Work Worth Honoring

As we pause this Labor Day to celebrate the American worker, I want to shine a light on the people closest to home — the team that makes up Reaves & Williams Publishing Group, Hometown Digital Marketing Agency, ShineCast, and our family of community newspapers.

Labor Day is about more than a long weekend. It’s about recognizing the men and women who show up every day to keep our towns, businesses, schools, and families moving forward. It’s about truck drivers, nurses, teachers, factory workers, farmers — and yes, it’s also about the reporters, editors, sales representatives, designers, photographers, and support staff who bring your community stories to life.

Like many of you, my own work story started early. In high school, in college, and as a young mother, I worked where the jobs were — in factories, as a waitress, behind a cash register, in sales, and as a nonprofit volunteer. Those years taught me resilience, humility, and the value of showing up — lessons I carry with me to this day. Later, I had the privilege of building a career in corporate leadership and serving as a publisher in the media industry. But those early years shaped me just as much as the corner office ever has. They gave me perspective — a reminder that every job matters, and every worker deserves to be seen and valued.

I also think of my parents. My dad worked for years at American Greetings, where he served as a Teamsters member and union steward, advocating for his coworkers while putting in long hours on the factory floor. Today, he continues a life of service as pastor at Red Bird Baptist Church. My mom, Dr. Carolyn Reaves, retired from the University of the Cumberlands, where she devoted her career to teaching and directing the Academic Resource Center. This fall, she will begin sharing her own reflections and recipes as a columnist for Highlands Insider. Their examples remind me that labor is not just about wages — it’s about purpose, dignity, and legacy.

And I think of my husband, Herbert, whose career has connected him with people across every part of the food service industry — from farm to table, mom-and-pop cafés to processors, and restaurants of every kind: fast food, fast casual, and fine dining. He’s seen firsthand how hard people work behind the counter, in the kitchen, and in the fields. His journey reminds me that every role — no matter the title or uniform — is vital to the way we live and gather.

This Labor Day, I especially want to honor small business owners. Like Herbert and me, you know what it means to take a dream and turn it into a livelihood — not just for yourself, but for the team that depends on you. You work countless hours, through holidays and weekends, often with little down time, to make sure doors stay open and paychecks clear. To every small business owner who has had the courage to keep going even when it wasn’t easy — thank you for believing in your dream and not giving up. You embody the true American Dream.

I also want to thank the people who rarely get recognized but make a difference every single day:

And of course, I want to say a heartfelt thank you to our own team. You are the lifeblood of our company and the communities we serve. From the front lines of journalism to the behind-the-scenes support that makes everything possible, you reflect the very best of what Labor Day celebrates.

Labor Day reminds us that America’s strength lies in its people. To every worker, every small business owner, and every family in the UC — I see you, I appreciate you, and I applaud your efforts.

Happy Labor Day. Enjoy the time with family and friends!

"And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance; for you serve the Lord Christ."
— Colossians 3:23–24

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