Recently I drove a short distance from Jackson to the peaceful town of Clifton, Tennessee (pop: 1,000) where I was a guest at The Commodore Inn at Clifton. After a particularly demanding workweek, I was more than ready for a weekend escape.
Read MoreDr. Mechelle Taylor Moragne is an established family practice physician with over 18 years of experience in Jackson, Tennessee. She is highly regarded in the community, earning numerous accolades for her stellar patient care. She has been awarded a total of four Silver Stevie Awards from the 2021 American Business Awards Division of the Stevie Awards Program for Minority Owned Business of the Year and Frontline Hero of the Years and 2020 International Women in Business Division of the Stevie Awards Program for Female Entrepreneur of the Year and 2020 Frontline Hero of the Year.
Read MoreCommunity members and sponsors gathered on May 6th at the Jackson Fairgrounds for a record-breaking night of Dancing with the STARS. The event was presented by Leaders Credit Union, benefitting the STAR Center and featured 7 couples that ranged from nurses to business owners, surgeons, school principals, and realtors. Viewers from EPlusTV 6’s broadcast and Flatiron Grille watched online and TV as The STAR Center’s largest fundraiser came to fruition. This event, which has sold out every year, provides the needed resources for the Star Center to continue to live out their mission to help a person with any disability realize their potential.
Read MoreNestled among the meandering streets, mature landscape and abundant coastal wildlife, the popular community of Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort offers a new hospitality experience in 2021—Hotel Effie Sandestin. For the past 45+ years, the welcoming resort community of Sandestin has remained the ultimate destination for generations of coastal adventurers, multi-generational family travelers, couples, reunions, seasonal guests, quick getaways and successful meetings and events. This special community offers something for everyone, including bayside activities, emerald green water, sugar-white sandy beaches, golf courses, plentiful sunshine and nights to remember during special events. This resort community offers every amenity imaginable and boasts an abundance of family activities, inspired culinary including local-catch seafood and nightlife venues for those who shine bright in the night. It goes without saying that guests and residents don’t have to leave the 24,000 acres to have an incredible, adventurous and activity-packed day.
Read MoreMy Best Friend Jenna presented Lights, Camera, Fashion, the Mid-South’s largest Prom Runway Fashion Show, on April 29 at the Carl Perkins Civic Center. The models are all High School students from West Tennessee. The foundation of this event is to inspire young ladies to create a strategy to raise money for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. There are hundreds of girls who apply, but a limited number is selected. Those chosen build new relationships, learn modeling techniques, and develop a fundraising strategy.
Read MoreJ. Brent Ward began his real estate career in 1997. He joined his parents who had been in real estate for about 5-6 years. “Being a single dad, I was only able to swing part time so I could only assist them for two years when I retired my license,” said Ward.
“While my license was in retirement, my parents, along with a few other partners, started RE/MAX Realty Source in Jackson. After a year or so in retirement, I reactivated my license, rejoined my parents fulltime, and we became the “aWARD Winning Team.”
Read MoreSupporters of heart health in West Tennessee went out in formal attire paired with their favorite denim on Saturday evening, May 22, as Friends of Heart and West Tennessee Healthcare hosted Black Tie & Blue Jeans at the Jackson Fairgrounds. Guests enjoyed signature cocktails and dinner before dancing the night away to live music by G3, the house band for the Grizzlies. There were both live and silent auctions and a whiskey pull as well. Sponsors of the event included Master Medical Equipment, Leaders Credit Union, Voya Financial, and The Blacksmith.
Read MoreThe Jackson Service League held its signature fundraiser Boots, Bands & Bingo on Friday night, April 9 at the Samuel T. Bryant Distillery. Supporters of the Jackson Service League enjoyed a night of playing bingo for great prizes with emcee Moe Shamell, listening to great music from Greg Nichols of DJ5 Productions, and savoring a great meal catered by Baker Brothers BBQ. There was also a silent auction with a wide range of items.
Read MoreA few weeks ago I had the pleasure of re-visiting Huntsville, Alabama after a five-year absence. To quote “Southern Living” Magazine, it is “A City on the Rise!”
Huntsville is the second largest city in Alabama, second only to Birmingham. In 2010, its population was 180,105. Ten years later, the population is 25,000. The growth since 2010 is 14.98 percent.
Read MoreUnited Way of West Tennessee hosted the 8th Annual First Ladies’ Luncheon at the Jackson Fairgrounds on Thursday, April 8. This event is a key fundraiser for United Way of West Tennessee (UWWT) that showcases the work of women in our local community. It was a lovely spring day for this outdoor event, and the pavilion at the Fairgrounds was full of beautifully decorated tablescapes with unique themes chosen and executed by the sponsor of each table.
Read MoreToday Show contributor Elizabeth Heiskell is known for her Southern flair and delicious crowd-pleasing dishes, and now she’s helping home chefs take the guess work out of cooking in Come On Over!: Southern Delicious for Every Day and Every Occasion.
Read MoreWalking into the Little’s beautiful home in North Jackson, I felt instantly warmth and a feeling of welcomeness. Every corner was decorated beautifully, yet it felt clean and completely cohesive. I was met by Lisa’s kind greetings followed by Stephen’s. The first word that comes to mind to describe their space is thoughtful. It is clear upon entering their home they’ve created together that much thought went into it both by the couple and the Kelly Murray’s team of designers at Posh and Interiors, Inc, who helped make the Littles’ vision for the home come to life.
Read MoreOn a recent chilly but sunny Saturday I drove to The Lodge at Pickwick Landing in Counce, Tennessee. It was an easy and pleasant drive from Jackson, and I looked forward to some much-needed “me” time.
Upon arriving at the Lodge at Pickwick Landing I was warmly greeted by the hotel staff. Before checking into my room, I did a mini self-guided tour of the newly renovated inn. What a transformation since I was last at this inn several years ago!
Read MoreScott Stewart was born in Nebraska, but he tells everyone he’s from Storm Lake, Iowa because that’s where he spent most of his youth. His parents owned a feed, seed and fertilizer business. He was not a “farm boy,” but he was surrounded by agriculture and participated in 4-H, raised hogs, delivered feed, baled hay, walked beans, and de-tasseled corn as a teenager.
Read MoreSpring 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.
Read MoreDr. 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 MoreJenna 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 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 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 MoreLadies 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 MoreVIP Jackson Magazine
Socializing Throughout West Tennessee!
