A Slice Of Heaven
Nestled amidst the rolling hills of Tennessee is the quaint and charming town of Pegram. With its abundant natural beauty and friendly small-town atmosphere, it’s no wonder residents like John Carreau call it home. As you drive into Pegram from Nashville along Highway 70, the first neighborhood you encounter is the peaceful Dreamland Estates, where John lives. He and his wife Cathy built their cozy house here over 30 years ago, drawn by the affordable land prices and proximity to nearly 1,000 acres of pristine wilderness.
“We’ve got this beautiful backdrop of woods behind our house,” John explained as he gestured to the lush forest surrounding his backyard. “Our love of the outdoors and wildlife, especially the birds, made Pegram an ideal place to settle down and raise a family.”
John’s passion for birds started when he was working in landscaping, focusing on plants that would attract local species to homeowners’ gardens. But it wasn’t until he purchased a wild bird feeding store 28 years ago that his fascination with avian life truly took flight.
“My knowledge just exploded at that point,” he said. “It became more than just an interest — it was my living.”
Owning The Wood Thrush Shop allowed John to turn his hobby into a vocation. When he’s not running the store, you can often find John exploring Pegram’s natural habitats, binoculars in hand, delighting in the bright plumage and songs of passerines.
Beyond birds, John also has a deep appreciation for bats and has installed nesting boxes on his property to provide roosting spots. This past summer, he hosted a robust maternal colony of evening bats.
“We had over 250 living in one box!” John said. “Now we’re learning about them, trying to support the mothers raising their pups.”
Come spring, John plans to install more customized bat boxes to attract the fascinating flying mammals.
Of course, the wildlife is only one component that makes Pegram so special to the Carreau family. John beams when he talks about his son Aaron, who was born and raised here.
“Aaron went to Pegram Elementary, then middle and high school. It was a great experience for him and for us as parents.” Now Aaron has moved out on his own but still visits Pegram often, testament to the lasting community it provides.
Another treasure is the peaceful Harpeth River that flows just 10 minutes from John’s house. He spends copious hours fishing, birding, and paddling its waters in his canoe and calls it “a slice of heaven.”
After three decades living in Pegram, it’s clear John and Cathy have put down permanent roots. As we chat in his backyard, enveloped by the thick forests, vibrant gardens, and tranquil ambience, John sums up his admiration.
“It’s the habitat, the outdoorsiness, the great people we’ve lived around for 30 years now. Pegram is our home. We just love it here.”
The natural splendor, the small-town hospitality, the connections made over decades — this is what makes Pegram so special. It’s not just a place to live, but a place to settle in, savor, and celebrate all aspects of life. The little town has won John’s heart, and he in return works to honor its venerable wildlife. John Carreau embodies Pegram’s generous spirit — by appreciating all it offers, he makes it more vibrant, more alive and beautiful.
