Reelfoot Forward

Cole Bizwell, a fourth-generation towboater from Rives, Tennessee, is carrying on a family legacy on the Mississippi River as a senior deckhand with Ingram Barge Company. Although he initially set out to pursue a career in aviation, the COVID-19 pandemic led him to reevaluate his path. When he stepped on a towboat for the first time, he knew instantly it was where he was meant to be. In this episode, Cole reflects on following in the footsteps of his grandfather and great-grandfather and shares how he’s using social media to document his experiences on the river. You can follow more of his journey on TikTok for a firsthand glimpse into work life on the Mississippi.

Tennessee’s regional library system is composed of nine multi-county regions—named for major local rivers— serving 211 small and medium-sized public libraries throughout the state. Jenny Gillihan is executive director of the Obion River Regional Library, serving nine counties in Northwest Tennessee where she and her team provide access to a wide range of educational, cultural, and informational services. In this episode, Gillihan shares more about her path to the library, her passion for sharing a love of reading and the rewards of living and working in rural communities. This episode is sponsored by Jarred Mayo: Allstate Insurance.

Brooke Simmons is an agtrepreneur from Hickman, Kentucky who has incorporated her family’s farm into numerous businesses. The most recent is First Love Farms featuring pick-your-own-flowers, a pumpkin patch and more. In this episode, Simmons what it was like growing up on a farm outside Hickman, her inspiration for starting new businesses and some of the tips and tricks she’s learned along the way. This episode is sponsored by the Hatchie River Conservancy.

A row of buttercups growing along a fence row at her new house in Newbern, Tennessee inspired Jessica Duncan to create her very first small business, Lily’s Garden. Her pick-your-own flower farm began with an idea she then nurtured by spending months of research and then trial and error in the garden that continues today. In this episode, she shares what she’s discovered while literally getting her hands dirty starting an agribusiness in her small town, and how Lily’s Garden has impacted her life and career. This episode is sponsored by Leaders Credit Union.

Derek Giffin is a fifth-generation farmer who, alongside his wife Micayla, runs Giffin Farms in Union City, Tennessee. The Giffins manage over 1,000 acres, growing corn, soybeans, wheat and hay on land that has been in the family for over a century. To create a more sustainable operation, they added cattle, and their innovative farming techniques have cut the land, water and energy required to produce healthy beef by 50%. In this episode, Derek shares his journey of farming on a Tennessee Century Farm and the steps they’ve taken to adapt and thrive in the modern agricultural landscape. We also discuss their involvement in the Tennessee Farm Bureau Young Farmers and Ranchers program that led to their “Achievement Award” in 2022. Derek reflects on the importance of keeping farming traditions alive while incorporating new approaches to sustainability for future generations. This episode is sponsored by Jarred Mayo: Allstate Insurance.

Bill Gray is an educator, real estate guru, auctioneer and much more. The Gray family has been in the auction and real estate business since 1950. Bill has been licensed in the business since 1979 and has carried on the values and skills he learned from his father ever since. Aside from his professional work, Bill has also become a collector of unique artifacts, including items that once belonged to famed lawman Buford Pusser. Bill retired from teaching after 43 1/2 years at South Fulton Middle and High School, but he remains active in the real estate and auction world. In this episode, Bill shares more about the history of the Twin Cities community and the annual Twin Cities Banana Festival, which celebrates the cities' railroad heritage and the historical role they played in transporting bananas north from New Orleans. We also take a trip to the Twin City Railroad Museum to visit Darren Doss and learn more about the museum's preservation efforts and the importance of the railroad to the community.

Fulton Winery, located in Fulton, Kentucky, is a proud veteran-owned small farm winery and wine bar, specializing in sweet, fruit-flavored wines. Owned and operated by father-son duo Roger and Prentice Colson, the winery currently offers 13 distinct flavors and provides a welcoming space for wine lovers to enjoy a glass, try a sample flight, or take home a growler. In this episode, we explore what brought Roger and Prentice to the small Western Kentucky town and the inspiration behind turning their passion for winemaking into a business. From Roger’s early memories of his father making wine to the Colsons’ journey of opening their own winery, we’ll dive into how this family legacy has come full circle.

Al Santos is the founder and Head Singer of Ottertrail, a celebrated Southern style drum group that has played a vital role in the Native American powwow world and beyond. With Ottertrail, Al has won a Grammy, performed at major events across the country and appeared in the final episode of the Marvel series Echo on Disney+. Most recently, you can see him and Ottertrail in the powwow scene of the Apple TV movie Fancy Dance, where Al also composed all of the powwow music, further cementing his influence in both the powwow and entertainment worlds. In addition to his musical contributions, Al has also made his mark in professional wrestling entertainment as “The Arab Legend” Al Farat. In this episode, Al shares his journey from the powwow grounds to the big screen, and he gives us a glimpse into his dual life as a professional wrestler. He also talks about his upcoming role as emcee at Discovery Park of America’s 2024 Northwest Tennessee Native American Educational Powwow and what it means to bring this event to the community. This episode is sponsored by Leaders Credit Union.

Jason Reeves is the curator of the University of Tennessee Gardens at the West Tennessee AgResearch and Education Center in Jackson, Tennessee. His influence can be found in landscapes across the region in the form of distinct plant combinations and his signature garden art. Through his popular Facebook page, Reeves takes followers on virtual trips to experience gardens of all types around the country. In this episode, he shares his personal story of how he discovered a passion for plants and he provides valuable tips for landscapers and gardeners who want to make the most of their gardens. This episode is sponsored by the Hatchie River Conservancy.

Wildlife biologist Bob Ford is executive director of The Hatchie River Conservancy, a West Tennessee organization with the mission of conserving and sustaining the natural integrity and the scenic beauty of the Hatchie State Scenic River and its watershed. The Hatchie River is the longest free-flowing tributary of the lower Mississippi River; it harbors the largest forested floodplain remaining in Tennessee and is the only river in the state that is designated as a State Scenic River in its entirety. As Ford shares in this episode, many see the Hatchie as a restorative, soul-nourishing sanctuary—a sacred place to feel connected to something larger than themselves. It is an ancient, beautiful, biologically rich, uniquely wild river that courses its way through six counties in West Tennessee. Ford also shares a bit of the history of past efforts to protect the Hatchie along with conservation initiatives taking place today led by The Hatchie River Conservancy and others. This episode is sponsored by Moustos Pasta & Grill.

The Davy Crockett Hunting Club is a waterfowl hunting club in Northwest Tennessee. It began in the 1940’s when respected duck hunt guide and chief clerk of Union City’s Davy Crockett Hotel, Ralph Morton, came up with the idea of forming a club for the many hunters that came to the region each year to hunt. The hunting exploits, innumerable anecdotes, tales, accounts, truths and fabrications about the club have become the stuff of Tennessee legend. Morton’s vision and his passion to share the sport of waterfowl hunting with others has evolved into one of the oldest and most respected hunting clubs in the nation. Jon Nesbitt, who began hunting with the club as a young boy, has been researching and writing about the history of the club along with the joys and challenges experienced through the years by those who enjoy the sport in West Tennessee. In this episode, he shares his personal story, a bit more about the club and how he went about gathering memorabilia, research materials and personal stories about the club. In Discovery Park’s new, permanent exhibit, “Duck, Duck, Goose: Waterfowl of the Mississippi Flyway,” discover how a combination of federal land protections and private land conservation unites the government, landowners, hunters, scientists, conservationists and other nature lovers to protect and restore waterfowl populations and the land needed for them to thrive. This episode is sponsored by The Hatchie River Conservancy.

In 1954, twelve-year-old Jerry Schilling wandered into a Memphis touch football game, only to discover that his team was quarterbacked by nineteen-year-old Elvis Presley. Elvis was still an unknown, but his first record, "That’s All Right," had just debuted on Dewey Phillips’ popular WHBQ radio show "Red, Hot & Blue." That chance encounter with the future King of Rock ‘n’ Roll began an adventure for Schilling that continues to this day. In this episode, Schilling, who later became a successful talent manager, shares stories of how Elvis’s friendship has been an inspiration his life and career. Then, Alicia Dean, from Elvis Presley Enterprises, Inc. joins to provide a behind-the-scenes look at Graceland and Elvis Week today. Jerry Schilling’s book, “Me and a Guy Named Elvis: My Lifelong Friendship with Elvis Presley,” is available on Amazon.com. This episode is sponsored by the Hatchie River Conservancy.

Kirstan Blanchard is a social media influencer from Symsonia, Kentucky. During the 2020 pandemic, Blanchard took advantage of her time in quarantine to launch a successful lifestyle blog. She has since grown her following on TikTok to over 21,000 and over 26,000 on Instagram. Kirstan uses her platform as an online lifestyle brand centered around affordable fashion, mental health awareness and cultivating confidence. Blanchard recently stopped by Discovery Park as a guest for an AAF West Tennessee event. In this episode, she shares some tips and tricks of creating an online community, lessons learned while creating content and more. This episode is sponsored by the Hatchie River Conservancy.

Grant Saum has dedicated his career and life to agriculture, driven by a deep-seated passion for multiple sectors of the field. Saum is the co-owner of Saum Show Stock of Ramer, Tennessee and is the owner of Reelfoot Meat Company of Union City, Tennessee. His love for the show ring started at a very young age and has continued into adulthood as he works to inspire the next generation of sheep lovers and showmen. As the Mid-South Regional Communications Manager for the Cotton Board, Saum ensures that stakeholders throughout the mid-south are informed about the Cotton Research and Promotion Program. In this episode, we discuss Grant's love for animals and the everyday work he does for the "Fabric of Our Lives." This episode is sponsored by Moustos Pasta & Grill.

Ted Franklin Belue, a 2021 winner of the Western Writers of America’s prestigious Spur Award, has written numerous books including “Finding Daniel Boone,” “The Hunters of Kentucky” and “The Long Hunt.” He edited two Boone biographies, including Lyman Draper’s landmark “Life of Daniel Boone”—the classic reference on Boone and trans-Appalachian Long Hunters—and published more than 100 essays in trade and scholarly publications. He has served as consultant/commentator for the INSP Network’s “Wild Americans” and Outdoor Channel’s “SHOOTING USA,” History Channel (doubling on-screen in various 18th century guises), A&E, BBC, NBC, and NPR. He “survived” the French and Indian War as a Hollywood extra in “The Last of the Mohicans.” In this episode, Belue shares more about the inspiration for his passion for American history, long hunters and early settlers like Daniel Boone. This episode is brought to you by Leaders Credit Union.

Martin, Tennessee native Brady Weldon is a man of many hats. Minister, consultant, author and life-coach to name a few. Brady has helped start a few churches and sits on the board of several. He’s learned a lot during his 35 years of ministry, but one of his greatest discoveries was realizing he could impact people in the areas of both faith and creativity. In this episode, we take a journey back to Brady’s long West Tennessee line of entrepreneurship and helping others, as well as his journey back to another passion of his, music. Another hat on the bald head of Brady Weldon is the hat of a musician. Though this hobby was put to the side for many years, Roy Barberi of the Roy Band finally got the mic for singing back in Brady’s hand. Roy Band is Nashville’s live tribute to the best in 1980s hard rock, pop-rock and glam rock music. Brady Weldon often lives up to the nickname he earned in Nashville, Rock ‘n’ Roll Reverend, and joins them on stage. This episode is sponsored by Leaders Credit Union.

John Watkins has been planting seeds and watching them grow at Discovery Park since the 50-acre heritage park was first built in an empty field more than a decade ago. In this episode, he shares stories of his earliest meetings with Robert Kirkland where Discovery Park’s founder laid out his vision for the landscaping. Watkins also provides details about the future plans for the new Farm Credit Mid-America Education Pavilion, the vineyards and the upcoming All American Selections Display Garden. This episode is sponsored by Leaders Credit Union.

Chef Dylan Costantino has prepared meals in kitchens from Colorado to Mackinac Island to Nashville. Here in Northwest Tennessee, we’re lucky he’s now calling Paris home. Costantino is the executive chef at the Lodge at Paris Landing State Park in Henry County. The new 91-room lodge provides hotel resort-style vacation rentals on Kentucky Lake near Land Between the Lakes. In this episode, Chef Costantino shares some of the exciting things happening in their kitchen including Murder Mystery Dinner. Also discussed is some of the history of Henry County hospitality and the current location of their first tourist attraction, Sulphur Well. Let’s just say that business is now under water. This episode is sponsored by Leaders Credit Union. Leaders Credit Union is insured by NCUA.

A collection of 19 sculptures created by Lego artist Sean Kenney will be on display throughout Discovery Park’s 50 acres from May 3 to Sept. 2, 2024. This version of the award-winning traveling exhibition, “Sean Kenney’s Nature Connects®  Made with LEGO®   Bricks,” sponsored by Leaders Credit Union, was specially curated to enhance a visit to Discovery Park. Included in the 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 plants, animals and insects. In this episode, Sean Kenney takes us behind the scenes from his Amsterdam studio and provides more details and a few of the stories of the artwork he creates. For more about Sean’s work, visit seankenney.com. This episode is sponsored by Leaders Credit Union.

On Saturday evening, March 2, 2024, Discovery Park of America honored four individuals who, like the museum and heritage park, inspire others to see beyond. Proceeds from the Robert E. and Jenny D. Kirkland Discovery Awards benefit the Kirkland Scholarship Fund that provides free admission for student groups to Discovery Park. The event was attended by a sold-out crowd from around the country who joined Discovery Park in celebrating the honorees Dr. Nick Dunagan, former UT Martin Chancellor; Deanie Parker, non-profit executive and champion of the arts; David Ring, businessman and developer and Elizabeth Taylor, community activist and philanthropist. In this episode, you get to listen in as we pay tribute to our winners and shine the spotlight on Discovery Park’s mission to inspire children and adults to see beyond. Links to more: Photos from the 2024 Discovery Awards Video from the 2024 Discovery Awards Support Discovery Park’s mission