December 8, 2022

BY MATT MASTERS

Heritage Foundation of Williamson County President and Chief Executive Officer Bari Beasley has penned an open letter on the future of Beechwood Hall following national attention on the historic home.

This fall, concerns over the potential demolition of the historic home grew, sparking an online petition and an appearance by musician Kid Rock on Fox News’ Tucker Carlson Tonight which threw the home into the national spotlight.

Beasley’s open letter disputes allegations that the organization accepted donations from the property owners in exchange for not advocating for the historic home, and says that the Heritage Foundation is doing what they can to help preserve the property which is privately owned.

“Recent sensationalist declarations and

misinformation have been spread about the Heritage Foundation regarding Beechwood Hall,” Beasely said in the letter which can be read in full on our website. “This has not only been an attempt to damage our Foundation, but a black eye in national media for our community – it is contrary to the Franklin way.”

BEECHWOOD HALL BACKGROUND

The home dates back to 1856 and the surrounding 268 acres, which sits in Williamson County’s unincorporated area just outside of Franklin and Leiper’s Fork, were purchased in 2021 by Larry Keele, an Advisory Partner with Oaktree Capital Management, a California-based company which he co-founded in 1995.

Keele is originally from Lewisburg, Tennessee, and according to the Heritage

Foundation’s 2019 annual report, the Keeles were one of 11 individuals or groups who made a “Founders” level donation to the organization which ranges between $10,000–$24,999.

The Heritage Foundation said that the Keeles are not currently donors to the organization.

“Inflammatory and false claims have been made that the Heritage Foundation accepted money from the owners of Beechwood Hall to keep us from advocating for this home. This could not be further from the truth, and it undermines both my integrity and the integrity of all associated with our organization,” Beasley said in the letter.

Despite the home being added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1988, with a listed “local” significance, that designation doesn’t protect

annual

BY JAYME FOLTZ

It was dark and stormy in Nashville on November 29th, but that didn’t stop the Christmas spirit from filling the Lipscomb University campus with holiday cheer.

Lipscomb University presented rang in the holiday season with the community at the 18th annual Lighting of the Green.

Nashville’s very own Christmas angel, Amy Grant, hosted the holiday concert with the help of her friends, the vocal trio Selah and Michael Tait, the lead singer of the Newsboys.

“It’s just so good for us to be together tonight,” said Grant with a smile after opening the celebration with her song “To Be Together.”

Also joining Grant were Lipscomb’s acapella group Sanctuary and choirs from Lipscomb Academy and Lipscomb University.

Those unable to attend the event were able to join a virtual live stream for a chance to partake in the festivities.

Festivities began at 4 p.m. to give attendees an opportunity to explore the Merry Marketplace. The collection of holiday vendors offered a variety of knick knacks and festive items that are perfect for gift shopping.

A portion of the proceeds made by the vendors will be donated to Lipscomb’s Associated Women of Lipscomb scholarship fund, another tradition of the holiday event.

The Haley Sue Foundation, created in honor of former Lipscomb student Haley Sue Pearson, was selling baked goods.

Lipscomb senior Mallory Pedigo is president of the Pi Delta social club on the University’s campus and she explained why the cause is so important to its members.

“We just want to be kind souls toward other people and lend a helping hand.”

“Haley’s Merry Little Christmas” aims to raise money each year to help underprivileged children have

PHOTO BY MATT MASTERS

Lipscomb

their own Christmas.

Children also had the opportunity to do festive crafts and take memorable photos with Mr. and Mrs. Claus.

Special guest Michael Tait surprised the crowd when he appeared to sing his own rendition of “Chesnuts Roasting on an Open Fire.”

The Christian rock singer shared that the song was often heard in his home during the holidays when he was growing up.

“When I heard this song, I always knew it was Christmas time,” said Tait.

Grant closed the concert with an exuberant version of “Emmanuel” that got the crowd excited for the main event of the tree lighting.

Lipscomb President Candice McQueen took the stage to give thanks to everyone involved in the concert and to announce a surprise scholarship made by an anonymous donor in honor of Amy Grant.

The scholarship was presented to Lipscomb student David Green, who is a part of Sanctuary and the university’s choir.

Walt Leaver, Lipscomb’s Vice President of University Relations, and his wife were

given the honor of “lighting” the Christmas trees. Leaver, who will soon be retiring, has organized events for the university, including all 18 years of Lighting of the Green, since 1994.

The Lighting of the Green has become a tradition that brings together Nashville’s community during a season of love and joy. Lipscomb senior Morgan Hurley attended the event with her grandparents.

“They were blown away at how well puttogether the event was, and how much of a presence Lipscomb had in the community,” said Hurley.

“Lighting of the Green was a wonderful and heartfelt experience. It was most certainly an event for the whole family, my favorite part was the free pictures with Santa Claus and hearing the Gospel Choir. I will certainly be returning next year, then as alumni.”

On December 4, Amy Grant will be part of the Kennedy Center Honors along with Gladys Knight, U2, and others. She will become the first contemporary Christian artist to receive the award.

Hillwood High School student arrested with loaded gun

STAFF REPORTS

A Hillwood High School student was arrested on Tuesday after police said that she threatened to “shoot up the school” and was found to be in possession of a loaded pistol.

According to a Metro Nashville Police Department news release, it was the the unidentified 16-year-old 10th grader’s first day at the high school and she was charged

with carrying a gun on school property.

“She was taken to an office where school personnel searched her backpack and recovered a nine-millimeter pistol with 12 rounds in the magazine,” MNPD said in the news release.

Due to the age of the defendant, no further information has been made public.

PHOTO BY KRISTI JONES/LIPSCOMB UNIVERSITY

the property as it is privately owned in the unincorporated county and has no current zoning to protect the property from demolition or development.

Community activists have said that the home is on a “deathwatch” and questioned the motives of the Keele’s and the Heritage Foundation.

Their online petition aims to “permanently stop all demolition, make efforts to protect the property from further deterioration and commit to a preservation solution that preserves Historic Beechwood Hall for future generations.”

The petition is also “calling on state and county elected officials to pass laws that require a demolition permit and a 120-day waiting period for historic properties within Williamson County.”

Among the concerns stated by community activists were the demolition of a 1970’s-era addition to the rear of the home which recently took place, and the removal of the home’s spiral staircase banister.

A burn pit is present on the property, which caused some activists to question if the banister had been destroyed, but the property owners have stated that the bannister was removed and has been stored in a “safe, conditioned space” in order to preserve the piece which is original to the home.

The Heritage Foundation said that no

historical items were placed in the burn pit, which they said contains “dead trees” and “the old perimeter fence.”

The property has been largely neglected for decades but was at one time owned by country music icon Hank Williams, and country musicians and husband and wife Tim McGraw and Faith Hill, the latter of which featured the home in several music videos.

That neglect is evident when touring the large rooms that bear their history alongside peeling wallpaper, dust, mold, dead birds and broken windows.

A more contemporary upstairs bathroom, styled with marble and mirrors, shows that the original space had been renovated to some degree beyond its pre-American Civil War roots.

The Heritage Foundation has already taken some steps to “winterize” the home, covering the windows from the inside of the building with insulated panels.

Carlson and Rock compared the potential demolition of the home to the destruction or removal of statues and monuments during worldwide protests in 2020 centered around racial justice, with Carlson calling potential demolition of the home “an attack on the country itself.”

“We hope to get this resolved in a good manner,” Rock said on the program, “But if not, we can get some hillbilly [unintelligible] going on too.”

Other national figures such as Williamson

County resident Mike Wolfe of the reality show “American Pickers” have been vocal on social media about the property, with Wolfe arguing that the property can still be preserved and restored, saying in one Instagram comment that the Keeles have “told a number of individuals that he’s tearing it down,” and that, “The diplomatic approach has come and gone.”

“The Heritage Foundation’s message now is if you keep bugging him he will tear it down,” Wolfe alleged in the same online comment.

Following the national attention, the Heritage Foundation of Williamson County launched a frequently asked questions

“The Heritage Foundation agrees with the underlining goal of the Beechwood Hall movement: to retain a beloved and historic property. However, our approach to preservation advocacy is decidedly different than some local outlets and organizers.”

The organization said that they are working “in good faith and in a spirit of collaboration” with Keele to “have respectful and frank discussions about the historical significance of their property, its current condition, and to make them fully aware of the resources available to them (historic or architectural consultants, grants, tax incentives, etc.) that make preserving historic properties a realistic endeavor.”

Christmas Concert with Full Orchestra at 7:00 pm

Reception to follow

Christmas Eve Candlelight Worship Service at 4:30 pm

Christmas Concert with Full Orchestra at 6:00 pm

Reception to follow

Christmas Day Worship Service at 10:40 am

Nashville Area Chamber of Commerce and its CEO not popular with business community

BY BILL FREEMAN

I recently commissioned a poll of Nashville business leaders regarding their satisfaction with the Nashville Area Chamber of Commerce and its leadership. The poll was directed to 1,755 leaders and focused on satisfaction with membership benefits, the fees associated with membership, the chamber’s leadership, the chamber being involved in education, the recent and significant budget cuts and more.

It is no secret that I have not been pleased with the chamber and its leadership. They don’t focus enough on Nashville’s growth, nor do they give enough attention to Nashville’s small businesses. I also think that the city cutting the chamber’s budget by 50 percent in 2020 was indicative of the job the body is doing. More recently, I’ve wondered what other business leaders in the community think of the chamber as an agent of Nashville — and so I commissioned the poll. Some results did come as a surprise to me.

For instance, 70.83 percent of respondents said the benefits of chamber membership were not worth the investment. Some did say the events are good, but they still don’t see the full benefit for the cost. Other members said the chamber is not a helpful ally; that its emphasis is on recruiting businesses for other counties and not Nashville or Davidson County. When asked

about the chamber developing businesses outside of our region and not focusing on Davidson County, 32 percent “strongly disagreed” with this approach. Another 12 percent “somewhat disagreed.” So in total, 44 percent would rather the chamber focus on Davidson County and Nashville alone, over building commerce in Davidsonadjacent counties.

The results further showed that the chamber’s focus on big business versus small business is off course. According to the poll, 28 percent said the chamber focuses too much on big business, and 32 percent more said the chamber doesn’t give enough attention to small businesses. That means 60 percent of respondents are unhappy as to the chamber’s focus.

Respondents were also asked to mark their level of satisfaction with the Nashville

Area Chamber of Commerce’s representation of Nashville’s businesses on a scale of 1 to 10. Thirty-eight percent gave the chamber a low-scoring 1, and an additional 21 percent scored the chamber between 2 and 5. That means 59 percent of respondents are not satisfied with the chamber’s overall representation of Nashville businesses.

Another question addressed the mayor significantly cutting the chamber’s budget in half in 2020. Nearly 71 percent said the budget cut was “appropriate.” When asked why, respondents relayed that the city and its taxpayers should not have their dollars go to the chamber, and that if the chamber lures more business to adjacent counties over Nashville, then the mayor was justified.

Another question asked specifically, “What is your level of satisfaction with Mr. Schulz’s leadership as president [and CEO] of the chamber?” Recipients were asked to use a scale of 1 to 10, with 1 being “very unsatisfactory” to 10 being “very satisfactory,” to describe their thoughts on Ralph Schulz’s leadership. Ten percent scored Mr. Schulz below the requested 1 to 10 range, with numbers lower than one. Forty-eight percent gave Mr. Schulz the lowest score of 1. Another 14 percent gave Mr. Schulz scores between 2 and 5. Only 28 percent gave Mr. Schulz scores greater than five. Overall, 72 percent of respondents feel

Open letter

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 3

they are working on a preservation plan that they hope to present to the owners in January.

Mr. Schulz is failing in his responsibilities as a leader.

Respondents of this poll are not happy with the chamber overall. Even though some voiced contentment with events or networking options, they are not happy with the fees associated with membership. According to the survey, most are not seeing the value in chamber membership, they don’t see the value in what the chamber does for Nashville’s commerce, and they don’t see the value in Mr. Schulz’s leadership. Nashville has an area chamber whose budget has been cut by the mayor, does not provide enough benefits for the fees it charges, is seen as lacking focus in the right areas, is not seen as an ally to Nashville businesses and their owners, and whose leadership is unsatisfactory to the Nashville business community.

I think it’s time for Ralph Schulz to hand over the reins to someone who can do it … better.

Bill Freeman

Bill Freeman is the owner of FW Publishing, the publishing company that produces the Nashville Scene, Nfocus, the Nashville Post and The News.

MANAGER

HEATHER CANTRELL MULLINS, PUBLISHER

Beasley said that as far as she knows, the property owners are currently working exclusively with the Heritage Foundation on exploring preservation options, and she said that neither Fox News nor Kid Rock have reached out to the Heritage Foundation.

“We’re not opposed to passionate people in the community wanting to support preservation,” Beasley told The News. “That’s what our community is really all about, historic preservation, but you have to look at every unique situation. These are private property owners, and so targeting them and alienating them or bullying them is not the best path forward.”

Beasely said that they have worked “collaboratively and had civil discourse” with the property owners, and plan to continue to be “fully engaged in preservation efforts.”

Keele issued a statement last month in which he said that there is no scheduled demolition, and that he and his wife have been “disappointed and saddened” by how their efforts have been portrayed, adding that they have “been forced to install cameras and hire security to protect the property from

trespassers and others potentially placing the home and others in danger.”

“My wife and I very much understand and appreciate the importance of local history and preserving our beautiful historic landscapes,” Keele said. “To date, we have already placed over 350 acres of land in Williamson County in The Land Trust for Tennessee. We know we can’t please everyone, but it is our sincere hope that the majority of the interested parties can respect the process we are in with the Heritage Foundation and allow us to do a full assessment of Beechwood Hall over the coming months”

Beasley told The News that she’s not sure why the Heritage Foundation has been targeted with allegations that they aren’t interested in helping to try and save the home, but said that the organization’s 55-year-history speaks for itself.

“It’s a very important piece of history in our community, and we certainly want to convey not only the importance of the history, but also the path forward,” Beasley said. “Because these are lovely people that steward this historic property, and we want to make sure they have every resource available to make the best decision when that time comes, and that’s what we’re working to do.”

ELIZABETH JONES , CORPORATE CREATIVE DIRECTOR TODD PATTON , CFO

MIKE SMITH , PRESIDENT AND CEO

BILL FREEMAN, OWNER

KANO TAPS KLEIN FOR PRESIDENT ROLE

Kano Laboratories, a producer of oils and lubricants, has announced that Mark Klein will assume the role of president.

A 20-year veteran in the industrial maintenance, repair and operations (MRO) distribution and retail space, Klein succeeds Sevan Demirdogen, who will remain with the company as executive chairman of the board. Demirdogen assumed leadership of Kano after Gryphon Investors, a middle market private equity firm, purchased the Nashville-based company in 2020.

Under Demirdogen’s leadership, Kano’s premier brand of penetrating lubricants, Kroil, has been made available through a MRO distribution network of more than 500 distributors, as well as retail and online stores.

Prior to joining Kano, Klein served as copresident of Klein Tools, a privately-owned company that manufacturers hand tools.

“Mark brings a wealth of experience and proven results which will help launch Kano into its next phase of growth,” Craig Nikrant, Gryphon operating partner, said in the release. “His laser focus on customers and proven results through MRO distribution, retail and innovation gives us great confidence in his leadership and vision for the company, and I’m looking forward to partnering with him.”

Founded in 1939 Kano produces penetrating oils and lubricants for the MRO and consumer markets.

USED AUTO DEALER PAYS $3.2M FOR INDUSTRIAL PROPERTY

A Northeast Davidson County industrial property has sold for $3.2 million, with the new owner affiliated with a local used vehicle dealership business and having recently undertaken a real estate deal in West Nashville.

According to a Davidson County Register of Deeds document, Brentwood-based Hope Investments LLC now owns the 4.04-acre property, which offers an address of 2614 Hart St. Payman Zad, who owns Auto Depot of Tennessee, created the LLC. Early this month, Zad sold a commercial property located near Silo Bend in The Nations for $4 million (read here).

The seller of the property — located near Dickerson Pike in the general East Nashville area — was L&G Construction Company Inc., which is led by owners Shirley Arnold and Leonard Arnold and that paid $430,000 for the property in 1995, Metro records show. L&G has done work at Nashville International Airport, among others.

L&G Construction will move to a nearby property, Leonard Arnold told the Post.

It is unclear if brokers were involved in the transaction.

BUSINESS BRIEFS

SENIOR CARE COMPANY APPOINTS ANOTHER CEO

BY HANNAH HERNER

Nashville-based senior care facility operations company HMP Senior Solutions announced Wednesday that Shawn O’Conner will serve as president and CEO of the company, effective immediately.

Previous CEO Scott Phillips, who is one of the founders of parent company Healthcare Management Partners, will now serve in a newly created role of chairman, according to a press release.

Phillips became president and CEO in April, and at the same time the company appointed Mary DePietro executive vice president and O’Conner chief business development officer. Before joining HMP earlier this year, O’Conner served as senior vice president of operations at Louisvillebased senior care provider Signature Healthcare. He was with the company for 11 years.

“Shawn’s strong operational focus, strategic acumen and experience driving both growth and profitability are exactly what we need for HMP Senior Solutions’ next chapter,” said Phillips. “With a deep and talented leadership bench in place, I am confident that he will take the Company forward and create incredible value in the years ahead.”

HMP Senior Solutions manages 40 facilities in seven states through its subsidiaries.

DEVELOPMENT EYED FOR SITE NEAR SAINT THOMAS WEST

BY WILLIAM WILLIAMS

A multi-building mixed-use development is being eyed for properties sandwiched by the Publix-anchored Hill Center Belle Meade and Ascension Saint Thomas West Hospital.

If the project materializes, the future buildings will rise on properties owned separately by the hospital company and H.G. Hill Realty Co. Part of the overall site previously accommodated modernist apartment tower Imperial House, which Ascension Saint Thomas had razed in 2017.

A community meeting to present the proposal — tentatively called Harding Town Center — is slated for Dec. 5, according to the Ascension Saint Thomas West Hospital Facebook page. Both Hill Realty and Saint Thomas Health officials will oversee the meeting. The posting references a “pedestrian-friendly, mixed-use village center.” The Facebook posting includes concept plan images as opposed to detailed renderings.

Saint Thomas Health officials could not be reached for comment.

Local media originally reported in 2015 that Saint Thomas Health was looking to redevelop the West Nashville site, at least the part south of Richland Creek. The parcel last home to the 11-story Imperial House offers

seven acres and an address of 109 Bosley Springs Road. A separate piece of adjacent raw land, also owned by Saint Thomas Health and at 123 Bosley Springs, offers 6.1 acres. It is unclear if the latter property — located on the north side of Richland Creek — is to be part of the proposed development.

In 2017, Saint Thomas Health landed a specific plan zoning for both Bosley Springs Road parcels, with the rezoning coming as the 1963-opened Imperial House was demolished.

Hill Realty owns the adjacent Hill Center Belle Meade, with an address of 4320 Harding Pike and including the Publix. That property includes a small free-standing building accommodating Picnic Café, with the business to soon relocate to a space in the building home to Escape Day Spa and 360 Bistro, among others, at the Highway 100-70 split.

Sources have said that Hill Realty — officials referred the Post to Saint Thomas Health — hopes to redevelop the site of the Picnic Café structure. Hill Realty also owns a property, offering a Mapco, at 4314 Harding Pike and seemingly seeks to redevelop that site, too.

Harding Town Center would unfold within Metro Councilmember Kathleen Murphy’s District 24. Murphy told the Post she has yet to assess details of the proposal.

This story was first published by our sister publication Nashville Post.

12SOUTH-AREA CHURCH PROPERTY SELLS FOR $1.6M

BY WILLIAM WILLIAMS

A 12South-area modernist church building has sold for $1.6 million, about 11 months after a transaction involving that property and some accompanying parcels and the latest purchase of former religious property in the general area.

According to a Davidson County Register of Deeds document, the new owner is an LLC affiliated with Brentwood-based investor Steven Shelton (Chico Capital).

The seller was an LLC affiliated with Franklin-based development company SouthStar. That entity in January paid $3.5 million for the church building (located at 1000, 1002 and 1004 Halcyon Ave.), a free-standing single-family home at 1006 Halcyon Ave. and a surface parking lot at 1001 Montrose Ave. It retains the latter two properties following the deal with Shelton.

The sellers in the January transaction were the trustees of Second Missionary Baptist Church, with the trust having paid $63,000 for the parking lot site in 1997 and $57,900 for the religious building and the freestanding single-family home site in 1991, Metro records show (read more here).

The just-sold property offers 0.48 acres, yielding a transaction that is the equivalent of $76.92 per foot (a figure that is relatively standard for the general area, sources said).

According to a separate document, Shelton has landed a loan, valued at $1.28 million, from Nashville-based FirstBank.

Of note, SouthStar is partnering with Dallas-based KDC and Franklin-based Chartwell Hospitality on Aureum, a $750 million mixed-use project for Cool Springs (read here).

Shelton could not be reached for comment regarding his plans for the justbought property, and the Post was unable to determine if brokers were involved in the deal.

The transaction follows the January deal in which Brentwood Baptist Church paid $5 million for a nearby religious building property at 901 Acklen Ave. and located in what some locals call the Acklen Westgrove neighborhood (read here).

And in February, Amy James and Susan Davis, local franchisees affiliated with national chain Primrose Schools, paid $4.52M for a roughly 86-year-old exchurch building at 2400 10th Ave. S. and sitting catty-corner from Waverly Belmont Elementary School (read here).

The seller was Greater Christ Temple Church Inc., which acquired the property for $85,000 in 1971, according to Metro records.

A Primrose school now operates at the building.

This story was first published by our sister publication Nashville Post.

VUMC NAMES HAYMAN TO LEAD CLINICAL SERVICES DIVISION

Vanderbilt University Medical Center has named Jim Hayman to the newly created role of executive vice president for the Shared Clinical Services Division.

According to news.vumc.org, the Shared Clinical Services Division will support Vanderbilt University Hospital, Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt, Vanderbilt Health Services and Vanderbilt Health’s community hospitals and ambulatory clinics.

Hayman serves VUMC as senior vice president and chief pharmacy officer and joined VUMC in 2008 as chief pharmacy officer.

Hayman earned a Bachelor of Science degree in pharmacy and Master of Science degree in hospital pharmacy from the University of Mississippi, and a Master of Business Administration degree in health systems management from the University of Dallas. He completed a residency hospital pharmacy at the Medical University of South Carolina.

Have a promotion you wish to submit to Business briefs? Send to news@gcanews.com

Lipscomb Academy caps undefeated season with back-to-back DII-AA titles over rival CPA

BY LOGAN BUTTS

It was the end of a brief-but-successful era on Saturday for Lipscomb Academy as the Mustangs dominated rival Christ Presbyterian Academy 42-0 to win their second-consecutive Division II-AA state championship, capping an undefeated season.

The game marked Lipscomb Academy’s final outing in DII-AA, as they are moving up to the DII-AAA classification starting next season. It was also Trent Dilfer’s final game as head coach of the Mustangs. After four seasons, two titles, and three state championship game appearances, the former Super Bowl-winning quarterback announced on Wednesday that he would be resigning to take over as head coach at UAB.

It was fitting that the Mustangs (13-0) final game in DII-AA came against CPA (8-6). The two rivals have squared off in the last three state title games. CPA came away with a 35-28 win in 2020, LA won 27-0 in

2021, and the Mustangs won this season’s chalk match.

The win extends Lipscomb Academy’s overall winning streak to 21 games, dating back to a 29-21 loss on the road at eventual 6A champion Oakland last season. The Mustangs held five teams scoreless this season and scored 40-plus points in all 11 in-state matchups.

Quarterback-wide receiver duo Hank Brown, a liberty commit, and Junior Sherrill, a Vanderbilt commit and Mr. Football finalist, turned in another dominant performance on Thursday in Chattanooga.

Brown finished 23 of 28 for 268 yards, three touchdowns, and zero interceptions, while Sherrill caught 11 passes for 141 yards and three touchdowns and ran seven times for 60 yards and another score, earning the game’s MVP. Running back Drew Patterson added 84 yards and two scores on 20 carries.

Tennessee commit Kaleb Beasley

continued to be the star on defense. The Mr. Football finalist ran back an interception 50 yards to the goal line, setting up one Lipscomb Academy touchdown. He also returned a punt 55 yards, leading to another Mustang scoring drive.

Four-star linebacker Edwin Spillman led the team with five tackles, including one for loss, while three-star linebacker Bryan Longwell added four tackles.

CPA once again had Braden Streeter and Thomas Vaccaro split time at quarterback.

Streeter started, going 4-15 for 36 yards, while Vaccaro came in and completed one of seven passes, including the interception.

Star wide receiver London Humphreys was held without a catch, but the Vanderbilt commit nearly landed a touchdown in the second quarter when CPA went for it on fourth-and-goal.

Three-star linebacker Crews Law led the Lions with nine tackles.

In total, Lipscomb Academy out-gained CPA 436 to 80 in the shutout.

MBA’s perfect season comes to an end in DII-AAA title game thriller vs Baylor

BY LOGAN BUTTS

Montgomery Bell Academy came just five points short of a perfect season on Thursday night, falling to Baylor School 38-34 in the Division II-AAA championship game at Finley Stadium in Chattanooga.

Featuring the No. 2 and No. 3-ranked teams in the state, the matchup was heavily hyped heading into championship weekend. It more than delivered on the buildup.

Both offenses flowed with ease, with

BY JASON GOODE

Baylor (11-2) gaining 517 yards to MBA’s 395. The Big Red (12-1) jumped out to a 21-7 lead and was ahead 28-24 at the half, but only mustered six second-half points to finish as DIII-AA runners-up for the third time in the last four seasons.

Meanwhile, Baylor will be taking home the program’s first championship trophy since 1973 and only its second ever. They also got revenge on MBA for a 42-34 Big

Red regular season win in Nashville, Baylor’s only in-state loss this season.

MBA started the scoring when Ole Miss commit and Mr. Football finalist Marcel Reed tossed a 23-yard touchdown to Hutton Durrett less than two minutes into the game.

Baylor responded three minutes later to tie the game when Whit Muschamp, son of Georgia co-defensive coordinator Will Muschamp, threw a 38-yard score to Louis Vincent.

MBA took the lead back at the 6:58 mark of the first quarter when Reed and Clairborne Richards linked up for a 51-yard touchdown. Reed collected another score seven seconds into the second quarter on an eight-yard touchdown to Johnothan Moore to extend the lead to 21-7.

49 seconds later, Amari Jefferson rushed for a 48-yard touchdown. Mr. Football finalist and South Carolina baseball commit Caleb Hampton ran in a 32-yard score with 6:49 left in the half to tie the game at 21-21.

Reed and Moore connected once again, this time on a 38-yard touchdown with 4:49 left in the second quarter, and the Big Red led again, 28-21. Baylor added a field goal with nine seconds left in the half, and MBA went into the beak ahead 28-24.

After a track meet first half, the two teams nearly went the entire third quarter without

scoring. With 58 seconds left in the frame, Muschamp threw a 46-yard touchdown to Jefferson to give the Red Raiders a 31-28 lead.

Hampton built the lead out to 10 points with 6:45 left in the game on a 45-yard touchdown. Reed found Ragsdale for a 13-yard touchdown with 3:19 left to play, cutting the Baylor lead to 38-34 after a blocked extra point.

MBA failed to recover the ensuing onside kick, and Baylor was able to run out the clock.

Reed finished 16-24 for 263 yards and five touchdowns with zero interceptions. He also led the team with 67 rushing yards on eight carries.

Moore compiled 124 yards on 12 touches with two touchdowns. Richards caught six passes for 102 yards and a score.

On defense, Browning Trainer led the way with six tackles, two tackles for loss, and two quarterback hits.

Baylor’s Hampton won the game’s MVP, rushing for 170 yards and two touchdowns on 24 carries.

Muschamp finished 19-29 for 252 yards, two touchdowns, and zero interceptions. Jefferson added 141 total yards and two scores.

PHOTO BY JASON GOODE

PHOTO

Nashville Christian falls to unbeaten Friendship Christian in DII-A championship game

BY LOGAN BUTTS

A late Nashville Christian drive came up short as the Eagles fell to Friendship Christian 34-27 on Thursday in the Division II-A state championship game in Chattanooga.

It is the second year in a row Nashville Christian (10-3) has finished as the DII-A runners-up after losing to Donelson Christian Academy 31-7 in the 2021 title game.

The win gives Friendship Christian the fourth state title in program history after previously winning in 2011, 2012, and 2017.

The Commanders (13-0) scored first as quarterback Garrett Weekly, a Stanford commit, found Brock Montgomery for a 56yard touchdown at the five-minute mark of the first quarter. But the Eagles immediately responded with James Warmbrod returning the ensuing kickoff 95 yards to the house. FCS blocked the extra point to retain a 7-6 lead.

Weekly and Montgomery linked up for a second touchdown, this time 17 yards, in the waning minutes of the first quarter to extend the lead to 14-6.

Warmbrod found himself back in the end zone three minutes into the second quarter when Mr. Football finalist Jared Curtis tossed him a 27-yard score.

Weekly and Montgomery would combine for a third touchdown from from four yards out with 5:24 left in the half. After NCS blocked the extra point, the Commanders would take a 20-13 lead into the break.

Nashville Christian tied the game at 20-

20 less than three minutes into the second half when Bryson Holt ran in a four-yard score. But FCS would respond with two touchdowns in less than a minute to take the lead for good.

First, Tyson Wolcott ran in a threeyard rush, which was followed by Tyler Smiley returning an interception 35 yards for the score. The touchdowns gave the Commanders a 34-20 lead heading into the final quarter.

Warmbrod scored his third touchdown of the game, a 19-yard rush, at the 10:54 mark of the fourth quarter, cutting FCS’s lead to 34-27. And after several attempts at tying the game, included a late drive that ended with a second interception by Smiley, Nashville Christian were unable to find the tying touchdown.

Curtis finished 10-21 for 195 yards, one touchdown, and three interceptions. Warmbrod compiled 199 all-purposed yards on just seven touches, three of which went for touchdowns.

Jaden Potts led the way on defense with eight tackles, including 2.5 for a loss, and a sack.

Weekly was named the game’s MVP. He completed 13 of 16 passes for 166 yards, three touchdowns, and no interceptions and added 94 rushing yards on 17 carries.

Montgomery caught seven passes for 111 yards and three scores. To go along with his 60 rushing yards and a score, Walcott also had a sack and 1.5 tackles for a loss on defense.

Page bested by unbeaten Knoxville West in 5A championship game

BY KEVIN WARNER

The Page High School Patriots fell for the second straight year in the TSSAA 5A championship game Friday night in Chattanooga. The Patriots lost 47-13 to the Knoxville West Rebels.

The undefeated Rebels (15-0) scored 34 unanswered points, which included two touchdowns in the final 3:47 of the first half to give the Rebels a 27-13 lead at halftime. Page (13-2), who lost in last year’s contest 42-34 to Powell High School, couldn’t deal with the speed of the Rebels inside Finley

Stadium.

Both teams’ defenses played well to start the game. The game remained scoreless through the first quarter until West running back and 5A Mr. Football finalist Brayden Latham scored on a nine-yard touchdown run with just under 10 minutes left to play in the half, giving the Rebels took a 6-0 lead after a missed PAT.

Page answered quickly after key receptions by Max Collins, Boyce Smith and MacClean Copeland led to a >> PAGE 11

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O b i t u a r y o f A l t o n W a d e K e l l e y , A g e 6 3

MARSHA, MARSHA, MARSHA

Marsha, Marsha, Marsha was the rant on the old show ‘Brady Bunch’. The sitcom was the story of nothingness the well-heeled family of eight experienced. One show was about one of the girls and a pimple on her nose. Ridiculous.

states with a lawsuit declaring other state’s elections were fraudulent. With no evidence, our conservative bigwigs butted in. Kind of like someone telling you to wear a mask, right?

Alton Wade Kelley, an 8th generation Nashvillian and proud member of the First Families of Tennessee, passed away on December 2, 2022 after a brief illness at age 63.

One of the best ways to describe Alton’s personality was “Ready, Fire, Aim”, and that is just how he rolled. He was always too excited to wait to do anything. Alton was a master storyteller and at times, some of them may have even contained some truth! He loved to quote old Irish tales as he welcomed guests at parties and always made everyone feel welcome, whether it be at his home or work events, and was always the life of the party. He just loved life and was the eternal optimist. He said many times how he felt like he had lived 12 lives and was so blessed to have experienced so many wonderful things and met so many extraordinary friends.

Alton attended Overbrook School in Nashville and Battle Ground Academy in Franklin, TN where he developed many lifelong friends and was a member of Alpha Chi fraternity. He was an avid lover of fast cars, even before he could drive, and still holds the family record for totaling four vehicles in a seven-day period.

Leaving Nashville, Alton studied in Oxford, attending Ole Miss and became a very active member of Sigma Chi fraternity, and where some of his closest relationships to this day were formed. It was Oxford where he received his Masters of Life Experiences degree while still an undergraduate. Sailing trips to the Bahamas and the Keys and skiing out West were fond memories and all the tall tales from these adventures would make Huck Finn (another favorite), blush.

After he left Oxford and came back home to Nashville, Alton entered the hospitality industry, his passion. He began his career overseeing Special Services for the Opryland Hotel. From there, he then served as the Director of Sales for the Sheraton Music City and finally to the Hermitage Hotel where he served as General Manager.

Moving on to the Middle Tennessee Visitor’s Bureau, Alton helped to catapult their mission across the region and State. While there, he developed a sincere fondness for the Maury and Giles County communities and the sheer beauty of the area, while adding to his list of many new lifelong friends.

He was actively involved in the Southeast Tourism Society, Leadership Maury and Middle Tennessee, creator of the Maury County African American Heritage Tour Guide, and instrumental in the preservation of Rippavilla Plantation and many local battlefields through the Tennessee Civil War National Heritage Area while serving as a Board Advisor. And we cannot forget his creativity in organizing the one and only, world famous, Mule Du Gras.

Most importantly, it is here in southern Middle Tennessee, where Alton married the love of his life, Sheree Rose and where he recently purchased a large parcel of property and started building his forever farm.

While in Columbia, Alton was asked to come home to Nashville and become President of Belle Meade Historic Site and Winery. This had always been a special place in his heart, and it showed. His passion for Belle Meade is alive and well today. Record revenue, upgraded facilities, one of the top tourist destinations in the city, a winery, Belle Meade Bourbon, and the list goes on.

Alton always had a desire to help others and was active in many social and civic organizations including co-founding Saddle Up!, an equine educational experience impacting the lives of children and young adults with disabilities near Franklin, TN.

Alton loved to travel the world with his beloved family and friends. He had an insatiable appetite for exploring new places and learning new things. Favorite locations included the Carribean, France, Italy, and most recently Scotland and Egypt. Everyone who travelled with him always said they needed a vacation from the vacation. He was nonstop.

Alton touched so many lives with his warmth and generosity, and we are all the better for it. We are thankful for our time on earth with him and look forward to rejoicing once again in Heaven. We know he will need an eternity to finish all his stories.

Alton is survived by his wife of 17 years, Sheree Rose Kelley, formerly of Pulaski, TN; and sons, Robert Wade Kelley (and wife Haleigh Greening Kelley), and Blake Taylor (and wife, Lilly Gianikas Taylor) and granddaughter Rose Marie Taylor, all of Nashville.

Alton was the fourth of six children of the late Eleanor Wills Clark Kelley and Everett E. Kelley of Nashville. He is also survived by his siblings Eleanor Craig Kelley Adkisson, Josephine Kelley Darwin (and husband, John); Jessie Palmer Kelley, and Ed Kelley (and wife, Mandy Barton Kelley), all of Nashville, as well as by a sister, Phoebe Kelley Kruger (and husband, Stephen Sr.), of Jackson, MS. He is also survived by his father-in-law Rudolph Rose and brother-in-law Ritchie Rose (and wife Mary Carter Rose) of Pulaski, TN.

He is also survived by his maternal aunts, Em Crook, and Phoebe Nischan (and husband, Marvin); paternal aunt, Shirley Talbot Kelley, all of Nashville; and by numerous cousins, nephews and nieces, whose company he always enjoyed.

Most importantly, Alton was a man of faith and was a Ruling Elder on the Presbytery of Middle Tennessee and active member of Harpeth Presbyterian Church for the last 16 years, serving as a deacon and elder during his time there.

The family cannot express their thanks for the outpouring of love and support from so many family and friends. Your visits, prayers, and love will always be remembered.

A private family graveside service was held at Mt. Olivet Cemetery, Nashville.

A service and celebration of life was held at Belle Meade Historic Site and Winery on Tuesday, December 6, 2022.

The family requests a memorial contribution may be made to Saddle Up!, 1549 Old Hillsboro Rd, Franklin, TN 37069 or the Britton Taylor Scholarship Fund at the University of Tennessee Southern, 433 W Madison St Pulaski, TN 38478.

Funeral services were handled by Mount Olivet Funeral Home & Cemetery, 1101 Lebanon Pike, Nashville, TN 37210.

Fast forward to the reality of 2022 and Tennessee has their Government failing to take care of our children, our most in-need children in foster care of DCS. Our children are the top priority of the conservative Christian ruling class in Tennessee. But storing foster kids, many disabled on hospital floors (literally) is disgusting. State leaders touted their stewardship of children all through political campaigns and we find out our children are not the priority at all.

Let’s put the cherry on the Tennessee conservative sundae desserts. Our Senator Marsha was recently fighting for Tennessee kids from her Washington perch. What’s the cause Blackburn is fighting for? She is taking up the fight of Tennessee children who have not been able to get their Taylor Swift concert tickets. That’s the cause, not the kids sleeping on hospital floors. You can’t make this stuff up.

Uncaring is a part of the conservative tribe’s heritage. But Marsha and Governor Lee show us there are no limits to the uncaring.

ELECTIONS HAVE CONSEQUENCES, MAYBE!

We don’t have crazy elections in Tennessee because the conservatives, outside of the cities have a majority. Conservative, Christian, white are among the demographics that have Tennessee on lockdown with the politics. It’s why drag shows get more action than homelessness. Or giving out corporate cash is a more important activity than improving the education of our citizens.

But at the end of the day, it is the collective and dismissive uncaring, the me-first culture that sticks out. This is what attracts so many people to Trump. Is there anyone who personally cares about himself and only himself?

So here is the point of the matter, an example. Our state joined other conservative

But what brings it all home is - the founder of the oath boys, or Proud Keepers, was just found guilty by a jury of his peers. The crime was sedition or trying to overthrow the US Government. The guy’s a modern-day Nathan Bedford Forrest. And his crew was standing guard, armed to the teeth as our Tennessee leaders ranted about gay folk recently in Nashville. Senator Blackburn was peacocking on stage too. That is our state and it’s not a pretty picture. And they are just getting started.

GO USA SOCCER TEAM

I am so glad to hear that our soccer team is doing well at the World Cup this year. Our Nashville club team even has a guy on the Team USA. He is not good enough to get in the game but he’s on the team. (Editor’s note - NSC has two players on the team, both of which have played, and one has started two of the three games so far).

What is noticeable is that the team plays harder and are more skilled. Gone is the lazy, sloppy play of 20 years ago. And the players just play with none of the nonsense like they owed something. Very refreshing. So what has changed?

First off, these are really good professionals playing with some of the top clubs in the world. Second, the team is selected based on ability and not what preppy college someone attended. Thirdly, the affirmative action process is now gone and now Americans named Sergino and Antonee are excelling where guys named Biff and Thurston failed in the past. Don’t get it wrong Biff may be on the bench but he’s not playing. Like most professional sports the slow, lazy momma’s boy sits on the bench.

Reminds me of when the SEC realized that guys named Bo and Herschel were better than guys named Boregard or Jethro. Eventually, you have to be honest and get rid of slow, lazy guys who complain. Unless you want to be a loser.

Go USA!

six-yard run by quarterback Colin Hurd on fourth down to give the Patriots a 7-6 lead.

The Rebels answered right back converting on a third-and-15 with a 43-yard reception, which led to a 25-yard touchdown pass on the next play to give the Rebels the lead again to make the score 12-7.

Page answered again, this time with a 69yard catch-and-run by Collins, which gave the Patriots a 13-12 advantage, but the two touchdowns before the half gave the Rebels a two-score lead and all the momentum.

The West defense held the Patriots to just three yards rushing, with 147 passing, in the first half. The Patriots would finish with negative yards for the game on the ground.

After a three-and-out to start the third quarter and a penalty that gave West good field position, Page defensive back Seth Cabale stopped the Rebels drive into the red zone with an interception, only to see Hurd throw an interception of his own on the next play to Cayden Latham. His twin brother Brayden scored on the ensuing drive to give the Rebels a 33-13 lead with 6:14 left to play in the third quarter.

West found a way to convert on its opportunities, while the Patriots failed to capitalize on theirs.

The Latham twins would score another touchdown each in the fourth quarter. Brayden finished the game with 25 carries, 101 yards and three touchdowns. Cayden finished with four catches for 66 yards and a touchdown.

West quarterback Carson Jessie, the game’s MVP, finished 18-24 for 286 yards, four touchdowns and one interception.

Despite the final score, the Patriots kept fighting until the end. Sophomore defensive end Eric Hazzard registered back-to-back sacks late in the third quarter to force a Rebels punt. Hurd got sacked multiple times but continued to battle despite the score.

Hazzard led the team with 11 total tackles, four tackles for loss and two sacks. Hurd finished 11-37 for 211 yards, one touchdown and one interception.

Rathbone said he told his seniors how much he loved them and proud he was of them and all that they had accomplished this year and over the past two years as a group.

Sparkly Holiday Cookies

BY EDIBLE NASHVILLE

INGREDIENTS

COOKIES:

2 sticks cold butter, cut into small pieces

¼ cup packed dark brown sugar

½ cup granulated sugar

2 large egg yolks

1 tablespoon vanilla extract

1 teaspoon sea salt

2 teaspoons each ground cinnamon and ground ginger

½ teaspoon ground cardamom

¼ teaspoon baking powder

2¼ cups all-purpose flour, plus extra for rolling cookies

1. Process butter, brown and granulated sugars together in a food processor until well blended. Add egg yolks and vanilla and process until mixture is glossy looking.

2. Add sea salt, cinnamon, ginger and cardamom, baking powder and 2 ¼ cups flour and pulse just until dough comes together.

3. Scrape dough onto a work surface and knead until smooth. Divide into two balls and pat into disks. Wrap disks in plastic wrap and chill 1 hour or overnight.

4. Preheat oven to 350F. Line baking sheets with parchment paper.

5. Working with one dough disk at a time, roll out on floured surface to about ¼” thick. Cut out shaped cookies and place about 1” apart on baking sheets. Repeat

ROYAL ICING:

1 lb confectioner’s sugar

5 tablespoons meringue powder

Water

FOR DECORATING:

Sparkly sanding sugars - I made my own combinations mixing various colors together in small bowls to come up with some pretty combinations

ACROSS 1 Like the ocean’s ebb and flow

Words said at the front of an aisle

Babysitter’s handful

___ it all (unaffected)

Giggle

Indian flatbread

Italian confection brand known for its gold foil wrappers

Composer Stravinsky

“T iny” Dickens boy

Butterflies-to-be

Slang y command to someone arriving with a six-pack

2007 Alicia Keys album

Scatter like a flock of birds

Home, informally

Star ts to remove, as screws

Hemmed and ___

Underhanded move for an athlete?

“___ Dere” (jazz classic about a toddler’s many questions)

Notification

One ser ving punch? ... or, parsed differently, a hint to 12 squares in this puzzle

Transport back and forth

Way to go, in Paris

until all scraps are used. Chill cookies 5-8 minutes before baking. This helps them hold their shapes.

6. Bake cookies until golden brown. Cool on wire racks.

7. For Royal Icing place confectioner’s sugar and meringue powder in a bowl and add water by tablespoons, stirring as you add, until you have a thin somewhat transparent icing. Store in a container until ready to use. This will keep for weeks chilled. Just add a bit of water to remix if need be.

8. To decorate cookies gather your decorative sanding sugars. Using a small pastry brush lightly coat each cookie with royal icing and sprinkle generously over cookie with decorative sanding sugars. The icing will dry clear and the sugars will sparkle! Play, have fun and share.

Recipe and photo courtesy of Edible Nashville. For more recipes and all things local food, follow Edible Nashville on instagram @ediblenashtn and their website ediblenashville.com. And look for their beautiful magazine around town. To subscribe to the magazine that comes out 6x/year, go to ediblenashville.com.

Stiff, as competition

Fall Out Boy, e.g.

Item split by pedants

Casual getaways

Southwestern sights

Loath (to)

Gaming novices

La ___, Bolivia

Friedrich who created a scale of hardness

Small dog originally bred for fox hunting

Soeur’s sibling

Drew on

Protein-building acid

Swimming competition

___ Gerritsen, author of medical and crime thrillers

Seasons, in a way DOWN

Only U.S. president also to ser ve as chief justice

Flag carrier airline of Spain

Campus quar ters

Assert

Its spots are actually rosettes

Restaurant chain with a smile in its logo

Unleaded, so to speak

“Amen!”

Oracle

Intimate apparel in many lawyer puns

F irst men’s tennis player to reach 10 consecutive Grand Slam singles finals

Subject of study at CERN’s laboratory

Exhaust

Extremely vir tuous sort

Suffix with omni-

“What are the ___?”

Two-thirds of 100

Star t of an objection

Bombeck who wrote “Motherhood: The Second Oldest Profession” Online subscriptions: Today’s puzzle and more than 9,000 past puzzles, nytimes.com/ crosswords ($39.95 a year). Read about and comment on each puzzle: nytimes.com/wordplay. Crosswords for young solvers: nytimes.com/ studentcrosswords.

A new holiday favorite that goes perfect with an Orange Hot Chocolate by the fireside.

PUZZLE BY ETHAN ZOU AND TOMAS SPIERS

Five free and cheap family things to do in middle Tennessee

BY AMANDA HAGGARD

It’s a holiday takeover edition of free and cheap things this week. The weekend of December 10-11 are chock full of events for the family, and each one has a special holiday draw. The kiddos can bring flashlights to find candy canes (four-leaf clover style) in Franklin. Storyteller Emily Arrow will be in West Nashville at beloved bookstore Parnassus for a holiday-themed pajama

storytime. The Tennessee State Museum is up to all kinds of spirited shenanigans, and there’s a community bash at the National Museum of African American Music. If that doesn’t get you and your crew in the spirit, Dickens of a Christmas is turning downtown Franklin into one, big holiday storybook.

As part of our series on free and cheap things to do with the family, here is our

weekly roundup of places to spend time together over the next week:

FLASHLIGHT CANDY CANE HUNT

At the Eastern Flank Battlefield Park in Franklin, families can bring little ones for a candy cane flashlight hunt. Candy canes are hidden all over the grounds, and you should BYOF. The event is just $5 per person and folks should register ahead of time to ensure a spot. In case canes aren’t your favorite treat, there’ll be hot chocolate and cookies, too.

HOLIDAY STORYTIME WITH EMILY ARROW

On Dec. 10, Parnassus Books and musician Emily Arrow are joining up for a holiday pajama storytime in the morning. Arrow will sing some holiday songs and invite kiddos to share their favorite winter and holiday tales. The book nook at Parnassus is the perfect place to cozy up on a Saturday morning, and you won’t even have to change out of the pajamas.

CAROLS, COOKIES AND CRAFTS

The Tennessee State Museum is hosting its annual Carols, Cookies and Crafts, which includes live caroling from various local choirs and music groups, cookie decorating

and eating, and the chance to make some holiday crafts (ie, gifts for grandparents). There’ll also be special holiday stories throughout the day.

NATIONAL MUSEUM OF AFRICAN AMERICAN MUSIC COMMUNITY CHRISTMAS PARTY

At the National Museum of African American Music in downtown Nashville, Christmas time means an annual community Christmas party. There will be holiday vendors, music, activities, giveaways and more.

DICKENS OF A CHRISTMAS

In downtown Franklin, there’ll be two days of the annual Dickens of a Christmas tradition. The event turns downtown Nashville into a Charles Dickens story using historic downtown Franklin’s charming architecture as the backdrop. The two-day event includes musicians, dancers, and Dickens characters: You’ll see folks like Fagin from Oliver Twist, Jacob Marley, Ebenezer Scrooge and Tiny Tim from A Christmas Carol, and more. As if downtown Franklin couldn’t get more quaint.

SOCIAL

Goodwill’s Cammack Reception

BY BRENDA BATEY PHOTOS BY BRENDA BATEY

The Cammack Society Reception was held to benefit Goodwill Industries of Middle Tennessee at the festive home of John Truemper and Julia Cammack Truemper, the granddaughter of long-time Goodwill leader and activist, financial advisor William H. Cammack.

Brief remarks and thanks were given by Goodwill’s Vice President of Donated Goods Leisa Wamsley to those who attended.

Goodwill provides skills training and works with Google to provide IT classes in data analytics, Meta Marketing classes, coding and more, as well as career counseling services, all at no cost to the client. The Cammack Society helps keep these classes, training and services free.

The caterer was The Corner Market, which provided a cocktail buffet with bacon-wrapped dates, beef tenderloin on silver dollar rolls, grilled shrimp and snow pea skewers, chutney chicken in phyllo cups, pimiento cheese on jalapeno cornbread,

spinach and artichoke-stuffed mushrooms, and pick up desserts of chocolate fudge, lemon tarts and rocky road.

As the Truempers are redecorating, all the legacy furniture had been removed and perfectly-fitting contemporary pieces--sofas, chairs and tables--had been moved in for the party.

John Truemper quipped, “We’re thinking of turning the place into an event venue.”

The white and gold tree and twinkle lights inside and out lit the home with the glow of the holidays.

Those who RSVPed included: Brad Thomason, Suzanne and Cliff Malone, Jerry and Ernie Williams, Ruth Cate and Chuck White, Phillip McGowan, Nan and Carter Andrews, Lynn Ragland, Freddy McLaughlin, Tom Lampe, Clay and Pam Teter; Mary and Chris Simonsen, Dene and Bill Shipp, Brad Thomason, Mary and Larry Wieck, Sylvia Ganier, and Chip and Cynthia Hickerson.

Hosts John Truemper and Julia Cammack Truemper, and Al Ganier

Robin and Ellen Andrews

Leisa Wamsley and Donna Yurdin

Rita Puryear, and David and Janice Morgan

Lucie Cammack and Anne Roos

Barry and Celeste Holt, and Dave Alexander

Laura McLaughlin, and Jimmy and Frances Spradley

Kim and Peter Oldham

Frank and Deena Drummond

SOCIAL

Vanderbilt Comprehensive Care Clinic’s Ruby Gala

BY BRENDA BATEY

The Vanderbilt Comprehensive Care Clinic (VCCC) held its Ruby Gala at Marathon Music Works to benefit patients with HIV/AIDS.

Ruby Gala co-chairs were: Sean Kelly (Vanderbilt HIV/AIDS Attending Physician and VCCC Medical Director); Christopher James (VCCC Behavioral Health Consultant); and Maggie Colburn (Marketing Manager, Johnson & Johnson Surgical Vision).

As everyone entered the gala venue, they were charmed with the red decor accented by a tree whose fallen leaves were replaced with hanging votives from top to bottom.

More than 400 guests enjoyed a performance by DOZZI, a dynamic trio of Australian sisters whose debut EP, “Worth the Wait,” received accolades from Billboard and Rolling Stone.

Now permanently based in Nashville, Dozzi’s performances spotlight three-part sibling harmonies accompanied by acoustic guitar, keyboard, mandolin, and tambourine.

The gala’s live and silent auctions offered a 16 carat ruby pendant, a five night trip to Palm Springs, a Nashville Experience Package, with a stay at JW Marriott and tickets to see Carrie Underwood perform, original art by keynote speaker Benjy Russell, eight exotic trips, and more.

The dinner began with a salad of baby greens and butternut squash and continued with entrees featuring sage crusted chicken

and Jack Daniel’s braised short ribs.

A vegan entrée offered a cauliflower steak with almond pesto and side dishes were roasted garlic potatoes and asparagus bundles.

Assorted desserts included macaroons, flourless chocolate torte bites, cheesecake lollipops, and strawberries and cream truffles.

Dollars raised from the gala will help people with HIV overcome barriers to receiving treatment, and aid in the recruitment and training of HIV practitioners.

The funds also will help cover transportation, nutrition, housing, utilities, medical equipment, medication copays, dental care, newborn essentials and caregiver services for patients in need.

As revolutionary treatments and technologies continue to advance, HIV has been transformed from a universally fatal infection into a manageable, chronic medical condition within the span of a single generation.

Today, the VCCC currently provides HIV treatment and primary care for approximately 4,000 persons living with HIV, in addition to offering pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) for HIV-negative individuals who are at risk for HIV.

For more information, visit the VCCC website: www.vanderbilthealth.com/ comprehensivecare.

Co-chairs Sean Kelly, Maggie Colburn, and Chris James Bobby Honaker and Charlie Daniels

Jamie Engstrom, Michelle Moore, and Jennifer Burdge

Keaton Sloan, Caroline Pratt, Kevin Tolley, and Michael Ruth

Meredith Wood, Catherine Tarsi, and Jenny Alexander

Carolyn Colburn, Harris Parvaze, and Joanna Fleming

Erika Spears, Gabriel Gargari, Jennifer Bennett, and Michael Kirwan

Kaitlyn Kelly and Andrea Walter

Ron and Carole Sofka

Kathy Ashworth and Linde Pflaum

Kim Penz and Chris Sofka

SOCIAL

Thistle Farms Café Sip and Shop

BY BRENDA BATEY

PHOTOS BY BRENDA BATEY

The Café at Thistle Farms held a Sip and Shop to benefit the charity, which aids women who have survived trafficking, prostitution, and addiction.

The event’s fifteen dollar ticket included ten dollars of store credit, a container of Orange Clove Room Mist, beverages and a sweet and savory snack buffet.

The cafe was decorated with a lovely Christmas tree and other decor in lavender, purple, silver and white.

The Café at Thistle Farms is a restaurant

and event space, located in West Nashville on Charlotte Avenue, which serves breakfast and lunch, coffees and teas, pastries and much more.

Through the organization, officials are able to provide women who need a fresh start in life with two years of safe housing, a job with a living wage, benefits, skill development, and continuing education.

For more information, contact thistlefarms.org or call 615-298-1140.

Joyce Weisenseel and Sherri Roddick

Ben Price and Kendal Carr

Charletta Gupton and Catreena Lynch.

John and Jan Thompson

Kim Proctor, Rai Lynne Radford, Gidget Walsh, and Celia Armstron

Brenda Ellis and Jessamyn Davis

The cafe was decorated with lavender, purple, silver and white.

Brenda Scialdone and Kurt Tarter

Janet and Jerry Jones

The Café at Thistle Farms Tea Ceremony

BY BRENDA BATEY

PHOTOS BY BRENDA BATEY

The Café at Thistle Farms held a tea ceremony to benefit the charity, which aids women survivors of trafficking, prostitution, and addiction.

The event included a sweet and savory tea buffet and a tea and meditation ceremony, and each guest received a tea and honey gift set.

The tea service included a steeped pot of tea served with a china tea cup sent in by Thistle Farms supporters from around the world, as well as bite-sized savories and sweets served on tiered trays.

The Café at Thistle Farms is a restaurant and event space, located in West Nashville on Charlotte Avenue, which serves breakfast and lunch, coffees and teas, pastries and much more.

Through the organization, officials are able to provide women who need a fresh start in life with two years of safe housing, a job with a living wage, benefits and a 401k savings plan, skill development, and continuing education.

In addition, participants receive weekly

therapy, healthcare, family reunification, financial coaching, legal advocacy and more. For more information, contact thistlefarms.org or call 615-298-1140.

Sarah Beth Myers, Lowanda Hill, and Diana Cole

Donna Williams and Rita Christdoul

Jennifer Clark and Linda Themm

Yolanda Brown and Charla Stinson

Marian Latham, Peggy Paul, Martha Morgan, and Dianne McClintock

Sierra Bancroft, Tad Lisella, Jane Zerface, and Rene Bancroft

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