The Art of Living: Dixon Blooms
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Spring has arrived at the Dixon Gallery and Gardens! The tulips are in bloom, the trees are leafing out, and I can’t think of a better place to spend the official start of the season.
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VIProfile: Dr. Marlon D. King
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Dr. Marlon King, a transformational leader in the state of Tennessee, became Superintendent of the Jackson-Madison County School System in July 2020. Born and raised in rural West Tennessee where he attended public schools, Dr. King has given back over two decades of uninterrupted service and commitment to improving public schools. His career trajectory is unique amongst educators in Tennessee because of his wide range of experience that encompass being a teacher (Shelby County Schools—legacy), principal (Fayette County Schools), Superintendent (Haywood, Fayette, and Jackson-Madison Counties), and an Executive Director (Tennessee Department of Education), all in Tennessee. Dr. King has a proven record in improving many of Tennessee’s toughest schools and districts. He has built a reputation of turning schools around by promoting strong literacy programs with fidelity, recruiting and training school leaders, setting and expecting high standards for all, garnering community support and deep engagement, and managing fiscal service through a business-leader lens.
Read MoreVIProfile: Jenna Hamilton King
/Jenna Hamilton King has been the proud owner of My Best Friend Jenna (MBFJ) since February 2010. Her focus at MBFJ is to make your shopping experience truly feel like you are shopping with your B-F-F! MBFJ has evolved throughout the years and specializes in formalwear for all occasions. Her dresses and tuxedos have gone to proms, weddings, homecoming, pageants, military balls, fundraising events, and many other events. Jenna works alongside her sister, Lauren; Mom, Clarenita; and employees who have truly become best friends. Together, they have created a charming and relaxed atmosphere where they are enthusiastic, respectful, encouraging and stand by you during dress fittings and your ultimate formalwear purchase.
Read MoreThe Good Life: Mobile, Alabama
/The City of Mobile was Born to Celebrate! “Mobile (pop: 200,000) has a certain magic that keeps you on your toes,” says Tara Zieman, Director of Marketing & Communications, Visit Mobile. “It is where a melting pot of people, flavors, cultures, and traditions become one voice to lead all of life’s celebrations. Join the jubilee and welcome every day with an enduring passion and a little soulful hospitality because life is the ultimate gift. This is the spirit of living. This is what we’re born to do.”
Read MoreThe Art of Living: Paul's Pastry Shop
/The most delicious and moist King Cake I have ever tasted is from Paul’s Pastry Shop in Picayune, Mississippi. The bakery’s slogan is “The Biggest Little Bakery in South Mississippi.” Picayune (population: 16,000) is approximately 45 minutes northwest of Biloxi, 45 minutes from New Orleans, and one hour from Hattiesburg, so its King Cakes and other delectable bakery treats are well known in South Mississippi and Louisiana. Paul’s Pastry Shop is two hours from Mobile, home of the first Mardi Gras celebration (not New Orleans, contrary to popular belief).
Read MoreDinner & Donate
/Ladies around Jackson were invited out for an evening of fun, fellowship, and shopping for a great cause on Thursday evening, October 29, as Nordstar Medical and the Say it Southern podcast hosted Dinner and Donate at the Jackson Country Club. Proceeds from the evening went to Faithfully Restored Women, a non-profit that ministers to women in difficult circumstances who need community, care, and encouragement.
Read MoreVIProfile: Lisa Tillman
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Lisa Tillman has been the Executive Director of Regional Inter-Faith Association (RIFA) since January 2009. RIFA is a faith-based nonprofit organization with a mission to reach out with the love of Christ to help people in need by providing physical and spiritual nourishment. Working at RIFA has allowed Lisa to use her spiritual gifts of leadership and administration to execute RIFA’s vision to lead and engage our community in the fight against hunger. In 2019 alone, RIFA distributed over 500,000 meals through the Soup Kitchen, food bank, food pantry, food co-op, snack backpack program and senior staples ministry.
Read MoreRedemption Road Rescue Estate Sale Fundraiser
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The Third Annual Redemption Road Rescue Estate Sale Fundraiser was the plea and pre-promotion of the 3rd annual event. The Estate Sale Company holds this event annually and donates 100% of the proceeds to Redemption Road Rescue, and the staff donated their time for the two-day event. Barry Phillips, owner of The Estate Sale Company, said his staff believes in Redemption Road Rescue and their mission of rescuing, rehabilitating and re-homing equine in West Tennessee. It is valuable work and requires a great deal of funding to continue, so the significant contribution from The Estate Sale Company was very much appreciated.
Read MoreThe Good Life: Sevierville, TN
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With more than 15 million lights along the 25-mile Parkway to Sevierville, Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg, Smoky Mountain Winterfest is a magical time to visit the Smokies. Sevierville and her sister cities of Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg are all decked out in lights during the annual Smoky Mountain Winterfest Celebration, which kicked off November 13, 2020 and runs through February 22, 2021.
Read MoreRunway for a Cure Virtual Show
/The Runway for a Cure Virtual Show was broadcast live from J. Kent Freeman’s on Thursday evening, October 29. Local boutiques put on a fashion show hosted by Mayor Scott Conger. Boutiques in this year’s show included The Boutique, Delta Designs, Amy Jane’s, Hattie’s, York Laine and Doris Ann’s. Shop owners showcased models wearing fall and winter fashions while educating Mayor Scott Conger on the latest fashion trends. Throughout the night, there were videos and interviews from the American Cancer Society, Kirkland Cancer Center, and breast cancer survivors. The evening closed with this year’s group of Real Men Wear Pink, who have also been raising money for breast cancer.
Read MoreThe Art of Living: Christmas Cottage Cookbook
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Brimming with holiday ideas from delicious menus and decorating inspiration to easy hostess hints and gifts made by hand, “Christmas Cottage Cookbook” is sure to make your season enchanting.
When the “Christmas Cottage Cookbook” arrived at my cottage, I interrupted my long Christmas to-do list, prepared a cup of Mocha Mint coffee with White Chocolate Mocha creamer, and plopped down in a comfortable chair by a cozy fire. You will want to do the same thing when you read this book.
Read MoreLights, Camera, Fashion Kickoff
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On Thursday evening, September 17, My Best Friend Jenna celebrated the kickoff of Lights Camera Fashion 2021. Lights Camera Fashion is an annual runway prom fashion show with models coming from area high schools. This year’s show will take place on February 20, 2021 and there are 55 models. At the kickoff, the models met each other and learned about the schedule for the upcoming months leading up to the show. Participants will have the opportunity to make new friends from around West Tennessee as they each raise money for St. Jude Research Hospital, participate in photo shoots and modeling classes, and then get to work the runway at the Lights Camera Fashion Show in February.
Read MoreVIProfile: Matthew Marshall
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Matthew Marshall serves as President and CEO of United Way of West Tennessee. He was formerly Executive Director and Head of School at Hands Up! Preschool, a non-profit Early Childhood Education program in Jackson, TN. Before that, he spent eight years in higher education at his alma mater, Union University, where he did undergraduate work in Christian Ethics and then earned a Masters in Education.
Read MoreReal Men Wear Pink
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The lobby of Robinson Toyota was pinked out on Thursday evening, September 23 as the participants of this year’s Real Men Wear Pink gathered to celebrate the kickoff. There are 16 Real Men in this year’s group, and all of them are excited to be joining the fight against breast cancer. The candidates who attended enjoyed food and beverages provided by Party Mart, swapped strategies and ideas for fundraising, and even walked the red carpet in an impromptu fashion show. Breast cancer survivors Stephanie Hunt and Shannon Arnold were honored guests at the kickoff as well.
Read MoreThe Good Life: The Edwin Hotel
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On a recent pleasant autumn day a friend and I took Tennessee State Route 69 out of Savannah vs. the interstate to Chattanooga. It is more scenic and peaceful and an excellent highway, and the trip only took about 40 minutes longer than if we had traveled on the always busy I-40.
Read MoreVIProfile: Dennis Renshaw
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Dr. Dennis Renshaw lived in Alamo, but he grew up in Iran, India, and Indonesia as his father was with the United States State Department.
Read MoreVIProfile: Dr. George Pimentel
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Dr. George Pimentel serves as President of Jackson State Community College in Jackson, Tennessee. Before joining Jackson State in July 2020, he was the Vice President of Academic Affairs for Volunteer State Community College in Gallatin, Tennessee.
Read MoreFall Fashion 2020
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Fashion photography by Kristina Only & Jeff Watson at Union University.
Read MoreThe Art of Living: The Southern Tailgating Cookbook
/According to tailgating enthusiast Taylor Mathis, “You’ll understand why a game day in the South is unlike any other” when you read his cookbook, “The Southern Tailgating Cookbook: A Game-Day Guide for Lovers of Food, Football, and the South.”
Read MoreThe Good Life: Oxford, Mississippi
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On August 21-22 a friend and I traveled to one of my favorite Southern cities—Oxford, Mississippi (pop: 23,000), where I once lived. I have many fond memories of Oxford that include celebrating my birthday there with a very special gentleman on a snowy winter day, meeting and talking to John Grisham at the height of his popularity at Square Books with a line that snaked around the block, and having dinner with author Willie Morris, whom I first met as Public Relations Director of The Peabody in Memphis, where I accused him of getting many of his story ideas while sipping bourbon and branch water in our lobby.
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