Winds of Change

The Wizard of Oz. That’s my earliest memory of the power of a tornado. From the time I saw that witch riding a bicycle in the air with that house spinning out of control, the power of a tornado had me under its thumb. As a five-year-old, I had no idea how close I would come to that dominance that struck so much fear in me as a child. West Tennessee, and Jackson in particular, is no stranger to tornadoes. As much as we think tornadoes are an indiscriminate act of nature, they’re not.

Never Unraveled

As a lover of clothing with a longing to become a fashion designer, nothing could have deterred me from introducing myself to a group of women whose sewing flourishes with creativity and design. Most of you may know these women as none other than the Wilbourn sisters. These talented women have been a household name for the past thirty years, not only in the surrounding counties of West Tennessee but all over the globe.

StoriesGuest ContributorFebruary 1, 2017Jackson TN, Tennessee, local, local business, family business, family, sisters, mother, Asanta M. Brooks, Wilbourn's Sewing & Alterations, clothing, sewing, alterations, West Tennessee, Johnetta Black, Mary Adams, customer service, African American, women, entrepreneur, business, seamstress, Jason Hollowell, quality, Queen Mother Elizabeth, daughters, Bible, Christianity, Christian, work ethic, fashion, fashion design, Jackson-Madison County General Hospital, Martha Hampton, Ruth Osborn, Midtown Jackson, Susie Ferguson, interior design, Carolyn Wilbourn, Janice Wilbourn-Woods, Wilbourn Sister Designs, Lithia Springs GA, Georgia, California, local shop, New Orleans LA, Iyanla Vanzant, Nene Leakes, Regina Love, Black History Month, Women's History Month, female entrepreneur, woman of color

New Life

While most of us are prone to toss out old things and run to the new, others are gifted with the vision to make something out of what the rest of us leave behind. Ellen Bennett, the creator of “The Restored Attic,” creates home decor and furniture pieces by repurposing found and thrifted materials. From childhood trips to yard sales with her father, she learned that she didn’t have to pay full price for anything. As she grew up, it evolved into trying to search for furniture and other pieces to decorate her home.

Abandoned Beauty

“For Sale” signs and broken windows adorn a large portion of buildings within Jackson’s city limits. Right next to thriving businesses can be found abandoned restaurants or forgotten startups. In the northern part of the city, the lack of uninhabited buildings is less obvious, but take a ride down 45 and it will become more apparent. It is a very sobering sight for those who call Jackson home.

StoriesHannah HeckartJanuary 27, 2017Jackson TN, Tennessee, photography, local art, Hannah Heckart, Cynthia Sipes, community, downtown Jackson, Midtown Jackson, buildings, beauty, poverty, unity, art, Women's History Month

Mincemeat & Memories

She made the best mincemeat pie,” Cousin Diane recalled, and everyone nodded. The minister for the funeral service had asked what made Janet Bennett unique, and this couldn’t be left off the list. Together with her love of Jeopardy, her skills at sewing clothes for the family, and her impeccable penmanship, the mincemeat pie stood out as an example of Grandma Bennett’s talent, service, and love. Grandma Bennett was a great cook.