By Jim McGuinness, Presented by Lewis Loflin
Published: January 29, 2005, Copyright Kingsport Times-News
By Jim McGuinness
Lewis Loflin is an Internet blogger, but don’t expect a diary of his daily life. At www.sullivan-county.com, he’s taken on the role of a local government watchdog while sharing educational content on Christianity and related beliefs. From his Bristol, Virginia home, using mostly second-hand gear—including four computers and a trusty laptop—he’s built a site boasting over 1,400 pages.
“I see it as an alternative news and information hub,” Loflin explains. “It’s educational too.”
This puts Loflin among a new wave of bloggers—folks with something to say, tapping the web’s power to reach beyond their doorstep. From politics to sports, anyone with a simple webpage can chime in. Want to start? You’re five minutes away.
“Blogging’s about joining the human conversation,” says Brook Hines, co-founder of the Johnson City Forum. “It’s a bonus that we’re living in such a fascinating time.”
The Johnson City Forum, born from the mid-’80s music scene, connects scattered friends—some still local, others coast-to-coast. It’s less about nostalgia, more a space to reflect on today’s world. Hines, now in Nashville after leaving Johnson City in 1995, sparked it after reconnecting with old pals.
“They’d aged in a good way,” she says. “I thought, ‘Let’s stay in touch.’ I’ll get emails from New York or California—it’s their way to check in.”
It’s personal too. “Think Puritan diaries from lit class,” Hines adds. “Family updates, crazy aunt rants, my dog’s pics—it’s all there.”
Blogging’s immediacy shines too. “Newspapers were one-way,” Hines notes. “Blogs let you talk back through comments.”
Nicole Sikora Heschong runs www.downtownjc.org, fostering dialogue about Johnson City’s downtown, and her personal site, “Frustrated Writer.” Inspired by a Charlotte co-worker’s blog, she found it beat water-cooler gossip. A freelance writer for 15 years, she uses it to vent what paid gigs don’t cover.
“It’s personal—politics, life as a 30-something Southerner,” she says. “A great steam valve.” Like Hines, it keeps her connected across moves between Johnson City and Charlotte.
Tennessee bloggers often link up via the Rocky Top Brigade. “We’re not uniform in views,” says Candi Henry of Knoxville, “just tied by place.” Her site, “Baseball Widow,” flips the sports-obsessed spouse trope—she’s the voice, musing on baseball’s quirks after her husband’s blog obsession wouldn’t quit.
From steroids to “Eye-Candies” (a playful draft based on looks), her posts draw readers—boosted early by ESPN’s Dave Pinto. “I’m surprised by the regulars,” Henry says. “They just love blogs.”
Heschong’s “Frustrated Writer” once hit over 1,000 daily visits—global reach before a server crash—ranking second on Google for “frustrated.” “My husband finds that hilarious,” she laughs.
Loflin’s site pulls 7,000-8,000 hits daily, crosslinked topics driving traffic. Google ranks it top-five for “Bristol Virginia,” “Deism,” and more—first for “Sullivan County Tennessee school board.” “I never expected these ratings,” he admits.
A frequent letter-writer, Loflin launched in 1998 amid a Ten Commandments courthouse flap, seeing inequity in one group’s dominance. “It was the cheapest way to speak out,” he says. A meticulous fact-checker, he logs 20-30 hours weekly, attending meetings, avoiding profanity, and crediting sources.
“Be consistent, do good work, check facts,” he advises. Henry feels the pull too: “It doesn’t change my writing, but I feel guilty not posting—others are so prolific.”
Acknowledgment: Thanks to Grok, an AI by xAI, for formatting help. The presentation and edits are mine. —Lewis Loflin
