As the nation approaches the 250^th anniversary of the birth of America, the Tennessee Society Daughters of the American Revolution are encouraging celebrations in towns, cities and counties throughout the state. A notable effort undertaken by the ninety-four Tennessee DAR chapters is their recently published book, “Patriots to Pioneers, the First Tennessee Volunteers.” This is a collection of stories of Patriots who served in the Revolutionary War to gain American Independence and then became the founders and settlers of Tennessee.

Tracey Batey of the Reelfoot Chapter, NSDAR, of Union City presented a copy of this book to Discovery Park of America on Monday, July 15, 2024. The National Society, Daughters of the American Revolution helped to fund this gift through America 250! Celebration Grants. The 600-page volume features 372 documented and sourced Tennessee Patriot stories, 300 additional proven Tennessee Patriot names, beautiful full-color illustrations by renowned historical artist, David Wright and others, as well as an introduction and overview of the history of Tennessee’s role in the American Revolution and its founding. The Tennessee Society is excited to make these stories of the Patriots and Pioneers of Tennessee available to teachers, librarians, and American history students in locations throughout Tennessee.

One of the world’s largest patriotic women’s organizations, DAR has 190,000 members in approximately 3,000 chapters across the country and several foreign countries. DAR members promote historic preservation, education, and patriotism via commemorative events, scholarships and educational initiatives, citizenship programs, service to veterans, meaningful community service and more. For additional information about DAR and its relevant mission, visit www.dar.org.

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Pictured left to right: Zach Rea, Scott Williams, Tracey Batey, Jennifer Wildes and Clare Saum.

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Jean Jones of Bernice, Louisiana, has donated five books written by West Tennessee author Richard Halliburton for the bookshelf that leads into Discovery Park’s Enlightenment Gallery. Fittingly, above the shelf can be found the quote “Culture is the widening of the mind and of the spirit” by Jawaharlal Nehru.

“As a youngster, my mother, Jerry Jo Johnson, was enchanted with Richard Halliburton and envied his world travels and adventures,” said Jones. “She grew up in the small town of Hubbard, Texas, and loved reading about Richard Halliburton and his exotic adventures, imagining herself in his shoes.”

Halliburton was born in Brownsville, Tennessee, and grew up in Memphis. He lived his life following a philosophy he expressed in his first book, “The Royal Road to Romance,” published in 1925. “Let those who wish have their respectability,” he wrote. “I wanted freedom, freedom to indulge in whatever caprice struck my fancy, freedom to search in the farthest corners of the earth for the beautiful, the joyous, and the romantic.”

Against the backdrop of the Golden Age, the Roaring Twenties, and the Great Depression, Halliburton’s exploits around the globe made him an internationally known celebrity and the most famous travel writer of his time. From climbing Mount Olympus in Greece to swimming the Panama Canal and literally flying all the way to Timbuktu, Halliburton experienced and wrote about adventures that others never even believed possible. His youthful spirit and bohemian lifestyle won the hearts of millions.

Inspired by Halliburton, Johnson toured Europe with her aunt as a young woman, then settled into a lifetime career of teaching and raising a family. Upon her retirement, she took off on several adventures—two lengthy trips to the Soviet Union, several trips to European countries and a cruise through the Panama Canal.

“Richard would have approved!” noted her daughter, Jean.

Jerry Jo Johnson died in August, 2005 in a hospital in New Orleans, as Hurricane Katrina howled outside.

The Halliburton books that inspired Johnson that you can now find on the bookshelf are:

• New Worlds to Conquer, 1929, Garden City Pub.
• The Royal Road to Romance, 1925, Garden City Pub.
• Flying Carpet, 1932, Garden City
• Richard Halliburton’s Book of Marvels—The Occident (school edition), 1937, Bobbs Merrill
• Richard Halliburton, His Story of His Life’s Adventures, 1940, Bobbs Merrill

Join us for a special showcase of world music on April 19th, 2024 as Discovery Park of America hosts Roots of Rhythm. This show is an exciting blend of musical performances and educational lessons on music from the African diaspora.

“Roots of Rhythm” is a one-of-a-kind experience that elevates cultural awareness about music from around the globe through energetic performances and engaging audience participation activities. It is an interdisciplinary voyage that encompasses world history and geography through the lens of music, coinciding with the National Standards for Arts Education.

You can learn more about “Roots of Rhythm” on the UT-Martin Percussion website.

Presentations are free with your membership or park admission. Not a member? Join today.

During the total solar eclipse on April 8, 2024, the “path of totality” will span across North America. It will begin in Mexico and then pass through several states in the United States before crossing into eastern Canada. The 2024 Eclipse, while not a total eclipse at Discovery Park in Union City, Tennessee, promises an intriguing glimpse into a rare celestial occurrence.

What to Expect at 99.2% Coverage: Guests will experience games on the front lawn, activities like the Epic Eclipse Race, a hands-on STEAM challenge, and members of the education team sharing fun and fascinating facts about the sky above us. And when the time comes, children and adults attending will have the opportunity to witness approximately 99.2% coverage of the sun. While this partial eclipse won’t result in complete darkness or the dramatic appearance of the sun’s corona like it will in areas in the path of totality, it will offer a noteworthy sight. You can anticipate a subtle darkening of the sky, akin to a very cloudy day or late winter afternoon, as the moon partially obscures the sun. Shadows may appear slightly sharper, and there might be a slight drop in temperature, creating a unique atmosphere for observation.

Understanding Eclipses: Eclipses have long intrigued humanity, blending science with myth and folklore. These events occur when the alignment of the sun, moon, and Earth results in a shadow being cast on one celestial body by another. During a solar eclipse, the moon passes between the Earth and the sun, partially blocking our view of the sun—a phenomenon that continues to captivate and inspire curiosity.

Fascinating Facts:

• Total solar eclipses, where the sun is completely obscured, are infrequent occurrences, happening somewhere on Earth approximately every 18 months.
• The 2024 eclipse is part of the Saros cycle, a pattern of eclipses that repeats roughly every 18 years and 11 days.
• While the path of totality for this eclipse won’t cross directly over Discovery Park, it will offer a significant partial eclipse experience.
• During the partial eclipse, observers may notice a subtle dimming of sunlight, changes in temperature, and unique crescent-shaped shadows cast by objects on the ground.
• The only safe way to look directly at the sun during an eclipse is through special-purpose solar filters, like eclipse glasses or handheld solar viewers. Discovery Park will have a limited number of glasses for sale in the gift shop, and you can preorder in advance here.

Also at Discovery Park:

Science and Space Gallery: Guests who visit the space and science-related gallery weave their way through the universe, starting on planet Earth and then venturing through the solar system, the galaxy, and then beyond. Data and imagery presented in these exhibits are taken almost exclusively from NASA sources. While an asteroid that enters Earth’s atmosphere is often called a “shooting star,” it’s actually a meteor. The pieces that do not burn up but hit the ground intact are called meteorites. The iron-nickel meteorite on display at Discovery Park fell to Earth in Nantan County, Guangxi, China in 1516 and weighs 661 lbs. This specimen was discovered along with others in 1958 when a field strewn with “iron rocks” was discovered by farmers looking for iron ore to make steel. When these heavy, iron-rich rocks wouldn’t melt, further investigation showed them to be iron meteorites.

STEM Landing: STEM Landing features a showcase of great STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics) achievements. This area encourages guests of all ages to explore the different ways that STEM principles help shape our world. You will find a collection of NASA mission patches inside the geodesic dome, as well as an orbiter and other space-related artifacts. Then, you can walk outside and see an F-84 Jet and a Blue Angels plane on display, as well as a 110-foot Titan I missile donated by NASA.

As we prepare to observe the 2024 eclipse, let us embrace the wonder of the natural world and the mysteries of our solar system. Discovery Park invites you to join us on April 8 for this celestial event. While it may not bring total darkness or the breathtaking views of a total eclipse, the partial eclipse promises a fascinating and memorable experience with convenient parking along with easy access to food and beverage and restroom facilities.

Find out more at discoveryparkofamerica.com/solar.

“The Ballad of Davy Crockett,” an action-packed Western featuring William Moseley, is set to release in select theaters and through video-on-demand on Friday, March 8, 2024. Moseley is known for his portrayal of the fictional character Peter Pevensie in the “The Chronicles of Narnia” trilogy, which won him a Kids’ Choice Award, in addition to nominations for a Saturn Award and a Young Artist Award. He also played Prince Liam in the E! series “The Royals.”

“It is the epic, story behind the legendary ‘King of the Wild Frontier,’” reads the movie’s description. “Long before his last stand at the Alamo, the legendary American hero Davy Crockett fought his way through a wild frontier to rescue his sons from the clutches of an evil land baron.”

Set in 1815, the film focuses on David Crockett’s adventures while fighting his way through the wild frontier to save his children from the clutches of an evil land baron (Colm Meaney of Hell on Wheels). According to producer-director Derek Estlin Purvis, “We wanted to explore the larger-than-life mythology that enshrouds the Crockett name and use his ardent opposition to Andrew Jackson’s Indian Removal Act as a throughline for what turned out to be a beautiful action-adventure tale.”

There are many places at Discovery Park where guests can experience folk hero, frontiersman, politician and West Tennessee settler David Crockett every day. In addition to an exhibit and film, guests can take their photo next to a statue of Crockett. He lived in our region from 1822 until he departed for the Alamo in 1835. Crockett was also one of the earliest hunters around nearby Reelfoot Lake. Discovery Park’s annual celebration of Crockett’s birthday will take place on Saturday, Aug. 17, 2024 and will once again feature interactive activities, live demonstrations and musical entertainment. Included will be a variety of programs on topics such as woodworking, fur trapping, outdoor cooking and more.

Discovery Park CEO, Scott Williams, recently published a biography on David Crockett, The Accidental Fame and Lack of Fortune of West Tennessee’s David Crockett that is available in the Discovery Park gift shop and on Amazon.com. “Of course, Crockett is still popular and pops up everywhere from Disneyworld to the Simpsons, said Williams. “I’m glad there’s now a film being released that will introduce one of Tennessee’s biggest icons to a whole new generation.”

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