A look inside...
Beaches
Land Between the Lakes
Water Parks
Don F. Pratt Museum Opening
Downtown Commons
A New Bite to Eat
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Editor Sean McCully
Contributors Dave Marshall CynDe Clack
Publisher Creative ink
Creative Director Sears Hallett
Advertising
Kristi Williams 270-484-0463 kristi@creativeinktn.com
Photography Alabama Gulf Coast CVB Panama City Beach CVB Destin CVB Myrtle Beach CVB South Walton Florida CVB Land Between the Lakes Stella & Kelly Photography mixthatdrink.com Deposit Photo pg: cover, 5, 6, 7, 8, 14
As the kiddos are out of school for summer, it’s time to plan out those trips to the beach, water parks and to the Land Between the Lakes. Check out our list of the best and closest beaches on page 5, the best water parks on page 14 and our ideas on how to spend a week at the Land Between the Lakes on page 11. Before you throw the boogie boards and sun tan lotion in the car, be sure to read about how the Rakkasans helped save the concept of large-scale airborne divisions on page 27 and don’t forget to visit the newly reopened Don F. Pratt Memorial Museum! Read about it on page 25.
Sean McCully, Editor sean@creativeinktn.com
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If bikinis and palm trees have danced in your head during what seemed like an endless winter this year, then you’re not alone. There are many people who have been waiting just as long to stick their toes in the water with a cold drink in their hands, so we’ve rounded up some great options that might not typically end up on your radar for a beach trip. Known as a premier spot for watersports in coastal Alabama, Orange Beach is one of the few beaches lining the southern tip of the state. There’s golfing, deep-sea fishing, nature trails and even historic Fort Morgan nearby, all of which make this one of the best beaches to visit this summer. Be sure to check out the Daedelus, which takes you on an adventurous trip through the waters of Alabama where you can swim, dolphin watch and view beautiful sunsets on the Wolf Bay. If you go Orange Beach Southernmost tip of Alabama gulfshores.com 251-968-7511 5
Named as one of Trip Advisor’s top 25 Best Beaches in the U.S., Panama City Beach is one of the best destinations that you can make uniquely your own. Bring along your Harley and join in the Thunder Beach Motorcycle Rally. Go swimming with the sea turtles off the coast. Check out the Pier Park where there is all kinds of entertainment from movie theatres to laser tag and live music. Whatever it is you enjoy doing at the beach, experience it at Panama City Beach.
If you go Panama City Beach • Northwest Florida visitpanamacitybeach.com • 850-233-5070
Rosemary Beach isn’t a particularly old community. In fact, it’s barely been a community for two decades, after its inception in 1995. The 105-acre town sits just more than 15 miles west of Panama City Beach, but misses the majority of the hustle and bustle of Panama, which stands as one of the most recognizable spring break destinations. Rosemary Beach also has enough options for dining and shopping to keep you and your family busy for days on end. If you go Rosemary Beach Northwest Florida rosemarybeach.com 866-348-8952 6
At Pensacola Beach, you’ll find endless opportunities for fun and relaxation. Savor fresh gulf seafood or sip a Bushwacker at our many restaurants and hangouts, take a walk or catch a fish on the Pensacola Beach Pier, or simply relax in the sun and watch your worries float away. Be sure to check out the Footprints in the Sand Eco Trail where you can learn the secrets of the beautiful white sand, the dangerous journey of sea turtles, learn to identify mysterious sea shells and so much more. If you go Pensacola Beach • Northwest Florida visitpensacolabeach.com•850-932-1500
Located between Pensacola and Panama City along North Florida’s glittering Gulf Coast, Fort Walton Beach offers visitors its powdery white beaches, emerald waters, golf courses and more. Fort Walton Beach boasts all the fun of the major vacation spots, minus the fuss.
As the place locals call “the worlds luckiest fishing village,” Destin is one of the best places to drop a line. The northwest Florida city hosts the annual Destin Fishing Rodeo every October, that attracts more than 30,000 anglers competing for a $100,000 pot throughout the month. Be sure to bring along the fisherman in your life for a fun time deep-sea fishing for amberjack, red snapper and grouper. If you go Destin • Northwest Florida cityofdestin.com • 850-837-4242
Home to family-friendly resorts and attractions such as parks, museums and aquariums, it’s not just Fort Walton Beach’s calm, green waters and cool, white sand that make this northwest Florida destination a family favorite. If you go Fort Walton Beach • Northwest Florida visitflorida.com 850-488-5607
While most of our featured beaches are on the Gulf Coast, here are a couple of East Coast beaches to consider. Here you’ll find 12 miles of pristine beaches and everything you need for the ultimate coastal retreat. They have more than 33 world-class golf courses, 300 tennis courts and hundreds of years of rich and vibrant history. There are more than 250 restaurants to sample, including elegant fine-dining establishments, waterfront seafood spots and everything in between. Enjoy easy days at the beach relaxing in the sun, sand, and surf, embark on an outdoor adventure on land or spend the day on the water. Start planning your Hilton Head Island vacation now and get ready to experience everything the island has to offer.
If you go Hilton Head Island Southeast coast of South Carolina hiltonheadisland.org •843-757-3673 From oceanfront hotels along the entire Grand Strand, to cozy beach home and vacation rentals in North Myrtle Beach and South Myrtle Beach, including Surfside Beach and Garden City, Myrtle Beach is one of the best destinations for fun in the sun. The area also hosts more than 600 performing art events every year at local theatres, concert halls and auditoriums in the community. If you go Myrtle Beach Northeast coast of South Carolina visitmyrtlebeach.com • 843-626-7444
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Fall I begins August 25
apsu.edu/apfc apsu. edu/ /apfc Austin Peay State University does not discriminate on the basis of race, color color,, religion, creed, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression, disability disability,, age, status as a protected veteran, genetic information, or any other legally protected class with respect to all employment, programs and activities sponsored by APSU. The Austin Peay State University policy on nondiscrimination can be found at http://www http://www.apsu.edu/policy. .apsu.edu/policy. Policy 6:003
apsu.edu/APFC
If you’re looking to “check out” for a little while during the summer, there’s no better place to do so than at the Land Between the Lakes National Recreation Area. This 170,000-acre playground in Western Kentucky and Tennessee is absolutely packed with all the boating, hunting and camping you could ever want, and there’s always something new to explore every day.
Where to stay Whether you are looking for a traditional camping experience or something a bit more lavish, LBL has a variety of options. On the lavish end, check out the Green Turtle Bay Resort and Marina at the north end of the recreation area. Located on Lake Barkley, the resort offers condo and boat rentals, a spa and health club and multiple dining options. Land Between the Lakes also offers both basic and dispersed camping options at their eight campgrounds and five camping areas. The campgrounds have defined campsites and include amenities like fire pits and picnic tables, while the
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camping areas include the same amenities without defined campsites. Dispersed camping outside of these camping areas is also permissible anywhere inside LBL. Camping permits are required before pitching tents: annual permits cost $30, three-day permits cost $7 and they can be purchased online at landbetweenthelakes.us/reservations. Green Turtle Bay Green Turtle Bay Dr., Grand Rivers, KY greenturtlebay.com 800-498-0428
Camping Different locations around LBL landbetweenthelakes.us/seendo/camping 270-924-2044
Go on self-guided tours Did you know the Land Between the Lakes’ iron production supplied most of the area covering Western Kentucky and Middle Tennessee during the Industrial Revolution? Only a few of the original furnaces are still standing today and they make for a great option to visit during the day. After checking out those manmade marvels, take a trip to one of the many Nature Watch Areas to find birds chirping as they bathe in the lake, colorful jewelweed creeping up towards the sky and deer galloping through the open fields. There are trails, both paved and unpaved, woven throughout LBL. Iron Industry Ruins Different locations around LBL landbetweenthelakes.us/seendo/self-guided-activities/iron Nature Watch Areas Different locations around LBL • landbetweenthelakes.us/seendo/self-guided-activities/nature-watch
Bison & Elk Praire The Bison & Elk Praire Prairie offers a native grassland habitat common in Kentucky more than a century ago. Elk and bison roam free within this 700-acre enclosure. Visitors travel in their enclosed vehicle via a 3.5-mile paved loop road. Numerous other wildlife species also thrive in the praire. Wild turkey, a variety of birds, small game, butterflies and prairie mammals find sanctuary in the Elk & Bison Prairie. Elk & Bison Prairie Rd, Golden Pond, KY, $5 per car • landbetweenthelakes.us/seendo/attractions/elk-bison-prairie
Hiking and Biking There are over 500 miles of trails and 200 miles of scenic roads in the 170,000 acres LBL encompasses. And at least one of them has your name on it. There are shorter quarter-mile trails accessible for the whole family and longer trails up to 59 miles stretching the width of the recreation area. Whatever your skill level, there is a trail for you at LBL. Different locations around LBL • landbetweenthelakes.us/seendo/trails/hike-bike-trails
Hunting and Fishing As two of the most popular outdoor recreation activities in the south, there’s few better places for hunting and fishing in the country. There are white-tailed deer, wild turkey, squirrels and other forest game everywhere around the recreation area, and the crappie, bass, sauger, catfish and bluegill are plentiful for fishing. Check out Lake Barkley to the north for fishing and look online at the LBL website for a detailed map of all the different hunting areas. Hunters and fishers are required to have all necessary permits and licenses during their stay. Hunting landbetweenthelakes.us/seendo/outdoor-rec/hunting • 270-924-2065 • LBLInfo@fs.fed.us Fishing landbetweenthelakes.us/seendo/outdoor-rec/fishing
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Are you looking for your next adventure in the water? Well now that the heat is ramping up, there’s no better way to cool off than with a trip to the water park. There’s multiple options within a few hours of the Fort Campbell area that are sure to make your visit much cooler.
Nashville Shores Located on the shores of Percy Priest Lake, Nashville Shores features more than 1 million gallons of summer fun. Brave the waves in the gigantic wave pool, plunge down the eight thrilling water slides, or play, slide and splash in Kowabunga Beach, a massive water treehouse and playground. If you want to chill instead of experience big thrills, enjoy a leisurely float ride on the lazy river or soak up some rays on the beautiful beach. There is all-day, all-you-can-play fun for everyone. 4001 Bell Road, Hermitage, TN • 10 am - 7 pm, 7 days a week Single day passes from $19.99 • Military discount for family & friends with valid id • nashvilleshores.com • 615-889-7050
Tie Breaker Family Aquatic Center Staying cool is the main objective at Tie Breaker Family Aquatic Center in Hopkinsville. Roar around the Riptide Express, rip down Ripple River or ride it out in Hurricane Alley. Whatever your choice for a way to keep the heat at bay, Tie Breaker has got you covered. Active duty military and their dependents receive $2 off admission with their military ID. 9503 Eagle Way Bypass, Hopkinsville KY • Mon- Fri: 11 am - 7 pm, Sat & holidays: 10 am - 7 pm, Sun: noon - 7 pm Single day passes from $4, , children under two years old are free • tiebreakerpark.com • 270-890-0730
Holiday World Who better to share a water park adventure with than Santa Claus and the Easter Bunny? That’s exactly what you can do at Holiday World, the holiday-themed amusement park. There’s tons to do at the amusement park but when the sun is hot, Holiday World’s Splashin’ Safari water park is the place to be with their water coasters, wave pool and Monsoon Lagoon. 452 E. Christmas Blvd., Santa Claus, IN • Splashin’ Safari: Open 11 am - 6 pm 7 days a week, Open 10 am - 7 pm Single day passes from $34.99 • holidayworld.com • 812-937-4401
Beech Bend Park Located on 379 acres, these beautiful rolling hills in Bowling Green, Kentucky, are covered with beech trees and are bounded by the Barren River, thus the name “Beech Bend.” Beech Bend has been providing family entertainment since 1898. Bring your family and friends and enjoy the tradition that is Beech Bend Park! 798 Beech Bend Park Road, Bowling Green, KY • 10:30 am - 7 pm 7 days a week. Single day passes from $31.99, Active, Retired and Veteran military members are free with military ID • beechbend.com • 270-781-7634
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SPOUSE’S CLUB SCHOLARSHIP & GRANT AWARDS The FCSC is excited to share that this year 2017-2018 with the support of our members and community we raised approximately $9,300 at our Fall Charitable Golf Classic and approximately $52,000 at our Very Important Charity Event. That means we have raised over $61,000 thus far! The money raised this year (like every year) will be split equally between our Scholarship Program and Grant Program. The FCSC Scholarship Program awards military dependents who are entering college or continuing their education. This year we awarded 20 scholarships, 8 to graduating high school seniors and 12 to those in continuing education. We awarded 42 community grants, 13 Fort Campbell community grants, 9 Hopkinsville community grants, 16 Clarksville community grants and 4 national community grants. Below are the photos of those who recieved scholarships or grants that attended the annual awards ceremony and our current FCSC Board of Directors
Grant Awardees
Scholarship Awardees
FCSC Board Members
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Bonnaroo Manchester, TN bonnaroo.com Bonnaroo is a four-day, multi-stage camping festival held on a beautiful 700-acre farm in Manchester, Tenessee. It brings together some of the best performers in rock and roll, along with dozens of artists in complementary styles such as jazz, Americana, hip-hop, electronica, and just about any contemporary music you can think of. CMA Music Fest Downtown Nashville cmaworld.com/cma-music-festival The ultimate destination for Country Music fans from around the globe, featuring star-packed nightly concerts at Nissan Stadium, daily concerts at Riverfront Stage, daily autograph signings at the Fan Fair X Exhibit Hall at Music City Center, themed outdoor exhibits & entertainment and free in-town shuttles between major event sites.
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Father-Daughter Purity Ball Valor Hall, Oak Grove KY • 6:30pm hopepregnancy.net/getinvolved/newsevents/ball-2018 A magical evening, and part of a local tradition that has created many lasting memories for families throughout the region. Your evening includes dancing, dessert, a portrait, a brief encouraging message, and a gift for each young lady in attendance. It’s open to fathers & daughters, grandfathers & granddaughters, uncles & nieces, and family friends.
Red, White & Brew Fest Downtown Commons - Clarksville tnredwhitebrewfest.com • 6 - 11pm Come enjoy micro & craft brews, live music, food vendors, a corn hole tournament, cigar tent and more! All proceeds to benefit Bikers Who Care children’s charity! 21 & Up. 19
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Downtown @ Sundown Downtown Commons - Clarksville downtowncommons.org/sundown • 7 - 10pm The third Friday of the month through October the Downtown Commons is home for great music and beer. Appearing in June; Aaron Lessard, a solo artist based in Nashville, Tennessee and Chris Turner, a singer/ songwriter from Ninety Six, South Carolina. Trailer Choir will be the featured artist. known for “Rockin’ the Beer Gut” and “What Would You Say” and charting the Billboard Hot Country Songs with those singles.
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Thunder on the Cumberland Cumberland River Downtown Nashville thunderonthecumberland.com 11am - 5:30pm Thunder on the Cumberland is part of the F1 Series Powerboat Championship circuit and features some of the fastest boats in the world. These boats race in a 3-mile loops on the Cumberland River between the Woodland Street & Seigenthaler Pedestrian Bridges. This is a free family event from the banks of the river at Riverfront Park.
Spring Art in the Park Trigg County Historical Park - Cadiz KY gocadiz.com/event/spring-art-in-the-park • 10am - 5pm Many artists and crafters from local and surrounding areas are here to display and sell their creations. Trigg County Historical Park is also known as “The Yellow Train Stop.” Taste of Music City Food & Wine Festival Public Square Park - Nashville tasteofmusiccity.com • 6 - 10pm The Taste of Music City Festival is an all-inclusive food tasting event. Take a “Tour of Nashville” and enjoy tastings from popular Nashville best local restaurants, along with some of Nashville’s local beverage flavors. Watch and learn from some of the Nashville’s top chefs as they cook on-site.
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Montgomery County Fair Clarksville Speedway clarksvillespeedway.com Tues - Fri 6pm, Sat - Sun 1pm The county fair includes agricultual exhibits, contests, pagents, motorsports, carnival rides, artisans, crafts and more. This year’s feature attractions includes “Swifty Swine” pig racing, “Ducks Inc.” live duck races, Go-Kart Racing, Molly Ark Petting Zoo Bell City Amusements Midway – rides, food, and games, people watching and a Championship Rodeo.
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Western Kentucky State Fair Hopkinsville KY Fairgrounds westernkystatefair.org • gates open at various times The Western Kentucky State Fair has a rich history in Hopkinsville. The Western Kentucky State Fair marks the 67th anniversary of this family event. While the Fair dynamic has changed with time, the Fair has continued to provide a host of popular events, including beauty pageants, tractor pulls and various contests. Nashville recording artist Colt Ford will kick-off the fair in concert on Friday the 22nd.
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Nashville Predators Craft Beer Festival Bridgestone Arena • 3 - 7pm nhl.com/predators/community/ foundation/beer-festival Get out of the summer heat and join us for craft brews, food, games and entertainment at the Sixth Annual Nashville Predators Craft Beer Festival. This event is guaranteed to be the coolest beer festival in town! Proceeds benefit the Nashville Predators Foundation. Must be age 21 years or older to attend.
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Wilma Rudolph 10k/5k Sango United Methodist Church Clarksville .active.com/clarksville-tn/running/distance-running/13thannual-wilma-rudolph-road-race-2018 This year the Wilma Rudolph 5K/10K is benefiting Clarksville Association for Down Syndrome Inc. (C.A.D.S.) Both races start just outside the church parking lot. Courses are not closed to traffic. Both courses have rolling hills and loop around Sango Road through the surrounding neighborhoods.
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Watermelon Festival Lucky Ladd Farms - Franklin TN luckyladdfarms.com • 10am - 5pm Lucky Ladd Farms annual Watermelon Festival. Enjoy a free slice of refreshing watermelon, cool off in the Splash Zone. Test your skills in the Watermelon Crawl, Seed Spitting, Melon Toss & Watermelon Eating Contests.
Farmers Markets Cadiz KY - Downtown Every Wed & Sat at 7am Clarksville TN - Downtown Every Sat at 8am Hopkinsville KY - Downtown Every Wed & Sat at 7am
Beachaven Jazz on the Lawn June 9 - Jim Gibson June 23 - South Street Players
M B Roland Pickin on the Porch June 16 - Mike Robinson June 30 - David Evans
Jammin in the Alley June 16 - Joel Brown
Roxy Regional Theatre Annie. Jr - June 1, 2, 6, 7, 8, 9 Fully Committed - June 4, 5 Dames at Sea - June 22, 23, 29, 30
Limoncello Collins Recipe for a pitcher (8 drinks) 16 ounces limoncello 12 ounces gin 8 ounces fresh lemon juice 16 ounces chilled club soda Pour the limoncello, gin and lemon juice into a pitcher. Cover and refrigerate for at least a couple of hours. To pre-garnish the glasses, press three very thin lemon slices against the inside of each glass, add ice, and put in the refrigerator. When you’re ready to pour, get out the pitcher and glasses. Give the pitcher contents a stir and fill each glass about 3/4 of the way. Add about 2 ounces of club soda and top with a mint sprig.
Jack Honey & Grapefruit 1 ounce Jack Honey 3 ounces fresh squeezed red grapefruit juice Put ice in a collins glass and pour in the ingredients.
Drink recipes and photos courtesy of mixthatdrink.com
Raspberry Beer 1 can beer 1 1/2 ounce raspberry rum Pour both ingredients into a beer mug and stir.
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There Is No Such Thing as the Perfect Diet by: Leslie A. Altman Talk to anyone who has ever gone on a diet and the majority will tell you they tried countless ways to lose The Tree of Life Center weight and nothing worked until they found the “perfect diet”. What exactly is the perfect diet? Is it low in fat Clarksville, TN or low in carbohydrates? Is it low sugar? Is it better to go plant-based? Are dairy products bad for you? Should you avoid butter? Chances are you have been force fed at least one of these dietary iterations at some point in your life. The truth is, each of our bodies are completely different right down to the cells and chemical processes that make us uniquely “us.” What affects me positively may have the opposite effect on you and conversely, the foods that make you feel great might not make me feel so wonderful. There is no perfect diet for the entire human race. For the sake of your sanity, I urge you to lose the term ‘diet’ and focus instead on your wellness. When your mind shifts from preconceived notions of appropriate weight to just being well, you begin to embrace healthy habits that are beneficial to your body, mind and soul. When wellness becomes your focus, you find yourself no longer concerned with the restriction and deprivation diets are associated with; instead, you find yourself developing healthy lifestyle changes that are manageable and become second nature. Take a moment to write down a few factors you consider being signs of wellness. For me, optimal wellness looks like this: • I awaken with the motivation and energy to exercise and that energy sustains me throughout my work day. • I eat to live and crave only the foods that provide me with the nutrients I need. I do not experience feelings of deprivation. • I find joy and peace in the activities of my day. • I do not experience pain or sickness. Once you identify the factors you consider to be benchmarks of wellness, you can begin the process of isolating the foods you know contribute positively to your wellness bank and those foods which deduct from your wellness bank. Your wellness bank functions similarly to a checking account. You can make deposits or withdrawals but you want it to always be well funded. For example, I know when I eat grains, I experience inflammation in my feet- a deduction from my bank. When I eat green leafy vegetables, I feel lighter and have more energy- a deposit in my bank. Paying careful attention to how your body reacts to the foods you eat can make all the difference in the balance of your wellness bank. In many cases, an “elimination diet” can help with identifying food related patterns of the body. The basic foundation being that you eliminate any potential food allergens from your routine for a specified period of time, then slowly and deliberately reintroduce each food back into your life, examining your body’s reaction to each item. This reintroduction gives you an opportunity to evaluate whether or not a particular food deposits or deducts from your wellness bank. You may find the foods your body prefers fall more in line with one particular dietary lifestyle or you could find that your body’s preferred foods do not align with any specific protocol. In any case, labeled or not, your new lifestyle of choosing only those foods which positively contribute to your wellness bank will ultimately yield astonishing results beyond desired weight loss. An “elimination diet” is just one of many dietary lifestyles a person can adopt on their journey to wellness. Experiment with a few different ways of eating. Choose what works best for your body. Listen to your gut and find yourself well and thriving.
Don F. Pratt Museum Reopens
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Almost two years after shutting its doors for renovations, the Don F. Pratt Memorial Museum has finally reopened to share the history of Fort Campbell once again. The museum underwent a $6 million renovation that updated the building, landscaping and generated new exhibits. The reopening ceremony was held on April 4, and featured speeches from Executive Director of the Center for Military History, Charles Bowery, Brigadier General Todd Royar and Director of the Don F. Pratt Museum John O’Brien. This freshly updated museum follows the history of the 101st from its initial activation at Camp Claiborne, Louisiana, during World War II, through their reactivation to land at the relatively new Fort Campbell in 1956. The Don F. Pratt Museum was established at Fort Campbell in 1956, the same year the 101st Airborne Division was reactivated at the post after their deactivation following World War II. The museum contains memorabilia from Brig. Gen. Don F. Pratt, along with some of the personal possessions of Generals William C. Lee, Maxwell D. Taylor, Anthony C. McAuliffe and William C. Westmoreland. The completely restored CG-4A cargo glider, whose job it was to carry glider-borne Soldiers into combat during World War II, is sure to wow the airman or woman in your life. There is also an illuminated Dutch Manuscript recognizing the Divisions’ role in liberating Holland in World War II, captured enemy weapons and equipment from Vietnam, a recruiter’s jeep from the 1970s and items which belonged to Adolph Hitler and other high-ranking Nazi officials. The Pratt Museum is one of the oldest division museums in the U.S. Army, and was long overdue for an upgrade after their most recent makeover in 1974. While renovations displaced the museum, the Dreyer Field House just across the road housed the gift shop and a few exhibits in the meantime. According to the Fort Campbell Historical Foundation, the museum is dedicated to the first assistant division commander of the division, Brig. Gen. Don F. Pratt, who was killed in action during the Normandy Invasion in World War II. The museum’s main theme is the history of the division from its activation in 1942 to the present. The Don F. Pratt Museum is located at 5702 Tennessee Ave. and is open to the public Tuesday through Saturday from 9:30 am - 4:30 pm. Admission is free. For more information or to schedule tours or briefings call (270) 798-3215 or visit: fortcampbell.com/museums/don-f-pratt-museum.
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187th Infantry “Rakkasans” The 187th Infantry Regiment. The “umbrella men.” The Rakkasans. Whatever name they’re called doesn’t really matter. What matters is their more than six decades of continuous service through all the major U.S. conflicts since World War II. And I promise we will come back to how the “umbrella men” came about. As one of the founding regiments assigned to the 11th Airborne Division, the Rakkasans helped establish much of the tactics and planning used by the 101st Airborne Division today. According to the 187th Airborne Infantry Regiment Association, the Rakkasans were activated as a glider regiment on Feb. 25, 1943, and were an instrumental tool in saving the idea of large-scale airborne forces. In December 1943, the regiment, as part of the larger 11th Airborne Division, was picked to join in the “Knollwood” maneuver which was one of the final metrics Army leadership planned to use in determining the fate of airborne divisions. Should the regiment succeed, airborne division’s combat effectiveness would truly stand out as a premier military tactic. Should they fail, the divisions could be deactivated, and Fort Campbell as we know it may very well not exist today. According to the 11th Airborne Association, the Knollwood maneuver measured the accuracy and efficiency of mobilizing troops from the skies to their drop points. On the night of Dec. 6, 1943, after almost all 234 gliders from five separate airfields dotted the skies with paratroopers onto the Knollwood airport in North Carolina, the maneuver was deemed a roaring success after securing the airport from the “enemy” forces played by other Army ground forces. At the same time they were helping legitimize air assault tactics, World War II was still raging an ocean away. The Rakkasans were dispatched to the Pacific theatre of war in 1944, a few months after the Knollwood maneuver. 27
Spoiler alert: here’s where we get back to the “umbrella men.” During their time spent in Japan, the radiomen for the axis power were unsure of what to call this relatively new brand of combat specialists, especially since there is no word for “parachute” in Japanese. So they described the paratroopers as best they could.... “Rakkasans.” In English, this is loosely translated to, you guessed it, “falling down umbrella men.” And the name stuck. And the name has stuck for the more than half a century, with the Rakkasans sitting as one of the cornerstones of airborne operations at Fort Campbell after they found their home here in 1956. Their long track record of service is why the regiment is memorialized in the memorial park across from Don F. Pratt Memorial Museum on Tennessee Ave. at the southernmost end of the park. With the Rakkasan shield and Torii gateway of honor fixed on the stone obelisk, the monument stands as a testament to the thousands of service members who have contributed to the success of airborne operations since World War II and commemorates the lives of all who were killed in the line of duty. The Rakkasans have a proud history of service, and are one of the largest reasons Fort Campbell looks the way it does today.
With a more than $4 million budget, the Downtown Commons has been one of the largest projects aiming to revitalize Clarksville’s downtown area, and it has already brought in the ice skating rink, multiple performances from APSU’s Governor’s Own Marching Band and a new monthly concert series which started in May. Paula Atkins, Downtown Commons event programming manager, has worked on the project since August 2017, and has been responsible for all the programming the Commons has seen so far. “The community has really rallied behind it,” Atkins said referring to how supportive individuals and businesses have been in helping make the Commons a reality in downtown. “The support we’ve seen is just beyond anything I could have imagined.” The Commons features a large green space, with a pavilion for concerts and art exhibitions, and a concrete area with a water feature snaking through the space for kids and the young at heart to play in. The Imagination Playground also has provided their big, blue blocks in the space, which are giant foam parts used for children to build and play with. This is one of the Car Max Foundation and KaBOOM’ s projects in the nation dedicated to military children and is intended to benefit kids of military families.
Grab your lawnchairs and sun hats because Clarksville’s Downtown Commons is hosting a free concert series in their newly opened outdoor venue. Come out to the Commons on the third Friday of every month starting in May, through October, from 6 pm through 10 pm for a great night of free music, food and beverages. The restaurants from Strawberry Alley and Franklin Street will be in the streets selling food. On Strawberry Alley, local artists will be onsite with handmade or homemade items from photography to sculptures for sale. Openers start at 7 pm, and the night’s featured artist takes the stage at 8 pm. Everyone is invited to come early and bring family, friends and their own chairs and blankets. June’s concert will be on the 15th and will feature two openers: Aaron Lessard, a solo artist based in Nashville, Tennessee, known for a heavy jazz influence in his writing and Chris Turner, a singer/ songwriter from Ninety Six, South Carolina, and a veteran of the United States Marine Corps. Trailer Choir will be performing as the featured artist. They are most known for their singles “Rockin’ the Beer Gut” and “What Would You Say” and charting the Billboard Hot Country Songs with those singles. Trailer Choir has opened for acts like Toby Keith and ZZ Top and after a year hiatus, they are returning to live performances in support of their March 2018 album, “That’s How We Do It.” Please leave coolers and pets at home during the concert series. For more information, check out our website at downtowncommons.org/sundown.
Perhaps the most striking of the Commons’ features is the iron sphere, designed by New York sculptor Vaughn Randall. The sphere is called the Window to the World, and the iron used in the sculpture was cast at the Clarksville foundry. The art installation was built to mimic the styling of the nearby First Presbyterian Church. The Commons is located at 215 Legion St. in downtown Clarksville. It is open from dawn until 10 pm every day. For more information, visit the website at downtowncommons.org. 30
A F re s h B As the area surrounding Fort Campbell continues to grow and grow, so do the number of dining options in Hopkinsville, Oak Grove and Clarksville. There’s a multitude of businesses that have launched recently with all different styles of food available from Korean and seafood to hot dogs and barbeque. Here are a few of the newest restaurants you have to try. Fit. Fresh. Fast. That’s Hot Pita’s motto and it sums up what this Mediterranean fusion restaurant is bringing to the downtown Clarksville area. The result of hard work from Farid and Heidi Rastampour, Hot Pita opened in October 2017, only a few months after the idea to open a restaurant came to the husband and wife team. The restaurant is located on the corner of Franklin Street and South 2nd Street and serves breakfast, lunch and dinner options quickly and affordably. Hot Pita Mediterranean Fusion 136 Franklin St., Clarksville Monday through Wednesday: 8 am to 5 pm, Thursday through Saturday: 8 am to 9 pm, closed Sunday hotpitatn.com • 931-802-5100
i t e To E a t Branded as Hopkinsville’s “little piece of Heaven on Earth,” the Novadell Steakhouse has been providing the Pennyroyal with great steak, seafood and luxury dining options since May 2017. They serve all the cuts you want in a steakhouse, including some specialty Wagyu Japanese steaks. Novadell was started by co-owners Joey Allen and David Barbee in the space that had previously been used to sell golf items for The Links at Novadell which closed in December 2016. Novadell announces all their specials every day on Facebook.
Novadell Steakhouse 500 Novadell Way, Hopkinsville Monday and Tuesday: Closed, Wednesday and Thursday: 4:30 pm to 9 pm, Friday and Saturday: 4:30 pm to 10 pm, Sunday: 10:30 am to 2:30 pm facebook.com/novadellsteakhouse • 270-632-1448 Sitting in the same location where many Clarksville staples have been before, Strawberry Alley Ale Works is “Remarkably new, yet remarkably familiar,” for all downtown visitors. Since their opening at the beginning of April, owner Tom Cunningham wanted Strawberry Alley Ale Works to have a distinctly reminiscent feel, harkening back to businesses that used to sit in the same location, which is why the menu includes unique items like schnitzel and fish and chips. Strawberry Alley Ale Works is the perfect spot for lunch, dinner and brunch with options for the whole family.
Strawberry Alley Ale Works 103 Strawberry Alley, Clarksville Monday through Thursday: 11 am to midnight, Friday and Saturday: 11 am to 1 am, Sunday: 10:30 am to 11 pm saaleworks.com • 931-919-4777 32
When the American Revolutionary War broke out in 1775, the original 13 colonies did not have a shared Army, but instead, a collection of independent colonial militias. The first battles of that war were fought in April 1775. By May 10, the Second Continental Congress convened in Philadelphia and on their agenda was the creation of a common Army to defend the colonies. A month later, on June 14, the Congress approved the creation of the Continental Army. This day is also when we commemorate the birthday of the Stars and Stripes as our nation’s official banner as well as celebrate the brave servicemen and women who train and work tirelessly to defend it. Soldiers, Families, Retirees and Civilians celebrate the Army Birthday annually on June 14 in a variety of ways. If you’re in the Washington, DC area, there are numerous balls and parties you could attend. Or, you might prefer a more solemn celebration and choose to watch the placing of a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknowns at Arlington National Cemetery. However you decide to celebrate - be sure to enjoy the day and (if you like sweets) have some cake! Fun Fact - The U.S. Army is older than the United States!
Gear To Go Celebrating the 243rd Army Birthday With a 2-4-3 Rental Special 14 June, 8:30am to 4:30pm Pay for TWO (2) days rental “4” THREE (3) days usage! Reservation must be made on 14 June but can be for anytime (per normal reservation guidelines). (270) 798-3919