NNS Magazine Sept 2011 by northsidesun

SEPTEMBER 2011

northside sun

september 2011

Contents 20 36 42

Artful Soul Before Courtney Peters became a potter and interior designer, she was just a twoyear-old making mud men. "She used to sit on the driveway after it rained and take the clay and make men out of it and use rocks for the eyes," says Courtney's dad, Jackson attorney Mark Chinn. Now, instead of mud men, 27-year-old Courtney makes beautiful ceramic roses - which have become the trademark of Courtney Rae Designs and are crafted and sold at her store, Mosaic LLC Interiors, in Fondren.

September 2011 volume 6, number 6

Swan Lake Perhaps it was the combination of her love of flowers and design, coupled with the encouragement from her friends from the Garden Club of Jackson, that drove Mary Ann Petro to spend countless hours on the application process to have “Swan Lake” nationally recognized. Mary Ann and Anthony Petro’s garden, “Swan Lake,” is now the first garden from Jackson added to the Archives of American Gardens at the Smithsonian Institution in the Garden Club of America collections.

At Home in Fondren When Kirk and Caroline Sims went house hunting, they searched for a house they could fix up and make it feel like their own. The two had recently moved to Jackson from Washington, D.C., and were renting in the city so they could explore their options before making such a huge purchase. “We had really just started to look for homes when we found the listing for this home in Fondren. We knew immediately that this could be a great home for us, but it was also clear that we would have to do some renovations to get the house to where we wanted it to be.”

Rooms with a View If an art gallery is defined as a room or series of rooms where works of art are exhibited, then Dottie and Jeff Cole live in just that. The couple downsized from their four-bedroom home in Greenwood to a two-bedroom home in Jackson in 2009 to be near their children. The Coles searched the metro area for a smaller home and couldn’t find the perfect location until their realtor had them look at some two-bedroom homes in the Northpointe subdivision in Northeast Jackson. “This really was the worst looking property,” Dottie said. “But the location was perfect, and Jeff made a ridiculously low offer on it.”

Chateau Style When Lisa Palmer set out to decorate Tim and Samantha Porter's house in 2004, she had a specific look she was going for - a look that would exude elegance but most importantly a look that would give the Porters a place they could live in comfortably. So when the Porters built their French-chateau-style home in 2004, they chose Palmer to decorate the entire seven-bedroom home. september 2011

Departments 92 September

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EVENTS PARTIES WEDDINGS/ENGAGEMENTS

65 66 68 70 72 74 77 77 78 78 80 80 14

Whitney Warren Evans/ William Graves Maxwell Kate Michael McKee/ Lewis Tyler Nelson Kendal Elise Carr/ Swayze Magee Waters Lauren Ashley Sherrill/ Chris Grillis IV

83 84 86

Engagement Party An engagement party honoring Anna Pierce and Jason Schneeberger was held recently in the home of Dr. and Mrs. Randy Voyles. Parents of the couple are Tracy and Brian Pierce and Becky and Joe Schneeberger.

Cathryn McIntosh and Palmer Houchins, both of New York City, were honored in June with an engagement celebration. The party was held in the home of Paula and Jimmy Hood.

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Taste of Mississippi

Heart of the Home

Jackson Academy Booster Club hosted its annual fund-raiser, Raider Pull. On the eve of the shoot an opening party was held in the Fondren home of Tom and Rebecca Tardy.

The eighth annual silent auction fund-raiser was held at the Devlin House in Reunion subdivision for the Montessori Children’s House. Money raised was used to build the children a garden to upkeep.

The 23rd annual Taste of Mississippi was held at Highland Village. The event featured culinary delights from more than 40 restaurants, a silent auction and live music by Hunter Gibson and the Gators and Pryor and the Tombstones. Proceeds benefited Stewpot Community Services, whose mission is to provide for the needs of the homeless, elderly and disabled in the Jackson metro area.

Jackson Preparatory School’s fund-raiser, Heart of the Home, was held recently. The opening gala was held in the home of Eric and Connie Wegener.

100

Sante South Wine Festival

104

Old Hickory Event

COLUMNS

108

St. Andrew’s Arts on the Green

56 60

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Mary Cathryn McIntosh/ Lawrence Palmer Houchins

Adrian Coleman Green/ Ryan John Mann

Montessori Silent Auction

An engagement party honoring Lindsey White and Daniel Benefield was held recently in the home of Beckie and Mack Haltom.

Lindsey Michelle Steadman/ Timothy Charles Townsend

Meagan Marie Jordan/ Collin John Fahrenkopf

Engagement Party

Amy Elizabeth Calvert/ Joseph Lane Campbell

Emily Ann Hamilton/ Chadwick Dees Crosswhite

JA Raider Pull

Engagement Party

Ashley Brook Hall/ John David Belknap

April Marie Gooch/ Robert Raoul Stephenson Jr.

60 Jenny Markow

Marlana Walters

The Andrew Jackson Council Boy Scouts of America recently hosted its first annual Old Hickory Dinner at the Jackson Hilton. The event benefited the youth of the council, which covers 22 counties in central and southern Mississippi. Coach Don Shula was the featured speaker.

The St. Andrew’s Episcopal School Arts on the Green gala was recently held in the Butler Snow Building. Shown are scenes from the event.

Tennis Advantage Food Wise

The seventh annual Sante South wine festival benefiting the Alzheimer’s Association Mississippi Chapter was held at The South in downtown Jackson.

Central High School Reunion Members of the Central High School Class of 1951 recently gathered at the Country Club of Jackson for their 50th reunion.

the

northsidesun magazine

A MONTHLY PUBLICATION OF THE NORTHSIDE SUN NEWSPAPER P.O. BOX 16709 JACKSON, MISSISSIPPI 39236 601-957-1122

EDITOR Jimmye Sweat

WRITERS Susan Deaver • Glenda Wadsworth • Anthony Warren Jenny Markow • Jenny Woodruff • Marlana Walters Katie Eubanks • Mary Mac Jones

PHOTOGRAPHERS Beth Buckley • Lonnie Kees Christina Cannon • Chris Grillis David Johnston • Greg Campbell Anthony Warren • Jenny Woodruff

ADVERTISING DIRECTOR Melanie North

ADVERTISING Katy Agnew • Holly Dean • Amy Forsyth Carly O’Bryant • Carley Baker

ART DIRECTOR Wanda McCain

PRODUCTION MANAGER Beth Buckley

PRODUCTION Jo Ann Ward • Mary Margaret Thiel

BOOKKEEPING Dani Poe

CIRCULATION Dale Frazier • Dottie and Jeff Cole • Kerri Hawkins THE NORTHSIDE SUN MAGAZINE IS PUBLISHED MONTHLY BY THE NORTHSIDE SUN NEWSPAPER. ALTHOUGH THE MAGAZINE IS DISTRIBUTED FREE ON NEWSSTANDS, PAID SUBSCRIPTIONS ARE AVAILABLE FOR $20 ANNUALLY. FOR NEW SUBSCRIPTIONS, CHANGES OF ADDRESS OR OTHER SERVICES RELATED TO SUBSCRIPTIONS, CALL 601-957-1542. FOR ADVERTISING INFORMATION CONTACT YOUR CURRENT AD REP. FOR INFORMATION CONCERNING WEDDING SUBMISSIONS, PARTY COVERAGE OR FEATURES, CALL 601-957-1122 OR E-MAIL JIMMYE@NORTHSIDESUN.COM. THE MAGAZINE OFFICE IS LOCATED AT 246 BRIARWOOD DR., JACKSON, MISSISSIPPI 39206; THE MAILING ADDRESS IS: P. O. BOX 16709, JACKSON, MISSISSIPPI 39236.

ABOUT THE COVER SEPTEMBER 2011

Mary Ann Petro was photographed at home in her garden by Lonnie Kees. 16

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Artful

SOUL B BY

K AT I E E U B A N K S

PHOTOGRAPHY BY

BETH BUCKLEY

efore Courtney Peters became a potter and interior designer, she was just a two-year-old making mud men. "She used to sit on the driveway after it rained and take the clay and make men out of it and use rocks for the eyes," says Courtney's dad, Jackson attorney Mark Chinn. Now, instead of mud men, 27-year-old Courtney makes beautiful ceramic roses - which have become the trademark of Courtney Rae Designs and are crafted and sold at her store, Mosaic LL C Interiors, in Fondren.

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september 2011

Artful

SOUL

"I'm not really sure exactly where [the roses] came from," Courtney says. "But I wanted to do something that could be collected - and it was something different. "I've never been a flower person, so I honestly just started working on it, and it was easy for me to make. It just came out. It appeals to my clientele, [which is mostly] women. When I go

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to market, there's a lot of product with flowers." Courtney's pottery is sold in stores throughout the state and was featured in a bridal issue of Mississippi Magazine as a bridesmaid gift. "Brides will come in and say, 'I want 15 white roses for all my bridesmaids, and I want them to be all the same.' I do a lot of wedding-party

stuff. I've also done some cake toppers, like a group of flowers that would sit on top instead of a bride and groom. "And the Kappa Deltas at Ole Miss ordered the white rose for new members because that's their symbol. "I've tried doing other flowers, like a magnolia, but it hasn't worked out yet." Courtney has also made some ceramic wedding cakes - "I wanted to do something a little more intricate and intensive," she says - and has even made ceramic replicas of people's wedding cakes for anniversary gifts. GROWING UP, Courtney was both artist and athlete. "When she was real little, like two years old…if you gave her a piece of graph paper, she wouldn't scribble all over it. She would sit there for hours and fill in those little boxes with little zig-zags," says her mom, interior designer Cathy Chinn. "Every [box] had a different little design in it." Courtney painted tiles and dishware before she could read, took pottery classes at seven years old, and took Advanced Placement (AP) art at Jackson Academy. She went on to earn a bachelor’s degree in art with a ceramics emphasis from the University of Mississippi. But Mark Chinn says his daughter was also a great high-school athlete, "which I had the most fun with. She took third in the state in the 300meter hurdles. She was on a championship basketball team, and was 12th in cross-country in the state." Mark says art is in Courtney's genes, mostly from her mother and Mark’s mother - but "I don't want to surrender all credit for that," he says with a laugh. "I have an art side too." "Actually, [he's] pretty creative too," Cathy says. "He was a good little artist growing up. He knows how to draw Fred Flintstone really well." COURTNEY ENJOYS hanging out with her family and her husband, Sam, who works for Peters Real Estate. She also likes to go running with Lucy, her Weimaraner dog. But for the past year and a half, her time has

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Artful

SOUL

also been spent furthering her design career. She’s been continuing her interior design education at Mississippi College, and she expanded Mosaic Interiors last fall to include a furniture line by C.R. Laine Furniture out of North Carolina. "I'm just kind of trying to build it day by day, any way I can." Mark Chinn says his daughter's entrepreneurial streak took him by surprise. "I'm very interested in entrepreneurship, and…creating a brand is very exciting to me. And I'd never talked to her about it," he said. "One day I walked into her store, and she had the book 'Good to Great' out on the table, and I said, 'What are you doing?'

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“And she said, 'I'm reading a book on how to be a better business person.' I just thought to myself, wow, she's focused - trying to get better every day." But when it comes to art, Mark says that's not something Courtney had to learn.

"It's just part of her life. It's in her soul."

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Swan Lake BY

JENNY WOODRUFF

PHOTOS BY

HUBERT WORLEY

AND

LONNIE KEES

erhaps it was the combination of her love of flowers and design,

coupled with the encouragement from her friends from the Garden Club of Jackson, that drove Mary Ann Petro to spend countless hours on the application process to have “Swan Lake” nationally recognized.

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The two years spent on this process has certainly paid off because Mary Ann and Anthony Petro’s garden, “Swan Lake,” is now the first garden from Jackson added to the Archives of American Gardens at the Smithsonian Institution in the Garden Club of America collections. “This is an honor and privilege of the highest order,” Mary Ann said. “I am honored, humbled and grateful for the opportunity.” Mary Ann, with the help of a few individuals, had to select less than 20 images out of 650 photographed as well as documented plantings of every kind in her garden. “It took two years to get this project along,” she said. “We took photographs for about a year, identified each plant (300 or 400 plants), every bush, and I had to write a description of the garden.” Although Petro said she worked so hard on it, she never dreamed the Smithsonian would accept it. “It was like writing a dissertation and it was very tedious.” The land where Swan Lake is located was actually part of the swampland and floodplain along the river. A developer formed the two-acre home site, creating a lake in the process. Mary Ann, owner of Mary Ann Petro and Associates, and her husband, bought the barren land in 1988. Mary Ann has a true love of abundant natural light, water, and had a desire to bring the outside inside. So this led them to build the symmetrical structure, one room deep, slightly tilted toward the southwest. Floor to ceiling windows in the first floor rooms offer expansive views of the gardens, lake, sun and moonrise, stars, swans and other wildlife to the extent that is like living in a glass house, according to Petro. “I just love flowers,” Petro said. “Seventy percent of the house is windows and I refused to tint the windows and I refused to plant trees.” 30

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“I just love flowers.” - Mary Ann Petro

HER GARDEN is best described in her entry for the Smithsonian, where she detailed what landscape architect Garry Graves helped create for them. “The front lawn is surrounded by a Dwarf Burford Holly punctuated by Eastern Red Cedar on the corners.The intent was to separate the residence from the street to create the feeling of depth. Street access to the front door occurs through an alee of Natchez Crape Myrtle and a matching pair of Drake Elm along a beautiful herringbone pattern brick walk. A parallel row of Japanese Boxwood on each side of the walk form as a changing set of annuals and perennials to attract butterflies and hummingbirds. “Walking between two cedar trees to the east of the property, one enters an English garden in which over 100 different perennials, annuals, bulbs, roses, herbs spill over on the brick paths interspersed with moss. Vines of evergreen

wisteria, honeysuckle and antique roses cover the white metal arch and picket fence. Three columnar junipers frame the view of the south of the lake and one green chair allows the owner a moment of solitude. â&#x20AC;&#x153;In 1990, English gardener Rita Hall helped Petro begin the process of choosing plants that grow in England that would grow in Mississippi inside the fence and trellis designed by landscape architect Susan Case. Iris, snapdragaons, hydrangeas, feverfew and roses frame the walkway and wall that lead from the English garden to the south side of the residence. The terrace stretches into a walkway that runs the length of the house. The backyardsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; steep descent toward the lake was transformed using a tiered series of wooden stairs and decks. The four level decking system was added in 2003 and designed by Garry Graves to maximize the downward slope of the property to the lake and allows the Petros level areas for plantings, entertaining and relaxing with family and friends. Three parterres between the decks including a knot garden are planted with Japanese boxwood, antique roses, herbs, annuals, bulbs are bordered on the sides with hundreds of knockout roses and camellias. Three arched fountains splash with the soothing sound of waterfalls.

“The view from the west side displays the scale and proportion of the space with the trellis, hydrangeas, camellias, with a table, chairs and benches for gathering by the fountain.” - Mary Ann Petro “FOLLOWING THE brick walkway from the perennial garden past the decking that runs the length of the back brick porch interspersed with thick white columns, past huge pots of rosemary outside the kitchen one enters a courtyard on the west side. Walking past a white metal arch covered with Chinese Wisteria and antique roses, one enters an intimate space used for dining with details such as a foundation, statue, hydrangeas, the white urns filled with impatiens or snapdragons and pansies that offer views from the kitchen and garden, dining and living room. The view from the west side displays the scale and proportion of the space with the trellis, hydrangeas, camellias, with a table, chairs and benches for gathering by the fountain.The brick path continues westward to a small herb and vegetable garden that are used for cooking and a white gate where wild grape vines grow to stuff with culinary delights. Ten blueberry bushes are a main attraction in May.” The successful designer said she is grateful she became a member of the Garden Club of Jackson in 2004, and is honored to have the first Jackson submission. “The Zone IX Garden History and Design Chairman Susan Bradley inspired, encouraged and

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Dr. and Mrs. Petro

guided me through the entire process,” she said.“I am enthusiastic about sharing what I learned to document further gardens in our area. Mary Ann did a fantastic job documenting her own garden and the documentation won high praise from Joyce Connolly and the Smithsonian staff,” said Bradley. The Garden Club of Jackson formed about 20 years ago, according to Charlotte McNeel, club president. Mary Sydney Green, a member of the Little Garden Club of Rye, New York, moved back to her hometown of Jackson in 1988, cognizant of the impact that garden clubs can have on their communities, according to McNeel. She founded the Garden Club of Jackson in 1991, with 11 members interested in gardening, artistic floral expression, civic enhancement and learning. Well aware of the mission and high standards of the Garden Club of America, Mary Sydney made sure that the Jackson club operated in line with the same objectives. The first meeting of the club was held in 1991 in Mary Sydney’s home, with mentor Eleanor Green of Laurel in attendance. The Garden Club of Jackson Conservation Committee was formed in 1994 and chaired for many years by Patsy Langford, who organized a conservation program each year and worked to raise members’ awareness of the need for conservation of natural resources. Each year, the Garden Club of Jackson presents a fund-raiser for the benefit of a public space in the greater Jackson area. Garden Club projects since 2000 include Mynelle Gardens, Eudora Welty, Habitat for Humanity, The Cedars, Hinds Community College Landscape Scholarship, Mississippi Museum of Art Garden and the Mississippi Children’s Museum Eudora Welty Garden.

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at home IN FONDREN BY

JENNY WOODRUFF

HEN KIRK AND CAROLINE SIMS went house hunting, they searched for a house they could fix up and make it feel like their own. The two had recently moved to Jackson from Washington, D.C., and were renting in the city so they could explore their options before making such a huge purchase. “That gave us time to really decide where we wanted to live and gave me time, since I’m not from Jackson, to get familiar with some different neighborhoods,” Caroline, who is originally from Tupelo, said.“We had really just started to look for homes when we found the listing for this home in

The Sims’ Fondren home was built in 1950 and sits on nearly one acre of land.

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Fondren. We knew immediately that this could be a great home for us, but it was also clear that we would have to do some renovations to get the house to where we wanted it to be.” Both are graduates of the University of Mississippi (where they met), and Kirk, a native of Jackson, moved back to his hometown in 2009 to work as a policy director for the lieutenant governor. After working as a political appointee at the Department of Homeland Security in Washington, D.C., Caroline is now a government relations advisor at Butler Snow law firm. The home they found was built in 1950, and is cypress inside and out with amazing structural strength, according to Caroline. “That gave us a great starting point for renovations,” she said. The two projects the young couple

living room AFTER

BEFORE

kitchen

AFTER

BEFORE

first tackled were the kitchen and the master bedroom. “We began renovations on the kitchen as soon as we moved in,” Caroline said. “We hired our contractors, and within days of moving in the kitchen was down to the studs.” They moved a doorway and a wall, doubling the size of the kitchen which the two couldn’t be happier with because they spend a good bit of time in this space. THE SIMS THEN did renovations to the bedroom last summer and were able to do most of that work themselves, well mainly Kirk did, said Caroline. “We turned a decidedly ‘70s feel (wood paneling, tile ceilings) into a bright, fresh space and we love it,” she said. They also walled in a door in their foyer and removed an interior window to make the entrance way feel like a more formal foyer. “One of the things we really tried to do as we made updates was to keep our changes within the style of the house,” Caroline said. “We feel like it is an older home with great character in a beautiful neighborhood, and we tried to preserve that feel as much as possible.” The Sims did most of the painting and decorating themselves. They found this was something they really enjoyed doing together. In the dining room, they took down what seemed like 50-year old wallpaper and repainted. They also painted all three bedrooms, the guest bathroom, the kitchen, living room and the foyer. With the help of some advice from friends and a few magazine pictures, they were able to create the style of home they most enjoy - open, bright and inviting.

BEFORE

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dining room

AFTER

BEFORE

In decorating their home, they used a combination of some old furniture they had from college, some they bought in Washington, D.C., and some new furniture they bought when they moved to Jackson. “Honestly, we feel like we lucked out that everything came together as well as it did,” she said. “We enjoy a sort-of classic and timeless style: neutral cool colors, warm lighting and other elements that keep their style and have broad appeal.”The Sims also added some modern touches with lamps, fabric, and art to keep things feeling young and relaxed. “We think framed art and pictures add a ton of interest to any room so

master bedroom

AFTER

we are always looking for cool things to hang on our walls. Right now we have a stack of stuff just waiting to be framed.” ALTHOUGH THE TWO haven’t really focused on the exterior of their home, they admit the yard really attracted them to the house. “On our first visit to the house, we walked outside onto the screen porch, got a good look at the backyard, and I recall thinking this is an awesome find; such a well-kept yard and garden on nearly an acre of property in Fondren,” she said. “The first year we lived in this home it was so much fun to watch all the beautiful plants and flowers the previous owner had planted bloom.” The yard is full of dozens of flowering plants and trees such as azaleas, camellias and hydrangeas, and the Sims often have dinner on the screen porch and visit with their friends out there. “It is so nice to be able to enjoy the outdoors on our porch (keeping the mosquitoes at bay). We love our big old trees and the serenity of having a large yard.” Caroline and Kirk were attracted to the Fondren neighborhood because of the trees and older, unique homes, and the location is very convenient for both. “We can get to work easily and pretty much anywhere in Jackson easily from our home. The restaurants and shops nearby are an added bonus, and we have been so excited about the new restaurants that are popping up in the neighborhood,” she said.

“We feel like it is an older home with great

CHARACTER IN A BEAUTIFUL NEIGHBORHOOD, and we tried to preserve that feel as much as possible.”

The Sims’ home is a charming mix of traditional style and modern accents.

Her advice to someone buying an older home would be to know the house as well as you can before you close, have a good home inspection, and research the neighborhood. “We had a great home inspection that told us essentially everything was in good shape, and let us know of a couple things to be on the lookout for,” Caroline said. “Starting out with good structure is key to renovating an older home. We love the character of our older home, the neighborhood, and the loca-

tion. I think that’s why we decided on an older house rather than a brand new one.” MARRIED IN 2008, both Kirk and Caroline are 27. Caroline has a double major in international studies and Spanish, and Kirk has an English major with a minor in history. Kirk loves to cook, read and play golf while Caroline loves being outside and traveling. She also grew up dancing ballet and currently takes adult ballet

classes at Ballet Magnificat. They are members of Northminster Baptist Church. Caroline and Kirk have plans to do some more work on the house, namely the two bathrooms which need to be updated, according to Caroline. For now they are doing things in steps as they have time and as they budget for them. “I think with an older house there will always be more to do,” she said.

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september 2011

Jeff and Dottie Cole BY

JENNY WOODRUFF GREG CAMPBELL

PHOTOGRAPHY BY

f an art gallery is defined as a room or series of rooms where works of art are exhibited, then Dottie and Jeff Cole live in just that. The couple downsized from their four-bedroom home in Greenwood to a two-bedroom home

in Jackson in 2009 to be near their children. “We had no family in Greenwood anymore,” said Dottie, who had spent 50 years there. The Coles searched the metro area for a smaller home and couldn’t find the perfect location until their realtor had them look at some twobedroom homes in the Northpointe subdivision in Northeast Jackson. “This really was the worst looking property,” Dottie said. “But the location was perfect, and Jeff made a ridiculously low offer on it.” The retired professor said she originally didn’t want to live in Jackson nor did she want anything to do with fixing up a property. So she was pretty shocked the owner accepted the offer and immediately knew they had their work cut out for them. “Doors had to be replaced, replaced and painted; French doors which were rotten,” she said. The kitchen was completely renovated with every cabinet replaced. The Coles hired a contractor who finished the work

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in about two months. “We didn’t have a kitchen for six weeks,” Dottie said. The total redo from the back of the house to the front included painting all walls, new garage doors, air/heating, complete renovation of the kitchen, new gutters, replacing rotten wood, converting laundry room to office, tearing down cabinets, storage room, and tearing out all the carpet. “I think this house was supposed to be three bedrooms, but I like having a sitting room and we had to design a shower,” she said. “We basically bought four walls,” Dottie said. For weeks, boxes were stacked up in the garage. But eventually things started coming together, and Dottie and Jeff were pleased. “Everything looked different but it’s all the same,” she said. “This was a good way to downsize.” But what the Coles didn’t have to spend much on was furniture and artwork since they had plenty that came from their home in Greenwood. “We only bought a new dining room,” Dottie said. But it’s not the renovations that make this house so interesting, according to Dottie, “It’s Jeff ’s artwork,” she said. Jeff, who has painted for more than 50 years, continues to pump out painting after painting. And Dottie just had to find a place for it in their home, which is filled with his paintings. She decorated the entire house herself because she said a designer would have thrown their hands up. The two love their new neighbors and enjoy getting together every Friday night with them. But they regularly go back to Greenwood for their supper club where they enjoy keeping up with all the news.

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september 2011

Chateau style BY

JENNY WOODRUFF

PHOTOS BY

RACHEL KABUKALA

When Lisa Palmer set out to decorate Tim and Samantha Porter's house in 2004, she had a specific look she was going for - a look that would exude elegance but most importantly a look that would give the Porters a place they could live in comfortably. The Porters have been clients of Palmer's since they discovered her at a St. Andrewâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Designer Showhouse. So when the Porters built their French-chateau-style home in 2004, they chose Palmer to decorate the entire seven-bedroom home. She continuously updates the home to make it the perfect home for the Porters. Jackson architect Tim Taylor and Jackson builders Cherry Deddens and Jamie Strickland were the builders for the home located in Montrose subdivision.

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2 0 1 1

Living Room In the living room, Palmer wanted a mixture of comfortable, soft modern pieces mixed with antique pieces, which she says is typically her style. The room includes soft colors and varied textures of fabrics from mohair to linens to silks. She worked around the piano which was already positioned in the room along with the beautiful moldings and the faux finished walls which dictated her design of the room. After finding the perfect spot for the sofa, she enhanced the area by placing hand-painted pillows on the sofa and picked the draperies to have the perfect trim to bring out the room's colors. "This room is timeless," Palmer said. "I don't know if they will ever have to update it."

Dining Room The hand-painted mural walls also dictated Palmer's design of the dining room. She asked Brian Smyda to make a custom-designed table that would be a one-of-a-kind piece for the Porters. "Brian, who is 6'4", actually stood in the middle of the table when he first brought it to the house to show how sturdy it was," Palmer said.

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Palmer, who loves using regional artisans, said she had the table in mind when she told Smyda, who brought her vision to life. "The table needed to fit the long room and seat many." The heirloom piece is walnut with ebony inlay and naturally waxed. "It won't need refinishing in time as the finish is natural and inherent," she said. Palmer recently accessorized the room with a console, lamps and a Bradley-Hughes mirror.The drapery is also hand painted with detail and custom work. She didn't match the pieces in the dining room because she never matches furniture in rooms. Her advice is to stay away from matching. "It's too predictable," she said. She also continued the soft color scheme in the dining room because she doesn't like harsh colors. "When you come into your home, you want to say Ahhhhhhh," Palmer said.

Library The walls of the library are cypress. They were originally stained way too yellow for Palmer. She decided to mellow out the walls by having Virginia Weathersby use a colored wax and rotten stone (a gray powder). "This mellowed it out and richened the cypress to make it look aged and so much prettier and warmer," Palmer said. Then Palmer filled the library with the Porter's books and memorabilia from old pictures to personal photos to collectables. Every bit of memorabilia from the Porter's wedding to the children's art is placed in the library. She also focused on the bookshelves where she made sure there was a balance. "It all has to do with balance," she said. "You want the books to lean, to sit horizontally as well as vertically. Each little book space has a balance to it and you have to have a trained designer's eye to make this happen."

Breakfast Room The breakfast room centers around a French table purchased at St. Martinâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s. Palmer had the slip covers custom made on the chairs and used a mixture of warm, cozy and livable colors and accessories.The fabrics are family friendly and have a good texture. Also colors were pulled from the family room, the most lived in area of the house.

Family Room The family room centers around a big sectional. "This is where they really live," she said. "We started with the rug and just pulled fabrics and colors that worked well with it."

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september 2011

Master Bedroom The master king-size bed was also custom made by Smyda. Palmer topped the bedroom off with custom bedding, mixed modern and new, and used silk damask on the drapery. She has added a few pieces since the beginning, which recently included a sofa. "You should always have a place to sit and put your shoes on," she says.

Guest Room Palmer repurposed the drapery which came from Tim's former house into the guest room. By adding the bedding by Ann Gish which is 100 percent natural silk, the room carries the same color palette as the living room.The pillows were also custom made, and Palmer used art purchased at View Gallery to bring together the room.

Outdoor Room The screened in outdoor room includes furnishings by Lee Outdoor and all fabrics are 100 percent acrylic, which is weather resistant and cleanable. The huge, heavy, solid, wood table was made by Club Cu. Palmer also used a big teak block as a coffee table and added drapery to pull the room together.

Pool House Palmer also recently redid the pool house by using all fabrics that are 100 percent acrylic. "I love pulling out pool blue in a pool house," she said. "It's airy, soft, breezy and beachy." Palmer recently completed one of the Porter's children's rooms. She is a teen and was in need of updating. This house is timeless, according to Palmer, who said that very few houses are like that. Her advice to those who want to decorate their homes is that accessories should look like they were found pieces. "I usually remove a third of the accessories I put out," she said. "I don't like too much. And I always edit, edit, edit. A room has got to breathe." She also says, "If you really want to finish your house, host a party or an event and you will get your house done." The majority of the furnishings in the Porter home came from Summerhouse.

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september 2011

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september 2011

TENNIS ADVANTAGE

As the Heat Continues. . .

s the heat continues…. “I’m hot, it’s hotter here than it’s ever been, and 2011 has got to be the hottest summer ever.” As hot as it’s been, it hasn’t been hot enough to keep tennis players from across the Northside off of the courts. More than 200 ladies have been seen most mornings playing in the Tri-County Ladies Summer Day League, couples have been spotted on courts across the city playing USTA League Mixed Doubles for adults and seniors, tournament

Junior Team Tennis Championships. Congratulations to all the teams that qualified to play at the championships and to all the winning teams. Hats off to BankPlus for their continued support for Mississippi junior tennis. The fall season for USTA JTT in the Jackson area will begin September 11 and run for approximately six weeks. All matches will be played on Sunday afternoons, times to be determined. All teams are coed, with girls and boys singles and doubles along with mixed doubles. “We just finished our largest summer

by JENNY MARKOW

Largest Tennis Tournament,” the USTA Southern Sectional Championships, 10 teams from the USTA Southern Section won their division and will advance to play at the national championships. Close to 1,000 players from Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina and Tennessee competed in the first half of the nineday tournament. The same number will compete in the second half as well. In order to reach this point, teams competed in regular season matches and a state championship. Of the 10 champions, one is not only a

Whatever your reason, keep it up.

TENNIS IS A SPORT FOR A LIFETIME and a cardio-friendly activity to help keep you young and fit.

play on weekends for juniors and adults has seen heated action and then … you have some folks that are just “tennis fanatics” and they are out playing just for fun. Whatever your reason, keep it up. Tennis is a sport for a lifetime and a cardio-friendly activity to help keep you young and fit. The 2011 USTA Junior Team Tennis (JTT) State Championship, sponsored by BankPlus, was bigger and better than it has ever been. Close to 500 junior players from across the state came to Jackson at the end of July to compete for state titles in each age group. “We appreciate the support that BankPlus has given us over the last eight years,” reports Director of Player Development Kent Shultz. “Their continued sponsorship enables us to put a topnotch event on for these players and everyone has a great time,” continues Shultz. For the first time at the state championships, the 10 and under division teams played on the smaller courts, and used the low compression balls. Five teams competed in this division, with Tupelo taking home the gold and Macon the silver. With the increase in teams and players, four venues were needed for the event. Although there were no Jackson teams that won their divisions, the Jackson area teams all competed at very high levels. The winning teams played in Mobile, August 19-21 during the USTA Southern Sectional

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league to date, and we are looking forward to a great fall league as well,” Angie Deleon, local coordinator reports. “With the growth in our 10 and under divisions, we expect large numbers again this fall,” continues Deleon. For more information about signing up your juniors, contact Angie at angie@cytecys.com USTA Mississippi is declaring that September is Tennis Military Appreciation Month in Mississippi. By partnering with the national office, plans are under way to adopt a unit or units of approximately 75-100 soldiers that are serving our country in either Iraq or Afghanistan. Tennis teams across the state will collect items to send to the soldiers during September while playing Southern Combo Doubles. There will be “Adopt a Unit” boxes at Bridges Tennis Center and Ridgeland Tennis Center during the month of September for people to take their donations. In turn, USTA Serves, the National Charitable Foundation of the USTA, will send portable tennis equipment to the adopted unit/units on our behalf with instructions and educational information on tennis. The effort allows the tennis community to show support and to introduce soldiers to a recreational means for reintegrating with family, friends and community upon their return from conflict. During the play in the first half of the “World’s

Mississippi team, but is a Jackson area team. Carrie Starks is the captain for the USTA League Adult women’s 3.0 team that won and will travel to Tucson in October to compete at the national championships. “We are always excited when one of our teams wins at sectionals,” Lindsey Sartain, director of adult leagues says. “The competition is so stiff here, emerging as a division champion is really great,” continues Sartain. Stay tuned to find out about the second half of the championships, play wasn’t complete in time to make it to print. Longtime tennis teaching professional Jim Ragsdale has joined the Courthouse Racquet and Fitness Clubs teaching staff as a head teaching professional at the northeast club. A member of the USPTA and PTR, Ragsdale has been teaching tennis for the better part of 25 years. In addition to Jackson, Ragsdale has taught tennis in Tennessee, Alabama, and Georgia. He says Mississippi has as much potential as any area he has seen, it just lacks in numbers and he knows he can have a hand in changing that, getting more players on the court to be successful and compete at a high level: that’s the goal. “We feel fortunate to add Jim to the staff at the Courthouse,” says Bill Johnson, director of tennis for the Courthouse. “He brings a wealth of knowledge and excellence to an instructional staff that

TENNIS ADVANTAGE is already deep in helping players with their tennis game, adults, league teams and juniors. As far as developing high level juniors no one can argue, he is as good as it gets,” Johnson adds. River Hills Tennis Club recently received an award from the USTA’s Outstanding Facility Award Program. They were selected to receive a 2011 USTA Outstanding Facility Award. The USTA’s Outstanding Facility Award Program was established to stimulate high standards in tennis facilities and to recognize those facilities whose efforts make such a positive statement about the vitality of the game. Representatives from River Hills Club have been invited to attend the USTA semiannual meeting in New York City on September 4 to received this prestigious award. Bob Crisler is the River Hills board president, Cary Spence is the club manager and Dave Randall is the tennis director/head teaching professional. Congratulations to River Hills. As always, for all of your tennis questions, go to www.mstennis.com or you can find us on Facebook at USTA Mississippi. The Reunion Rallyers finished in second place during the USTA Junior Team Tennis Championships. They include (from left) Alex Barham, Tyler Blaylock, Frances Hill, Emma Harrington, Avery Barham, Katie Caples, Jade Hayman, Clay Fudge. Not pictured: Luke Pitts, Abigail Barton, Tyler Weeks

Carrie Starks 3.0 champions 3.0 Sectional Champions from the Jackson area pose for a photo after winning their 3.0 division during the USTA Southern Sectional Championships in Mobile: (from left) Laura Carman, Erin Crowe, Laura Baldwin, Audrey Thomas, Carrie Starks, Silvia Chough, Landon Farlow, Jean Tonnar-Seale, Brett Thompson, Gala Loflin, Natisha Crosby, Jaime Fisher

Parents, players and teaching pros enjoy the Fourth of July parent/child tennis tournament every year at the Country Club of Jackson.

Winners of the CCJ Fourth of July tournament were (from left) Mark and James McLemore, third place; Winston and Parker Gilbert, second place; Ellis and George Abdo, first place.

Winners at the CCJ Fourth of July tournament included (from left) Katie and Olivia Stringer, third place; Caroline and Lesley Childress, second place; Parker and Jennifer Bracken, first place.

september 2011

FOODWISE

competitive tailgating I BY

M A R L A N A W A LT E R S

PHOTOGRAPHY BY

GREG CAMPBELL

Marlana Walters, Proprietor The Everyday Gourmet

live in a divided house; my husband Heath graduated from Ole Miss and I graduated from Mississippi State. Our first date was a trip to the 2001 Egg Bowl in Starkville. Back then, the games were held on Thanksgiving and I missed my family feast of turkey with all of the fixings for a football game. All I could think about on our drive from Jackson was that I ate a frozen turkey Lean Cuisine concoction instead of my Aunt Janice’s dressing and that this guy better be worth it. With a final score of Mississippi State 36 - Ole Miss 28, our trip home was delightful - I loved watching him squirm. Ten years and two kids later ... To humor my husband, I dress the children in Ole Miss get-ups. And now that they can talk, just for my own giggles, I have them ask their daddy, “Who let the dogs out?” Terrible? Maybe. Funny? Absolutely. What is even funnier is I am not a football fan. Just to give you a little insight on my sports knowledge, I have none. I do not know the players’ names, their positions or any relevant stats regarding any of the aforementioned. To clarify, I do not care who wins the game, how bad the officiating is, or what play the coach calls next. However, I do enjoy watching flags thrown, but not by the guys in black and white. I prefer a little more glitz without the instant replay - I am a halftime girl. I like to see the formations of the band and wait with baited breath to see if the baton girl is going to drop her twirling stick of fire on the plastic grass and send the whole stadium up in flames. When I’m not secretly hoping the turf melts, I do sample selections from the concession stand. I have found none of them to be worthy of discussion. So, my suggestion is that you eat before or after the game to avoid disappointment - thank goodness for tailgating. For some, the art of outdoor entertaining is more competitive than any sporting event. After witnessing first hand chandeliers hung from popup tents, I now know that there are others like me that could care less about football. After all, if it were only about football girls wouldn’t be wearing cocktail dresses and heels to watch sweaty boys pummel each other. My idea of dressing up for the big game is a beautiful centerpiece, coordinating linens and a full spread of tasty treats. Nothing beats an over-the-top assortment of homemade dishes to keep hard-core and fair-weather fans happy before or after the game. While I may not

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FOODWISE care if my team wins or loses, I am particular about the food. My reference cookbooks for tailgating are Bully’s Best Bites: A Collection of Recipes from MSU Alumni and Friends, and Tale-Gating with Rebel Greats: First-hand Football Stories and Favorite Tailgating Recipes from Ole Miss Football Greats. Some of my all-time favorite recipes for tailgating and everyday entertaining can be found in Bully’s Best Bites: Mississippi State Sin - a loaf of French bread filled with a combination of sour cream, cheese, ham, onions and green chilies; Spicy Cranberry Sausages mini sausages marinated in cranberry sauce, pineapples, honey, lemon juice, horseradish sauce, garlic and cherries; and Bulldog Deli’s Pita recipe - pita bread, bell pepper rings, Swiss cheese, cucumbers, lettuce, tomato and peppercorn dressing. If you are staying home to watch the game, I suggest trying the Tenderloin of Beef with Blue Cheese and Herb Crust - it is amazing. Wondering what to prepare for men at your tailgate festivities? Tale-gating with Rebel Greats is a go-to resource for man food. The compilation is filled with recipes and commentary from former Ole Miss players, but if you are looking for photos of food - forget about it. The only images you’ll see are those of Rebels in their prime and some really good recipes. I discovered an unexpected Double Cheese Dip with Bacon recipe by former Ole Miss Halfback Bobby Crespino. Much to my surprise and delight, this recipe is different from any cheesy bacon dip I’ve ever tried the two cheeses are creamed cottage cheese and Gruyere cheese, and there’s secret crunch that comes from chopped radishes. Billy Brewer’s Ham and

Biscuits, and Ben William’s Gentle Ben’s Baked Beans are good tailgating staples. Even Archie Manning contributes a recipe for Lace Cookies - “a favorite with the Manning boys, especially for tailgate picnics,” according to Olivia Manning. A couple of my go-to recipes for outdoor entertaining are dips that hold their own when served hot or cold and hearty pasta salads. Both Bully’s Best Bites and Tale-Gating with Rebel Greats have Corn Dip recipes, but my Rebel-friend Mary Lacy’s spicy corn dip is sure to please. The corn dip is easy to make a day or two before the big game and won’t last long with hungry fans around.

MARY LACY’S REBEL CORN DIP INGREDIENTS • 1 can yellow and white whole kernel corn, drained • 1 can Mexicorn, drained • 1 can (4 ounces) chopped green chilies • 1 jalapeno pepper, seeded and chopped • 1/4 cup chopped green onions • 2 cups sharp cheddar cheese, grated • 1 cup pepper jack cheese, grated • 3/4 cup mayonnaise • 3/4 cup sour cream • 1/8 teaspoon sugar DIRECTIONS Combine all ingredients together in large bowl and

mix well. Chill and serve with tortilla, corn or bagel chips. This dip tastes good before or after the game and is a hearty addition to any tailgate. Note: If you need to make a quick corn dip, add two cups of shredded sharp cheddar cheese and one cup of sour cream to one large jar of The Everyday Gourmet’s spicy corn relish.

MAROON AND WHITE SUNDRIED TOMATO PASTA SALAD INGREDIENTS • 1 package rotini pasta or team shaped dried pasta • 1 large package of frozen vegetables (Italian or Chinese) • 8 ounce jar Sun Fix Roma Italian Spread • 8 ounces crumbled feta cheese • 4 green onions chopped DIRECTIONS Cook pasta al dente according to package directions. Place frozen vegetables at the bottom of a colander and drain hot, cooked pasta and water over vegetables. Transfer pasta and vegetables to large bowl and toss with Sun Fix, feta cheese and green onions. Pasta salad may be served hot or cold.

september 2011

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september 2011

the northside sun magazine our wedding policy IS PLEASED TO ANNOUNCE

F O R C OV E R I N G W E D D I N G S & E N GAG E M E N T A N N O U N C E M E N T S

E Please type, double space, your article in story format. No forms are used by the Sun. All write-ups should be submitted by the 30th of the month for the following monthâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s publication. Please include photos. At least one photo will be featured with each wedding and engagement announcement. More will be used as space permits. If a stamped, self-addressed envelope is enclosed, every effort will be made to return photos. Please include a daytime phone number on all releases. Payment is due with submission. Wedding announcements are $150 and are full page. Engagement announcements are a half page for $90. Mail to Northside Sun Magazine, P.O. Box 16709, Jackson, 39236; or e-mail to jimmye@northsidesun.com. Deliveries are also accepted at our office at 246 Briarwood Dr. The Sun accepts no responsibility for unsolicited stories, artwork or photographs.

For more information,

call 601.957.1123. 64

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Whitney Warren Evans , William Graves Maxwell W

Mr. and Mrs. William Graves Maxwell

February 12, 2011 Galloway Memorial United Methodist Church Jackson, Mississippi

hitney Warren Evans and William Graves Maxwell were united in holy matrimony in a candlelight service of worship on the evening of February 12 at Galloway Memorial United Methodist Church. Miss Evans is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. John Robert Evans of Jackson. She is the granddaughter of Mrs. Warren Morehart of Memphis and the late Mr. Morehart, and Arminta Boyd Evans of El Dorado, Ark., and the late James Evans of DeWitt, Ark. Maxwell is the son of Mr. and Mrs. William Austin Maxwell of Ripley, Tenn. He is the grandson of Mrs. Ray Covington Graves and the late Mr. Graves of Ripley, the late Ann Watkins Robison of Ripley, and Mr. and Mrs. Robert Stanley Hayne, Abner F. Robison and Billy Austin Maxwell, all of Memphis. Officiants were the Rev. Doctors Connie Mitchell Shelton and John Joseph Shelton IV. Nuptial music was provided by Catherine Carter Sledge, soloist; Dr. Darcie Bishop, trumpeter; and Dr. Robert William Knupp, pianist and organist. Readers of sacred Scripture were Margaret Ann Klinke Mays and Bill Sinis. Escorted by her father, the bride wore a gown of candlelight matte satin appliquéd with seed pearls, silver beading and sheer sequins. The slim silhouette featured a bodice with modified sweetheart neckline closed in the back with covered buttons. From the sashed waistline fell a trumpet skirt, flowing into a circular train. Her fingertip veil was edged with pearlized beading and sequins. The bride carried an embroidered handkerchief belonging to her maternal grandmother with her bouquet of miniature white calla lilies and hydrangea, hand-wrapped with candlelight ribbon. Maid of honor was Haley Crisler Westbrook of Birmingham. Bridesmaids were Adrienne Catherine Annison of Arlington, Va.; Angela Marie Barlow of Texarkana, Texas; Kathryn Rachel Czesnakowicz of Chicago; Noelle Hansen Douglass of Memphis; Carly Lynn Hyer of New Orleans; Scarlet Amber Jones of Nashville; Emily Elizabeth Ladyman of New York City; Emily Henderson Molpus of Birmingham; Rachel Viertel Bradshaw, Ann Elizabeth Fly Howard, and Catherine Carter Sledge, all of Jackson. They wore flared gowns of palest aqua silk with triple-tiered bodices, sashed with aqua silk reversing to satin. In pairs, the bridesmaids carried bouquets of white tulips, roses, ranuculus, babies breath, hydrangea and miniature calla lilies, hand-tied with aqua ribbon and pearls. The bride’s proxy was Meagan Story Maxwell of Nashville, sister-in-law of the bride. Attendants were Natalie Rae Carpenter of Oxford; Kathryn Leech Ebers of Starkville; Shannon Rae Keys of Baltimore; Anne Elizabeth Mullen of Missoula, Mont.; Mary Ashley Anderson, Mary Catherine Carpenter, and Margaret Ann Klinke Mays, all of Memphis. They carried nosegays of miniature white roses. Program attendants were Sandra Elena Maxwell and Maria Lee Maxwell of Memphis. The bridegroom’s father was best man. Groomsmen were Austin Shelton Maxwell of Fayetteville, Ark., and Robert Watkins Maxwell of Nashville, brothers of the bridegroom; John Robert Evans Jr. of Dallas, brother of the bride; Robert Logan Collier of Savannah, Tenn; Lemuel Phillips Jenkins of New Orleans; Mark Lee Maxwell of Memphis; Andrew Christian Smith of Oxford; Paul Raymond Webb of Medina, Tenn; Robert Daniel Webb of Jackson, Tenn; and Parker Lawson Chipman and Harold Deford Walker III, both of Jackson. Ushers were Louis Rodney Chamblee Jr., Wesley Whalen Davis, Brian Robert Lorenz, and Trey Logan Morgan, all of Jackson; and Bill Sinis of Atoka, Tenn. Following the ceremony, the bride’s parents hosted a reception at The South, where guests were honored with a cocktail buffet and entertained by the music of Meet the Press. On the eve of the wedding, the bridegroom’s parents hosted a seated rehearsal dinner at the annex of Parlor Market Restaurant. Prior to the rehearsal, bridesmaids were honored at a luncheon in the home of Mrs. David Westbrook. Co-hostesses were Mrs. Michael Carter, Ruth Fly, Mrs. Paul Jones and Mrs. Charles Molpus. A wedding day brunch honoring out-of-town guests was held in the home of Mr. and Mrs. Joe Roberts. Co-hosts and hostesses were Messieurs and Mesdames Hap Farber, Howard Graham, Jim Herzog, Marty Hosford, Haden Hughes, Dee Jones, Sam Lane, Bill Lowther, Ken Magee, Dennis Miller, Don Parsons, Don Primos, Allen Shive, Clark Strange, Gerald Thompson, John Wade, Alan Walters, and Dr. J.D. Fly. After a wedding trip to the Napa Valley and San Francisco, the couple is at home in Jackson. september 2011

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Kate Michael McKee , Lewis Tyler Nelson March 19, 2011 Marathon Village Nashville, Tennessee s dusk settled on a backdrop of the Nashville skyline, Kate Michael McKee and Lewis Tyler Nelson were married March 19 at Marathon Village in the Music City. The bride is the daughter of Michael and Mary McKee of Melbourne, Fla. She is the granddaughter of Tom and Betty Jones of Stowe, Ohio, and David and Pat McKee of Melbourne. The bridegroom is the son of Skip and Donna Nelson. He is the grandson of the late Earl and Bit Nelson of Hattiesburg, and the late Ray and Helen Zasoski of Clinton. The bride was given in marriage by both her father and mother. Her dress of ivory embroidered flowers, beaded with pearls featured a V neck with a deep, keyhole back, and fluted hem. She carried a hand tied bouquet of wild flowers. The buttons on her shoes were from her great-grandmother. She wore a vintage diamond watch from the bridegroom’s grandmother. Her multiple strand pearl necklace, one from her mother and others from friends, made for a unique look. The bridegroom wore a gold pocket watch and chain that belonged to his great-great-grandfather. The Rev. Kenneth Corr officiated the ceremony. After introducing the couple as Mr. and Mrs. Nelson, the newlyweds celebrated the occasion by dancing down the aisle to Stevie Wonder’s "Signed, Sealed, Delivered I'm Yours." Attending the bride was Amanda English of Diamondhead, sister of the bride, and Matt McKee of Palm Bay, Fla., brother of the bride. The bridegroom’s father was best man. Trent Nelson, brother of the bridegroom, was the groomsman. Following the ceremony, a reception was held at Marathon Village, where guests enjoyed dancing and a photo booth area. On the eve of the wedding, the bridegroom's parents honored the couple with a rehearsal dinner at Bosco's in Nashville. The couple is now at home in Nashville where the bride works as a vision therapist and the bridegroom handles public relations for a nonprofit.

Mr. and Mrs. Lewis Tyler Nelson

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FEATURED DESIGNERS Pronovias September 5-17 Allure October 7-9 Mori Lee November 14-26

To Schedule an Appointment 800.676.1093 Downtown Brookhaven • Mississippi • www.imaginationsbridal.com

september 2011

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Kendal Elise Carr , Swayze Magee Waters K

Mr. and Mrs. Swayze Magee Waters

northside sun

April 9, 2011 Berry College Chapel Rome, Georgia

endal Elise Carr of Cave Spring, Ga., and Swayze Magee Waters of Jackson were united in marriage at 5 p.m. April 9 in the Berry College Chapel at Berry College in Rome, Ga. The ceremony was officiated by the Rev. Wayne Benefield. The bride is the daughter of Dr. and Mrs. Barry Ewell Carr of Cave Spring, Ga. She is the granddaughter of Mr. and Mrs. John Carter Hood of Cedartown, Ga., Shirley Carr of Cave Spring, and the late Ewell S. Carr Jr. The bridegroom is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Joel Beal Waters. He is the grandson of Mr. and Mrs. John Samuel Steel III of Jackson, Mrs. James Melvin Waters of Clinton, and the late Mr. Waters. A program of music was presented by Sam Hunt, soloist and guitarist; Ivan Ray, organist; and Leigh Ann Lundy, pianist. Solos included “Holy Ground” and “All the Miracle,” which was written and composed for the couple’s wedding by the bride’s cousin, Sam Hunt, along with co-writers Jimmy Ritchey and Pam Tillis. The bride, given in marriage by her parents and escorted by her father, chose an ivory, A-lined gown completely embellished with French lace. The gown featured a Victorian sweetheart neckline with French lace capped sleeves, while the waist was accented with a delicate knotted satin detail. A French lace keyhole-back, covered buttons, and chapel-length train enhanced the silhouette. The look was completed with a fingertip-length veil with satin ribbon edging. The bride carried a bouquet of ivory Eskimo roses, miniature calla lilies, and white hydrangea accented by green Cymbidium orchids tied with ivory satin. Kasey Carr Austin of Carrollton, Ga., sister of the bride, was the matron of honor. Jill Shelley of Cedartown, Ga., was the maid of honor. Bridesmaids were Shelby Waters of Jackson, sister of the bridegroom; Jenna Shelley Lackey, Kristen Gillespie Miller, Joy Tillery Robinson, all of Cedartown; Ann Marie Culbreth, Jacquelyn Johnson, and Heather Lovelace, all of Rome; Carrly Campbell of Athens; Amy Musick of West Palm Beach; and Suzanne Tucci of Newnan, Ga. They wore strapless gowns of cappuccino chiffon with Fortuny pleating. Matching satin belts with a handworked nu-georgette flower accented their waists. They carried bouquets of pink Katrina roses tied with cappuccino satin. Haley McConkey of Summerville attended the guest book, and Lilly Hayes of Cedartown gave ceremony programs to the guests. Ushers were Andy Austin, Eric Davis, Steel Swedenburg, and Ridge Walker. Emma Jo Happe and Aubrey McConkey were flower girls. They wore full-length, cappuccino satin dresses with ivory sashes. They carried bouquets of pink tea roses and wore wreaths of roses and needlepoint ivy in their hair. Jacob Bradshaw chimed the hour as the church bell ringer. The bridegroom’s father was best man. Groomsmen were Sam Waters of Tupelo, brother of the bridegroom; Kim Carr of Cave Spring, brother of the bride; Joe Happe of Canton, Ga.; Ben Hunt and Van Hunt, both of Cedartown; Sam Hunt of Nashville; Chris Barrett of Gulfport; and Brett Benson, Tait Hendrix, Daniel Luter, and David Steele, all of Jackson. Following the ceremony, a reception was held at Berry’s Ford Hall. Refreshments included the bride’s five-tier, almond butter cream iced confection. The towering cake was embellished with a lace design encompassing every other tier and cascading from the tops of the others. Ivory confectionary pearls edged each tier while vertical rows of pearls simulated the covered buttons on the back of the bride’s gown. Each tier consisted of three layers and fresh raspberries provided sweet accents to the raspberry butter cream filling. The bridal confection was adorned with pink Majolica roses. The bridegroom’s chocolate fudge cake was formed in the shape of a football on a kickstand. On the football, the usual NFL logo was replaced with the couple’s initials and important dates in the couple’s courtship. The evening before the wedding, the bridegroom’s family hosted a rehearsal dinner at Coosa Country Club in Rome. Also included in the evening was a welcoming party for the couple’s friends and families. After a wedding trip to St. Lucia, the couple lives in Ridgeland.

september 2011

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Lauren Ashley Sherrill , Chris Grillis IV

May 28, 2011 First United Methodist Church Dumas, Arkansas

Mr. and Mrs. Chris Grillis IV

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auren Ashley Sherrill of Dumas, Ark., and Chris Grillis IV of Knoxville, were united in holy matrimony May 28 in an evening ceremony at the First United Methodist Church of Dumas. The ceremony was officiated by Dr. Tandy Hanson. The bride is the daughter of Ken and Lorrie Holt of Dumas and the late David Sherrill. She is the granddaughter of Bill and Shirley Teeter of Jefferson Community, Bob and Judy Sherrill of Star City, and Kenneth and Vashti Holt of McGehee, Ark. The bridegroom is the son of Chris and Carol Grillis III of Ridgeland. He is the grandson of Sheila Grillis of Brandon. Music was performed by Carolyn Jo Porter, pianist; Maedene Weser, organist; and Jan Davis, vocalist. Scripture was read by Gaines Sturdivant and Holli Heiles. Program and registry attendants were Sarah Holland, Kathryn Holland and Kara Beth Holt, all cousins of the bride. The bride, given in marriage by her parents and escorted by her father, wore a designer gown in alabaster silk. The full-skirted ballgown had a drop waist and bustled skirt. The bodice featured a dipped neckline adorned with Swarovski crystals and beads complemented by matching embellishments at the hip and the corset closure in the back. The pleated bodice seamlessly led to the balloon hemmed skirt with a cascading semi-cathedral train. She wore an ivory two-layered rhinestone edged veil and carried a hand-tied bouquet of Cool Water and ivory roses with lavender flax flowers. Maids of honor were Megan Sherrill of Dallas and Julie Sherrill of Dumas, sisters of the bride. Meggan Lenderman of Dallas, Lacey Wickline of Tampa and Holli Heiles of Washington, D.C., were bridesmaids. They wore duchess satin dresses in frappuccino with a draped bodice and trumpet skirt and carried bouquets of pink Asiatic lilies, cream astilbe, and hot pink, Cool Water and ivory roses. John Eley of Houston was best man. Groomsmen were Gaines Sturdivant of Charlottesville, Va.; Mike Peterson of Cincinnati; Chris Suber of Oxford; and Doug Penner of Berkeley, Calif. Ushers and candlelighters were Kale Baylot, Bradley Holt and John Shull. A reception followed at Walnut Lake Country Club in Pickens, Ark. Entertainment was provided by Party Planet from Memphis. On the day of the wedding a bridesmaid’s luncheon was hosted in the home of Linda Walt. The bridegroom’s party was hosted by Bill Teeter with a luncheon at the Taylor Grocery in Dumas. On the eve of the wedding the bridegroom’s parents hosted a low country boil-style rehearsal dinner at the Walnut Lake Country Club with entertainment provided by Matt Castille from St. Martinsville, La. Following a wedding trip to Jamaica, the couple is at home in Knoxville where the bride is working toward a doctorate in audiology at the University of Tennessee and the bridegroom is the managing partner of the Bonefish Grill at Turkey Creek.

september 2011

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Ashley Brook Hall , John David Belknap A

Dr. and Mrs. John David Belknap

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February 12, 2011 First Presbyterian Church Crystal Springs, Mississippi

shley Brook Hall and Dr. John David Belknap were united in marriage at 2 p.m. February 12 at First Presbyterian Church in Crystal Springs. The double-ring ceremony was officiated by the Rev. Dr. Ligon Duncan and the Rev. Archie Moore. The bride is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Charles Lawson Hall of Greenville, S.C. She is the granddaughter of Homer Hearin Hall and the late Betty Griffin Hall and Maxine Ayers Bayne and the late James Carlos Bayne, all of Greenville. The bridegroom is the son of Mr. and Mrs. John Wayne Belknap of Crystal Springs. He is the grandson of the late Mr. and Mrs. Bruce Webster Belknap of Edwards and Katherine Lipscomb Worrell and the late George Brooke Worrell, both of Learned. The bride, escorted by her father and given in marriage by her parents, wore a strapless, A-line diamond white wedding gown with a sweetheart neckline and chapel-length train, fashioned with a ruched tulle bodice embroidered with delicate beading and crystals. She wore a cathedral-length single-tier heirloom veil worn by her mother-in-law on her wedding day. The stems of her bouquet were wrapped in a white lace handkerchief given to the bride by the bridegroom’s aunt. Attending the bride as matron of honor was Kathryn White Day. Bridesmaids were Claire Smith Belknap, sister-in-law of the bridegroom; Susan Stork Graves; Janelle Emily Hyde; Neil Johnson Smith; Marie Elizabeth Roper; and Elizabeth Ellen Travers. The bridesmaids wore satin, floor-length Priscilla of Boston dresses in teaberry, featuring a pleated waistband and modified A-line skirt. Stafford Kathleen Wilson, cousin of the bridegroom, was flower girl. Best man was the bridegroom’s brother, Charles Lindsey Belknap. Groomsmen were Samuel Webster Belknap, Clayton John Gressett, William Christopher Gressett, and Sidney Euwell Waters IV, all cousins of the bridegroom; and Jason Harris Brister and Thomas Melvin Heard. Adam Isaiah Worrell, cousin of the bridegroom, was ring bearer. Dr. and Mrs. William A. Long, the couple’s matchmakers, were seated as special guests. Music for the ceremony was presented by Dr. William Wymond, organist; Caroline Pillsbury, pianist; and Victor Smith, soloist. Stephanie Hubach of Ephrata, Pa., was the proxy bride. Program attendants were Laurel Barron; Lauren Hendrix, cousin of the bride; Anna Henson; Allison Shaw; and Sarah Marie Parks Thigpen. Following the ceremony, the bride’s parents hosted a reception in the fellowship hall of the church. Guests enjoyed food provided and served by the ladies of First Presbyterian Church of Jackson and First Presbyterian Church of Crystal Springs. The four-tier strawberry with white buttercream icing bridal cake was fashioned to look like the bridal cake from the bridegroom’s parents’ wedding day. The bridegroom’s cake was a Hershey Bar Cake, made from a family-favorite recipe of the bridegroom. On the eve of the wedding, the bridegroom’s parents hosted a rehearsal dinner at Porches Restaurant in Wesson. Guests were entertained by the Brick Street Barber Shop Quartet from Clinton, and the bride’s birthday was also celebrated. Following a wedding trip to Paris, the couple is at home in Jackson where the bride is an adjunct professor of Bible at Belhaven University and the bridegroom is a physician with M.E.A. Medical Clinics in Byram.

september 2011

we ddi n gs

Amy Elizabeth Calvert , Joseph Lane Campbell A

Mrs. Joseph Lane Campbell

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March 26, 2011 First Baptist Church Jackson, Mississippi

my Elizabeth Calvert and Joseph Lane Campbell were united in marriage on the evening of March 26 at First Baptist Church in Jackson. The ceremony was officiated by Dr. Ronald Mumbower. The bride is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Billy Randall Calvert of Madison. She is the granddaughter of Mary Ellis Sutter and the late Houston Samuel Sutter, and Mr. and Mrs. Billy Sam Calvert, all of Meridian. The bridegroom is the son of Mrs. Francis Joseph Campbell and the late ‘Frank’ Campbell of Vicksburg. He is the grandson of Mr. and Mrs. Dewey Dunagin Blackledge Sr. of Laurel and Mr. and Mrs. William Herbert Campbell of Vicksburg. Given in marriage by her father and brothers, the bride wore a gown of ivory silk organza and lace fashioned with a sweetheart strapless neckline and covered buttons. A ballgown skirt of Alencon lace and organza roses dropped from a shirred taffeta cummerbund that encircled the natural waistline. She wore a cathedral-length ivory illusion veil paired with blusher and an ivory silk rose in her hair. She carried a hand-tied bouquet of white ranunculus and garden roses. Music for the ceremony was provided by Magnolia String Quartet; Eva Hart, pianist; and Kathy Gautier, soloist. A Scripture reading from the book of Ephesians was read by Lori Frances Harris. Matron of honor was the bride’s cousin, Meredith Rhodes Roach. Maid of honor was Mary Christine Kellum. Bridesmaids included Meredith Haygood Calvert, sister-in-law of the bride; Mallory May Davis; Anna Gregory Fiser; Lauren Harrison Ledbetter; Jill Elizabeth Johnson, cousin of the bride; Allison McPherson Nash; Carrleigh Paige Partee and Catherine Anne Partee, both cousins of the bride; Rebecca Bailess Stewart; and Mary Margaret Adcock Thiel. Anna Lauren Partee was junior bridesmaid. They wore gowns of petal pink chiffon and carried hand-tied bouquets of white hydrangeas. The bridegroom’s brothers, William Francis Campbell and Matthew Dunagin Campbell were best men. Groomsmen included Harry Lenwood Brooks V, Graham Carr Calvert, Justin Allen Calvert and John Randall Calvert, all brothers of the bride; Gordon Withmond Fellows; James Peter Glover; Aaron Luke Kidder; David Carter Sharp; Ryan Matthew Walker; and William Moore Walker. Ushers were Jonathan Lindsey Blackledge, Joshua David Blackledge and Kenneth Forbes Grogan IV, all cousins of the groom; and John Taylor Jabour. Flower girls were Savannah Rhodes and Abigail Rhodes, cousins of the bride. Ring bearers were Carr Calvert, nephew of the bride; Riley Lampkin; and Samuel Roach, cousin of the bride. Program and registry attendants were Laura Blackledge, Lindsey Blackledge, and Katie Grogan, all cousins of the bridegroom. Ashleigh Daniel served as the bride’s proxy. On the eve of the wedding, the bridegroom’s mother hosted a rehearsal dinner for the wedding party and families at the Capital Club. The morning of the wedding, the bride and bridesmaids were treated to a bridal breakfast at the home of Dr. and Mrs. Gregory Fiser and the bridegroom’s family held a bachelors brunch at Char in honor of the bridegroom and groomsmen. Following the ceremony, the bride’s parents hosted a reception at The South where guests dined and danced to the music of Band 24/7 of Nashville. Following a wedding trip to Riviera Maya, Mexico, the couple is at home in Vicksburg where the bride is a nurse practitioner with Vicksburg Medical Associates and the bridegroom is an assistant district attorney for the Ninth Judicial District of the state of Mississippi.

september 2011

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, Lindsey Michelle Steadman Timothy Charles Townsend September 17, 2011 B’nai B’rith Literary Association Vicksburg, Mississippi

r. and Mrs. Michael Dee Steadman of Byram announce the engagement of their daughter, Lindsey Michelle Steadman, to Timothy Charles Townsend, son of the late Chuck Townsend of Vicksburg and nephew of Mr. and Mrs. William David Townsend of Raymond. The bride-elect is the granddaughter of Mr. and Mrs. William David McMullin of Columbus, now of Raymond, and Mr. and Mrs. Malcolm Ross Steadman of West Point. The prospective bridegroom is the grandson of Margie Sasser of Edwards and Mr. and Mrs. David Sanders of Jackson. Miss Steadman is a 2005 graduate of Hillcrest Christian Academy. She attended Mississippi State University where she was a member of Kappa Delta sorority. She was graduated magna cum laude with a bachelor’s degree in interior design. She is an interior designer with Ethan Allen. Townsend is a 2004 graduate of Central Hinds Academy. He attended Hinds Community College where he was graduated cum laude with an associate’s degree in graphic design. He is associated with Pioneer Health Services as a graphics designer and Web developer. The couple will exchange vows September 17at 6:30 p.m. at the B’nai B’rith Literary Association (The B.B. Club) in Vicksburg.

Timothy Charles Townsend, Lindsey Michelle Steadman

, Mary Cathryn McIntosh Lawrence Palmer Houchins September 17, 2011 First United Methodist Church Moultrie, Georgia

r. and Mrs. William McLeod McIntosh of Moultrie, Ga., announce the engagement of their daughter, Mary Cathryn McIntosh, to Lawrence Palmer Houchins, son of Mr. and Mrs. Lemuel Lawrence Houchins Jr. The bride-elect is the granddaughter of Cathryn Jarrell Cheek of Butler, Ga., and the late Hugh Giles Cheek, and the late Mr. and Mrs. Tillman Mahoney McIntosh of Moultrie. A 2003 honor graduate of Colquitt County High School, she was graduated magna cum laude from the University of Georgia in 2007. She received a bachelor’s degree in journalism and was a member of Phi Mu sorority and Phi Kappa Phi Honor Society. She is in the marketing department at Bumble and Bumble, an Estee Lauder company in New York. The prospective bridegroom is the grandson of David Maurice Palmer and his wife Jo Ann of Corinth and the late Grizelda Green Palmer, and the late Mr. and Mrs. Lemuel Lawrence Houchins of Vicksburg. A 2002 honor graduate from Jackson Preparatory School, he was graduated magna cum laude from the University of Mississippi in 2006. He received a bachelor’s degree in history and journalism and was a member of Phi Beta Kappa Honor Society and the Sally McDonnell Barksdale Honors College. He is associated with the marketing and advertising firm, Hear and There, in New York. The wedding will be September 17 at the First United Methodist Church in Moultrie.

Mary Cathryn McIntosh september 2011

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, April Marie Gooch Robert Raoul Stephenson Jr. September 10, 2011 McLaurin Heights Baptist Church Pearl, Mississippi

r. and Mrs. James Steven Gooch announce the engagement of their daughter, April Marie Gooch, to Robert Raoul Stephenson Jr., son of Mr. and Mrs. Robert Raoul Stephenson Sr. of Southaven. The brideelect is the granddaughter of Mr. and Mrs. Rudy Ainsworth and the late James Hines Gooch of Pearl, and Mr. and Mrs. Ronald Ward of Chesapeake, Va. Miss Gooch was graduated from Pearl High School in 2004 with honors and was a member of the Pearl High School Hall of Fame and Super Scholars. She was graduated with a bachelor’s degree in nursing from Mississippi College where she was a member of Sigma Theta Tau International, Phi Theta Kappa, and the Laguna Social Tribe. She is a registered nurse in the well baby nursery at River Oaks Hospital. The prospective bridegroom is the grandson of the late Mr. and Mrs. Raymond Stephenson of Monticello, Ark., and the late Mr. and Mrs. Berry Jackson of Dermott, Ark. Stephenson was graduated as the salutatorian of his high school class at S.B.E.C. in 1991. He received his bachelor’s degree of accountancy from the University of Mississippi in 1994, where he was graduated magna cum laude. He received his juris doctor from the University of Mississippi School of Law where he was graduated cum laude in 1997. Stephenson is a partner in the law firm of Wilkins Tipton, P.A., of Jackson. The couple will exchange vows September 10, at 2 p.m., at McLaurin Heights Baptist Church in Pearl with a reception to follow at the Pearl Community Room. Robert Raoul Stephenson Jr., April Marie Gooch

, Emily Ann Hamilton Chadwick Dees Crosswhite September 17, 2011 Bridegroom’s home Philadelphia, Mississippi

r. and Mrs. William Stewart Hamilton Jr. of Oxford announce the engagement of their daughter, Emily Ann Hamilton, to Chadwick Dees Crosswhite, son of Mr. and Mrs. Allen R. Crosswhite of Philadelphia. The bride-elect is the granddaughter of William S. Hamilton Sr. and the late Sally M. Hamilton of Madison, Mr. and Mrs. Robert L. Taylor of Conroe, Texas, and Jerry Foster of Panama City, Fla. The prospective bridegroom is the grandson of Peggy W. Dees and the late William H. Dees Jr. of Philadelphia, and Patricia H. Crosswhite and the late Donald W. Crosswhite of Jackson. Miss Hamilton, a 2005 graduate of Joe E. Newsome High School, was graduated from the University of Mississippi in 2009, obtaining a bachelor’s degree in biology, and received a bachelor’s degree in dental hygiene from the University of Mississippi Medical Center in 2011. Crosswhite, a 2004 graduate of Madison Ridgeland Academy, was graduated from Mississippi State University in 2009 with a bachelor’s degree in business. He played baseball at State from 2004 to 2009 and was member of the 2007 College World Series team. The couple will exchange vows September 17 at 5:30 p.m. in a private ceremony at the home of the bridegroom.

Chadwick Dees Crosswhite, Emily Ann Hamilton 78

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, Meagan Marie Jordan Collin John Fahrenkopf October 8, 2011 Cameron Plantation Madison County, Mississippi

r. and Mrs. Mark Stephen Jordan announce the engagement of their daughter, Meagan Marie Jordan, to Collin John Fahrenkopf, son of Mr. and Mrs. Charles Fahrenkopf of Germantown. The bride-elect is the granddaughter of Mr. and Mrs. James Alton Pierce of Madison and the late Mr. and Mrs. John William Jordan of Carter. The prospective bridegroom is the grandson of Mr. and Mrs. Bryce Griffis and the late Beverly Griffis of Starkville, and Louise Fahrenkopf and the late Charles George Fahrenkopf of Atlanta. Miss Jordan is a 2004 graduate of Madison Central High School. She attended Mississippi State University where she was graduated cum laude in 2009, earning a bachelor’s degree in interior design and a minor in art. She was a member of the Kappa Delta sorority. Fahrenkopf is a 2002 graduate of Christian Brothers High School. He attended Mississippi State University, where he was graduated in 2007 with a bachelor’s degree in business administration. He was a member of Pi Kappa Alpha fraternity. He is associated with Miller Tabak Roberts in New York in global credit sales. The couple will exchange vows the evening of October 8 at Cameron Plantation, the bride’s family home in Madison County, with a reception to follow. Following the wedding the couple will make their home in New York City.

Meagan Marie Jordan

, Adrian Coleman Green Ryan John Mann Late Summer Private beach home Harwich, Massachusetts

axine ‘Nicki’ McLaurin Green announces the engagement of her daughter, Adrian Coleman Green, to Ryan John Mann, son of Roslyn Robinson of Yorktown Heights, N.Y., and Robert J. Mann of Riner, Va. Miss Green is also the daughter of the late Dr. Edmon Lee Green of Natchez. The bride-elect is the granddaughter of the late Mr. and Mrs. Max McLaurin of Jackson, and the late Mr. and Mrs. Carson Green of Natchez. Miss Green is a graduate of St. Andrew’s Episcopal School in Ridgeland and received her bachelor’s degree in geology from Millsaps College. She received her master’s in geology/geochemistry from the University of Alabama. She lives on Cape Cod where she is a physical scientist at the U.S. Geological Survey in Woods Hole, Mass. The prospective bridegroom is the grandson of Dr. Chester H. Robinson of St. Petersburg, Fla., and Marguerite Robinson of Yorktown Heights, N.Y., and of the late Mr. and Mrs. John Mann of Chappaqua, N.Y. Mann is a graduate of the University of Massachusetts Amherst where he received a bachelor’s degree in natural resources. He is the outreach and stewardship coordinator for the Harwich Conservation Trust, a townbased land trust on Cape Cod. The couple will be married in late summer in Harwich, Mass., at a private beach home. After the wedding, the couple will have a wedding trip in Iceland.

Ryan John Mann, Adrian Coleman Green 80

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september 2011

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Anna Pierce and Jason Schneeberger engagement party

Tracy, Brian and Anna Pierce, Jason, Becky and Joe Schneeberger

engagement party An engagement party honoring Anna Pierce and Jason Schneeberger was held recently in the home of Dr. and Mrs. Randy Voyles. Parents of the couple are Tracy and Brian Pierce and Becky and Joe Schneeberger. Co-hosts and hostesses are Becky and Norman Bailey, Tricia Bradford, Nancy and Rodney Chamblee, Helen and York Craig, Julie and Jimmy Crosthwait, Cindy and Ron Emery, Cherry and Fred Krutz, Mary Anne and Larry Lefoldt, Betty and Con Maloney, Rhoda and Eddie Maloney, Sharon and Johnny Maloney, Trudi and Sydney McLaurin, Emily Salmon, Beth and Drew Scott, Mary Pryor and Joe Sherman, Betty Ann and Randy Voyles, Diana and Steve Warden, and Jayne and David Westbrook The wedding was August 13 in Atlanta. Shown are scenes from the party. Jason Schneeberger, Anna Pierce

Julie Crosthwait, Jayne Westbrook, Becky Bailey, Emily Salmon, Tricia Bradford, Anna Pierce, Jason Schneeberger, Diana Warden, Mary Anne Lefoldt, Cindy Emery, Nancy Chamblee, Betty Maloney, Sharon Maloney; (front) Mary Pryor Sherman, Rhoda Maloney, Betty Ann Voyles

Eddie Maloney, Jimmy Crosthwait, Randy Voyles, Joe Sherman, Steve Warden, Johnny Maloney, Larry Lefoldt, York Craig, Con Maloney, Norman Bailey, Ron Emery; (front) Rodney Chamblee, Anna Pierce, Jason Schneeberger

september 2011

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Cathryn McIntosh and Palmer Houchins engagement celebration

Bill, Katrina and Cathryn McIntosh; Palmer, Pamela and Larry Houchins

Cathryn McIntosh, Palmer Houchins

engagement party

Cathryn McIntosh and Palmer Houchins, both of New York City, were honored in June with an engagement celebration. The party was held in the home of Paula and Jimmy Hood. Parents of the couple are Bill and Katrina McIntosh of Moultrie, Ga., and Pamela and Larry Houchins. Co-hosts and hostesses were Claire and Richard Aiken, Vicki and Robert Arnold, Carole and Hall Bailey, Maury and Kyle Ball, Anna Helm and Mike Blair, Leslie and Joel Bobo, Ann and David Bowling, Grace and John Buchanan, Libby and Pete Cajoleas, Angelyn and Barry Cannada, Joy and Donnie Cannada, Leslie and Phillip Carpenter, Carol and Dennis Craig, Mona and Johnny Evans, Bette and George Fair, Ruth Fly, Claire and Greg Frascogna, Ann and Jack Fry, Pryor Graeber, Julie and Ken Gresham, Terre and Hardy Harris, Sara Hays, Carol and Steve Hazard, Dianne and Wyatt

Courtney and Rob Love, Leslie Bobo

Christopher and Nina Johnston, Julie Gresham, Joanna Roberts 84

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Bobby Bailess, Larry Houchins

Hazard, Sally Hederman, Marsha Hobbs, Nina and Carey Johnston; Also, Leigh and Ken Johnston, Phoebe and Stephen Kruger, Courtney and Rob Love, Cathy and George May, Trudy and Sidney McLaurin, Susan and David McNamara, Emily and John McVey, Donna and Eric McVey, Nancy and Billy Mink, Deetsa and Charlie Molpus, Sally and Darden North, Debbie Oâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Connell, Denise and Vernon Phillips, Betsy and George Ritter, Joanna and Joe Roberts, Betsy and Steve Rosenblatt, Cathey and David Russell, Carol and Bill Sneed, Monica and Tom Underwood, Jan and Johnny Wade, Sue and Jim Watts, Cheryl and Cal Wells, Jane and David Westbrook, Jane Wiggins, Martha and Marcus Wilson, Julia and Terrel Williams, Linda and Wirt Yerger. After a September wedding in Moultrie, the couple will live in New York, N.Y.

Dea Hammett, Michael Bowling

Dianne Hazard, Donna McVey, Courtney Love, Pamela Houchins, Sally North, Mona Evans, Claire Aiken

Julia Williams, Jane Wiggins, Cheryl Wells, Ann Fry, Cathryn McIntosh, Jack Fry

Palmer Houchins, Robert Williams, Colby Carmichiel, Larry Houchins, Ben Long, Will McIntosh, Jack Fry, David Palmer, Charles Miller

Nancy Palmer, Angelyn Cannada, Pamela Houchins, Claire Palmer, Deetsa Molpus, Emily McVey

Pryor Graeber, Robert Lampton, Angelyn Cannada, Ana Lampton, Lounette Maxwell

Karan York, Julia Williams, Martha Collins, Caroline Rush, Pryor Graeber

Emily McVey, Courtney Love, Sue Watts, Paula Hood

Mary Ellen Lawrence, Damon and Mary Amelia Wofford

Jimmy and Paula Hood

Lou and Molly Frascogna september 2011

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Lindsey White and Daniel Benefield engagement party

Andrew and Daniel Benefield, Lindsey White, Sarah White Cramer, Vicki and Lance Benefield

engagement party

An engagement party honoring Lindsey White and Daniel Benefield was held recently in the home of Beckie and Mack Haltom. Co-hosts and hostesses for the party were Suzie and Jeff Adcock, Pam and Gary Cirilli, Lou Ann and Joe Durfey, Shannon and Hamp Dye, Susan and Dom Esposito, Jeannie Falkner and Randy Weeks, Donna and Terrell Knight, Elizabeth and Tommy Lyle, Bobbi and Gene Naylor, Ginger and Buddy Parham, Cindy and Nat Prestage, Scottie and Burdette Russ, Dawn and Elliott Thomas, Dana and David Traxler, Kathy and Greg Ward, JoAnne and Forbes Watson. Shown are scenes from the party. Daniel Benefield, Lindsey White

Daniel Benefield, Peter Kruger, Cameron Albriton

Patricia Strode, Joanne Watson, Bonnie Wiggers 86

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Beckie Haltom, Buddy Parham

Gary, Joseph and Pam Cirilli

Luke Laney, Clark Zelenka, Ben James, Phillip Sandifer, Peter Kruger, Cameron Albriton, Wes Ingram, Daniel Benefield, Ryan Marshall

Marcia Whatley, Elizabeth Lyle, Linda Tilghman, Patty Marshall

Donna Hill, Andrew and Daniel Benefield, Barbara Gentry, Vicki Benefield

Lou Ann Durfey, Dawn Thomas, Jeannie Falkner, Dana Traxler, Shannon Dye; (middle row) Scottie Russ, Cindy Prestage, Ginger Parham, Beckie Haltom, Joanne Watson, Kathy Ward; (front) Suzie Adcock, Elizabeth Lyle, Pam Cirilli, Donna Knight

Walker Roberts, Daniel Benefield, Lindsey White, Brittany Knight

september 2011

EVENTS w h a t â&#x20AC;&#x2122; s

JA RAIDER PULL Jackson Academy Booster Club hosted its annual fund-raiser, Raider Pull. On the eve of the shoot an opening party was held in the Fondren home of Tom and Rebecca Tardy.

h a p p e n i n g

John and Laurie Raines

Durr and Robin Boyles

Collette McIntyre, Rebecca Tardy Cyndi and Bryan Eubank, LeeAnn Neathery, Wendy and Jay Cole

Liz Woodward, Shawn Ward, Wendy Cole, Bryan and Lisa Jameson, Collette McIntyre, Shani and Jackie Meck Guy Parker, Key Whitehead

Billy Quinn, William Liston

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Mary Kelly, Bryan Madden, Jeanne Liston

Norman and Peggy Moore, Jerre Moak

LeeAnn Neathery, Art Mordecai, Mary-Nell Newman

David Sykes, Jay Powell

JA RAIDER PULL Stacey Hontzas, Chris Bates

Derek and Laura Dyess

Drew and Davis McIntyre, Bryan and Lisa Jameson

Vicki Scott, John and Laurie Raines, Suzie and Jeff Adcock

Jamie and Key Whitehead, Anna Robb and JoJo Adams

Mark and Theresa Irby

Natalie and Rand Ray, Mary Shell, Kate Varner

Bryan Madden, Jason Spell

Bryan and Cyndi Eubank, Shani and Jackie Meck

Jay and Sarah Hughes, Wendy Cole, Denise Furr

september 2011

EVENTS w h a t ’ s

MONTESSORI SILENT AUCTION The eighth annual silent auction fund-raiser was held at the Devlin House in Reunion subdivision for the Montessori Children’s House. Money raised was used to build the children a garden to upkeep.

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Ashley and Jeff Bates

Salena Lofton Edwards, Levonne Smith

Liza Johnson, Laura Endt

Sandy Drea, Kelsey Daniel, Laura Endt, Michelle Thompson

John Lofton, Alston Johnson, Carolyn and Eric Hudson

Jyo and VJ Yerra

Denise Wissel, Mary Nell Prichard, Judy Lindsay

Sharon Errickson, Mary Nell Prichard Kathy Warren, Kay Fagan, Kelsey Daniel

Bobbye and Bill Henley 90

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Ashley Wadlinton, Nikki Musgrove

MONTESSORI SILENT AUCTION Katelyn Murray, Sharon Errickson, Megan Murray

Katen and Kazu Shiota

Dale and Teresa Kilpatrick Anna Hall, Kelly Jones

Rob Dyess, John and Sarah Lofton

Patricia Lewis, Julie Lieber, Beth Faulkner Ashley Bates, Michelle Thompson

Jo G. and Mary Nell Prichard

Mitch and Erin Bleske

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september 2011

EVENTS w h a t â&#x20AC;&#x2122; s

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TASTE OF MISSISSIPPI The 23rd annual Taste of Mississippi was held at Highland Village. The event featured culinary delights from more than 40 restaurants, a silent auction and live music by Hunter Gibson and the Gators and Pryor and the Tombstones. Proceeds benefited Stewpot Community Services, whose mission is to provide for the needs of the homeless, elderly and disabled in the Jackson metro area.

Betsy and Russell Turley

Lisa and Grant Nooe, Wyatt and John Emmerich

Doug Perry, Lisa Lewis

Randy Luster, Christine Ellis

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Pat Ladnier, Becky Walker

Jamie Woods, Juliian Watson, Pammi Hancock

Ray and Lynn Dixon, Elizabeth and Sam Hensley

Lashonda Ward, Terilyn Smith, Enjuli Ward

Heather Clancy Roemhild, Grady and Amanda Griffin

Evan and Madalan Lennep

Blake, Elizabeth and Kallen Mitchell

TASTE OF MISSISSIPPI Angela Thomas, Pamela Jones, Kimberly Jacobs

Maggi Lampton, Jamie Woods

Maeve Wilson, Landon Beard, Jane Anna and Bryan Barksdale

Melissa Harper, Allyce Wilbanks

Brad Howard, Jennifer Boydston, Claude and Abba Mapp

April and Art McClung

Brady and Ana Clark

Becki Hicks, Kimberly Smallwood, Jamie Nash, Sonya Anderson

Matt and Megan West Allen, Julie Skipper

Jo Ann and Finley Knox

Julie Harrison, Virginia Hodges

september 2011

TASTE OF MISSISSIPPI Michael Van Velkinburgh, Josh and Kristen Fowler

Jeffrey and Jessica Lohmeier

Trish and Tim Williams Gina Haug, Chris Kirwin, Jennifer Rodgers, Henry Michael

Justin Cook, Hayley Hayes, Effie Hubanks, Ginger Williams Cook Penny Prenshaw, Dennis Schwarzaeur

Nancy Worley, Judith Forshee

Katy Simmons, Candace Tann, Andy Prosser, Walker Tann

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Jamie and Knox Ross

Theresa Crisler, Felita Brown

Becky and Don Potts

EVENTS w h a t ’ s

HEART OF THE HOME Jackson Preparatory School’s fund-raiser, Heart of the Home, was held recently. The opening gala was held in the home of Eric and Connie Wegener.

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Tiffany and Tommy Couch, Lorie McLeod

Dyanne Ray, Anna Kendall, Kirke McNeel

Larry King, Rob Love, Robert Lampton, Sandy Carter

Chris and Lori Newcomb

Will and Margaret Vise, Trudy McLauren

Beth and Shelby Brantley, Lee Waits, Allison Reeves, Jack and Beth Newsome

Tommy Couch, Crisler and Doug Boone

Carolyn and Bill Johnson

Eric and Connie Wegener

Herb Ivison, Kenny Barraza 96

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Kathleen Geary, Melissa Neyland, Dana Traxler

HEART OF THE HOME Hope Johnson, Merle Hittson

Joe Rankin, Mena and Vic Applewhite

David and Carla Glaze, Kelly and John Griffin, Anne Graeber, Karen Simmons

Lori Newcomb, Heather Vise, Adrienne Howie, Leslie Wells, Samantha Lofton, Elisa Phillips

Kathryn and Lee Sams

Jude Muse, Mollie Van Devender

Leslie Wells, Matt and Marie Nicholas, Trip Wells, Leslie Carpenter, Cathy Miller

B Ferguson, Stacy Stovall

Sally and Len Martin, Misty Buckner

Lisa Rotolo, Libby Kendall, Mary Kelly Farrish, Jana Barraza, Connie Wegener

september 2011

HEART OF THE HOME Billy Mounger, Brooks Buchanan

Robert Lampton, Liz Walker, Sandy Carter, Kathryn Sams

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Fred Muse, John Cook, Scott Lamb

Jamie and Brian Clay

Kirke McNeel, Anna Kendall, Lisa Paris, Susan Lindsay

september 2011

EVENTS w h a t ’ s

SANTE SOUTH WINE FESTIVAL The seventh annual Sante South wine festival benefiting the Alzheimer’s Association Mississippi Chapter was held at The South in downtown Jackson.

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Tommy and Ann Turk

Doug Berry, Lisa Lewis

Meri Margaret Martin, Beth Mayeau, Valerie Spellman, Stephanie Purvis

Cathy and Jason Richardson

Katie McClendon, Jesse Farley

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Sheila and Mark Keller

Stephanie Purvis, Kelly Boutwell, Valerie Spellman

Cynthia and Jimmy Gray

Brad Wellons, Beth Mayeaux, Estus Kea, Allen Hart

Paul and Angela McPhail

Jackie and Eric Boone

SANTE SOUTH WINE FESTIVAL Jennifer Yarborough, Derek and Leigh Puckett

Nicole and Simon Hall, Sean Turk

Heather Miles, Leah Patch Hunter and Tina Arnold, Frank and Pattie Bonner

Ellen Axtell, Jennifer Hansford, Stephanie Hall

Sarah and David Cade, Jeff Evans, Suzanna Cade

Susan and John Jordan, Adele and Bret Thiel

Rachel Jarman, Tara Blumenthal

Adrenne Murray, Robert Douglas, Christine Newman

Jackie and Eric Boone

Hadleigh Foil, Dickey Honea

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SANTE SOUTH WINE FESTIVAL Mike and Carrie Ainsworth

Jeff and Mandi Easterling, Kelly and Clint Briggs

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Michelle Horton, Wendy Jenkins, Angelia Hill

Jonathan and Kristie Tabor

Lynn Rutledge, Jim Robertson, Philip Rutledge, Cathy Robertson

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OLD HICKORY EVENT The Andrew Jackson Council Boy Scouts of America recently hosted its first annual Old Hickory Dinner at the Jackson Hilton. The event benefited the youth of the council, which covers 22 counties in central and southern Mississippi. Coach Don Shula was the featured speaker.

Lynne and George Pickett

Fred Roberts, Larry Johnson

Greg Palmer, Robby and Janet Bush, Bethany Latham, Daniel Bush

Brian Jernigan, Jeff Tew

Spencer Drake, Coach Don Shula, Trevor Drake

Edwin and Ouida Alford, Stan Kynerd, Emily and Bill Lehr

Jerri and Lucien Harvey, Billie Henry

Todd and Christie Ulmer, Greg Palmer Warren Duvall, Barbara Butler

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Laurel and John Ditto

Mike Booker, Candice Clark

OLD HICKORY EVENT Bill Baskin, Cindy McGehee

Cynthia and Chris Gibbs

Cathy and David Smith

John and Jack Neill, Jimmy and Chris Fowler

Jonathan and Jackson Kiser, Joey and Harper Hudnall

Coach Don Shula, Kirk and Mac McGehee

Ralph Ross, Bill Baskin, Kirk and Mac McGehee

Lisa and Doug Welch, Pam and Joe Stamper

Ben and Billy Walton

Joseph Moss, Pam Hart

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OLD HICKORY EVENT David Allen, Jonathan Leard, Duncan Smith, Joshua and Nathan Hall

Crisler Boone, Coach Don Shula, Melanie Powell, Doug Boone

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The St. Andrew’s Episcopal School Arts on the Green gala was recently held in the Butler Snow Building. Shown are scenes from the event.

Jennifer Clark, Elizabeth and John Barton

Ellen and Huey McDaniel, Michael Koury

Kellye Montjoy, Mike McRee, Ann Brock

Cindy Hogue, Tim Alford, Gene and Lynda Morse

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Vickie Snypes, Lauren Parry

Sandra Hindsman, Leanna Range Owens, Dick David

Candy and Bill Coker

Maria and James Madden

ST. ANDREW’S ARTS ON THE GREEN

Carol and George Penick

Omar and Paula Wilson, Wes Davis

Sharon McCreery, Kristie Speights, Lorna Chain, Lauren Benner, Vickie Snypes

ST. ANDREWâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S ARTS ON THE GREEN Ken Curry, Julia Chadwick, Wanda Curry

Ouida and Wayne Drinkwater, David Morse, Ann Brock, George Penick

Andrew and Mary Linley Sweat

Becky Dalton, Jan Graeber, Charlie Mathews, Joe Ray

Jack and Risa Moriarity

Heather McCraney, Luke and Alison Abney

Barbara and Andrew Mallinson

Sherribeth Farmer, Patti Fanning

Scott and Becky Bates

Patrick and Carla Kelly, Stephanie Gray, Andy Kelly

Elizabeth and Dean Keller, Lisa and John Dent

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ST. ANDREWâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S ARTS ON THE GREEN Mark and Patti Fanning

Amanda Quarles, Kelly Foster

Suzanne and Ron Kotfila Walter and Frances Jean Neely, Patty and Jeff Christie

Jeanna Isles, Julia and Ed Simmons

Tina Heitmann, Philip Cortese, Jennifer Gunn, Marty Kelly

Pat Drinkwater, Andrew McCarty

Stephen Snypes, Steven Speights, Frank Benner, Mark McCreery

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Sally Birdsall, Sharon McCreery, Nina Parikh

Gennie and Warren Jones

William and Lydia Frazier

EVENTS w h a t â&#x20AC;&#x2122; s

CENTRAL HIGH SCHOOL REUNION Members of the Central High School Class of 1951 recently gathered at the Country Club of Jackson for their 50th reunion.

h a p p e n i n g

Bo Garrett, Margaret and Sam Morse

Bruce Wroten, James Miller

Gary and Sonja Rees Alice Henderson, Shirley Troupe, Ann Dunbar, Pat Walker

McWillie and Cathy Robinson, Jerry Gulledge

Loring and Jerry Tharpe

Norma Flora, Sara Ann Bowlus, Coleman Lowery, Hart Anderson, Bertie Wade

Ken Pasvantis, Dick Quinnelly, Will Tate

Mary and Richard Jeffries

Joe Boyd, William and Shirley Freeman

Betty Jo and Ben Myers

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CENTRAL HIGH SCHOOL REUNION Maria and Hollis Felts

Jim Westerfield, Alice Henderson

Jane and Billy Ray Pollock

Jamie Irby, Virginia Jones, Shirley Troupe, Norma Flora

Kirby and Pat Walker, Francine Greenlee, Hunk Walker, Mary Ann Lindsay Williams, Bruce Wroten, Ouida Atkins

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Matters of the HEART BY

PAT R I C E G U I L F O Y L E

orthsiders Dr. Jorge and April Salazar moved from Texas to Mississippi last year when he joined University of Mississippi Health Care as chief of congenital heart surgery. They chose their Eastover home not only because of the beauty of one of Jackson’s oldest neighborhoods, but also because of its proximity to the University of Mississippi Medical Center. Minutes matter when it comes to the lives of some of the most vulnerable patients at Blair E. Batson Hospital for Children. “If a child becomes gravely ill, the sooner I can get to the hospital, the better chance I have to save them,” Salazar said. He has treated more than 230 children since joining the medical center last April. That volume of patients is three times more than what was projected for the program’s first year. Among the surgeries were Mississippi’s first arterial switch and the first Norwood procedure, some of the most complex surgeries performed in children. “Is that not amazing?” asked Amy Reeves, speaking on behalf of Mended Little Hearts of Mississippi, a support group for families with children with congenital heart defects. “Dr. Salazar has such a passion for what he does. It goes beyond the work. It just speaks volumes of the person that he is.” Eager to let others share the limelight, Salazar often deflects attention from himself by referring to “the team” or “we” when discussing the program’s successes over the last year. Essentially all the team members were already at Batson Hospital when Salazar arrived. “To

have a successful congenital team, it’s not just about the surgeon. Every single component of the team has to be strong. My job in coming here was to bring a recipe that works in theory and practice for the children, and our results have been very positive, much better than the national average,” he said. Dr. Mart McMullan, senior advisor for clinical affairs at UMMC and a cardiothoracic surgeon, considered them ‘enviable results.’ “I think it’s nothing short of remarkable. He has built a program, with the cardiologists, that is in one year doing some of the most complicated congenital heart surgery in the country,” he said. But Salazar is far from resting on the first year’s progress. With an additional congenital heart surgeon joining the team in July and a pediatric cardiac critical care physician arriving in April, the UMHC congenital heart program is moving forward with a bigger goal in mind. “We’re not shooting to be number 50 in management of congenital heart disease. We’re shooting to be number one,” Salazar said. “I believe strongly that we are going to achieve it.”

‘WE SAVED ANOTHER BABY’ “Have you ever seen the glasses I operate with?” Salazar asked. He grabbed a wooden box, about the size of a cigar box, from its perch in his office and opened the top. He lifted a pair of dark framed glasses with what looked like jeweler loupes attached to each lens. “Try them on,” he encouraged. “Hold your hand out in front of you and look at it. See how big it is? This is how I can see such small things and repair tiny hearts.” It’s common for Salazar to operate on a 1 mm coronary artery (just over 1/32nd of an inch), sewing them, transferring them, repairing them. “We learn how to maintain a steady hand, but the technical aspects of congenital heart surgery are not the most important. The most important aspect is judgment. We are presented with very difficult situations with children’s heart defects, and we have to transform those challenges into an excellent outcome,” he said. Born 13 weeks premature, Aksh Patel of Indianola had a congenital heart defect that required surgery if he was to have any chance of survival. On January 28, Aksh weighed 3 pounds, 3 ounces when Salazar performed an arterial switch. The complex procedure moves the heart’s major arteries that are reversed back to their normal position and the delicate coronary arteries with the aorta. All this on a heart about the size of a strawberry. It was a delicate procedure but one for which Salazar had prepared through his extensive surgical training and experience. The oldest of seven children, Salazar grew up in San Francisco with an American mother and Peruvian father, a physician specializing in pulmonology and critical care medicine. He originally had no intentions of following in his father’s footsteps. “I never wanted to be a physician because I thought my father worked too hard. It’s kind of ironic,” Salazar said smiling. “As I got older I saw why he was a physician, all the personal and professional satisfaction associated with helping others. That’s ultimately what motivated me to go into medicine.” A desire to help people served as Salazar’s guide with the initial intent of becoming a family physician. He earned the medical degree at the University of Washington - Seattle, and it was during this time he saw the positive impact surgery had on a patient’s life. He ended up applying for the combined general and cardiothoracic surgery program at Johns Hopkins Medical Center in Baltimore. “I was very lucky to be accepted there. They only accept two people a year.

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Modern surgical training started at Hopkins so it was a good place to go,” he said. During his training at Johns Hopkins, Salazar was exposed to pediatric heart surgery. He spent six months in Europe during that residency program to study congenital heart surgery and returned to finish his last year at Johns Hopkins. That’s when he decided to go into congenital heart surgery. He completed an additional fellowship year focusing on congenital heart surgery at the University of California - San Francisco. In all, Salazar completed 10 years of training after medical school. “Every once in a while in your life you make a really good decision. It was a really good decision for me to go into congenital heart surgery,” he said. Salazar joined the University of Texas - San Antonio. That’s also where Dr. John Calhoon, a well-known heart surgeon, shared his knowledge and experience with Salazar. The program began with 120 cases per year and grew to 350 cases per year. “During that time in San Antonio, I learned what it took to build a heart program. We built it into a program doing all levels of complexity with the very best level of results. That experience there more than anything prepared me for coming to Mississippi,” he said. Before joining the medical center, Salazar was a member of the Baylor College of Medicine faculty while working in one of the largest pediatric heart surgery programs in the country at Texas Children’s Hospital in Houston. Salazar did 250 to 300 operations each year. “That was where I fine-tuned my surgical technique and my understanding of the essential components of a successful congenital heart program,” he said. “Texas Children’s was an excellent model to build on.” Salazar met his wife April in San Antonio, and they have a 10-month-old daughter named Scarlett, who was born at UMMC. He also has four older children that he remains very close to. He said April is the one who “keeps me sane, supports me and gives me strength.” She said saving children is the main reason why he works so hard. “He truly is gifted and loves what he does,” she said. “He takes a baby who has a death sentence and operates on them for many hours - and that

baby’s life is changed instantly - it’s this kind of wonderful feeling that comes. When he comes home, he says, ‘We saved another baby today.’ ”

A PERSONAL MISSION As the medical center’s partnership with Children’s National Medical Center in Washington, D.C., came to a close last spring, Salazar saw an opportunity to lead UMMC’s own congenital heart program. “I sensed a diamond in the rough. It was such a wonderful opportunity, more than anything, to do something worthwhile. That’s what attracted me the most to Mississippi. There was tremendous need. There was overwhelming support from state government, from Medicaid, from the medical center leadership, and from the community,” he said Lisa Manuel, director of the congenital heart program, said the heart team had the skills to make the program successful, but it took Salazar to give them a boost of confidence. “We were missing an ingredient. It was an important ingredient not just from a technical aspect, but also to inspire confidence by saying yes we can do it,” she said. Salazar said almost every day when the team is in the operating room, they pause and comment on the fact that they feel privileged to have the opportunity to take care of children’s hearts. Parents entrust their children and their children’s future with them. “There’s no doubt it’s a lot of responsibility and many times there’s a lot of pressure but we keep going back to the same thing. This child is just like any other child. These parents love their child just like I love mine. We’re going to do whatever it takes as human beings to help this child do well,” Salazar said. Salazar’s office has crayon drawings from patients among his personal photographs and plaques, a tangible reminder of his intercession in children’s lives. At a recent follow-up visit, Aksh, now weighing a plump eight pounds, slept peacefully in his father Ricky Patel’s arms. His heart is normal, and he has the opportunity to live a normal, complete life. When asked what he thinks of Salazar, Patel paused, looked down at his sleeping son, and said, “He’s great.”

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