The New Southern in Downtown Jackson was full of extra sparkle and shine as Habitat for Humanity held its first Dream Builders Gala on New Year’s Eve. Window World and WBBJ were the title sponsors of the event, which included dinner, music and a champagne toast to ring in 2019. Couples danced to the music of the Jimmy Church Band as they enjoyed their last night out of the year.
Read MoreEntertaining is what people love to do. Whether you are hosting a large wedding announcement, a few girlfriends for lunch, a formal dinner party, or a tailgate picnic, entertaining is an enjoyable part of life where memories are made. Patty Roper, entertaining expert and author of “Easy Hospitality, “Easy Does It Entertaining, “At the Table with Patty Roper,” “Easy Parties and Wedding Celebrations,” and “Easy Does it Winners and Favorites,” shares creative and practical ideas, tablescapes, menus, and recipes for planning, organizing, and presenting memorable times with family and friends.
Read MoreThe 2019 Law Enforcement Ball held at the Jackson Fairgrounds saw a new banner named ”731 Crime Stoppers,” replacing their former title. An estimated 450 guests were in attendance at the ball. Terry Baker did a superb job decorating the Fairgrounds. There were several raffle items to be awarded, and food catered by Brooks Shaw from Casey Jones Village was great. The three cooks have a combined 97 years of chef experience.
Read MoreEach year at the Patron’s Party, held at the Walden & Norton colonial home, one thinks that last year’s party was tops. Then you meet Thurston at the champagne table. From there you are escorted by young men in tuxedos up the stairs to the grand entry hall. The hall is bustling with friends and guests chatting, while Matt is playing the baby grand piano. At the foot of the circular staircase is the dining table with numerous finger foods and sweets.
Read MoreSherry P. Freeman, a native of Bradford, Tennessee, holds a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education from Union University; a Masters of Education in Administration/Supervision from Middle Tennessee State University; an Ed.S. in Educational Leadership from Union University and an Ed.D. in Educational Leadership from Union University.
Read MoreAn excited crowd gathered at the Jackson Fairgrounds Park on Thursday night, October 18, to enjoy dinner and drinks and watch local friends and colleagues perform in the STAR Center’s third annual Dancing with the STARs. Event organizers transformed the space at the Fairgrounds into a glamorous stage for the live dance competition. Attendees enjoyed dinner and drinks. Then names were drawn to determine the order of the competition. The dancers had worked tirelessly with their choreographers to prepare for the competition, and they did not disappoint the crowd. Judges awarded first place to Beth Haltom and Ontoni Reedy, second place went to Ginger New and Brad Adkins, and in third place were Betsy Little and AJ Massey. Ginger New and Brad Adkins also won the People’s Choice Award, chosen by votes from the audience.
Read MoreCurt and Erica King, Jackson natives, wanted to renovate a home in a French country style, while keeping a neutral palette with pops of colors and patterns. Many walls were knocked out in order to make a free-flowing space for their family to move around in and entertain their many friends. Curt works for King Tire Company on Old Hickory Boulevard where he is a third-generation operator and manager. Erica is the owner and operator of Erica King Interiors and prior owner of The Highland House Home Décor and Interior Design in Jackson. The home, which is exceptionally decorated at all times, is even more special during the holidays when Erica transforms the home into a wonderland for the eye.
Read MoreThe West Tennessee American Heart Association held its third annual “Feast In the Field” in the Delta Room at Brooks Shaw’s Old Country Store on October 16. The event, usually taking place in the Farm at Casey Jones Village, was moved indoors due to inclement weather.
Read MoreIn 1972 just six years after “Southern Living” was founded, the magazine published its “Party Cookbook” with a simple subtitle: “Complete Menus and Entertaining Guide.” The book was written by a witty Chattanooga food columnist named Celia Marks, who clearly understood the art of the soiree. By today’s standards, the cover is not attractive—a dark photo of a crown roast surrounded by spiced crabapples and parsley—but it sold more copies than any other cookbook in “Southern Living” history. Some of that success can no doubt be attributed to the menus and recipes, which cover every kind of party you can imagine (from a He-Man Brunch to a Holiday Reception), but the secret sauce is Mark’s advice that still holds up 46 years later. “Hospitality, a synonym for the South, comes from the heart,” she writes in the first chapter. “Even the most discerning disciple of etiquette may fall short as a hostess if she fails to bestow this gift upon her guests.”
Read MoreOn a wonderful evening with a light breeze, patrons who had staked out their seating and dining spot, sat back and waited. The early arrivers laid out their blanket or table, waiting for family and friends to experience a most unique experience. The 39th Jackson Symphony Under the Stars is one of the largest picnics in the area. The visiting and eating stops when conductor Peter Shannon steps up on the podium.
Read MoreBrandy Stutsman joined the Chamber staff in 2007 as Administrative Assistant for Business Services. In 2013, she was Program Coordinator and in 2016, Brandy took over as Manager of Leadership Development. As Director of Leadership Development, Stutsman’s responsibilities include overseeing Leadership Jackson, Leadership Jackson Alumni Association, and the Leadership University programs.
Read MoreRIFA Canstruction 2018 was off and running this year with displays of “ shock and wonder” as some defied the laws of gravity. There was a two-finger split baseball hand structure, a shark coming up out of the water with his big mouth open and numerous structures that made you say “Wow!”. All of the structures were huge contributions that the RIFA Food Bank needs.
Read MorePerched high atop Lookout Mountain (pop: 5000 year round) sits the Chanticleer Inn Bed & Breakfast, which combines the ambiance of yesteryear with the comfort and amenities of today. It is the ultimate in mountain southern hospitality, just 10 minutes from downtown Chattanooga. Located at 1800 feet above sea level, The Chanticleer Inn Bed & Breakfast, which has been a proud member of the Select Registry since 2003, sits with distinction high atop Lookout Mountain on a beautiful plateau that borders Tennessee, Georgia, and Alabama.
Built in 1927 and operated as a B&B since 1930, the inn underwent extensive renovations in 2002 and in subsequent years. Its hospitable new owners, Michael and Teresa Turner, purchased the inn in January of this year. The Turners moved to Lookout Mountain from Atlanta. “We looked at 10 or 12 properties of various styles,” said Michael. “In the end we decided on Chanticleer because it is two hours from Atlanta, a good location, great surroundings and activities. We thought it was a perfect fit for us!”
Union University’s 21st Annual Scholarship Banquet was held on October 21 at the Carl Perkins Civic Center to a sold-out crowd. Prior to a concert by MercyMe, Dr. Dub Oliver interviewed three Union students about their experience at the University. Student panelists were David Kagaruki, Binh Morris, and Anna Strand. The dominant point each made was the sincere attention the teachers provided to their students.
Read MoreCole and Leigh Dodds have been married 13 years, and they have 2 boys named Will
and Walker. Cole is the General Manager of Southern Concrete and the current Tennessee Concrete Association President. Leigh is an RN and is a Patient Care Advocate for Intrepid Home Health.
The Dodds are also cattle farmers with Cole’s parents at South Oaks Ranch. They love spending time outdoors with their two sons. Cole enjoys hunting and farming with the boys, and they love to fish together as a family. Cole and Leigh also enjoy watching their boys play sports. With the help of Leigh’s father, they decided to build a southern home in the community of North Jackson that would not only fit their family’s needs, but display the memories of their families past and future.
Area Relief Ministries held their annual Salt and Light Banquet the evening of Thursday, September 13 at the Carl Perkins Civic Center.
Read MoreJennifer Dickerson has been in the restaurant business for more than half of her life, all of it spent in Tennessee. Her career started in downtown Memphis at the Cajun restaurant, Café Roux, 23 years ago and it led her to Jackson, TN where she now co-owns a Southern fine dining restaurant—Chandelier, which won Best Fine Dining for two consecutive years in “The Jackson Sun’s” Reader’s Choice Awards.
Read MoreEddie Smith is a native of the Jackson, Tennessee area and Martina Smith was born in Flint, Michigan. Martina’s family moved to Jackson in 1983 when her father, John Elford, purchased Dixie Distributing Company in Jackson. Eddie and Martina have been married for 31 years, and they owned and worked hands-on Smith Remodeling Company for 21 years serving the Jackson and surrounding area. Eddie is an avid hunter and travels throughout the United States and Canada. He has met and made many cherished friends in his travels. Martina likes to travel with Eddie, but her passion now is her two grandsons, Parker Smith and Wyatt Muir. She loves spending weekends with their daughter, Erica Muir, and her grandchildren. They live in Murfreesboro and drive home every weekend so they can spend time together.
Read MoreThe Jackson-Madison County Library Foundation held its 8th Annual Books of Madison County on August 21 at the Jackson Fairgrounds. Many community members came out to support the library at the event that has grown consistently. Attendees enjoyed a catered dinner, entertainment and a silent auction.
Read MoreOn a recent beautiful sunny day a friend and I drove from Jackson to the lovely city of Lexington, Kentucky (pop: 321,000). I had not visited Lexington in several years. What a vibrant city! (Our drive of 340 miles took about 5 1/2 hours or so via I-40 E and I-65 N.)
Horse lovers agree: this is the place. Whether you are an experienced equestrian, a racing fan or just appreciate the beauty of horses, prepare to be thrilled at the stunning landscape they inhabit in the Bluegrass Region of Kentucky. If your schedule permits, be sure to take a country drive and explore the Horse Country back roads. Head out in any direction from the center of town, and soon you’ll be surrounded by the rolling bluegrass pastureland that you’ve heard so much about. Neatly mowed fields trimmed with black or white fences stretch to the horizon. Pick up a “Bluegrass Country Driving Tour” at the Visitors Center downtown.
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Socializing Throughout West Tennessee!
