images mt. juliet/west wilson county, tn: 2012
DESCRIPTION
Mt. Juliet is a fast-growing community of more than 19,000 in western Wilson County, just a few minutes drive from Nashville. Its family-friendly environment and high-quality schools have sparked a surge in residential development, but Mt. Juliet still preserves its hometown feel. Charlie Daniels Park is a hub for activities for all ages and includes an outdoor amphitheater, skate park and 9,000-square-foot fenced planet playground. Providence, Mt. Juliet’s master-planned community, includes the 344-acre Lake Providence resort retirement community and the 850,000-square-foot Providence Marketplace retail center.TRANSCRIPT
All Fired UpIt’s easy to be artsy here
A PleAsUre For bUsiness
Southern hospitality helps attract companies to county
sPonsored by the Mt. JUliet/West Wilson CoUnty ChAMber oF CoMMerCe
Mt. JUliet/West Wilson CoUnty, tennessee
2012 | iMAgesMtJUliet.CoM
®
Mt. Juliet tire CenterFull-Service Automotive FAcility
Locally Owned and Operated
11472 lebanon rd. • mt. Juliet, tN 37122 • (615) 754-6434 • www.mtjuliettirecenter.com
Voted Best Lifestyle/ Retirement Community
Heating and Air Conditioning • Batteries • Belts and Hose Inspection • Wheel AlignmentCooling System Maintenance • Disc Brake Service • Oil, Lube and Filter
Shocks and Struts • Tire Rotation • Transmission MaintenanceWheel Balance • Computerized Engine Analysis • Tire Repair
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VICTORVILLE, CASan Bernardino County Fair
ROCK SPRINGS, WYSweetwater County Fair
VANCOUVER, WAClark County Fair
SHREVEPORT, LAThe State Fair of Louisiana
MT. JULIET, TNWilson County Fair
CROWN POINT, INLake County Fair
LOUISVILLE, KYKentucky State Fair
PUYALLUP, WAThe Puyallup Fair
WEST DES MOINES, IAIowa State Fair
SYRACUSE, NYNew York State Fair
Mt. Julietmade the list.Top 10 Summer FairsSee more Top 10 lists at Livability.com.
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dePartments
6 Almanac
14 biz briefs
16 Chamber report
17 economic Profile
18 local Flavor
22 sports & recreation
25 health & Wellness
26 education
28 Community Profile
29 through the lens
Mt. JUliet / West Wilson CoUnty, tennessee
®
editoriAl ProJeCt MAnAger mitch Kline
Content direCtor lisa battles
ProoFreAding MAnAger Raven Petty
Content CoordinAtor Jessica WalKeR
stAFF Writer Kevin litWin
CoPy editor Jill Wyatt
ContribUting Writers caRy estes,
chRis Russell, KaRen schWaRtzman
senior grAPhiC designers lauRa GallaGheR,
Janine maRyland, KRis sexton, viKKi Williams
grAPhiC designers Rachael GeRRinGeR, tayloR nunley
senior PhotogrAPhers Jeff adKins, bRian mccoRd
stAFF PhotogrAPhers todd bennett, antony boshieR
Color iMAging teChniCiAn alison hunteR
integrAted MediA MAnAger bRyant GRantham
Ad ProdUCtion MAnAger Katie middendoRf
Ad trAFFiC AssistAnts KRystin lemmon, PatRicia moisan
ChAirMAn GReG thuRman
President/PUblisher bob schWaRtzman
exeCUtive viCe President Ray lanGen
senior v.P./sAles todd PotteR
senior v.P./oPerAtions casey hesteR
senior v.P./Client develoPMent Jeff heefneR
senior v.P./bUsiness develoPMent scott temPleton
senior v.P./AgribUsiness PUblishing Kim holmbeRG
v.P./bUsiness develoPMent chaRles fitzGibbon
v.P./externAl CoMMUniCAtions teRee caRutheRs
v.P./visUAl Content maRK foResteR
v.P./Content oPerAtions natasha loRens
v.P./trAvel PUblishing susan chaPPell
v.P./sAles heRb haRPeR, JaReK sWeKosKy
Controller chRis dudley
senior ACCoUntAnt lisa oWens
ACCoUnts PAyAble CoordinAtor maRia mcfaRland
ACCoUnts reCeivAble CoordinAtor diana Guzman
sAles sUPPort CoordinAtor alex maRKs
sAles sUPPort ProJeCt MAnAger saRa quint
systeM AdMinistrAtor daniel cantRell
Web CreAtive direCtor allison davis
Web Content MAnAger John hood
Web ProJeCt MAnAger noy fonGnaly
Web designer ii RichaRd stevens
Web develoPMent leAd yamel hall
Web develoPer i nels noseWoRthy
Web ACCoUnt MAnAger lauRen eubanK
PhotogrAPhy direCtor JeffRey s. otto
CreAtive serviCes direCtor chRistina caRden
PUbliCAtion design direCtor muRRy Keith
CreAtive teChnology AnAlyst becca aRy
dAtAbAse MAnAger/it sUPPort chandRa bRadshaW
AUdienCe develoPMent direCtor deanna nelson
distribUtion direCtor GaRy smith
exeCUtive seCretAry KRisty duncan
hUMAn resoUrCes MAnAger PeGGy blaKe
reCePtionist linda bishoP
Images Mt. Juliet/West Wilson County is published annually by Journal communications inc. and is
distributed through the mt. Juliet/West Wilson county chamber of commerce and its member businesses.
for advertising information or to direct questions or comments about the magazine, contact
Journal communications inc. at (615) 771-0080 or by email at [email protected].
For More inForMAtion, ContACt:mt. Juliet/West Wilson county chamber of commerce
46 W. caldwell st. • mt. Juliet, tn 37122Phone: (615) 758-3478 • fax: (615) 754-8595
mtjulietchamber.com
visit Images mt. JulIet / West WIlson County online At iMAgesMtJUliet.CoM
©copyright 2012 Journal communications inc., 725 cool springs blvd., suite 400, franklin, tn 37067,
(615) 771-0080. all rights reserved. no portion of this magazine may be reproduced
in whole or in part without written consent.
member the association of magazine media
member custom content council
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contents
Features
8 CoMMUnity thAt CAresResidents, agencies make a difference
12 A PleAsUre For bUsinesssouthern hospitality helps attract companies to county
20 All Fired UPit’s easy to be artsy here
anniversaryissue
10th
8
2012 edition | volUMe 10
on the Cover Katie shea paints the ceramic mug she created at fired up. Photo by Jeff adkins
ImageSmtjulIet.com 3
What’s online imagesmtjuliet.com
Visually explore Mt. Juliet in our online photo and video galleries
Flip through the pages of this magazine and easily share articles using Facebook, Twitter or email.
Photos & Videos
digital magazine
Facts Get the most up-to-date info on cost of living, top employers, schools, population demographics and more
liVing hereLearn the basics about local neighborhoods, schools and health care providers
4 mt. julIet
Digital Edition
share with a Friendeasily share an interesting article, stunning photo or advertisement of your business on Facebook, twitter or via email.
haVe a Blog or weBsite?embed the digital magazine in your site to add compelling, local information.
do more than JUst read aBoUt itexperience the community through video and find links to other sites for additional information.
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IMAGESMTJULIET.COM 9
Linda McClanahan says activities are what the Mt. Juliet Senior Activity Center is all about, with
a main purpose of alleviating isolation and loneliness among the elderly.
“We’ve gone through quite a few upgrades in the last year or so, including changing our name from Mt. Juliet/West Wilson Senior Citizens Center to the Mt. Juliet Senior Activity Center,” says McClanahan, executive director at the center. “We now have 80 programs in areas such as arts and crafts, theater, music and community service opportunities. It is an ideal venue for older adults to gather for social, recreational and educational programs.”
McClanahan says about 150 seniors ages 55 and older visit the center each day.
“The membership fee is $20 a year and most of our programs are free,” she says. “Membership is open to anyone from anywhere. Ours is a place where friends meet, so I invite everyone to stop by the facility on Mt. Juliet Road and see what the center has to offer.”
Baseball and HorsesThe senior center is one of many
sites and programs that help to make a difference and improve the quality of life in Mt. Juliet and West Wilson County. Another such entity is the Challenger League, which enables boys and girls ages 5-18 with physical and mental disabilities the opportunity to play baseball. Players can participate in tee ball, coach-pitch or player-pitch, and the league recommends that no score be kept during games.
Mt. Juliet is also home to
RESIDENTS, AGENCIES MAKE A DIFFERENCE
Community That Cares
STORY BY KEVIN LITWINPHOTOGRAPHY BY JEFF ADKINS
Left: Playing the fiddle at the Good Old Time Country Music Show at the Mt. Juliet Senior Activity Center Right: Mt. Juliet Senior Activity Center members enjoy the Good Old Time Country Music Show.
IMAGESMTJULIET.COM 9 8 MT. JULIET
Welcome to Mt. Julietan IntroductIon to the area’S people, placeS and eventS
Play at the Parkopen from dawn until dusk, the frisbee golf
course at sgt. Jerry mundy memorial Park
offers an opportunity for mt. Juliet residents
to enjoy free recreation and entertainment.
Players can hone their skills on the recently
created course, working to toss their frisbees
as close to the appointed markers as possible.
in addition to frisbee golf, sgt. Jerry mundy
memorial Park features a full-length
multipurpose field that can be used for
a variety of sports, as well as a walking
track, playgrounds and pavilions.
no driving RequiredProviding stress-free, less expensive and more environmentally
friendly transportation, the music city star debuted in 2006 as
tennessee’s first commuter rail line. the 66-mile round-trip train
stretches from lebanon to nashville’s Riverfront Park, with other
stations in donelson, hermitage, mt. Juliet and martha.
Riders can expect to pay from $2 to $5 each way. the train has
11 double-decker cars that transport passengers to nashville each
morning and return them to Wilson county stations every evening.
the mt. Juliet station is at 22 e. division st. to see current train
schedules, visit www.musiccitystar.org.
almanac
blessed community
in mt. Juliet and West Wilson
county, congregations range
from large to small, with more
than 40 churches available to
accommodate the community.
serving more than 2,000
families, victory baptist church
is the largest in the area. another
large church is st. stephen
catholic church, with nearly
1,500 families.
medium-sized congregations
can be found at cook’s united
methodist, Joy church
international and life assembly,
and examples of smaller churches
include church alive and
Providence united methodist.
although each church is
different, it’s common for
the congregations to come
together and support local
causes such as the Room in
the inn program.
6 mt. julIet ImageSmtjulIet.com 7
the fairest of the fairs
as the largest fair in tennessee, the
Wilson county fair keeps more than
540,000 area residents and visitors
coming back for more each year.
one of the top draws is an area
called fiddlers Grove, which includes
a collection of historic buildings that
have been assembled from
throughout the county. multiple
stages provide plenty of music, while
everyone from photographers to beer
brewers can show off their skills at
the numerous niche competitions.
as for attractions, visitors can
enjoy racing pigs, dog shows,
cooking classes and a demolition
derby. to learn more, go to
www.wilsoncountyfair.net.
PoPUlAtion (2010 estiMAte)mt. Juliet: 23,671
Wilson county: 113,993
loCAtionmt. Juliet is in middle tennessee,
17 miles east of nashville.
beginningsmt. Juliet was formed in 1835 and
was the last town incorporated in
Wilson county.
For More inForMAtionmt. Juliet/West Wilson county
chamber of commerce
46 W. caldwell st.
mt. Juliet, tn 37122
Phone: (615) 758-3478
fax: (615) 754-8595 www.mtjulietchamber.com
mt. Juliet at a glance
What’s online Take a virtual tour of Mt. Juliet, courtesy of our award-winning photographers, at imagesmtjuliet.com.
7070
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WILSON
109000
2424
840
40
70
231
Lebanon
Murfreesborofrfrefurff
Mt. Juliet
231232323223
Mt. Juliet
6 mt. julIet ImageSmtjulIet.com 7
ImageSmtjulIet.com 9
linda McClanahan says activities are what the Mt. Juliet Senior Activity Center is all about, with
a main purpose of alleviating isolation and loneliness among the elderly.
“We’ve gone through quite a few upgrades in the last year or so, including changing our name from Mt. Juliet/West Wilson Senior Citizens Center to the Mt. Juliet Senior Activity Center,” says McClanahan, executive director at the center. “We now have 80 programs in areas such as arts and crafts, theater, music and community service opportunities. It is an ideal venue for older adults to gather for social, recreational and educational programs.”
McClanahan says about 150 seniors ages 55 and older visit the center each day.
“The membership fee is $20 a year and most of our programs are free,” she says. “Membership is open to anyone from anywhere. Ours is a place where friends meet, so I invite everyone to stop by the facility on Mt. Juliet Road and see what the center has to offer.”
baseball and horsesThe senior center is one of many
sites and programs that help to make a difference and improve the quality of life in Mt. Juliet and West Wilson County. Another such entity is the Challenger League, which enables boys and girls ages 5-18 with physical and mental disabilities the opportunity to play baseball. Players can participate in tee ball, coach-pitch or player-pitch, and the league recommends that no score be kept during games.
Mt. Juliet is also home to
residents, AgenCies MAke A diFFerenCe
Community that Cares
stoRy by kevin litWinPhotoGRaPhy by JeFF Adkins
left: playing the fiddle at the good old time country music Show at the mt. juliet Senior activity center right: mt. juliet Senior activity center members enjoy the good old time country music Show.
ImageSmtjulIet.com 11
Southern STARRS, a nonprofit, no-fee organization that offers therapeutic horseback riding activities to children ages 3 and over. The horseback facility at Lone Willow Farm in Lebanon is also open to adults with mental or physical disabilities, or who have suffered life-altering trauma.
Animal ActsAlso a key part of the caring
community is the Mt. Juliet Animal Shelter, which is run by the city under the jurisdiction of the police department. The shelter oversees an animal control program and an adoption initiative for dogs and cats.
“We have a 93 percent adoption rate thanks to programs such as community adoption fairs, and we work with local businesses to set up adoption events at their sites,” says Eddie Blackwood, director of the Mt. Juliet Animal Shelter. “There are also humane education programs scheduled during the year at schools throughout Wilson County.”
The shelter also works closely with the state to oversee a rabies control program that keeps track of animal bites within the city limits. It also has a database of all large animals that are owned by residents in Mt. Juliet.
“The shelter has a contract with a local veterinarian clinic whose employees come by and do medical rounds every Tuesday and Thursday,” Blackwood says. “We also have a shelter officer on call 24/7 for anything that might arise related to animals in Mt. Juliet.”
From top: challenger league baseball; heather cooper plays baseball on horseback with the help of Southern StarrS volunteers. right: Southern StarrS volunteers lead a therapeutic horseback riding session at lone Willow Farm in lebanon.
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10 mt. julIet
business
southern hospitality usually is perceived as being directed toward other people. But Kenny
Martin, the economic development director for the city of Mt. Juliet, says he wants that same hospitality to also extend toward businesses that locate in Wilson County.
Having that type of attitude means companies aren’t simply recruited to come to Wilson County and then left to fend for themselves. They are treated just like any other neighbor, with
friendliness and genuine concern for their well-being.
“Once we get your business here, we don’t forget about you,” Martin says. “We’ll visit with you and do everything in our power to make sure you’re successful. Because if you’re successful, that sends a positive message to other businesses thinking about moving to the community.”
“It’s the attitude of going above and beyond what we have to do. If your business needs something, you can pick up the phone and talk
to the mayor or the city manager or the chamber director. You’re going to hear from somebody, and we’re going to do everything we can to get it right.”
tennessee’s Most business-Friendly City
That approach is one of the reasons Mt. Juliet was named Tennessee’s Most Business-Friendly City in 2010 by the Tennessee Center for Policy Research (TCPR). Cities were ranked in the categories of economic vitality, business tax
soUthern hosPitAlity helPs AttrACt CoMPAnies to Wilson CoUnty
A Pleasureforbusiness
mt. juliet city hall
12 mt. julIet ImageSmtjulIet.com 13
burden and community allure.The economic vitality of the
county comes partly from its steady population growth in recent years. The city nearly doubled in population from 2000 to 2010 (to approximately 24,000), while Wilson County’s population increased 28.4 percent (to approximately 114,000). During that 10-year span, Wilson County was Tennessee’s fastest-growing county and 29th fastest-growing in the United States.
The TCPR also praised Mt. Juliet for its low business tax rate and lack of a local property tax. TCPR President Justin Owen says, “Mt. Juliet has shown an unmatched commitment to creating an economic climate that is both welcoming to new business and nourishing to existing enterprise. The city’s inviting tax and regulatory policy has paid off.”
Jupiter band instrumentsA prime example of the area’s
appeal to companies was the decision in 2010 by KHS America/Jupiter Band Instruments to move its headquarters to Mt. Juliet from Austin, Texas. The company relocated to a 100,000-square-foot building, brought along 22 workers from Austin and added another 30 employees.
“From the very beginning, right from day one, every effort was made to make those of us who are new to the community feel at home,” KHS President Tabor Stamper says. “The economic development organizations and chambers of commerce all went beyond our wildest dreams to make this move as easy as possible. We cannot be more grateful for that.”
It is, Martin says, simply the way Mt. Juliet and Wilson County do business when it comes to dealing with businesses.
“We don’t take it lightly when people pick our community to bring in their business,” Martin says. “We want to make sure they realize that Mt. Juliet and Wilson County are Southern hospitality at its finest.”
employees clean a trumpet (top) and adjust a guitar (bottom) at the new KhS america/jupiter Band Instruments facility in mt. juliet.
12 mt. julIet ImageSmtjulIet.com 13
business
Biz BriefsBuSIneSSeS – Both large and Small – that help deFIne
mt. julIet’S economIc clImate
scorecardbUsiness At
A glAnCe
$331 millionAnnual retail sales
$16,336retail sales
per Capita
$47 millionAnnual hotel
and Food sales
2,698total number
of Firms
source: u.s. Census QuickFacts
ProvidenCe AniMAl hosPitAlBiz: Veterinary servicesBuzz: At Providence Animal Hospital in Mt. Juliet, pets are pampered while receiving the full health examinations and treatments, including full medical, surgical and dental care. The clinic offers competitive prices and qualified veterinarians, and was honored with the second most green friendly Animal Hospital in the United States award for 2010-2011.www.providenceanimalhospitaltn.com
John deAl CoAtingsBiz: Adhesive manufacturerBuzz: John Deal Coatings began its business in 1967 as a supplier of pressure-sensitive adhesive coated films for the screen printing industry, and has since seen a substantial expansion. Now, using state-of-the-art coating equipment, the company provides quality adhesive products for automotive, medical, computer disk-drive, specialty label and general industrial industries. www.jdcinc.com
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14 mt. julIet ImageSmtjulIet.com 15
tennessee CheeseCAkeBiz: Cheesecake producerBuzz: What started out as a one-woman, kitchen-run operation has grown into Tennessee Cheesecake. After the popularity of her cheesecakes in 1981, Valerie Wilson turned her hobby into a business. The handmade cheesecakes are baked in Mt. Juliet and are available in a variety of f lavors. www.tennesseecheesecake.com
environMentAl sCienCe CorPorAtionBiz: Environmental laboratoryBuzz: The Environmental Science Corporation is an environmental lab, nationally certified from one location, which is unique in the industry. The lab works with clients to perform organic and inorganic analysis, biological analysis and more.www.envsci.com
PUMP it UPBiz: Children’s party venueBuzz: Whether it’s a birthday, school field trip or fundraiser, everything’s a party at Pump It Up. Party packages come in 90-minute and two-hour time slots, each complete with giant inflatables in a private arena. In addition, Pump It Up also hosts overnights, prom events and more. www.pumpitupparty.com
14 mt. julIet ImageSmtjulIet.com 15
business
chamber reportchamBer excIted to add moBIle app
Mark hinesley says the
mt. Juliet/West Wilson
county chamber of commerce
is focusing heavily on
communications in 2012.
“We have invested financially as
well as with time and our personnel
in an entirely new content data
management system called
Weblink,” the chamber’s president
says. “it is a customer resource
management software package
that helps us personalize the
communication out of our office
to our members, with programs
and services to specifically target
their individual needs.”
hinesley says the days of
communicating with membership
via paper mail-outs is basically
over, although he knows of other
chambers that still use that
method.
“it’s a new day for
communications, and our
chamber board tries to look
somewhat ahead so that we
remain relevant to our
customers,” he says. “as a result,
we are nearing 2,000 friends on
our facebook page along with
700 on linkedin and many on
twitter. Plus, nowadays we have
about 100 of our 450 members
who receive updates and
information from the chamber
via text messaging.”
A is For APPthe chamber is also utilizing
a qR (quick response) code that
provides a quick way to direct
people to the chamber’s website
and social media outlets.
“and even more exciting news
occurred in september 2011 when
we signed a contract to have a
mobile device app designed for
our chamber, and that app has
been fully integrated into our
www.mtjulietchamber.com
website,” hinesley says. “People
can download that app for free
onto their smartphone or iPad, and
have the chamber directory, event
reservations, phone numbers and
more at their fingertips.”
speaking of its website,
hinesley says one new service
available to members is a
members only section where
coupons can be posted. the
coupons can be targeted
to newcomers moving into
the area or to other fellow
chamber businesses.
stAying AheAdhe adds that the chamber
will continue to provide more
and more online and social
services to further connect,
advocate, promote and support
its membership.
“i can’t believe that only a few
short years ago i was excited
about getting a fax machine, and
today we continue to try and stay
ahead of the curve and adapt to
changing technology and
communication preferences,” he
says. “our members seem to like
what we are doing, and we will
continue to keep upgrading
everything that we do.”
– Kevin Litwin
16 mt. julIet ImageSmtjulIet.com 17
Comprehensive sleep Center& pulmonary praCtiCeAccredited by: The American Academy of Sleep Medicine
vijay pethkar, m.D.Specializing in:
Sleep Apnea • Restless Legs • Narcolepsy COPD • Asthma • Emphysema
780 N. Mt. Juliet Rd. • Mt. Juliet, TN 37122
615-758-9273 www.comprehensivesleep.net
Competitive Pricing
Overnight Turntime
Exchange Available
Call or Faxfor Scheduling
5005 Market Pl.Mt. Juliet, TN 37122
(615) 758-5005Fax: (615) 758-5501www.tennairco.com
TennesseeAircraft Co. Inc.We overhaul TPE-331 and PT-6 fuel nozzles.
CRS QTFR-573L
tAxes
2.25%county Sales tax
7%State Sales tax
9.25%total Sales tax
toP eMPloyers
Wilson county School System
1,500 employees
cracker Barrel 893 employees
university medical center
800 employees
performance Food group
760 employees
jones Bros. Inc.
600 employees
WorkForCe
73% White-collar jobs
27% Blue-collar jobs
edUCAtion
30%associate degree
19%Bachelor’s degree
9%graduate degree
eConoMiC resoUrCes
joint economic & community development Board of Wilson county
(615) 443-1210
www.doingbiz.org
city of mt. juliet (615) 754-2552
www.cityofmtjuliet.org
trW automotive
505 employees
lebanon Special
School district
480 employees
nashville auto auction
475 employees
lojac Inc. 410 employees
lochinvar 400 employees
inCoMe
$29,221per capita Income
$58,915average annual household expenditure
trAnsPortAtion
music city Star east corridor
commuter rail project
www.cityofmtjuliet.org
nashville International airport
1 terminal dr., ste. 501
nashville, tn 37214
(615) 275-1675
www.nashintl.com
bUsiness CliMAtemt. Juliet’s convenient access to interstate and railway
transportation make the city an ideal spot for businesses and
industries that rely on tourism or the transportation industry
for shipping or receiving goods.
eConoMiC ProFile
16 mt. julIet ImageSmtjulIet.com 17
A southern-style meat-and-three
menu is available to customers
every day who eat at courtney’s
Restaurant, plus there is live music
with dinner every Wednesday,
thursday, friday and saturday.
“our focus is value, including the
large food portions we serve and the
quality of every meal, plus our live music
is free with dinner,” says tom courtney,
owner of the mt. Juliet restaurant with his
wife, lisa. “We have some amazing music
here. our house band is lester Ray sears
& tennessee border, who are well-known
on the nashville music scene. but our
food offerings are primarily what keep
people coming back.”
the two-year eatery serves dishes
like fried catfish, meatloaf, and chicken
and dressing, with side dishes such
as macaroni and cheese, white beans
and okra.
“We even have jambalaya and five-
layer lasagna,” courtney says. “it’s a
restaurant where customers come back
often. We even have 450 likes on our
facebook page.”
market, Wine and Pubmt. Juliet is also home to a mt. Juliet
farmers market, which is open three days
a week in the warm-weather months. in
addition, the community hosts the annual
a toast to tennessee Wine festival that
since 2003 has brought top wineries and
their products to mt. Juliet in mid-may.
about 15 wineries and 2,000 people are
in attendance, with participants able
to sample and purchase tennessee-
produced wines.
meanwhile, one of the liveliest eateries
in these parts is corner Pub between the
lakes, which offers fresh food and a cozy
atmosphere. the family restaurant has a
variety of meat-and-three options that
include barbecue, green beans, roast
beef and baked apples.
meat and greetanother top stop for dining patrons
is houston’s meat and Produce, which
is actually a butcher shop, a small
grocery store and quaint restaurant
with seating for 20.
“We’ve been a butcher shop for
25 years, so we offer diners the freshest
meats possible in all meals,” says chris
houston, co-owner of houston’s with
his father, Jerry. “those best meats
include barbecue and smoked ribs that
we prepare for take-out customers on
the weekends, since the diner portion
of our business is only open monday
through friday.”
houston says a lot of the restaurant’s
menu items are from recipes handed
down from his grandmother and mother.
“it’s good home-cooking in a relaxing
lunch and dinner setting,” he says. “come
see us for meals during the week and
then the best ribs you can possibly find
on the weekend.” – Kevin Litwin
make yourself at homeSouthern home cooKIng IS popular here
local flavor
What’s online
Still hungry? For more of the food scene in Mt. Juliet, visit
imagesmtjuliet.com.
Clockwise from top: tom and lisa courtney, owners of courtney’s restaurant; the buffet with Southern-style meat-and-three items at courtney’s restaurant; lemon pepper chicken served with green beans and macaroni and cheese at houston’s meat and produce
18 mt. julIet ImageSmtjulIet.com 19
Culture and creativity come
together in mt. Juliet, where
residents find a range of artsy
ways to get involved and the local
culture scene continues to grow.
home oF charlie daniels and the bradley barn
Grammy-winning singer and
fiddler charlie daniels opens all
of his concert appearances with
the same introduction.
“When we go on stage, we
always tell people ‘We’re the
charlie daniels band from mt.
Juliet, tennessee.’” home to
daniels since 1971, the city
features a park (with a playground
and walking trail) named after him.
the historic bradley barn
recording studio in mt. Juliet has
its own story. several years after
legendary country music producer
owen bradley and his brother,
harold, built and sold the first
studio on what was to become
music Row in nashville, he created
a world-class studio inside a barn
in the beautiful mt. Juliet
countryside. bradley did this
in order to have a work location
closer to home, but from the early
1960s and into the 1980s, it thrived
as one of the most successful
studios in country music history.
West Wilson community arts alliance
the West Wilson community
arts alliance provides the exciting
pop to the arts and culture scene.
organized in 2005 by the mt.
Juliet/West Wilson county
chamber of commerce, the
WWcaa is a nonprofit arts
advocacy and funding group
that works to promote,
strengthen and support the
town’s cultural arts presence.
as a result of its efforts, mt. Juliet
now boasts choral dynamics,
encore theatre company, the
a culture kickmuSIc, art and hIStory hIghlIght mt. julIet culture
arts & culture
top left: a guest paints the ceramic mug she created at Fired up. right: owner Scott harris, right, and instructor
aaron Brown help students with their paintings at the art mill. Photos by Jeff adKins
20 mt. julIet ImageSmtjulIet.com 21
cedar creek band and the fine
arts Guild.
mt. Juliet-West Wilson county historical society
the mt. Juliet-West Wilson
county historical society takes
pride in telling the rich history of
mt. Juliet culture by discovering
and collecting historic material
that is special to the area. since its
beginning in 1975, the society has
published the mt. Juliet cemetery
book and the ancestry book of
George Washington cantrell.
Wilson county Fairdrawing people from across the
country, the Wilson county fair is
held for nine days each august on
240 acres at the James Ward
agricultural center in nearby
lebanon. from humble beginnings,
the fair welcomed more than
505,000 people in 2009.
the event is more than just fun
and games. attendees rev their
engines for the fair’s tractor pulls,
automobile giveaways and
demolition derbies year after year.
those who prefer something more
reflective enjoy photography
contests, wine tastings and even
civil War re-enactments. throw in
a barbecue cook-off and a banjo-
picking contest and everyone in
the family has a reason to smile
and come along.
music city starthe music city star Regional
Rail makes it easy for residents to
seek out cultural opportunities in
nearby lebanon and nashville, as
well. since 2006, the rail system
has operated on 33 miles of track
between lebanon and nashville,
with a stop in mt. Juliet.
around toWndot and stell’s offers a unique
shopping experience for those
looking for the perfect gift for the
hard-to-shop-for friend or a little
treat for themselves. started by
a mother-daughter duo, the shop
has been operating in the area for
eight years, and carries an
extensive collection of home,
yard, lawn, patio and garden
items. at the art mill in lebanon,
guests become the artists with a
step-by-step guide to create their
own masterpiece. it’s great for
groups who need something new
to do or individuals looking to
unleash their creative side.
another place that allows you
to be the artist is fired up in
Providence, where guests get to
paint and design their own piece
of unfinished pottery.
– Chris Russell
For more infoWilson County Fair www.wilsoncountyfair.net
Music City Star Regional Rail www.musiccitystar.org
Dot and Stell’s www.dotandstells.com
The Art Mill www.theartmills.com
Fired Up www.firedupprovidence.com
6039-TR12260M_TGB_Livability.indd 1 3/22/10 11:40:09 AM 20 mt. julIet ImageSmtjulIet.com 21
22 mt. julIet
recreation in mt. Juliet and West Wilson county occurs
at the lake, the park and even at fiddler’s Grove historic village, and that’s just for starters.
old hickory lake/cedar creek recreation area
old hickory lake and cedar creek Recreation area are mainstays for good times in mt. Juliet. there are ample opportunities at old hickory for fishing, boating and swimming, while cedar creek gets in on the
fun with a 59-site campground and recreation area that includes a group picnic shelter, playground, swimming beach and boat launch.
mt. Juliet youth sPorts
the nonprofit mt. Juliet soccer association places great emphasis for kids ages 4 to 18 on an environment of learning and encouragement, while at the same time helping them enjoy a clean and competitive soccer match. meanwhile, mt. Juliet youth football and cheerleading
Just looking for FunreSIdentS have multIple recreatIon optIonS
sports & Recreation
features competitive tackle football and cheerleading opportunities for children ages 5 to 12, and the mt. Juliet baseball league and mt. Juliet softball league offer tons of playing opportunities for children ages 4 to 18. the mt. Juliet challenger league was established in 1989 and extends playing opportunities to children with physical and mental disabilities. the league is open to children ages 5 to 18 and employs a buddy system during games.
cedar creek sPorts center
cedar creek sports center
brings entertainment with two
18-hole miniature golf courses as
the main attraction. cedar creek
also features go-karts, bumper
boats, a driving range, video
games and more.
Fiddlers grove historical village
fiddlers Grove at the James
e. Ward agricultural center has
a mission of preserving Wilson
county buildings, artifacts, oral
and written histories. the site has
been a tourism destination since
1991 to keep heritage alive, and
more than a dozen buildings are
accessible. many weddings are
performed in the village’s melrose
church year round, and schools
throughout Wilson county plan
several annual field trips to the
attraction.
cedars oF lebanon state Park/long hunter state Park
state parks are great ways to get away from it all, and close to mt. Juliet are cedars of lebanon state Park and long hunter state Park. cedars of lebanon appeals to the outdoor types with a 900-acre area featuring hiking trails,
22 mt. julIet
campsites, and picnic and swimming areas. long hunter provides a great location right next to the 14,000-acre J. Percy Priest lake.
charlie daniels Park and other local Parks
charlie daniels Park and its own Planet Playground are ready to entertain kids 365 days a year. the nearby mt. Juliet community center has a basketball court and meeting room, and features exercise classes. sgt. Jerry mundy memorial Park has state-of-the-art fields for flag football, soccer, baseball and frisbee golf games, as well as a walking track.
– Chris Russell
left: Skateboarding at the mt. juliet community center right: planet playground at charlie daniels park
Providence Dental CareCaring Professionals Providing Exceptional Dentistry
(615) 758-6800Cosmetic Veneers Bridges and Crowns Root Canal Treatment Gum Treatment Conscious Sedation Invisible Braces Implants and Dentures Beautiful, Soothing Environment Game Room and Toys HDTVs in Every Operatory Wi-Fi Accessible Coffee, Tea and Hot Cocoa Bar
Financing Available Most Insurances Accepted
Ask Us About Our Teeth Whitening for Life …
Larry W. Lafever, D.D.S. • Joshua K. Gunnels, D.D.S.
684 N. Mt. Juliet Rd. • Mt. Juliet, TN 37122 www.providencedentalcare.net
24 mt. julIet ImageSmtjulIet.com 25
Providence Placeof Mt. Juliet
An Assisted Living Community
Providence Place has been setting the standard for over a decade, providing much more than the
average assisted living facility.
The Gardensat Providence Place
An Assisted Living Specializing in Memory Care
Unmatched Building Design • All Inclusive Monthly FeePersonal Daily Care • Meals • Housekeeping • Laundry
Activities Including Bus
(615) 758-4800
Stop by for a tour to see what sets us apart from the rest.
1020 Charlie Daniels Pkwy. Mt. Juliet, TN 37122
www.providenceplaceseniorliving.com
(615) 758-9300
1016 Charlie Daniels Pkwy. Mt. Juliet, TN 37122 [email protected]
www.providenceplaceseniorliving.com
good health care isn’t hard to find in mt. Juliet,
as the area features facilities equipped to meet
each patient’s needs. With easy access to full-
service hospitals, a heart care center and facilities
offering long-term assistance, area residents can
enjoy peace of mind.
university medical centerPeople want to be assured that the hospital near
them is staffed with the best doctors and medical
personnel available. they get that at university
medical center in nearby lebanon, accredited by the
state of tennessee as well as the Joint commission
on accreditation of healthcare organizations. the
facility features 245 beds with more than 270
physicians on staff serving all of Wilson county.
big news came in 2009 when construction was
completed on a four-story, $26 million patient tower.
the 77,000-square-foot structure includes 60 new
private patient rooms, and offers rehab and physical
therapy, a surgical floor and an orthopedic center.
the top floor is reserved for future growth.
umc hospital offers emergency health-care
services 24 hours a day along with inpatient and
outpatient medical and surgical services, intensive
care and telemetry services, among several other
specialties.
summit medical centeralmost 40 different medical specializations are
covered at summit medical center, just 5 miles
away from Providence marketplace in mt. Juliet.
the hospital offers a full array of services, including
emergency, medical, surgical, obstetric, oncology,
psychiatric and diagnostic services, so patients
know they are in capable hands.
featuring the area’s first hospital-based, 64-slice
ct scanner, summit medical center also offers
a cancer treatment program approved by the
american college of surgeons commission on
cancer. this approval is given to only one in four
hospitals that treat cancer, in recognition of the
high quality of cancer care it provides.
saint thomas heartopen since 2008, mt. Juliet’s saint thomas heart
offers cardiology services to help relieve chest pain,
coronary artery disease, cardiovascular disease and
other ailments.
high-Quality care close to homemt. julIet reSIdentS enjoy convenIent health-care optIonS
health & Wellness
the facility is part of tennessee’s largest,
private cardiology practice, which serves more
than 130,000 heart patients in a 69-county region,
spanning middle tennessee and into southern
Kentucky and northern alabama.
long-term careResidents seeking long-term assistance can select
from a variety of local facilities focused on providing
top-notch care.
Providence Place of mt. Juliet offers independent
living for seniors, while the Gardens at Providence
Place caters to people suffering from alzheimer’s.
additionally, maristone provides retirement living,
catered assisted living and adult day services, and
carrick Glen senior living community features an
assisted living facility, as well as independent villas.
– Chris Russell
24 mt. julIet ImageSmtjulIet.com 25
26 mt. julIet
yes, this will be on the test:
mt. Juliet schools stand out
for providing a good education
in a small-town environment.
mt. Juliet area Public schools
the Wilson county school
system serves mt. Juliet and is
committed to providing a top-
quality learning experience for
each of its 15,400 students
enrolled in the 18 schools. there
are 12 elementary, two middle
and four high schools, and the
district offers a wide array of
honors courses, sports teams
and opportunities for students
to grow. Wilson county school
system is accredited by the
southern association of colleges
and schools and faculty turnover
is low – allowing students,
teachers and parents to form a
close bond that is instrumental
to the education process.
mt. Juliet area Private schools
friendship christian school
and mt. Juliet christian academy
are two options for parents who
want their children to experience
a private school environment. fcs
serves kindergarten through
grade 12 and has an enrollment of
550 students. it offers daily bible
classes and a foreign language
study program that begins in
kindergarten, and its students
average 23.1 on the act. mJca
teachers are certified by the
association of christian schools
international and also offers
an individualized college
counseling program.
mt. Juliet area colleges
cumberland university is one
option for high school graduates
who want to take their education to
the next level. less than 20 miles
from mt. Juliet, cumberland offers
20 majors, four master’s degree
programs and a rich history that
dates to its founding in 1842. and
when students need a break from
the books, they can check out the
championship cumberland
bulldogs baseball team, winners of
the 2010 naia national title. other
top-tier colleges nearby include
vanderbilt university, tennessee
state university and belmont
university in nashville, along with
tennessee technological university
in cookeville and middle tennessee
state university in murfreesboro.
– Chris Russell
a class of their ownSmall-toWn educatIon IS BIg In mt. julIet
education
26 mt. julIet
What’s online For more information about Mt. Juliet-area schools, visit imagesmtjuliet.com.
students work in a chemistry lab at Cumberland University.
Ad Index 15 CedarStoneBank
17 ComprehenSiveSleepCenter&pulmonarypraCtiCe
27 donelSonChriStianaCademy
24 eliteaudiology&hearingCare
C4 FirStFreedomBank
C2 mt.JuliettireCenter
24 providenCedentalCare
25 providenCeplaCe
17 tnairCraFtCompanyinC.
2 univerSitymediCalCenter
23 WilSonBank&truSt
16 WilSonCountyConvention&viSitorSBureau
CliMAte overvieW
located in middle tennessee,
mt. Juliet experiences hot
summers but very mild winters
with little snowfall on average.
the area’s topography allows
for a lengthy growing season
for fruits and vegetables, and
all but the least hardy flowers
do well in the region.
90° Fjuly average high
24° Fjanuary average low
54”annual rain Fall (vs. national average rain Fall of 37”)
tiMe zone
central
visit ouradvertisersCedarStone Bankwww.cedarstonebank.com
Comprehensive Sleep Center & Pulmonary Practicewww.comprehensivesleep.net
Donelson Christian Academywww.dcanet.org
Elite Audiology & Hearing Carewww.eliteaud.com
First Freedom Bankwww.firstfreedombank.com
Mt. Juliet Tire Centerwww.mtjuliettirecenter.com
Providence Dental Carewww.providencedentalcare.net
Providence Placewww.providenceplaceseniorliving.com
TN Aircraft Company Inc.www.tennairco.com
University Medical Center www.universitymedicalcenter.com
Wilson Bank & Trustwww.wilsonbank.com
Wilson County Convention & Visitors Bureauwww.visitwilsoncounty.com
MAritAl stAtUs:
69% married
31% Single
ethniCity:
91% White
4% Black
2% hispanic
3% other
trAnsPortAtion
30 minutesmedian travel time to Work
Cost oF living
$75,166median household Income
$189,500median home price
$787median rent for a two-Bedroom apartment
hoUsehold inForMAtion
Age:
36median resident age
28% 19 and under
51% 20-54
21% 55 and over
snAPshotWilson county is the fastest-growing county in tennessee and the
29th fastest-growing in the united states. mt. Juliet is experiencing
rapid growth in residential and retail development, but it still
retains the small-town feel valued by its residents.
CoMMUnity ProFile
28 mt. julIet
ImageSmtjulIet.com 29
through the lens
these are a few photos i shot
last week for images of mount
Juliet. this magazine will focus on
the quality of life in the area and
features a story on great local
churches. the arts, local flavor,
recreation and education are also
covered in the annual publication.
From our Photo blog: mt. Juliet
Posted by bRian mccoRd
more online See more favorite photos and read the stories behind the shots at throughthelensjci.com.
now that you’ve experienced mt. Juliet through our photos, see it through the eyes of our photographers. visit throughthelensjci.com to view our exclusive photographers’ blog documenting what all went in to capturing those perfect moments.
get the story behind the Photo