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Columbia Central to Honor Eddie Hickman’s 40 Years of Service to Maury County Schools

Issue #832

October 07, 2026

In this What’s Up Columbia issue…

☀️ Columbia’s Wednesday Weather - Sunny w/ high of 86, low of 54

📰 Columbia Central to Honor Eddie Hickman’s 40 Years of Service to Maury County Schools

🎉 Panda Express Celebrates Grand Opening

🗓 List of Upcoming Events - Just Updated!

🎵 This Week’s Live Music

🗓 Know of Some Local Events Not Listed? Send us the Details!

Columbia Central to Honor Eddie Hickman’s 40 Years of Service to Maury County Schools

Maury County Public Schools will rename the Columbia Central High School Event Center in honor of Edward A. "Eddie" Hickman, the former Columbia Central principal and district superintendent who passed away this spring.

The ceremony will be held Friday, Oct. 9, at 7 a.m. at Columbia Central High School (921 Lion Parkway). It will also include the dedication of a commemorative plaque recognizing Hickman's contributions to Maury County Public Schools. The Columbia Breakfast Rotary Club funded the plaque.

Hickman spent more than four decades working in the same school system he grew up in. He attended Highland Park Elementary and Whitthorne Junior High before graduating from Columbia Central in 1969. After Columbia State Community College, he earned a bachelor's degree from Lipscomb University and later a master's in administration from Trevecca Nazarene University.

He started his career in 1973 as a teacher and coach at Hampshire Unit School and went on to work at Mt. Pleasant High School and Whitthorne Junior High. In 1988, he returned to Columbia Central, where he spent 16 years as a teacher, coach, assistant principal and eventually principal. He was named the district's Director of Schools in 2004.

Athletics were a big part of his career. He was involved in school sports for roughly 40 years as a coach, administrator and supporter, and as superintendent he required all of the district's middle school programs to join the Tennessee Middle School Athletic Association. The district also remembered him for regularly showing up at school and athletic events, working with the school board on behalf of students and staff, and supporting programs like "Strive to Drive," which rewarded students for achievement and engagement.

In announcing his passing, the district said his influence could be seen in the "generations of students, athletes, and educators whose lives he helped shape." Starting Friday, the event center at the school where he once graduated, taught and served as principal will carry his name.

Panda Express Celebrates Grand Opening

Panda Express (187 James Campbell Blvd) celebrated its Grand Opening on Friday, October 2, alongside members of the Columbia/Maury County community and local Chamber. 

As part of the celebration, Panda presented a $1,000 donation to Harvest Share Food Pantry, reinforcing the brand’s commitment to supporting the communities it serves.

"Our entire Panda team is excited to expand our presence in Columbia with this new location, bringing more jobs to the area and continuing to support local organizations through various fundraising opportunities," said Abanoub Asaad, a Panda Express Area Coach of Operations. "We're grateful for the warm support we've received from this community and look forward to welcoming even more guests through our doors to enjoy their American Chinese favorites."

Upcoming Local Events

🗓 Have an event to add? Send us the Details!

Wednesday, October 7th

Thursday, October 8th

Friday, October 9th

Saturday, October 10th

Sunday, October 11th

*Stay tuned as we add more events often!

👇 Click the Links to Learn About our Local Business Sponsors! 👇

🎵 This Week’s Live Music

Thursday, October 8
Todd Ciprian - Tito's, 6-9 PM
James Gregory - Whiskey Alley Saloon, 7:30-9 PM

Friday, October 9
TBA - The Spot: Burgers & Beer, 5-8 PM
Ryan Keeler - Buck & Board, 6-8 PM
Six One Five Collective - Bourbon Gospel, 7:30 PM
Alyssa Marie Coon - Whiskey Alley Saloon, 7:30-9 PM
Scott Southworth & The Honky Tonk Anonymous Band - Puckett's, 7:30-9 PM
Escape - Fozzy's Bar & Grill, 8-11 PM

Saturday, October 10
Second Chance Countrygrass - Hampshire Hills Distillery, 11 AM-2 PM
The Vineyard Sessions - Natchez Hills Vineyard, 2-5 PM
Carson Phillips - Amber Falls Winery & Cellars, 3-7 PM
7 X Band - Hampshire Hills Distillery, 3-7 PM
The Alderson Jazz Collective - McCreary’s, 7-9 PM
Curated Writers Round - The Bourbon Gospel, 7:30 PM
Chuck Johnson & The Handsome Hooligans - The Rebel Bar & Grill, 7:30 PM
Jake & Mikayla - Puckett's, 7:30-9 PM

Sunday, October 11
Grasskickers - Amber Falls Winery & Cellars, 1-5 PM
Badd Penny - The Rebel Bar & Grill, 4:30 PM

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