Bob Keast to Moderate a Signage Panel on Tourism and Ribbon Cutting on the New Pearl Museum
Plans Undated On Ways To Market All 9 counties Along The Tennesse River
Robert Cobb - Camden Chronicle

tourism Steve Redding (Senior Research Associate) In Feb. 2001, a group of several interested people met in Benton County to explore the possibility of identifying and developing some trails on the Tennessee River. And so began a number of meetings on the subject, each meeting being attended by more and more people.

Last Friday, over 50 interested and concerned people for increasing tourism in the Magic Valley met at the Catfish Place in Camden. The meeting was hosted by the Northwest Tennessee Development District (NWTDD) and Benton County.

Benton County Executive Jimmy Thornton and John Bucy, Executive Director, NWTDD welcomed everyone.

Steve Redding (Senior Research Associate/REDC/U of Memphis, and Sonya Schenk (Research Associate/REDC/U of Memphis gave an indepth presentation on their findings, utilizing the inventory items as provided by each of the nine counties adjacent to the river. They made three recommendations: •The group should invest in a marketing study to determine the feasibility/viability of such a large project. •The group should consider creating a tourism brochure that would show assets in each county. •The group should begin thinking about web-site development.

David Clement of Tennessee Industrial Printing Service spoke about the importance of literature about the area...that it contain the right information...must grab attention quickly...be colorful. Clements said the brochure needs to brag on county, events, businesses and attractions. Andy Windham of Walker and Associates out of Memphis stated that every county needed to create a vision for tourism development and marketing with strategic growth in mind.

"The benefit of a plan both first and foremost, is that it focuses on the community vision, and is evidenced that the plan can be successful," Windham said. "After all, a visit is more than a visit."

Bob Keast, owner of Birdsong Marina and Resort moderated a Sinage Panel Discussion. Keast introduced Danny Thomas and David Utley, both TDOT representatives who answered questions from the floor about highway signs with thoughts on tourism.

Thomas said that signs are essentially regulated by the Federal Highway Administration. He said the first trial attraction sign went up last May. These signs have a maximum mileage limitation of thirteen miles off the highway.

"TDOT wants to incorporate Tourism as much as possible. Kentucky is the pilot state for a new sign program. It will be some time before the results of that study are known," Thomas said.


A GEM OF A TOUR/MUSEUM RIBBON CUTTING
Misty Coleman - Birdsong Resort, Marina, and Lakeside RV Campground


RIBBON CUTTING – (In no order) David Utley, Tennessee Department of Transportation; Mark Holloman, Tennessee Emergency Management Agency; Evelyn Robertson, Jr., Director/South West Tennessee Development District; Tommye Clifton, Grant Writer/ South West Tennessee Development District; Dvon Duncan, Economic Development Director/ South West Tennessee Development District; Amanda Duncan; Steve Redding, Senior Research Associate and Adjunct Professor of City and Regional Planning; Sonya Schenk, Research Associate/Regional Economic Development Council; June and Don Brillier, Stewart County Executive Office; Martha Yanchyshyn, Stewart County Chamber of Commerce; Tonya Blades, Grant Writer/Greater Nashville Regional Council; Richard Hanks, Ft. Donelson, National Park Service; Patricia Hanks; Brian Beisel, Land Between the Lakes; Andy Windham, Walker and Associates; Bob and Janis Keast, owners Birdsong Resort, Marina and RV Campground/Freshwater Pearl Farm; Krisit Halsey, Marketing Director, Birdsong Resort, Marina and RV Campground/Freshwater Pearl Farm; Misty Coleman, Assistant Promoter, Birdsong Resort, Marina and RV Campground/Freshwater Pearl Farm.

21 State and County Officials from the Tennessee River Trails Tourism Coalition arrived shortly after the meeting to Tennessee's only Freshwater Pearl Farm, located at Birdsong Resort, Marina, and Lakeside RV Campground to officially cut the ribbon and open its new museum and mini theater with a Grand Opening on January 31.

The new museum features a magnificent display dedicated to Freshwater Pearls. The 20 foot ceilings and spacious area offers spectators an auditorium-like atmosphere with room for plenty of seating and visiting the Pearl displays. The mini theater will also serve as a conference and meeting room for any company or group needing a large room with the latest in audio visual big screen equipment.

The West Tennessee River Trail group received a wealth of information about the Tennessee freshwater pearls from owner Bob Keast. Keast explained to the group that the freshwater pearl is the only gemstone from animal origin and is Tennessee's State Gem. This gem can be found growing in the waters of the Tennessee River Freshwater Pearl Farm located at Birdsong Resort. John Latendresse (1925-2000) began attempting to culture pearls in the fresh waters of North America approximately 25 years ago. Over 300 bodies of water were tested for ideal conditions before the final selection of the initial eight pilot locations to begin attempts at culturing. It was determined that the prime location for productivity was only five miles from his home, in the placid embayment of Birdsong Creek in Camden, TN.

Don Nerren, Pearl Farm Manager, demonstrated the process in which pearls are harvested. He also explained to the audience the process technicians use to implant nuclei into the mussels. Nerren describe how technicians implant nuclei and mussels are placed into baskets in groups of eighteen. Each basket is coded with a numbered tag, similar in appearance to a duck band. The band contains a numerical coding that tells the pearl farm manager when they were implanted, when they are due for harvest, what shape the pearls are, and which technician did the procedures. They are then suspended 18 inches below the top of the water dangling from American-made "bamboo" also know as PVC pipe. The mussels are left for 18 months to three years depending on the quality that is desired.

"A Peal Of A Tour" is a 3-5 hour guided tour which treks pearl enthusiasts through the pearl cultivation process and explains the unique mussel industry that dominates the mid-central section of Kentucky Lake. The Pearl Jewelry Showroom is open year around for walk-in pearl enthusiasts who seek the mysterious qualities of these natural gems. For more information or to make reservations, call Bob Keast at 731-584-7880 or visit www.BirdsongResort.com and click on PEARLS.