Destination Downtown

/
Destination Downtown

What an exciting time it is for downtown Jackson! Two years ago in my introduction to the Destination Downtown special section I related a story about a speech I gave at First Friday Forum around 1990 as the first Executive Director of Jackson Downtown Development Corporation (JDDC). I asked the attendees to close their eyes and dream with me about a bustling center city with numerous residents in homes, condos and apartments; a renovated New Southern Hotel; and busy retail shops and restaurants.

Read More

The Good Life: Huntsville, AL

/
The Good Life: Huntsville, AL

There is a new energy in Huntsville, Alabama (City Population: 180,000). I was last in this lovely Southern city in 2008. Much has happened there since then. Huntsville, Madison and all of Madison County, Alabama is buzzing with activity. New construction like the City Centre project in downtown Huntsville, to be completed in 2017, will add retail, dining and accommodations to the core of the city.

Read More

The Good Life: Columbus, Mississippi

/
The Good Life: Columbus, Mississippi

In 2008 the National Trust for Historic Preservation named Columbus, Mississippi one of “America’s Distinctive Destinations.” “As one of the best kept secrets in the state of Mississippi, it is an unrivaled destination for anyone who enjoys Southern architecture, savors down-home cooking, and seeks an escape to the great outdoors,” said Richard Moe, past president of the National Trust.

Read More

The Good Life: Gratz Park Inn

/
The Good Life: Gratz Park Inn

The following is an excerpt from an an article in the February 2016 issue.

Recently I had the pleasure of re-visiting Lexington, Kentucky, a charming city with an abundance of attractions and an easy drive to horse country. I had not been to Lexington in a decade or so. Much has changed since then, especially downtown with an ice skating rink and several popular eateries including Sawyer’s which “Southern Living” claims has THE best hamburger! I wanted more time to explore the city, but I was torn because I had an instant love affair with my host hotel—the Gratz Park Inn.

Read More

VIProfile: Bill White

/
VIProfile: Bill White

The following is an excerpt of an article from the February 2016 issue.

Bill White grew up in the small community of Nutbush near Brownsville, Tennessee. He attended the University of Tennessee at Martin for two years, and he graduated from UT-Knoxville with an accounting degree. He moved to Jackson in 2008 to become Community Bank President of First Tennessee Bank of Jackson. His wife, Lorie, grew up in Wabash, Indiana. They have been married for 35 years.

Read More

VIProfile: Greg Alexander

/
VIProfile: Greg Alexander

The following is an excerpt of an article from the December/January issue of VIP Jackson.

Greg Alexander has been called a serial entrepreneur as he has used his education, enthusiasm and entrepreneurship in multiple business and philanthropic ventures during his career. Greg is a native of Savannah, Tennessee, but he has called Jackson home since 1996. He graduated from the University of North Alabama in 1993 with a Bachelor of Science degree in marketing.

Read More

Christmas with Southern Lady

/
Christmas with Southern Lady

The following is an excerpt of an article in the December/January issue of VIP Jackson.

Christmas with Southern Lady, Volume 2, is a second installment of holiday inspiration published by Hoffman Media. The first volume appeared in 2013. Recently I had the pleasure of interviewing Kathleen Whaley, Editor of Southern Lady Magazine and editor of Christmas with Southern Lady, about Hoffman Media’s lovely new holiday book.

Read More

VIProfile: Robert T. Arrington, President of the National Funeral Directors Association

/
VIProfile: Robert T. Arrington, President of the National Funeral Directors Association

The following is an excerpt of an article in the November issue of VIP Jackson.

Bob began his funeral service career at the age of 7 years old at Bodkin Funeral Home in Milan, TN. He became intrigued and interested in funeral service when his grandfather died in 1963. His neighbor, Ralph Jones, owned the funeral home, and Bob left school every afternoon to go to the funeral home and ride home with his neighbor. Weekends were spent at the funeral home.

Read More

The Good Life: Bass Pro Shops & Big Cypress Lodge in the Pyramid in Memphis

/
The Good Life: Bass Pro Shops & Big Cypress Lodge in the Pyramid in Memphis

The following is an excerpt of an article in the October 2015 issue of VIP Jackson.

The doors of the Pyramid have opened again, this time to one of the largest retail projects in the world! Bass Pro Shops at The Pyramid is expected to bring millions of visitors to downtown Memphis. Hopefully they will add millions of dollars to the city coffers. Bass Pro is a game-changer!

Read More

VIProfile: Jackson Country Club's New General Manager R. Kedric Perkins, Jr.

/
VIProfile: Jackson Country Club's New General Manager R. Kedric Perkins, Jr.

The following is an excerpt of an article in the October 2015 issue of VIP Jackson.

The Jackson Country Club, which celebrated its 100th anniversary last year, has a new General Manager—R. Kedric Perkins, Jr.

Perkins moved to Jackson with his wife, Triniti, and their 3 1/2 year-old son, Trey, from Marion, Indiana, halfway between Indianapolis and Fort Wayne, Indiana. His first day at the Jackson Country Club was August 24.

Read More