My name is Mary Duke. (Yes, it’s a double name like Mary Jane or Mary Jo). Very Southern.I’m a wife, mother, grandmother, retired registered dietitian, friend, and volunteer... and I write a weekly food column called ‘Mary Duke Cooks! Sassy Southern’ for our community newspaper in East Tennessee, The Johnson City News and Neighbor. My by-line for the newspaper and in life is Sassy Southern. Let me explain. Being “sassy” in the south is not being rude; it’s an attitude of confidence. It’s meeting life head on with your head held high facing whatever life throws at you with just a little bit of spunk.Being southern is more than being born in a certain part of the country. Anyone can have southern traits. If you can be the chairperson of a 72 hour fundraising event while maintaining a smile and not killing anyone, you’re on the right track. If you write thank you notes, appreciate people for who they truly are, and overlook their faults, you may be more southern than you think. So, if you take a little bit of sassy-ness and add some warmth and genuine hospitality – you have Sassy Southern!I received my bachelor’s degree from the University of Tennessee in Knoxville, Tennessee. I am a retired registered dietitian. Beyond the educational: I sang in church for 10 years then sang in an 11 piece band with a full horn section for area fundraisers for 11 years- think Motown, KC and the Sunshine Band, Earth Wind and Fire. I am also an artist!