldiers. And so our new school was named East Lincoln because of its location. And the factor that determined whether you would attend East Lincoln or South Jackson was which side of the railroad tracks were where you lived! Some folks fussed mightily because they wanted their children to go to South Jackson because that was where they had gone. Change is sometimes difficult!

Many of the beautiful old homes have been demolished so that new buildings could be built for different businesses, apartments, duplexes, restaurants, etc. One building I remember well was the Tullahoma Woman’s Club located on Grundy Street where that organization met but it was also where our Girl Scout troop met, where we had dance classes, where we had junior high and some high school dances as well as flower shows for the Garden Club.

On Sunday most folks went to Sunday School and Church. Most businesses were not open on Sunday. There were not many restaurants then, and not so many folks went out for dinner on .Sunday. That was when families gathered and shared time together around a family meal. I loved hearing my grandfather, Daddy Billy, telling the best stories ever at the Sunday family meal. I wish I had been able to record them but that was not available in those days.

Then another big change came to Tullahoma with the arrival of the AEDC.

Buildings were going up everywhere to house the families that came.

Some of the old-timers were very resistant to so many newcomers who were not used to doing things the way they were done in the South! But the good thing was that they lived, worked, and played together and CHANGE took place making Tullahoma a smarter and wiser community as we learned new ways from each other.

I remember when the first restaurant that served pizza came to Tullahoma and all the discussion that ensued. Change!!! And now it is one of the most popular take-out items in town!

There are so many other changes I could tell you about, but it would take all day!

As you think about the word CHANGE, think about all those “C” words to put in the acronym of that word and you will be amazed how many there are. Maybe that word “change” will become one of your favorite words too. I certainly hope so!