Crews at Gaylord Opryland Resort worked hard to bring the magic of the North Pole to Music City as they prepared to open the hotel’s 34th annual A Country Christmas celebration, which began on November 10.
Read MoreThe 2017 USJ Holiday Mart Preview Party was an opportunity to view all the wares offered for sale at the largest holiday shopping mart in the area. Vendors were present from Kentucky, Florida, Mississippi, Arkansas, and elsewhere. Many vendors are private family businesses.
Read MoreThe Leadership Jackson Alumni Association (LJAA) presented Darkness to Light: Stewards of Children “An Evening with Marilyn Van Derbur” to educate West Tennesseans on the prevention of child sexual abuse on September 28 at Union University’s Carl Grant Events Center.
Read MoreA young couple with modern ideas and old-school vibes decided to renovate a home built in the early 90s. Taking cues from their favorite fashion designers, Jamar and Crysta Hardiman turned the home into a modern oasis filled with nostalgic pieces and a comfortable environment in which their family could nestle.
Read MoreThe Jackson Symphony held its first Legacy Circle reception of the 2017-2018 season on Thursday evening, November 30th, at the home of Jim and Mona Campbell. Peter Shannon, Artistic Director and Conductor of The Jackson Symphony, attended and discussed the remainder of the 2017-2018 season. Legacy Circle members are donors who have given $1,000 or more to The Jackson Symphony.
Read MoreLt. Cheryl Moynihan was born in Danville, Kentucky. Her parents worked for The Salvation Army as the administrators of a drug and alcohol rehabilitation center. Being raised in The Salvation Army she moved frequently, but she learned quickly by watching her parents how necessary their work was. Cheryl observed at an early age the devastation of drug and alcohol addiction. This instilled in her a desire to carry on the ministry to which her parents had devoted their lives. Cheryl began working for The Salvation Army at age 16. In 2003 she met her husband, David, while working in Ft. Smith, Arkansas. The two became best friends and married in 2008.
Read MoreThe Star Center presented “Dancing with the Stars” night, beginning with a beautiful sunset through the dining tent as people began to arrive. This was a larger attendance than last year, creating a beautiful setting outside the clubhouse and onto a rim of the green. The outdoor area was filled with people socializing as they waited for the seating to begin.
Read MoreCharles, 9th Earl Spencer, brother of Diana, Princess of Wales and godson of Her Majesty the Queen, will headline the keynote presentation at the 28th annual Antiques and Garden Show of Nashville. The event will take place in the heart of downtown Nashville at the Music City Center, 201 Fifth Ave. S., Feb. 2-4, 2018.
Read MoreThe 2017 Canstruction with Natalie Grant began with a meet-and-greet with key sponsors before going to the Tennessee Room. Grant is a multiple Dove Award winner and has had an amazing music career. Grant said when she was six-years-old singing into her round hair brush, she knew what her life was going to be. Aretha Franklin was an early childhood role model with her strong gospel voice.
Read MoreHomeowners Greg and Allycin Alexander, graciously permitted me a tour of their lovely home for our first monthly No Place Like Home article. Their home is not only immaculately designed with one-of-a-kind furnishings and architecture but inviting without the least bit of austerity. In fact, when you first enter the home your eyes cannot help but glance around from the alluring artwork to the grand lighting and 19th century furniture in the foyer and formal living room. A glamorous juxtaposition is what comes to mind when describing the home. Keep reading further for an in-depth look inside the Alexanders’ home.
Read MoreHitmakers and Harleys featuring country singer Darryl Worley was held at Bumpus Harley-Davidson on Tuesday, October 17. All proceeds from the event benefitted the Darryl Worley Foundation.The West Tennessee native said “it’s always nice to get back and do events like this” in the place that feels like home. Also performing at the event was Jim “Moose” Brown, Erin Enderlin & Don Sampson.
Read MoreEverything changed for young Jim Norton one Christmas Eve at his aunt’s house. She served homemade sausage balls, stuffed mushrooms and more, all on “fancy trays.” An obsession with entertaining was born.
Read MoreThe 23rd annual Runway for a Cure was held on October 3 at the Carl Perkins Civic Center. It was an evening filled with beautiful clothing, great food, strong survivors and community members gathering to raise funds and awareness to the American Cancer Society.
Read MoreThe alluring premise of “Hotel Chic at Home” is something any reader will understand—what if ordinary life could feel more like vacation?
On vacation, dinner might be arrayed outdoors for a view that you’ve journeyed hundreds of miles to see. A room might transport you to another, more genteel era. A serene moment might be found anywhere, from a swinging hammock, to a wrought-iron table in a garden, a luxurious bathroom oasis, or an intimate corner with a velvet wing chair. As travel and design blogger Sara Bliss has discovered, the experiences of adventure, freedom, sophistication, and calm that she has found in the world’s most unique hotels can be recreated on a personal scale almost anywhere.
Read MoreIt was the perfect day for the XMC, Inc. as they hosted their fifteenth annual Golf Tournament at Pickwick Landing State Park. There were 28 teams of four and it was a great turnout for the tournament. Bob Hamilton, his family and staff went all out to make this a great day for all the golfers who played in the tournament. All proceeds from this tournament goes to Make A Wish Foundation. In April of this year XMC sent a four-year-old and his family to Disney World. What a great thing to see these teams playing for such a great cause. One thing that really impressed me was listening to Hamilton’s grandson, Aidan, share that he wanted to grow up and run his grandfather’s company because “I want to help people.” This young man really made an impact on me because it was wonderful seeing a child want to grow up like his grandfather with his objective to help others. All golfers received a welcome gift. I watched as Hamilton personally thanked the participants and tried to hand deliver many of the welcome gifts himself as possible. All of the XMC staff was excited about the day and looking forward to next year’s event!
Read MoreIn August 2014 I made my first multi-day trip to Ste. Genevieve (pop. 5,500), America’s Original French Colonial Village. Prior to that I had made a few stops for meals when returning home from St. Louis, one hour from Ste. Genevieve. Then in early September of this year I returned to Ste. Genevieve (or Ste. Gen as some call it). In fact, I can visualize having a small apartment there. Perhaps it’s my father’s French ancestry (Normandy, France) that keeps drawing me back to this charming city.
Read MoreBone Appétit, the main fundraiser for the Downtown Dogs Group, was held on Sunday, October 15 at the West Tennessee Farmers’ Market. It was an evening filled with good food and music for a good cause for the organization’s fifth annual event.
Read MoreThe Carroll County Shooting Sports Park hosted the 2nd Young Life Sporting Clays Tournament at their amazing facilities that include long-range, sporting clay, field shooting, two Western fast draw shooting cities, coupled with a large meeting room or dining facility. Directly behind the main building is a four-station clay bird range, which allows for handicap shooters, such as Wounded Warriors. The high school shooting teams practice here for regional and national competitions.
Read MoreInstead of the annual football rivalry that occurs between USJ and TCA on the football field, the two schools came together to perform a charity that benefits people in the area supported by RIFA. In the past the two schools have coordinated this charity project and collected 260,852 pounds of food. RIFA gave out 390,000 meals through Soup Kitchen, Snack Backpack, Food Bank and Senior Staples.
Read MoreIn the world of clandestine operations, private contractors and elite military units, who would envision that one of the most premier training facilities in the country is tucked away in a location that is right on the edge of Good Ol’Rocky Top?
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.
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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.