Mark Kennedy is a columnist whose work appears in several sections of the Times Free Press. His human interest column "Life Stories" appears each Thursday in the Region section. He also writes the "Test Drive" automotive column in the Saturday and Sunday Business sections and the "Family Life" column in the Sunday Life section. He is contributing editor of the Edge business magazine. Kennedy has won the Tennessee Press Association's first-place awards for column writing 10 times, and is also a five-time winner of the newspaper's Best of the Best contest in the columnist/reporter category. He has also been the newspaper's features editor, Sunday editor and opinion editor. Before the merger of Chattanooga's two newspapers in 1998, he was the coordinating editor of the Chattanooga Times. Kennedy lives on Signal Mountain with his wife and two sons.
"Everybody talks about the weather, but nobody does anything about it."
by Mark KennedyPhotos of downtown Chattanooga in early 1962 show a vibrant business district from the perspective of two busy intersections on Market Street.
by Mark KennedyI've noticed an interesting trend on Facebook: baby boomers drunk on nostalgia.
by Mark KennedyIn May 1947, Chattanoogans welcomed President Miguel Alemán of Mexico to the city.
by Mark KennedyWe have a new dog - Keeper. Like a goalkeeper in soccer. Or: "Look at him; he's a keeper."
by Mark KennedyOn June 30, 1947, this photograph of dozens of Boy Scouts splashing in Chickamauga Creek appeared in the Chattanooga News-Free Press.
by Mark KennedyCarmen O'Hagan, a 25-year-old chemical company sales manager from South Pittsburg, Tennessee, offers an interesting self assessment.
by Mark KennedyWhen I got to work Tuesday morning after the Memorial Day weekend, the first person I saw in the newsroom hit me with a question.
by Mark KennedyClyde Beatty was a world-famous motion-picture actor, animal trainer and circus owner.
by Mark KennedyThomas Wolfe wrote "You Can't Go Home Again," but that was before Zillow.
by Mark KennedyFor much of the 20th century, Haverty's Furniture was a popular place to shop in downtown Chattanooga for home furnishings and appliances.
by Mark KennedyAt some point, our 15-year-old son became confident he could drive in city traffic.
by Mark KennedySo, what do you think a gallon of gasoline cost on Oct. 8, 1952, in Chattanooga?
by Mark KennedyGet ready for a new battle in America's culture wars: the clash over college loan forgiveness.
by Mark KennedyYou've probably heard the saying: There's no free lunch.
by Mark KennedyIn the 1940s and 1950s, the Dixie Manufacturers' Saw Shop on Rossville Avenue in Chattanooga was buzzing.
by Mark KennedySweet fancy Moses, I've spoiled my dog.
by Mark KennedyMac Hibbett has amassed quite a record as a Crye-Leike real-estate broker; he's been the company's top regional producer three times in 12 years and was voted Chattanooga Times Free Press Best of the Best Commercial Realtor in 2019 and 2020.
by Mark KennedyCan you say "teeny, tiny baby boomers" three times, fast?
by Mark Kennedy* Year established: 2014
by Mark Kennedy