Relay for Life

Relay for Life

Billed as “The Largest Tailgate Party in Madison County,” Relay for Life took over the Farmers’ Market to celebrate the kickoff of the official Relay for Life 2016 season. Chairman A. J. Massey commenced proceedings with heartfelt thanks to his Event Leadership Team followed by a Ribbon Cutting.  The survivor tent was full, each person having an emotional story about their battle with cancer. The survivor walk was greeted with deafening applause as they strode triumphantly through the Farmers’ Market, continuing laps for 30 minutes.

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VIProfile: Tennessee Safari Park

VIProfile: Tennessee Safari Park

At 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.

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Bark for Life

Bark for Life

The 2nd Annual Bark For Life took place on Sunday, April 24th at Antonia's Paw Spa & Retreat. Antonia Haney, Chairperson of Bark For Life, along with her husband and co-chair Ron Haney and co-chair, Bonnie Chary (and spokes-pup "Juicy"), along with committee members - Gayle Gilbert, Troy Huffman, Chris Lay, Gina Long, Jackie Morgan, Dawn Perkins-Bannister, Melissa Roberts, Kaleigh Strickland, Kaley Humphrey and April Sweo, dedicated endless hours planning and executing this event.

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Live the Music Symphony Season Announcement

Live the Music Symphony Season Announcement

The Jackson Symphony Association is proud to announce the outstanding performance lineup of its 56th season. In true style, the 2016-17 season will offer all the excitement and beauty of the past 55 years.  Whether Bizet’s “Carmen Suites,” Mozart’s “Clarinet Concerto” or Rachmaninoff’s thrilling “Paganinni Variations,” this season features giants of the orchestral repertoire. A full concert of Rodgers and Hammerstein and the brilliant Gypsy Jazz band “Velvet Caravan” will have you singing along while dancing in your seats.

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VIProfile: Darren Lykes

VIProfile: Darren Lykes

A 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.

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Hollywood Glamour

Hollywood Glamour

“A Night of Hollywood Glamour” was held at the New Southern Hotel as a fundraiser for the Jackson Downtown Development Corporation. The downstairs lobby was the host center for a glass of champagne and meeting friends before going upstairs to the ballroom or the speciality tasting room. Food was located in various locations allowing guests to visit and mingle prior to the band playing.

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Destination Downtown

Destination Downtown

What 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.

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