This will be my last blog post leading up to convention. I am working hard on those last-minute details so that, hopefully, everyone will have the best time ever next week in Memphis!
Our “Serving Together” theme has been carried throughout the entire planning process for convention.
All of our speakers are donating their time
The “Serving Together” logo was produced at a reduced rate
Several firms have contributed financially as break sponsors
Silent Auction donations are streaming in
Dinner tickets were donated to two deserving students
St. Jude Educational Tour planned
St. Jude T-shirt Fundraiser honoring Turner Lee
St. Jude Waiting Room Fun Bag/Craft Table
Our convention photographer is donating his time
Our convention photographer is giving back all proceeds to TCRA from any sale of pics
Student Scholarship Award of $1500 will be awarded to a most deserving student (thanks to the generosity of our members)
Our promotional vendor is a former St. Jude patient
I would like to take just a few moments to speak a bit more about the last bullet point. During the initial phase of planning, I was talking to a representative of St. Jude researching different options of things to do at our convention in furtherance of our theme. Christopher advised me in that telephone call that I really needed to speak with a certain gentleman by the name of Harris to secure TCRA’s promotional materials. He went on to tell me that St. Jude uses his services and that he was really great to work with. He also informed me that Harris was a former St. Jude patient. I thought to myself, “Wow! What a great recommendation!” Plus, it would tie in well with our overall theme. Harris’ firm name is Perfect 10 Promotions, reflecting the fact that his survival after diagnosis was estimated to be ten years. With the advances in technology and medicine and the resources of St. Jude, Harris has beat the odds!
Of course I’m all about networking and finding good people to work with. Harris has exceeded my expectations throughout the whole process! From Day One, he has kept me informed and abreast of all aspects of the order process. He is always gracious and kind when I e-mail or call him on the phone inquiring as to status of product, never once making me feel as though I were “bugging” him.
I have invited Harris to come by convention next week to say “hi” and so that I may introduce him to all of my court reporting friends. His personal story is one of triumph, to be sure. I look at him and see the powerful miracle sitting before me and know that St. Jude had such a strong hand in that miracle and in others before him.
Have a good week leading up to convention, everyone. I look forward to “Serving Together” with you all next week!
No trip to Memphis would be complete without a visit to the home of Elvis Presley, Graceland. I have actually visited Graceland a total of four times since moving here eight years ago! Of course, my reason for so many visits is because I’ve had out-of-town family members wanting to tour the home. I grew up with Elvis’ music in my home, as my parents were huge fans. Who wouldn’t be a fan!
The most memorable Graceland moment was when I helped one of my nephews out with a school project — the Flat Jacob project. Yes, in spite of the embarrassment and mortification of my children, I hauled Flat Jacob all over Memphis taking tourist pics! Flat Jacob did not want to miss out on the goodness of Elvis’ music either.
According to Wikipedia:
Elvis purchased Graceland in early 1957 for approximately $100,000 after vacating an east Memphis house located at 1034 Audubon Drive. He moved because of privacy and security concerns, and the opposition of neighbors to the raucous behavior of the many fans who slowly cruised by his home. Elvis moved into Graceland together with his father Vernon Presley and his mother Gladys.
Graceland is a large white-columned mansion sitting on 13.8 acres. It has become the secondmost visited private home in America with over 600,000 visitors a year. The mansion is constructed of tan limestone and consists of twenty-three rooms, including eight bedrooms and bathrooms. The entrance way contains four Temple of the Winds columns and two large lions perched on both sides of the portico. One of Presley’s better known modifications was the addition of the Meditation Gardens, where he, his parents, Gladys and Vernon, and grandmother are buried. A small stone memorializes Elvis’ twin brother, Jesse Garon, who died at birth.
Graceland should definitely be on your itinerary when you come to Memphis. There are several packages available for this site. If you have time constraints, choose the mansion tour only option. It is by far the best part of the Elvis Presley experience!
Below is a Graceland tour video courtesy of YouTube. Enjoy!
Sun Studio was opened by Sam Phillips in January 1950. They lay claim to being the birthplace of rock & roll! Some of the most well-known artists recorded here in the 1950s, including Johnny Cash, Elvis Presley, Carl Perkins, Roy Orbison, Charlie Rich, and Jerry Lee Lewis.
According to About.com:
In 1953, an 18 year old Elvis Presley walked into Memphis Recording Service with a cheap guitar and a dream. Nervously, he sang a demo song, failing to impress Sam Phillips. Elvis continued to hang around the studio, however, and in 1954, Sam Phillips asked him to sing again, backed by a band made up of Scotty Moore and Bill Black. After hours of recording and nothing to show for it, Elvis began playing around with an old blues song, “That’s Alright, Mama.” The rest, is of course, history.
Sun Studio is located in its original location, on 706 Union Avenue. Not only is it a recording studio, but a popular tourist attraction as well. Sun Studio is open seven days a week, and tours begin every hour on the half hour, with the last tour beginning at 5:30 p.m. Children under 12 are free, but those children 5 and under are not permitted on the tour.
I took my mom here this past February when she was here for a visit. As a teenager, she loved watching and listening to Elvis Presley! She told me that she enjoyed Sun Studio nearly as much as she enjoyed Graceland. The tour guide was fabulous and very knowledgeable about the great artists that walked through the Sun Studio doors. The last stop of the tour is in the actual recording studio. You may even take a picture standing in front of one of the microphones used by Elvis himself!
Convention is only about a month away, and most of you may be making your vacation plans for your trip to Memphis June 11-13! Hopefully, this blog has been helpful for you when planning your itinerary.
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This will be my last blog post leading up to convention. I am working hard on those last-minute details so that, hopefully, everyone will have the best time ever next week in Memphis!
