Reelfoot Forward

Sam Thompson first met Elvis Presley in 1972 when his sister Linda began dating the wildly popular entertainer. In this special Elvis Week 2022 episode, Sam shares details of that first meeting at Graceland and how the two went from friends to Sam working full time for the king of rock ‘n’ roll. Sam was already an officer with the Shelby County Sheriff's Department when the two met, and he eventually quit and went to work full time for Elvis as a personal bodyguard. He served as security for Elvis at concerts around the country, during recording sessions, on personal outings and at Graceland. Through his work, Sam went on road tours with Elvis, witnessed the recording of albums and was present for approximately 130 separate concert and stage performances. Curious what someone who was there thinks about Baz Luhrmann’s “Elvis?” Sam shares his thoughts on that, what Graceland was like in the early 1970s and more.

Self-taught sculptor, Hattie Marshall-Duncan of Jackson, Tenn., turns common household items and found objects that are often overlooked into distinguished masterpieces. Her work is reflective of her African American community and family. At the reception for an exhibit of her work at Discovery Park, Marshall-Duncan shared what inspires her work and the unusual technique that results in these unique pieces of art. She was the recipient of the 2019 Tennessee Governor’s Arts Award and her art is displayed in numerous museums and galleries. This collection is on loan from the West Tennessee Regional Art Center (WTRAC) in Humboldt, Tenn., Tom & O.E. Stigall Ethnic Library and Museum in Humboldt, Tenn., Arts in McNairy in Selmer, Tenn. and Joanna and Shawn Pitts.

As the son of James Winchester, a wealthy Tennessee pioneer, entrepreneur and business partner of Andrew Jackson, Marcus B. Winchester had a front row seat to the birth of the volunteer state. In this episode, one of his descendants, Ginger Hadley, shares some of her research that brings to light more about Winchester’s fascinating life, successful career and sad ending. Winchester grew up at Cragfont, the first and finest mansion on the Tennessee frontier, spent time as a prisoner during the War of 1812 and was present as Andrew Jackson signed the Treaty of Old Town with the Chickasaw. Winchester was appointed Memphis’ first mayor and postmaster and opened one of the first general stores and ferries in the new town on the bluff of the Mississippi River. As Hadley discovered in her research, Winchester’s marriage to a young woman with Osage ancestry resulted in much persecution and the couple and their children having to live outside the city limits of the town he governed.

Lt. Mark Cancia, Corps Officer for The Salvation Army of Jackson, Tenn. is passionate about serving others. Cancia's parents migrated from Haiti looking for new life opportunities and quickly found The Salvation Army. In this episode, Cancia discusses how the different programs and services offered by The Salvation Army allow him to use his abilities to address needs in the community around him. To learn more about the local Salvation Army, visit https://southernusa.salvationarmy.org/Jackson-TN/.

From a young age, Connor Rinker spent countless hours among the clouds. His love for aviation was passed down from his father, Mike Rinker, a commercial pilot and renowned aerobatic pilot. In this episode, Connor shares how he applies his passion at the flight training school, Full Stop Aviation, at the Everett-Stewart Regional Airport in Union City, Tenn. Conner’s goal is to inspire others to pursue a passion for flying. He and one of his students, “Reelfoot Forward” producer, Luke Johnson, also share details on learning to fly, more about what makes the regional airport in Union City so unique and the airport’s surprising connection to Discovery Park’s founder, Robert Kirkland.

To learn more about Full Stop Aviation visit https://bit.ly/3zmgF9e.

Preston Powell, co-owner of Yukon Outfitters, has been in the sport and outdoor industry for over 20 years. After his gear failed him on a fly fishing trip to the Yukon Territory in Canada, he decided to create a company that would provide great quality outdoor gear at a fair price. Powell spoke with a friend and took the calculated risk to sell his company's product on Amazon. The company took off and the rest is history. In this episode, Powell shares the story of his journey from being a businessman in Hong Kong to an entrepreneur in Alamo, Tennessee. To learn more about Yukon Outfitters visit https://yukon-outfitters.com/.

Taylor Wilson’s 18-year-old son, Landon, was hit by a truck while out training for his senior year of baseball. He lost an arm and his leg was severely injured in the accident. There were doubts that he would ever play baseball again. In this episode Taylor recounts his son's inspirational journey back to the pitcher's mound. Through a series of letters documented in his book, "Glove Letters: A Father Recalls His Son's Greatest Game," Taylor details the faith, perseverance, prayer and strength it took to get Landon back in the game.

"Glove Letters: A Father Recalls His Son's Greatest Game" can be purchased on Amazon.

This special episode featuring Kevin Rumley was recorded live at Discovery Park’s recent Military History and Armed Forces Symposium. Rumley has a master’s degree in social work, performs in numerous bands as a drummer and runs the Buncombe County Veterans Treatment Court, a program that helps divert veteran offenders from prison to community service and recovery. In this episode he shares more about the difficult road getting here. While serving our country as a Marine on tour in Iraq, he was severely injured when an IED exploded nearby. He spent 18 months in the hospital, endured 32 surgeries and was told he would never walk again. While that prediction proved to be untrue, he left the hospital battling an addiction to the opioids he was prescribed for pain and eventually found himself homeless and hunting for heroin. Thankfully, he found the help and support he needed to regain control of his life and now helps other veterans struggling with the same issues.

Bill Allen was just 18 years old when he began serving in the Navy as a medic during World War II. He was there on D-Day, June 6, 1944, where his ship joined the biggest armada in history carrying soldiers and equipment to storm the beach at Omaha in Normandy, France to liberate Europe from the Nazis. On June 19, 1944, Allen’s ship hit a German mine and exploded leaving less than 30 survivors out of over 300 men that had been serving on the ship. In this inspirational episode, he shares his memories of D-Day and the explosion that cost many of his friends and fellow servicemen their lives. Allen also shares some behind-the-scenes stories of returning to Normandy for the first time with his family in 2013 as part of a PBS documentary that aired on the 70th anniversary of D-Day, “NOVA: D-Day's Sunken Secrets.”

Tanya and Scott Melton, owners of Miso Hongry, have been serving southern comfort food in West Tennessee for almost a decade. In this episode, Tanya shares how cooking with her grandmother inspired her to open her own restaurant using the knowledge and skills that were passed down to her. After creating a successful catering business, the Meltons decided it was time to take their restaurant on the road and open the Miso Hongry food truck. Whether baking a delicious pie or making the perfect chicken and dressing recipe, the Meltons leave customers smiling as they are taken back to grandma's kitchen with every bite.