Exploring
Pickwick
P lan your next Adventure to Pickwick, Tenn., Miss., Ala.
Boating • Birding • Bicycling • Camping • Fishing • Golfing •
A product of The Daily Corinthian
•Running •RVing www.exploringpickwick.com
Pickwick • •Events Exploring •History
Dining
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A CONTINUED TRADITION OF
FRIENDLY HOMETOWN SERVICE Offering Small Hometown Service at Big Store Selection and Prices
Highway 72 East • Corinth, MS Store Hours: Mon-Sun 7AM til 10PM www.gardnerssupermarket.com
410 C Cass St Streett • C Corinth, i th MS Store Hours: Mon-Sat 7AM til 9PM Closed Sun www.rogerssupermarket.com 1050 Wayne Rd Savannah , Tn. Store Hours: Mon-Sat 7AM til 8PM Sun 8AM til 7PM
Select from our quality meats hand cut to meet all your needs. Visit our stores to see why more people choose us to save themselves time and money while gaining service and quality food selections.
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IF YOU MISS US IN CORINTH SEE US IN SAVANNAH ! Exploring Pickwick
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Dodd Eye Clinic
The most advanced technology to diagnose and treat ocular diseases Including: Glaucoma • Diabetes • Cataracts • Macular Degeneration
Dr. John Dodd
Dr. Nixon Dodd
Wide Range of Frames and Sunglasses • Michael Kors • Tory Burch • Coach • Burberry • Gucci • Ralph Lauren • Nike • Costa DelMar • RayBan All Types of Contact lenses: - Disposable, Bifocal, Colored, Gas Permeable
Practically all insurance accepted including Medicare / Medicaid plans 618 Fillmore St. 236 North Maple Corinth, MS 38834 Adamsville, TN 38310 662-286-5671 731-632-5000 M-F 8:30-5:00 Tues-Wed 9:00-5:00 Sat by appointment only www.exploringpickwick.com
Exploring Pickwick
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Exploring
Pickwick A special publication of the 2015-16 edition
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Editorial
Contributors Bill Avery Mark Boehler Mike Hudson Keith Jackson Peyton Jackson Lisa Lambert David Mayes Steve Shaw Terry Weaver
Creative Designer Marissa Ferreira Exploring Pickwick is published by the Daily Corinthian, 1607 Harper Road, Corinth, MS. A complimentary 12,000 issues are distributed in the Crossroads area, Northeast Mississippi, Southwest Tennessee and Northwest Alabama. The contents of Exploring Pickwick are copyrighted and may not be reproduced without consent of the publisher. Exploring Pickwick shall not be held liable for failure to publish an ad or for typographical or publication errors. Publisher reserves the right to reject any advertsing and to alter advertising copy or graphics deemed unacceptable for publications. For additional copies of Exploring Pickwick, contact the Daily Corinthian at 662-287-6111.
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Pickwick offers many options
History 10-13
It all began with the Tennessee River Pickwick has lots of options.
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Dining 24-25
There’s more than fried catfish.
Fishing 28-33
Anglers search for big catfish and other sport fish.
Birding 36-39
Area remains a wildlife photographer’s dream.
Camping / RVing 42-43 Area boosts 5 campgrounds.
Advertising Sales Representatives Fallon Coln Skylar McCrimon Derinda Nunley
Boating 6-7
Lodging 18-20
Publisher Reece Terry Editor Mark Boehler
Contents
Golfing 44-45
Tennessee Golf Trail calls Pickwick home.
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Running 46-47 Parks host 2 runs.
Events 48-49
Get your planner out!
Bicycling 51
Shiloh has over 13 miles of paved road.
On the cover
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Mark Boehler captured this image near Grand Harbor Marina during the summer of 2014. Enjoying a ride on their personal watercraft are 18-year-old Jacob Denbrock of Jackson, Tenn.; 17-year-old Ciscily Crislip of Memphis, Tenn.; and 18-year-old Meg Anderson of Memphis, Tenn.
Relax & Enjoy!!
2015 Hwy 72 E. Corinth, MS. 38834 662-594-1877 • Mon. - Sat. 10 A.M.- 9 P.M. www.JRwinespirit.com www.exploringpickwick.com
Exploring Pickwick
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Boating Photo by Mark Boehler A sailboat cruises the lake near Pickwick Landing Dam on the Fourth of July, 2014.
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Water heaven From canoes and kayaks to large houseboats and yachts, Pickwick remains a boater’s dream By Mark Boehler For Exploring Pickwick
P
ickwick Reservoir is a boater’s dream destination, from personal water-crafts, canoes and kayaks – to ski boats, sailboats and bass boats – all the way to large scale houseboats and yachts. There are quiet coves and inlets to the open waters of Pickwick, large embayments of Yellow Creek and Bear Creek, plus access to the Tennessee River and Tenn-Tom Waterway. It’s where the state of Tennessee meets the northeast corner of Mississippi and northwest corner of Alabama. The 43,100-acre TVA reservoir gains access to inland waterways from northern states all the way to the Gulf of Mexico.
Pickwick is part of the The Great Loop as transient boaters move north and south. The area near Pickwick Dam and the Mississippi – Tennessee has much to offer. Pontoon boat rentals are available at Pickwick Landing State Park Marina, Grand Harbor Marina and Aqua Yacht Marina. TWRA has boat ramps at the state line. Others are available at the state park, all of the marinas and below the dam at the TVA campground and The Historic Botel. There are many boat storage options, boat launch service, boat service and repair, name brand boat dealerships and sales of boating supplies.
For more information: www.greatloop.org www.pickwickboatrentalsinc.com www.gograndharbor.com www.aquayachtharbor.com
Photo by Keith Jackson The Pickwick Landing State Park Marina is one of many marina options available at Pickwick. www.exploringpickwick.com
Exploring Pickwick
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Exploring Pickwick
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HEALTHCARE’S BIGGEST ADVANCEMENTS, found right here at home.
At MRHC, we know a thing or two about amazing patient care.
We were recognized as a 2013 Top
Performer on Key Quality Measures® by The Joint Commission and were recognized as part of The Joint Commission’s 2014 annual report “America’s Hospitals: Improving Quality and Safety”.....one of only six hospital in the state of MIssissippi to qualify in four individual areas of quality. We received Chest Pain Center Accreditation with PCI from The Society of Cardiovascular Patient Care and the Mission Lifeline® Gold Receiving Quality Achievement Award from the American Heart Association. MRHC is a designated Level III trauma center, and our Orthopaedic Services are continuously ranked among the nation’s best. For the third year in a row, we were named a ‘Most Wired’ hospital by the Hospitals and Health Networks Magazine, a publication of the American Hospital Association. When we say healthcare’s biggest advancements can be found right here at home, we mean it.
611 Alcorn Drive, Corinth, Mississippi 38834
(662) 293-1000 | mrhc.org
PICKWICK CABIN & VACATION RENTALS WE HAVE SOMETHING FOR EVERYONE AT PICKWICK LAKE! CORKYS, WATERFRONT ERFRONT
ELK’S BLUFF, WATERFRONT
• Maxitoon: $225/day • Skitoon: $$345/dayy
*plus tax and a $200 refundable deposit
THE TREE TREEHOUSE, WATER ACCESS OAK HAVEN, OFF-WATER 3BR
Prices start at $100/ nightt • Waterfr Waterfront ont Homes and Cabins i Ch h h & Corporate C t Retreats R t t Lodges available for Family Reunions, Church Daily/Weekly/Monthly Rates • Oô Season and Corporate Rates Call Beverly to book your cabin for some fun in the Pickwick sun!
TWO LOCATIONS: Pickwick Landing State Park RESERVATIONS CALL 731-689-5359 Aqua Yacht Harbor RESERVATIONS CALL 662-423-2222 ex. 24
731-689-0400 •Ü www.pickwickcabins.com www.exploringpickwick.com
Exploring Pickwick
www.pickwickboatrentalsinc.com 9
10-HISTORY
History
Humble beginnings Civil War, Roosevelt’s New Deal area puts Pickwick area on the map — thanks to the Tennessee River By Mark Boehler | For Exploring Pickwick 10
Exploring Pickwick
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he Tennessee River remains the focal point of an area in Southwest Tennessee rich in history. Union troops invading the area at Pittsburg Landing resulted in one of the most significant battles of the Civil War where more Americans died than all previous wars combined. The New Deal era of President Franklin D. Roosevelt brought the construction of nine dams along the river for flood control and easier navigation. Some 76 years after completion of Pickwick Landing Dam and Locks, the Pickwick Reservoir provides a 43,100-acre multi-use area playground for boating and fishing. www.exploringpickwick.com
11-HISTORY
Add other interesting historical footnotes such as mounds dating back 800 years ago which proves Indians lived in the area, and today’s Pickwick, Counce and Shiloh areas are worth a look for a study in history. Managed by the Tennessee Valley Authority, the Pickwick Landing Dam was built between 1935-38. One of the least known facts about the dam is a dozen workers died during construction. The dam’s original turbines were among the largest propeller-type turbines in the world at the time they were installed. The first lock designed by the Corps of Engineers and its 63-foot lift was among the highest in the world when the lock opened in 1938. Although the lock and powerhouse have been closed to the public since 9-11, TVA has two parking areas for great views of the dam, lake and tailwaters. The area below the dam also has restroom facilities. Tennessee Highway 128 crosses the dam. www.exploringpickwick.com
Shiloh National Military Park Located off Tennessee Highway 22, Shiloh Battlefield tells the story of the battle and pays homage to the 24,000 casualties, many of whom had never seen battle before. Major General Ulysses S. Grant ascended the river by steamboat, disembarking at Pittsburg Landing. The ultimate goal was the important railroad town of Corinth, Miss. – 22 miles to the southeast. The base of operations was a plateau west of the river and forward camps two miles inland around a log church called “Shiloh Meeting House.” The Union activity caught the eye of Confederate General Albert Sidney Johnston, who decided to march his 44,000 troops from Corinth and engage in a surprise battle. The two-day bloody battle on April 6-7, 1862, was intense, with the Confederates getting the upper hand on the surprised 40,000 Northern troops. Exploring Pickwick
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Peyton Jackson of Alcorn County, Miss., captured this image of the cannon firing demonstration at Shiloh National Military Park. They are held on weekends in the warm months and usually the weekend the closest to the April 6-7 anniversary dates.
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David Mayes captured this night image of Pickwick Landing Dam in July, 2014. The dam was completed in 1938 by the Tennessee Valley Authority to provide power in southwest Tennessee and northeast Mississippi.
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12-HISTORY
Shiloh National Military Park Ranger Heather Henson shows how women would cook meals during the Civil War era. Shiloh hosts different living history programs on weekends.
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Exploring Pickwick
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For more information: www.tva.gov/sites/pickwick www.nps.gov/shil tnstateparks.com Another 20,000 Union troops arrived the morning of the second day and the tide was turned. The Southern troops retreated back to Corinth. Today’s visitors can walk in the footsteps of those brave souls of long ago on grounds managed by the National Park Service. There is a driving tour that begins at the visitor center with tour stops at all the significant points of interest. The visitor center is open 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. The visitor center offers a new interpretive film “Shiloh: Fiery Trail” every hour from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. A bookstore offers a wide variety of books, maps, DVDs, CDs, postcards, clothing and other items related to Shiloh, the Civil War, national parks and area history. Shiloh National Cemetery is also in the park. The park is open from dawn to dusk and closed on Christmas Day, Thanksgiving Day and New Year’s Day. There are no fees to visit the park or visitor center. The nearby Corinth (Miss.) Civil War Interpretive Center is part of the Shiloh unit. It has displays on why the Civil War was fought, the War in the West, and information on the battles of Corinth and Shiloh. There is also a short film and bookstore.
Shiloh Indian Mounds A town occupied the high Tennessee River bluff at the eastern edge of Shiloh some 800 years ago. There are seven eastern mounds, most serving as platforms for important buildings. One served as a burial mound. The mounds are just off Riverside Drive, which offers beautiful vistas of the river.
Pickwick Village
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General U.S. Grant visits Shiloh National Military Park during its anniversary weekend (top). The general is portayed by Dr. E.C. “Curt” Fields Jr. of Collierville, Tenn. Civil War re-enactors (above) take part in a living history program at Shiloh. www.exploringpickwick.com
Located in today’s Pickwick Landing State Park, Pickwick Village was home to 3,500 construction workers and their families from 1935-38. Hospital, cafeteria, school and homes once stood on 681 acres the state purchased from TVA in 1969. Additional land has been purchased to expand the park. (Sources:TVA, Tennessee State Parks and National Park Service)
Exploring Pickwick
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OYSTER PERPETUAL GMT-MA GMT-MASTER II IN STAINLESS STEEL.
The Mall at Barnes Crossing l 1001 Barnes Crossing Road Tupelo, MS 38804 l 662.840.4653 The Shoppes at the Columns l 1143 Vann Drive Jackson, TN 38305 l 731.660.3030 Historical Downtown Corinth l 607 Cruise Street Corinth, MS 38834 l 662.286.5041
littlesjewelers.com
We Have It All! 286-8000 • JOIN TODAY!!! 3303 Shiloh Ridge Rd. • Corinth, MS 14
• Fitness Center offering free classes for our members (Sculpt Cardio, Aerobics/Pilates, Yoga and Spin) • Personal Training Sessions • Swimming Lessons during the summer • Tennis – individual lessons • Golf – individual lessons with video swing analysis • Pro Shop stocked to meet your needs
Exploring Pickwick
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PICKWICK DAM
General Store • Grill Baked Good Homemade Desserts Deli • Hand-cut Rib-eyes Eat In or Take Out Restaurant Unique Gifts and Furniture 2125 Hwy 128, Pickwick Dam, TN 38365 731.925.6990 Closed on Sundays www.exploringpickwick.com
Exploring Pickwick
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S H O P
Soco District Soco District is just south of the railroad tracks in historic downtown Corinth
608 Wick Street • 662-287-2954
Store Hours: Monday - Friday 10am -5pm Saturday 10am-3pm
Vines • Southern Marsh • Brewers Lantern
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602 Wick Street (on corner of Wick & Franklin St) Corinth, MS
Patagonia • Lauren James • Southern Point • Eno • Vineyard
• Lauren James • Southern Point • Eno • Southern Tide •
Vineyard Vines • Southern Marsh • Brewers Lantern
Now Taking Orders for your Summer Event!
Exploring Pickwick
SoCo Bake Shop
Open Wed. - Sat. 7am-1pm 103 Taylor Street Corinth, Mississippi 662-665-9084 www.exploringpickwick.com
Sparkle Formal Wear
Prom • Pageant • Tuxedo 116 North Fillmore • Corinth, MS 38834 (662) 643-3337
618 Wick St.
SALON
SOCO DISTRICT CT
662.286.9001
Meli
121 West Bankhead Street • New Albany • 662-538-5984 612 Wick Street • Corinth SOCO District • 662-872-3244
®
Chalk Paint Classes starting in June!
Antiques • Chalk Paint® • Home Decor • Linens • Wedding Registry
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Exploring Pickwick
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Lodging
Rooms with a view Pick your Pickwick pleasure: Cabins, cottages, motel rooms, suites or even 5-bedroom homes By Mark Boehler | For Exploring Pickwick A one-room quaint cabin with kitchen efficiency and covered back deck sits in the woods near Pickwick Lake, beckoning visitors for a quiet getaway. Across the lake high on a bluff is a huge house with a view of the entire lake with five bedrooms, five baths with spacious living areas on three levels, plus a deck and tram access to the lake. These two examples represent the Pickwick experience. Visitors to the area can have as much -- or as little -- as they want when it comes to lodging options. The Pickwick area has just over least 300 different
choices for overnight stays. These range from 179 motel rooms to 17 larger suites with kitchen efficiencies or full kitchens; and at least 113 villas, condos, homes, cottages and cabins are all available for rent. These numbers don’t reflect the many more property owners who don’t advertise and only rent their homes to people they know. Visitors should make reservations well in advance, especially during Pickwick’s peak season each Memorial Day to Labor Day. The Fourth of July weekend is
Pickwick Landing State Park Inn (below) has Pickwick Landing State Park Inn has great views of Pickwick Lake and dam. Photo by Peyton Jackson
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Exploring Pickwick
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also a huge time for the area. Weekends stay booked in the summer months and many rentals require minimum night stays. Many rentals and businesses offer nightly and weekly rates and huge discounts during the off season from November to March. Check out Pickwick’s lodging inventory.
Pickwick Cabin Rentals
Here is an example of what can be found with over 75 options. Categories are based on location – water view, water access, off water – or the number of bedrooms, from 1-2 bedroom cabins up to 5-bedroom, 5-bath lakeside dream homes. Go to www.pickwickcabins.com or call 731-689-0400 for more information.
There are single and double rooms, two-bedroom efficiency suites and a two-bedroom suite with full kitchen. There is a restaurant, store and bar on site and river access. The property includes an adjacent Botel House with four bedrooms, 3.5 baths, living room, dining room and screened-in porch. For more information, go to www.thehistoricbotel.com.
Pickwick Landing State Park Inn
Hampton Inn
This is a vacation destination within view of the dam, offering rooms with a balcony and views of the lake, plus five two-bedroom suites and 10 two-bedroom cabins with full kitchens and fireplaces. Seven new cabins are under construction and will feature lake views. They are expected to be open in the fall of 2016. One of the most visited Tennessee State Parks, inn extras include an indoor and outdoor pool, marina with boat rentals, lake access, playground, tennis courts, basketball court, walking track and trail, lake swimming area, restaurant and 6,000-square-feet of conference center space. Ask about the inn’s weekend package deals, which may include meals in the inn restaurant. For more information, go to www.tnstateparks.com.
Grand Harbor
Little Andy’s Sportsman Lodge
Located at Highway 57 near the dam, the motel offers 48 rooms and two king suites with a large living area, sofa and lounge chairs. Visitors will find the usual extras with the Hampton experience such as complimentary hot breakfast, an outdoor pool and free 24-hour access to a nearby fitness center. This is a vacation destination on the Mississippi side of Pickwick where Yellow Creek joins with Pickwick Lake. Get directions or a GPS before the visit, but what a gem at the end of the road. One and two bedroom condos with full kitchens and lake views are available, along with several three-bedroom villas and homes. On site extras include marina with boat rentals, outdoor pool and playground, lighted tennis court, ship’s store and cantina, fitness center and luxury spa. One unique feature at Grand Harbor is a free complimentary shuttle service to Freddy T’s Restaurant, The Rooftop, Club 50 and Beach Club so visitors can enjoy Pickwick’s nightlife with a designated driver on call. It’s a free service, but drivers accept tips. For more information, go to www.gograndharbor.com.
Owned and operated by a third generation family, Little Andy’s is on Highway 57 not far from the dam. There are motel rooms, suites with kitchen efficiencies and four cottages with 1-2 bedrooms, 2 baths, full kitchen and gas fireplace. R & B’s Barbecue – serving breakfast, lunch and dinner – is just a few steps away. One room effiency cabins with a back deck provides a simple, quiet getaway.
Historic Botel Restaurant Bar and Grill
A motel and restaurant built on a river barge - hence “Botel” - is a trip down memory lane for many Pickwick visitors. Located on the Tennessee River below Pickwick Landing Dam, it is under new ownership and continued renovation.
www.exploringpickwick.com
Exploring Pickwick
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Corinth Clearance Center
662-665-9965
Directly Behind Casabella Furniture
Mon-Sat 10am-7pm Sun 1pm-6pm
2403 S. Harper Rd. • Corinth, MS Next to Walmart
SECTIONALS • BEDROOM SUITES • MATTRESSES • RECLINERS • MUCH, MUCH MORE! 20
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Furniture That Fits Your Style!
Corinthian Clearance Center 2676 S. Harper Road • 662-696-3000 • Corinth, MS between Wal-Mart & Hwy 45 by the blinking light
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Let Our Family Serve Yours! Residential Commercial
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Minutes From Pickwick Lake
NEW BOAT & YACHT SALES
WHOLESALE BATTERIES
Batteries for: Marine & RV Golf Cart Equipment Best prices at Pickwick – from jet ski batteries all the way up to diesel yachts! Located in the Sea Ray Showroom at Aqua Yacht Harbor 3834 Hwy 25, Iuka, MS
662-423-5080
5831 Hwy 57 East, Michie, TN 38357
731-632-EATS
www.topotherivverrestaurant.com
THE HOME OF THE WORLD'S LARGEST SEAFOOD PLATTER
LakeOne-of-a-Kind HouseLakeGallery Decor Weddings • Rehearsal Dinners Corporate Events Banquets • Reunions
Lakegirl Lilly Pulitizer Waxing Poetic Pottery
The Historic Plantation is the perfect venue for your special p occasion at Pickwick Lake. 11895 Hwy 57 • Counce, TN • Sheri Rinks: 731.607.2977 • Lisa Eley: 901.550.1892
www.exploringpickwick.com
Amy Howard Paint John Medeiros Katie Kalsi Casafina China
8795 Highway 57 (the old Dock Shop) • Pickwick, TN 731.689.1000 lakehousegallery.com* Open Friday, Saturday and Sunday
Exploring Pickwick
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24-DINING
Dining
Piggin’ out
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Twenty restaurant options near lake offer variety
Exploring Pickwick
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By Mark Boehler | For Exploring Pickwick
O
ne might expect fried Tennessee River catfish on the menu at eateries near Pickwick Lake. Served with traditional hushpuppies and slaw, it remains one of the menu staples in the Pickwick Lake area. After all, those catfish called Pickwick home before they made their way to the dinner plate. Another Southern favorite is another expectation -pulled barbecue pork and pork ribs, slowly smoked for long hours over a hickory pit. Just one sniff in the lakeside air will reveal there are several smokers doing their thing. From single items to entire menus, restaurants pay homage to all things pig. But to say pig and cat are the only culinary animals in the Pickwick and Shiloh area would be an understatement. Although the barbecue and catfish selections may make the bucket list on things to experience, the two stars are just a part of the extensive Pickwick experience. There are 20 eating out options in the Pickwick Lake and Shiloh area, most all home owned and home operated in the non-franchise category. They are a competitive bunch, each trying to do something a little different and unique in its own way. From the Mississippi-Tennessee state line area, from Highway 57 at the state line to west of Counce to Shiloh and south to the state line, including the Pickwick Landing Dam area, the offerings are broad to appeal to a wide audience. Their ages range from a recent 75th anniversary celebration to at least a pair that first opened in early 2013. Some are available by boat and offer views of the lake or the river, while others have outdoor decks for visitors to enjoy the great outdoors. Talk to the year round residents and weekend overnighters and all have favorite places to go, but first time voyagers to Pickwick need to know what they seek to satisfy hunger needs. There are pizza eateries and sandwich joints, seafood and steaks, buffets and burgers. There’s a twist of New Orleans with Cajun Catfish and Shrimp and Grits or country fare for lunch and dinner with cornbread, black-eyed peas, turnip greens and fried green tomatoes. There is Mexican and Italian fare with fajitas or meatball subs, plus all things traditional like prime rib, cornbread salad, meat and three lunchtime specials or sandwiches www.exploringpickwick.com
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Smoked chicken is popular at Pickwick.
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Fried catfish calls Pickwick and Shiloh home, but New Orleans Catfish provides a different twist. Cowboy Fries can be found at Pickwick -- french fries covered in barbecue pork, BBQ sauce, cheese and jalepeno peppers.
with homemade sourdough bread with fresh homegrown tomato slices. For those wanting something on the unusual side, slugburgers can be found at Pickwick. The burger made from a meat and soy mixture and deep-fat fried to a crunchy state put nearby Corinth, Miss., on the unique travel path. Served on a bun with dill pickles, mustard and onion, the cafe lunch favorite can be found on two menus around Pickwick. Want to try smoked catfish? Pickwick is one of the few places folks can find catfish smoked to fork tender and never fried. Where can all these places be found? That’s the fun part of “Exploring Pickwick.”
Exploring Pickwick
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“Where Summer Fashion Begins”
Top Award Winning Speciality Store By • Gifts and Decorative Accessories National Magazine Top 25 in the US • Home Accents Magazine Top 50 in the US • Readers Choice Awards by the Daily Corinthian Also offering ~ Fine Ladies Apparel & Accessories
Floral Department With Beautiful Designs For Any Event
Tuesday-Saturday 9:30 - 5:30 d 662-287-3606 - 1808 Shiloh Road - Corinth, MS
gingers
Harper Square ~ 1801 S. Harper Rd. Corinth, MS 38834 9:30 - 5:30 ~ Monday - Saturday ~ 662-286-2821
First Comes Love, Then Comes... Image by At Your Place Photography
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1749 Virginia Lane s Next to Peppers Deli s 662-286-0133
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Exploring Pickwick
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Fishing
L In search of the Big Blue
Huge catfish lure anglers from around the world By Mark Boehler | For Exploring Pickwick
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Exploring Pickwick
ongtime Pickwick anglers Clint Newton and Rick Matlock are always after huge catfish that lurk in the waters below Pickwick Landing Dam and along the Tennessee River. But on this particular day March 15, 2015 -- the two went after 1 to 5 pound “eaters” for a political fish fry for one of Matlock’s friends. They caught 67 catfish that day, but the fishermen also hauled in two big surprises. Matlock, a retired fishing guide at Pickwick, caught a 70-pound blue catfish. Newton caught a
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35-pound blue. After a photo session, the two fish were released. This is the norm at Pickwick, home of some of the biggest blue and flathead catfish in the country. Newton, a 33-year-old Pickwick resident who has been going after big fish for seven years, is off to a good start in 2015. He hauled in an 80-pound blue on April 8 just north of Shiloh National Military Park on the Tennessee River. Two other April finds just below the dam were a 47-pound blue and 45-pound flathead. Newton believes there are world record 150-pound blue catfish lurking in the Tennessee River below Pickwick Landing Dam. The Pickwick fisherman has caught three blue cats the past four years over 100 pounds. Whatever the big fish stories may reveal, the fact remains fishermen from around the world seek the big blue. Pickwick Lake and the Tennessee River also have channel catfish. Matlock has taken anglers from many states and as far away as Japan on fishing trips. Although Matlock can fish for anything, visitors usually want the big blue experience. Both Matlock and Newton fish the lake and river and suggest the same for newcomers to the Pickwick area. There is plenty of room to explore, as Pickwick Reservoir includes 43,100 acres into Alabama and the river as it flows north to Crump’s Landing and becoming part of the Kentucky Reservoir. The best months for catching blue cats are June, July, September and November and during the spawning season in March and April. The best months for flathead catfish are March, October and November. Fish for big blues below the dam in January and February, while flatheads can be found in the tailwaters in July, October and November. Also search for flatheads along river sandbars. The popular belief the big blues go away in the hot summer months isn’t true, noted the angler. “They don’t go away,” said Newton. “They go into holes and are harder to catch.” Live bait is a must in catching either blues or flatheads and the best choice is fresh, cut up skipjack. A third catfish species at Pickwick -- channel catfish -- “will eat anything.” Channel cats can be found in shallow muddy waters, but many fisherman don’t seek them because they don’t www.exploringpickwick.com
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Pickwick angler Clint Newton caught this 80-pound blue catfish at 1 a.m. on April 9 on the Tennessee River just north of Shiloh National Military Park.
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Photo by Bill Avery Sam Brooks and John Raines claimed the World Championship of Catfishing title at Pickwick in 2014. The combined weight of their one-day catch of catfish was 87.4 pounds.
get big. As far as “eating size blues,” they can be found in schools below the dam and May would be the time for best results. Newton advised to check the gear when going after big cats. He suggested a 100-pound braid test line with a 100-pound mono-filament leader. That tip might lead to the next world record blue found at Pickwick.
Annual Pickwick Catfish Derby May 22 through June 26, 2014 Pickwick Lake / Tennessee River World Championship Catfishing June 27, 2015 Pickwick Landing State Park
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30-FISHING VARIETY
Fishing
Lunker lore
Sport fish options are a fisherman’s paradise Pickwick Lake and the Tennessee River remains a sport fishing destination. It has a lot to do with a multitude of water options -Pickwick Reservoir stretching 53 miles into Alabama, the connecting Yellow Creek embayment in Mississippi and access to the Tenn-Tom Waterway, which flows into the Gulf of Mexico. And then there’s the Tennessee River and the 30
By Mark Boehler | For Exploring Pickwick happy hunting grounds of the Pickwick tailwaters below the dam, then miles of river fishing north to Crump Landing. There’s plenty of water surface to explore the TVA lake where the corners of Tennessee, Mississippi and Alabama come together. It’s a fisherman’s bait and tackle dream checklist: • bluegill • crappie • stripers • sauger • smallmouth bass • largemouth bass
Exploring Pickwick
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• white bass • blue catfish • channel catfish • flathead catfish There are also the typical “trash” fish like the drum, but anglers exploring Pickwick may find a few surprises along the way. Most of the locals know about the Tennessee state record sauger caught in the Pickwick tailwaters, a 7-pound, 6-ounce whopper caught by Rayford D. Voss on Feb. 19, 1973. Dr. Jim Youmans caught a state record 1-pound, 9-ounce river carpsucker on Feb. 28, 1980 while J. Wesley Neal landed a state record 1-pound, 6-ounce Atlantic needlefish on Sept. 30, 2008. This diverse fishing opportunity makes Pickwick a “bucket list” destination for sport fishermen, noted retired Pickwick fishing guide Rick Matlock. “Pickwick offers so much,” said Matlock. Most anglers know water temperature, elevation and current determine what they
are after. There is a big difference in water current when all the gates at the dam are either open or closed. The challenge to Pickwick is where to go. Fast current in the tailwaters? Up river? The deep waters of the lake? Rock banks? Lake coves? Shallow waters far into coves? Matlock can be found in all places depending of the time of year, but Pickwick is most importantly a year round lake. Although most visitors to Pickwick seek the big blue catfish, Matlock said Pickwick has so much more. His favorite target is the smallmouth bass. Smallmouth like live shinner fish and can be found near rocky shorelines, rock walls and gravel points, he shared. From the fall of 2014 and spring of 2015, “it’s been one of the best years I have ever had to catch smallmouth bass,” said the angler. He caught a 7.3-pound smallmouth in October of 2014 and several over 6 pounds. All of the big ones were caught about a mile
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Many people like to fish below Pickwick Landing Dam by land on the concrete access.
Inset
The Tennessee River below Pickwick Landing Dam is a popular fishing spot for anglers by boat.
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Clockwise from top left
Pickwick anglers Clint Newton and Rick Matlock caught these sauger below Pickwick Dam on Feb. 1. Rick Matlock caught these two smallmouth at Pickwick in October, 2014. One weighed 5 pounds, 1 ounce, and the other was 6 pounds, 2 ounces. Clint Newton caught this 7-pound, 1/4-ounce smallmouth bass at Pickwick on March 8.
below the dam. In March and November, he also had success catching 7-8 pound largemouth bass. Whatever the species being sought, the best part about Pickwick is the variety. Added the angler, â&#x20AC;&#x153;different times of the year are good for different kinds of fish.â&#x20AC;? March is a great month to fish Pickwick, especially for largemouth bass. Fish for largemouth early morning and late afternoon, using an Alabama rig in the spring on points and in shal-
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Exploring Pickwick
low water. Lunkers can also be found in lake coves near the shoreline. He recommended a ZaraSpook for top of the water fishing. January and February are good times to catch smallmouth bass, while April and May are good for bluegill, he noted. Stripers are a good summer month fish at Pickwick below the dam, while sauger remains a winter month fish through April below the dam, noted Matlock.
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Rick Matlock caught these two largemouth bass on July 7, 2014, at Pickwick. Both fish weighed just a little over 7 pounds.
Stripers are in the lake, but the best spot is below the dam, noted the guide, using rubber paddletails or live gizzard shad. Pickwick fisherman Clint Newton agreed. Sauger time is the second week of November through March. When the water temperature gets above 60 degrees, sauger are hard to catch. But when the water temperature drops to 50 degrees, itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s good catching conditions. The lake and river are equal in terms of success, but high winds will keep Matlock on the river rather than the large lake. The lake has a lot of watersport traffic in the warm months, so fishermen are advised to fish the early morning and late afternoon hours, he suggested. Crappie fishing is great at Pickwick from the end of March through June when the fish are spawning. Crappie run in schools and can be found in shallow water when water temperatures are between 50-60 degrees, he added. Matlock suggested an 1/8-ounce hair or tube jig, tipped with a live minnow for Crappie. After the spawning season, Crappie can be caught May through November in deep water, especially around stumps. Pickwick hosts a Sauger Festival every March. There are two boat ramps below the dam, a TVA ramp and another at the Historic Botel. There is a ramp at Pickwick Landing State Park, Bruton Branch Recrewww.exploringpickwick.com
ational Area on the north shore and TWRA ramps on Yellow Creek just off Highway 57 near the Mississippi state line. Fishermen who like to camp can find a TVA campground below the dam, Bruton Branch and the state park. There are plenty of lodging options from motel rooms, rooms with kitchen efficiencies or full kitchens, and cabins. There are also rental businesses who place visitors in individualsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; homes with a range from one-room cabins up to six-bedroom lakeside dream homes with lake access. Pickwick has plenty of bait shops and restaurants. Exploring Pickwick
Pickwick Winter Bass Trail pwbt.webs.com Pickwick Lake Catch-A-Dream Team Challenge Pickwick Landing State Park Saturday, June 8 Fishers of Men National Tournament Trail Five tournaments every year www.fomtt.com
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Birding Eagles & Egrets, Owls & Fowl Shiloh, Pickwick areas are wildlife photographers’ dream
By Mark Boehler | Exploring Pickwick
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ike Hudson spends a lot of his free time in Shiloh National Military Park. He is no Civil War history buff. The Savannah, Tenn. resident has a passion for wildlife photography. Hudson estimates he has taken over 800,000 images inside the park since 2009, a testament as to what can be seen among the cannons and monuments. Many of Hudson’s photos are of a mating pair of bald eagles who are so popular they have names. “I do this as a hobby,” said the photographer. “And I do have fun.” Hiram and Julia returned for the sixth straight year in 2015 to their nest just off Riverside Drive. Since the nest 36
isn’t far from the ground and just off a paved road, it presents a rare opportunity for bird lovers to watch and photograph the national bird. The eagles are winter residents. They usually lay two eggs in January, the young hatch in March and the fledglings leave the nest in May. Another mating pair of bald eagles return to Pickwick every year, but are usually harder to find. Shiloh has 4,200 rural acres and presents a great place for birding. It is open from dawn to dusk. Wild turkey, wood duck, bobwhite quail, red-tailed hawk and several species of owls call Shiloh home. Songbirds that can be seen include bluebirds, Kentucky warbler, Baltimore Exploring Pickwick
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Wildlife photographers Sandy and David Mayes of Pulaski, Tenn. shoot photos of ospreys that have a nest on Pickwick Landing Dam.
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A pairing pair of bald eagles return to Shiloh National Military Park each year to lay eggs and raise their young. Mike Hudson of Savannah, Tenn., captured this image of an eagle delivering a fish dinner to its young. Terry Weaver captured this image of a wild turkey near Pickwick Landing Dam.
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David Mayes of Pulaski, Tenn., captured this image of an osprey at Pickwick Lake. There is plenty of wildlife in Shiloh National Military Park. Mike Hudson captured this image of deer fawns inside Corinth National Cemetery.
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Terry Weaver of Savannah, Tenn., captured this image of a bald eagle at Pickwick Landing State Park. A mating pair of bald eagles returns to Pickwick Lake each year. Terry Weaver captured this image of a great horned owl at Shiloh National Military Park. Bill Avery of Corinth, Miss., captured this image of an egret below Pickwick Landing Dam.
oriole, field sparrow, mockingbird, cardinal and cedar waxwing. Some bluebirds nest in the Shiloh cannon each year. Wildlife watchers can also see plenty of white-tailed deer in the park. Tennessee River views are offered along Riverside Drive and below Shiloh National Cemetery. Pickwick Lake and the Tennessee River are also birding hot spots. The Tennessee Valley Authority has viewing areas with parking both above and below the dam. Restroom facilities are available below the dam. Local photographer Terry Weaver has seen bald eagles, ospreys, geese, ducks, egrets and even pelicans in the Pickwick area. Early morning is the best time to watch for birds. Late winter and early months are the best time to see non-migratory birds, while migratory birds can 38
best be seen in the winter months, said Weaver. Ospreys built a nest and raised their young on top of electrical devices on Pickwick Landing Dam in 2013 -- in full view from the bridge over the dam. Husband and wife wildlife photography team Sandy and David Mayes of Pulaski, Tenn., visit each summer to capture images of the Pickwick osprey.
For more information tnstateparks.com www.nps.gov www.shiloheagles.com Want to see more of Mike Hudson’s wildlife photography from Shiloh? Go to shiloheaglepics.com Exploring Pickwick
Nearby Pickwick Landing State Park is another good place to watch for birds. It offers 681 acres and some great views of the lake. Geese and ducks call Pickwick home and can be seen near the shore. The 2.8-mile Island Loop Trail and 1.2-mile paved Inn Walking Trail are good places to go birding. Park staff usually offers free pontoon rides on weekends in the summer months to look for wildlife. Friends of Pickwick Landing State Park erected an osprey pole and nesting platform in January of 2014 in hopes of luring a mating pair of ospreys. As of the spring of 2015, no pair had called the area home near the Pickwick Landing State Park Inn. But bird lovers in the future are hopeful they may be able to watch ospreys while having breakfast or lunch at the inn’s restaurant. www.exploringpickwick.com
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RVing/Camping
Escape to the outdoors
Five campgrounds in Pickwick area offer plenty of choices
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By Mark Boehler For Exploring Pickwick
he Pickwick Lake area near Pickwick Landing Dam offers over 260 campsites, at least 200 of which provide electric and water hookups. The five campsites include a Tennessee Valley Authority site, state recreational area, state park and two private RV parks. They are under beautiful trees or provide stunning views of Pickwick Lake or the Tennessee River. Whether it’s in a tent, popup, trailer or RV, all offer the Pickwick experience in different ways to offer a broad selection of camping options.
Pickwick Dam Tailwater Campground
Just below Pickwick Dam is a TVA campground with 100 sites, 92 of which have electric and water hookups. Nestled under pine trees, the sites offer a beautiful view of the Tennessee River and a boat launch ramp is available.
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Exploring Pickwick
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The sites are great for tents, pop ups or RVs of any size. Previously a self-service campground with a host, TVA now has a lease agreement with a private company. Open from mid-March until mid-November., there are no reservations. The sites have grills and picnic tables. There are three new restroom and shower facilities and a dump station. Check the TVA website for current rates, which generally run $10-$12 for tents and $18-$26 for RVs.
Pickwick Dam RV Park
Green Acres RV Resort
Pickwick Landing State Park Campground
Nestled in a wooded area just off Pickwick Lake near the dam is a 48-site campground in the state park. All sites have a table, grill and electric and water hookups with varying AMPs to accommodate tents, pop ups, trailers and RVs. There is a bathhouse and dump house and reservations are accepted in the year-round open campground. Check park website for rates, which generally range from $8 to $25.
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TVA has a campground below Pickwick Dam with a boat ramp into the Tennessee River.
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Photo by Mark Boehler Green Acres RV Resort just north of Pickwick Dam is one of many camping options in the Pickwick area. Photo by Mark Boehler www.exploringpickwick.com
Bruton Branch Recreation Area
This 43-site primitive campground is on the north shore of Pickwick Lake off Highway 128 and features some lakeside sites for great views of the lake. Open April through October, it has a bathhouse, playground and boat ramp. Exploring Pickwick
Located just south of the TVA campground, there are 33 RV sites with AMPs to handle pop-ups, trailers and RVs. There are an additional 10 tent sites nearby with power, water, grills and fire rings. There is a boat launch on the Tennessee River and all guests have access to an in-ground swimming pool. The adjacent Historic Botel Bar and Grill offers a bar, restaurant and hotel on a barge. Live bands play on select weekends.
Located four miles north of Pickwick Landing Dam off Highway 128, Green Acres has 35 sites with 30 and 50 AMP electric hookups with water. It’s pet friendly, offers Wi Fi and has a laundry facility, volleyball court, saltwater pool, restrooms, showers, playground and two pavilions. Weekend entertainment is offered on some weekends in the warm months. Check the Green Acre website for current rates.
For more information www.thehistoricbotel.com www.greenacresrvparktn.com www.tva.com tnstateparks.com www.tnvacation.com pickwickdamrvpark.com
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Golfing
Photo by Mark Boehler Larry Rea, longtime outdoors writer for The Commercial Appeal, sinks a putt at Pickwick Landing State Park Golf Course.
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Exploring Pickwick
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Fore!
Challenging Tennessee Golf Trail calls Pickwick Home
By Mark Boehler For Exploring Pickwick
Visitors to the Pickwick Lake should pack their golf bags when planning a trip to the area. Two courses have been placed through thick hardwood and pine forests, providing 27 holes over 9,558 yards (long tees) of challenging play with plenty of water hazards to remind the golfer the lake will beckon for playing time when the round is over.
Pickwick Landing State Park Golf Course A beautiful destination course as part of the Tennessee Golf Trail, this par 72 challenge offers 6,478 yards over 18 holes. Over 20,000 played the course near Pickwick Landing Dam in 2014. Golfers who haven’t played the course this past year will find some nice surprises, as a new irrigation system, new cart paths and two new
For more information: tnstateparks.com www.tngolftrail.net www.exploringpickwick.com
Photo by Mark Boehler Pickwick resident David Harbin tees off at the Pickwick Landing State Park Golf Course. The course is known for its tree-lined fairways.
course restroom facilities have been added. “We have seen a lot of improvements,” said manager and golf pro Preston Maxey. Pickwick Landing State Park also offers golf packages which range from $109.90 to $145.90 depending upon time of the year and day of the week. Based upon two people to a room, the packages include a room at the inn, one day of unlimited golf with cart and practice balls before each round. “It’s a good thing,” said Maxey. “It attracts a lot of people.” Depending upon the tee, the park golf course ratings range from 65.7 to 71.1 on the course located at the intersection of Highways 57 and 128. Out of bounds guards 11 holes. There are 21 bunkers and three water hazards. Hole no. 2 is a 396-yard signature dogleg right par 4 with out of bounds protecting the right side. Maxey said the toughest hole is no. 14, another dogleg right with water to the right and a narrow landing area. Tee times are recommended. It’s best to call ahead as much as possible, espeExploring Pickwick
cially for weekend play. Tee times can be reserved at www.tngolftrail.net and go to Pickwick. The course is open year round. Amenities include club rental, practice green, driving range, snack bar and nearby lodging at the park inn. Pickwick is also part of the Tennessee Golf Trail, where an annual fee allows golfers unlimited playtime at nine state parks across Tennessee.
Fox Chase Golf Course
Located on Highway 57 in Counce, this 9-hole public course is a par 36 with 3,080 yards off the tee. Visitors are welcome, locals love it and the course is great for novice and beginning golfers. The rates are very reasonable and the course offers a variety of smaller and sloped greens. Water hazards come into play on three holes, including the no. 4 par three which includes a two-tier green. The 150-yard, par 3 no. 7 hole has an elevated tee with a scenic view. Fox Chase has a practice green, driving range and pro shop. 45
Running
‘Run in the Park’
Photo by Mark Boehler As part of the Tennessee State Parks Running Tour, Race to the Landing is held at Pickwick Landing State Park in late January or early February.
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Shiloh hosts four-miler, Pickwick offers six-miler
By Mark Boehler | For Exploring Pickwick
Shiloh has its history. Pickwick Lake has fishing and water sports. But folks who like to run to stay fit will be glad to know the area is a surprisingly good destination to put on those running shoes. There are even two fun runs held annually in the area -- one in a state park and the other in a national park. Pickwick Landing State Park offers two great roadway loops in “The Circle” with great views of the lake and another past the marina through the cabin area. There are also two trails. A 1.7-mile paved trail takes runners from the Inn to “The Circle” and back, while the 3-mile Island Look Trail begins in
the cabin area and is a loop to the lake and back. Pickwick is a stop of the Tennessee State Parks Running Tour in late January or early February. The “Race to the Landing” six-miler begins and ends at the Inn and uses both roadway and paved trail. Pickwick is the 18th stop of 21 races held in state parks every year from October through March. They are a broad range in distance, from five, six, seven, eight miles and 10K, 11K, 12K and 15K and half-marathons. Shiloh National Military Park offers runners a variety of options with many miles of paved roadway and scenic views. There are plenty of loops and one-way roads
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for visitors to plan their run. Rhea Springs off Corinth Road is a great starting point. Corinth - Pittsburg Landing Road, Eastern Corinth Road, Confederate Road and Hamburg - Purdy Road are all fairly level. Riverside Drive to the Indian Mounds is a great run, but beware Riverside Drive from the mounds to the visitor center -- it’s a steep incline. Woody Harrell, retired park superintendent and an avid runner, said many of the roads at Shiloh are concrete. “That’s something to consider when doing a long Shiloh run like nine miles on the old tour route,” he said. Harrell’s favorite run in the park begins at the visitor center; turns on the newer Jones Field Road past two burial trenches; after the Tennessee monument, turn on the Hamburg-Purdy Road at the Raith monument; after passing the Albert Sidney Johnston moument, proceed through the Indian Mounds area and Dill Branch to finish at Shiloh National Cemetery. “This is right at 6.2 miles (10K) and is the most scenic
and nice change in topography part of the park,” he said. The Savannah Rotary Club has a four-mile “Run in the Park” at Shiloh every year. Usually the second Saturday in April, it begins and ends at Shiloh church. Shiloh battlefield is located just 110 miles from Memphis International Airport and 150 miles from Nashville International Airport. Nearby Corinth, Miss., is home to the Corinth Coca-Cola Classic 10K, which will celebrate its 35th anniversary in 2016. It is always held the first Saturday in May. Only on-line registration is available and if a runner wants to participate, better do so in advance. Race officials cut off the number of registrations at 1,500 in 2013 through 2015. Photo by Lisa Lambert The Savannah Rotary Club hosts Run in the Park (below) each April in Shiloh National Military Park.
For more information www.tennesseeerunningtour.com savannahrotaryrun.com www.nps.gov/shil tnstateparks.com/parks
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Events
Makin’ plans Roar of cannon, fireworks display or solemn services — Shiloh and Pickwick keep a busy calendar By Mark Boehler For Exploring Pickwick
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he roar of Civil War era cannon, skies filled with a huge Fourth of July fireworks display or a solemn Memorial Day ceremony - there is almost always something going on at Pickwick Lake, the Counce area and Shiloh battlefield on weekends in the warmer months. The peak visitation is from Memorial Day weekend until Labor Day weekend, but things get busier when warm temperatures begin in April and last until October when beautiful fall foliage returns.
It’s best to check websites closer to the time a visit will occur as many have event listings just two months out. But there are many yearly planned events. So here are a few to consider: • Memorial Day program at Shiloh National Military Park and Shiloh National Cemetery. Shiloh also offers weapon firing demonstrations, Civil War encampments and living history programs on weekends in the warmer months. Check in at the visi-
For more information: www.friendsofpickwickpark.org www.gograndharbor.com www.tnstateparks.com www.hardincountychamber.com www.tourhardincounty.org www.nps.org/shil www.tnriverrun.org
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Photos by Mark Boehler Shiloh National Military Park hosts a Memorial Day program every year with a noted veteran as speaker and sapecial ceremonies.
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Civil War reenactors present the colors inside Shiloh National Cemetery during the Memorial Day ceremony in 2014.
tor center for planned events or visit the park’s website. Shiloh always has ranger-led tours on the April 6-7 battle anniversary dates and on the weekend closest to the dates. • Fourth of July Fireworks at Pickwick Landing State Park. It’s a great show with plenty of viewing areas both on the lake, dam and inside the park. With the Fourth falling on a Saturday in 2015, huge crowds are expected. Grand Harbor Marina also has a Sizzle on the River Fireworks, but it won’t be held in 2015. It will return in 2016. It is usually held on the Saturday closest to July 4. The state park usually has seasonal rangers offering nature and kids activities in the summer months. Christmas in the Park the second weekend in December offers much to do and is a favorite visitor event. There is always an Easter Egg Hunt on the Saturday of Easter weekend. Check the park office, inn or park website for planned events. • Country music singer and Hardin County native Darwww.exploringpickwick.com
ryl Worley sponsors the Tennessee River Run each year to benefit his foundation for charitable work. The concert with big name acts is usually the second Saturday in September and has been moved to Savannah. There are many activities held on different weekends, including Boat Poker Run, Bass Fishing Tournament, Golf Tourney, Motorcycle Poker Run and 5K run. Check the river run website for times and places. Summer goes out with a bang with the District Three Community Center Labor Day Barbecue. It’s a fundraiser for the center and always held on the Saturday before Labor Day. Although it’s a little more quiet at Pickwick in the winter months, there are two great annual events worth a visit. • Friends of Pickwick Landing State Park Annual Wine Tasting is held at the state park inn on a Saturday in January. Different countries are featured each year with all proceeds going to the friends group, which supports park projects. • The Pickwick Landing Rotary Club Mardi Gras party is always held on Fat Tuesday in February. It’s food, drink and entertainment with all proceeds going to charity. Freddy T’s usually hosts the popular event.
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Great Sales and Service for over 50 Years
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Bicycling Pedal pushers Shiloh has just over 13 miles of paved road By Mark Boehler For Exploring Pickwick SHILOH, Tenn. – A great Civil War battle was fought here 153 years ago, which eventually created Shiloh National Military Park. But people who love to ride atop two wheels know it’s a great place to explore on a bicycle. Unlike some city streets and state roads, there are no dogs at Shiloh. And most of the motorists are going at a slow rate of speed as they are taking in the tour stops and monuments, so the park is a safe place to bike. Bicyclists must stay on the over 13 miles of paved roadway inside the national park as cycling isn’t allowed on trails. Although many riding enthusiasts like to bike the 12.7-mile Driving Tour for a tour in history, many ride to enjoy seeing nature and wildlife. Park Guide Heather Henson offers a couple of bike tours each year, while Shiloh Natural Resources Manager Marcus
Steve Shaw of Corinth, Miss. loves to ride his bike at Shiloh.
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52-SHOOTING
Steve Shaw’s favorite bicycle “Blue Bruiser” has taken many tours at Shiloh.
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Johnson offers a Spring Wildflower Tour and a Fall Color Tour. Johnson’s popular 7-8 mile trips are usually held mid-May and mid-October, but check Shiloh’s event page for both his and Henson’s scheduled trips. Henson warned of Shiloh’s varied terrain as bicyclists will discover the same steep surprises as soldiers did in 1862. While most of Shiloh is flat, there are some hills and Riverside Drive at the end of the Driving Tour passes thru a steep ravine. Rhea Springs is a great spot to begin a bicycling loop tour. There is plenty of parking, a freshwater spring and creek are there to observe and riders can plan several different loop tours from the Driving Tour stop. Free park maps are available at the visitor’s center and there are no admission fees to ride in the park.
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Did you know? There is a little know fact about Pickwick Landing Dam which may take some people by surprise. A dozen Tennessee Valley Authority workers died during construction of the dam from 1935-38.
â&#x20AC;˘ Rooms: 43 (4 cottages) B e s t he â&#x20AC;˘ 2 bedroom, 2 beds ea. room in t e rat s wick â&#x20AC;˘ 26 singles, 13 doubles k Pic a! â&#x20AC;˘ 1 bedroom, 2 beds ea. room are â&#x20AC;˘ Resturant on site â&#x20AC;˘ Kitchenettes â&#x20AC;˘ Covered parking â&#x20AC;˘ Fireplace in cabins â&#x20AC;˘ TVâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s & phones Little Andyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s â&#x20AC;˘ WiFi Sportsmans
â&#x20AC;˘ ELECTRICAL BOAT HOOKUPS
Lodge
Our 43 rooms, include singles, doubles, kings, king suites, executive suites and special cottage suites.
731-689-3750 7255 Hwy 57 â&#x20AC;˘ Counce, Tn. 38326
Experienced Real Estate Professionals in Corinth.
Alexis Rudd & Roger Clark
Alexis â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 662.603.3172 â&#x20AC;˘ Roger â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 662.665.5690
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www.CryeLeikePickwick.com
Please visit our website for a full list of all the homes offered for sale in your area.
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David Harbin Owner/Broker 731.926.1737
Randy Rinks Owner/Broker 731.926.5058
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Hank Thomas Owner/Broker 731.926.5051
731.689.8000 â&#x20AC;˘ 25 Old South Road â&#x20AC;˘ Pickwick, TN 38365
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An independently owned and operated office of CRYE+LEIKEÂŽ Franchises, Inc.
www.exploringpickwick.com
Exploring Pickwick
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Free Appliances Valued up to $3,898
with select purchases during the
Your Reward, Your Purchase Event* April 1 through June 30,2015 *see store for details
Make Everyday a Backyard Holiday Ferrellâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Home & Outdoor 807 S. Parkway (662)287-2165 1609 S. Harper Rd. (662)287-1337
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Exploring Pickwick
www.exploringpickwick.com
The authority for your boating needs: New Brokered Pre-Owned
We are located at Aqua Yacht Harbor 3834 Hwy 25 N Iuka, MS 38852 662-423-5080 NEW BOAT & YACHT SALES
2015 Sea Ray 270 Sundeck 2015 Carver C40 with Hardtop 2016 Marquis 660 Sport Yacht 2015 Boston Whaler 210 Dauntless
Visit our sales dock at Aqua Yacht Harbor for brokered, used and new boats and yachts.
We are the largest inland yacht brokerage in the central U.S.
Over $8 million in brokerage sales last year. Whether you are buying or selling - give the professionals a call!
662-423-5080 www.exploringpickwick.com
Exploring Pickwick
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Exploring Pickwick
www.exploringpickwick.com