WLJT Holds Retreat In Benton County

boardmembers PBS STATION RETREAT – 30 WLJT Channel 11 affiliates converged in Benton County for a mini-retreat Tuesday, October 25. Holding their quarterly business meeting and catered luncheon in Birdsong Resort's new corporate suite, eight of the group remained for a leisurely evening enjoying "A Pearl of a Tour," a fall foliage boat ride, and an exquisite western sunset view over Kentucky Lake.

CAMDEN, TN - WLJT Board of Directors converged from all over West Tennessee to Birdsong Resort, Camden, for a mini retreat Tuesday, October 25. The UT-Martin-based PBS station meeting included the board of directors, a national PBS representative, and key staff members – totaling 30 for the quarterly event.

Held in the new corporate suite at Birdsong - the business included a PowerPoint Presentation on the annual budget, fund-raising options, and current legislation. The nine-bedroom, 5-bath suite features full meeting area space and kitchen facilities. Lunch was served by the Birdsong catering staff. The WLJT group enjoyed pulled-pork barbecue, barbecue ribs, grilled chicken, baked beans, potato salad, slaw and corn fritters before adjourning the meetings for relaxation time.

Eight accepted the invitation for an afternoon of leisure and remained for "A Pearl of a Tour" at the only freshwater pearl–culturing operation in the North American continent – The Tennessee River Freshwater Pearl Museum, Farm, Tour and Jewelry Showroom and enjoyed a lazy pontoon ride along the river enjoying the exquisite fall foliage. Drawing the day to a picturesque end – from the corporate suite deck – they watched the western sunset over the pearl farm on beautiful Kentucky Lake.

WLJT prides itself on the work they do within the community. When the TV and production staff are not covering a festival, parade or sporting event, they are shooting stories of local interest for the West Tennessee Journal, holding educational workshops for children, or conducting fund-raising activities to keep the station on the air. Community involvement and support is critical to the continual operation.

Bob Keast, owner of Birdsong Resort, Marina and Campground, is a member of the Board of Directors for WLJT for the past three years. Keast says, "Years have brought me to a complete well-rounded understanding, that the family that plays together – stays together. I enjoy being a part of a form of media that so aggressively promotes family, children and education. It's extremely rewarding."

For more information about how you can become a local PBS sponsor, visit www.wljt.org. To learn more about Birdsong Resort, Marina and Campground visit the website at www.BirdsongResort.com, learn about the Tennessee River Freshwater Pearl Museum, Farm and Tour at www.TennesseeRiverPearls.com or call 731-584-7880.