Route 690, part of the future Interstate 69, is officially open in Obion County. A group of local business leaders gathered in Discovery Park of America’s Cooper Tower on Wednesday to celebrate the first cars and trucks utilizing the new route. After the work had been halted because of a lack of federal funding, the Tennessee Department of Transportation later decided to complete an approximately 45-mile portion of I-69 running from the Kentucky line to Dyersburg using state dollars. Eventually, it will connect with I-155, a spur that crosses the Mississippi River and extends to I-55 near Hayti, Missouri. The remaining portions of the planned I-69 route through West Tennessee, including parts in Lauderdale, Tipton and Shelby counties, are currently on hold pending funding.

Coverage of Wednesday’s Opening Celebration:

WPSD Local 6, Businesses excited for influx of traffic as State Route 690 officially opens

WBBJ, 7 Eyewitness News, State Route 690 opens for travelers in Obion County

Thunderbolt Radio, Much Anticipated State Route 690 Four Lane Open in Obion County

Paducah Sun, Businesses excited for influx of traffic as State Route 690 officially opens

West Tenn.– The American Advertising Federation West Tennessee, a chapter of The American Advertising Federation (AAF), will be hosting their February 2024 program featuring Marianne Purcell Dunavant, Ford’s community relations manager, on Tuesday, Feb. 20, 2024, 11:30 a.m. – 1 p.m. at Discovery Park of America. The program, sponsored by Discovery Park, is free for members and students and $10 for non-members. Lunch will be provided. Register at AAFWestTennessee.com.

The planned $5.6 billion Blue Oval City campus in Stanton includes Ford’s Tennessee Electric Vehicle Center, which will help build out its next-generation electric truck, and the Blue Oval SK battery plant, will help produce EV batteries for future Ford and Lincoln vehicles.

During this program, Dunavant will share what West Tennessee rural communities can do to benefit from and support this new development that is anticipated to create 30,000 jobs across the region.

Marianne Dunavant’s focus is local government and community relations in support of Blue Oval City. Dunavant previously served as a State Outreach Director for Victims’ Rights since 2020, and previously served as the District Director for 8^th Congressional District U.S. Representative David Kustoff from 2017-2020.

AAF West Tennessee serves as a networking resource and tool for keeping up with the latest trends in advertising, technology, creativity and communication, especially for those working in West Tennessee’s rural communities.

Who: AAF West Tennessee February Meeting

What: “Impact of Blue Oval City” featuring Marianne Dunavant, Blue Oval City’s community relations manager

When: Tuesday, Feb. 20, 2024, 11:30 a.m. – 1 p.m.

Where: Discovery Park of America, 830 Everett Blvd., Union City, TN 38261

How to register: Register at AAFWestTennessee.com

Free for members, $10 for guests.

To join AAF West Tennessee, visit AAFWestTennessee.com.

The Jackson Symphony Orchestra will host string classes at Discovery Park beginning in January 2024. Bethany Ostenson will be teaching a beginners and intermediate string class with the bass, cello, viola and violin. The classes are free for students in fifth grade and older.

Ostenson will host a parent information night on Monday, Jan. 8 at 6 p.m. The classes will begin the following Monday, Jan. 15 and continue through Monday, May 20. The beginner’s class will meet at 6 p.m. each Monday, with the intermediate class following from 7-8 p.m. Students should provide their own instruments although the symphony has grant money that can be used to help families that do not have sufficient funds.

The goal is to enlarge the size of the current Jackson Symphony youth programs and also to bring classical music and performing experiences to kids in our rural area.  Students in the Northwest Tennessee region will attend the classes in Union City and will travel to Jackson for rehearsals and performances throughout the year.

Beth Ostenson has been with The Jackson Symphony Orchestra since June of 2013. The mission of The Jackson Symphony Music Academy is to expand access to rehearsal and performance opportunities for young musicians across West Tennessee.

To find out more, contact Ostenson at 731-514-5882 or bethostenson@gmail.com. Click below to register or join us for our parent meeting and information night:

Date: Monday, Jan. 8
Time: 6 p.m.
Place: Discovery Park of America
Find out more: https://www.thejacksonsymphony.org/music-academy

We’re excited to share a look ahead at just some of the fun and exciting things happening at Discovery Park for you and your family in 2024.

Thanks to a partnership with Magnolia Place Assisted Living, children 17 and younger will receive free admission to Discovery Park of America in Union City, Tennessee throughout the month of January 2024. There are also many other unique exhibits, experiences and programs taking place during the year.

A series of sculptures built with more than 250,000 LEGO^® bricks will be on display throughout Discovery Park’s 50 acres from May 3 to September 2, 2024, with the award-winning traveling exhibition “Sean Kenney’s Nature Connects® Made with LEGO® Bricks.” Featuring works created by artist Sean Kenney, “Nature Connects” presents 18 displays of sculptures made from LEGO bricks that were specially curated to enhance a visit to Discovery Park. This one-of-a-kind LEGO exhibit is brought to you by Leaders Credit Union. Leaders is insured by the NCUA.

For more than 15 years, Kenney has been creating contemporary sculptures with LEGO bricks for high-profile clients including museums around the world. His multiple-award-winning traveling exhibitions have been touring globally since 2012, he has authored 9 children’s books and guest-judged the hit TV show “LEGO Masters.”

Included in this collection is a monarch butterfly built with 60,500 LEGO bricks that took 377 hours to build, a life-sized gardener built with 37,400 LEGO bricks that took 320 hours to build and various giant plants, animals and insects. An educator guidefor the exhibit is now available online for parents or educators who would like to provide lessons before or after experiencing the exhibit. The temporary exhibit will be free with admission or membership, and there will be several week-long Lego camps this summer.

The newest permanent exhibit, “Duck, Duck, Goose: Waterfowl of the Mississippi Flyway,” will be open in 2024. Created in partnership with Ducks Unlimited, the $1.1 million exhibit uses artifacts, interactive elements and hands-on experiences to tell the story of waterfowl hunting, conservation and the ecosystem of the Mississippi Flyway. It’s located both inside Discovery Center and outside in The Settlement at the William A. (Bill) Homra and Allen Homra Lodge and Landing.

This is not the only place waterfowl can be found at Discovery Park in 2024. Now through Jan. 21, 2024, a temporary exhibit, “Capturing Waterfowl: Seth Dortch Photography,” takes viewers on a waterfowl hunt through a collection of photographs taken by photographer and outdoorsman, Seth Dortch of Union City, Tennessee. The photography showcased will provide snapshots into the world of waterfowl hunting and provide a visual journey through the eyes and lens of Dortch. 

From Feb. 27 to Aug. 11, 2024, the Southern Artist Showcase will feature the art of Jubie Henderson. A self-taught artist and cabinet maker from Fulton, Kentucky, Henderson was an artist with a disability whose paintings and carved birds of the southern United States won accolades and fans among art collectors and others. Although bedridden for many years, he found art was a way to remember the hills and farm country where he lived. He also painted many scenes of Reelfoot Lake as he remembered it from his youth. Henderson died in 1999 leaving behind an impressive collection of artwork.

A unique opportunity will occur on April 8, 2024, when a total solar eclipse will cross North America, passing over Mexico, the United States and Canada. An alternative to traveling to Poplar Bluff, Missouri, Paducah, Kentucky or one of the other nearby points of totality, is experiencing the eclipse at 12:41 p.m. at Discovery Park where there will be 99.2% sun coverage. There will be fun activities and educational opportunities to provide a comfortable space for families to witness the eclipse and learn more about the science behind it.

Discovery Park recently opened the Farm Credit Mid-America Education Pavilion and two new greenhouses. In 2024, they will provide hands-on opportunities for guests to learn about growing cycles, garden design, soil health and other topics relating to the basics of plant science. 

The popular Canstruction event has been moved to February 1, 2024. This event is open to local students 10 to 18 years of age. Each team will design a 3-D structure, using only canned goods and other limited, approved materials. Teams will receive money to purchase canned food for their sculptures. The sculptures will be judged and awards presented to the winners. They will be on display in the ATA Temporary Exhibit Gallery Feb. 1 to Mar. 4, 2024.

“Pumpkin Village” returns in October 2024 with a section of the park enhanced with pumpkins, mums and other festive fall decorations.

Other popular events will return in 2024 including “Singer-Songwriter Night with Phillip Coleman,” the “Rhythm on the Rails” spring concert series on the Total Tech Solutions Stage, “Discovery Park’s Military Expo,” “The Northwest Tennessee Educational Powwow,” The “Let it Glow” Drive-thru and Walk-thruand more. In addition to the powwow, there will be other opportunities for children and adults to engage in unique ways with specific cultures including the return of Juneteenth and Hispanic Heritage Day.

Timed to be on exhibit during Discovery Park’s annual Military Expo is a traveling photography exhibit, “Vietnam: 2 soldiers. 2 Artists. 2 Journeys Then & Now.” The exhibition, on loan from Monthaven Arts & Cultural Center in Hendersonville, Tennessee, spotlights the work of David Wright and Chuck Creasey. Both were soldiers on the ground during the Vietnam War who wrote about and drew illustrations of their experiences. The exhibit includes these early artworks and works painted later from photos taken in Vietnam during the war and from a trip to Vietnam fifty years later. The exhibition will be displayed in the ATA Temporary Exhibits Gallery from March 6 – May 31, 2024.

The Northwest Tennessee Photography Club Showcase in Art Hall will be updated in June and December 2024.

For a complete list of exhibits, programs and events in 2024, visit DiscoveryParkofAmerica.com/calendar, and for helpful reminders and details about events throughout the year, be sure to sign up for the museum and park’s weekly enewsletters and follow Facebook.com/DiscoveryParkofAmerica.

Discovery Park’s newest permanent exhibit, “Duck, Duck, Goose: Waterfowl of the Mississippi Flyway” has been featured on the popular podcast “The Fowl Life” with host Chad Belding.

Episode 352 is titled “The Intersection of Conservation and Waterfowl Hunting – Discovery Park Of America.” In the episode, Discovery Park’s CEO Scott Williams, discusses details of the exhibit, the role of the regional waterfowl hunting conservationists and hunters and more.

In each episode of his podcast, Belding follows waterfowl migration, providing listeners with behind-the-scenes experiences relating to waterfowl hunting and conservation and advice on choosing the right gear, new hunting strategies, duck calling techniques, how to prepare wild game and more. “The Fowl Life” features industry leaders, expert waterfowl hunters, professional athletes and others who are passionate about waterfowl hunting.

Born in 1974 in Reno, Nevada, Chad Belding is a lifelong sportsman and outdoors enthusiast whose love of the lifestyle was instilled at a very young age by his father the late outdoorsman Orville “Orv” Belding.

Chad’s passion eventually led him to predator and waterfowl hunting, and soon thereafter he became involved in competitive duck and goose calling in the late 1990’s while attending college at The University of Nevada, Reno. In college, he was a member of the competitive Division I baseball team and studied business, public speaking and history. After graduating with a Bachelor’s degree he put his background in business to good use, co-owning and operating several businesses across Nevada, Colorado and Washington.

The call of the wilderness never left Belding, and in 2008 he founded Banded, a video production and merchandising company that specializes in waterfowl hunting gear and accessories as well as a selection of turkey hunting products. He also originated “The Fowl Life” television series, which went to air in 2009. “The Fowl Life” continues today as one of the top waterfowl hunting shows on the Outdoor Channel.

You can download and list to Belding’s podcast featuring “Duck, Duck, Goose: Waterfowl of the Mississippi Flyway” on his website, Spotify, iHeartRADIO, Apple Podcasts, Soundcloud and wherever you listen to podcasts.

This episode is brought to you by Final Flight Outfitters, Banded Brands, Avery Outdoors, Greenhead Gear Decoys, Jargon Game Calls, The Provider, American Almond Beef, Napa Valley Olive Oil, Cowboy Choice Feeds, The Nashville Palace and Corning Ford.

Several Discovery Park of America items including an assortment of original, vintage gas station signs and petroliana items are being auctioned off online by Aumann Auctions, Inc. All items being auctioned off were from purchases made by the museum several years ago that have been kept in the museum’s off-site storage. By rehoming these items, the museum is keeping with best practices to periodically evaluate and retain a manageable collection to ensure that it can properly care for, store, and display the artifacts within it, as new items continue to come into its possession.

Some of the funds generated from the auction will be utilized to grow and care for the artifacts in Discovery Park’s permanent collection.

Aumann Auctions, Inc. of Nokomis, Illinois was founded in 1962 and conducts over 100 auctions annually throughout the country and online.

The online auction will go live at aumannauctions.com on Friday, Nov. 16, and remain open until Thursday, Dec. 14, 2023.

The second sale of various signage and petroliana will take place on November 22 and remain open until December 18, 2023.

On Thursday, Oct. 19, Discovery Park of America recognized employees who have celebrated five and ten-year anniversaries with the museum and heritage park. All 10-year honorees received a solid-brass, early Victorian-style telescope. All 5-year honorees received a solid-brass compass in a hand-made wooden box that featured an inlaid compass rose.

These four celebrated their fifth year at Discovery Park.
Left to right: CEO Scott Williams, Kaitlyn Sanders, Sarah Glass and Ginger Ogden.

Here from the beginning, thanks for inspiring others to see beyond for 10 years.
From left to right, top to bottom: David Eastep, Tammy Ursery, Glenn Heatherly, John Watkins, Hugh Wade, Tom Pyron, Art Chivers, Lisa Love, Samantha Simbeck, Gloria Harris and Lisa Sears.
Not pictured: Mary Nita Bondurant, Judy Anding, Mike Ramsey and Jeanne McMillen

Discovery Park of America is joining in the celebration of Obion County’s 200^th birthday by creating a line of merchandise featuring each of the nine municipalities in the county. The illustration, created by Discovery Park’s award-winning graphic designer, Dylan Schaefer, features illustrations relevant to the area including wildlife, notable landmarks and other icons that are associated with Obion County and its history.

The image will be available for purchase on apparel, note cards, posters and tote bags.

Schaefer, originally from Milan, Tenn., graduated from the University of Tennessee at Martin. While at the university, he received the first-place award for digital art/photography in the 2022 Visual and Fine Arts Exhibition.

“We’re thrilled to be able to participate in the celebration of Obion County’s 200 years,” said Calista Drone, Discovery Park’s gift shop director. “Thanks to Dylan’s unique design, I think this will be a best seller in our gift shop for years to come and will help fund our mission to inspire children and adults to see beyond.”

The products will be available for purchase at Discovery Park beginning Tues., Oct. 24, 2023, two hundred years to the day after the county was born.

The original act establishing Obion County was passed on October 24, 1823, entitled “an act for the establishment of a new county in the northwest part of the State.” It was given the name Obion from the Obion River, a Native American word thought to translate to “many prongs.” The county was organized on January 19, 1824, at the home of William M. Wilson, three miles southwest of Troy.

Beginning with the summer 2024 trips to Europe and Washington, D.C., the Union City Rotary Club’s Student Travel Program will be open for application to Obion County juniors who are homeschooled in addition to those at Obion County Central High School, Union City High School and South Fulton High School. The Union City Rotary Club also announced they will begin working with Global Citizen Adventure Corps, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization designed to cultivate global citizen leaders through education, travel, and service opportunities. The Robert E. and Jenny D. Kirkland Foundation fund the trip to Europe, and an anonymous donor funds the trip to Washington, D.C.

Selections of students for the trips are made after an application and interview process that begins with the student and at least one parent or guardian attending one of two information sessions that will take place at Discovery Park of America on Sun., Oct. 22, 2023 at 2 p.m. or Mon., Oct. 23, 2023 at 6 p.m.

The partnership with Global Citizens Adventure Corps will also allow participating students the opportunity to earn three hours of transferable college credit via Bethel University.

“The Union City Rotary Club’s student travel program has sent more than 200 students to Washington, D.C. and countries throughout Europe for a life-changing experience,” said Donny Bearden, the 2023 president of the Union City Rotary Club. “Having heard from many of these young people after their trip, I know it enriches their lives as they are exposed to people, places and things they’ve never even imagined.”

After an application is submitted, students will participate in an interview with members of the Union City Rotary Club’s student travel program selection committee on Tuesday, Nov. 7, 2023. The 12 students selected for the Europe trip and 10 students selected for the Washington, D.C. trip will be notified that evening. The trips to Europe and Washington, D.C. are scheduled for late June or early July 2024.

Who: High School and Home School Juniors and at least one parent

What: Rotary Club’s Student Travel Program Information Session

When: Sun., Oct. 22, 2023 at 2 p.m. or Mon., Oct. 23, 2023 at 6 p.m.

Where: Discovery Park of America, 830 Everett Blvd., Union City, TN 38261

Obion County, Tennessee has been selected to host the 2024 Alabama-Mississippi-Tennessee Rural Tourism Conference to be held October 21-23, 2024. Discovery Park of America will serve as the venue for the conference’s presentations, educational sessions and banquet.

This is the first time the county has been selected to host this annual event and the third time for the conference to be held in Tennessee. The Northwest Tennessee county was selected after a review process that included presentations in Cookeville, Tennessee by several other rural counties with a strong presence of tourism-related businesses and organizations.

In addition to Discovery Park, the Obion County proposal, created and presented by the Obion County Tourism committee, includes opportunities for attendees to experience Reelfoot Lake, White Squirrel Winery, Union City’s downtown, The Pavilion at Houser Creek Crossing and more.

The Alabama-Mississippi-Tennessee Rural Tourism Conference takes place in a different rural community in Alabama, Mississippi or Tennessee each year. Attending will be around 250 individuals who work in tourism or economic development, members of city councils, elected officials or those who want to network with professionals in the tourism industry. Attendees experience educational sessions that allow them to learn ways to grow tourism in rural communities.

“I join our entire tourism community here in Obion County with excitement as we prepare to host this conference and roll out the red carpet,” said Steve Carr, Obion County, Tennessee Mayor. “From eagles to white squirrels and sunken cypress trees to dinosaurs, we have a lot to share, and I know those attending this conference are going to be impressed with their experience here in Obion County.”