As guests arrived at the 28th annual West Tennessee Healthcare Foundation Charity Gala, they were greeted with glittering streamers and a Broadway-themed event. The Civic Center was decorated with extravagant white silky drapes, masses of balloons and streamers and tables beautifully decorated to the nines as guests partook of a fabulous meal before the silent auction and music began.

The 2018 Law Enforcement Ball, presented by Crime Stoppers, was held at Jackson Fairgrounds Park. This was an area-wide ball with attendance from multiple local law enforcement agencies and supporters.

Awards were presented to five recipients, one of which was presented to Mike Johnson by his daughter, Brittney Mehr, for his years of service to law enforcement. Johnson is the Director of Crime Stoppers, which may be contacted at 731-423-TIPS.

The champagne glasses were chilled on the outdoor table as guests entered the grounds of Oakmont estate. Students in tuxedos were there to assist the ladies. Matt was playing the grand piano in the atrium as guests entered the elegant home. And Christos Garkinos returned this year with his popular California clothing to the delight of the female guests.

The 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.

The 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.

The 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.

The 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.

Hitmakers 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.

The 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.

It 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!

Bone 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.

The 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.

Instead 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.

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.

The 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.

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.

On 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.

It 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.

On 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.

A 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.