July 2022

MODERN MEETS F A R M H O U S E at HORSESHOE LAKE F E AT U R I N G

JENNIFER ESTES INTERIOR DESIGN

F E AT U R I N G

K I M B E R LY B A C O N I N T E R I O R S

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TA B L E O F C O N T E N T S

28 | HOM E F E A T UR E Jennifer Estes Interior Design takes on the challenge of designing a Victorian farmhouse with a modern twist in Horseshoe Lake, Arkansas.

44 | D E S IGN Heritage Builders and Kimberly Bacon Interiors beautifully execute a Germantown couple's vision for their kitchen, dining and family room update.

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TA B L E O F C O N T E N T S

JULY 2022 home & design 28 HOME FEATURE

Modern Meets Farmhouse at Horseshoe Lake

44 DESIGN

Well Planned, Well Executed

food & travel 56 EXPERIENCE THIS

Summertime in The Grove

62 GETAWAY

A Summer Getaway to Oaklawn Racing Casino Resort

72 IN THE KITCHEN Creamy Peanut Butter Pie

for you

52 WEDDING

Mary Margaret Skudder & Davis Horton

76 HEALTHY YOU Survival Wellness

82 ON A GOOD NOTE The Josephine Circle

in every issue

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14 PUBLISHER'S NOTE

81 SOURCES

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JULY 2022 • VOL. 21 NO. 4 PUBLISHER / EDITORIAL DIRECTOR MARGARET MONGER | mmonger@athomemms.com

MANAGING EDITOR AUBREY ANN MONGER | aamonger@athomemms.com

GRAPHIC DESIGNER GINNI JONES | gjones@athomemms.com

COPY EDITOR TERRI GLAZER

IMAGING COLOR MANAGEMENT CHARLES REYNOLDS | cr@colorretouching.com

ADVERTISING SENIOR ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE HILARY FRANKEL | hafrankel@comcast.net

ACCOUNT EXECUTIVES GAIL HARRELL | gharrell@athomemms.com CHRIS PUGH | chrisapugh@gmail.com QUINN PEEPER | qpeeper@icloud.com

REGIONAL MARKETING JANA FITE HERBISON | jfherbison@gmail.com

BUSINESS DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS TRIP MONGER | tmonger@athomemms.com

MARKETING AND CIRCULATION HARRIET W. DEATON | hdeaton@athomemms.com

HOW TO REACH US 7776 FARMINGTON BLVD, # 1321 GERMANTOWN TN 38183 | 901.684.4155 ATHOMEMMS.COM At Home Memphis & Mid South doesn't accept unsolicited manuscripts. To inquire about freelance opportunities, send a letter, resume and three writing samples to—Editor, At Home Memphis & Mid South: 7776 Farmington Blvd, # 1321 Germantown TN 38183.

SUBSCRIPTIONS Call 901.684.4155 or subscribe at athomemms. com. Annual subscription rate: $19.95. Single copy price: $4.99. At Home Memphis & Mid South is published 12 times a year. Postmaster: Send address changes to At Home Memphis & Mid South, 7776 Farmington Blvd, #1321 Germantown TN 38183. We make every effort to correct factual mistakes or omissions in a timely and candid manner. Information can be forwarded to Trip Monger; At Home Memphis & Mid South, 7776 Farmington Blvd, #1321 Germantown TN 38183. or to tmonger@athomemms.com.

@athomemagazine

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Happy Birthday, America! It’s my favorite summer birthday to celebrate, except mine! Although I feel like we just celebrated this holiday, it also seems long ago. So much has changed for our family since last July—most importantly, the addition of the two precious firecrackers above. We will be celebrating Crawford’s big day this month as she oFISHally turns one! Besides mama and daddy, fish was her first word, so that will be the theme of her party. Miles will be right behind her in just nine months and we can’t wait to see how his personality evolves.

When I think of summer and the Fourth of July in particular, I’m reminded of celebrating somewhere on the water. We now spend the holiday at our cabin on the Spring River, but growing up it was always Lake St. John, in between Ferriday and Waterproof, Louisiana. During my childhood our lake life included swimming and fishing all day, followed by a ride in the pontoon boat, captained by my dad, with his pitcher of tequila sunrises. We would all pack on the boat and he would crank up the eight-track tape of the Eagles’ Greatest Hits while we cruised around searching for “Big George,” the infamous 16-foot alligator resident of Lake St. John.

When the pitcher was empty, we would head back, exhausted, and all the kids would crash in the same room with “pallets” on the floor so we could be together.

I love the childhood memories I have from summers on the lake and the ones we have shared with our children on the river. We look forward to many more on the river with our grandchildren.

The home feature this month is a very special and happy place for a Memphis family, a weekend house on Horseshoe Lake in Arkansas. Although it is newly built, it feels packed with family memories already. From the perfect design and decor to the antique screen doors that squeak and slam, it is the ideal place to kick back and enjoy time with family and friends.

Whether you celebrate at a lake, river, beach or backyard, I hope you have a safe Independence Day and summer. May they be packed with wonderful memories.

— Margaret Monger, PUBLISHER

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H O M E F E AT U R E

STORY TERRI GLAZER DESIGN JENNIFER ESTES INTERIOR DESIGN PHOTOS ANNABELLA CHARLES

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H O M E F E AT U R E

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H O M E F E AT U R E

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H O M E F E AT U R E

"I

wanted to build a house that felt like I’d inherited my grandparents’ Victorian farmhouse, but I’d updated it.” That was the homeowner’s vision for the weekend place she and her husband were planning at Horseshoe Lake in northeast Arkansas.

She shared the idea with her good friend Jennifer Estes, owner of Jennifer Estes Interior Design, who couldn’t resist the chance to work with her pal on a home style not often seen in the Mid South. “The two of us are alike in a lot of ways, but we’re also very different and very good friends. We travel together and do a lot together, but when she told me what she wanted I didn’t really see it at first,” recalls Estes.

“I loved the idea of a modern farmhouse, but the ‘Victorian’ part took me a few days to process. The

more we talked about it, though, the more excited we both got. I love a challenge and the chance to work outside the box!”

The two women talked and planned together until they had a clear vision of the home’s look and layout, then Estes brought in architectural designer Kelly Kirk of FIVE ONE to translate that concept into reality. He put onto paper a home that has the nostalgia of a century-old farmhouse thanks to its L-shaped gable roof design, dual chimneys, metal roof, whitewashed exterior and wrap-around rear screen porch. The floor plan, however, is a perfect fit for the way families live today. The open living room, kitchen and dining area form a large, comfortable space with views of the lake from an expanse of windows across the rear wall. Each of the four bedrooms has an attached bath, a feature not commonly found in older homes but popular in new construction.

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H O M E F E AT U R E

T

he front door itself is a testament to the house’s classic-meets-modern story. After a long search for just the right antique door came up empty, Estes and her client designed a perfect substitute from a current fabricator. The same goes for the stick and ball trim that brings Victorian charm to the kitchen and living room doorways.

Wherever possible, though, the designer and homeowner collectively sourced true vintage pieces, from the fireplace found at Palladio, with its penciled-in measurements left intact from long ago, to the assortment of antique interior door knobs throughout the house. “We had so much fun finding those! Sometimes they match, sometimes they don’t. And some of them are a little wonky, like they would be in your grandmother’s house,” the designer says.

The treasure hunt that yielded most of the decor came during a week-long trip Estes made to Atlanta with the homeowner along. She explains, “That’s one way I work with clients now, if they prefer and it’s a good fit for their project. It’s a little more transparent.”

From fabric vendors to Scott’s Antique Market to quirky little “treasures and finds” places, the two friends scoured the city, bringing home textiles, furniture and accent pieces.

Perhaps their most memorable purchase was an Appalachian memory jug. Originally crafted in the mountains to memorialize a lost loved one, this vessel encrusted with everything from ceramic shards to coins to a pocket knife now sports a round wooden top and serves as a side table in the living room. The piece is emblematic of the entire home’s design, curated rather than coordinated and with a touch of the unexpected.

The look is the product of the collaboration of two people who know each other well, trust one another and sometimes nudge each other creatively.

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H O M E F E AT U R E

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H O M E F E AT U R E

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HO OM MEE FFEEAT ATU URREE H

A

small butler’s pantry off the dining area is a shining example of the way Estes delivered the homeowner’s request to mix elements from different design periods in an understated way. White painted built-in cabinets with glass doors on the uppers look as though they could have been there for generations. Estes played up the vintage appeal with jewelry-style drawer pulls embellished with mother-of-pearl accents, then added contemporary panache with a sophisticated marble and gold parquet backsplash. “They marry so well and the tile updates the old-fashioned look. They’re fun together!” says the homeowner. The wall covering, a Phillip Jeffries wood veneer pattern, adds another bit of modern flair, echoing the geometric design of the living room ceiling.

The couple wanted their lake house kitchen to mimic the layout of the one in their Memphis home, but its aesthetic had to blend the eclectic style of retro-meets-today. Estes achieved that goal by adding corbels to the wall cabinets and the island and lining the walls with white shiplap. An antique leaded-glass window found by the client looks right at home over the sink. Light gray quartz countertops and traditional fixtures keep the look timeless, while a trio of wall shelves holds the owner’s collection of vintage milk glass. Says Estes of the vignette, “Those are all [the owner’s] pieces that she’s collected and bought. I think the collection says a lot about her— elegant, interesting, understated, lots of good taste.”

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A

large bay window fills the primary bedroom with light, playing up the interesting melange of furnishings in the room. Dark and terra cotta accents bring a well-traveled feel to the space, but blend easily with the heirloom style headboard, night stands and chairs. Estes even chose the rug with nostalgia in mind; it looks as though it could have been made by hand, maybe by Grandma on the back porch, in days gone by. Estes sourced the rug, along with all the others for this project, from Kiser’s Floor Fashions.

The attached bathroom takes heritage chic to an elevated level with time-honored elements like hex and subway tiles. Elegantly patterned marble mosaic in the shower stall punches the style up, while the vanity, fashioned from a pair of antique chests of drawers, roots the room firmly in vintage.

The owner’s study is the ultimate in masculine sophistication. More of the Phillip Jeffries wood veneer wallpaper appears here; a herringbone pattern on the walls and a 3D coffered effect on the ceiling.

Inviting leather furniture exudes comfort and a bar area holds a varied and interesting collection of glassware and decanters. Estes’s goal for the room was to accurately reflect the personality of the man of the house, an aviator and an avid hunter. “This gentleman’s study could be for a man like that from today, from 1960, or even from 1880,” she says.

The three upstairs bedrooms have uniquely different styles. The first is a feminine dream with a pair of graceful twin beds covered in colorful antique quilts.

A huge window seat makes the perfect spot to sit with a good book. Again, the team of designer and owner covered every little detail in the room. The rose-colored drapes have the prettiest felted trim and the throw pillows covered in Christian LaCroix for Designers Guild fabric raise the color palette to a vibrant peak. The room’s art ranges from original drawings done by the family’s children to period butterfly prints. Even the doorknobs are girly, vintage porcelain and painted with sweet rosebuds. The wallpaper in the adjoining bath is a show-stopper; oversized cabbage roses with green foliage. Designed

by New York artist John Derian for Designers Guild, the pattern is a throwback to the decoupage technique popular in Victorian times, yet perfect for this modern farmhouse. “We wanted this room to look kind of grandma hodge-podge. Colorful,” says Estes. Mission accomplished in a cheerful and whimsical way.

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H O M E F E AT U R E

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H O M E F E AT U R E

U

pstairs bedroom number two has a more masculine vibe. White shiplap meets with rich blue on the walls for a dramatic, yet not too serious look. Twin poster beds chalk painted dark navy and decked out in bedding with blue and grass green hues continue the mood, as do denim drapes and a blue area rug from Kaiser’s Floor Fashions. The floors in this room and throughout the upstairs are painted in Benjamin Moore Classic Gray, a light shade that reads more soft white. Says the homeowner, “I love painted floors, and we thought they would be in keeping with the period.”

Estes reprised the wood veneer wallpaper in the attached bath, this time in a stylized hexagon pattern. Its geometry and scale are a perfect companion for the classically updated hex tiles on the floor. Another repurposed antique chest serves as the vanity in this bath, topped by a simple wood-framed mirror and a pair of shaded wall sconces with handsome vintage flair.

The upstairs guest room is a comfortable retreat for weekend guests. Estes kept the furnishings and textiles to a tranquil palette here, with shades ranging from clean white to peaceful grays. A custom beaded chandelier adds a fun focal point in ombre blues.

As inviting as the house is, the main attraction at a lake house is, of course, the lake. This home was designed to take full advantage of its shoreside setting. A classic screen porch stretches almost the full length of the house in the back, facing Horseshoe Lake, and wraps around the side, affording panoramic views of the backyard, dock and lake. Anchored by a hexagonal, gazebo-style conversation and TV area in the corner, the porch also includes a large built-in grill and a slew of farmhouse-back-porch essentials: wicker rocking chairs, a porch swing and a screen door.

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H O M E F E AT U R E

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ore than a design project, this house is the product of a great friendship between Estes and her client.

The home was under construction during the height of the COVID pandemic, providing the women a respite from lockdown. “It gave us a chance to get out of the city, to come out to the country and work on it,” Estes recalls.

The homeowner agrees that taking this home from idea to completion with Estes at her side has been like living out a childhood dream. She says, “We’ve joked that it’s been like a grown-up version of doing the backyard playhouse with your best friend!”

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H O M E F E AT U R E

“It’s a lake house, so the furnishings didn’t need to be too over-thought or fancy.

We were able, though, to find things that looked like they had stories.”

—designer Jennifer Estes

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DESIGN

well planned,

WELL EXECUTED DESIGN KIMBERLY BACON INTERIORS | STORY TERRI GLAZER PHOTOGRAPHY ROSS GROUP CREATIVE

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DESIGN

most

homeowners have an idea of what they want when they undertake a

home renovation, but few have as clear a plan as Hal Beckham. His careful thought, aided by the expertise of a creative designer and a trusted builder, resulted in a new kitchen, dining room and family room that fit the Beckham family’s needs like a glove.

“I thought about what I wanted for five or six years,” says Hal. Then, about a year before he and his wife Lori gave the go-ahead for construction to begin, he made a cardboard diorama version of the new kitchen to help Lori visualize his concept.

“We had done a few previous additions and in one of them, things didn’t quite fit like we thought, so I wanted to make sure everything was to scale and would fit,” he adds. The primary cook in the family, Hal knew he wanted his new kitchen to have uncluttered counters, so he inventoried every piece of culinary equipment they owned and mapped out a spot for it, down to which drawer or cabinet it would occupy.

The plan included specialty cabinets outfitted for utensils and spices, and a pair of appliance garages that cleverly hide the couple’s most often used small electrics. In the modified galley-style kitchen, space was at a premium, and his inventive setup made the most of every square inch.

Once Hal had a place for everything, he and Lori turned to professionals to implement the arrangement. The Beckhams had worked with Greg Mitchell of Heritage Builders on an earlier renovation—they’ve done five on their Germantown home in the 29 years they’ve lived there—and they reenlisted him without hesitation. They also called on Kimberly Bacon, owner of Kimberly Bacon Interiors, to steer the design and decor choices.

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DESIGN

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the couple

chose a beautiful dolomite stone from Italy for the countertops in the kitchen and the wet bar area in the living room. Interesting without busyness, it includes both warm and cool tones, enabling limitless color choices for surrounding design elements.

Bacon opted for white wall and base cabinets with a light coat of glaze to soften the finish, allowing it to pick up the beautiful whites and creams of the countertops. For the island and bar area cabinets she selected a soft taupe.

Oil-rubbed bronze hardware throughout unifies the look and plays perfectly off the custom copper and brass vent hood from CopperSmith.

Neutral subway tile gives the kitchen backsplash a timeless feel that Bacon continued in the bar, but with another classic material, antique brick. Ever attentive to detail, Hal hand selected the placement of each brick to achieve the perfect blend of light and dark tones.

Hal’s ingenious kitchen plan included a tower that serves several purposes: it provides a spot for a wall oven, a combination convection oven/microwave and a warming drawer, as well as storage and display space for the Beckhams’ large collection of McCarty pottery. The structure also acts as a visual barrier separating the public part of the home from the family’s more private rooms down the hall.

While the new kitchen is a show stopper, the rest of the renovated area also deserves accolades. The project changed the entire layout of the front of the house, removing a wall, raising the ceiling and adding a 12-foot long extension to fully accommodate the new living room and pantry. The new dining room, which occupies roughly the area of the original living room, is light filled and right sized.

Bacon selected a trestle table in distressed pine, surrounded by linen-upholstered chairs, to give the space casual elegance.

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DESIGN

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DESIGN

the

reimagined living room is anchored by a stunning cast concrete fireplace. A wall of solid limestone blocks rises from it, extending to the vaulted ceiling to create an impressive focal point.

Bacon filled the space with comfortable seating in neutral and blue hues, set off by a light-toned Oushak rug from Oriental Rug House.

Pantry doors don’t often make the list of most remarkable design elements in a home, but the Beckhams’ is a definite exception to that rule. Sourced from Front Street Antiques, the vintage glass-andwood piece once hung in the Memphis College of Art’s original home in Victorian Village. Lori recalls that the initial plan was to strip the door and paint it white to match the rest of the millwork in the room.

Once Hal started the process, though, the plan changed. “All the beautiful layers of patina that it has…we just left it and the colors are perfect with our other choices.”

Bacon agrees, “All those colors represent the years, the history behind the door.”

From the homeowner’s meticulous preparation to the designer’s creative choices to the contractor’s quality workmanship, this renovation defines the importance of thoughtful planning.

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WEDDING

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Mary Margaret Skudder & Davis Horton A P R I L 2, 2022 | RO S E M A RY B EAC H, F L PARENTS OF THE BRIDE: BETH AND DAVID SKUDDER PARENTS OF THE GROOM: PAM AND MICHAEL HORTON WEDDING: ROSEMARY BEACH TOWN HALL RECEPTION: ROSEMARY BEACH WESTERN GREEN REHEARSAL DINNER: PESCADO IN ROSEMARY BEACH WEDDING PLANNING: ARDEN SANDERS & COLEMAN CRYE OF ARDEN SANDERS EVENTS FLORIST: MYRTIE BLUE PHOTOGRAPHER: DEAR WESLEYANN PHOTOGRAPHY INVITATIONS: FRESH INK IN JACKSON, MS ENTERTAINMENT: RHYTHM NATION BAKER: BARB’S CAKES IN BIRMINGHAM WEDDING DRESS: MAGGIE LOUISE BRIDAL MAKEUP: YVET TE NATION HAIR: CAROLINE ENGSTROM

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EXPERIENCE THIS

summertime in the G R O V E STORY BY PARKE KENNEDY | PHOTO BY JUSTIN FOX BURKS 56 | At Home Memphis & Mid South • July 2022

EXPERIENCE THIS

PHOTO BY ANDREA ZUCKER PHOTOGRAPHY

the

outdoors is summertime’s best playground and the Germantown Performing Arts Center has something to keep the entire family entertained. As the weather turns hot and humid, The Grove at GPAC offers a lush lawn and shady, tree-lined escape. Among the many summer “doin’s” in July and August are Happy Hours and Summer Movies.

On Thursday evenings, the bar in The Grove is open for Happy Hour. From five to eight, live music wafts through the warm air and guests enjoy the casual but somehow also sophisticated ambience. Admission is free and some of the best bartenders in town serve up exciting drink specials, deals on local beers and $5 wine. Competitive types can test their

skills at cornhole and other games, but it’s also fine to just relax and enjoy catching up with friends on a summer’s eve.

On select Fridays in July and August, The Grove is playing classic movies on its giant screen. The lineup includes family favorites featuring music and dancing, and a slew of different food trucks will be on hand with al fresco treats. Grab a lawn chair and go old school watching a movie outside in the summer night air. Attendees may bring their own food and drinks or try out the fare in Food Truck Alley and at the bar in The Grove.

For additional information and to purchase tickets to events in The Grove and at GPAC, go to www.gpacweb.com or call the box office at 901.751.7500.

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EXPERIENCE THIS

the summertime lineup Happy Hour in The Grove Thur., July 7 | 5-8 p.m.

Summer Movie Series: Grease 2 Fri., July 8 | Gates open at 6 p.m. for cocktails and live music by Tiffany Harmon on the First Horizon Foundation Plaza. | Food truck: Green Beetle | Movie starts at 7 p.m.

Sponsored by Germantown Presbyterian Church Memphis Jazz Workshop Summer Jam Sat., July 9 | Gates open at 7 p.m.

Food truck: Just Wraps| Music starts at 7:30 p.m.

Happy Hour in The Grove Thur., July 14 | 5-8 p.m.

Summer Movie Series: La Bamba Fri., July 15 | Gates open at 6 p.m. for cocktails and live music by Honey Vincent on the First Horizon Foundation Plaza. | Food truck: Gourmade | Movie starts at 7 p.m.

Sponsored by Germantown Presbyterian Church Happy Hour in The Grove Thur., July 21 | 5-8 p.m.

Summer Movie Series: Center Stage Fri., July 22 | Gates open at 6 p.m. for cocktails and live music by Memphis Jazz Workshop on the First Horizon Foundation Plaza. | Food truck: Just Wraps | Movie starts at 7 p.m.

Sponsored by Germantown Presbyterian Church Happy Hour in The Grove Thur., July 28 | 5-8 p.m.

Happy Hour in The Grove Thur., Aug. 4 | 5-8 p.m.

Summer Movie Series: Mr. Holland’s Opus Fri., Aug. 5 | Gates open at 6 p.m. for cocktails and live music by 3 Degrees on the First Horizon Foundation Plaza Food truck: Authentic Toast | Movie starts at 7 p.m.

Sponsored by Germantown Presbyterian Church Happy Hour in The Grove Thur., Aug. 11 | 5-8 p.m.

Summer Movie Series: Rodgers and Hammerstein’s Cinderella Fri., Aug. 12 | Gates open at 6 p.m. for cocktails and live music by Memphis Jazz Workshop on the First Horizon Foundation Plaza. | Food truck: Gourmade | Movie starts at 7 p.m.

Sponsored by Germantown Presbyterian Church Happy Hour in The Grove Thur., Aug. 18 | 5-8 p.m.

Summer Movie Series: Dirty Dancing Fri., Aug. 19 | Gates open at 6 p.m. for cocktails and live music by Brooke Fair on the First Horizon Foundation Plaza Food truck: Just Wraps | Movie starts at 7 p.m.

Sponsored by Germantown Presbyterian Church Happy Hour in The Grove Thur., Aug. 25 | 5-8 p.m.

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G E TAWAY

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G E TAWAY

A SUMMER GETAWAY TO OAKLAWN RACING CASINO RESORT TEXT BY CALEB YARBROUGH PHOTOS COURTESY OF OAKLAWN

For those looking for a getaway in the Mid South, historic Hot Springs, Arkansas, is the ultimate destination.

Hot Springs is home to Oaklawn Racing Casino Resort and Hot Springs National Park, as well as some of the Natural State’s most beautiful scenery and outdoor recreation opportunities.

Hot Springs National Park is one of the most unique parks in the U.S. National Park Service system. Much of the city’s historic downtown, with its 19th-century bathhouses and period architecture, sits within the park’s grounds.

The park includes 26 miles of hiking trails and is conveniently located within walking distance of numerous restaurants. Oaklawn Racing Casino Resort and its worldclass, full-service hotel are just a short two-mile drive away.

For more than a century, Oaklawn has been a staple of the international thoroughbred racing circuit. In 2022, Oaklawn extended its racing season, which now runs from December to May. The Arkansas Derby and Rebel Stakes are annual highlights.

Oaklawn’s state-of-the-art casino offers live craps and blackjack, numerous slot games and a sportsbook area. The resort’s event center hosts live entertainment including music and other performances. On Aug. 6 country music legend Clint Black will take the stage.

Unlike many asinos, Oaklawn’s main gaming floor is 100 percent non-smoking. Smokers will find a dedicated smoking section in the casino outfitted with air-filtration technology that ensures the smoke never leaves the designated area.

This fall, just in time for football season, Oaklawn’s Sportsbook will premiere its online sports wagering platform, available as an app on Apple and Android mobile devices and on desktop computers. The new platform will mirror the wagering menu offered in the casino and will allow guests of legal age within Arkansas to bet on sports remotely through the casino.

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G E TAWAY

Oaklawn visitors are sure to work up an appetite, and with various bars and restaurants on campus, they have plenty of options. Casual dining options include Big Al’s Diner & Deli, serving classic American staples inspired by 1950s diner fare, Percs, with gourmet coffee drinks and fresh pastries, Silks Bar & Grill, the best place to watch the big game, and the Track Kitchen, famous for old-time breakfast favorites and the best burgers in town. Oaklawn also offers multiple upscale dining offerings: The Bugler and The OAK Room both received 2022 OpenTable Diner’s Choice Awards. Each restaurant offers an array of American cuisine, including carefully selected fish and steaks, in a romantic and sophisticated atmosphere.

Guests can enjoy signature cocktails or their favorite beverage while listening to live music in Pop’s Lounge, overlooking the legendary racetrack from the patio of The First Turn Bar, or unwinding by the fireplace in the hotel lobby bar.

While it is best known for Oaklawn and the national park, Hot Springs is also a prime hub for some of the best golf in the Mid South. Less than three miles from Oaklawn, the Hot Springs Country Club offers two 18-hole courses spread across the foothills of the Ouachita Mountains.

A half-hour drive from the Spa City, Hot Springs Village is a golfer’s dream. The small community with a population of around 15,000 is home to eight public clubs including the 27-hole Isabella Golf Club complex.

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G E TAWAY

Oaklawn’s new luxury hotel features spacious standard rooms and suites, all with free WiFi, large-screen TVs, fine bed linens and towels, robes and more. In spring and summer, the resort’s private swimming pool, available exclusively to hotel guests, features lavish cabanas and a bar with a range of food and beverages delivered poolside.

The Astral Spa, on-site at the hotel, promises a world-class spa experience with luxurious services including massages, body treatments, facials, manicures, pedicures and more. In addition to the spa, Astral also features parlors and locker rooms with a steam room, infrared sauna, whirlpool, cold room and needle shower, reminiscent of the city’s historic downtown bathhouses.

Appealing to fans of history, luxurious relaxation, thoroughbred racing, gaming, golf, outdoor recreation, world-class entertainment, good food and great times, Hot Springs is the most versatile vacation destination in the Mid South.

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G E TAWAY

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IN THE KITCHEN

Creamy Peanut Butter Pie RECIPE & PHOTO JIM NORTON

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T H E C RU S T: 2 ½ cups (about 25 cookies) peanut butter cookie crumbs (we use Nutter Butter) 5 Tbsp. melted butter 2 Tbsp. brown sugar ⅛ tsp. cinnamon

1. Preheat oven to 350˚. Add cookies to a food processor and blend until crumbs are formed, or crush by hand in a large plastic zip-top bag.

2. Place crumbs in a medium bowl and add melted butter, brown sugar and cinnamon.

3. Using a fork, mix well to combine.

4. Lightly spray a 9 ½-inch glass pie dish with non-stick spray.

5. Add crust mixture to the dish.

Press mixture firmly and evenly into the bottom and up the sides of the dish. Bake for 10 mins.

6. Remove from the oven and set aside to cool completely before

adding the filling.

THE FILLING: 8 oz. cream cheese, softened 1 ¼ cups creamy peanut butter ½ cup sugar ½ cup powdered sugar ½ tsp. vanilla 1 Tbsp. honey ½ cup praline peanuts, chopped 12 mini Reese’s peanut butter cups cut into quarters 1 ½ cups heavy whipping cream 1. In a large mixing bowl add cream cheese, peanut butter, sugar, powdered sugar, vanilla and honey. Using an electric mixer, beat ingredients on high until nice and smooth.

2. Add chopped praline peanuts and quartered mini peanut butter cups and fold. Set aside.

3. In a separate medium-sized bowl add the heavy whipping cream.

4. Using electric mixer, beat on high until thick and fluffy, the consistency of whipped topping.

5. Add whipped cream to the peanut butter mixture and fold in until well combined.

6. Spread mixture evenly into prepared pie crust, cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least six hours or overnight.

THE TOPPING: 1 cup heavy whipping cream ½ cup sugar ½ cup praline peanuts, chopped 1. In a medium mixing bowl add heavy whipping cream and sugar.

2. Using electric mixer, beat on high until thick and fluffy, the consistency of whipped topping.

3. Remove the peanut butter pie from the refrigerator and top with whipped cream.

4. Sprinkle with chopped praline peanuts and enjoy! thenortonrecipe.com Facebook @thenortonrecipe Instagram @thejimnorton

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H E A LT H Y Y O U

Survival Wellness STORY MICHELLE JOHNS

tips on backyard gardening and finding alternative resources for baby formula

Since the pandemic began many of us have experienced circumstances we thought our civilized and developed country would never face. Food shortages are at the top of the list.

Now more than ever, you are your best advocate for your well-being and healthcare.

In March, I started noticing aisles of empty shelves in local grocery stores. Last week, I saw two posts from friends here in Memphis reporting no produce in Kroger, one of our country’s largest grocery chains.

Living a self-sustaining life is as important today as it was in the days before grocery stores and mass-produced foods. The first step toward becoming self-sustaining is growing your own food. You do not have to live in the country to have a self-sustaining homestead; you can turn your backyard into a mini farm with simple methods and light work. I have been backyard gardening for almost seven years. You do not need a lot of space to yield a significant amount of food. Did you know one tomato plant can yield as much as 30 pounds of tomatoes?

How to get started: Identify a spot in your yard that gets a minimum of six hours of sunlight a day.

1. Build a 4x4x2-foot raised garden bed.

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MA, LPC-MHSP (TEMP), NCC, 200 HR E-RTY, 500 HR RYT

2. Fill your bed with a combination of topsoil (60%), potting soil (30%), and compost (10%).

3. Mark or grid your box with 12x12-inch squares.

4. Plant with transplants or start plants from seeds. You only need one plant, or three to five seeds, per square foot.

All your garden will need is a little weeding here and there, sunlight and water. As the seasons change you will need to change out the plants.

Below I share some resources to help you further.

In addition to growing your own food, you may consider growing your community of likeminded people. Collaborating with your friends and neighbors to create a self-sustaining system can be a great way to ensure you have enough resources to weather shortages and expand your supplies.

In many parts of the country baby formula is currently difficult to find and when in stock, available for purchase only in limited quantities, leaving mothers worrying how they will feed their little ones.

In a recent conversation with my dad he told me that his younger sister needed an alternative to breast milk and formula, so my Grandaddy bought a goat as a milk source for his baby girl. The baby formula shortage has created great concerns for parents across the country.

Mothers who are struggling to find formula could consider alternatives including breast milk from a breast milk bank or goat milk.

H E A LT H Y Y O U

While there may be some concerns over alternative resources, they could still be viable options and are worth considering. Parents should do their own research and decide what is best for their family. Below is a short list of resources to facilitate research.

the best and longest lives interact with loving family and friends of all generations on a regular basis.

•

squarefootgardening.org

In addition to growing food and sourcing alternative resources, the following wellness tips are equally important to prepare for any future pandemic surges and food shortages.

•

backyardgardener.com

Baby formula alternatives:

Regular exercise: Engage in some form of exercise every day. Get your heart rate up at least five times a week with cardio exercise for at least 30 minutes.

Spiritual practice: Every day set aside breaks for time alone with soft music, complete silence, breathing exercises—whatever works for you for a time of mindfulness. If you struggle to disconnect and slow the everyday thoughts, start with 10-minute increments.

Social Interaction: Dan Buettner, National Geographic reporter, discovered that those who live in the five places on the earth where people have

Backyard gardening resources:

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msmilkbank.org

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milkbanktn.org

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onlythebreast.com

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mamanatural.com/best-baby-formula/

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organicformulashop.com/collections/holleorganic-goat-milk-formula

Note: The contents of this documentation are for educational purposes and are not intended to offer personal medical advice. Readers should seek the advice of a physician or other qualified health provider with questions regarding a medical condition and lifestyle changes. Resources for the content of this piece are available upon request.

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JULY 2022 HO M E F E AT U R E Special Thanks Jennifer Estes Interior Design jenniferestes.com Annabella Charles Photography annabellacharles.com

DESIGN Special Thanks Kimberly Bacon Interiors kimberlybaconinteriors.com Greg Mitchell of Heritage Builders hbgdesignbuild.com

EXPERIENCE THIS Special Thanks Germantown Performing Arts Center gpacweb.com

GETAWAY Special Thanks Oaklawn Racing Casino Resort oaklawn.com

IN THE KITCHEN Special Thanks Jim Norton thenortonrecipe.com

HEALTHY YOU Special Thanks Michelle Johns mjohns@transformingwellness.com Wellness MD wellnessmd.clinic

ON A GOOD NOTE Special Thanks Josephine Circle, Inc. josephinecircle.org July 2022 • athomemms.com | 81

ON A GOOD NOTE

TEXT AND PHOTOS COURTESY OF JOSEPHINE CIRCLE

THE JOSEPHINE CIRCLE

Founded in 1914 by Josephine Millsaps Fitzhugh and named in her honor, The Josephine Circle, Inc., is an organization of women dedicated to providing scholarships and interest-free loans to young people who need financial assistance for their college education. The funding for these scholarships and loans is raised through projects sponsored by the organization, including an annual luncheon, fashion show and silent auction. The group also welcomes corporate and individual donations from the community.

Josephine Fitzhugh’s interest in education came from her father, who founded Millsaps College in

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Jackson, MS. That legacy continued when she married Guston T. Fitzhugh, whose grandfather founded Belhaven College in Jackson, MS. An early champion of the welfare of girls in the juvenile court system in Memphis, she encouraged friends to join her in providing support for them.

The group expanded into what is now one of Memphis’ most active charitable organizations for deserving college students, having endowed the Josie Fitzhugh Scholarship at Rhodes College and The Josephine Circle, Inc., Scholarship at the University of Memphis, as well as scholarships at the University of Tennessee Allied Health Center. Josephine Circle awards up to 20 interestfree loans of $2,500 each semester.

Each donation helps a person fulfill an educational dream. To make a donation or for more information go to josephinecircle.org. All donations are tax deductible.

The Josephine Circle, Inc., is tax exempt under section 501(3)(c) of the Internal Revenue Code.

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