Lakeland builds stage for IH Park
A brand-new concert and event stage is under construction at Lakeland’s International Harvester (IH) Park.
The City of Lakeland’s Parks & Recreation Department announced the stage should be completed the week of Sept. 6-12. Upcoming events will be listed at LakelandTN.gov and on other outlets.
The city is planning a soft opening this fall and a full slate of events in 2016, including a summer concert series.
The stage is situated within a natural amphitheater and is suitable for concerts, weddings and other community events, with I.H. Park Lake providing a picturesque backdrop.
Lakeland Commissioner Gene Torrey, who is a big proponent of Lakeland’s recreational activities and is active in volunteering at Lakeland Parks & Rec events, said he is excited for the addition of the stage.
“This will be the crown jewel of our parks system,” Torrey said. “It will become the main gathering place and entertainment center of the city for our residents.”
City Manager Jim Atkinson said, “We’re excited for the completion of this events stage as we continue to expand our parks and recreation offerings. The addition of the stage will allow for future events such as concerts in the park, family movie night, and other community events.”
Atkinson also said he expects more great things to happen in the use and development of Lakeland’s recreational areas now that the city has hired Robbie Spencer as Lakeland’s new parks & recreation director.
The city’s press release also acknowledged the contributions of Lowe’s Home Improvement, SS Outdoors (ssoutdoor.com), and Ellendale Electric in the addition of the stage.
IH Park is a 65-acre property at 4523 Canada Road and has rolling hills, a five-acre fishing lake, a pavilion, picnic facilities, portable restrooms and running, biking and hiking trails through wooded areas.
A map of walking and biking trails at the I.H. Park is available at LakelandTN. gov.
For more information, contact Lakeland City Hall at (901) 867-2717.
Allstate honors 3 Bartlett-area entrepreneurs
Three Bartlett-area insurance agency owners have earned prestigious designations from Allstate.
Ed Braly, Michael Heffernan and James Garcia are part of a top-tier group of Allstate agents selected nationally as best in their field and honored with the Allstate Premier Agency Designation for 2015.
The Premier Agency designation is awarded to Allstate agency owners who have demonstrated excellence in delivering an accessible, knowledgeable and personal customer experience while achieving outstanding business results.
The designation is bestowed upon 48 percent of Allstate’s nearly 10,000 agency owners across the country.
Agencies for local honorees are at these locations:
- Ed Braly, 8968 U.S. 64, Suite 103, Arlington
- Michael Heffernan, 297 Germantown Bend Cove, Cordova
- James Garcia, 6490 Mem Arlington Rd, Suite 110, Bartlett
Bartlett Chamber sets Sept. 8 date for luncheon
The Bartlett Area Chamber of Commerce will hosts its monthly lunch at 11:30 a.m. Sept. 8. The location is the Bridge at Bartlett Ballroom, 6001 Bartlett Center Drive (behind Honeybaked Ham and McDonald’s off Bartlett Boulevard and Stage Road).
AT&T is sponsoring the event, and Sen. Mark Norris will provide a “State of the State” speech.
BPACC displays work of Bartlett photographer
The photography of Maria Ferguson will be on display at the Bartlett Performing Arts and Conference Center (3663 Appling Road) through Sept. 21.
Ferguson is originally from Erie, Penn., and now lives in Bartlett with her husband. She studied photography at Penn State University and at the Temple University Rome campus. She is currently pursuing a master’s degree in art history and museum studies at the University of Memphis.
With her photography, she enjoys capturing quiet moments and unique perspectives that allow viewers to look in different ways at their surrounding scenery. She uses her camera as a tool to explore the details that contribute to the uniqueness of a place.
Exhibit hours are 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Tuesday – Friday and during all performances and events.
Memphis authors to host book signings Sept. 5
Memphis resident Sharon M. Stone will sign copies of her book, “He Heals the Hurt,” from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Georgian Hills Church of God (3527 Winston Drive, Memphis).
This book explains how to survive serious hurts. The press release said, “As we journey through these pages you’ll see and experience the true remedy to life’s aches woes and pain through a loving Savior friend and much, much more.
Another Memphis author, La Troissica Willson, will sign copies of her book, “Turning Pain into Power” from 4 p.m. until 8 p.m. Sept. 5 at the Awanata Healing Arts Center (3624 Austin Peay Hwy, Memphis).
The book tells how a young girl was able to turn her pain into power, escaping the captivity of her father and gaining power while under his control.
The press release stated, “No one believed the accusations brought against him because he was a well-known judge of the Detroit Criminal Courts. After many years with no help, Suga gave up her faith in God, hating God for what her father had done to her.”
Lakeland keeps high credit rating with Moody’s
Moody’s Investor Service announced Friday that Lakeland has maintained its high-grade credit rating.
Moody’s assigned an “Aa3” to Lakeland’s $20 million General Obligation Capital Outlay Notes, Series 2015. Concurrently, Moody’s has affirmed the Aa3 issuer rating.
Jim Atkinson, Lakeland city manager, said, “Moody’s has confirmed the city’s strong financial position and commitment to responsible fiscal management. It is exciting to be recognized for the city’s carefully-planned growth and development.”
The “Aa3” rating is described as high-quality and very low credit risk. The rating reflects the city’s strong financial position marked by solid reserve levels, moderately sized and affluent tax base, and slightly elevated debt profile which amortizes rapidly.
According to Moody’s, an obligor with an Aa3 rating has “very strong capacity to meet its financial commitments. It differs from the highest-rated obligors only to a small degree.”
Moody’s assigns credit ratings of Aaa, Aa, A, Baa, Ba, B, Caa, Ca, and C.
Among multiple positive factors cited by Moody’s in assigning the rating is continuance of the city’s strong financial position, manageable debt, and strong management and governance as evidenced by its healthy reserve levels.
