Hickman Recreation & Tourism

In Honor of Mitchell Lynn Kemp

(Members of the Hickman Post 57 prepare the donated flag to fly at the Hickman
Veteran's Monument. Pictured are L to R: Butch Barnes, Jimmy Dougthy, Gerald Harris,
Doc Roberts, David Lattus, Buzz Blincoe, and Post Commander Allen Craddock.)

Family members of Mitchell Lynn Kemp, of Hickman, recently donated the American flag given to them after Kemp was killed in the Vietnam War in 1967. The 20 year old Kemp was killed on October 8th of 1967 during combat and was the only soldier from Fulton County killed during the war.

Members of the Hickman American Legion Post 57 took the 43 year old flag from its original case and placed the flag into service on August 19th at the Veteran's Memorial in the city cemetery.

Kemp was a 1965 graduate of Fulton County High School and was five weeks into his tour in Vietnam when he was fatally wounded.

Post Commander Allen Craddock said it was an honor for the post members to prepare the flag for service for Kemp, who paid the ultimate sacrifice for his country.

Parkway Commission Support

Members of the Fulton County Fiscal Court presented HRTCC board members with a $500 check from the Mississippi River Parkway Commission in support of the Hickman Pecan Festival. Those on hand for the presentation included (L - R) George Jones, Henry Callison, Judge Executive David Gallagher, James Black, John Cagle, Jay Black, Denise Grissom, Bernita Cheirs, Jill Coffey, and Charles Choate. The Parkway Commission donation is given annually in support of tourism and community activities.

State of the Art Museum
Coming to Area

The new design of the Discovery Park of America project in Union City, Tennessee was announced recently. The $100 million dollar facility will house many features including a grist mill, war memorabilia, a botanical garden, and many other outstanding features. The Discovery Park is located approximately 13 miles from Hickman and will be a major tourist and visitor attraction for the entire region.

2010 Hickman Youth
Fishing Derby

A large group of area children ages 3 - 15 attended the annual Fishing Derby at Hamby Pond. The event is sponsored by HRTCC and is held in conjunction with Free Fishing Weekend in Kentucky. All participants received a prize regardless of their catch.

BBQ Boston Butt Fundraiser

HRTCC board member Rick Major again manned the pits and cooked another batch of delicious BBQ Boston butts for a Pecan Festival fundraiser. Over 100 orders were cooked for local residents, who look forward to the event each year. Helping Major take the BBQ from the pits are (L to R) Phillip Williams, Ryne Choate, Major, and Roger Adams. Thanks to all who purchased the BBQ and supported our fundraising effort.

40" Television Raffle

The HRTCC board held a 40" television raffle as a fundraiser this year. The winner of the television was Davita Stephenson. Thanks to everyone who supported the event.

Chamber Hosts
Ice Cream and Auction

The Hickman Chamber of Commerce held their annual Ice Cream Supper and Cake Auction at the Chamber office. Circuit Judge Tim Langford and Chamber board member Dennis Hulin auctioned off the many desserts to the crowd that attended. Many wonderful desserts were prepared for the event.

HRTCC Board Honors
Rufus B. Atwood

HRTCC Board members Rick Major (L) and Charles Choate (R) display their newest marker honoring a distinguished Hickman citizen. Rufus Atwood was a WWI Bronze Star hero for battle in France in 1918 and later became President of Kentucky State University for 33 years. Mr. Atwood was a pioneer in his quests for equal educational opportunities for African-American students in a time of deep segregation. Mr. Atwood was also honored with a book on his life called "A Black Educator in the Segregated South". He passed away in 1983 at the age of 86 and is now considered one of the most famous African-American citizens of the state.

Welcoming T.G. Sheppard to the Pecan Festival

HRTCC board members met with featured entertainer T.G. Sheppard at Jeff Green Memorial Park. Pictured (L to R) Rick Major, Charles Choate, Sheppard, Jill Coffey, Denise Grissom, and John Cagle.

Pecan Festival Bake-Sale

The Hickman Recreation and Tourist Commission held a bake-sale with many
delicious desserts prepared from some of the communities finest bakers.
Helping to serve and sell the treats were HRTCC board members' children,
(left to right) Anna Gregory Grissom, Brooke Coffey, Daisy Major, Ryne Choate,
and Dixie Major.

These youngsters did a wonderful job and worked real hard!

Carnegie Pavilion

The new Carnegie Pavilion is in place on "The Bluff" behind the Hickman Chamber of Commerce office, the Hickman Public Library and adjacent to Harold Coffey Park. The Pavilion is a great place to sit and read a book, have lunch, hold family events, or just enjoy the beautiful view. The public is encouraged to come by and visit the area and enjoy the new feature in the community. The Pavilion was sponsored by the Chamber of Commerce and the City of Hickman.

Food Network Star Visits Hickman

The Food Network's Alton Brown stopped in Hickman as part of his new show "Feasting on Asphalt 2". Brown and his film crew boarded a towboat at the Hickman Ferry Landing as part of his trip up the Mississippi River. While in Hickman, HRTCC Chairman Charles Choate gave Brown a Pecan Festival shirt (shown here) along with a bottle of "Sweet Blessings" BBQ Sauce made by Hickman pastor Tom Quimby. The "Feasting on Asphalt" episode featured his stop in Hickman.

Honoring a Famous Resident

Former Mayor Dr. Richard White (L) and HRTCC
Chairman Charles Choate display a plaque honoring Elvis J. Stahr Jr.

Stahr served as Secretary of the Army under President John F. Kennedy during the Bay of Pigs Invasion and Cuban missile crisis. Stahr also was the President of the National Audubon Society along with serving as President of West Virginia University
and the University of Indiana. He was a Rhodes Scholar who is now buried at Arlington National Cemetery.