VIProfile: Dave Bratcher

VIProfile: Dave Bratcher

Dave Bratcher is a native of Jackson, TN where he, his wife, Julie, and their two children, Gracie, 11, and Bennett, 8, reside. He serves as the President of The STAR Center whose mission is to help any person with any disability realize their potential. This includes taking what some view as a liability and turn it into their greatest asset. The STAR Center was awarded the Non-Profit of the Year in 2008 and 2015. Additionally, The STAR Center was recognized nationally as one of the top 50 Best Non-Profits to Work For in 2017 and 2018.

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VIProfile: Alzheimer's Tennessee

VIProfile: Alzheimer's Tennessee

I could see the fire for helping people light up in Amanda Barlow Leitch’s eyes when she recalled one of the moments that had touched her the most, one of the moments that stands out for why she does what she does on a daily basis. She recalled the day she was sitting in her office and received a phone call from a woman. The woman spoke quickly and her voice was tired. She wanted to “have a conversation with someone.” Leitch met that with, “Of course. Could you come to the office to talk?”

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The Good Life: Perry County, TN

The Good Life: Perry County, TN

Perry County is an easy 1 hour 15-minute drive from Jackson, Tennessee. A few days ago I arose early, stopped for a good cup of Southern Pecan coffee at a market in Lexington, popped “The Shell Seekers” (a favorite book and movie) audiotape into my car’s tape player, and took a deep breath. For a day I was a world away from deadlines and other daily duties even though this was a working trip.

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The Art of Living: Simply by the Sea

The Art of Living: Simply by the Sea

Perhaps it’s because I am an Aquarian, but like Tracey Rapisardi, author of “Simply by the Sea,” I am a lover of water. I never tire of walking by the ocean or viewing the barges and pleasure boats on the Mississippi River. Years ago I lived a half mile from the Pacific Ocean in La Jolla, California. I treasured getting lost in my thoughts as I walked the beach daily. I spent much of my professional life in Memphis, where I saw the Mississippi River almost daily. Since 1981 I have traveled to historic Natchez, Mississippi, mostly to sit on a hotel balcony in Vidalia, Louisiana and observe the skyline of Natchez; view with high powered binoculars the ever moving, ever changing river; and wave at the barge captains and deckhands. Several steamboats dock in Natchez, and they beckon me to go onboard. (I’m convinced that in a previous life I lived on a steamboat.) At dusk the Mississippi River bridge lights come on, and it is magical. While it is not an ocean, the Mississippi River has almost the same effect on me.

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No Place Like Home: All the Comforts of Home

No Place Like Home: All the Comforts of Home

Third generation Jacksonian Hal Crocker has vision. After the tornado cleared out much of downtown Jackson in 2008, the city wanted redevelopment of the area. Hal Crocker joined with Henry Turley to form Healthy Community LLC to combine their mutual enthusiasm for downtown revitalization. The resulting Jackson Walk development is a community made healthy through well-planned, thoughtful development, where people live, work and play.

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VIProfile: Bob Hayes

VIProfile: Bob Hayes

Bob Hayes hails from Parsons, Tennessee. He grew up on a farm where his family raised cattle, hogs, corn, cotton and peanuts. He developed an interest in agriculture and science early thanks to involvement with 4H and FFA.

He attended the University of Tennessee and graduated with a degree in agriculture in 1968. Following graduation, he served in the U.S. Army in Germany. After completing military service, Hayes moved to Champaign, Illinois to complete his Ph.D. in Agronomy from the University of Illinois.

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The Good Life: The Peabody Memphis Celebrates 150th Anniversary

The Good Life: The Peabody Memphis Celebrates 150th Anniversary

The Peabody Memphis, listed on the National Register of Historic Places, is celebrating its 150th anniversary in 2019 with a series of special offers and events.

The Peabody opened its doors to great fanfare in downtown Memphis in 1869, and it has since become world famous for its charm, elegance, gracious Southern hospitality, and five resident mallard ducks that march daily through the lobby at 11am and 5pm.

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The Good Life: 44th Aberdeen, MS Southern Heritage Pilgrimage

The Good Life: 44th Aberdeen, MS Southern Heritage Pilgrimage

For many years a friend and I have traveled to Aberdeen, Mississippi (pop: 5,600), an easy two-hour drive from Jackson, Tennessee. Over the years we have grown to love the town of Aberdeen and appreciate its rich history and fine homes. And the Pilgrimage organizers and homeowners who open their homes to the public are friendly and gracious.

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VIProfile: Cherie Hale Parker

VIProfile: Cherie Hale Parker

Cherie Parker, a native of Brownsville, Tennessee, has served as the Public Relations and Fundraising Coordinator for Lifeline Blood Services since 1995.

Ms. Parker received a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science degree from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville in 1984.

She has been a member of the Jackson Old Hickory Rotary Club since 1995 and is a graduate of the WestStar Leadership Class of 1993.

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