R.L. (Buddy) Patey grew up in Tupelo, MS, but he has lived most of his 90 years in Jackson after service in the U.S. Air Force in World War II. Officiating football was Buddy’s passion. He worked more than 800 junior varsity, junior high and high school games, and more than 300 college games. He was chief umpire in both the Southeastern Conference and the Ohio Valley Conference.
Read MoreDorothea Benton Frank is a “New York Times” bestselling author, public speaker and a nonprofit fundraiser. Frank and her four siblings were born and raised on Sullivans Island, South Carolina.
Her first novel, “Sullivans Island,” debuted on the “New York Times” list at number nine and went back to press over twenty-five times, has well over one million copies in print and may be found in ten foreign languages.
Read MoreAlthough other states have their own River Roads, perhaps none is more evocative or famous than Louisiana’s. Here, the very name inspires a vision of white pillared houses standing amid lush gardens and trees dripping with Spanish moss. Louisiana’s fabled Great Mississippi River Road consists of a corridor approximately 70 miles in length located on each side of the river between Baton Rouge and New Orleans. The area includes the river, levees, and adjacent lands and cultural resources. Among the latter is the state’s most famous and recognizable group of monumental plantation houses, most built by wealthy sugar planters in the Greek Revival style.
Read MoreDr. Lisa Piercey is a West Tennessee native who serves as the Executive Vice President, System Services, at West Tennessee Healthcare. She has a Bachelors of Science in Chemistry from Lipscomb University, a Doctorate of Medicine from East Tennessee State University, Pediatrics Residency and Chief Residency also at East Tennessee State University, and a Masters of Business Administration from Bethel University. She is board-certified in Pediatrics, Child Abuse Pediatrics, and Healthcare Management.
Read MoreThe Hermitage Hotel, an American landmark since 1910 and the epitome of Southern elegance and five-star luxury, has been one of my favorite hotels for many years. My late mother adored this hotel and often while I was traveling across the state for a Tennessee governor she was a guest there.
Read MoreAt least once a year, typically in October when VIP Jackson Magazine profiles Crockett County, I visit the Tennessee Safari Park. I enjoy driving down the country road that leads to Hillcrest, a Century Farm owned by the Conley family since 1858. Pretty peacocks preen and have full reign of the road. My car moves slowly as I try to avoid a run-in with a peacock.
Read MoreProfiles on Jackson Area Animal Shelters — Companion Pet Rescue, Downtown Dogs Group, Jackson-Madison County Humane Society, KEG Rescue, Loving Paws Rescue, Saving the Animals Together and Redemption Road Rescue.
Read MorePets require attention and dedication, but those are small prices to pay for the physical and mental benefits they bring into our lives. If you are debating whether to get a pet, the following reasons on why you should have pets will likely have you searching for your next furry (or not furry) addition to your home.
Read MoreOnly the music of Jackson and West Tennessee could connect Memphis’ Beale Street and Nashville’s Music Row. Join the organizers of the AMP series as we celebrate the rich musical legacy of our region with the 2016 season of Jackson’s award-winning music venue—Jackson’s Amphitheater (AMP) at the West Tennessee Farmers’ Market.
Read MoreA native of Atwood, Tennessee, Darren Lykes has always had an artist’s eye. When he was merely 17 years old, his parents, Vivian and Bernard, gave their talented son a camera as a way for him to explore his creativity. Darren’s parents were not aware they had ignited a passion within their son that would soon be transformed into a lifelong dream and his future profession.
Read MoreWhat an exciting time it is for downtown Jackson! Two years ago in my introduction to the Destination Downtown special section I related a story about a speech I gave at First Friday Forum around 1990 as the first Executive Director of Jackson Downtown Development Corporation (JDDC). I asked the attendees to close their eyes and dream with me about a bustling center city with numerous residents in homes, condos and apartments; a renovated New Southern Hotel; and busy retail shops and restaurants.
Read MoreOne of the Deep South’s most admired attractions, Bellingrath Gardens and Home is located along the scenic Fowl River 20 miles southwest of Mobile, Alabama. It is truly one of my favorite attractions in the South. On my bucket list is to visit Bellingrath Gardens every season.
Read MoreThere is a new energy in Huntsville, Alabama (City Population: 180,000). I was last in this lovely Southern city in 2008. Much has happened there since then. Huntsville, Madison and all of Madison County, Alabama is buzzing with activity. New construction like the City Centre project in downtown Huntsville, to be completed in 2017, will add retail, dining and accommodations to the core of the city.
Read MoreYou may not know his face, but you probably know his work. He’s the man who paints trees, plants flowers in kitchen sinks and creates garden art from old bicycles, neckties and thousands of wine bottles.
Read MoreCompiled by Lyda Kay Ferree, The Southern Lifestyles Lady
Read MoreIn 2008 the National Trust for Historic Preservation named Columbus, Mississippi one of “America’s Distinctive Destinations.” “As one of the best kept secrets in the state of Mississippi, it is an unrivaled destination for anyone who enjoys Southern architecture, savors down-home cooking, and seeks an escape to the great outdoors,” said Richard Moe, past president of the National Trust.
Read MoreThe following is an excerpt from an an article in the February 2016 issue.
Recently I had the pleasure of re-visiting Lexington, Kentucky, a charming city with an abundance of attractions and an easy drive to horse country. I had not been to Lexington in a decade or so. Much has changed since then, especially downtown with an ice skating rink and several popular eateries including Sawyer’s which “Southern Living” claims has THE best hamburger! I wanted more time to explore the city, but I was torn because I had an instant love affair with my host hotel—the Gratz Park Inn.
Read MoreThe following is an excerpt of an article from the February 2016 issue.
Bill White grew up in the small community of Nutbush near Brownsville, Tennessee. He attended the University of Tennessee at Martin for two years, and he graduated from UT-Knoxville with an accounting degree. He moved to Jackson in 2008 to become Community Bank President of First Tennessee Bank of Jackson. His wife, Lorie, grew up in Wabash, Indiana. They have been married for 35 years.
Read MoreThe following is an excerpt of an article from the December/January issue of VIP Jackson.
Greg Alexander has been called a serial entrepreneur as he has used his education, enthusiasm and entrepreneurship in multiple business and philanthropic ventures during his career. Greg is a native of Savannah, Tennessee, but he has called Jackson home since 1996. He graduated from the University of North Alabama in 1993 with a Bachelor of Science degree in marketing.
Read MoreThe following is an excerpt of an article in the December/January issue of VIP Jackson.
Christmas with Southern Lady, Volume 2, is a second installment of holiday inspiration published by Hoffman Media. The first volume appeared in 2013. Recently I had the pleasure of interviewing Kathleen Whaley, Editor of Southern Lady Magazine and editor of Christmas with Southern Lady, about Hoffman Media’s lovely new holiday book.
Read MoreVIP Jackson Magazine
Socializing Throughout West Tennessee!
