Spring Hill Life, Spring 2017 by Mariah

SPRING HILL ELECTION 2017 THE GRAYING OF SPRING HILL

MEET SPRING HILL'S

February usually finds us fighting off the mid-winter blues after the expectations of the holidays and the waning of the excitement and potential of the New Year. We find ourselves wanting to crawl like groundhogs into a cave of blankets with our remote and a pint of ice cream to wait for spring. Dancing can help chase away those blahs, keep us motivated in our resolutions for positive change, and connect us to the people and feelings that inspire us.

CONTENTS

MOVEMENT~ Getting up and getting moving is a great way to feel better. Exercise can release endorphins that can make you feel better. But workouts can feel just like that...work, and dancing, more than just about any exercise, can help chase the blues away by giving you a double dose of those endorphins. Studies show, you get an extra boost of the happiness-creating chemical when you dance to music compared to other forms of exercise.

MOTIVATION~ Ballroom dancing provides a series of goals, from learning a step or a new dance, to mastering a technique, performing a routine, or participating in a competition. Goals both small and large are important factors in our motivation and well-being. Procrastination, self-doubt, and lack of enthusiasm associated with the winter blues coincide with low levels of dopamine. Completing dance goals and the cheers and recognition it brings produces dopamine helping us maintain the motivation to complete other tasks and inspires us to keep improving and growing on and off the dance floor. COMMUNITY ~ Ballroom dance brings us back together with happy, supportive people. Bad weather and a lack of motivation can make hermits of us, if we let it. Lack of connection and social interaction can lead not only to feelings of loneliness and depression, they can cause physical pain and sickness. Getting together with people in a friendly, social, joyful activity like dancing not only gets you out among people; feeling connected and appreciated helps boost serotonin levels that help give us a feeling of well-being and a reason to get up and get out. And a hug and the connection you find in partnership dance can give you a boost of oxytocin to help you feel better emotionally, but also reduces cardiovascular stress and improves the immune system.

State of the City

Spring Hill Election 2017

Kithcen LIFE with Frank and Sasa Georgalos

Spring Hill Chamber Leaders Bring Business to the City

Spring Hill High Principal Dr. Christine Potts

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LAUGHTER ~ Laughter really is the best medicine. And we laugh a lot at the National Dance Clubs. We have shared goals and shared struggles. Ballroom dance is fun. It helps us take ourselves and our troubles a little less seriously. We focus, for that time we are at the studio or on the dance floor, on getting up, getting out, getting moving, getting healthy, getting together, and getting happy.

If you havenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t tried ballroom dance, what are you waiting for? Get going!

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The Graying of Spring Hill

Beechcroft Road family preserves vanishing Americana

Pageant Prep

Spring Hill Event LIFE

GENERAL MANAGER Stephen Dorris COPY EDITOR Mariah Timms ADVERTISING STAFF Vaughn Cockrum, Robbie Mathis, Nicole Wallis CREATIVE DIRECTOR Troy Dossett, thumbprintcreative.com WRITERS & PHOTOGRAPHY John Evosevic, Ruste Foster, Angie Mayes, Jay Powell 2

SPRING HILL LIFE

Prom Season 2017

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SPRING 2017

SPRING HILL LIFE

SPRING 2017

GOVERNMENT LIFE

State of City addresses four years of progress By JAY POWELL

Photos by MARIAH TIMMS

“The incredible growth is amazing, and all of those building permits translate into population. Now what does that mean? What it means is we need plans, infrastructure and lots of other things in place,” Lay said. “We’re ranked 18th largest city in the state of Tennessee now.”

February’s State of the City address looked back at the last four years, and the work accomplished in Spring Hill becoming one of the most in-demand towns for families and business. Mayor Rick Graham, who is up for reelection in April, summarized his original campaign in 2013 as having a strong focus on four main goals. These were to fix the city’s finances, assemble a good team of city staff members, address infrastructure and plan more for the future. “These were four things we had to address in order to get our city back on track,” Graham said. “We’re as committed to these four things today as we were when we started.” Spring Hill has consistently shown increases in income tax revenue in the last four years, City Administrator Victor Lay said. The holiday season is the time of year when the revenue stream from sales tax is at its peak. In 2015, holiday sales raked in upwards of $650,000, a more than $100,000 increase from 2014.

RICK GRAHAM

Lay predicts the 2016 results could break $750,000 in December tax revenue. “We’ve not gotten the data yet, but nationally the economic picture says that this Christmas’ sales were greater than any in the past,” Lay said. “Things are going very good, our reserves are up and we have money to do the projects we need to do. Things are going pretty well.” The city hired 46 new employees in the past four years in newly-created positions, including 14 police officers and 11 firefighters. The growth in staff numbers, however, has led to a need for more city hall space. Plans were announced for two expansions to the current city hall building, which would include space for a new police station. The Spring Hill Public Library also will receive an expansion.

SPRING HILL LIFE

Infrastructure is one of the most talked about topics when it comes to developing Spring Hill’s future. The annual increase in building permit sales over the past four years has led to an increase in population, which according to the 2016 special census is 36,500 residents. This has put more cars on the highway and created a greater need for new road projects.

Graham likened Spring Hill’s work over the last four years as pieces of a large puzzle, starting with the four corners and working to create a beautiful landscape. One of those VICTOR LAY pieces was the unveiling of a new city website, www.springhilltn.org, which Graham said is “more user-friendly and less cluttered.” City Hall will also soon begin using fiber for its Internet access, which eventually will expand into use for residents. “You can see just how many pieces of the puzzle are starting to come together,” Graham said. “Working at these four corners has helped us begin to shape a new image for Spring Hill, an image of what we want the city to be, a premier place to do business. It’s a place that welcomes, encourages and implements innovation, a place that provides a quality of life our citizens deserve, and also to get the word out that Spring Hill is the place to be.” SHL

SPRING 2017

City of Spring Hill

SPRING ELECTION 2017 The April 13, 2017, City of Spring Hill Election will include the office of mayor, along with one of each of the four ward alderman seats on the ballot. The municipal election is administered by the Maury County Election Commission.

KEY DATES: March 14, 2017: Last day to register to vote

MAYOR

Rick Graham, incumbent

Shane McNeill

WARD 1 ALDERMAN

Amy Wurth, incumbent

WARD 2 ALDERMAN

Jonathan Duda, incumbent

Jeff Graves

WARD 3 ALDERMAN

March 24, 2017: Early voting begins April 6, 2017: First financial report due from candidates April 8, 2017: Early voting ends April 13, 2017: Election Day July 10, 2017: Second financial report due from candidates 8

SPRING HILL LIFE

Keith Hudson, incumbent

Kevin Gavigan

WARD 4 ALDERMAN

Doug Holtz

Vincent Fuqua

SPRING 2017

FRANK AND SASA GEORGALOS ADMIRE A PAN OF NAPOLEONS, EXPERTLY CRAFTED BY SASA. AS OWNERS OF GRECIAN PIZZERIA, THEY RELY ON EACH OTHER’S EXPERTISE AS CHEFS TO PROVIDE DELICIOUS GREEK FOOD AND AN ASSORTMENT OF DELICIOUS DESSERTS.

KITCHEN LIFE

Traditional Greek food prepared in authentic style BY RUSTE FOSTER

rank and Sasa Georgalos love preparing Greek food. When they met in a Florida restaurant where Frank was manager, they discovered that they had deep family roots in Greece. They fell in love and got married. Since then, two chefs in their kitchen has been the norm, and they’ve hardly had an argument. As new owners of Grecian Pizzeria, 2003 Wall St., they’ve prepared lots of Greek cuisine for Spring Hillians. They bring a spirit of experience to the table, and they are adamant about preparing food in authentic Greek style. “Everything is from scratch with fresh ingredients,” Frank said. “We have our own ground beef and we use fresh vegetables. We do not use anything canned. Meals are not prepared and refrigerated. We do it the traditional way, just like it would be made if you were in Greece.” This includes paying attention to details, including using only the best olive oil, which many cooks may take for granted. “You must used imported olive oil to get pure olive oil,” Frank said. “It may be a surprise, but a most olive oil on the supermarket shelf has been combined with other oils. Likewise, we use only imported feta cheese for best quality.” Along with their attention to detail, they take time to educate customers about the menu. They know that many are used to lasagna or salad the Italian or American way, not the authentic Greek way. “There’s no lettuce in a traditional Greek salad,” Frank said. “And usually the lasagna has a white sauce, not marinara sauce. We want our menu to be perfectly explained by our waiters. That way, our customers aren’t surprised when their food arrives.” Frank and Sasa delight in pleasing customers by presenting new food specials, in addition to the regular menu. Diners can order anything from seafood to steak, with a delicious variety of desserts to polish off their meal. 10

SPRING HILL LIFE

“We’ve recently added a Lavazza cappuccino machine,” Frank said. “We make all of our own dough for pizza, and we also offer a gluten free menu. We cater many special events and prepare lots of take-out orders.” Extra time and love go into each customer’s order. Every dish on the menu is prepared from scratch. Time passes quickly as customers enjoy the family atmosphere. They feel relaxed as they dine with friends or make new ones. “Frank is very good with people,” Sasa said. “He wants our customers to feel happy, like they’re at home during a nice family meal with laughs.” Their employees are a big part of the family atmosphere. “I have a superb staff,” Frank said. “These are the best kids. They know what to do. I take care of them and they return respect to me. They are responsible for a lot. We are a team — a family all the way. I couldn’t do without them.” Frank orchestrates much of the main entrees, while Sasa does her magic with baking. Frank emphasized that he’s in awe of her patience with filo dough and other fine pastry treats. For Sasa, baking is a pleasure. “It’s a way of life for me, even when I am sad,” Sasa said. “For some people, yoga relieves stress, but I bake or cook. Our customers love sweet breads and baklava, which is time consuming to make, but delicious.” Like many people in new people to Spring Hill, they’re making this their home. “The people here have welcomed us with open arms and a big hug,” Frank said. “To give something back to them, we help with many fundraisers. Sasa and I feel that everyone must help the schools, the kids and the organizations. We grow together.” SHL

Cook from inside you – the way it will suit you and your family’s tastes. Make the recipe yours. Make each recipe with love. Put your heart and soul into it. Always use fresh, quality ingredients. MADE IN HOUSE AT GRECIAN PIZZERIA, GYRO MEAT COMBINES LAMB AND BEEF, WHICH IS A SPECIALTY FOR MANY GREEK ENTREES. SASA SLICES IT IN LONG RIBBONS SO IT CAN BE ADDED TO A CUSTOMER’S SPECIAL ORDER PIZZA.

SPRING 2017

CHICKEN LEMON RICE SOUP 2-3 lbs. chicken breast 1-1/2 cup white rice 3/4 cup olive oil 2/3 tbsp. salt 1/2 tbsp. black pepper 1 tbsp. chicken base 5 eggs 1/2 fresh lemon juice Clean chicken and remove any pieces of fat or skin. Place chicken in 2-gallon pot with one gallon of water and bring to a boil. When froth appears, remove it from the surface with a large spoon. Put the oil, the salt, the pepper and the chicken base in the pot with the chicken and let boil for 30-40 min. When ready take out the chicken, let it cool a little and cut it into very small pieces. Add more water to the pot (if needed) to make around 3 quarts and bring it to a boil and then add the rice; stir and let the rice cook until the rice is soft. Remove the pot from the heat and add the chicken meat into the pot. In a mixer bowl, beat the eggs until fluffy and then start adding some of the stock and the lemon juice. When sauce starts getting warm and thick stop the mixer and slowly start pouring the sauce into the pot and continue to stir.

TZATZIKI SAUCE

POTATO SALAD

2 lb. sour cream 3/4 cup olive oil 1/4 cup red wine vinegar 2-3 tsp. fresh minced garlic 1 tbsp. fresh finely chopped dill 1 large cucumber (seeds removed, finely chopped and water squeezed out) Salt and pepper to taste

10 potatoes, peeled, cut in small pieces and boiled 1 big red onion, finely chopped 1 stalk celery, finely chopped 2 hard-boiled eggs, finely chopped 2 tbsp. yellow mustard 4 tbsp. vinegar Salt and pepper to taste 2 cups mayonnaise

Place sour cream in the mixer. Add garlic, dill, salt and pepper. Start the mixer at medium speed and add slowly the oil and the vinegar till they have been absorbed by the sour cream mix. Then add the cucumber and continue to stir for 2-3 minutes.

In a big bowl, mix all the ingredients until mixture gets smoother. Cover bowl with plastic and place in the refrigerator for a least 2 hours before serving!

Place in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours before serving.

After the sauce is finished, continue to stir for a few minutes until the broth and the sauce have blended nicely. Serve hot!

SPRING HILL LIFE

SPRING 2017

BUSINESS LIFE

The Spring Hill Chamber: Supporting Members and Bringing Value to the City’s Business Community By ANGIE MAYES

pring Hill has a powerful force behind it that is changing the tide of the city and its businesses. That’s the Spring Hill Chamber of Commerce’s leaders who are working every day to support businesses in Spring Hill and bring value to its members. Rebecca Melton is the chamber’s new Executive Director. Abbie Stofel is the new Chairman of the Chamber Board of Directors and Kayce Williams is the Vice-Chair and the Chairman elect for 2018. Each of the three have different responsibilities with one main end goal: to help its members succeed.

Rebecca Melton

Rebecca Melton, was recently hired as Executive Director of the Spring Hill Chamber of Commerce. She comes from working in the non-profit management world, as well as having experience in client services and operations. “I feel that my background in client services, program and event management, nonprofit operations, as well as my previous volunteer work in Spring Hill has all provided me with the necessary experience to thrive in the role as Executive Director,” Melton said. She said she feels “very privileged to be in my position. I take the

SPRING HILL LIFE

expectations of our members very seriously. I feel that Spring Hill is a very unique city and I hope I can successfully meet the needs of our growing community as a whole.” Melton’s long-term plans as Executive Director include “giving every current and future Chamber member opportunities to thrive in their own unique way. I would like to create visible solutions for individual entrepreneurs as well as large corporations and everyone in between.” A wide-lens focus on Spring Hill overall is the base of Melton’s hopes for the Chamber going forward. She said, “every business in Spring Hill contributes to our healthy economy and I want to make sure every business owner is given the proper resources to do what they love. I also want to transform the image of the Spring Hill Chamber. I want the business community and the City of Spring Hill in general to view the Chamber as a true trend setter as it applies to both customer service and ‘getting things done’. I want businesses to join the Chamber because the value is so impressive that it wouldn’t make sense not to join.” Melton said she hopes her efforts, alongside the Chamber Board and volunteers, will “establish our Chamber as one that others want to emulate

REBECCA MELTON KAYCE WILLIAMS ABBIE STOFEL SPRING 2017

because of our partnerships and professionalism. The citizens of Spring Hill will benefit from a flourishing business community. Their daily needs will be served by a growing economy and diverse representation of industries.”

Abbie Stofel

Abbie Stofel is the 2017 Chair of the Board of Directors of the Spring Hill Chamber of Commerce. Stofel received her education at Middle Tennessee State University, where she earned a Bachelor of Science degree in mass communications with an emphasis in public relations. For the past two years, her professional focus has been in marketing and community outreach in the Spring Hill area. “I have developed a passion for the Chamber and a love for its members,” she said. “I took on the role with the hope that I can make a difference and provide support to our business community just as it has done for me.” As chairperson of the Chamber, she said her “duties and responsibilities are to seek ways and means of making the Spring Hill Chamber of Commerce a more effective organization and better able to serve the needs of the membership.” She said she is enjoying the chairmanship and is “grateful for the opportunity that the Board and membership have provided me, along with their unwavering support and confidence they have shown. The chairman serves in one-year terms. During that time, Stofel said she hopes “to put the focus back on our mission as a chamber that promotes, educates, advocates and provides meaningful networking opportunities for our members.” To accomplish this, Stofel said she and her team are “engaging our membership and asking them how we can support them as business leaders and representatives in our community. By taking this approach we hope to 16

SPRING HILL LIFE

provide value where it’s needed most. I hope that after my year as Chair that the Chamber is an even stronger force in our community filled with the best businesses that Spring Hill has to offer and a membership that feels unified and strong.”

Kayce Williams

Kayce Williams is the 2017 Spring Hill Chamber of Commerce Vice-Chair, 2018 Chair-Elect. Her background is in economic development, municipal government, marketing, graphic design, finance, aviation insurance, project management and event planning. Williams has been a member of the Chamber since 2013 and was elected to the Board of Directors in 2015. “I know how valuable a strong network is. I’ve visited many chambers in my line of work but the Spring Hill Chamber and its members really stand apart.” She continued, “from the first moment I stepped inside the door, they were so welcoming and eager to be supportive that I joined the very next day.

Not long after that, Abbie joined our Chamber and that’s how we met. We instantly clicked and began working on different projects together for the Chamber. I was incredibly honored when she asked me to serve as her Vice-Chair. Then, shortly after our State of the Chamber Address in December, we brought (Melton) on board as our Executive Director. I am so proud to work alongside these two extraordinary women, collaborate with a wonderful Board of Directors, and to serve such an amazing group of people.” Stofel and Williams share the same vision for the future of our Chamber. “Abbie and I work closely with our Board of directors to determine the path we will take to see that vision realized. I support her in her duties and do whatever our members, our board and our staff need me to do. I also connect with our community, work with our city’s leadership and encourage other businesses to join our Chamber,” Williams said.

She added she “would love to see every business with a Spring Hill address become a member of our Chamber, not just because it’s the city they do business in, but because they have seen us working together with other businesses, because they have heard about the incredible support we can provide, because they have felt the same open welcoming arms that I felt from the beginning and have felt every day since then.” Melton, Stofel and Williams all have the same message to the members of the Chamber.

...main objective

“Our message to our members is simple. Bottom line… the Spring Hill Chamber of Commerce is here for you,” Melton said. “We pledge to be your ally, your advocate, your support and your biggest cheerleader. Our vision is to help you achieve your vision. Your goals are our goals. Your success is our success. We will continue our efforts to provide the things you need today while looking ahead for the things you may need tomorrow.”

is to uphold the mission of the Chamber which is to promote, educate, and advocate for its membership as well as to create meaningful networking opportunities for members.

Williams added that she is “excited to serve our city’s Chamber in this position. I love this city deeply and I am passionate about its future. I am ‘all-in’ on anything that continues to make Spring Hill one of the greatest places in the country to live and do business. The Spring Hill Chamber of Commerce is a huge part of that equation. Williams said businesses are important to the Spring Hill community. “They are some of the most involved and pro-active businesses and people I have ever encountered. We want to support them in the same way,” she said. “Our Chamber is active, it’s dynamic and it’s strong. But we can do more. We can be more. And we intend to do just that. More. We want to be an avenue that our members can use to accomplish many different things…promotion, growth, networking, education, friendship, partnership… we want to be exactly what they need us to be.”

She added the chamber leadership is “grateful to have you as members and look forward to the future. We are a vibrant and driven group, wholeheartedly committed to the businesses of Spring Hill. If you’re not already a member come to one of our luncheons as our guest. Or if your schedule doesn’t allow for that, we are more than happy to come to you. Just give us a call or email us and we will gladly stop by to introduce ourselves. It doesn’t matter if you are a business with hundreds of employees or a one-person operation, you are important to us. Please consider making the Spring Hill Chamber part of your business.” SHL

The Spring Hill Chamber of Commerce is located at 5000 Northfield Lane, Door 100 in Spring Hill. For more information, call (931) 486-0625, visit www.springhillchamber.org, or like their Facebook page at springhillchamberTN. SPRING 2017

EDUCATION LIFE

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Dr. Christine Potts, Principal of Spring Hill High School

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HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN AT SPRING HILL HIGH SCHOOL?

That is kind of a loaded question! I was actually hired at Spring Hill High School in 1993 as a 6th grade science teacher. Back then the school was just a little over a year old and it housed grades 6 through 12. I remained at Spring Hill High School for the next four years until they built E.A. Cox Middle School and pulled out grades 6 through 8. I have since circled back around and returned to Spring Hill High School as the Assistant Principal in 2010 and have been the Principal for the past three years.

HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN IN EDUCATION AND EDUCATION ADMINISTRATION?

I was a Navy brat, so we bounced around. I ended up here my 10th grade year and graduated from Central in ’86. I went to Columbia State for my Associate’s, then MTSU for my Bachelor’s in Education and my Master’s in Administration. I got my doctorate from TSU in administration and supervision. I began my teaching career in 1992 at Whitthorne Middle School where I taught special education for a year. I then moved to Spring Hill High School and taught 6th grade science for four years and four years of 6th grade science at E.A. Cox Middle School. I then moved into administration as an assistant principal at Mt. Pleasant 18

SPRING HILL LIFE

Middle School of the Visual and Performing Arts for nine years and then transferred to Spring Hill High School as an assistant principal for four years. I have been the head principal at Spring Hill High School for the past three years. I have a total of 25 years in education. I have also been teaching as an adjunct professor for Middle Tennessee State University for the past 10 years.

WHAT MADE YOU DECIDE ON THIS CAREER CHOICE?

I grew up in a large family and I have always known from an early age that I wanted to be a teacher! I can remember when I was little I asked Santa for a chalkboard one year and when I got it I would make my brothers and sisters sit on the floor and I would pretend to play school with them. They didn’t like it too much but I loved it! It just stuck with me as I grew up.

Photos courtesy of MCPS

TSSAA AWARDS DR. CHRISTINE POTTS, PRINCIPAL OF SPRING HILL HIGH SCHOOL, THE A. F. BRIDGES AWARD FOR PRINCIPAL OF THE YEAR FOR THE MID TN ATHLETIC DISTRICT 6 REGION.

WHAT IS THE MOST INTERESTING THING THIS CAREER HAS LED YOU TO DO? It has led me to create many long-lasting relationships with stakeholders I have met throughout the years.

WHAT WAS YOUR FIRST JOB?

My very first job was at Maury Regional Hospital in their coffee shop as a cashier.

IF YOU COULD DO ANOTHER JOB IN ANOTHER LIFE, WHAT WOULD IT BE?

I would like to own my own business! I love to bake!

YOU RECENTLY RECEIVED THE A. F. BRIDGES AWARD FOR PRINCIPAL OF THE YEAR FROM TSSAA FOR THE MIDDLE TN ATHLETIC DISTRICT 6 REGION. CAN YOU TELL ME A LITTLE MORE ABOUT WHAT THAT IS AND WHAT IT MEANS TO YOU? DR. CHRISTINE POTTS WITH WHITTHORNE MIDDLE SCHOOL BAND DIRECTOR CORD MARTIN, DR. POTTS, MCPS SUPERINTENDENT DR. CHRIS MARCZAK, SHHS BAND DIRECTOR MICHAEL ROSSON, AND WHITTHORNE MIDDLE SCHOOL BAND DIRECTOR BRIAN WEBSTER.

The A. F. Bridges Award is given in recognition of the ideals of ethics and integrity in the teaching and promotion of citizenship and sportsmanship. I was shocked when I heard that I had won this award considering that I had only been Principal SPRING 2017

for three years. But then again, the award is not about me. It is about my coaches and my players. They are the ones that have worked hard and earned this award. They are the ones that have displayed good citizenship and sportsmanship on and off the playing field.

DR. CHRISTINE POTTS AT THE ANNUAL SPECIAL OLYMPICS SPRING GAMES WITH STUDENT CAMERON.

HOW ARE SPORTS INVOLVED IN YOUR CAREER AND LIFE?

Athletics play a very important part in my school and is the face of the school on a continuous basis through all the seasons and as a principal it just becomes intertwined and becomes part of your life. Spring Hill straddles the county line, and Spring Hill High School on the Maury County side.

WHAT DOES THAT DIVIDE MEAN FOR YOUR SCHOOL AND STUDENTS?

We don’t see it as a divide, we see it as a challenge to unite two counties. What are some of the goals of MCPS related to SHHS? To ensure that all students are college and career ready and prepared to compete in a global workforce. Does your job involve any interaction with the other side of the line? Yes, academically as well as with extracurricular.

HOW MANY EMPLOYEES DO YOU HAVE UNDER YOU?

I have close to 100 employees under me with 10 being in the cafeteria.

IS THERE ANYTHING ELSE YOU WANT US TO KNOW?

The growth in Spring Hill right now is challenging us to continuously look at what we do and how we do it. Personally, I love the beach and my husband, and I own a Harley I love to ride, love to watch UT football. We have a spoiled dog named Harley!! SHL

SPRING HILL LIFE

SPRING 2017

Independence High School PROM DATE: 4/29/17, 7 PM, EMBASSY SUITES

THEME: Our theme this year is “Enchanted Forest”. Our décor includes: trees, beautiful greenery, twinkle lights, candle-lit lanterns, and ethereal drapery. We are aiming for a fairytale-esque, cozy, and charming atmosphere. It will feel as though you have stepped into a romantic storybook tale when you walk into the room!

GRADUATION: 5/27/17, 10 am, Ag Center

Page High School

PROM DATE: 4/29/17, 8 PM, WILLOWBROOK FARMS THEME: Tale As Old As Time with decor to give a classy, romantic vibe.

GRADUATION: 5/27/17, 2 pm, Ag Center ALLISON WRIGHT, SENIOR AT SUMMIT HIGH SCHOOL

Spring Hill High School

PROM DATE: 4/22/17, 8:30 PM, SPRING HILL HIGH THEME: Roaring Twenties GRADUATION: 5/20/17, 2 pm, Gym

Summit High School

PROM DATE: 4/29/17, 7 PM, LOVELESS BARN THEME: At press time, the Prom Committee is

keeping secret the Theme they are marketing for Prom until their t-shirt reveal. Decor will be simple, elegant and rustic. The committee says to "Think of a barn wedding, but without the bride and groom!" During Prom, Summit students will have the the Loveless Barn as well as the courtyard area on either side of the Barn reserved which will have outdoor games set up by The Loveless. Students can also expect to enjoy the famous Loveless Cafe biscuits and homemade preserves. JEREMY MOODY (LEFT) AND SPENCER WALLIS (RIGHT), BOTH ARE SENIORS AT SUMMIT HIGH SCHOOL 22

SPRING HILL LIFE

ADRIANE LEON (LEFT) AND TAYLOR SIEVERSON (RIGHT), BOTH ARE SENIORS AT SUMMIT HIGH

GRADUATION: 5/25/17, 7 pm, Ag Center

SPRING 2017

SENIOR LIFE

Decades of Experience + Local Service =

The graying of Spring Hill

FAST CLOSINGS!

BY JOHN EVOSEVIC

“A calling, that’s exactly what it is,” exudes Holly Klemme, Chairman of a new mayor appointed council in the city of Spring Hill called the Senior Adult Advocacy Council. “I have a geriatric advisory advocacy company, Comprehensive Care Coordination. I have been in the geriatric field for 22 years. It’s always been a passion of mine. I really want to make sure that we’re educating seniors and family members of what their needs are and what the resources are for seniors,” said Klemme. As a press release explains, “The council was assembled by business partners Holly Klemme and Salena Garza with the goal to provide resources to our senior and senior-concerned community in order to provide a safe place for seniors to live and have quality of life. We are trying to prepare for the influx of seniors with the additions of the assisted living facilities which are coming to Spring Hill in 2017.”

“They start having needs that they can’t meet. The seniors start realizing, ‘I can’t live with 4 and 5 year olds running around the house. I need my own space.’” Klemme and Sarza met with Mayor Graham to explain their vision of Spring Hill as a place with quality of life choices and where people would want to come to and live.

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“Our council consists of nine members and we wanted to make sure that every member is a vital resource for anything a senior may need, Garza said.

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“So there is Holly and myself, who represent social work and a business side.” TRADITIONS ASSISTED LIVING MARKETING DIRECTOR MICHELLE REUTER, SALENA SARZA, HOLLY KLEMME

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Under construction are four assisted living and/ or senior communities in Spring Hill including Del Webb’s Southern Springs, Morning Pointe, The Reserve at Spring Hill and Traditions of Spring Hill. While reliable census information for 2016 is not available; the latest information available for an age breakdown of Spring Hill’s population is from the 2010 Federal census which shows that seniors (residents aged 65 and more) made up 5 percent of the population. “From what I understand, the largest population in Spring Hill are now elementary school age children and seniors, ” asserted Garza. “It’s a great city to live in and so we have seen all these young couples come here with their kids. Grandparents want to be near their grandchildren. So, they’re moving to here. And the idea often was, ‘Let’s move them into this house with the little ones.’ But that’s only good for a little while,” said Garza. 24

SPRING HILL LIFE

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The council also includes a firefighter, an EMS specialist, a police officer, a doctor, a financial advisor, a doctor and a repairman who works in an assisted living facility. “We’re hoping with these members and resources, as we start to find issues regarding the needs of the seniors — whether it’d be delivering meals or a companionship program, or if it’s having to find clothing, housing, assistance, whatever it is, we’ll be able to do it,” said Garza. “There’s no way we can go knock on every door and find out what’s going on,” Klemme said. If you have someone living next door to you who is elderly, we’ve got to get these people in some kind of companion program. That’s what I really want to work on so that during the winter, we can make sure that their heat is on, that they’re able to pay their electric bill, and to check on them,” said Klemme. The desire to help is a family trait. “Our husbands are firefighters. They come home and have stories of someone who passed away in their home and they’ve been there for 30-something days, and no one knew about it. Knock on the door. Call somebody. Let us know. We’ll go out there. The police, the fire department, they’ll all do local checks. With the number of seniors we’re going to have here, we’re all going to have to get on board.” said Klemme. The SAAC can also direct family members to support groups. “There are so many people out there in the same situation, so there are support groups. You can talk through how you are going to overcome problems with a group of people who are going through the exact same situation. Nobody wants to admit that there’s a resentment that will build up because they’re dealing with a parent who has dementia or Alzheimer’s Disease,” said Garza.

Lawn Seed & Fertilizer IN SPRING HILL, SENIORS MAY LIVE AT HOME OR ASSISTED LIVING FACILITIES. SAAC AIMS TO ASSIST BOTH GROUPS OF RESIDENTS.

didn’t I do this before to really understand what she was going through?’ “It warms your heart a little bit to think, ‘Wow, now I know.’ Our conversations would have been different. I wouldn’t have walked out, thinking, ‘Why does she ask me the same things over and over and over again?’ She can’t help it. If you don’t understand the disease, it gets frustrating,” said Garza. SAAC meeetings will be listed on the Spring Hill city website, held in City Hall and be open to the public.

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“We invited seniors from the community to come to our last meeting and we had a really good turnout,” said Garza. For more information, please visit springhilltn.org. SHL SAAC VICE CHAIRMAN SALENA SARZA AND CHAIRMAN HOLLY KLEMME AT HALLOWEEN HEALTH FAIR AT SENIOR CITIZEN’S CENTER IN COLUMBIA

Educational programs are also available such as a mobile truck equipped with a virtual dementia test which canvasses Middle Tennessee. “My grandmother died and had dementia, and I’d never even knew anything about the disease. I did the virtual dementia tour which took 15 minutes, and I walked out and I could not stop crying, because I thought, ‘Why 26

SPRING HILL LIFE

SPRING 2017

COMMUNITY LIFE

Beechcroft Road family preserves vanishing Americana BY JOHN EVOSEVIC

ravelers driving along the 800 block of Beechcroft Road cannot have failed to notice the pair of large windmills on the property of home and business owner Brad Tatum. After seeing what Spring Hill had to offer in the way of small town charm, Brad Tatum and family moved from Clearwater, Fla. three years ago. “We were drawn here because of the open spaces, the older barns set out in the countryside; we just really loved the look and feel of the area. When we started to interact with the people, there was just a kindness that we didn’t get at our former home,” said Tatum. Concerned about the rising tide of suburban sprawl and rapid growth in the area, Tatum decided to preserve a few examples of vanishing rural charm for Spring Hill. “The area is growing so much. We saw the opportunity for a future here. As we’ve been here three years, we started to realize that as more people come in, sometimes they bring some of their culture in as opposed to acclimating to the culture already here,” said Tatum. Tatum, whose on-site businesses include a vehicle reupholstering shop and hot tub parts manufacturing, expressed concern about what he sees as an increasingly hectic lifestyle for the area. 28

SPRING HILL LIFE

“Where we come from, life is complex. We came here for a simpler life, something a little slower. The slow way of living, I think, is a better way of living. But as we’ve been here, we started to notice things getting a bit busier. A lot of barns have been taken down so that the patina wood can be used as an accent wall. We’re taking away some of the heritage and history of the area.” said Tatum. Tatum thought his family might be able to contribute in a different way. “If we could bring some of this older, cool items — the windmills, the ‘59 Chevy Apache, which we procured from the Nashville Cemetery — if we could try to keep these things, just as a reminder of what Spring Hill’s THE TATUM FAMILY POSES WITH THEIR 1959 CHEVY APACHE TRUCK. THE VEHICLE IS AN ODE TO AMERICANA.

Sherry & Co A VINTAGE WINDMILL STANDS IN THE TATUMS’ YARD ON BEECHCROFT ROAD.

been for the last 100 years, we’d like to be a part of keeping it,” said Tatum. The windmills were obtained from The Windmills at Riverside Farms Park in Clay County, Indiana. The owner of the park, now at an advanced age, has been selling off his stock.

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“I think I paid $700 for one and $3,000 for the other. It cost $1,000 to put the tower together and another $1,000 for the help in assembly. My son Luke and I drove to Indiana and spent the day taking them down with the help of the owner,” said Tatum. Tatum grew up in a rural eastern Long Island, “before everyone knew it as The Hamptons.” “I’ve seen it happen twice before, and I’m concerned it would happen again here in Spring Hill. I think that the city is doing a great job in planning, but we really need to get to that place where we understand what we’re building — what the end game build is going to be for the City of Spring Hill. This is a really neat place. It’s really nice here. We moved here because we liked what it was. But I don’t know if going 100 miles per hour is really progress. The same thing that is drawing all the people here, if we’re not careful, we’re going to lose it all and just become another metropolitan area,” said Tatum. SHL

SPRING 2017

PAGEANT LIFE

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The 2015 Mule Day queen was McKenzie Pressnell. Her court included runner-up Kayla Kizer, secondrunner-up Taylor Willis, third runnerup Tori Brown and fourth runner-up Dacey Jo Thompson. 30

SPRING HILL LIFE

Time spent riding to the salon isn’t wasted, because Sidney says she even practices her speech in the car. Upon arrival, the stylist begins to fix her hair. Sidney’s mind is in another world however, as she is focusing on what questions she possibly could be asked during the interview, how her speech will go, her onstage introduction and her walk pattern for evening gown. After her hair is done, the stylist applies Sidney’s makeup. With butterflies fluttering, Sidney is finally ready. She slips on her interview/speech outfit, and now after months of preparation on both her part and her mother’s, it is finally time for the Mule Day Pageant.

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t is Saturday morning, and it’s finally pageant day in Maury County. Sidney Church, a 17 year-old Mule Day Queen hopeful, wakes around 6 a.m. to begin getting ready for the year’s Mule Day Pageant. Sidney’s mother, Gayla Church, makes her breakfast and then takes her to a local hair salon to get her hair and makeup done.

Not many may realize how much preparation these Mule Day Queen hopefuls put into preparing for this once in a lifetime opportunity. While much preparation does go into it, winners say it is well worth it because of the great honor that is bestowed upon them.

The pageant begins on a Saturday morning with young ladies giving prepared speeches about any topic that is Mule Day related. Then, the judges sit down with the contestants to get to know them in a three on one interview. After speeches and interviews are over, the judges, director, and contestants have lunch together and depart for a break before they meet back at the Cherry Theater on the campus of Columbia State Community College where the finale will be held, including onstage introductions, evening gown competition and an onstage question. SHL

McKenzie Pressnell, the 2015 Mule Day Queen, says she focused on preparing herself mentally as much as she did physically. Her thoughts were based around “thinking like a Mule Day Queen.” On February 28, 2015, and her second time at vying for the crown, all her hard work preparing for the pageant paid off. The 17-year-old Columbia native captured the title. McKenzie and her court were able to participate in many events during Mule Day Week and even throughout the year, such as speaking in front of the Tennessee General Assembly at the State Capitol in Nashville. “I was able to sing, dance, laugh, and leave my small footprint in the history of Mule Day with my wonderful court,” she said. McKenzie expressed that she holds the title near and dear to her heart, as it has brought her many connections and is a memory she will never forget. The Mule Day Pageant has been changing the lives of girls from across Maury County since 1974 when the first pageant was held. In its early days, the Mule Day Committee would pick a girl from each district of the county to participate. Now, the pageant is held a little differently. Much preparation goes into planning the pageant. Mule Day Pageant Director since 1996, Lisa Flatt, explains that they must book the venues for both the morning competition and finale show, plan for lunch, select a fair and unbiased panel of judges and an emcee, hold an informational meeting for contestants, process applications and entry fees, create the judges’ books, and plan and book events for the new queen and court.

SPRING HILL LIFE

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This year’s pageant will be held at 7 p.m. on Feb. 25 in the Cherry Theater on the campus of Columbia State Community College.

SIDNEY CHURCH FROM SANTA FE, 17, PRACTICES HER INTERVIEW WITH HER MOTHER, GAYLA CHURCH.

PHOTO BY TANNA NORMAN

SCORING IS AS FOLLOWS: Interview with the judges 100 points Speeches 50 points Evening Gown 50 points On Stage Question 50 points

The queen will be awarded $500 along with a crown, sash and roses. The four runners up will also receive money with first runner up receiving $250, second gets $200, third $150, and fourth $100. Ladies ages 15-21 who wish to compete can pick up an application from Lisa Flatt, the Mule Day Office at the Maury County Park or at Lace & Company located on the square in Columbia. The Queen and her court will make appearances at all Mule Day events, be interviewed by local radio stations and newspapers, take a trip to the State Capitol in Nashville, and take part in other functions to promote our Mule Day event. Sharon Puckett, Nashville TV personality, will again be the emcee for the pageant.

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APR8

EVENT LIFE MARCH MAR2-5

NASHVILLE – Nashville Lawn & Garden Show has timeless appeal and highlights the importance of gardens at The Fairgrounds Nashville.

MAR11

Spring Forward for St. Jude Run/Walk 5k 5K START TIME: 8:00AM KIDS FUN RUN START TIME: 9:00AM

Be a St. Jude Hero, and run for the kids of St. Jude Runners who fund raise for St. Jude while training for their race are part of a nationwide alliance against childhood cancer. They’re called St. Jude Heroes.

As a St. Jude Hero, you’ll raise funds for the kids of St. Jude while you train for your race. The dollars that St. Jude Heroes raise help ensure that families never receive a bill from St. Jude for treatment, travel, housing or food — because all a family should worry about is helping their child live. Treatments invented at St. Jude have helped push the overall childhood cancer survival rate from 20 percent to more than 80 percent since it opened more than 50 years ago.

St. Jude is working to drive the overall survival rate for childhood cancer to 90 percent, and they won’t stop until no child dies from cancer. Do more with your race. Be a St. Jude Hero, and run for the kids of St. Jude. For more info, please contact Courtney McMahon at courtney.mcmahon@stjude. org or 615-760-8026.

SPRING HILL LIFE

GRANVILLE – The Upper Cumberland Wine Festival hosts wineries of the Upper Cumberland Wine Trail that offer tastings, food and live jazz and blues concerts noon to 5 p.m.

MAR19-APR9

PIGEON FORGE – Dollywood’s Festival of Nations hosts more than 200 performers from around the world celebrating music, dance and art.

MAR23-26

MAR27-APR2

A good remedy for spring fever is a visit to our Lawn & Garden Show. Enjoy a wagon ride back to the barn where you will delight in viewing the newest lawnmowers, creative landscaping ideas and hundreds of flowers and vegetable plants for sale.

COLUMBIA – Mule Day, one of the world’s biggest mule celebrations, hosts events that include a mule sale, mule pulling, mule shows, pancake breakfast, flea market and parade.

MAR31-APR1

SAVANNAH – Blues Hog BBQ & Music Fest is a KCBS sanctioned cook-off held at Wayne Jerrolds River Park with live music, a car show, a motorcycle poker run and a 5K.

JACKSON – The Bunny Run Jackson Rod & Custom Show is a car show that features approximately 450 vehicles that are 30 years old and older in conjunction with a swap meet and vendors.

Spring Hill Lawn & Garden Show 9:00 to 4:00 each day. $5 FOR LAWN & GARDEN SHOW ONLY OR $10 FOR LAWN & GARDEN SHOW AND TOUR OF THE MANSION.

KNOXVILLE – The Big Ears Festival is a highly-acclaimed weekend of world-class musical performances in theaters, clubs and galleries with workshops, exhibitions, film screenings and more.

APR14-15

MAR25-27

APRIL APR1-2

KNOXVILLE – The Knoxville Marathon, hosts a marathon, half-marathon, relay, 5K, and kids’ run with the finish line at Neyland Stadium.

APR7-8

GATLINBURG – Smoky Mountain Winefest hosts more than a dozen wineries from around the state with local restaurants sharing their best.

MAR31

2016 Craftmasters Dinner Series: Featuring Yazoo Brewing Co. 5:30 PM - 8:30 PM. $100 PER PERSON. HOMESTEADMANOR.COM

Giving back is an important part of what we do here at Homestead Manor, and in that effort, we are thrilled to launch our Craftmasters Dinner Series, both to benefit a local charity and to showcase the talents of local vendors that we believe in. The dinners will pair our dynamic Chef team with a series of local distilleries, breweries, and vineyards to create a menu from the Craftmaster’s products, and each evening’s bar will highlight their line as well.

APR22

WHISPERS FROM THE PAST TOURS RIPPAVILLA PLANTATION

Ghosts in the closet... Many believe we all have them. During the Whispers Tours at Rippavilla Plantation, you’ll have the unique opportunity to see and hear the ones associated with the Cheairs family and the Antebellum mansion located in Spring Hill, Tennessee (just outside historic Franklin). Rippavilla Plantation regularly hosts overnight paranormal investigations throughout the year with renowned tour guide, Laura Bentley. All investigations begin Saturday evening at 7:00 PM and end at approximately 3:00 AM the following day.

Guests will have access to the mansion, including the basement, the barn, the Freeman’s Bureau School House, along with the family and slave cemeteries.

Investigations are limited to 12 people. Participants must be at least 18 years of age, and are required to sign a waiver upon their arrival. Light snacks are provided (please eat dinner before you attend the investigation). Also, bring a flashlight and dress accordingly as part of the investigation will be outside.

APR15

MEMPHIS – Memphis Brewfest highlights beers, breweries, and hosts beer enthusiasts as they gather for a sampling of fresh beers of all colors, styles and tastes near the bluffs of the Mississippi River.

APR20-22

CLARKSVILLE – Rivers & Spires Festival is a free festival with more than 100 entertainers, a kid’s area, car shows, food, jazz and more.

APR22

MEMPHIS – The Southern Hot Wing Festival is a cooking contest with more than 50 teams and tasting opportunities. Music and entertainment are also offered for the whole family.

APR23

APR28-29

CROSS PLAINS – The Kilgore Station Bluegrass Festival has nationally-known headliners and local bands in a venue with a stage built on the side of an old tobacco barn.

MAY

MAY5

PIGEON FORGE – Dolly’s Homecoming Parade has Dolly Parton herself lead colorful floats, talented entertainers and lively marching bands as they make their way down the Parkway in Pigeon Forge.

MAY5-28

MEMPHIS – Memphis in May International Festival is a monthlong series of events which includes Beale Street Music Festival and World Championship Barbecue Cooking Contest.

MAY13

NASHVILLE – Iroquois Steeplechase is the nation’s oldest continuously run, weight-for-age steeplechase.

MAY13-14 MILLINGTON – The Memphis Air Show has flight demonstrations by the Blue Angels, aircraft displays, exhibits, kid’s area, rides, food, drinks and fun for the whole family.

BRISTOL – Food City 500 welcomes race fans to cheer their hearts out at this annual 500-lap, 266.5-mile NASCAR Sprint Cup Serving Middle Tennessee for over 20 years race at Bristol Motor Speedway.

Law Office of Jason Mangrum

MEMPHIS – Rajun Cajun Crawfish Festival is one of the largest one-day crawfish festivals and features food, live Cajun and Zydeco music, a crawfisheating contest and crawfish races.

EXPERIENCE MATTERS

615-668-1701

jmangrum@jasonmangrumlaw.com

The 2016 recipient of this inaugural Craftmasters Dinner Series is the Williamson County chapter of Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) for Children, and Homestead Manor is proud to partner with Yazoo Brewery for this first evening in our four-part Series.

Tickets include a four-course Chef’s menu, inspired by and created with Yazoo’s dynamic brew line, as well as complimentary drink tickets, a photo booth and writersin-the-round live concert provided by Scott Reeves, Keith Anderson, and Mark Narmore. All proceeds from the March 31st evening will fund the Advocacy program. SPRING 2017