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.”

Discovery Park of America’s 2023 Military History and Armed Forces Symposium Was Unforgettable This Year

May 3, 2023

This past weekend, thousands gathered at Discovery Park of America for the 2023 Military History and Armed Forces Symposium. The annual event featured a variety of programs and interactive activities that explore the American military’s past, present and future.  

On Friday, students from all over the region had the opportunity to participate in various educational activities and hear a keynote by Cpl. John Henley. Henley entered the United States Marine Corps in 1969 and trained as a field artilleryman stationed at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina with the 2nd Marine Division. In June 1970, Henley was attached to Battalion Landing Team 2/9 3rd Marine Division and served in Vietnam, Okinawa and the Philippines before he was honorably discharged in 1971. Henley shared his story and how his time in the Marine Corps affected the rest of his career.  

A VIP reception was also held to honor veterans, active military and reservists who have sacrificed on behalf of all U.S. citizens to fight for and protect our freedom. 

Guests had the opportunity to hear from Lt. Col. Bernard House on Saturday. House is a professor of military science at the University of Tennessee at Martin. He is also the overall leader of the Reserve Officers’ Training Corps battalion at both Murray State University and the University of Tennessee at Martin.  

Another guest favorite on Saturday was a panel discussion led by Stefan Maupin and special guest Cindy Kent, author of “Better Men: Alpha Upsilon in Vietnam.” The panel included some of the men who are highlighted in Kent’s compilation of stories from 14 Vietnam veterans. Before they became brothers of war, they were brothers at the University of Tennessee at Martin’s Alpha Upsilon chapter of Alpha Gamma Rho, the national agriculture fraternity. 

Other highlights from the weekend included performances from Operation Song, an organization of songwriters who work with veterans and active-duty military to tell their stories through song. 

A variety of military-related vendors were set up in Dinosaur Hall such as Veteran’s Museum of Halls, Tennessee, Irreverent Warriors, Special Ops Xcursions, TN State Guard, TN Army National Guard, UTM ROTC, TN Department of Veterans Services, Wreaths Across America, United States Space Force, Operation Song, Civil Air Patrol, Airforce Special Warfare, Tennessee Suicide Prevention Network, United States Marine Corps, Overmountain Victory Trail Association, Tennessee Society Daughters of the American Revolution, Agricenter International, The Veteran’s Museum, Northwest Tennessee SHIP and more. 

This event was sponsored by Union City Coca-Cola and Dixie Gun Works. 

Photos from the weekend can be found on our Flickr Page.  

We kicked off our 10th birthday celebration by honoring four individuals who, like us, inspire children and adults to see beyond.

Our third annual Robert E. and Jenny D. Kirkland Discovery Awards were completely sold out! Guests attended from around the region to joined us in celebrating the honorees, all of whom have deep roots in the region. Speaking of, the 2023 Robert E. and Jenny D. Kirkland Discovery Award honorees are:

• Amy L. Bondurant, former U.S. Ambassador to the Organization of Economic Cooperation and Development
• Keith Carver, Ph.D., senior vice chancellor and senior vice president of the University of Tennessee Institute of Agriculture
• James Ross, president & CEO of West Tennessee Healthcare
• The Honorable John S. Tanner, former member of the U.S. House of Representatives

Their names, photos and bios have been added to a kiosk located in our front lobby, alongside those of the 10 previous honorees.

Keli McAlister was our event host and master of ceremonies. Now the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation’s public information officer, she previously spent two decades as a television news journalist working in Jackson, Tennessee; Oklahoma City; and Seattle.

Musicians from the “Symphony on the Move” program of the Jackson Symphony performed individually throughout the entry level of the museum during the cocktail hour and then provided dinner entertainment as a group. A served dinner, prepared by award-winning chefs David Jones and Karla Lawrence of Artisan Kitchen of Paducah, included a 10th birthday gourmet cupcake.

Discovery Park CEO Scott Williams welcomed our audience and noted the spirit of volunteerism that has defined our museum since 2013. Williams read a statement from Discovery Park founder Robert Kirkland that the philanthropist made on opening day, Nov. 1, 2013. Kirkland said: “We are so pleased with what the committees did through the years. We can’t thank the people here enough who have helped us out. What you see here would be millions of dollars’ worth of creative time that was provided free by local citizens.” Williams pointed out that Robert Kirkland was always proud of the contributions from his friends and neighbors.

Later in the evening, Lionel Crews, Ph.D., associate professor with the department of chemistry and physics at UTM shared his thoughts about the impact of Discovery Park on the region and introduced a video featuring some of the museum’s earliest volunteers. The video can be viewed online at DiscoveryParkofAmerica.com/2023.

In his acceptance speech, honoree Keith Carver noted the celebration of Discovery Park’s 10^th birthday coincides with growth throughout the region. He said, “As I think about Discovery Park bringing so many people to the region, it reminds me of everything happening here right now. From Blue Oval City and the expansion of I-69 to the growth of the manufacturing and automotive industries here, it’s safe to say there are some great days ahead for West Tennessee.”

Photos from the evening are on Discovery Park’s Flickr page.

Photo Caption l to r: Keith Carver, senior vice chancellor and senior vice president of the University of Tennessee Institute of Agriculture, Amy L. Bondurant, former U.S. Ambassador to the Organization of Economic Cooperation and Development, John Tanner, former member of the U.S. House of Representatives and James Ross, president and CEO of West Tennessee Healthcare.

The 2023 Discovery Awards Gala and Fundraiser promises to be a fun and exciting celebration of Discovery Park’s 10^th birthday and the contributions of our four honorees.

In addition to a live and silent auction, dinner prepared by award-winning chefs and complimentary champagne, the entertainment for the evening will be provided by musicians from the Jackson Symphony Orchestra.

The awards ceremony and fundraiser, emceed by Keli McAlister, Tennessee Bureau of Investigation public information officer, will bring together thought leaders, policymakers, philanthropists and others to celebrate the honorees on Saturday, March 4, 2023. The 2023 Robert E. and Jenny D. Kirkland Discovery Award honorees are:

• Her Excellency Amy L. Bondurant, former U.S. ambassador to the Organization of Economic Cooperation and Development
• Dr. Keith Carver, chancellor for the University of Tennessee at Martin
• James Ross, president & CEO of West Tennessee Healthcare
• The Honorable John S. Tanner, former member of the U.S. House of Representatives

Musicians from the “Symphony on the Move” program of the Jackson Symphony will perform individually throughout the venue during the cocktail hour and then provide dinner entertainment as a group.

The Jackson Symphony is the oldest symphony in the state of Tennessee and employs approximately 75 professional musicians to perform in their full concerts. The “Symphony on the Move” program was born out of the Covid-19 Pandemic as a way to take music to neighborhoods and surrounding communities when venues were not allowed to host events. They began with a goal of performing 10 concerts and have now completed approximately 60.

In addition to concerts, The Jackson Symphony is committed to Outreach; their Music and Healing Program sends musicians weekly into the Kirkland Cancer Center, and they frequently play for retirement homes, assisted living facilities, and veteran’s homes. The Jackson Symphony also runs a Children’s and Youth Choir, Youth Orchestra and a Sinfonia and Camerata program.

The musicians playing during the 2023 Discovery Awards include:

• Charles Lewis, flute
• Doug Owens, saxophone
• Benjamin Duffey, piano
• DJ Culp, percussion
• Elise Dougan, violin
• Josh Dougan, base
• Roberto DeSanto, cello

Also joining the symphony during dinner is soprano Alyssa Altobell. A native of Texas, she earned her Master’s Degree in Opera Performance at Temple University’s Boyer College of Music and Dance in Philadelphia, during which time she sang in various operatic roles as well as in the chorus of the Opera Company of Philadelphia. Her undergraduate degree is from SUNY Purchase College’s Conservatory of Music. She now lives in Jackson, Tenn., where she is a staffing specialist. Alyssa has taught voice lessons for several years, she sings with the Jackson Symphony Orchestra and enjoys being involved in Jackson Theatre Guild’s summer musicals.

The Robert E. and Jenny D. Kirkland Discovery Awards Gala and Fundraiser will be held at Discovery Park of America, (830 Everett Blvd., Union City, Tennessee,) on Saturday, March 4, 2023 with cocktails beginning at 5:30 p.m. and the awards dinner at 7:00 p.m.

Information on tickets and tables can be found at DiscoveryParkofAmerica.com/gala2023.

We’ve got some cool news for members and guests who love history as much as we do. Discovery Park of America will be the venue for an information session for those in Northwest Tennessee interested in The Civil War Trails. On Monday, Feb. 27, 2023, 4 – 5 p.m. CT., Drew Gruber, executive director of the program, will be presenting over Zoom.

Civil War Trails has been working with communities since 1994 to share their stories and connect visitors across a network that now spans six states. Travelers look to Civil War Trails to put them in the footsteps of the generals, soldiers, citizens and the enslaved who found themselves in the midst of the Civil War.

Civil War sites are known to be a major generator of tourism dollars. In the National Park Service’s 2019 Visitor Spending Effects Report, the data showed 18.8 million recreational visits to battlefields managed by the National Park Service. These visits supported an average of 464 jobs within each surrounding community, producing an average of $14.5 million in labor income.

“While there are many points of interest relating to the Civil War in Northwest, Tennessee, there are only a small number of sites included on the trail compared to the rest of the state,” said Scott Williams, president and CEO of Discovery Park. “We hope by hosting this session, we can see Northwest Tennessee better represented. That will lead to an increase in visitors to this area to experience everything we have to offer in this region.”

During the session, Gruber will review procedures on adding a site to the Civil War Trails program, the types of sites that are approved for inclusion, the tourism-related benefits communities may anticipate, costs, case studies and more.

The Civil War Trails program boasts over 1,550 interpretive signs across five states. Every Civil War Trails interpretive sign is supported by placement in a signature map-guides and other print and digital media.

“Civil War Trails not only distributes several thousand maps monthly, but our partners continually promote our sites through the cooperative nature of the program,” said Drew Gruber, executive director of the program. “Additionally, we ensure that visitors, whether by chance or design, find an attractive and well-maintained sign at each site.”

To reserve a spot at the info session in person or on Zoom, contact our social media manager Alexis Millsaps at 731-885-5455 or amillsaps@discoveryparkofamerica.com.

A new Civil War Trails directional sign was installed at Fort Hill in Waverly, TN late last year. Courtesy, Civil War Trails, Inc.

Photo Caption 2. Each Civil War Trails site around the nation has a dual-leg interpretive sign like this one which was installed in Goldsboro, NC earlier this year. Courtesy, Civil War Trails, Inc.

The 2023 Robert E. and Jenny D. Kirkland Discovery Awards Gala and Fundraiser will bring together thought leaders, policymakers, philanthropists and others to celebrate the winners, all of whom have deep roots in West Tennessee. Our event will feature entertainment from a variety of musicians from the region and a served dinner prepared by award-winning chefs David Jones and Karla Lawrence of Artisan Kitchen of Paducah.

Q: What would you say is your most popular menu item?

Our most popular Sandwich is, by far, the Three Little Pigs.  It consists of roasted pork loin, ham, spiced bacon and apple-apricot chutney.  It’s served on our homemade hoagie.  It’s hard to say what our most popular dessert is.  Our French Vanilla Butternut cake with White Chocolate Cream Cheese Frosting is very popular, along with our Black Velvet cake that is made with extra dark cocoa, and has a dark chocolate buttercream frosting.

Q: Artisan Kitchen has four major aspects to its business. Tell us a little about them.

Artisan Kitchen has four major aspects to its business.

First is the café which offers a creative assortment of sandwiches, salads and creative specials.

Second is the corporate and private catering ranging from the simple and casual to the most formal of events and weddings.

Third is desserts, wedding cakes, and specialty designer cakes.

And fourth is the made from scratch, home meal replacement offerings.

Q: Some of your Google Reviews compare you and Karla’s patience and general know-how of techniques and equipment to that of the well-known show “Chopped.” What do you think about this comparison?

Karla and I definitely work very well together.  She is by far the more knowledgeable in regards to the technical aspects of cooking and baking.  She has an incredible sense of taste, and can really build a flavor profile of a dish from the ground up.

While I love to cook, and have garnered a great deal of knowledge over my career, I am more logistically and customer service oriented.  Together we make a great team.  As for the comparison to the chefs of “Chopped”, we definitely have the competitive spirit and energy.

Q: It seems like your business is quite relationally run– meaning you build relationships with your staff as well as the guests that come and go. How did this practice begin for you, as a business owner?

Part of it came from watching my Father interact with customers at his orchard.  He took great pride in his work, and loved to share and get to know the people who came to the orchard. It was very much a social experience.

Additionally, my first job in food service was at a bed and breakfast and restaurant. I learned a lot about not just serving, but also getting to know our customers like guests and old friends.

From a staff perspective, each of us have very specific responsibilities for certain areas of production, and this leads to everyone taking a real sense of pride in their work, and, as well, builds a very strong interdependence among us.

We are excited to announce our partnership with Reelfoot National Wildlife Refuge in hosting the 2023 Tennessee Junior Duck Stamp Awards Ceremony on Saturday, April 15, 2023, at 5 p.m. This dinner will be sponsored in part by Obion County Tourism, Ducks Unlimited and the Reelfoot National Wildlife Refuge. We are delighted to offer the winners two free tickets to our museum and heritage park so they can spend the day exploring in advance of the ceremony. Additional tickets can be purchased at the museum’s group rate at the ticket counter.

Numerous free activities will take place on Sunday, April 16, 2023 at the Reelfoot National Wildlife Refuge for winners and their families, such as canoe trips, archery, herp hike and a live bird of prey and snake program.

The Federal Junior Duck Stamp Conservation and Design Program is managed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service as a dynamic art- and science-based curriculum that teaches students wetland and waterfowl conservation.

The competition is open to any child in grades K-12 in Tennessee. First, second, third or honorable mention ribbons are presented to 100 Tennessee students — 25 in each grade group (K-3, 4-6, 7-9 and 10-12). First, second and third place awards will be presented to 36 competitors who receive a special engraved Junior Duck Stamp plaque.

The Tennessee Best of Show winner receives the Jeannette Rudy $1,000 college scholarship, a framed Federal Duck Stamp print and his/her artwork featured on the state waterfowl stamp. Awards are provided by the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Foundation. The Tennessee Best of Show will also go on to compete in the national Junior Duck Stamp contest.

More information and details about the contest, including how to enter, are available at fws.gov/refuge/reelfoot.

Discovery Park will open a permanent waterfowl exhibit in 2023. “Duck, Duck, Goose: Waterfowl of the Mississippi Flyway.”

When opened, the permanent exhibit will use a combination of stories, three-dimensional objects, interactive elements and hands-on experiences to tell the stories of waterfowl hunting and conservation. Ducks Unlimited, the world’s leader in wetlands and waterfowl conservation, is the premier sponsor of the exhibit. Other partners in the exhibit include Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency, Five Oaks Lodge, Final Flight Outfitters, Inc., First Choice Farm and Lawn, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Deupree Family Foundation, Commercial Bank and the Robert E. and Jenny D. Kirkland Foundation. Additional partners will be announced soon.

“Being asked to host the 2023 Tennessee Junior Duck Stamp Awards Ceremony at Discovery Park of America is an honor and privilege. We’re a natural fit given our location along the ancient Mississippi Flyway near historic Reelfoot Lake, and our commitment to inspire children and adults to see beyond through our daily interactive STEAM educational initiatives,” said Dr. Emalee Buttrey, Discovery Park’s director of education, programming and museum experience. “We look forward to welcoming these young artists and their guests from across Tennessee to what is arguably the most important region in the state for waterfowl conservation.”

Photo Caption: (Left to right) Joan Howe, Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency refuge ranger and Tennessee state coordinator for the Junior Duck Stamp Program; Glenn Schreiber; Isaac Schrieber, Best of Show winner in the 2022 Junior Duck Stamp Competition; Ruth Schreiber; and Don King, chief multimedia development for Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency.

Ritter Communications, the largest privately held telecommunications service provider serving exclusively the Mid-South, celebrates the company’s recently announced $1.5 million expansion project that includes the NW Tennessee region with a donation of $2,500 to Discovery Park of America.

“Ritter Communications remains committed to supporting the communities in which we provide our services, and donations like this are one of the ways in which we express that support,” said Ritter Communications CEO Alan Morse. “Discovery Park of America encourages families and individuals in and around the region to stay connected with and explore the world around them. In many ways, the connectivity we provide through our telecom services empowers people to do exactly that, and we’re proud to contribute to and enhance the park’s inspiring work.”

Ritter Communications is a regional telecommunications provider, headquartered in Jonesboro, Arkansas serving more than 115 communities in the region across four states with a full suite of innovative communications services. Learn more at RitterBusiness.com.

Pictured (left to right): Trevor Jines, Ritter Communications; Brooke DeClue, Ritter Communications; Mary Nita Bondurant, Discovery Park of America; Scott Williams, Discovery Park of America