Youth program strengthens tourist attractions

A pilot program that involves youth in tourism is underway in Brownsville. Through a partnership with Haywood High School and the West Tennessee Delta Heritage Center, students are evaluating local attractions and making suggestions for sustainable tourism.

The program is designed to strengthen local attractions by making them more appealing to a younger audience. At the same time,  students are learning the connection between tourism and economic development and how tourism can bring more jobs and people to the community.

To qualify for the Board, students in the high school's local government class were asked to write an essay entitled "Tourism: Do we need it?" The essays were evaluated and three students, Rebecca Pearson, Emily Pilant and Conner Coulston, were chosen to participate in the inaugural board.

Pictured, from left, Brownsville Mayor Jo Matherne, Rebecca Pearson, Emily Pilant, HHS Principal Dr. Jerry Pyron and Delta Heritage Center Director Sonia Outlaw-Clark.

Conner Coulston

The youth board was treated to guided tours of local attractions. Afterwards, students and curators sat down for frank round-table discussions about the students experience. Students asked questions and offered fresh perspectives and ideas about how to make a primarily history product more relevant to today's youth.

"It was very eye-opening to spend time with these students and to hear their ideas," says Delta Heritage Center Director Sonia Outlaw-Clark. "We came away with practical things we can do to better present our tourism products."

"You Are Here" signage to orientate visitors to their surroundings and give perspective to where historical events took place was among easily implemented suggestions. Other ideas included digital collections on websites and better use of social media.

"While we know we can't immediately implement all the ideas," says Clark, " we are confident that with fresh eyes looking at our attractions each year we will be able to strengthen our facilities and attract more visitors."

The program also has a hands-on element that gives students a chance to implement their idea or help with aspects of current programming. When a new board is chosen this fall, each will receive a t-shirt designed especially for the program by the inaugural group.

Special recognition was given to the students during Brownsville's May City Board meeting. Each student was presented a certificate of achievement from City Mayor Jo Matherne and HHS Principal Dr. Jerry Pyron. The certificates were also signed by Governor Bill Haslam and Tennessee Department of Tourist Development Commissioner Susan Whitaker.

July concert features the Blues

Brownsville will be celebrating the blues Saturday, July 20, when two of West Tennessee's most noted bluesmen take the stage at the Delta Heritage Center. Dr. David Evans, known as the "doctor of the Blues," and Elmo Lee Thomas, one of this region's top harmonica players, will perform live on the porch of the Sleepy John Estes home beginning at 7 p.m.  Brownsville's own 17-year-old Kelsey Byars will also perform during the summer music series "Concert on the Porch."

Elmo Lee Thomas and Dr. David Evans

Evans has been performing country blues since 1962, having learned directly from many of the old southern blues musicians. One of those musicians was Brownsville bluesman Hammie Nixon. Evans toured with Nixon for five years. He is currently Professor of Ethnomusicology at the University of Memphis and is a specialist in American folk music, particularly the blues. In 2003, Evans won a Grammy Award for "Best Album Notes." He performs in Europe and South America, and can also be seen performing across the Mid-south with the Last Chance Jug Band.

Joining Evans on the porch will be Elmo Lee Thomas. Thomas is also a member of the Last Chance Jug Band and has been a driving force behind one of the Mid-South's most popular  band, Elmo and the Shades, for over 30 years. He is a Memphis native and attracts both young and old to his performances.

"We're excited to have Dr. David and Elmo back on the porch," says Center Director Sonia Outlaw-Clark. "Both were here a couple of years ago and it's magical to listen to them sitting on Sleepy's porch and singing some of the same songs that Sleepy would have performed."

Kelsey Byars

Following Evans and Thomas will be Brownsville's own Kelsey Byars. Seventeen year old Byars has a strong bluesy voice that is perfect for renditions of favorite rhythm and blues hits. Byars has performed at the Exit 56 Blues Fest as well as past Concerts on the Porch. She is a true Haywood County talent.

Bleacher seating is available or bring lawn chairs or blankets for the outdoor concert. Drinks and snacks will be on site. You are also welcome to bring a picnic or visit the surrounding restaurants.

Concerts are presented free to the public each month on the third Saturday, through September, at the Delta Heritage Center in Brownsville. For a complete schedule of upcoming concerts, visit www.westtnheritage.com.

Concert series kicks off with Music Highway Band, Wildwood Express

The "Sleepy" John Estes porch will be rocking Saturday, June 15, when two of West Tennessee's favorite bands take the stage for this season's first Concert on the Porch. Rockabilly's Music Highway Band will open the season when they take the stage at 7 p.m., followed by Wildwood Express. Concerts are presented free to the public each month on the third Saturday, June through September, at the Delta Heritage Center in Brownsville.

"Both of these groups are energetic and like to get the audience involved," says Center Director Sonia Outlaw-Clark, "so we know the kick-off of our summer series will be full of fun."

Music Highway Band

Music Highway Band was organized in Jackson, Tenn., in 2001, and has worked with such legendary artists as Carl Mann and Eddie Bond. You may remember the original trio who played many years at the Rockabilly Hall of Fame as the house band. Over the years, members were added and this diversity has led to developing their own special blend of  Rockabilly and country. Band members include Stan Brunner, Sammy Wood, Jimmy Webb, Donald Carp, Gary Spraggins and Jimmy Stephenson.

Wildwood Express

Wildwood Express will take the stage around 8 p.m., and perform old time stringed music including bluegrass gospel, instrumentals and old time country. Their instruments of choice include the banjo, dulcimer, mandolin, upright bass and guitar. The band is made up of Grover Westover, Paul Jackson, Gary Spraggins and Coley and Marilyn Graves. All are members of the Jackson Tennessee Area Plectral Society whose main purpose is the preservation of old time stringed music.

You are invited to bring lawn chairs or blankets for the outdoor concert. Drinks and snacks will be available. You are also welcome to bring a picnic or visit the surrounding restaurants.

Guinn goes "Off the Beaten Path" for nature photos

Joe B. Guinn

Photographer Joe B. Guinn knows he has to get "off the beaten path" for the best nature shots. A new exhibit at the Delta Heritage Center, Brownsville, offers a look at his work featuring scenes of West Tennessee. The exhibition Off the Beaten Path: Scenes of West Tennessee can be seen daily now through September 7. A special artist reception will be held Thursday, June 27, at 6 p.m.

Birds and nature caught Guinn's eye at an early age. Once he got a camera in hand, this Tennessee native began to focus on his natural surroundings.

"My favorite photographic challenges are landscapes," says Guinn.

College and a career took him away from the area. When he returned in the 1970s, he discovered his beloved Hatchie River forest and wetlands had dramatically changed. And "not for the better," according to Guinn.

This prompted him to begin the project of photographing what remains of the Hatchie's fragile untouched wetlands and deep forest areas. Off the Beaten Path depicts life in the wetlands and river valleys that include the Hatchie, Reelfoot Lake and Tennessee and Mississippi rivers. Guinn captures this beauty using only natural light and his photos are untouched, except for an occasional cropping.

Great White Egret

"Guinn is able to capture the heart of the river valley," says Sonia Outlaw-Clark, director of the Delta Heritage Center. "Through his photos, we are able to get a glimpse of life most would never be able to see."

There are also permanent photos on exhibit in the Hatchie River Museum at the Center, according to Clark.

"Daisy Field"

His work has been featured by the Tennessee Ornithological Society, Audubon Society, Nature Conservancy and Environmental Action Fund. Guinn was awarded a Wildlife Conservation Award by Haywood County in 1996. His most extensive exhibit has been in Nashville at Cheekwood Museum.

The exhibit is free and open to the public Monday through Saturday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., and on Sundays from 1-5 p.m. The public is also invited to meet the artist at a special reception Thursday, June 27, from 6-8 p.m. To learn more about the artist visit www.joebguinn.com

And the winner is ....

Miss Mary was busy in the kitchen getting ready to cook deep-fried BBQ for the contestants in the first ever Deep-Fried BBQ Eating Championship during the Exit 56 Blues Fest May 25, 2013.

Miss Mary

We all pitched in to help in the kitchen ...
too many cooks didn't spoil he stew this time.

Four contestants vied for the title of Champion. With competitors from Oklahoma, Arkansas and two local boys.

Each competitor started with 25 deep-fried BBQ bites ... and plenty of sauce and water!

Competitors dive in!

25 down and ? to go..

Taking his time and enjoying every bite.

And the winner is ..... Drew Magruder.

Drew Magruder wins after eating 60 bites, in 10 minutes, to become the first Deep-Fried BBQ Eating Champion.

Miss Mary presents Drew with his trophy!

Deep-fried barbecue makes debut at Exit 56 Blues Fest

Do you love barbecue? Have you tried it deep-fried? Attendees to this year's Exit 56 Blues Fest will get an opportunity to try the bite-sized, deep-fried barbecue nuggets and even compete to see who can eat the most. The Deep-Fried BBQ Eating Championship will take place at 4 p.m., Saturday, May 25, at the West Tennessee Delta Heritage Center in Brownsville.

Contestants must be at least 18 years of age and will have 10 minutes to eat as many deep-fried barbecue bites as possible. Water and sauce will be plentiful to help wash it down. There is a $5 entry fee and the lucky winner will receive a trophy, t-shirt and prize package. Interested parties are asked to pre-register for the competition by May 23. Complete rules and registration can be found at www.westtnheritage.com/exit56.

Along with great barbecue, festival attendees can spend the afternoon and evening listening to the Blues. Concerts will be performed from the porch of the Sleepy John Estes home and features performers such as Sean "Bad" Apple, Bluesberry Jam Band, Little Boys Blue and headliner TeeDee Young.

Car enthusiasts can cruise-in from 1-3 p.m., to compete for titles such as "Cool Chrome" "Most Likely to Get a Ticket" and 12 other fun titles. There is no entry fee and motorcycles are welcome, too.

Arts and crafts vendors will also be on site throughout the afternoon for those wanting to add a little shopping to the Blues mix. Jewelry, woodwork and paintings are just a few of the items you'll find.

Admission to the festival is free and open to the public. A complete schedule is available online, or by calling the Delta Heritage Center at 731-779-9000.

Brownsville-Haywood County to host Hatchie BirdFest

The first Hatchie BirdFest will be held at the West Tennessee Delta Heritage Center on Friday May 31, Saturday June 1, and Sunday June 2, 2013.  The free event will offer a variety of activities for all ages to see and learn about the 200+ species of birds that occur in Brownsville and Haywood County, Tenn.

Bird watching hikes on Saturday  and Sunday will be geared for both beginner and expert birdwatchers and will visit Hatchie National Wildlife Refuge and other areas in Haywood County.

Bob Ford

The BirdFest will begin Friday evening with a presentation by noted ornithologist and U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service wildlife biologist, Bob Ford.  Saturday’s speakers will include Scott Somershoe  (State Ornithologist, Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency), Carol Reese (Ornamental Horticulture Specialist, University of Tennessee Extension Service) and David Haggard (West Tennessee Regional Interpretive Specialist, Tennessee State Parks). Friday evening event will be held at College Hill Center in Brownsville.  All Saturday presentations will be at the Delta Heritage Center.

Carol Reese

Photographs by Haywood County native and acclaimed nature photographer Joe B. Guinn will be on display at the Center throughout the weekend.  Winning entries from 1^st, 2^nd and 3^rd graders in the HatcheBirdFest Coloring Contest will also be displayed.

Exhibitors will include Tennessee Ornithological Society, Willow Oaks Farm, Memphis WildBird Unlimited, Tennessee Wildlife Federation’s Great Outdoors University, Tennessee Watchable Wildlife and Raisin’ Cain BBQ.

West Tennessee Delta Heritage Center is located at Interstate 40’s Exit 56.   For more information visit www.HatchieBirdFest.com.