This fall semester marks the 50th anniversary of the day classes were first offered at Jackson State Community College. To celebrate the past 50 years, JSCC held an event in their student center on Monday, September 11 for past and present students, faculty and friends to reminisce, reconnect and see the many great and exciting changes on the campus.
Read MoreJeff Arnett was named Master Distiller of the Jack Daniel Distillery in 2008. His supervision of the entire whiskey-making process of milling, yeasting, fermentation, distillation, charcoal mellowing and maturation ensures the world’s top-selling whiskey label is both in constant supply and true to Jack’s guiding belief that “Every day we make it, we’ll make it the best we can.”
Read MoreIf you want to talk about or meet the consummate professional gentleman, then Henry Winkler is the person to meet. Henry strolled into the Tennessee Room for the meet and greet, shaking hands and being so very congenial. He would stroll up to someone wanting his picture and pull someone into the picture with him.
Read MoreThe Jackson-Madison County Library Foundation held its 7th Annual Books of Madison County event on August 24 at the Jackson Fairgrounds.
Many community members came out to support the library at the event that has grown consistently each year. Attendees enjoyed a catered dinner, entertainment and a silent auction.
Read More
On Saturday, July 29, community members flocked to the Carl Perkins Civic Center for United Way’s Annual UNITAS event where they enjoyed socializing, a wonderful meal and an evening with special guest speaker Kurt Warner.
Read MoreBorn in Tupelo, MS., Eric T. Jones was raised in Starkville and Kosciusko, MS. and Henderson, TN. After graduating from Chester County High School in 1998, Jones attended Middle Tennessee State University and Freed-Hardeman University. He holds a Bachelor’s degree in history, a Master’s degree in administration and supervision, an Educational Specialist degree and a Doctorate in leadership and policy studies.
Read MoreOn Thursday, July 20, the Dream Center of Jackson held its “That’s Amoré” event at First United Methodist Church. Event attendees enjoyed a delicious meal catered by Olive Garden and desserts by L&T Cakery as well as entertainment by Thirty Wonderful and Kevin Chang, who played violin tableside.
Read MoreWhether you’re tailgating at the stadium or cheering from home, this fan-friendly guide makes game day eats as exciting as the game itself. There’s no one better to deliver that experience than Daina Falk. A nationally recognized game day expert, cook, and lifelong fan who grew up in the world of sports, Daina combines her passions for sports, food, and sports fan culture to create more than 150 simply delicious fangating recipes along with advice on how to fangate like a pro. You’ll find classics like slow-cooked ribs and sky-high stadium chili alongside fresh twists on much-loved dishes and flavors inspired by local traditions.
Read MoreIt was a super night for the 25th SportsPlus Football Jamboree, held this year at the Ballpark at Jackson. The stadium provided all those in attendance with a great view of the action. Ten teams competed during the course of the Jamboree. According to Leigh Ann Gaines, this is the second time it has been held here at the ballpark.
Read MoreTHE TENNESSEAN Hotel, a personal luxury hotel that provides pampering amenities such as tailored concierge services and a personal butler for guests, opened its doors in downtown Knoxville in April 2017.
I was invited to be a guest at this hotel in early August, and I eagerly accepted the gracious offer.
Read MoreOn Saturday, July 22, Toast of Jackson, a fine wine and art festival and celebration of local and regional wineries, was held at the Jackson Fairgrounds. The event raises funds for the Exchange Club of Jackson and the Exchange Club-Carl Perkins Center for the Prevention of Child Abuse. Event attendees visited participating booths, viewed and purchased art and sipped on a wide variety of fine wines from various local and regional wineries.
Read MoreA Taste of Jackson was held on a beautiful evening at the Jackson Farmers’ Market. The variety of foods available included Oriental, Mexican, American and grilled. Each year the event expands out to the market area and specialty coffees are available for tasting. Startup businesses showcase their products, and community outreach agencies participate in the tasty event among the restaurants.
Read MoreDustin Summers serves as the Executive Director of the West Tennessee Physicians Alliance (WTPA) and West Tennessee Primary Care—independent physicians’ associations collectively representing over 200 health care providers throughout the region. Summers also serves as the CEO of West Tennessee Clinical Partners, a CMS designated Medicare Shared Savings Program.
Read MoreThe Mid-West Tennessee Chapter of the American Red Cross hosted their annual Heroes Luncheon on Thursday, May 11 at the Carl Grant Center at Union University in Jackson.
Read MoreOn Sunday, May 28, the Jackson-Madison County NAACP held the 54th Annual Freedom Fund Banquet at the Carl Perkins Civic Center. As event attendees entered the double doors of the Civic Center they were greeted and escorted by the organization’s youth members. They walked through a beautiful archway onto an aisle lined with photos of key members of the NAACP recognized as “NAACP Legends.”
Read MoreEmily St. John Mandel is the author of the critically acclaimed novel “Station Eleven,” a finalist for the 2014 National Book Award. Mandel is the author of three previous novels—“Last Night in Montreal,” “The Singer’s Gun,” and “The Lola Quartet”—all of which were Indie Next picks.
Read MoreOn Friday, May 12, local residents joined together at the American Cancer Society Relay For Life of Madison County at the Farmers’ Market to raise funds and awareness in an effort to free the world from the pain and suffering of cancer. Many teams acted as food vendors at the event and provided a delicious variety of items for the other attendees to purchase and enjoy.
Read MoreAfter a week of rain people were ready to get out and have some fun. The fifth annual Aeneas Block Party fit the bill for a large group of attendees. Entertainment was provided by Madison and Blair, the Kimberlie Helton Band and Beyond Blame. The Glory Extreme All-Stars performed a steady stream of gymnastic flips and spins to the delight of the crowd. BancorpSouth had its outdoor grill running full steam to keep up with the large hungry crowd. People were interacting with friends they hadn’t seen recently, making it seem like an old-fashioned family reunion. Our thanks to Mitch Carter of Moore Studios, founder of the block party, prior to Jonathan Harlan, CEO of Aeneas Internet & Telephone, picking it up several years ago.
Read MoreWest Tennessee Healthcare’s Senior Services held its third annual Senior Women’s Conference, “Blossoming Into a Better You” at Union University’s Carl Grant Events Center. This fun-filled event was for women age 50 years and older.
Read MoreIt 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!
The First Ladies Luncheon was held Thursday, April 18, at the Jackson Fairgrounds. The event, presented by United Way of West Tennessee, has become a favorite tradition in Jackson and West Tennessee. Table sponsors had the opportunity to create unique tablescapes.
VIP Jackson Magazine
Socializing Throughout West Tennessee!
I AM JACKSON because…
No 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.