Tennessee River Freshwater Pearls Featured on NewsChannel5's 'Talk of the Town'

NewsChannel5's 'Talk of the Town' included locals Bob Keast and Kristi Halsey on Thursday, December 5. Keast and Halsey were invited to appear on the show to bring the freshwater pearls from the Tennessee River Freshwater Pearl Farm and jewelry for the Holiday Gift Guide segments that aired during the Christmas season. The "Talk of the Town" show hosted by Meryll Rose, Harry Chapman and Debbie Alan is on from 12:30 p.m. - 1:30 p.m. weekdays on Channel 5.

Bob Keast is not only the owner of The Tennessee River Freshwater Pearl Farm and its location of Birdsong Resort and Marina in Camden, but is also tour guide for "A Pearl of a Tour." The Tennessee River Freshwater Pearl Farm/Birdsong is listed as one of Tennessee's top 20 attractions.

Kristi Halsey, marketing director for the Tennessee River Pearl Farm and Birdsong Resort and Marina, also works with the tour groups, jewelry buying, displays, advertisements, and marketing of the attraction.

The Tennessee River Freshwater Pearl Farm is the only working farm in America, and grows Tennessee's official state gem in the waters of Birdsong Creek near the marina. "A Pearl of a Tour" is operational May through October by reservation. It takes tourists on a visit to the farm where they see the mussel baskets pulled up from the river waters and a mussel "shucked." A real Tennessee River freshwater pearl emerges from the native animal while Keast tells the story of how the shells are gathered, implanted, pearls grown and harvested. Local divers come out of the water sporting a "catch" for the day and explain how they supply the farm with shells on the front end of the process, and what they normally do with their catch. Selling mussels in Benton County and surrounding areas is a overlooked industry by most, but Tennessee exports in excess of $50 million dollars annually. Foreign pearl farming operations in seek the thicker-shelled species of mussel found in our waters to create the original nuclei for implanting.

The pearl jewelry showroom showcases freshwater pearls grown here in Benton County, as well as other freshwater pearls grown in foreign waters - most likely implanted with the seed from a Tennessee River mussel. A variety of colors, shapes, styles and prices are gathered together to fit most anyone dropping in to shop. The showroom, along with the mini-museum and theatre, are free to the public, seven days a week. Visitors may watch a short video on pearls, view the mini-museum, shop the showroom, visit the farm, and book their tour reservations.

Keast and Halsey highlighted the freshwater pearl jewelry available in the showroom for the Holiday shoppers interested in making their Christmas gift the official state gem, grown right here - in Tennessee.

Recently, The Tennessee River Pearl Farm appeared on CBS Sunday Morning with Charles Osgood and correspondent Rita Braver. The feature showcased The Pearls of The World Exhibit that is presently in the Chicago Filed Museum. Freshwater pearls from the Tennessee River are one of the many exquisite items showcased in this touring exhibit.

For more information about "A Pearl of a Tour," the Tennessee River Pearl Farm or Birdsong, please visit www.TennesseeRiverPearls.com or www.BirdsongResort.com.