The blessings mount as I continue to meet more and more of my new neighbors in this jewel of a community we now call home. My first full week here in Brookhaven has introduced me to a cast of local characters, each warm and inviting in individually unique ways.

     With my wife Patti and daughter Kinsey in town this past weekend, we set out on our first scouting adventure of local available real estate. While Brookhaven may be known as The Homeseeker’s Paradise, I might refer to it as The Home Buyer’s Cornucopia. Sydney Wilson, a woman of infinite patience, graciously led us across town, through the woods, over the river and up and down nearly every street in Brookhaven and the surrounding area. We visited no less than 20 homes of all shapes, sizes and colors on that long, wet Saturday.

     Searching for a new home can be a bit heart-wrenching – kind of like looking for a rescue pet at the local pet adoption agency. A few of the homes we visited had been long vacated. Though once dearly loved, these houses now stand empty waiting for a new family to bring love and life back within their walls.

     But for many, if not most, of the homes we had the opportunity to tour, that love remains intact, evidenced in the photos on the side tables and the art on the refrigerators. Though displayed in many unique and different ways across Brookhaven and everywhere else, I imagine, the old adage, “Home is where the heart is,” was readily confirmed by our whirlwind tour of homes.

     To answer the question of where the Reynolds’ family’s heart will call home in Brookhaven – that jury is still out.

     To drop a few names of those I had the good fortune and privilege to meet this past week, they included our mayor, Les Bumgarner, who I hear is recovering from a bout with the flu. I understand the mayor, formerly “Coach,” has quite a winning history in our community on many different playing fields. Let’s all wish for him to get well soon.

     I also had the good fortune to spend some time with Alvin Hoover, CEO of King’s Daughters Medical Center. I hope everyone in Brookhaven appreciates the excellent medical facilities at our disposal. I have worked in many a small town between Alabama and Texas, and rarely have I seen such first-class health care facilities in a community of our size. Brookhaven is truly blessed in this regard.

     To name a few others: Quinn Jordan, the consummate community salesman and general manager of the Lincoln County Civic Center – another exemplary facility. He is currently my landlord as I camp out at the RV Park on site while house hunting. Jill Case, at Brookhaven Barber Shop. I stopped by there after enjoying my first of many to come chicken salad sandwiches at Janie’s. A newcomer like me cannot walk into either of these two iconic institutions and not smile – my mind flashing back to simpler times.

     I met a host of folks at a reception for Cliff Brumfield. I wish he and his wife Rachel well on their new life adventure in North Carolina. I’ll look forward to visiting and discussing with them how our lives may parallel over these next few weeks and months of transition. I’m sorry our paths crossed so briefly.

     One larger-than-life local individual I have not yet had the privilege to meet is Dan Brown. Brown was the honoree at the annual ‘O’ Foundation VIP Awards banquet held this past week. By all indications, Brown is truly a giant of a man, both in stature and in Christ-like service to his community. His son, Dan Brown III, a fellow Texan, was in attendance. Knowing that the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree, I can trust Mr. Brown II is a man of true grace and thoughtful regard for his fellow man.

     I also had the supreme privilege of meeting Rose Mary “Polly” Powell, who I understand instigates many a worthwhile project in this community. I have not yet had an opportunity to sample the exquisite cuisine at her restaurant on Main Street, but I’ve seen the menu. I’ll need to put in a lot of calorie-burning miles on my bicycle if I intend to eat there as often as I would like.

     Others I had the honor to meet at various functions include four of our city aldermen: Shirley Estes, D.W. Maxwell, Dorsey Cameron, and Terry Bates; one of our county supervisors, Nolan Earl Williamson; our state senator, Sally Doty; and our former state senator and current agriculture commissioner, Cindy-Hyde Smith, who most graciously invited me to come learn and solve all the world’s problems in one place: the local sale barn. I look forward to that adventure.

     Some of the most important people I had the honor to meet this past week, my VIPs, were the spouses and family of those with whom I now work. We held the annual The Daily Leader Christmas party at Mitchell’s, and I was blessed to meet the true supporters of what we do at the newspaper. I know everybody’s job can be demanding at times, but the job at a newspaper can often times be equated to that of a civil servant. The news never ceases and seldom happens between eight and five. But the fact of the matter is, covering those breaking news events, tense late-night meetings, school sports and early morning fires can be exhilarating. Think about it, we actually get paid to go to football games, attend luncheons and go cover what others slow down and crane to see. So who pays the real price of our privilege to work 24/7 to bring you the news of Brookhaven? It’s our family. To them I say thanks for all their sacrifice in supporting us in our work at your newspaper.

     There are many others I met this past week who most graciously offered their well wishes and support – way too many to mention here – and many, many more that I will come to know in the very near future. Thank you again for the warm welcome and to repeat myself from last week, I believe and trust the Lord has brought my family and me to the right place here in Brookhaven. I look forward to the good work we can do together in this community.

     Rick Reynolds is president/publisher of The Daily Leader. Contact him at rreynolds@dailyleader.com.