Did you see the beautiful landscape of the Turner farm last week when the fresh hay bales dotted the fields surrounding the lonesome silo? It reminded me that I hadn’t checked in with George Crosthwait, the farm’s manager, to see if there is any new news about replacing the landmark barn that had to be torn down in March. A month earlier, the iconic structure had sustained too much damage to repair during a wind storm.

George tells me while nothing has been decided yet, he has met with the city’s planning staff who assured him they would do whatever they could to fast-track a plan if it meets all of the city’s regulations.

Whatever is ultimately decided by Cal Turner Jr. and his son, Cal III, George said the goal will be to design something that will remain there for the long haul. He believes whatever’s built will also serve some purpose beyond being a piece of eye candy to those who love to gaze at the farm while traveling down Franklin Road or as a base for the beautiful, hand-painted Christmas mural that Mr. Turner commissioned years ago to display during the holiday season.

That’s the scoop as I know it today. But George assures me we’ll be the first to know when a decision is made. So stay tuned. Let’s just hope something’s decided and built before Advent season comes around again.

Mission work right here at home
I had a surprise call from an old friend Monday night. She and her daughter are staying in a Maryland Farms hotel this week with 65 youth and chaperones from their church in Richmond, Va. It’s their home base for their summer mission trip. Yes, mission trip.

They are here to help those still in need of home repairs after last year’s floods. Yes, a lot of need remains.

Knowing that so many youth groups from Brentwood will travel hundreds, and even thousands of miles, this summer to perform mission work elsewhere, got me thinking. Just think about how much work could be done right here in Middle Tennessee that would save hundreds of thousands of dollars spent on those long-distance mission trips -- money that could be put to so much use close to home, or sent to help those in Joplin, Mo. or Tuscaloosa, Ala. or Glade Spring Va.

I am glad Emma and her daughter Diana are here. We’ll get a chance to visit and catch up. But still I can’t help but think about the gas and the hours lost traveling and such.

Maybe I’m just jealous because I’m not going on a mission trip this year. A trip to Biloxi a few years ago remains one of the most rewarding trips I’ve ever taken.

Anyone need a chaperone?

Susan Leathers is editor of Brentwood Home Page. Click here to read previous columns. Email her at susan@brentwoodhomepage.com