connection - McNairy County Chamber of Commerce

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Inside the CONNECTION
Adamsville’s Ashley Durham
shines during Miss USA
Pageant
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Summer Festivals SIZZLE!
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Adamsville lands industry
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Grand Openings Celebrated
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Freedom Fest & Generation
1000 festivals in July
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Much more inside……
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Covers:
The June CONNECTION features two
covers. McNairy County’s own
Ashley Durham, who was named the
First Runner up in the Miss USA
Pageant, and Brandon Giles, who
performed at the 3rd Annual
Rockabilly Highway Revival.
Photo left:
MRA Board Member Anthony Henson
visited the West Tennessee Delta
Heritage Center during the MRA’s
Community Connection.

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MCNAIRY PRIDE
Adamsville’s own Ashley Durham
represents county with pride
during Miss USA Pageant!
All of Adamsville and
certainly all of McNairy
County are beaming with
pride! After all, it’s not every
day that a community can
boast over producing one of
the most intelligent, well
rounded, and most beautiful
young women in America.
All of McNairy County, in
fact the entire State of
Tennessee, stood behind
Ashley Durham as she was
one of 51 participants in the
recent Miss USA Pageant.
Local residents were elated
as Miss Durham made the
final eight, then the final
four, and ultimately the final
two. When all was said and
done, Ashley was named
First Runner Up to the Miss
USA Crown. We are VERY
PROUD of Ashley!

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RECEPTION PLANNED
A reception
honoring Ashley
Durham will take
place Sunday,
July 31, at the
MARTY in
Adamsville. The
reception will start
at 1:30 pm.
State and local
dignitaries have
been invited to be
on hand.
This is a
wonderful
opportunity to
meet Ashley and
have photographs
made with her.
ALL MRA
MEMBERS
SHOULD MAKE
PLANS TO
ATTEND!

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Summer Festivals SIZZLE!
Buford Pusser &
Rockabilly Festivals
attract thousands -
dollars and people -
to McNairy County!
The Buford Pusser Festival
and the Rockabilly
Highway Revival provided
HOT starts to the summer
season in McNairy County.
Though the actual
attendance numbers are
difficult to calculate,
together the two festivals
attract no less than 10,000
to their respective events.
And in addition to
increased traffic, the two
events add to both
Adamsville and Selmer’s
bottom lines. Businesses
located in each of the
towns benefited greatly
from festival traffic,
especially local hotels and
restaurants.
Fall festivals, such as
Adamsville’s Main St.
Music Festival and the
Hockaday Broomcorn
Festival will continue to
attract visitors into McNairy
County.
Brandon Giles headlined Rockabilly
Highway Revival
Many thanks to the
organizers of these events
and their efforts to attract
visitors and revenue to
McNairy County.

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ROCKABILLY HIGHWAY REVIVAL sights……...
Hot Rods and Rockabilly Queens were on hand mingling with the many visitors. Buford Pusser historian, Steve
Sweat, (bottom left) spoke to many visitors about the late Sheriff.

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ROCKABILLY HIGHWAY REVIVAL sights……...
The Bye Bye Birdie cast, as well as artists Rayburn Anthony, Phil Hummer & the White Falcons, and Brandon
Giles performed on the main stage.

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ROCKABILLY HIGHWAY REVIVAL sights……...

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IT’S NOT TOO LATE TO GET YOUR
Only
$10 !
Call 645-6360
to get yours
today!
Rockabilly Highway Revival T-SHIRT!

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IT’S NOT TOO LATE TO GET YOUR
Only
$20
Call 632-4080
to get yours
today!
Buford Pusser Festival T-SHIRT!

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ADAMSVILLE LANDS INDUSTRY!
Adamsville officials have leased the Garan Manufacturing building to American Power
Sports Manufacturing Co., a company that manufactures motorcycles and all-terrain
vehicles. Phase one of the operation will involve moving the packing operation to the
Adamsville location and should employ 10 to 15 people. The operation will be
expanded in four phases until it is at full strength. At full strength the company plans to
employ up to 180 employees.
Some employees of the company will transfer from the company's present location in
Memphis, but the vast majority of the jobs will be local.
Under the terms of the five year lease, the rent for the first month would be $1,000
and would increase to $4,000 within three months. The company would be
responsible for utilities.
According to Adamsville Mayor David Leckner, there is a possibility that the lease will
be renegotiated in order to extend it or that APMC will buy the building at some point
in the future.
"As a city we are very excited that we have somebody coming in that will create all
these jobs,‖ Mayor Leckner stated. ―We were happy at first just to remove the burden
of paying utilities on the building. We wish APMC the best and will be offering them as
much support as possible."
Russell Ingle, MRA Director of Chamber Programs said, "Our economy has taken a
significant hit the last several years, and any news about potential jobs is good news.
We're certainly excited about the possibilities this company brings to our community."

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WELCOME ABOARD!
Unique Reflections held their official grand opening Friday, June 3. Unique Reflections is owned by
Ashley Bauman and is located at 229 South 4th Street in Selmer. Family, friends, and members of
the MRA took part in a ribbon cutting ceremony.
Session types offered by Unique Reflections include Standard, Senior Portraits, We’re Having a
Baby, Engagement, and Wedding.
For more information about Unique Reflections contact Ashley Bauman at 731-439-3200.
We are very happy to welcome Unique Reflections to our community.

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WELCOME ABOARD!
Rickman Counseling held their official grand opening on Friday, June 17. Family, friends, and
members of the MRA took part in a ribbon cutting ceremony. Mica Crawford; LPC-MHSP, is the onsite
counselor that operates the facility.
Rickman Counseling has separate therapy rooms for adults and children. Types of services
available include:
Alcohol and Drug Assessments, Alcohol and Drug Counseling, Couple and Family Counseling,
Stress Management, Career Counseling, Change of Life Issues, Depression, Anxiety, Choosing a
Major, Anger Management, Child Therapy, and more.
Rickman Counseling is located 102B West Court Avenue in Selmer. For more information visit their
website at www.rickmancounseling.com or call 731-434-0400.
Hours are Monday, Wednesday and Friday 10am to 6pm. And Saturday 8am to 1pm.
We are very happy to welcome Rickman Counseling to our community.

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July 4 - Freedom
Festival. For more
information call 731-
645-3866.
July 5-9 – McNairy
County Fair. $2 per
person.
July 30 – Generation
1000 at the Selmer
City Park. For more
information call 731-
614-2715.

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Walking On now in it’s 5th printing
There are no less than five movies and a brief
television series based on the life of the late
McNairy County Sheriff Buford Pusser. His real life
exploits and the spectacular renditions produced
in Hollywood have made the late Sheriff a folk
hero in the realm of lumberjack Paul Bunyan and
John Henry “The Steel Driving Man”.
Though being a folk legend and hero has merit,
there is a real side to the life of Buford Pusser and
the impact, both positive and negative, his time
as McNairy County’s sheriff had on those closest
to him. Dwana Pusser, his daughter, details her
memories of her late father with vivid detail in her
book, Walking On, A Daughter’s Journey with
Legendary Sheriff Buford Pusser. Her story has
obviously struck a nerve with readers, as it is now
in its 5th printing. Here are just a few reader
comments:
“For anyone who is familiar with the legend of
Buford Pusser through the "Walking Tall" movies
and short-lived television series, this book -- told
through the loving memories of daughter Dwana -
- will reveal the truth behind the Hollywood
versions of his life's events. And those events are
no less spectacular, nor less tragic, in reality.
Dwana's revelations of motives for the suspected
murder are revealed for the first time in the book
and are shockers.” Michael A. Jaquays from
Sherrill, NY
“This is a "finish in one sitting" book that will keep
you on edge throughout. I finished it with a
feeling of honor for being able to share her
experiences and what she learned from them. I
highly recommend Walking On.” M. L. Paxton
"My mother was murdered ... when I was six
years old. My father died in my arms when I was
thirteen." The book practically read itself to me
after that beginning.” I finished it in one night and
was moved beyond words.” Bill from Georgia.
For more information or to
purchase Walking On, A
Daughter’s Journey with
Legendary Sheriff Buford Pusser
visit
www.sheriffbufordpusser.com or
contact the Buford Pusser Home
and Museum at 731-632-4080. The
Museum is located at 342 Pusser
Street in Adamsville, TN.

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I Get It! Shop Local in McNairy County is a grassroots community-wide initiative to help
support local businesses in our community.
McNairy County is home to some of the most unique retailers, restaurants, service providers,
markets and specialty stores in the area. Our shops and eating establishments are as
diverse as the people who live, work, and visit our community.
The goal of I GET IT! in McNairy County is to increase local retail and service sales in order
to revitalize our area economy while creating a brighter future for our community.
We encourage all McNairy County businesses, organizations and residents to make an effort
to buy more products and services locally.
Visit http://www.mcnairy.com/ShopLocal.php or search for I Get It-Shop Local in McNairy
County on Facebook.
HELP US SPREAD THE WORD ABOUT MCNAIRY COUNTY BUSINESSES!

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MRA CONNECTS WITH HAYWOOD COUNTY
Members of the McNairy Regional
Alliance visited Haywood County
during the month of June as a part
of the annual Three Star recertification
process. The visit
began in Brownsville at the West
Tennessee Delta Heritage Center.
Center Director Sonia Outlaw-Clark
hosted and organized the visit for
MRA members, which included
MRA Executive Director, Ted
Moore, Director of Programs,
Russell Ingle, Administrative
Assistant, Tracy Helmuth, and MRA
Board members, Anthony Henson
and Renee Moss.
During their visit MRA
Representatives were greeted by
Brownsville-Haywood County
Chamber of Commerce Executive
Director, Joe Ing, Brownsville City
Mayor, Joe Matherne, and
Haywood County Mayor, Franklin
Smith.
Shortly after arriving at the West
Tennessee Delta Heritage Center,
the MRA representatives were
taken by van to the Haywood
County Mega Site, a site that many
believe will attract much needed
industry to the West Tennessee
region. From there, the group was
given a tour of Brownsville’s
downtown district, industrial parks,
and public parks. After lunch, the
MRA representatives returned to
the West Tennessee Delta Heritage
Center. Attractions that are on display at the Center include the
West Tennessee Cotton Museum, West Tennessee Music
Museum, Hatchie River Museum, and the John Adam Estes
Home.
The MRA wishes to thank the Brownsville-Haywood County
officials that allowed us to visit and learn about their
community.

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VISIT OUR WEBSITE
www.mcnairy.com

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COUNTY FAIR SCHEDULE SET
The 2011 McNairy
County Fair will be held
Tuesday, July 5 -
Saturday, July 9 at the
McNairy County
Fairgrounds. Rides and
entertainment for all
ages will be provided by
Dixieland Carnival
Company. There will be
a $2 admission fee and
an additional $18 per
person for armbands
that will allow individuals
to ride all of the rides at
the fair. Gates will open
at 6pm Tuesday-
Thursday and at 5pm
Friday- Saturday.
Other scheduled events:
Tuesday, July 5:
Womanless Beauty
Revue at 7pm.
Contestants will need to
be there by 6:00 to
register and get ready.
Wednesday, July 6:
Gospel Singing will
begin at 7:00pm
featuring the gospel
groups Forgiven and
Higher Praise.
Thursday, July 7: 4x4
Truck Pull that will be
open to the public for
anyone who wants to
compete. It will begin at
7pm.
Contestants will be able to begin registering their trucks at 6pm.
Friday, July 8: TDWA Wrestling at 8pm.
Saturday, July 9: Demolition Derby at 7:00pm. Contestants will need to have their
vehicles present and registered between 5pm - 6:30pm, to be inspected for
eligibility to compete in the derby.
Local home goods such as jams, jellies, quilts, needlepoint, crochet, cakes, pies,
cookies and canned goods will be on display. There will also be a homemade ice
cream contest. Anyone who would like to compete with jams, jellies, quilts,
needlepoint, crochet and canned goods will need to have items entered at the
Selmer Jaycee Building no later than July 2 at 6pm. Any dessert items such as
cakes, cookies, and pies need to be brought to the building no later than July 8 at
6pm. The homemade ice cream contest will be held on July 9 from 5pm -6pm. For
those wanting to compete in this please be at the Selmer Jaycee Building by
4:45pm.
This year’s Fairest of the Fair pageant will be held Saturday, July 2 nd starting at
9am.

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UT MARTIN MCNAIRY CAMPUS
MAYMESTER SUMMER 2011 SCHEDULE

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Mark Your Calendars!
July 4 - Freedom Fest.
July 5-9 - McNairy County Fair.
July 30 - Generation 1000 Festival in Selmer.
July 31 - Ashley Durham Reception at the Marty in Adamsville.
September 10 - Main St. Music Festival in Adamsville.
September 17 - Broomcorn Festival in Selmer.
For more information on these or any community
events, call the MRA office at 731-645-6360.

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What Does the Alliance Do
The Chamber of Commerce
and Economic Development
Commission, now the
McNairy Regional Alliance
is a vital link between
business and prospective
industries which enhances
survival of local
retailers. The Chamber and
EDC strives to create
community pride, growth,
and to help businesses and
companies maintain a
viable workforce, customer
base, and clients. Our
members and their
investments, through
Chamber memberships, help
to create a thriving
community.
We are Peaceful,
Progressive and Proud!
__________________________
Contact the MRA at
144 Cypress Avenue
P.O. Box 7
Selmer, Tennessee 38375
Phone: 731-645-6360
Fax: 731:645:7663
E-mail:
russell@mcnairy.com
Visit the MRA website at www.mcnairy.com
Join us also on Facebook.
Visit www.facebook.com
and simply search for McNairy Regional Alliance.