October 2014

Elegant

Country Living

SPECIAL SECTION: HEALTH

Fall Fashion

CONTENTS OCTOBER 2014

20

66

31

Rustic elegance is reflected in the home of Virginia and Steve Cox featured on page 66.

20

FASHION COUNTRY CHIC

Fall in love with these pieces for your autumn wardrobe

OCTOBER 2014

31

HEALTH SPECIAL SECTION

Expert advice on current health topics

• YOUR LIFESTYLE FOR YOU • YOUR HOME

66 Elegant

HOME FEATURE ELEGANT COUNTRY LIVING

A look at Virginia and Steve Cox’s elegant, spacious home in Jonesboro, Arkansas

Country Living

ATHOMEMMS.COM

H SPECIAL SECTION: HEALT

Fall Fashion

6 | At Home Memphis & Mid South • October 2014

FOLLOW US ON FACEBOOK AND TWITTER.

CONTENTS OCTOBER 2014

LIFESTYLE 26 beauty Pretty in Pink 60 music Wilson Phillips 100 finance Charitable Giving

44 48

HOME 62 at home with Amy Head 64 technology The internet of Things at Home 76 design The Home Bar 82 garden Gardening with Conifers 84 outdoor living Scarecrows on the Square

ON THE ROAD 40 mid south must do Tupelo Chili Fest 44 travel Greenville, South Carolina 48 roadtrip The Hilton Sandestin 54 community hotspot Tunica, Mississippi 106 a closer look Can you guess it?

94

F O O D & E N T E R TA I N I N G 86 entertaining Game Day at The Grove 92 cooking Festive Pumpkin Recipes 94 cuisine Ground Zero Blues Club

I N E V E RY I S S U E 12 | PUBLISHER’S NOTE 14 | CONTRIBUTORS 80 | STYLE MARKETPLACE 96 | BY INVITATION — the social pages

102 | HAPPENINGS 105 | SOURCES 8 |At Home Memphis & Mid South • October 2014

OCTOBER 2014 • VOL. 13 NO. 7 PUBLISHER/EDITORIAL DIRECTOR MARGARET MONGER | mmonger@athomemms.com

EDITOR LESLEY HARRIS COLVETT | lcolvett@athomemms.com

CREATIVE DIRECTOR BRITTANY WALLER | bwaller@athomemms.com

EDITORIAL COPY EDITOR TERRI GLAZER

SOCIETY EDITOR LESLEY HARRIS COLVETT | lcolvett@athomemms.com

IMAGING COLOR MANAGEMENT

CHARLES REYNOLDS | cr@colorretouching.com

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

ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE MEGAN EIDT | meidt@gmail.com

ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE JOCATHY ELKINGTON | jcelkington@athomemms.com

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

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

WEBMASTER/GRAPHIC DESIGNER LAURIE A. SUMMERS | lsummers@athomemms.com

CONTRIBUTORS CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS JOHN TERRY, CREATION STUDIOS, AMY LONG AND SARAH ROSSI

INTERNS OLIVIA BETTERTON, SHAY GARRETT AND E.B. WATSON, AND MADELINE POLINSKI

HOW TO REACH US 671 N. Ericson Rd., Suite 200 | Cordova, TN 38018 TOLL FREE 877.684.4155 | FAX 866.354.4886 WEBSITE: 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: 671 N. Ericson Rd., Suite 200, Cordova, TN 38018.

SUBSCRIPTIONS Call 877.684.4155 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, 671 N. Ericson Rd., Suite 200, Cordova, TN 38018. 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, 671 N. Ericson Rd., Suite 200, Cordova, TN 38018 or to tmonger@athomemms.com.

10 | At Home Memphis & Mid South • October 2014

publisher’s note

treat

Trick or

H

alloween is just around the corner: kids and parents all around are picking out that perfect costume, and homes are being decorated to frighten even the bravest. For some, the scarier the better and they will stop at nothing to ensure their home is the most frightening on the block.

I remember those days but I have trouble remembering how we have celebrated since our kids have grown up.

Nothing really comes to mind. I was trying to think about what we did last year and I can’t remember, but it did bring up some deep thoughts on Halloween.

I started remembering the good ol’ trick-or-treating days with our two and how we made sure we had the “good candy‚” aka taking precautions not to get your house egged. The house had pumpkins that were turned into jack o’lanterns by my husband and children after his intense carving session with them. Trip might seem easygoing to some but not when it came to pumpkin-carving time. He made sure our children knew just how serious this time was. Then we made sure we had the proper Halloween supper of chili and hot dogs. I’m not sure why but we cooked it every year and continue it to this day. Costumes were decided weeks before but always were somewhat the same. Our daughter was always a princess and our son was always some form of a superhero. I never thought of it before but what they dressed up as for Halloween is how I see them today, our princess and superhero. Looking back on it, I am so glad our son didn’t dress as a serial killer and our daughter as a Playboy bunny, one costume I never understood parents allowing. All dressed up, we would roam the neighborhood with large sacks collecting candy from strangers. Yes, strangers. Then a random thought came to mind. We spend 364 days a year telling our children not to take candy from strangers and one day a year we dress them up in costume and take them to beg for candy from strangers! If this isn’t confusing enough, we, as adults, dress up, sometimes with a mask over our face, and give candy to kids we don’t know in an environment we create to scare them. Who thinks that is not creepy? What other poor decisions did I make in my parenting? Oh well, I’m sure too many to mention and it doesn’t seem like much harm was done as I think they grew up to be pretty good adults. That certain princess will be turning 25 this month, so big birthday wishes for Callie.

I hope you enjoy this issue as much as we have enjoyed creating it. Make sure and take some time to enjoy the great fall weather and get your home decorated and ready for Halloween! And please, remember the good candy, you know the stuff… it’s the candy we, as parents, take from their stash when they get home just to make sure something isn’t wrong with it. After all, we always have our little superheroes’ and princesses’ best interest at heart and they don’t need all that candy because it will keep them up all night.

12 | At Home Memphis & Mid South • October 2014

contributors ANGELA MAZANTi • entertaining

is the proprietor of Angela Mazanti Design. she specializes in interior, floral and event design, and her work has been locally and nationally recognized as outstanding in the field.

joRDANA WhiTE • home feature

is a lifestyle writer and editor. in addition to contributing to At Home Memphis & Mid South magazine, she writes for nationally distributed Life & Style magazine and several online outlets. once a resident of nashville, she now lives in new York with her husband ian and two young sons, brayden and cooper.

APRiL McKiNNEy • cooking

is an award-winning cook, food writer and recipe demonstrator. she has been featured on the Today show and better tV, after her recipes won national cooking contests. You can also see her creating new healthy and simple dishes on her Youtube channel, “April McKinney cooking,” where she demonstrates her recipes on camera.

ANDREW PULTE • garden

is a gardening expert and internationally certified arborist who teaches at the university of tennessee, contributes to several gardening publications and hosts a radio show, “Garden talk.” originally from nebraska, Pulte now gardens and resides in Knoxville with his wife beccy and son Theo.

chUcK DAUPhiN • music

has two decades of experience covering country music for both print and broadcast media. He is currently the online country editor for Billboard magazine and has worked for radio stations including WDKn and the interstate radio network. He has also written for such publications as Music City News and Roughstock, and can be heard weekly on WnKX / centerville.

14 | At Home Memphis & Mid South • October 2014

October 2014 • athomemms.com | 17

fashion

country

Chic Fall in love with fashion this Autumn

Location Bonne Terre country inn | Photography by Sarah Rossi makeup by Matt Gossett Hair by McLaine Richards Craig

Dark Green Top by Lola & Sophie, Mid Rise Skinny Jean by Vizcaino, Tan Saffron Booties by Sherican | Mia, Earthtone Necklace by Amy Wells Designs, Loni’s Fashions in Collierville 20 | At Home Memphis & Mid South • October 2014

Handbag Katie Kalsi

Orelea Blouse by Yest, Jeans by Dear John, Camel Zipped Bootie, Santa Fe Necklace by Brighton, Santa Fe Earrings by Brighton Center Stage in Hernando

fashion

October 2014 • athomemms.com | 21

fashion

22 | At Home Memphis & Mid South • October 2014

V-Neck Paisley Dress by Analili, Laser Cut Swede Heels by Dolce Vita, Rose Gold Necklace, Amber Bead Drop Earrings Lori James Boutique in Memphis

fashion

Purse Katie Kalsi T-luxe Racer Back Tank, Skinny Mahogany Jeans, Rabbit Fur Vest, Agate Spike Necklace, Gold Plated Glass Pendant Earrings, Tibetan Agate Bracelets Milli Grace in Germantown Boots Models own

October 2014 • athomemms.com | 23

fashion

V-Neck Scallop Lace Dress by Fifteen Twenty Nella in Oxford Nude Careen Heels by Jessica Simpson Dillard's 24 | At Home Memphis & Mid South • October 2014

Black and Copper Reptile Point 2 Piece Suit by Cartise, Italian Leather Shoulder Bag and Square Dangle Earrings by J Jansen Betty Hays in Germantown

fashion

Clarete Heels by Antonio Melani Dillard's Car courtesy of Bluff City Jaguar

October 2014 • athomemms.com | 25

2

FIGHT BREAST CANCER Special Edition Flawless, Lip Gloss & Silicone Wristband

beauty

FakeBake, $30, www.fakebake.com

1

Dramatically Different Moisturizing Lotion Clinique, $38, www.bonton.com

PRETTY IN PINK HONOR NATIONAL BREAST CANCER AWARENESS MONTH WITH THESE GREAT PRODUCTS

3

Smell the Roses Hydration Spray Jane Iredale, $29, www.janeiredale.com

5

Mineral Hand Cream

AHAVA, $23, www.ulta.com

4

Limited Edition Breast Cancer Awareness Collection Lip Balm & Hand Collection Eos, $8, www.evolutionofsmooth.com

6

Pink of Hearts 2014 Duo Pack OPI, $17, www.ulta.com

7

Pro-Collagen Marine Cream Elemis, $18, www.timetospa.com

8

Spa Comforts Socks

DreamTime, $18, www.bonton.com

26 | At Home Memphis & Mid South • October 2014

1

Clinique offers a special limitededition bottle of its best-selling Dramatically Different Moisturizing Lotion each October. Clinique will donate $10 per each special-edition moisturizing lotion sold to The Breast Cancer Research Foundation, while supplies last.

2

This special edition set includes one of each: Flawless, Prissy Lips Lip Gloss and silicone wristband. Proceeds benefit the "Wings of Karen" Foundation.

3

This moisturizing facial spritz features organic Rose Damascena Flower Water which is an excellent skin tonic and cleanses, calms inflammation and reduces redness without disturbing skin's natural protective shield.One hundred percent of profits will be donated to Living Beyond Breast CancerÂŽ in support of women affected by breast cancer.

4

Delight in giving back. This special collection includes limited edition Strawberry Sorbet Smooth Stick lip balm, Pomegranate Raspberry Smooth Sphere lip balm and Berry Blossom hand lotion. A portion of proceeds will benefit breast cancer research.

5

This limited edition 50% More Hand Cream will be available during the month of October with 10% of proceeds being donated to the National Breast Cancer Foundation.

6

The OPI Pink of Hearts 2014 set features two pink nail polishes and a cute nail file with a pink-ribbon charm.

In addition to helping to raise awareness of breast cancer, OPI will donate $25,000 to Susan G. Komen.

7

Elemis' best-selling, multi-award winning moisturizer turns pink in celebration of their annual donation to Breast Cancer Care. Elemis pledges to donate $10,000 to the charity to help raise vital money needed to provide information and support for anyone affected by breast cancer.

8

These fleece-covered socks are filled with flax, cinnamon, clove & eucalyptus for aromatic comfort.

October 2014 • athomemms.com | 27

28 | At Home Memphis & Mid South • October 2014

SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION

health2014

Special Advertising Section on Healthy Living September October 2014 • athomemms.com | 31

special advertising section

Breast Cancer Awareness TEXT BY Elaine Hare, Executive Director, Memphis-MidSouth Affiliate of Susan G. Komen

One in eight women will be diagnosed with breast cancer in her lifetime. The good news is that research is saving lives. In 1980, the five-year relative survival rate for women diagnosed with early-stage breast cancer was about 74 percent. Today that number is 99 percent. The important factor is early detection.

• Lump, hard knot or thickening inside the breast or underarm area • Swelling, warmth, redness or darkening of the breast • Change in the size or shape of the breast • Dimpling or puckering of the skin • New pain in one spot that doesn't go away

Make healthy lifestyle choices

Each year, more than 200,000 women in the U.S. are expected to be diagnosed with invasive breast cancer and nearly 40,000 women will die from the disease. Except for skin cancers, breast cancer is the most common cancer in women, but it can be successfully treated. Early detection and effective treatment for breast cancer have been shown to improve survival. Breast cancer knows no age, gender, socioeconomic or geographic boundaries. The most common risk factors are being female and growing older. Most women diagnosed with breast cancer have no other known risk factors.

• Maintain a healthy weight • Add exercise into your routine • Limit alcohol intake • Limit menopausal hormone use • Breastfeed if you can Every two minutes, one case of breast cancer is diagnosed in a woman in the U.S. Every 13 minutes, one woman in the U.S. will lose her life to breast cancer. Most women who get breast cancer have no family history of the disease. The breast cancer risk linked to family history may be due to either shared lifestyle factors such as diet, exercise or alcohol use or inherited genetic mutations.

However, only five to 10 percent of breast cancers are due to genetics.

The exact causes of breast cancer are not known, but there are things you can do that may improve your health and reduce your risk of breast cancer.

Know your risk

• Have a mammogram every year starting at • Talk to both sides of your family to learn age 40 if you are at average risk October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, about your family health history the perfect time to learn more about your • Have a clinical breast exam at least every risk, review the four Breast Self Awareness • Talk to your provider about your personal three years starting at age 20, and every year steps above and talk to your doctor. risk of breast cancer starting at age 40 Get screened

Know what's normal for you

• Ask your doctor which screening tests are See your health care provider if you notice right for you if you are at a higher risk changes that include: 32 | At Home Memphis & Mid South • September 2014

special advertising section

Venous intervention:

BEFORE

AFTER

Do you have

Venous Insufficiency?

Varicose veins

leads to a sensation of heaviness, and causes the veins to enlarge. The veins that branch Varicose veins are abnormal veins that can into the surface of the skin become dilated, occur in the legs. They can be small, thin and appear as varicose veins. purple-colored lines (called “spider veins”) that lie just below the surface, or they can What are the symptoms? appear as thick, bulging, or knotted veins.

While many people think that varicose veins • Achy or heavy feeling in the legs are simply a cosmetic issue, there is often • Burning, throbbing, muscle cramping an underlying medical problem that causes • Swelling in the legs varicose veins. This medical condition is • Pain after prolonged standing called venous insufficiency. Varicose veins • Itching are very common in the United States, • Recurrent phlebitis or cellulites affecting approximately 15% of men and (inflammation or infection) • Dark brown discoloration or ulcers near 25% of women. the ankle • Sometimes none What causes varicose veins?

Arteries bring blood from the heart to the legs, veins then bring the blood from the legs back to the heart. Varicose veins result from problems in the veins. When you stand, oneway valves in your veins close to prevent your blood from rushing to your feet. In some people, these valves become worn out. Over time, the blood backs up in the veins, and pressure builds up. This increased pressure

• Laser treatment – This treatment eliminates varicose veins and is done in our office. Your lower leg is numbed with a local anesthetic. Using ultrasound, the doctor finds the abnormal vein and punctures it with a small needle. A long plastic tube, called a catheter, is then passed through the vein up to the leaking valve, usually found in the groin. Through the catheter, the laser is passed. The laser is activated and slowly pulled out of the vein, closing down so it will no longer leak. This procedure lasts less than an hour, and other than the pinches from the local anesthetic, is relatively painless. After the procedure, you can walk right out of the office. You will need to wear a support stocking for at least two weeks, but you can return to normal activities immediately.

One week after treatment you will need to attend a follow up examination to ensure the procedure was successful.

• Adjunt treatments include sclerotherapy and ambulatory phlebectomy.

If symptoms are not relieved with conservative medical treatment, most insurance plans cover the endovenous laser treatment. Call 901.767.6765.

Kishore K. Arcot, MD, FACC, established Memphis Vein Center with the goal of providing quality vascular care in a relaxed and convenient environment. Dr. Arcot is a board-certified interventional cardiologist with 15 years of experience in interventional cardiology and management of peripheral vascular diseases. He received his cardiovascular training at the University of California San Francisco and has trained several practicing cardiologists in peripheral vascular percutaneous intervention. Besides being board-certified in interventional cardiology, he has extensive training and expertise in treating both in venous and arterial disease.

How is it treated?

Conservative therapy: • Support stockings – Wearing compression stockings is an important part of any vein treatment.

• Anti-inflammatory medication – Medications like ibuprofen (Motrin) can help alleviate symptoms.

34 | At Home Memphis & Mid South • October 2014

Kishore K. Arcot, MD

speCIal aDvertIsIng seCtIon

The BenefiTs of

CosmetiC Dentistry

are More Than skin Deep Shakespeare once said, “The eyes are the window to your soul.” Researchers these days prove a different part of your face is the window to your systemic health: your mouth.

Let’s say you’re one of the nearly 65 million Americans who has gum disease. Your dentist might be the first medical professional to see signs of heart disease and diabetes. Why? Many scientists believe inflammation caused by gum disease could be responsible for the link to diabetes, according to the American Academy of Periodontology. Gum disease also can worsen existing heart conditions.

good oral hygiene. Patients undergoing orthodontic treatment with conventional brackets and wires have to be particularly diligent when brushing and flossing and must avoid certain foods to prevent damaging their appliances. Those who use Invisalign have no food restrictions and they simply remove their aligners so they can brush and floss as normal. When you maintain healthy teeth and gums by brushing, flossing and having routine dental exams and professional cleanings you increase your chances of preventing gum disease.

The connection between diabetes and gum disease is a two-way street. Diabetics are more susceptible to infection, and this also makes them more susceptible to gum disease.

Conversely, diabetics with gum disease may have a tougher time controlling their blood sugar. Other links between unhealthy gums and systemic health issues include osteoporosis, respiratory disease and cancer.

With a growing body of evidence suggesting that taking better care of your teeth and gums can promote overall health, it’s time to look at two popular treatments often perceived as just cosmetic in a different light.

Invisalign is not just about a pretty smile; it’s about healthy teeth and gums.

Dental Implants

The smile often is the first thing we notice about people, so when you’re missing a tooth – particularly a front tooth – it can interfere with your self-esteem and self-confidence.

There’s no question that replacing a missing tooth with a dental implant carries enormous cosmetic weight, but the benefits go deeper.

Your teeth serve important functions, including biting into and chewing food, and they preserve healthy jawbone. Teeth and jaws support and are dependent upon each InvIsalIgn other to function optimally. Each missing The popular tooth alignment system is tooth results in about 10 percent loss in credited with giving wearers a beautiful smile chewing ability. they are proud to display, but there’s more to this aesthetic orthodontic treatment. Decay- Let’s say you lose a lower molar to decay causing bacteria can accumulate in the nooks or trauma and you don’t get it replaced. and crannies between crowded, crooked The teeth on either side of that missing teeth. That bacteria can lead to red, inflamed molar no longer are kept in their proper gums. Left untreated, it can become gum positions and they will slowly drift into the disease. Teeth that are in proper alignment gap left by the missing tooth. The molar in lack these nooks and crannies and are easier your upper jaw will grow longer now that to brush, floss and keep clean. there’s no adjacent lower molar to hold it in place when your mouth is closed. This Invisalign promotes optimum oral health is called “supraeruption.” This leaves the throughout treatment because the removable upper molar at risk of having too much root aligners make it easy for patients to maintain exposed, which can increase the likelihood 36 | At Home Memphis & Mid South • October 2014

for tooth decay and gum disease. Tooth roots and jawbone also support each other, so a missing tooth that isn’t replaced with a dental implant will cause the jawbone in that area to degenerate over time. This is why implant placement is recommended soon after a tooth is lost.

CosmetIC Improvements = oral HealtH Improvements We live in an image-driven society, so the desire for cosmetic improvements to teeth and gums often is the driving force behind contacting a dentist to inquire about Invisalign and dental implants. But we want patients to understand while beauty is skin deep, the oral health improvements achieved with these treatment options can contribute to better health overall. If you have gum disease or crowded, crooked or missing teeth, there is no time like the present to improve these conditions because they won’t correct themselves. Instead, they often create more complications the longer they are ignored.

At Memphis Center for Family and Cosmetic Dentistry, we give patients smiles they are proud to show off. Please call our office today, 901.761.2210, if you would like to learn more about how Invisalign, dental implants and other dental treatments can improve your oral and overall health.

Dr. Miles Moore

38 | At Home Memphis & Mid South • October 2014

mid south must do

Chili prepared by Bar-B-Que by Jim

Fall Festival of food

AnnuAl Chili Fest WelComes FAll to DoWntoWn tupelo TEXT by JEnniE bradford CurlEE, TupElo ConvEnTion and visiTors burEau phoTography CourTEsy downTown TupElo Main sTrEET assoCiaTion 40 | At Home Memphis & Mid South • October 2014

Fall in Northeast Mississippi is something to celebrate. From the crisp coolness of the air to the magnificent hue of the changing leaves on the trees, autumn’s entrance is a grand occasion. Among the myriad ways that Tupelo celebrates the onset of fall is the annual Chili Fest competition in downtown Tupelo. The event beckons residents and visitors alike to enjoy the season one bite at a time. Teams from throughout the area compete to see whose chili recipe reigns supreme, earning a commemorative trophy, but most importantly, laying claim to bragging rights for an entire year.

“Special events downtown are one of the best ways to market the area. If people come to an event downtown and enjoy themselves then they are more likely to return,” says Debbie Brangenberg, Downtown Tupelo Main Street Association executive director.

“Chili Fest is one of those fun times in downtown Tupelo. Not only do you get to taste some outstanding chili, but you get to experience the fun atmosphere that only a downtown can bring.”

The 15th annual Chili Fest will take place Friday, October 10 on South Broadway Street in downtown Tupelo. The event begins with lunch from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Jim Beane of Bar-B-Que by Jim will be serving up his famous chili, complete with all the fixings, while guests enjoy live music. Lunch tickets are $5 and can be purchased at the gate.

When the sun goes down the competition chili is ready to be served. Guests are invited to return to enjoy music and sample chili prepared by competing teams.

Participants have the opportunity to vote for their favorite chili and a “People’s Choice” winner will be crowned at the end of the night. After eating from one end of Broadway Street to the other, guests can don their dancing shoes and dance away those chili calories to the tunes of Massey Enterprises. Evening tickets are $10 and can also be purchased at the gate.

Chili Fest teams vie for awards chosen by a secret panel of judges. While each team dreams of winning the coveted “Make Ya Wanna Slap Your Mama Good!” first place chili, they also have the opportunity to be named “Better Luck Next Year” (Second Place), “Everything But the Kitchen Sink” (Most Original Recipe) and “Mystifying Oomph” (Most Unique Taste).

October 2014 • athomemms.com | 41

mid south must do

Chili Fest booth

Downtown Tupelo Main Street Association volunteers serve chili during the festival

Chili Fest lunch

Tupelo Parks & Recreation booth at Chili Fest

42 | At Home Memphis & Mid South • October 2014

Chili Fest teams not only have to perfect their chili recipe, choosing and incorporating the perfect theme are crucial, as well. From sports to movies and everything in between, teams plan, decorate, costume and cook based on their chosen subject. Creativity rules as the teams compete for such awards as “Rowdiest Cooks” (Best Team Spirit), “Sauciest Get Up” (Best Costumes), “Most Souped Up Kitchen” (Most Creative Tent) and “Supreme Scheme” (Most Original Theme). Judges also award the entry with the best presentation the “Serve It Up Right” prize.

Tupelo’s Rotary Club is an annual participant in the competition. In 2013, they won “Sauciest Get Up” with their Tupelo High School Golden Wave-themed motif. With homecoming just a few weeks away, the Rotary team decked themselves out in blue and gold and enlisted the support of the Tupelo Public Schools administration to showcase their spirit at Chili Fest.

“Our committee got together and decided we would like to show our support of the Tupelo Schools. Since the Rotary colors are blue and yellow, we decided to prepare Golden Wave Chili and wore Golden Wave tee shirts, yellow tights, blue shorts, and a yellow cape and blue mask,” says Julianne Goodwin, Tupelo Rotarian and Chili Fest participant. “I really can’t believe I talked these fine people, including Andy Schoggin, Tupelo Public School District Athletic Director, into putting on tights, but it all came together and we had a blast.”

Chili Fest is the perfect beginning to a weekend of fun in Tupelo—the city is home to a multitude of local restaurants, shopping and one-of-a-kind attractions.

The monthly Tupelo Gigantic Flea Market and Craft Show will feature hundreds of vendors set up to sell at the Tupelo Furniture Market Complex Oct. 1012, and many live music events are also scheduled throughout the weekend.

Downtown Tupelo Main Street Association’s 15th Annual Chili Fest is presented by AT&T and sponsored by Bud Light. For more information on the event, please contact the Downtown Tupelo Main Street Association at 662.841.6598 or visit tupelomainstreet.com for event details.

October 2014 • athomemms.com | 43

travel

GREENVILLE SOUTH CAR OLINA TEXT BY FRANCES J. FOLSOM PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY OF VISITGREENVILLESC

• Greenville, nestled in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains in South Carolina, exudes Southern hospitality. From its tree-lined Main Street studded with shops and galleries to the 40-acre Falls Park on the Reedy River and the swooping Liberty Bridge over the falls, this is small-town America at its best.

Surrounded by miles of two-lane roads, state parks and trails, this is prime cycling country. It’s little wonder that professional cyclist George Hincapie settled here. But that’s not all there is to Greenville. The city is brimming with cultural venues, historic sites, shops and great restaurants.

OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES Want to learn how to “own the corner?” Sign up for a driving program at the BMW Performance Drive and Zentrum. It's the only place in the country where you can drive a BMW on a track at speeds exceeding 90 miles per hour. When you're done burning rubber explore the BMW Museum filled with past and present models including Art Cars designed by Andy Warhol, Frank Stella and Roy Lichtenstein.

TIP: Reserve well in advance for the driving program.

The area is a hiker’s paradise. The Swamp Rabbit Trail meanders along the Reedy River and Hunting Island State Park is known for its flat trails running alongside salt marshes and tidal basins. For a more strenuous workout tackle the rugged forest trails of Paris Mountain State Park.

The Gran Fondo Hincapie on October 25 will give serious cyclists the chance to ride alongside Tour de France racer George Hincapie. Choose your course; the Gran covers 80 miles of terrain that is mostly hills, the Medio is a 50-mile rolling route through Tupelo Rotary Club Chili Fest booth the foothills and the Piccolo a 15-mile flat loop.

44 | At Home Memphis & Mid South • October 2014

travel

CULTURE

The Marriott Greenville, Hilton Greenville library are now the Carl Sandburg Home and Crowne Plaza recently underwent multi- National Historic Site under the auspices of The Greenville County Museum of Art million dollar renovations. Each has a fitness the National Park Service. pays homage to native son Jasper Johns center, indoor or outdoor pool, restaurant with a collection of his contemporary art. and complimentary WiFi in lobbies.

An hour away in Asheville, NC, you can The museum also houses works by Andrew immerse yourself in the history and luxury Wyeth through many stages of his career.

While in Greenville book a Tastes of the of the Biltmore Estate. Built in 1895 as the South Culinary Tour, a moveable feast of country home of George Vanderbilt, the The Public Art Walking Tour App guides five top restaurants. Taste “new” Southern 250-room chateau is surrounded by gardens participants to outdoor sculptures, murals cuisine at Soby’s, dine on low-country-dishes designed by Frederick Law Olmsted. and art installations by regional artists at High Cotton Maverick Restaurant & Bar, including Philip Whiteley, John Daso and Ford’s sample the New Orleans-style fare at The Shoeless Joe Jackson Museum and Kirk Robins Craig. A printed copy of the Baseball Library has exhibits detailing the route is available at the Visitors Center inside Ford’s Oyster House and Cajun Cooking, life and career of one of America’s greatest and don’t miss the mouth-watering smoked City Hall. baseball players. country ham at Smoke on the Water. Top off Get up close and personal with the Old the evening with pecan tarts and bourbon ice No matter whether you see Greenville by Masters—Rubens, van Dyck and Tintoretto, cream at Breakwater Restaurant & Bar. driving, cycling, walking or hiking you’re to name a few—at the Museum and Gallery sure to enjoy everything that this charming Dine tapas-style on Moroccan, Spanish, town has to offer. at Bob Jones University.

Italian, African and Middle Eastern dishes at the Lazy Goat.

STAYING AND DINING EVENTS The Hotel Domestique is set in a peaceful oasis surrounded by miles of country roads ideal for cycling and hiking. Owned

by George Hincapie, the hotel’s elegant Restaurant 17 is named for the number of times he raced in the Tour de France.

There are all the bells and whistles here for a delightful stay; a state-of-the-art fitness center with yoga and Pilates classes, 500-threadcount linens, flat-screen televisions and iPad concierge in all 13 rooms.

The American Grocery Restaurant • Fall for Greenville: October 10-12 epitomizes the farm-to-table movement with Main Street becomes restaurant row with all of its locally sourced fish, meats, poultry 40 chefs showcasing their talents. and vegetables.

• Gran Fondo Hincapie: October 25 See Outside Activities for details.

HISTORIC HOUSES Greenville was home to Pulitzer Prize- • Greenville Open Studios: November 8-9 winning poet Carl Sandburg from 1945 Visit area artists at work in their studios until his death in 1967. The house, barns and pastures along with his 12,000-volume Please see page 105 for sources.

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roadtrip

SandeStin -

a year round deStination Hilton Sandestin Celebrates 30 Years TEXT by LEsLEy Harris CoLvETT | pHoTograpHy CourTEsy of HiLTon sandEsTin

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id Southerners are no strangers to the beauty that the beaches of the Emerald Coast have to offer. Vacationers from the Memphis area have long enjoyed the sugar-white sand and emerald waters that stretch along the Gulf Coast of Florida.

30 years have been blown away by the transformation, which included updates to all the air conditioning units, making them environmentally friendly, and installing LED lighting throughout the property. This fall, the Hilton will be adding a 7,500-squarefoot ballroom perfect for wedding receptions and business conferences.

Destin was voted “Best Beach in the South” and “Top Family Destination” for nine years running by the readers of Southern Living magazine. The entire South Walton region is dotted with communities from the west to the east, including Miramar Beach, Sandestin, Grayton Beach, Seaside, and Rosemary Beach. And the resorts are not just for summer fun. Visitors can enjoy unique activities all year long.

The Hilton Sandestin is the only Gulf-front hotel in the area, and the perks that go along with a hotel stay are many: Spacious guests rooms with cleaning service throughout the day, a lobby with several fabulous restaurants, and the convenience of a spa and workout facility. The rooms and junior suites are sized so there is never a cramped feeling, and the Gulf view from the balconies is priceless!

Located in the middle of all the splendor is the Hilton Sandestin Beach Golf Resort & Spa, a landmark that made quite a splash when it opened in 1984 as being the largest condominium hotel project ever completed.

The Hilton Sandestin is making news again with a nearly $13 million renovation that was completed in March. Guests who have been visiting the Hilton for the past

The Hilton Sandestin is home to a local treasure—Serenity by the Sea Spa. Located near the fitness center, Serenity by the Sea provides the finest in pampering and relaxation. The spa, open to non-guests of the Hilton as well those staying on-property, offers massages, manicures, pedicures and hair services. Also on the spa menu are new and innovative facial treatments including

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the oxygen facial, a luxurious and soothing process in which cool streams of oxygen and serum are sprayed gently onto the face.

Guests of the spa can relax and spend the day enjoying the facilities that include private ladies’ and men’s steam rooms, lockers and saunas. Soon there will be even more to love about Serenity by the Sea Spa, as this fall, 3,500 square feet will be added to the spa.

The Hilton Sandestin features enough restaurants that guest almost don’t have to leave at mealtime. Outside, in between the resort’s two swimming pools on the newly expanded 17,000-square-foot beach-front deck area is Barefoot’s Beachside Bar & Grill and the Sand Bar. Here, guests can enjoy fresh fish sandwiches, burgers and salads in the open air overlooking the beach. Around the bar area are several flat-screen televisions, making it the perfect spot to watch sports.

And the Hilton goes all on out Saturdays during college football season as SECthemed flags are displayed on the deck. The fire pit on the deck outside Barefoot’s is the perfect spot to watch the sun set. Next door is Picnix Poolside Market, and their specialty is grab-and-go fare for snacks or lunch.

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roadtrip

Serenity by the Sea Spa

Serenity by the Sea Spa

Hadashi Sushi Bar

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Sandcastles Restaurant and Lounge offered an entirely new look and new mouthwatering menu for 2014. Chef Jason Smith infuses local ingredients into delicious coastal recipes and signature dishes that are prepared fresh daily. And it is at Sandcastle that hotel guests enjoy an incredible breakfast buffet daily. Madeto-order omelets and waffles and fresh pastries are just a few of the goodies guests can feast on before starting their day.

The elegant, New York-style steakhouse Seagar’s Prime Steaks & Seafood is located in the Hilton as well, and for 14 consecutive years, AAA has given the restaurant its Four-Diamond rating.

From custom-cut filet mignons to salads and sides prepared from the freshest ingredients and 600 different labels offered from the wine cellar, Seagar’s is one-of-a-kind.

And last but not least is Hadashi Sushi Bar located directly off the Hilton’s lobby.

Guests gather at this popular spot to enjoy cocktails while watching sports on the large-screen televisions. Hadashi features Japanese fare (the sushi is delicious) along with other tempting cuisine using the finest available premium ingredients.

Adults who are traveling with children are able to easily get away to enjoy a nice, quiet dinner at any of the fine restaurants at the Hilton Sandestin thanks to Kids Krew at the Hilton. The newly relocated and expanded clubhouse-style hangout is for children ages 5-12 and features supervised daytime children’s activities, Kids Night Out and an extended nighttime program called Midnight Madness. After a full day at the beach and pool, the fun rolls on when the sun goes down for children at Kids Krew. While the parents go out to dinner kids watch and make movies, solve crimes or have pillow fights, all under the supervision of experienced counselors. Rainy evenings mean a special treat in the form of indoor, glow-in-the-dark crab hunting.

Kids’ programs operate seasonally from Memorial Day until Labor Day as well as during some seasonal holidays. Other special activities children can enjoy during the summer and out by the pool are face painting, balloon creations and a professional stilt walker.

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Presidential Suite

roadtrip

Presidential Suite

Photo courtesy of Newman-Dailey Celebration Vacation

Presidential Suite

Kids Krew

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Besides the sand and surf, Sandestin is home to a variety of great shopping.

The Village at Baytowne Wharf is a few minutes away across Highway 98 and offers many boutique shops, adorable children’s stores and restaurants. There are also numerous festivals and events that take place at Baytowne throughout the year.

Silver Sands Premium Outlets are just a five-minute drive from the resort. During peak season, a resort shuttle is available to drive guests back and forth.

Whether it’s family time, a girls’ trip or a relaxing spa getaway, the Sandestin Hilton has something for every vacationer.

In honor of National Breast Cancer Awareness Month, Newman-Dailey Resort Properties in partnership with Silver Sands Premium Outlets is introducing the Celebration Vacation package, celebrating the many moms, daughters, sisters, aunts, spouses and friends who have been impacted by breast cancer. The Celebration Vacation is available with most South Walton and Destin vacation rentals during the months of September and October, and for each package sold, Newman-Dailey will donate $50 to the fight against breast cancer in the celebrant’s name.

The special beach getaway includes a champagne welcome basket, a $100 gift card toward Silver Sands Premium Outlets, a celebration of life welcome bag filled with products from Silver Sands Premium Outlets’ stores, 10 percent off spa services or a manicure-pedicure at Emerald Sanctuary Spa, and 20 percent off a dinner cruise aboard the Solaris as well as the Newman-Dailey Gift Card, good toward area activities and free movie rentals. For tennis enthusiasts, the Celebration Tennis Vacation is available with stays at Hidden Dunes Beach & Tennis Resort and includes lessons and clinics, organized like-level match play and ball machine rental.

The Celebration Vacation is available with stays of three nights or longer from Sept. 1-Oct. 31. Rates vary depending on size and location. *Some restrictions apply. Package is not available for stays at the Beachside Inn or long-term rentals. To learn more visit DestinVacation.com or call 800.225.7652 October 2014 • athomemms.com | 53

community hotspot

DiscoveringTUNICA TEXT SUBMITTED BY TUNICA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

Tunica Chamber of Commerce 54 | At Home Memphis & Mid South • October 2014

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hanks to branding efforts and intensive marketing, when most people hear “Tunica” they immediately think of worldclass resorts, fine dining and entertainment superstars. Visitors express amazement when they hear about the “other” side of Tunica – a small Southern town at its best.

In its present location since 1884, the town relocated to the highest point in the county and the geographical center of the county after having been washed away from its earlier location on the Mississippi River.

The Mississippi Blues Trail down Highway 61 goes right to Tunica. A tour of downtown Tunica requires a turn onto River Road at the Blue & White Restaurant, an iconic fixture in Tunica for over 75 years.

Once owned and operated by the Pure Oil Company, the restaurant took its name from Pure Oil’s signature colors. Today the building retains the original architecture of an old Pure Oil station. The restaurant has been continuously serving great Southern food since 1937, and was the “party place” for Tunica in days gone by. The current owners have modernized the kitchen, but the delicious fried chicken tastes just like in the “good old days.” The only thing that tops the fried chicken is the Blue & White breakfast with scrambled eggs, choice of meat, homemade hash browns and twoinch tall biscuits. It is definitely worth the drive and the calories!

Continuing down River Road into downtown Tunica, you will discover a beautiful small town that is tucked away. Landscaping abounds and changes throughout the year. Spring comes to town in the form of baskets of flowers and vines; blooming trees and a large park area are right in the middle of downtown. Fall brings out the pumpkins, grown by Tunica’s Pumpkin Queen, Toni Canon. The town becomes a treat for the eyes with colorful pumpkins, mums and cornstalks decorating many businesses. Tunica sparkles in December courtesy of a large Christmas tree in the amphitheater and an array of Christmas lights throughout the town.

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community hotspot

Jeffcoat's Deli

Tunica is proud to have been the home of many men and women who have served in the Armed Forces and honors its hometown heroes. The Tunica Museum on Highway 61 north of the town has wall plaques with the name of every local resident who served in each war; many family names are represented multiple times as numerous generations served their country.

On Memorial Day and Veteran’s Day each year, there is a remembrance ceremony in Tunica’s downtown Veterans Memorial Park. The result of two years of planning by local veterans, the park was designed as a place to recognize the military contributions of local citizens. Plaques representing each

war pay tribute to those who served, were wounded and made the ultimate sacrifice.

The memorial’s centerpiece is a lifelike bronze statue of soldiers. Lush landscaping and peaceful surroundings make this an ideal place to stop and ponder the contribution of valiant men and women over several generations.

Jeffcoat's Deli

friendly service. The Café Marie, under the direction of Chef Eddie, offers the perfect late afternoon spot to stop by and enjoy a cool libation and a specialty appetizer with friends. The chef uses only prime beef and serves a great steak at dinner, along with catfish creations. Usually a pasta dish is on the menu, or just ask for your favorite dinner. The Café is Tunica’s version of Downtown Tunica is home to two “Cheers” where diners meet friends and restaurant gems. The Downtown Deli on visit. Great atmosphere, great food and the corner of River Road and Main Street great service – what’s not to like? serves deli sandwiches, homemade desserts, ice cream and has a lunch buffet every day. After all this eating, the Downtown Depending on the day, choices include Tunica Walking Tour is a must. The route homemade tamales, BBQ ribs, catfish highlights several buildings on the National and other delicious offerings with super- Register of Historic Places.

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Tunica has recently been designated as a Preservation District to maintain the buildings and keep the integrity of the area.

Plaques on the front of the buildings tell a little history about each site and mention some of the legends connected with the buildings, providing some additional flavor about the town’s past.

Shopping should be on your agenda when you visit Tunica. The Tunica Florist offers antiques, Peter’s Pottery and, of course, flowers. The Levee Shack, located inside Tunica Pharmacy, specializes in unique gifts including Ole Miss and Mississippi State items. Dunn’s Jewelry is full of antique clocks and other enticing finds and is a fun place to browse, and owner Dr. Papasan is an expert on watches, clocks and jewelry.

Just next door, Ann Papasan’s store is full of antiques, particularly glass items she has collected for some time. A little north of town, 1251 Place is Tunica's destination for women’s clothes and accessories. Owners Rob and Lynda provide a personal touch and great fashion advice.

Early in 2015 downtown Tunica will receive an exciting new addition. A local entrepreneur has purchased a building and is rehabbing it, planning apartments upstairs and a retail marketplace downstairs.

Craftsmen and others will locate in the space and offer a variety of products. In addition, Crooked Letter Art Gallery will soon open its doors.

The Town of Tunica recently passed an ordinance allowing golf carts to travel the city streets which adds to the charm of downtown and makes Tunica a fun place to live and work.

Tunica is home to very active Rotary and Lions Clubs that support many activities in the county. In 2012 the Tunica Arts Council was formed to promote all genres of art in the community. The group has sponsored art shows, piano recitals, painting classes and children’s arts activities. Tunica Arts Council’s Southern Soiree on November 15 will feature art by Paul Edelstein and a New Orleans jazz band providing music.

Proceeds will be used to support the activities of the Arts Council.

The 23rd annual Rivergate Festival will be held the third weekend in April, and features Crawfish Alley, music, children’s activities, a BBQ contest and more.

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music

Photo by Jeremy Cowart, courtesy Sony Music Entertainment

Wilson Phillips TEXT BY CHUCK DAUPHIN

Wendy Wilson knows the calendar has hard way ourselves. I think that comes with changed since 1990, but she tells At Home age and experience.”

Memphis & Mid South that it feels like yesterday. "I still feel like I’m 19. It’s crazy Wilson Phillips' last studio album was how time flies.”

2012’s Dedicated, and they are feeling the creative itch again. “We’re toying around Wilson, who is one-third of the trio Wilson with the idea of doing another record, and Phillips (performing in Jackson, Tennessee, this one being an original. We’ve done several on October 2 with the Jackson Symphony) cover records, and we’re at the point where reflected on the record-shattering success of we would like to see what we can come up the group's debut album – which spawned with – and see where Wilson Phillips would five top-20 hits on the Billboard Hot 100, be today. We want to take a chance and see including the number one smash debut if people would grasp it. It might not be that “Hold On” and follow-ups “Release Me” different from what we had back then.” and “You’re In Love.” It was truly a magical time, according to Wilson. “I know the Looking back on their successes, Wilson word is very much overused, but it was says she is very grateful. "I think the more very surreal,” she remembers. “We were still experience you have, the more rich your life growing up and finding ourselves. All of it is, and the more you have to say. I think your was happening to us so quickly. In a way, it perspective is different as you get older. We was a blur. We were traveling the world and appreciate each other more, the little things, hearing ourselves on the radio for the first our children, our husbands. It just gives you time. It was all very exciting.” inspiration,” she shares.

Comprised of Wilson, her sister Carnie and Chynna Phillips, the trio qualifies as rock and roll royalty: Wendy and Carnie are the daughters of Beach Boy Brian Wilson and Phillips' parents are John and Michelle Phillips from The Mamas and the Papas.

Does Wilson recall any advice that their parents gave the girls? “I don’t remember my mother or father giving us specific advice. I think watching them and what they experienced helped us. We had to learn the 60 | At Home Memphis & Mid South • October 2014

The fans still inspire Wilson today. She admits to being amazed at the impact the band had on children of the early 1990s. “A lot of times, there’s a gaggle of women that will come to the concerts. They will be really excited, and they will say, ‘You’re not going to believe this, but I used to be you, and she used to be Chynna, and she used to be Carnie.’ It never ceases to amaze us that people were so into the music and that they identified with us so much. It’s really sweet.”

at home with

Amy Head INTERVIEW BY MaggIE WEIR | phoTogRaphY BY haRold hEad

Amy Head Cosmetics has become a name synonymous with quality and excellence. With several stores located in Oxford, Ridgeland and Jackson, MS women can experience one-onone consultations to discover or rediscover their natural beauty. This month, Amy gives us a personal look behind the scenes as well as her tips for looking your best this fall.

Tell our readers how you goT sTarTed in The makeup business.

I’m probably asked this question several times a day. The short answer is “closed doors, opened doors.” Many doors closed in my life that very much disappointed me but allowed other doors to open, which eventually led me to this wonderful vocation. Then along came my wonderful husband Harold who helped me see that the impossible can be possible. Watching him build a thriving commercial photography business when he had no formal training in either photography or business modeled for me a new way of thinking. I knew I had a gift for color and a very sharp sensibility for fashion ever since I was a toddler, according to my mother. She would get so frustrated

trying to dress me for church that she finally All of the products in the Amy Head line just gave in and would hold me up to the are about the customer, the user. It’s all clothes in my closet and let me pick what I about the female who uses the makeup. wanted to wear. I was three.

How does it fit into her lifestyle? What’s the purpose, the motivation behind her wanting It wasn’t until I began modeling, though, to wear makeup? Is it easy to use? My goal that I really started studying natural makeup. is to help them with that and make it easy Through the trial and error of self-study and for them. There are many products on the Harold’s camera, I developed the techniques market today that use highly touted and and concepts that are used today at Amy trendy marketing phrases that would not Head Cosmetics. be in the Amy Head line because they do not accomplish anything. My definition of In September of 1987 the first Amy Head natural makeup is makeup that looks like Studio opened. At that time I offered it belongs. It belongs on the skin that it is complete image consultation, from hairstyle applied to. The colors are adapted for the to clothes to makeup. The blessing in the skin. It’s not like paint for a wall. beginning included Harold witnessing something in me that the market needed, whaT seTs you aparT from oTher and he had the entrepreneurial mind to deparTmenT-sTore lines? help guide me. Customers were looking for a way to look natural, like themselves, and Service! Which includes the actual feel good about themselves. I discovered knowledge of how to achieve a look that that I had the talent to do just that and to the customer would want. Makeup artists, teach others to do same thing. Closed doors after about two months of training, always say, “Wow, every product really does work allowed for new and better ones to open. together on anyone. It is all about the whaT is The amy head CosmeTiCs combinations. It’s how you put it together line all abouT? on different skin types.”

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why is personal interaction important in helping women discover or rediscover their natural beauty?

I feel like the universal reason is that it’s difficult to see ourselves objectively and lovingly at the same time. It’s also extremely important that we always offer these sessions this way because the fashion/ cosmetics industry keeps us confused and wanting, never allowing us to feel as though we have arrived! I want today, just as I did in 1987, to do the opposite—to provide clarity, an awareness of what’s good and how to use makeup to enjoy it. To stop all the noise! what do you love most about what you do?

The fulfillment that God wants it, too.

That it’s not about me. I’m just not happy if I’m not doing what is authentic to my personal journey. I do love what makeup does. It still amazes me. if you could give our readers one tip on looking their best this fall what would it be?

Examine your moisturizing practice.

Supple skin is important to maintain in order to really look your best when wearing darker colors of clothes and makeup. It’s easier in the spring and summer months to look good with fresh, bright (colors) all around. When you’re wearing more black/ gray neutrals and rich tones the skin needs to be uplifted. what are some of your favorite things about oxford?

The density of sophistication, flavor, history, shopping and vibrancy in a small town occupied by such beautiful and loving people. and about memphis?

Driving home from visiting our daughter in Nashville we routinely stop in Memphis for a night at The Peabody or The Madison.

There are so many good restaurants nearby and there’s Beale Street. We’ve enjoyed fantastic concerts at the Fed Ex Forum and Memphis in May. Many close friends and family were raised in Memphis – you did good, Memphis!

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technology

THE INTERNET OF THINGS AT HOME

TEXT BY SCOTT FUELLING, PRESIDENT, PHOENIX UNEQUALED HOME ENTERTAINMENT

As I sit in my airplane seat headed to Denver for the 2014 CEDIA trade show, eager to see the newest tech offerings, it dawns on me how much my industry has changed in the last 30+ years. I started when it really wasn’t an industry at all. Those of us who ventured into the world of high-end home electronics and controls were limited to expensive and often cumbersome commercial/industrial gear, or we even had to custom fabricate our own hardware to meet the client’s demands.

It was an interesting time and most of us never imagined what today would offer.

Through the years, technology has evolved at a very rapid pace. I was visiting a client not too long ago, taking photos, using a flashlight, measuring rooms, checking schedules and even verifying inventory levels, all from my iPhone. Completing these actions with a single handheld device made me remember a time when I had to carry at least four pieces of equipment to accomplish these tasks, and access to active inventory wasn’t even a dream. That same iPhone can also run my office and home, and can be used to remotely troubleshoot clients’ homes should the need arise.

totally integrating a home cost over $500K. Now, I can provide even more functionality, total reliability and higher performance for a fraction of that cost. Best of all, the client can manage the home remotely and enjoy many autonomous features.

a reliable Internet connection. If your network is weak or unreliable, all of this great technology becomes useless at or away from home. This is the one area most people don’t think about enough. Simply relying on your cable, satellite or telephone company to set up your network is a big mistake. This is the first system we start with in every one of our projects. We want our clients to have fast, reliable Internet for any and all devices needing connectivity within the home. This is an art and takes planning, even for the most basic of solutions.

Manufacturers have responded to the demands of the marketplace. New products, platforms and services are geared to make sure the customer experience is the best it can be. After all, the customer is the most important factor. From advanced home entertainment systems with streaming media from all over the world, to security In response to this huge influx of new and home control offerings, your home technology in the home, Phoenix has can now be meticulously monitored and developed a patent-pending technology that managed from anywhere! allows complete monitoring of all of your home electronics, including the network, The Internet has changed everything. with the ability to autonomously reboot It provides you the ability of advanced any gear found offline without you having communication, entertainment, control to lift a finger. Imagine your cable modem, and remote monitoring options. With set-top box and other hardware being kept manufacturers continuing to develop online and functioning for when you need products, the ultimate winner is the them. Best of all, the system reports any customer. Pricing will continue to fall, unrecoverable failures before you even and multifunctional products will evolve notice an issue has occurred, all without further, meaning less gear to accomplish the breaching your network firewall. Talk about same features and more. customer service!

Not only has technology evolved, it has become extremely reliable and much more Everything being more connected does cost effective. The first project I completed of come at a price. Today, you MUST have 64 | At Home Memphis & Mid South • October 2014

Off to the show! Till next month...

design

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COMING HOME

to comfort

AFTER YEARS OF FORMAL LIVING, STEVE AND VIRGINIA COX DESIGN A HOME BUILT FOR ENJOYMENT. TEXT BY JORDANA WHITE | PHOTOGRAPHY BY AMY LONG October 2014 • athomemms.com | 67

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teve and Virginia Cox have lived in several homes together over the course of their marriage, as his career with the NFL (he played for both the Cleveland Browns and the Washington Redskins) kept them moving.

In many places, Virginia says, “I was all about pretty,” choosing traditionally elegant design elements over all other considerations.

The Coxes had already purchased an 80acre piece of property, which Steve spent ages cleaning up and getting ready for a building project—“I got rid of 300 thistle trees and had to go through at least 30 flat tires doing it,” he recalls in a somewhat rueful tone. Once the land was cleared, there were several spots on which the couple could have built, but they finally selected a hill on the property with sight lines to the nearby lake on all sides so that, as Virginia tells it, Then, about two years ago, the couple knew “Every room would have a view.” that it was time to make a different choice.

With their two sons grown up and living The Coxes began construction in August nearby, the Coxes wanted to do something 2012, using the rustic elegance of Montana different with the new residence they were as inspiration for their new home’s design. planning to build in Jonesboro, Arkansas. The home’s large windows frame natural “We wanted a house where everyone who views, along with the lush outdoor landscape, walks in can relax and feel comfortable, and complete with a waterfall element, created by just all be together,” Virginia explains.

Brewer’s Pools and Landscaping of Memphis.

Kelly Pope at Comscape helped round out the finishing touches that make the entire property view-worthy. With construction done and the grounds in good shape, the 4,300-square-foot, three-bedroom, threeand-a-half bath abode was move-in ready in April of this year.

The finished product is a one-level design with the main living space in the center of the structure, flanked by a master bedroom wing on one end and a guest wing on the other.

Entering the home, visitors are faced with one large, open-concept space that serves as the main entertaining area, the kitchen, the wet bar and the gaming room. The area is filled with several different seating clusters, a baby grand piano and a pool table that is over 100 years old and once took center stage in the Capital Hotel in Little Rock.

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The main color palette for the home centers around keystone gray, but with the assistance of Pollard’s designers Tammy Heatherly and Cledy Pollard, Virginia was able to bring in splashes of color with copper light fixtures, rich leathers, lush animal-print fabrics, boldly striped and checkered throw pillows and standout works of art. One of the most unexpected places where color can be found is in the dining room. Originally, the chairs were upholstered in a black crushed velvet, but with the move came a desire for more fun, so Virginia had two chairs reupholstered in a playful lime green fabric. Working well with these surprising pops of brightness are

the vivid paintings that hang throughout In this balance of private and public space, the house, which include the works of local the crux of the Coxes’ home design was artists Piero Trimarchi, Sean Shrum and carefully planned—there is beauty in every Dix Smith. visible living space, but the couple’s comfort drives all decisions. When asked what part Of course, no home in which a professional of the home she enjoys most, Virginia athlete resides would be complete without explains, “We’re around our fireplace every what Virginia refers to as a “Wall of Fame,” night sitting in our two recliners. It’s the first but, given the open-concept design of their time I’ve ever let that type of chair come into new place, she was at a loss as to where she my house, and, of course, we picked elegant should hang photos of her husband’s glory ones, but they’re just so comfortable! We days. The solution became the “Office of used to go out every weekend, but now we Glory,” where trophies and photos from bring home food, put it on our china plates, Steve’s football past as well as their sons’ and eat dinner in our spot!” college-level sports careers are on display for the family to view whenever they wish.

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HOMEfeature SOURCES ARCHITECT

Sonny Ashley – Ashley Design, Manila, AR BATH FIXTURES

Mid-South Plumbing, Jonesboro, AR KITCHEN

Gilmore’s Kitchens – Doug Gilmore, Jonesboro, AR APPLIANCES

Metro Appliances, Jonesboro, AR BUILDER

Rick Foreman, Bono, AR LIGHTING

Exterior: Pope Lawn Care & Landscaping Kelly Pope, Jonesboro, AR Gas Lights: Olde World Lanterns by Benoit Batesville, AR DOORS

Ridout Lumber Company, Jonesboro, AR WINDOWS

Pella Windows – JF Day, Memphis, TN FLOORING

Carpet and Tile: Law’s Flooring Jonesboro, AR Wood Flooring: Barton Design Center Jonesboro, AR GRANITE

Triton Stone Group, Memphis, TN POOL

Brewer Pools – Bryan Brewer, Memphis, TN KITCHEN BACKSPLASH TILE

Holmes Tile and Marble, Jonesboro, AR INTERIOR DESIGN & FURNISHINGS

Pollard’s, Inc. – Tammy Heatherly and Cledy Pollard HOME TECHNOLOGY

Sound Concepts – Ryan Heringer, Jonesboro, AR STONE

Exterior: Oklahoma Field Stone Rosser Midwest Stone, Tulsa, OK Toni and Dave Rosser LANDSCAPE

Pope Lawn Care & Landscaping Kelly Pope, Jonesboro, AR October 2014 • athomemms.com | 75

design

Rivalto Home Photo by John Terry, Forest Hill Photography

Home Bar DESIGN TEXT BY MAGGIE WEIR

TWO MEMPHIS FAMILIES SHARE DESIGN ASPECTS FROM THEIR HOME BARS AND GIVE TIPS ON HOW TO ACHIEVE THE LOOK IN YOUR HOME 76 | At Home Memphis & Mid South • October 2014

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ntertaining from home is a great alternative to a night on the town.

A home bar is a fun way to get friends together and celebrate the changing season or a special occasion. The two home bars that are featured this month display beautiful design elements as well as all the essentials for entertaining from home. If you love to have guests in your home, a bar is an absolute necessity. We sat down with the homeowners for an inside look at entertaining.

Design ideas can come from anywhere.

Tim Brown found the vision for his home bar from a special restaurant.

“We took inspiration from a restaurant in Brookhaven, Georgia, named Haven that my wife and I have frequented many times over the last seven years,” he says.

When asked the most important thing to the Browns when entertaining, the answer comes quickly—comfort. “The home bar needs to give your guests a feeling of what your lifestyle is like: fun, whimsical, elegant, comfortable and functional,” Brown says. Enjoying guests in the comfort of a residence seems to be the driving force behind incorporating a bar into a home design. “We think simplicity is key,” Brown says. “Elegance is great and has a part of any home entertainment, but we find that our guests want to feel at home.”

Ease and comfort also top the list of home bar features for Memphis interior designer Becky Rivalto. “The best part of entertaining at home is comfort,” she says. Rivalto's favorite part of her family's home bar is its location. “When people come over they gravitate to the bar area; it is a very welcoming spot. We wanted our bar area to be adjacent to our dining area, as well as a comfortable sitting area.”

Rivalto recommends using certain elements of design that combine both function and style to add polish to a home bar. “We chose down lighting directly over and behind the bar for its functionally,” she says. “We installed a mirror behind the bar to open up the space and to allow people sitting at the bar to see what might be going on behind them.”

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design

Brown Home Photo by Creation Studios : P Murphy 78 | At Home Memphis & Mid South • October 2014

Rivalto Home Photo by John Terry, Forest Hill Photography

“We specifically designed our bar for entertaining,” Rivalto shares, “As a designer, I would say that it is essential for a home bar to be placed in the general area of entertaining in one's home—a home bar can be any size, as long as it fits the size of the individual home it is in.”

If you lack a large space to create a home bar improvise by using a mobile glass cart in the bar area. Store glassware, bottles or decanters of your favorite spirits for easy access.

A great way to keep up with your favorite wines is a wine journal. Send guests home with their very own journal and ask them to record their favorite wines; you can start a wine club this way or just share your favorite bottles with each other.

Also essential to entertaining at home are serving pieces. Pick a style depending on the feel of your home and keep it consistent. Whether your design style is modern or rustic, there are hundreds of great pieces to choose from—the sky is the limit. Lastly, have fun and enjoy your space—the best host or hostess is a relaxed one.

Must Haves for tHe HoMe Bar: • Good seating is essential for entertaining; bar stools without backs make it easy for guests to visit with each other in comfort • Monogrammed linen beverage napkins add a personal touch that says “welcome to our home” • A signature cocktail is a fun surprise when entertaining at home. Choose a seasonal fruit and herbs and create a drink that’s sure to satisfy

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styleMARKETPLACE

serve in style AcceSSOrieS And MuSt HAveS fOr yOur HOMe bAr

NFL Cabernet Engraved 8-Piece Box Set Picnic time, $66, www.wayfair.com

Wine Bottle Stopper Tealight Candelabra $10, www.kirklands.com

Stackable Stemware Rack Wine enthusiast, $65, www.kohls.com

On the ROCK Glass with Ice Ball Maker $20, www.brookstone.com

Epicureanist Automatic Cocktail Mixer vinotemp, $40, www.wayfair.com

Wine Bottle Thermometer Clip vinotemp, $20, www.wayfair.com

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Electronic Podium Wine Chiller $90, www.sharperimage.com

Maestro Wine Tool Set

Picnic Time, $30, www.wayfair.com

Natural Beverage Despenser

$125, Miss Del's General Store in Clarksdale, MS

Owl Wine Cork Catcher

Wine Enthusiast Co., $35, www.wayfair.com

October 2014 • athomemms.com | 81

garden

CONIFERS

EASY, CAREFREE PLANTS FOR THE MID SOUTH TEXT BY ANDY PULTE

I make a point to attend the American Conifer Society’s Southeastern Regional Conference every fall. My non-gardening friends are always surprised to learn there is such a thing. In fact, the Southeast has become a hotbed of activity and research for those who grow and love conifers. If you had a live or artificial Christmas tree last year, odds are that it was or represented a conifer.

However, conifers don’t just look like your Christmas tree. They come in all shapes, sizes and a variety of colors. Some keep their needles year-round; others drop them with brilliant shows of fall color.

the main reasons conifers appeal to collectors is their wide variety of shapes and sizes. They range from hundreds of feet to just a few inches high and wide. Many can live for centuries and you can find unique plants that grow in any region of the country.

The cones are the most iconic part of this group of plants; in fact, they define this plant group. Conifers are chiefly cone-bearing plants, typically with evergreen leaves (needles). The group includes pines, spruces, firs, larches, yews, junipers, cedars, cypresses and sequoias. They belong to a special group of plants called gymnosperms—plants that have uncovered, unprotected seeds. This is different from flowering plants which have seeds typically covered by a fleshy covering (think apple).

Dwarf conifers: • Growth per year: 1”-6” • Size in 10+ years: 1’-6’

COLLECTOR’S GARDEN People collect all kinds of things. I know folks with boxes of beanbag animals with the tags still attached. They tell me that someday the market for those will rebound. I also know many gardeners who have become passionate about collecting conifers. One of

Size matters. The following is how the American Conifer Society classifies the size of conifers: Miniature conifers: • Growth per year: less than 1” • Size in 10+ years: less than 1’

Intermediate: • Growth per year: 6”-12” • Size in 10+ years: 6’-12’ Large: • Growth per year: more than 12” • Size in 10+ years: more than 12’

Additionally, there are many like-minded gardeners around who enjoy conifers.

Joining a group like the American Conifer Society (www.conifersociety.org) can help get you connected. Members receive four issues of the Conifer Quarterly, an excellent publication that includes information on growing, finding and caring for conifers.

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CONIFER CARE Choosing quality plants from reputable sources, planting them correctly and looking after them for the first few years are vital to successful conifer establishment. Fall and winter are the ideal times to plant most conifers. When planting, make sure not to place conifers below the original soil line.

Much like many woody trees and shrubs they should be planted at or slightly above the original grade. While newly planted conifers initially need careful watering, even in winter months, once they are established they usually need little supplemental irrigation.

Most conifers thrive in well-drained soils with average fertility.

INSIDE OUT GARDENING Often a passion for conifers begins this time of year as the weather begins to cool. As things change and it gets frigid outside, take time to look at the skeleton of your garden.

Soon there will be no annuals showing off and no leaves on the trees; this can help you easily see the bones and backdrops that make up your garden. Good bones make a good garden. An easy way to improve this bone structure is by adding conifers. Winter, like no other season, allows conifers and other evergreens to take center stage. When the weather is cold, you spend most of your time looking at your garden from the inside out.

Ponder how you could improve your view with a little evergreen magic.

outdoor living

SCARECROWS ON THE SQUARE

HISTORIC COURT SQUARE IN COVINGTON, TN TEXT BY ROBIN SEALY

Downtown Covington’s historic Court Square will host some unique visitors this month. The court lawn and areas around the quaint retail and restaurant district will be filled with scarecrows made from recycled, repurposed or reused materials. This is the second year for the exhibit, sponsored by the Covington Economic Development Corporation and Keep Tipton County Beautiful. Organizers hope to encourage recycling while showcasing the community’s creativity.

Last year’s display of 42 entries included Farmer Ferguson constructed from old tractor parts, Scrappy the Eagle made from fabric scraps, and Junky Judy with her skirt fashioned from paint brushes. The Ain’t Scared Crow made by the Covington Fire Department even frightened a few people as they came around the corner to the square to see a scarecrow in a full firefighter’s uniform who appeared to be rescuing a young girl. The 2014 array is expected to be bigger and better; rumor has it that Farmer Ferguson might take a wife this year.

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Local businesses, restaurants, school groups, nonprofit groups and individuals will enter scarecrows in the contest. Prizes will be awarded in several categories, with winners announced after the first week of the month-long display. Visitors will have a chance to vote for their favorite scarecrow in any of the participating retail shops around the square. The People’s Choice winner will be crowned at the end of the month.

entertaining

The inaugural scarecrow event was popular, especially among the Tipton County school groups who visited. The students were particularly excited to see their own creations on display.

Covington’s square hosts festivals and events throughout the year, but the scarecrows have quickly become a favorite.

Other events include the Christmas Open House in November, Dickens on the Square during the second weekend of December, the Chocolate Tour on the Saturday before Valentine’s Day, Music on the Square on Saturday evenings in May and June and the Heritage Festival on the fourth Saturday of September.

A short drive from Memphis, Covington is a great day-trip destination. Just off Highway 51, the square is home to a variety of restaurants as well as shops offering antiques, jewelry, home decor, local art, men’s, women’s and children’s clothing and accessories. For more information and a map visit covington-tiptonco.com or find the Covington Tipton County Chamber of Commerce on Facebook.

Admission and parking on and around the square are free and the displays are handicapped accessible. Buses are welcome. The display will be open every day during October.

The CEDC is run through the Covington Tipton County Chamber of Commerce.

Contact the Chamber of Commerce at 901.476.9727 for more details.

October 2014 • athomemms.com | 85

entertaining

A Rookie’s Guide to

the Grove text by Caroline Graves

→ The Grove, located inside the heart of the Ole Miss campus, exceeds any expectation

you envision when a football tailgate comes to mind. With each home game, the10 grassy acres transform from an array of magnolia, oak and elm trees into a gathering place for Rebel fans who travel from far and near. Friends and families join together to create a community of tents, eat fabulous food and simply enjoy each other’s company. Times have changed, and at Ole Miss, tailgates are not just trucks and RVs lined up next to each other anymore.

The Grove is not only a tailgating venue, it is an experience unlike any other.

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W

hat started around the 1950s as a tailgating spot for cars, trucks and RVs slowly became a place where automobiles dissipated into tents. The goal is to spread good cheer, fun and a little Hotty Toddy here and there. A sea of red and blue begins to fill the Grove approximately at 9 p.m. on the Friday before each home game: campus police supervise people claiming their ideal Grove spot. Many fans hire college students or Grove “professionals” to stake their ground by running to their beloved tent’s location.

Regardless of the chaotic hustle and bustle on the night before game day, there’s no place better to be on a fall Saturday than in the Grove—deemed the “Holy Grail of Tailgating.” Everyone has their own technique of how to create the perfect Grove experience.

Tammy Folk, an Ole Miss alum and Grove-goer for years, says the first and most important part of starting a Grove tent is the set-up person. “The individual who sets up your tent must be someone that knows what they are doing, and it is especially good if they store the equipment for you… our guy’s name is Wayne and our tent wouldn’t be possible without him,” says Folk. Furthermore, it’s vital to form a group to discuss food and decoration choices and to share costs and work.

Folk’s group has tailgating down to a science. “It all began 25 years ago with previous football players and good friends who became the founders, so to speak... we were the young guns of the group,” she explains. The group, nicknamed Rock the Row Rebels, sets up outside of the Grove on the Southern Observatory Lawn at the end of Sorority Row (hence the name), and is family oriented. For a tent to remain successful the group must pay attention to detail, such as food, says Folk, and the atmosphere must be inviting so everyone has a good time, especially when there are new additions. Good food will bring children, and if you’re looking for some good fried chicken, the Chevron on the Square is the place to go according to Folk.

The size of a group will fluctuate because sometimes people lose interest when their child is no longer at Ole Miss, however new group members and guests consistently fill the tent.

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entertaining

88 | At Home Memphis & Mid South • October 2014

Roasted Butternut Squash & Goat Cheese Dip

entertaining

YIELD: 4-6 APPETIZER SERVINGS

INGREDIENTS:

• 1 lb. butternut • 2 Tbsp. lemon juice squash, diced • 1 Tbsp. Woodbridge • 2 large carrots,

by Robert Mondavi peeled and chopped Pinot Noir • 3 bulbs garlic, diced • Zest of 1/2 lemon • 2 Tbsp. olive oil • Salt and pepper • 2 Tbsp. pine nuts • Cayenne, to taste • 2 Tbsp. goat cheese • 1 Tbsp. fresh chives DIRECTIONS:

1. Preheat oven to 375º.

2. Toss first four ingredients in a medium-sized bowl.

3. Spread them out on a baking sheet and bake until butternut squash is fork tender, about 30 minutes.

4. Add all ingredients to food processor and pulse until smooth.

5. Spoon the dip into a serving bowl and top with extra pine nuts and goat cheese. Serve warm with crackers, pita or ciabatta bread, and a glass of Woodbridge by Robert Mondavi Pinot Noir.

Entertaining Tip: Make the dip up to two days before you plan to serve. Dish it into an oven-proof serving dish and heat for 25 minutes at 375˚ before serving. Take the dip out and sprinkle goat cheese and pine nuts over top.

Put back in the oven on broil for the remaining 5 minutes to toast the pine nuts and warm the goat cheese.

Visit athomemms.com to see our other recipe: Woodbridge by Robert Mondavi Cabernet Sauvignon Caramelized Onion Dip October 2014 • athomemms.com | 89

entertaining

90 | At Home Memphis & Mid South • October 2014

Karen Matthews, a Grove-goer since she was in diapers, agrees with Folk that organization is key when tailgating in the Grove. Tent preparations begin in early August; group members receive a rotating schedule of who brings the candles, flowers, food, beverages, etc. for each game. Matthews and her family now hire someone to set up their tent, however it has not always been that way. When she was in college, Matthews would stake out the tent the night before game day, and whoever she was dating at the time was in charge of helping her.

Matthews’ parents, Nan and Carl Comer, of Fulton, Mississippi, started their Grove tent 50 years ago, as graduate students at Ole Miss. They pulled their cars into a parking lot that was right behind their current tent location. Now the tent is a place where the extended family joins together over and over. They have remained in the same location for the past 50 years because everyone was accustomed to it. “When my girls were little it was great because they would get to spend time with their grandparents, considering we lived in Memphis,” Matthews explains.

Friends and family stop by the location near the Grove entrance off of University because you simply cannot miss it. The group takes on a theme for each game.

When Ole Miss plays LSU they typically serve Cajun food, and in 2013 for the Arkansas game they roasted a hog.

Matthews emphasizes that throughout the years her family has befriended individuals that they would only see during Rebel football seasons, “Grove friends,” along with people who randomly strike up conversations regardless of which team they are rooting for that day. “It’s amazing the people you meet and connect with in just one game-day tailgate…we still contact people we have encountered every now and then… and some even ask us for tours of the campus if they have a child interested in Ole Miss,” Matthews says.

The Grove doesn’t solely exist as a place for partying. Tailgating in the heart of Ole Miss’ campus brings people together for a unique experience. As the saying goes, Ole Miss may lose a game, but they will never lose a party. Cheers to the Grove for bringing families, students, friends and rivals together to celebrate and create new friendships. Hotty Toddy, y’all!

October 2014 • athomemms.com | 91

cooking

Pumpkin, Pumpkin EV ERYWHERE TEXT BY APRIL MCKINNEY

O

ctober is, without a doubt, the month for all things pumpkin. After a hot summer, the idea of pumpkin lattes, pumpkin pies and pumpkin bread just makes me feel all warm and fuzzy inside. I buy several big cans of pure pumpkin around this time of year, so I always have some on hand for a spur-of-themoment pumpkin creation.

The recipes below are two of my go-to pumpkin favorites; both are delicious while relatively low in fat. The Pumpkin Monster Cookies are chock full of all kinds of goodies!

These are wonderful for tailgating or any kind of fall themed parties. The pumpkin gives the cookies a beautiful orange color, and you don't even need a mixer to whip these up.

They may seem a little soft after 10 minutes of baking, but go ahead and remove them from the oven. They are best when they are not over baked.

My Pumpkin Spiced Smoothie is perfect for that leftover can of pumpkin in the fridge. Not only is pumpkin tasty and creamy, it's also rich in beta carotene and potassium, making it ideal for a healthy smoothie any time of day.

For more fall themed recipes, be sure to visit my website, www.AprilMcKinney.com

H ealthy Pu mpki n Sp iced Smoothie MAKES 1 SMOOTHIE

INGREDIENTS:

• ½ cup pumpkin puree (not pumpkin pie mix) • 1 (5-oz.) container vanilla Greek yogurt • ½ of a banana

• ½ cup low-fat milk • ¼ tsp. pumpkin pie spice • 2 tsp. honey or maple syrup • 1 cup ice cubes

DIRECTIONS:

Place all ingredients in a blender and blend until smooth. Enjoy!

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Pu mpki n Monst er Cookies MAKES 2 DOZEN COOKIES

INGREDIENTS:

• 1 cup canned • 1 tsp. vanilla pumpkin puree • 1 egg (not pumpkin pie mix) • 2 cups all-purpose flour • 1 cup sugar • 1 tsp. baking powder • ¼ cup canola oil • 1 tsp. baking soda • ¼ cup unsweetened • ½ tsp. salt applesauce (you may • ½ tsp. cinnamon substitute another ¼ cup • ¾ cup rolled oats of oil for this, but cookies • 1 cup chocolate chips or won’t be low fat) butterscotch chips DIRECTIONS:

1. Preheat oven to 350˚. Combine the pumpkin, sugar, oil, applesauce, vanilla and egg in a bowl. In a separate bowl whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt and cinnamon.

Add the flour mixture to wet ingredients just until combined, and then fold in the oats, chocolate and/or butterscotch chips.

2. Spray cookie sheet with non-stick cooking spray, drop a heaping tablespoons of dough on the sheet, and bake for 10-12 minutes. (The cookies will look soft but they are definitely done at 12 minutes!)

3. Cool on a wire rack.

cuisine

A DeltA Jewel

Ground Zero blues Club TexT by brooke WaTson shirley phoTography by ausTin briTT

94 | At Home Memphis & Mid South • October 2014

When it comes to hidden treasures, Clarksdale, Mississippi, has the market cornered. The untrained eye wouldn’t be able to detect that this modest Southern city has a boisterous, thriving blues underground, much less the hidden gem cradled at the heart of its crown. Nestled on the bank of the Sunflower River, Ground Zero Blues Club gleams like a pearl in the depth of the Mississippi Delta.

Just an hour and a half south of Memphis, the club is owned

by Academy Award-winning actor Morgan Freeman, Memphis entertainment executive Howard Stovall and attorney/Clarksdale mayor Bill Luckett. Opened on May 11, 2001, Ground Zero has been offering “the most Southern place on earth” a taste of its own Delta flair for 13 years. With an offbeat, relaxed atmosphere shaped by the original building constructed in 1904, and authentic blues music featured by dozens of bands annually, it’s no wonder that thousands of patrons from all over the world have wanted to scrawl their signature inside and contribute their story to a piece of the club’s growing history.

Since its opening, Ground Zero has worked in cooperation with the Mississippi Blues Trail: the club has become a healing presence in the Delta region. GZBC “has served as an anchor for downtown Clarksdale’s rebirth,” says Luckett. Hosting live music four nights a week and contributing to numerous musical festivals annually, including the Sunflower River Blues Festival, Second Street Blues Party and the Deep Blues Festival, GZBC has inarguably breathed fresh life into Clarksdale and the surrounding area.

Despite being known, and rightfully so, for its growing musical legacy, Ground Zero Blues Club may be one of the South’s best kept secrets when it comes to downhome cooking. The menu, reflecting the very best-of classic Southern dishes, has something to offer for every taste. Among the bestselling menu items are the Jukin’ Blues Burger, a six-inch tall burger loaded with hand-battered fried onions, jalapenos, melted mozzarella and American cheese, and The Fried Green Tomato Sammich, which boasts smoked bacon, melted American and mozzarella cheese, fried green tomatoes and the special Ground Zero GetBack sauce.

However, for those seeking traditional regional fare, Ground Zero does not disappoint. Patrons have their choice of a wide selection, and every item promises something distinct. With a menu heralding the classics such as the Mississippi Delta Catfish Dinner, Mr. Turner’s Hot Tamales, authentic Southern smoked pulled pork barbecue, and homemade peach cobbler, as well as creative options such as the famous fried grits, the Dixie Burger drenched in chili and cheese, and the fried chocolate delight, there is no going wrong when ordering lunch or dinner.

Ground Zero’s fully stocked bar, enticing menu and gritty, world-renowned music have garnered the attention of both locals and celebrities. Says Luckett, “Dozens of famous people have visited. They include Elvis Costello, Robert Plant (and two sons), Dan Aykroyd, Mike Wallace, Robin Meade, Willie Nelson, Jerry Lee Lewis, Bernie Marsden (White Snake), Tim Hinkley (Humble Pie), Gene Simmons (KISS), Paul Simon, George Thorogood, Papa George, Pinetop Perkins, Irma Thomas, Charlie Musselwhite, Ashley Judd and dozens of others!”

While GZBC hosts an array of live music every Wednesday to Saturday night, “Saturday Night in the Delta” is a thrilling experience that should not be missed. A visit to Ground Zero Blues Club communicates the style of the South and the passion of the Mississippi Delta.

Ground Zero Blues Club is open for lunch and dinner Monday through Saturday. For more information visit www. groundzerobluesclub.com/.

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social

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social

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social

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finance

CHARITABLE GIVING: MAKING YOUR CONTRIBUTION COUNT TEXT BY GINA MYERS, CFP®, CDFA™, SENIOR WEALTH ADVISER UNITED CAPITAL FINANCIAL ADVISERS, LLC

I could list hundreds of reasons why I’m proud to be a Tennessean. One of the many characteristics of Tennesseans that I love is their generosity. From ALS Ice Bucket Challenges to canned food drives to marathons run for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, the spirit of giving is in the state’s air. In fact, according to The Chronicle of Philanthropy, Tennessee is the fourth most generous state in the country.

As Tennesseans, we give in many different ways such as volunteering our time, sharing our talents and making financial contributions to promote the causes we care about. With our financial generosity comes a sense of responsibility to ensure we are leaving a meaningful legacy in a prudent manner. So how do we do this?

FIRST, FIND YOUR PASSION The National Center for Charitable Statistics reported an astounding 28,133 nonprofit organizations in the state of Tennessee in 2013. With so many organizations that need your support, how do you choose? Start by narrowing your focus to causes for which you truly have a passion. Ask yourself the following questions.

• What do I want to improve for the next generation?

• What causes are reflective of my personal values?

• If I could be an agent of change for my community, in what area(s) would I desire to focus?

INTERVIEW THE ORGANIZATION Once you’ve determined the mission(s) you want to support, contact organizations whose values are in line with your own. Express your interest in making a financial contribution and ask questions about the organization’s mission, programs and, most importantly, its outcomes.

As a potential donor, you want to understand the impact being made in the community as well as the future goals of the organization.

DO YOUR RESEARCH Individual charitable giving in 2013 was $335.17 billion according to the National Philanthropic Trust’s research.

With Americans giving such a remarkable amount to nonprofits, it is important that we ensure that our contributions are spent wisely by the organizations we support. While this may initially seem like a daunting task, surprisingly, it isn’t. Many organizations rate charities and publish the information online free of charge.

The ratings are based on numerous factors such as financial performance, accountability and transparency. Visit one of the resources below to find out how your preferred charity is rated.

• Charity Navigator: charitynavigator.org • GuideStar: www.guidestar.org • Better Business Bureau’s Wise Giving Alliance: www.bbb.org/us/charity MAXIMIZE YOUR TAX BENEFIT. When we want to make a charitable gift, we usually reach for our checkbooks, but could

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there be a better way? While the answer to this question is based on your specific financial situation, most financial planners would answer “yes.” For example, gifting appreciated securities can provide a greater tax benefit than writing a check. There are numerous ways to increase your tax benefit when making contributions so talk with your financial adviser to find the right solution for you.

FOLLOW UP Making a contribution to a nonprofit shouldn’t be the end. Follow up with the charity. Understanding the impact that your donation made toward a cause you are passionate about can be the most rewarding part of the process. Being a part of a positive change may inspire you to give more of your time and energy, as well.

Making a difference in our communities and world seems to be a characteristic that is ingrained in our Tennessee culture. We should take pride in our generosity and ensure that not only are we good stewards of our funds and communities, but that the charitable organizations we support are, too.

“Giving frees us from the familiar territory occupied by our own needs and opens our minds to the unexplained worlds occupied by the needs of others.” — Barbara Bush, former First Lady of the United States.

happenings

October 2014

SUN

MON

TUES

1

To submit an event to be included in At Home Memphis & Mid South Happenings, please email ads@athomemms.com

6

5 Gardening Days The Dixon 901.761.5250 www.dixon.org

12

Memphis Knights Big Band Memphis Botanic Garden memphisbotanicgarden.com

"Learning to See" Photography Class Union Dept. of Art Gallery 731.661.5076

13

WED

7

Fall Wreath Floral Design Class Memphis Botanic Garden memphisbotanicgarden.com

The Books of Madison County - Fundraiser Jackson Madison County Library 731.425.8600

14

THUR

2

October 1-31 Pumpkin Patch Emmanuel United Methodist Church Memphis, TN

Jackson Symphony 22nd Annual Legend Concert Carl Perkins Civic Center

8

9

October 9-12 Art Alfresco + Antiques Greenwood, MS

Chili Festival Tupelo, MS

www.greenwoodchamber.com

thejacksonsymphony.org

www.tupelomainstreet.com

Dinner on Stage Orpheum Theatre 901.525.3000 orpheum-memphis.com

15

Food Truck Garden Party Memphis Botanic Garden

16 Anne of Green Gables The Ned Jackson, TN 731.425.8397

memphisbotanicgarden.com

Beginners Digital Photography Class Memphis Botanic Garden memphisbotanicgarden.com

19

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21

22

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Brian Regan Orpheum Theatre 901.525.3000 orpheum-memphis.com

Power of the Purse Women's Foundation Luncheon Chickasaw Country Club 901.578.9346

26

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October 26-27 West TN Art Exhibit Delta Heritage Center Brownsville

28

Vine to Wine: Spooky Spirits Memphis Botanic Garden memphisbotanicgarden.com

Downtown Paris Cruise In Paris, TN 731.653.7274 visitdowntownparis.com

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happenings

FRI

3

October 3-5 Annual Highway 61 Blues Festival Warfield Point Park, Greenville

SAT

4

Central Station 100th Anniversary Memphis Railroad & Trolley Museum 901.590.3099

www.highway61blues.com

Up and Away Opening Mississippi Blues Fest Broadway Studios, Memphis mississippibluesfest.com 901.725.6838 Jackson Food & Art Festival North Mississippi Fall Fest The Amp, Jackson TN Horn Lake, MS 731.427.7573 662.342.3469

10

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October 9 Dinner on Stage

TN Scottish Festival Casey Jones Village Amphitheater Jackson, TN 731.784.1263

17 October 17-18 Aberdeen Bukka White Blues Festival Tenn-Tom Waterway 800.634.3538

18

Fall Paw Fest Carriage Crossing shopcarriagecrossing.com

Celebrate Art Festival Casey Jones Villiage Bagels & Bluegrass Bicycle Century Tour Jackson State Community College bagelsandbluegrass.tn.org

24 Dueling Designers Luncheon Memphis Botanic Garden memphisbotanicgarden.com

25

Spooktacular Downtown Paris

October 25 Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure

visitdowntownparis.com

Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure Shops at Carriage Crossing shopcarriagecrossing.com

Kids Halloween Extravaganz Downtown Jackson, TN downtownjackson.com

31 Ground Zero Blues Club Halloween Party with Stan Street and The Hambone Band Clarksdale, MS 662.621.9009 groundzerobluesclub.com

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sources 20 | Fashion Location — Bonne Terre Country Inn www.bonneterreinn.com Photographer — Sarah Rossi, www.sarahrossi.net Model — Katie Kalsi Makeup — Matt Gossett Hair — McLaine Richards Craig

40 | Mid south Must do 15th Annual Chili Fest, www.tupelomainstreet.com

44 | travel Special thanks to — visitgreenvillesc, www.visitgreenvillesc.com App link for Public Art Walking Tour, www.greenvillesc.gov/Culture/ArtinPublicPlaces/ Gran Fondo Hincapie, 866.359.4786, www.granfondohincapie.com Biltmore Estate, www.biltmore.com Carl Sandburg Home National Historic Site, www.nps.gov/carl/index.htm

48 | roadtrip Sandestin Hilton, www.hiltonsandestinbeach.com

60 | Music Special thanks to — Wilson Phillips

62 | at hoMe With Amy Head, www.amyhead.net

64 | technology Phoenix Unequaled Home Entertainment www.phoenixcommcorp.com

66 | hoMe Feature Special thanks to — Virginia and Steve Cox, homeowners

76 | design Special thanks to — Becky Rivalto, homeowner Tim Brown, homeowner

84 | outdoor living Scarecrows on the Square — Covington-Tipton County Chamber of Commerce 901.476.9727, www.covington-tiptonco.com

94 | cuisine Ground Zero Blues Club — groundzerobluesclub.com/ October 2014 • athomemms.com | 105

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BE ONE OF THE FIRST TO GUESS THIS MID SOUTH LOCATION

AND WIN!

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PORCH AT GROUND ZERO BLUES CLUB CLARKSDALE, MS

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106 | At Home Memphis & Mid South • October 2014