It was a monumental day at the University of Memphis Lambuth campus as dignitaries assembled to hear the grand announcement from West Tennessee Healthcare. President & CEO of West Tennessee Healthcare, Bobby Arnold, announced the $2.5 million dollar endowment to be used for scholarships to nursing students of the Lambuth Campus nursing program.

Brides-to-be planned for their special day at the 2016 Bridal Show held on January 10. Everything needed to plan a wedding was under one roof at West Tennessee’s annual premier bridal show held at the Carl Perkins Civic Center. This year’s theme was “Rings of Love,” and the event drew vendors from all over the Mid-South to showcase wedding products and services in multiple categories. Caterers, bridal venues, travel agencies, beauty consultants and jewelers were among the plentiful resources.

Blue Strong, an event honoring Madison County Law Enforcement, started by Rev. Bill & Ann Luther in 2015, was held again in 2016 at the Carl Perkins Civic Center. There were approximately 800 in attendance. The program combined the Rifle Corp, Honor Guard units, Shelby County Pipe & Drum Corp, Gospel Quartet ”Kindred Souls,” Tactical Squad, K9 Units, and a recognition for the Sheriff Deputy killed last year.

It may have been the opposite of summer outside, but everyone came in their beach attire for the “Night in the Caribbean“ fundraiser for the Dream Center. The featured event was “Jefferson Starship,” which was formed in the early 70s from members of Jefferson Airplane. Paul Kantner and David Freiberg were founding members and drummer Donny Baldwin has been a member since 1986.

Excitement was in the air as guests and patrons arrived at the Carl Perkins Civic Center for the 26th annual West Tennessee Healthcare Foundation Gala. An estimated $200,000 was raised this year through sponsors, a silent auction, table purchases and donations.

The 5th Annual Ladies Night Out at Robert’s Jewelers was once again a rousing success. Held over two nights, with ticket sales benefitting the American Heart Association on one night and a local charity on the other, it was a sellout event. This year the local charity was S.T.A.T. (Saving the Animals Together). Tickets were $10, and Robert’s matched the ticket sales, producing a $2,000 donation to each charity.

USJ’s Christmas Holiday Mart Preview Party held at the Carl Perkins Civic Center filled the center with more merchandise than you can look at in one trip. The Main floor was packed from the full lobby to the side hallways and into the Tennessee Room. The sponsors’ food section was downstairs and was a delight to sample.

On November 6, Union University held a ribbon-cutting ceremony and dedication of its new library, The Logos, which was under construction for 16 months.

Once again Oakmont House was the place to be at the 2015 Patron’s Party for the West Tennessee Healthcare Foundation. The hosts were Robert Walden and Jim Norton.

New York Times columnist David Brooks was the featured speaker for the 18th Union University Scholarship Banquet held at the Carl Perkins Civic Center to a sellout audience. David is a writer of several books including The Road to Character. In this book, ten effective individuals demonstrate how character is developed through selflessness. A focus and development of one’s inner self leads to a rich and fulfilled life. The Union University Choir performed three a capella selections to the delight of the audience.

The Jackson-Madison County Library Foundation held a successful fundraiser this year at Jackson Fairgrounds Park honoring Frances Mayes. Frances and her husband, Edward, were gracious to the 270 people who came to hear Frances discuss her book “Under the Tuscan Sun.” For two and a half years the book was a best seller even though it was written and published 20 years ago.  The movie is what breathed life into a hidden treasure, a book of “Hope & New Beginning.”

On an amazingly beautiful night at First Presbyterian Church, the Jackson Symphony Orchestra played classical and blockbuster movie theme music to the roaring crowd. Everyone brought their picnic baskets to sit and eat while listening to the best free concert in Jackson. The concert built up to the anticipated “1812 Overture” and real historic cannon fire. It was rumored there were 3,000–4,000 in attendance as the grounds were covered from Highland up to the stage and side areas.