Dickson County Source

One of the favored holiday boating weekends of the year, the Labor Day celebration is nearly upon us. As with any holiday boating, make sure your Labor Day weekend celebration prioritizes boating safety as highly as having a blast with friends and family. We’ve identified the top 5 boating safety tips based on recommendations from the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency to make the most of your Labor Day weekend. 1. Check the Weather Check the forecast several days in advance and keep an eye on it throughout your boating day. Tennessee has seen several swiftly moving storms this year, so reviewing the possibility for high winds or lightning can prevent getting stuck in a dangerous situation. We recommend looking at weather radar resources like those located here on the day of your event. A good boating safety plan can only keep you safe if the weather conditions on Labor Day weekend are good enough to get out on the water! 2. Prepare a Float Plan You might think your float...

Spending a day on a boat is a great way to soak up the beautiful summer weather. But it also requires some planning and preparation since you don’t want to get out on the water and realize you’re missing important gear and provisions. Follow this boating day packing list from Nautical Boat Club to help prepare for a fun, enjoyable day on the water. Apparel Make sure swimwear is ready to go for your day on the boat, but also pack the following. Shirts and coverups in case you want to stop in at a local restaurant or convenience store on the water Hats with a wide brim to protect your face from UV rays Other UV-protecting clothing since you’re planning an all-day sunshine experience Flip flops or slides that will protect your feet on boat docks or when visiting restaurants and stores Dry clothes to change into for the drive home While they aren’t apparel, per se, you’ll also want to ensure you have plenty of dry towels to go from water sports to re...

Premier pool construction in Nashville involves several steps. Once you’ve signed off on the plans for your backyard oasis, you’ll move into the initial construction phases. And while it’s exciting because it means your project is underway , it can also be a bit nerve-wracking as you watch your backyard become a dirt pile. You can rest assured that with time, the dirt pile will take shape. In the meantime, here’s what you can expect during the initial construction phases. 1. Layout Before giving the go-ahead to the excavation crew, your pool construction crew will visit your home and lay out the location, shape and size of your pool. You’ll have a chance to review the layout before the heavy machinery shows up to officially dig up your yard. The layout is an important first step in ensuring your pool meets your expectations. It also helps ensure that the team won’t run into any surprises during excavation. At first, this will just look like a series of boards, strings...

As summer starts wrapping up, you might be starting to reminisce and dream of what it would’ve been like if you had the pool you’ve always dreamed of. Often, Tennesseans start thinking about pools in the spring. The challenge is that there often isn’t enough time to complete the project just how you want it and still open the poo l for the summer swim season. Now is a great time to start working toward your dream backyard oasis because you’ll have time to design and build the perfect setting for your summer gatherings next year. Don’t put off the project until spring, or you might only have a partial hole in the ground when the weather turns warm and sunny and the kids get out of school. So when is the best time to buy a pool? Now, because it ensures you get the process started with plenty of time to finalize the project. But the general guideline is to start the project at least six months before you want to be swimming. Why Pool Planning Takes Many Months The time required...

Summer is the best time to enjoy boating because the water is warm and inviting and the sunshine brings out your adventurous side to enjoy tubing, skiing, wakeboarding, surfing and more.  And with the kids out of school, you can gather up the family at any time, take some time off work and hit the water. It’s the time of year most Nashville residents look forward to all year long. Whether you’re welcoming friends or family on your boat this summer, consider these tips for making the most of the time you have on the water.  Stay Safe Whether you own a boat or are part of the Nautical Boat Club to get unlimited boat use , learn the basics of water safety. Even if you’re only planning for a casual cruise on the lake, you should be aware that other boaters will be flying down the lake at incredible speeds. Knowing who yields to who and how to signal to boats whose behavior you don’t understand is important. Always ensure you have enough lifejackets on board for your passe...

National Swimming Pool Day is celebrated annually on July 11. It’s a great time to reflect on your happiest memories of long days at the pool as a child or your favorite summer vacation memories. But it’s also an opportune time to make new memories and ensure your pool is in great shape at this mid-point of the summer. As you gear up for July 11, consider how you might enjoy the water or take this opportunity to start planning your backyard oasis for next summer if you’ve always wanted a pool but haven’t taken the leap yet. Celebration Ideas for National Swimming Pool Day Gather up your friends and family and celebrate National Swimming Pool Day together. There are many ways to enjoy the day, even if you don’t have your dream swimming pool at your home yet. 1. Go for a Swim When you have a pool, you can take it for granted sometimes. You might suddenly realize that between busy summer schedules and everyday commitments, you haven’t taken the time to enjoy your pool other...

The Tennessee Running Tour is a group of trail runners who meet up and run state park trails. On February 11, they will be running the 5K Two Lakes Trail at Montgomery Bell State Park. The race will begin at 11:00 a.m. Walkers who can complete a 13-minute mile are also accepted into the event, but they will need to begin at 10:00 a.m. The last event of the season will be, “Race on the Trace,” taking place on March 4, 2023 at Natchez Trace State Park. America’s longest existing state park running series, The Tennessee Running Tour, is currently in its 44th year. It consists of 20 trail races with distances varying from five to 13 miles. Races take place at 20 different State Parks located from Memphis to Kingsport from October until March. Each event is sponsored by a local running club in partnership with the State Park where it takes place. In 2022, the total number of finishers was 2,238. Not only are the parks run all over the state, but racers come from all over the state,...

The Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation (TDEC) has named Radnor Lake State Park in Nashville its Park of the Year as part of the Tennessee State Parks Awards of Excellence. The park was also honored with an award for its performance in sustainability. “Radnor Lake State Park is a perfect example of why we are so proud of our parks,” said. TDEC Commissioner David Salyers. “The park has initiated outstanding programs, and it consistently earns great support from the community. Its performance in sustainability is just part of the park’s overall achievements. We are excited to recognize Radnor Lake with these awards.” Radnor Lake was chosen among 56 state parks for the awards. The park features programs focused on birds, providing interpretive spotting scope programs to highlight the park’s first-ever American Bald Eagle nest. It has interpretive programming for visitors with special needs at the Barbara J. Mapp Aviary Education Center with the aviary’s non-releas...

The Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency is now accepting entries for its 2023 photo contest for publication in Tennessee Wildlife’s annual calendar and license cards. All interested photographers are invited to submit up to 10 of their best photos on fishing, hunting, boating, and wildlife species native to Tennessee. Photographers must submit their photo entries by the September 30, 2022 deadline. Photos must be horizontal (landscape), in JPEG format, and submitted  online  at or by CD. They must be sized to print no smaller that 8-1/2×11 inches and resolution should be at least 300 pixels/inch. The photos will be reviewed for publication for the 2023 calendar. If a photo is selected for the calendar edition, the photographer will receive a cash stipend of $60. This year the TWRA is also picking a few entries for its collector license card. Photographers must be sure to provide their name, address, phone number, and e-mail address with their disk. Disks cannot be returned. ...

The Labor Day holiday, the final major weekend of the 2022 summer boating season, is Sept. 3-5. The Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency wants to emphasize the use of life jackets while boating in a safe and responsible manner. Related: 5 Boating Safety Tips for Labor Day Weekend The TWRA wants all those who visit the waterways to have an enjoyable time. However, TWRA officers will be on the watch for dangerous boating behavior, such as boating under the influence (BUI) and other reckless operation. “We want our boaters to enjoy this final holiday weekend of summer in a safe and responsible matter,” said Betsy Woods, TWRA Boating Education coordinator. “We cannot over emphasize for people to wear their life jackets.” All children ages 12 and under onboard must wear a life jacket. In addition, there must be a life jacket onboard the vessel for each person. Tennessee has already seen 24 boating-related fatalities this year an increase from 17 at the same time last year. ...

As Summer 2022 comes to an end, close out your summer with an incredible Labor Day weekend on the water! As you set out for your final summer cruise, of course, you want to have fun, but the main priority is to be safe! Review these 5 boating safety tips to make the most of your Labor Day weekend. 1. Check the Weather Always check the forecast before your planned boat day, and check throughout your excursion. If the forecast shows a warm and sunny day, perfect! You are ready for a day on the water. However, if there is a possibility of a storm, you may want to consider going another time. 2. Make a Float Plan The National Safe Boating Council recommends making a float plan each time you go boating. A float plan provides authorities with crucial information in the event of an emergency on the water. To execute a float plan, let someone on shore know the following: Trip itinerary Operator and passenger information Boat type and registration Communica...

Getting all of your supplies together to prepare for a boat day can be fun. It is exciting getting everything you need together, knowing you will be out on the water soon! It is extremely important to remember certain items so that you can enjoy your day safely and responsibly. Take a look at Nautical Boat Club’s recommendations for packing for a boat day! Sun Protection The summer sun can be brutal, especially when the sun’s rays are reflecting off of the water. SPF is your friend. Make sure to apply sunscreen before getting out into the sun, and bring extra for reapplication after every two hours, especially if you are swimming. Wear large brimmed hats and bring extra shirts to protect from UV rays! A lightweight long sleeve top is perfect to put on after being in the sun a bit. Also, be sure to check your lip balm contains SPF to prevent your lips getting burned. Food & Snacks A day on the water cannot start without packing boat snacks. The sun can take a ton...

The Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency is seeking fields to lease for the upcoming 2022 dove season. The first segment of dove season opens at noon on Thursday, Sept. 1. Landowners can earn up to $4,000 for providing a dove field for public hunting. These fields must be available for a minimum of three priority hunt dates in September. Mourning doves are a popular game bird and one of the most widely distributed and abundant birds in North America. More mourning doves are harvested than all other migratory bird species combined in 39 of the continental states. In Tennessee, an estimated 19,500 hunters harvest approximately 324,000 mourning doves each year. TWRA began its leased dove field program in the late 1980s and the program has been very successful in providing quality hunting opportunities for hunters. In addition to leased fields, many public dove fields are provided on wildlife management areas in each TWRA region. The TWRA website currently has specific informatio...

Al. Neyer is partnering with National Indoor RV Centers as developer and design-builder on their newest RV Lifestyle Center in Lebanon, TN. The 189,350-square-foot facility will provide NIRVC with a state-of-the-art space to meet their goal of offering everything today’s RVers need. Touting a complete package of concierge-level services which simplify RV ownership, including Sales, Service, Indoor Storage, Paint and Body work, and Washing and Detailing, Al. Neyer is thrilled to help NIRVC meet their customers’ needs! Construction is underway at the 33-acre site with an estimated December 2022 completion. Last week, Al. Neyer and NIRVC gathered at the Lebanon, TN site for a groundbreaking ceremony to celebrate the two companies’ partnership and highlight what this new facility means for NIRVC’s growth as they add 90 employees to the local economy. The event brought together key partners from local government, city planning, and economic development as well as Texas-based NIRVC’s ow...

As July turns into August and the excitement of a new school year begins to make summer a memory, there are still several great warm weather events taking place at Montgomery Bell State Park to enjoy before heading back to the books. The park is a great get away even for those who are not looking for special end-of- summer activities. There are wonderful nature trails, a swimming pool, as well as a “beach” on the lake, mountain bike trails, and boats for rent, including paddle boats. For those who are looking for a quick local getaway before Fall craziness, there is a lodge, cabins and a campground. As one reviewer said, “I have a lot of memories of Montgomery Bell National Park, and in particular one swimming area that my family went to a lot when I was a kid. I was surprised to pull in and realize that the park is insanely bigger than I originally thought. At over 3,700 acres, I must've only really seen maybe 100 acres, and the same 100 acres over and over as a kid. I was...