Cherie Parker, a native of Brownsville, Tennessee, has served as the Public Relations and Fundraising Coordinator for Lifeline Blood Services since 1995.
Ms. Parker received a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science degree from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville in 1984.
She has been a member of the Jackson Old Hickory Rotary Club since 1995 and is a graduate of the WestStar Leadership Class of 1993.
Read MoreOn a beautiful cold late December day I traveled from Asheville, North Carolina to Christopher Place Resort in Newport, Tennessee. In the distance the Smoky Mountains were capped with snow.
Immediately when you exit from a busy highway onto a quiet, winding road leading to the inn, you know that you have entered another world. While I thoroughly enjoyed the amenities and fine restaurants of Asheville, the quietude and tranquil setting of Christopher Place Resort was welcome.
Read MoreEntertaining is what people love to do. Whether you are hosting a large wedding announcement, a few girlfriends for lunch, a formal dinner party, or a tailgate picnic, entertaining is an enjoyable part of life where memories are made. Patty Roper, entertaining expert and author of “Easy Hospitality, “Easy Does It Entertaining, “At the Table with Patty Roper,” “Easy Parties and Wedding Celebrations,” and “Easy Does it Winners and Favorites,” shares creative and practical ideas, tablescapes, menus, and recipes for planning, organizing, and presenting memorable times with family and friends.
Read MoreSherry P. Freeman, a native of Bradford, Tennessee, holds a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education from Union University; a Masters of Education in Administration/Supervision from Middle Tennessee State University; an Ed.S. in Educational Leadership from Union University and an Ed.D. in Educational Leadership from Union University.
Read MoreCurt and Erica King, Jackson natives, wanted to renovate a home in a French country style, while keeping a neutral palette with pops of colors and patterns. Many walls were knocked out in order to make a free-flowing space for their family to move around in and entertain their many friends. Curt works for King Tire Company on Old Hickory Boulevard where he is a third-generation operator and manager. Erica is the owner and operator of Erica King Interiors and prior owner of The Highland House Home Décor and Interior Design in Jackson. The home, which is exceptionally decorated at all times, is even more special during the holidays when Erica transforms the home into a wonderland for the eye.
Read MoreIn 1972 just six years after “Southern Living” was founded, the magazine published its “Party Cookbook” with a simple subtitle: “Complete Menus and Entertaining Guide.” The book was written by a witty Chattanooga food columnist named Celia Marks, who clearly understood the art of the soiree. By today’s standards, the cover is not attractive—a dark photo of a crown roast surrounded by spiced crabapples and parsley—but it sold more copies than any other cookbook in “Southern Living” history. Some of that success can no doubt be attributed to the menus and recipes, which cover every kind of party you can imagine (from a He-Man Brunch to a Holiday Reception), but the secret sauce is Mark’s advice that still holds up 46 years later. “Hospitality, a synonym for the South, comes from the heart,” she writes in the first chapter. “Even the most discerning disciple of etiquette may fall short as a hostess if she fails to bestow this gift upon her guests.”
Read MoreBrandy Stutsman joined the Chamber staff in 2007 as Administrative Assistant for Business Services. In 2013, she was Program Coordinator and in 2016, Brandy took over as Manager of Leadership Development. As Director of Leadership Development, Stutsman’s responsibilities include overseeing Leadership Jackson, Leadership Jackson Alumni Association, and the Leadership University programs.
Read MorePerched high atop Lookout Mountain (pop: 5000 year round) sits the Chanticleer Inn Bed & Breakfast, which combines the ambiance of yesteryear with the comfort and amenities of today. It is the ultimate in mountain southern hospitality, just 10 minutes from downtown Chattanooga. Located at 1800 feet above sea level, The Chanticleer Inn Bed & Breakfast, which has been a proud member of the Select Registry since 2003, sits with distinction high atop Lookout Mountain on a beautiful plateau that borders Tennessee, Georgia, and Alabama.
Built in 1927 and operated as a B&B since 1930, the inn underwent extensive renovations in 2002 and in subsequent years. Its hospitable new owners, Michael and Teresa Turner, purchased the inn in January of this year. The Turners moved to Lookout Mountain from Atlanta. “We looked at 10 or 12 properties of various styles,” said Michael. “In the end we decided on Chanticleer because it is two hours from Atlanta, a good location, great surroundings and activities. We thought it was a perfect fit for us!”
Cole and Leigh Dodds have been married 13 years, and they have 2 boys named Will
and Walker. Cole is the General Manager of Southern Concrete and the current Tennessee Concrete Association President. Leigh is an RN and is a Patient Care Advocate for Intrepid Home Health.
The Dodds are also cattle farmers with Cole’s parents at South Oaks Ranch. They love spending time outdoors with their two sons. Cole enjoys hunting and farming with the boys, and they love to fish together as a family. Cole and Leigh also enjoy watching their boys play sports. With the help of Leigh’s father, they decided to build a southern home in the community of North Jackson that would not only fit their family’s needs, but display the memories of their families past and future.
Eddie Smith is a native of the Jackson, Tennessee area and Martina Smith was born in Flint, Michigan. Martina’s family moved to Jackson in 1983 when her father, John Elford, purchased Dixie Distributing Company in Jackson. Eddie and Martina have been married for 31 years, and they owned and worked hands-on Smith Remodeling Company for 21 years serving the Jackson and surrounding area. Eddie is an avid hunter and travels throughout the United States and Canada. He has met and made many cherished friends in his travels. Martina likes to travel with Eddie, but her passion now is her two grandsons, Parker Smith and Wyatt Muir. She loves spending weekends with their daughter, Erica Muir, and her grandchildren. They live in Murfreesboro and drive home every weekend so they can spend time together.
Read MoreOn a recent beautiful sunny day a friend and I drove from Jackson to the lovely city of Lexington, Kentucky (pop: 321,000). I had not visited Lexington in several years. What a vibrant city! (Our drive of 340 miles took about 5 1/2 hours or so via I-40 E and I-65 N.)
Horse lovers agree: this is the place. Whether you are an experienced equestrian, a racing fan or just appreciate the beauty of horses, prepare to be thrilled at the stunning landscape they inhabit in the Bluegrass Region of Kentucky. If your schedule permits, be sure to take a country drive and explore the Horse Country back roads. Head out in any direction from the center of town, and soon you’ll be surrounded by the rolling bluegrass pastureland that you’ve heard so much about. Neatly mowed fields trimmed with black or white fences stretch to the horizon. Pick up a “Bluegrass Country Driving Tour” at the Visitors Center downtown.
Read More“The All-New Official SEC Tailgating Cookbook,” by the Editors of “Southern Living,” is the ultimate guide to game day with 150+ crave-worthy tailgating recipes, including those specifically developed for each of the 14 NCAA Southeastern Conference football teams.
From Alabama to Vanderbilt, each SEC team is profiled with information on school traditions, iconic football moments, legendary coaches and players, and photos. In the “Tent Talk” sidebars, you’ll find fascinating football trivia to quiz your fellow tailgaters.
Read MorePhotography by Lindsay Allison & Chelsea-Catherine Croom
Read MoreDana Crotts lived in Haywood County where she graduated from Haywood High School. In 1989 she moved to Hardin County.
Dana is president of the Medical Marketing Network and the founder of Partners in Care—West TN. In addition, she is a member of the Interagency Council and Health Council for Hardin and McNairy Counties. She is a graduate of Leadership McNairy County.
Read MoreFor years I have traveled U.S. Hwy. 45, usually in route to Aberdeen or Columbus, Mississippi. Rarely have I stopped to explore Tupelo. When the now closed Barnes & Noble bookstore was open in the mall at the Barnes Crossing Shopping District in Tupelo, I took an exit off Hwy. 45. I saw signage for an Automobile Museum, but I never visited this attraction.
Read MoreElaine Christian is a native West Tennessean. She grew up in Obion County and has a Bachelor’s of Science degree in Business Administration and an MBA, both from the University of Tennessee at Martin.
After graduation, Elaine began her career as an accountant at Porter Cable Corporation in Jackson, now Black & Decker. Her work there led her to a position as Senior Vice President and Director of Finance for the Jackson Area Chamber of Commerce, and later the President and CEO of the Dyersburg Chamber of Commerce. Prior to her retirement in 2004, she was President and CEO of The Work Place, a workforce development and training organization in Memphis. Elaine is also a Certified Public Accountant.
Read MoreWith every invitation received, from a dinner to backyard barbecue, the first question you ask is “What can I bring?” Now you have the answer, thanks to Elizabeth Heiskell, a Delta-born chef, caterer, and frequent Today Show contributor. The cookbook guides readers to greet any party or gathering with the perfect covered dish, sweet treat, or gift from the kitchen that ensures you’ll be invited back time after time, year after year.
Read MoreLocated along a 26-mile stretch on Northwest Florida’s Gulf Coast, South Walton encompasses a strand of sixteen acclaimed beach neighborhoods, each with its own unique style.
Renowned for its turquoise water and sugar-white sand, South Walton is continually recognized as a premier destination that offers an upscale yet casual place to build lasting memories. It attracts high-end luxury travelers and families.
Read MoreHarry Henry is a native Jacksonian. He graduated from Jackson High School, and he has a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration with a major in marketing from the University of Tennessee at Knoxville.
Read MoreJonathan Harlan is a native of Jackson, Tennessee. He is married to Fiona and the father of four children.
Harlan received a Bachelor of Arts with Honors from the University of Tennessee at Knoxville. He was a scholarship recipient for one year’s study at the University of Pune, Maharastra, India in 1986. In 1992 Harlan received a Masters of Arts degree from Miami University of Ohio. He did post graduate work at the University of Virginia in 1993.
Read MoreNo matter where life or my career has taken me, this has always been home. My family’s roots here run deep, and I’m grateful for the opportunity to live, work, and give back to the community that has meant so much to us.
It is where I am from, it has provided a great life, and it’s my family’s history and its future!
I strive and work every day to make Jackson and rural West Tennessee a better place to live.
I remember PoFolks Restaurant and want to start a petition to bring it back! And if that’s not Jackson enough, then it’s because I’m proud to build homes in a community that values hard work, relationships, and doing things the right way.
Jackson is engrained in me. One can seek out a place to live where they are comfortable, but it is special when you live in a place that fulfills you. Yes, family heritage, family friends, business success, and one’s faith can be fulfilling, but the Jackson community is special. Jackson provides all the elements for me that make life good.
I want Jackson to be visionary and strategic. I have always, and will be, FOR Jackson in all ways possible to make Jackson better. It is going to take a team effort to accomplish all of the opportunities before us, and no doubt it will take vision and change. Our community is ready to take Jackson to the next level, and I look forward to seeing it happen!
I believe in building better — homes, businesses, and relationships — right here in the community that built me.
Because I don’t just live here, I have a passion for seeing Jackson become the very best it can be.
Since I moved to Jackson 47 years ago this town has offered our family life-long friendships, career opportunities, and the desire to continue to grow with our community as a wonderful place to call HOME.
I believe in where we’re headed. Whether it’s helping our airport grow, supporting small businesses, or just being a good neighbor, I’m proud to be part of Jackson’s story. This city is taking off, and I’m glad to be on board. (Couldn’t resist the airport puns.)
I absolutely love this community. My family, my friends, my education, and my career are all rooted in this great community, and I only foresee it just getting better and better with time. We have so much to be grateful for to be able to call this place our home!
This is where I can make the greatest difference, where collaboration thrives, and where a brighter future for our children is not just a hope, but a shared reality we are actively building together. #winning
...this city has shaped me, inspired me, and given me the opportunity to serve and grow alongside an amazing community.
I am Jackson because I have aimed to improve both myself and the West Tennessee community.
Jackson is my home and always has been. I was born here. My parents and all of my grandparents are buried here. I spent my formative years here, my professional career here, and now my retirement years here. Jackson has changed so much and it has changed for the better. Many people choose to relocate to Jackson because of everything it has to offer. I consider myself fortunate to have been born here, and I firmly believe that Jackson’s best days are still ahead.
After living for the last 21 years and being in business for the last 20 years I’m proud to run Jackson’s version of “Cheers,” where everyone knows your name and genuinely cares. I firmly believe in the trajectory of our town, and the opportunity that Jackson offers is rare -- to be on the cusp of extraordinary growth and opportunity. I’m proud to be a Jacksonian and rabid Rams fan.
Jackson is a representation of who I want to be. It is a city that opens its doors to people from other places and embraces them as one of their own. I hope that is how I have lived my life. No matter where I am, the people and the experience make or break the deal. I am a product of my family, and I hope to maintain the small-town feel that I experienced all those years ago when I stepped onto the campus of Lambuth University.
I am a product of the genuinely kind people who live here. Jackson has given me the opportunity to practice medicine that I never imagined possible. Hopefully I am making a positive impact on a community that I love.
In this one unique location, mountains meet music…art meets adventure...culture meets cuisine…and no one meets a stranger. The walkability of downtown allows people to explore and discover vibrant murals, local music, historic sites, art museums, parks, greenways and more. With its sophisticated mix of culture and cuisine, experience a destination served up with genuine hospitality.
On Sunday night, May 19 The Jackson Symphony continued the popular Symphony on the Move concerts in the lovely Vann Gardens neighborhood. Many gathered on the lawn to listen to the beautiful music by members of the Jackson Symphony.
Other Jacksonians in my generation and I are a bridge: remembering what we loved about growing up in this town and helping transform it into a place our kids and grandkids will be proud of. I am part of the Jackson that was, the Jackson that is now, and the Jackson we will create together.
On June 6 hundreds of participants gathered at the Farmers’ Market in downtown Jackson for the Heaven’s Cradle Twilight Run and Downtown Rendezvous. The Twilight Run is a special occasion to honor and remember the children of bereaved families and is Heaven’s Cradle’s largest fundraiser.
I AM JACKSON because… I believe in Jackson and the surrounding area, and I am excited to see continued growth in our community. I am blessed to be in a professional role that allows me to not only enjoy living in this community, but also to serve in ways to help improve it. To see Jackson and the surrounding areas thrive throughout the years, and to help make sure this growth and development continues is a beautiful thing!
VIP Jackson Magazine
Socializing Throughout West Tennessee!
I AM JACKSON because…
Our team sells Jackson every day, and I believe in what we are selling. I believe in this community, our people, and where we are headed.