Author Archive: A.J. Dugger
Clarksville dinning favorite enjoys new Cumberland River view
Main Dining Room of the New Catfish House
A favorite family restaurant can now proudly proclaim,’ Catfish is now being served on the banks of the Cumberland River in Clarksville!’ Having successfully completed the transition to their new location several weeks ago, The Catfish House is once again delighting guests with their renown tasty seafood variety. The Catfish House in Clarksville is now located at 1461 Zinc Plant Road.
“We’re very thankful to Clarksville for supporting us all these years,” said Catfish House Owner Cindy Ellis.
A line of rocking chairs beckons guests
Ellis has been working in this environment nearly her whole life. The Catfish House was started 35 years ago by her parents, Jerry and Carolyn Ellis. Ellis and her sister helped out, along with cousins, grandparents, aunts and uncles. Today, Ellis still serves several customers that she waited on as a young girl.
“It was all family. All I’ve ever known is the catfish restaurant business,” said Ellis.
Ellis says that the new location is one that her parents envisioned for the Catfish House many years ago. The Catfish House is now located merely two minutes from their original location.
“Mom and Dad always dreamed about being on the river. The opportunity became available to us and we took it. To be here along the river in this kind of setting is something they have always dreamed about, and I am just so glad to be a part of that,” said Ellis.
After seeing the large sign, Ellis’ customers will drive down a long, scenic road that eventually leads to the new location. The front porch is wide with welcoming rocking chairs. The alluring smell of catfish fills the parking lot even before the Catfish House opens its glass doors.
“You can sit on the porch; when it is raining under that tin roof you just want to fall asleep. “It is so quiet and peaceful, and there are so many places people can sit and enjoy the outside even when they are waiting,” Carolyn Ellis said.
Just like at Grandma’s House
The insides are full of cabin wood materials and tongue and groove paneling, something that was added after Ellis bought the building. Before she and her staff remodeled it, the building was one big empty space.
Unlike the old location, customers do not have to wait in the parking lot when the restaurant is busy. “Now, they can sit on the porch in a rocking chair, and if it is raining they are under a huge porch,” Ellis said.
The new building can seat 75 more people than the old one. There is also a private dining room to isolate large groups of guests that wish for solitude. In total, the Catfish House can host 230 people at once.
One thing the customers may notice is the historical wall dedicated to Ellis’ parents and sister. On the wall are pictures of them throughout the years, including a picture of her parents in a car and another of Ellis and her sister wearing their waitress uniforms as teenagers. There is a plaque that reads, “Enjoy the little things in life…for one day you’ll look back and realize they were the big things.”
The Catfish House is not only popular for their delicious catfish, but for their steaks. “Our grill is excellent,” Ellis revealed. “Some people come here just for our steaks.” Seafood is another hit with the customers. “We have a lot of variety,” explained Ellis. “We sell a ton of seafood. We go through a lot of shrimp. We make our hush-puppies from scratch.”
Greetings! Come On In!
People have been supporting the new location. In fact, it appears that new customers are showing up for dinner. “We are so grateful to the community that’s supported us for 35 years. Not only have they followed us to the new location, but they brought their friends,” said Ellis.
The Catfish House in Clarksville is now located at 1461 Zinc Plant Road. The business is open Monday-Saturday from 4-9 pm, and Sunday from 11:30 a.m. until 8 pm.
Visit their website at www.thinkcatfish.com.
[Photos by Turner McCullough Jr./JazzWaves Imaging Solutions]
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- Come on in!
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- A view of the long porch
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- Look for this road sign and turn here!
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- A family quote,
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- As you turn right off Zinc Plant Road, keep to the right.
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- Plenty of open space on the grounds
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- Ample parking readily available
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- A line of rocking chairs beckons guests
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- Greetings! Come On In!
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- The Family Heritage Wall
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- Just like at Grandma’s House
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- Angler’s Wall
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- Main Dining Room of the New Catfish House
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- A touch of warm country home furnishing
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- Comfortable, rustic and warmhearted!
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- Descending the approach road and there it is. Welcome Friends!
Local author revels in first novel publication
“All men dream, but not equally. Those who dream by night in the dusty recesses of their minds wake in the day to find that it was vanity; but the dreamers of the day are dangerous men, for they may act their dream with open eyes, to make it possible.” — T.E. Lawrence
Local author Gabriel Redel, achieved his dream of publishing his first book on August 28 with the release of, “The Amazing Pitsville and the Beggar’s Invisible Railway. ”
Inspired by movies like “Forrest Gump” and “The Princess Bride,” Redel decided to put his imagination to work in a novel. It took the young writer a total of three months to write the book, which was published by Charles Towne Publishing.
“The book is about a cloud-skier. It takes place in the future. The main character’s name is McGavin. He really enjoys thrill seeking,” says Redel, a native of Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
In the story, everything changes for the thrill seeking daredevil just as he attempts yet another daredevil activity. On this day, McGavin is determined to attempt another leap, this time in the midst of bad weather. Despite the approach of a massive storm, McGavin decides to make the jump anyway.
“He hits the big jump and flies right into the storm. The storm blows him right out of the country and he lands in this amazing land called Pitsville. He gets to know the mythical creatures that dwell there. They change his life. He finds a wife there,” says Redel.
However, McGavin soon discovers that the story’s evil antagonist, Kemp the Beggar, is attempting to turn Pitsville into his own sadistic plaza. That’s when McGavin and his new friends embark on a crazy adventure to stop him.
Gabriel Redel, first-time author, “The Amazing Pitsville and the Beggar’s Invisible Railways”
Redel says he wrote ten pages of plot summary as he created characters and plot devices. Though he finished the book relatively quickly, he took his time sculpting the personalities and outcomes of the characters.
The reviews on Amazon.com have been positive.
“The way the writer uses words to describe the scenes and characters is amazing. I can picture it perfectly,” says a reviewer named Michael Cruz.
Another reviewer named Diana wrote that she’d love to see a movie made out of the book.
“I really felt like I was in and out of Pitsville with McGavin,” she writes.
Other places are expected to print reviews of Redel’s book in the near future, including The Leaf-Chronicle and Books-A-Million.
Redel is proud of the book and the positive feedback he’s received.
“It’s a fun read. Everybody who has read it, said they had a good time reading it. They laughed and some even cried,” says Redel.
Redel is currently in the process of making the book available in bookstores. In the meantime, there are other options to buy his novel. “You can buy a kindle edition, which is only $6,” said Redel. The Amazing Pitsville and the Beggar’s Invisible Railways is currently available in paperback on Amazon.com.
Publix opens North Clarksville Tiny Town Road store
US Army mascot greeted Publix shoppers at the new Tiny Town road location
September 12 was a great day for grocery shoppers on the north side of Clarksville as they participated in the grand opening of a new Publix Super Market on Tiny Town Road.
“The grand opening’s been really good. The customers have been really open and pleased. “This publix has the same offering as the Madison location. The square footage here is a little bit smaller. But all of the essentials are here. We’ve got full sushi, full deli, full bakery, fresh seafood, a meat department, and everything else,” said District Manager David Fulmer.
Publix Super Markets was founded by George W. Jenkins in 1930 and became the fastest-growing employee-owned supermarket chain in the United States. Clarksville embraced this new store with just as much enthusiasm as they embraced the first Publix location on Madison Street when it opened months ago.
The aisles were flooded with customers who were happy to speak on record about the new store.
“I am a single mom with three kids who eat a lot, and Publix’s ‘buy one, get one free’ sales are amazing. I love it,” said Michelle McAlister, a shopper at the store’s grand opening.
Another customer was quick to comment that the store is “friendly, fresh, clean and has good prices.”
The staff was friendly and greeted the customers with warm welcomes. Wearing smiles and green vests, the store associates were all over the store helping customers.
“They have more staff available to help you than some other stores. It’s easier to find stuff in here,” said Ronny Berry, a shopper at Publix.
There were two mascots present at the grand opening. One was Plato, Publix’s dancing mascot. Another was a tall military character that towered over guests and greeted them as they walked through the main entrance.
“You get those ‘buy one, get one’ deals and that’s one reason I come here a lot. You can get those deals on cereal, drinks, everything. My cart here is full of it. Publix has better deals than other stores, and it’s cleaner too. Cleaner and more friendly than some others,” said Mariah Washington, regarding deals offered at Publix.
However, despite the deals, mascots and wide variety of offerings, there is one thing that everyone in the store was perhaps most happy about—the location.
“Publix felt like this area needed to be served. “They didn’t have a grocery store anywhere within a five mile radius. We felt like this would be a great offering for the community and what we bring to the table,” said Fulmer.
Fulmer’s sediments were shared by the shoppers on this breezy morning.
“I’ll be coming here a lot. It’s real convenient,” said Berry. “I love the fact that they’re open on this side of town. “I don’t have to go to Madison anymore,” added McAlister.
Fulmer explained that customer service and quality product is what distinguishes Publix from other popular grocery giants like Walmart and Krogers.
“They have better meat at Publix. “You can get natural deli meats. I’m really picky about where I buy my meat. I’d prefer Publix over anywhere else. The meat here is the real deal,” said a shopper who wished for anonymity.
In addition to grocery and bakeries, other items available at Publix, include pet supplies, magazines, books, household supplies, detergents, cosmetic supplies, international foods reflecting such tastes as German, Middle Eastern, Asian cuisines, Kosher approved foods, health products, dental hygiene products, cooking accessories and much more.
The new Publix is located at 1490 Tiny Town Road.
[Photos by AJ Dugger]
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- US Army mascot greeted Publix shoppers at the new Tiny Town road location
DAC opens 2012 Regional Juried Art Exposition
"On Our Own" by Gwendolyn Rodriguez at the DAC 2012 Regional Art Exposition
The Downtown Artists Co-op launched its 2012 Regional Art Exposition on August 2. An opening reception was held at the Downtown Artists Co-op Gallery, 96 Franklin Street.
“This show is our second regional annual juried art exposition. “We put out a call to all the artists in Tennessee and Kentucky. We’re offering prizes. We have a little over 50 artists from Middle Tennessee and Kentucky that have submitted these works. Hopefully people will come in and see the great work we’ve got, said Leah Foote, a former public school teacher and current member of DAC’s executive council.”
One of the main attractions was an oil painting called “Weary.” The display, (painted by Gwendolyn Rodriguez) features a solemn-faced teenage girl staring out of a window. She looks distrustful of the world outside of her building. In the corner, the viewer can see her younger brother peeking his head out, appearing very “weary” as the title suggests.
"Weary" by Gewndolyn Rodriguez
“What you see is an example of the quality of work that abounds in this area. “We have so many talented artists. I hope that the people in Clarksville realize the wealth of talent here. This is one of the few galleries that is open downtown,” said Foote.
Foote explained that for this particular event, the artwork did not have to be juried in before submission. “It was an open entry. Anyone who was willing to submit was allowed. Gale McDaniel from Franklin, Tennesse came in when the art was hung. He juried it, and we have a ‘best of’ show, a first place winner in four categories and eight honorable mentions.”
In addition to the regional artwork exhibition, the walls are full of displays of DAC members in certain parts of the building. While the regional exhibition is sectioned off downstairs, the artwork of the members is displayed upstairs and in another downstairs section.
“We have three levels of members. We have confinement members, rising artist members and full members. We are also mentoring some people that are just getting started in art,” said Foote.
Among the members to contribute artwork was Tess Marites B. Lankovich, who submitted two of her recent water color paintings. Together, the two paintings tell a story. The first is entitled “Waiting for you,” and the second is called “I’m here.” Lankovich has been an artist since she was nine years old. She moved to Clarksville 12 years ago and has been contributing artwork over the years. She says she enjoys expressing herself through her artistry.
“I love art. “I love everything that contributes to creativity,”she said.
Foote said that joining the DAC is required to submit work for an exhibition. Membership in the DAC is required to exhibit work. Not having a governing body, the organization is very much a group effort to get the job, whatever it may be, accomplished.
The juried exhibition will run to September 1. The DAC gallery is open from 12 pm until 4 pm on Wednesdays through Fridays, and from 9 a.m. to 5 pm on Saturdays.
Haslam names Bill Hagerty new ECD Commissioner
Bill Hagerty, New Incoming ECD Commissioner
Tennessee Governor-elect Bill Haslam today announced Nashville business executive Bill Hagerty as Commissioner of the Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development.
Hagerty has extensive business experience and brings a depth and breadth of knowledge to business recruitment in Tennessee that is critical to Gov.-elect Haslam’s goal of making the state the No. 1 location in the Southeast for high quality jobs.
“Having someone of Bill Hagerty’s caliber at the helm of Economic and Community Development is a tremendous advantage for Tennessee. “Our state has some unique opportunities, and his experience will help us take advantage of them. I am extremely pleased that he will be a member of our team,” Haslam said.
Hagerty was a founder and managing director of Hagerty Peterson & Company, LLC, a merchant bank and private equity firm.
Before founding Hagerty Peterson, he worked with Trident Capital, L.P., a private equity investment firm headquartered in Silicon Valley, and with the Boston Consulting Group, an international management consultancy. Hagerty has served in a number of executive positions during his career including CFO, COO and CEO of both U.S. and international companies.
Hagerty worked on the White House Domestic Policy staff during the George W. Bush Administration as a member of the President’s Council on Competitiveness. He also served as a National Finance Chairman for Romney for President in 2007-2008.
“I’m honored that Gov.-elect Haslam has asked to me to serve Tennesseans, and I look forward to the opportunity to support Bill Haslam’s mandate to grow and create jobs in this great state. “Gov.-elect Haslam is a terrific leader. He is assembling a spectacular Cabinet and staff, and I am both excited and humbled to join his experienced team,” said Hagerty.
Hagerty is married to Chrissy, and they have four children. They attend St. George’s Episcopal Church in Nashville.
