Main and Mulberry: Main Feed

Just how much can you save? Well, Morgan Fleet NMLS# 947110 with The Home Loan Expert can help teachers, first responders, first-time homebuyers and veterans save even more! Learn just how well “Mo Knows Loans."

Want to sell your delicious, homemade food, but don't have a commercial kitchen? Memphis Kitchen Co-Op and Amplified Meal Prep specialists and co-owners Richard and Molly McCracken are supporting local chefs with a new, unique business model.

Simon Clark is a real estate agent with Real Living McLemore & Co, Realtors in Collierville, and he's a sponsor of Homes for Heroes, a non-profit organization that supports Firefighters and EMS, Law Enforcement, Military, Healthcare Professionals and Teacher with grants and other forms of financial assistance.

This Father's Day Weekend, a collection of colorful hot-air balloons will light up Collierville's skyline. In this video, Toni Durham, co-director of The Bluff City Balloon Jamboree, shares important details about the jamboree, why they're supporting local food and art vendors and how to prepare for this fun, upcoming event.

Ready to travel? So are we. Barbara May, with Travel Leaders, has years of travel experience and shares some helpful tips and tricks to consider when traveling this summer. Learn what to expect when visiting new places this travel season.

Just like our skin is unique, no two people’s skincare journey is the same. Kimberly Fay combines more than 20 years experience as a licensed Esthetician with a professional focus on educating clients at her studio, 727 Skincare, in Collierville, TN.

There's mosquito treatments and then there's Mosquito Squad. We talked with Entomologist (aka insect expert) Joshua Jones about the differences in treatments as well as practical tips to reclaim your backyard - because spraying isn't always enough.

Terri O'Connor is a proud, serving member of the Collierville Education Foundation, a local non-profit that provides Collierville schools with increased funding through its series of charitable-giving opportunities. Learn all about this organization from one of its leaders on this episode of Main Feed.

This week, we’re exploring the birthplace of the largest retailer in the world - Walmart, in Bentonville, AR. Home to the beautiful Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art and dubbed Mountain Biking Capital of the World, you don’t want to miss Kalene Griffith take us on a tour of a town with big heart, and even bigger ambition!

Molly Schroer and Mammoth Cave National Park hand us a lantern to explore the world's longest-known cave system.

This week, we are joined by Mary Anne Gibson, Vice Mayor for the City of Germantown, TN. Mary Anne is a long-time resident of the town and loves serving her community. Join us as we explore the area from her unique perspective.

Sunday is sooo much better than Monday, right? Sunday on Monday is a new series with Pastor Jason Stockdale. Join us for a quick 8 minutes each Monday for a short message and prayer.

Have you heard of this Antique Show in Round Top, Texas? Katie Stavinoha, of Round Top Publishers, joins the podcast to tell us all about it.

You might be confused when you hear Valley Forge and Montgomery County or King of Prussia. That's because Valley Forge is actually not a town, it’s a park! Rachel Riley, Director of Communications for Valley Forge Tourism and Convention Board, is here to enlighten us on this historic area. Learn about the many local attractions, including shopping, skydiving, and sleigh rides. Plan the perfect social distancing vacation on almost 100 miles of trails.

Piper Hill is a veteran who has suffered memory loss following a traumatic injury. Though her memories are fogged, she has not forgotten the dog that stayed by her side. Valentine, a lovable American Bulldog, was the original inspiration for Healing4Heroes, a charitable organization that introduces rescue dogs to veterans and wounded warriors. Piper joins us to talk about the founding of this unique organization and their mission.

ArtFest Fort Myers usually showcases 200+ artists and hosts 95,000 people in 2 ½ days. But as Southwest Florida’s largest weekend event, this first-class art festival is making changes due to COVID-19. We spoke with the festival’s Executive Director, Sharon McAllister, and she explained that the event still expects to feature about 150 artists along 7 city blocks of downtown Fort Myers’ gorgeous waterfront. This event supports local artists in the area who are independent business owners too!

The Savannah River is undergoing the largest restoration on a river system in U.S. history. “The river can’t speak for itself, so that’s my job,” says Tonya Bonitatibus, who joins the podcast to tell us all about the Savannah River and those involved in its “Restoration, Education, and Protection!” A non-profit organization, the Savannah Riverkeeper and its many volunteers do a lot of good caring for this 10,000 square mile watershed.

Alexandria, Louisiana is all about an intense history dating back to WWII, when important military drills and exercises were fashioned, and where decision-making presidents and generals met. In Alexandria, you’ll find a mix of old and new, and we spoke with Sherry Smith-Ellington to learn more about it.

Two hours south of Tampa, you can visit the beaches of Fort Myers and Sanibel, where instead of “Catch of the Week,” you can indulge in the “Catch of the Day!” 250 miles of coastline, 50 miles of beach, island hopping, and… mangos? Yes, there are mangos everywhere. Hear all about this place that’s “beautiful all the time,” from the area’s Communications Manager, Jackie Parker.

Twenty-seven rounds of golf? Only in Augusta, Georgia. Home to the Master’s Golf Tournament, Augusta holds onto a rich history as the second oldest city in Georgia. But Augusta is also home to a flourishing vegan scene, delicious craft cocktails, distilleries, and more. Two "Augustans" are here to give us the scoop. We’re only kidding about twenty-seven rounds of golf, by the way. In fact, we may play a few more.

You may like golf, but do you like golf… carting? Well, you don’t have much of a choice in Peachtree City, GA. Home to 100+ miles of golf cart paths, this multi-use system accommodates golf carts, bikers, runners, all while connecting the town’s restaurants, boutiques, and various shopping districts. Some even attend drive-thrus while cartin’ around! Learn all about “life at 15 miles per hour” on this episode of the Main and Mulberry Podcast.

Roswell, Georgia isn’t known for UFO sightings. However, it is home to the famous Chattahoochee River. We spoke with Andy Williams of Roswell, GA’s CVB to learn all about the place “way down yonder.” The historic architecture of Roswell’s charming Town Square is where this small town’s story begins. Andy guides us through an award-winning park system, Canton Street, and, of course, the Chattahoochee River.

If you love the outdoors, this episode is for you! We met with Taylor Spellman of Visit Virginia’s Blue Ridge to discuss America’s mountain-biking capital, Roanoke Virginia. Learn about the Mill Mountain Star, the Blue Ridge Parkway, and how you can #beatrailsetter on over 1,000 miles of trails. It’s a true “glamper’s paradise.”

Shalisa Roland and Shreveport-Bossier’s CTB has hit #PressPlay on this “Sportsman’s Paradise.” An opportune getaway for families and nearcationing couples, this destination has downtown casinos, horse races, and a lively art space. There is so much to see and do when exploring this section of Louisiana nestled along the borders of Texas and Arkansas. There’s also no shortage of culture to experience. Shalisa boasts “we have king-cake-flavored everything!”

Abilene, TX is known as the Storybook Capital of America, and there are plenty of stories to tell. The area has a rich history dating back to the Civil War and earlier. More recently, a love for the arts has spurred Abilene’s economic growth. The downtown is thriving, and many businesses now call Abilene home. Kelly Thompson, of Abilene’s CVB, is here to give us a picture of life in this historic community. Come learn about Abilene’s “Cowboys, Character, and Culture” on this episode of Main and Mulberry.

Sustainable cities and cattle ranching probably aren’t the first things to come to mind when you think of Florida. However, these are just two of the many unique attractions in the Punta Gorda/Englewood Beach area. Get a sense of what “Old Florida” was like while enjoying a wonderful family vacation. Englewood Beach has been ranked a Top 10 Emerging Destination, and Punta Gorda is highly rated for its dining options. Jennifer Huber of the local Visitor and Conventions Bureau explains what makes this part of Florida special on this episode of the Main and Mulberry Podcast.

Between Memphis and Jackson in Southwest, Tennesssee is Hardeman County: a collection of towns including Bolivar, Grand Junction, Hickory Valley, Hornsby, Middleton, Pocahontas, Saulsbury, Silerton, Toone, and Whiteville. Each of these towns are small enough, but they’re rich with history. Christine Korling-Torres shares her experience collaborating with Local Government to create trails, develop activity centers, support local businesses, and recruit growth. There’s so much to do and see in Hardeman County’s various towns, and we’re glad to hear all about it.

Page Robbins Adult Day Center is a place where every day is better than the last. Hear from the organization’s Executive Director Herbie Krisle and its Development and Communications Director Katie Kirkpatrick who share just some of their experience managing an adult day center during the COVID-19 pandemic.

There’s so much happening in Starkville, Mississippi that we couldn’t cover it all in just one interview! Hunter Harrington, Director of Membership Development for the Greater Starkville Development Partnership, joins us to paint a picture of the local flavor, from shops and businesses to community events. We love Starkville and think you will too!

Biking, hiking, and snacking, oh my! Fayetteville, Arkansas features miles of bike and hiking trails that twist and turn through the Ozark Mountains. But if you aren’t into outdoor activities, there’s still plenty to do. Ashley Cane of Experience Fayetteville tells us all about the best places to eat and other attractions that make Fayetteville, Arkansas one special college town.

Starkville, Mississippi is an SEC town home to Mississippi State University, but it isn’t all about college sports. Many exciting events happen throughout the year. The area is host to many up-and-coming businesses, and the downtown area is truly thriving. Paige Watson, the Special Events and Projects Coordinator for the Greater Starkville Development Partnership, is here to give us the scoop on what’s happening in Starkville.

Dr. Hunter Brewer, lead pastor of Trinity Church PCA, explains how there seems to be a church on just about every corner, but in reality, there are so many people who haven’t found their church home yet. Dr. Brewer joined Main and Mulberry for a discussion about Trinity Church PCA’s arrival to Collierville and what it’s like to found a church in the middle of a pandemic.

The Collierville Tennessee Moms Facebook group recently conducted a poll. With almost 400 responses in nearly 24 hours, they learned that about 65% of parents are leaning towards enrolling their students for in-class instruction, about 20% online, and roughly 11% still undecided. We’re joined by one of the Facebook group’s admins, Selena Silvestro, to discuss the dilemma that all parents are debating right now

If you’re worried about your child’s safety this fall, you’re definitely not alone. Hear from a local elementary school’s PTA President, as she expresses her thoughts, concerns, and optimism for the future. She has four children of her own, all at different levels of education, so Monica is more than plugged into the debate about what to do!

You never know who you’ll run into in Franklin, Tennessee! A suburb just outside of Nashville, Franklin celebrates a rich music scene with a different, more subtle vibe than its big-city counterpart. Ellie Westman Chin, President & CEO Visit Franklin, gives us the scoop. Learn why people love Franklin’s Main Street on this episode of Main and Mulberry.

Meet Media Relations and Social Media Manager for the Florence – Lauderdale Department of Tourism, Randa Hovater. Randa gives us a little background on the Muscle Shoals area and shares with us some great places to eat when you’re in town.

“If a conversation is hard, it’s probably worth having.” Shamichael Hallman of New Direction Christian Church joins the Main and Mulberry Podcast to address important, topical issues like race in America. Shamichael explains that we need to begin talking about these issues, respectfully, and with the desire to raise everyone up, rather than pointing fingers and blaming others.

Have you been to the Smoky Mountains? Then you’ve probably visited Pigeon Forge, Tennessee. All located in East Tennessee, Pigeon Forge, Sevierville, and Gatlinburg work together to accommodate tourists from all over. With nature trails, quaint shopping districts, and more, you should add The Smoky Mountains to your “must-see” list.

Jim’s Place Grille is a restaurant that has been around since the early 1900’s, but even James Taras, nor his family, has witnessed anything quite like this. Listen to a discussion about how this beloved family business is continuing to serve their local community, despite COVID-19 Phase 2 restrictions – on this episode of Main and Mulberry.

In Chattanooga, you might just be a stone’s throw away from a beautiful, scenic waterfall. On this episode of Main and Mulberry, Marissa Bell tells us all about the many things to do in Chattanooga, TN and why it might be a great place to visit, especially nowadays!

South Walton, Florida is more than just beaches. They have chefs from all over the world and attractions that will make your vacation memorable. David Demarest, Director of Marketing and Communications for Visit South Walton, is here to give us a glimpse of life on the Gulf and tell us what to expect when visiting under COVID-19 restrictions.