RSVP Magazine April 2015 by RSVP Magazine

April 2015

Staxtacular Krewes for Kids Wild Game Dinner Memphis Heart Ball Q&A with Scott McCormick

CONTENTS

Contents April 2015

From the Editor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8 Signature Memphis . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10 Head University of Memphis football Coach, Justin Fuente, invites RSVP into his Tigers’ den to talk about that 10 lb. bass he is determined to catch.

Memphis Heart Ball . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .12 The elegant Peabody Hotel was host to the American Heart Association’s largest annual fund-raisers.

10 SIGNATURE MEMPHIS Justin Fuente

StreetSeens . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18 & 20 This DIY diva and home décor artist just released her first how-to book full of tips and tricks. This Memphis go-getter is on a sweet mission to change young people’s lives by baking up some delicious cookies. StreetSeens highlight Stephanie Jones and Lauren Wilson Young.

30 VOX POPULAR Scott McCormick

Ambassador Series . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .22 A P R I L 2 015

John Laughlin: An Officer and a Southern Gentleman. Eugene Pidgeon captures the ruminations of actor John Laughlin as he discusses his journey to the bright lights of Hollywood, what he is working on now and the blessed place he has found himself in today.

Staxtacular . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .24

4 RSVP

It was a slam dunk for this party at the Stax Museum that combined the powers of the Grizz Nation, mentoring and whole a lot of Memphis soul.

12 MEMPHIS HEART BALL Melanie and Dustin Ranger

Vox Popular . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .30

Q&A with the new executive director of the Memphis Botanic Garden, Scott McCormick.

Krewes for Kids . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .34

KREWES FOR KIDS Aaron and Lauren Blackstone

Carnival Memphis gave Memphians a night of carnival fun as they raised funds for local children’s charities.

Wild Game Dinner . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .40 Things got wild at the Clark Opera Memphis Center as the traditional fully dressed wild boar was served.

Onsites . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .46, 48, 49 & 50 Gatherings that have earned an honorable mention.

RSVPhillippi . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .53

The Thin Hair Line Funny man Dennis Phillippi writes about men’s largest fear, one that he is ready for. Just don’t ask him to grow a “hipster” beard.

STAXTACULAR Katie Wallace and Audrey Ibled

40 WILD GAME DINNER Gretchen Reaves and Anne Gibson

Cover Photo Brian Gossett and Brandee Loving at Staxtacular Photo by Daniel Frederick

R SV P S TA F F Volume XX

Number VII

April 2015 PUBLISHER

Roy Haithcock EDITOR

R achel Warren CONTRIBUTING WRITERS

Emily Ander son Ruth Cassin Emily Adams Keplinger Patrick L antrip Dennis Phillippi Eugene Pidgeon Suzanne Thompson Lesley Young ART DIRECTOR

Patrick Aker s PHOTOGRAPHERS

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Daniel Frederick Patrick L antrip Don Perry Steve Roberts ACCOUNT EXECUTIVES

Chris Pugh Robin Morgan

CHRIS PUGH, ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE 901.276.7787, EXT. 103 chris@rsvpmagazine.com

Chris has been exercising his talent in the advertising world since 1999. He joined the RSVP team in 2009 and brought with him a love for laughter and creativity. Originally from New Albany, Mississippi, Chris has settled in Memphis and enjoys being active in the fashion community.

ACCOUNTING

Ruth Cassin

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6 RSVP Memphis is published monthly by Haithcock Communications, Inc. First class subscriptions are available for $55.00 per year. Send name and address with a check to: Haithcock Communications, Inc. 2282 Central Avenue Memphis, TN 38104 For advertising information contact Roy Haithcock Phone (901) 276-7787, ext. 101 Fax (901) 276-7785 e-mail publisher@rsvpmagazine.com

ROBIN MORGAN, ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE 901.276.7787, EXT. 104 robin@rsvpmagazine.com

WEB

www.rsvpmagazine.com For editorial information or to request coverage of an event, please contact RSVP Magazine one month prior to the event. Call 901-276-7787, ext. 105 or fax to 901-276-7785. e-mail editor@rsvpmagazine.com Follow us on

RSVP Memphis Magazine

Having worked in advertising for 13 years, Robin is most passionate about magazine print. Her energy is contagious, and she counts as her hobbies running, shopping and spending time with her girlfriends. Robin's "bright spot" is her daughter Emily Anne. Robin loves living in downtown Memphis, which affords her the opportunity to run down Riverside Drive anytime!

From the Editor

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appy April everyone! We finally made it to the warmer months, and soon we will be griping about the hot and humid weather, but let’s relish the couple weeks of spring weather before summer comes on like a hammer. April is a time of rebirth and renewal. It is the perfect month to set some new goals and really slow down and take it all in. We, as a society, have so many distractions, deadlines and all the pings and dings of our technology tempting us to tune out from the life right in front of us. It can seem hard to take a moment for yourself to cherish what is happening right now, especially when so many of our jobs, with the help of our smart phones and to-go technology, bleed into our off-hours. I know I am not the only one that thinks, if I could only run away from it all, the email, the phone, the calendar, then I can be free! The reality is that, for most of us, jumping off the grid is not realistic or financially plausible. I personally would hate missing the occasional funniest Internet cats of 2015 list and, you know, a check. Spring is a great time to make a conscious effort to bring your creativity to the office. Creativity and work do not always have to collide, and I think more and more of us are becoming aware of that. Instead of working for the weekends, we want to bring that exuberant weekend creativity along with our briefcase on Monday and take some of that deadline pressure home with us when we are knocking things off our bucket list. Robert Frost is attributed with cracking this comedic quip, although some people believe he just reiterated a popular joke, “The brain is a wonderful organ; it starts working the moment you get up in the morning and does not stop until you get into the office.” It’s a good one, but as our jobs, more and more, are coming home with us, it has become increasingly hard to find that division of work and life. For many of us, they are one in the same, and being mindful of how we work is a step in the right direction of enjoying our life and our life’s work. This month, we have featured two such women whose work is an outgrowth of their creativity in our StreetSeen section. Stephanie Jones, owner of me & mrs. jones studio and shop, has combined her artistic talents and DIY expertise in her new how-to book (page 18). Lauren Wilson Young, owner of Sweet LaLa’s Bakery, has combined her passion to make delicious cookies with her enthusiasm to help Juvenile Intervention and FaithBased Follow-Up students make a living with positive role models (page 20).

Rachel Warren editor@rsvpmagazine.com

Hometown: Tulsa, Okla. Who Inspires You: My wife. Your Best Quality: Listening.

Biggest Pet Peeve: Being late. Favorite Place to Travel: Home. Your Lucky Charm: My cross necklace. First Car You Drove: 1988 Chevy Blazer. Place You Go to Think: I think while driving. Your Most Annoying Habit: Chewing my fingernails. Favorite Song: “Grey Street” by Dave Matthews Band. Favorite Southern Idiom: “Hotter than a two dollar pistol.” First Athletic Event You Attended: Tulsa Drillers baseball game. Best Advice You Ever Got: “Do or do not. There is no try.” –Yoda. Best Memphis Hangout: The Liberty Bowl on Saturdays in the fall. One Goal You’d Still Like to Accomplish: Catch and release a 10 lb. bass. Best Gift You Ever Received: WWII Samurai sword from my grandfather. Something You’ll Never Live Down: I struck out in a slow pitch softball game. The Highlight of Your Day: When my kids run to me screaming as I walk in the front door from work. Photo by Steve Roberts

SIGNATURE MEMPHIS

Head Football Coach at the University of Memphis

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Coach Justin Fuente

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EVENT

Memphis Heart Ball

MEMPHIS HEART BALL

he 2015 Memphis Heart Ball was held at The Peabody Hotel. Emily Capadalis Love and John Lewis served as this year’s Heart Ball chairmen. The Executive Leadership Team was comprised of Dr. Adam Arthur, Darrell Doane, Debbie Eddlestone, Chip Forrester, Mark Forrester, Scout Fountain, Dr. Steve Gubin, Ginger Hauser, Christopher Jenkins, Jeff Liebman, Jason Little, Don Nolan, Raj Subramaniam and Brian Yoakum. The event began with cocktails and a silent auction in the Continental Ballroom. Top attention-getters included two photographic works of art by Dr. Robert Laster, a trip to Antigua, and a Sweet and Sparkly package from Caesar’s Entertainment that consisted of a limo service for a party of eight for a five-course dinner at Jack Binion’s Wine Cellar at Horseshoe Tunica. The top dollar item was a 2015 Toyota Avalon XLE, donated by Principle Toyota of Memphis. Guests moved to The Grand Ballroom for dinner and a live auction. Denise Ware and Duncan Williams were this year’s “Open Your Heart” honorees. They shared their testimonies of how the American Heart Association’s work had an impact on their lives and asked for others to support the organization’s mission. All-white floral centerpieces, designed by Greg Campbell of Garden District, provided a visual delight. Guests dined on a threecourse meal catered by The Peabody. Beginning with an amuse-bouche of lobster panna cotta with ginger coconut fondant and red ribbon sorrel, the first course was a salad of citrus-cured sea scallops and shrimp on a bed of arugula and curly baby frisée with winter radishes and Kalamansi lime dressing. The second course offered filet mignon with a feta cheese crust, braised salsify, carrots and golden beets, purple potato croquette with an assortment of specialty breads and rolls. Desserts included dulce chocolate peanut butter tarts, banana Bavarians with sour mash bourbon caramel, strawberry crémeux domes, or Delta Grits pound cake with a basil gel and lemon chantilly. With a nod to healthy eating, EMHC (Emergency Mobile Health Care, LLC) sponsored saltshakers on the table that were filled with silver glitter and tied with a note that stated, “Shake your salt habit.” “As Mid-Southerners, we live in an area of the country that is profoundly affected by heart disease and stroke. We are passionate in our mission to change the paradigm,” explained Lewis, CEO of the Semmes Murphey Clinic. The American Heart Association has set a goal that by 2020 they will improve the cardiovascular health of all Americans by 20 percent while reducing deaths from cardiovascular disease and stroke by 20 percent. All proceeds will be used to spread awareness throughout the Mid-South about cardiovascular disease and help people live healthier lives.

Heart of the Matter

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Ryan and China Jenkins

Kelly and Anna Johnson

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See all the party photos at rsvpmagazine.com Password: RSVP

Joe and Whitney Hauser

Story by Emily Adams Keplinger Photos by Don Perry

Cecilia Walker and Ceil Walker

Basil Paulus and Bethany Lusk

Drs. Todd and Ann Marie Motley

Uma and Dr. Kishore Arcot

Richard and Ouida Hayes

Steve and Cassidy Gubin

EVENT MEMPHIS HEART BALL

Mark and Lucy Forrester

Mark and Mandy Morse

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John Lewis and Emily Love

Amy Modlin and Dr. David Wolford

Karen Foley and Eldridge Thompson

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Dianne and Ben Traylor

Misty and Dr. James Stamper

Abbie and Duncan Williams

Cassandra and John Howard

Ashley and Jimmy Goodman

Ginger Hauser and Roger Ross

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EVENT MEMPHIS HEART BALL

Mike and Becky Atkeison

Barbara and Anthony Holden

Dr. Jamil and Jo Akbik

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Bob and Dianne Laster

Vikki Nolan and Dan Hoit

Eric and Shannon Benink

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Amy and Bunker Stout

Pat and Kim Siano with Kris and Chris Amen

Elena Alles and Della Alles

Dr. Michael and Rebecca Ugwueke

Cheryl and Terry Ford with Laura and Jason Wallace

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STREETSEEN

Stephanie Jones DIY Diva

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or some, home décor and decorative painting can be a daunting task or seem like it’s better off in the hands of a professional, something more suited for Martha Stewart than us regular busy folk. Stephanie Jones, owner of me & mrs. jones, a working and teaching decorative painting studio and DIY boutique, is having none of that. “We love to encourage people to come play with color, learn new things and challenge themselves. We try to help them break down their projects, and people amaze themselves!” Jones exclaims, a happy proponent of us regular folk taking charge and giving that hand-me-down table a new life with some paint and a lot of flair. Jones has been reclaiming and transforming furniture and domestic spaces for 18 years, and, following the success of opening the me & mrs. jones studio in Cooper-Young in 2012, has opened a second Germantown location in 2014 that is more retail oriented, offering locally and regionally sourced items that complement the me & mrs. jones custom designs. If that doesn’t sound busy enough for you, Jones has also just released her first book, sharing all her transformative secrets in a handy how-to book titled “Upstyle Your Furniture.” Not only did Jones author the book, but she also acted as the principal photographer, capturing all the DIY glory in large glossy pictures that brings to life her subjects with an artful eye that fluidly accompany her instructions, tutorials, and work preparation and resources. On what it was like to create the book, Jones admits, “It was a little nerve-racking putting myself out there with the book, but it has been a goal of mine for some time. I wanted to take that leap.” She explains that her mission with the book is to send the message that if “someone has the inspiration and motivation and just a little time, they can give a piece of furniture or a spot in their home the dignity of a beautiful second act.” A Memphis transplant from Chicago, Jones got her start dabbling at home with different home décor kits, which quickly caught the attention of friends and family who began asking her to do different projects in their homes. She began to focus her talent, enrolling in workshops and eventually training with major players in the business including Annie Sloan and Marian Parsons as well as top designers in the region on custom projects. She is a trained painted finish artisan, and over the years has gained a devoted client base. When Annie Sloan Chalk Paint® was looking for someone in Memphis to represent their product, Jones jumped on the chance, hence the birth of me & mrs. jones. Her shops, though, are more than just paint stores. Her studio and shop in Cooper-Young offers informative workshops that teach those interested in adding some DIY charm to their homes, leaning a new craft or advancing their home décor knowledge. Classes start from the very basics of working with Chalk Paint® and milk paint to advanced classes that teach the more intricate finishing touches of a project. A Jill-of-all-trades, Jones is also a photographer who has occasionally set aside her brushes to lend her photography skills to travel articles, two smart phone apps (King Me and Barbecue Nation), her newest book and the book “An Explorer’s Guide: Tennessee” by Sally Walker Davies. Jones says that she wants to focus on continuing to build relationships with fellow artists and artisans from the region and use me & mrs. jones as a hub for those creating handcrafted and reclaimed pieces of art as well as an open the door for those who want to get their feet wet in the DIY world. Me & mrs. jones will be a sponsor at the Urban Barn Market, a bi-annual vintage, antique and curated handmade market, taking place at the Woodruff-Fontaine House on May 810. Jones and her team will be there selling their custom designs, hosting workshops and giving a talk. Jump into the DIY lifestyle at me & mrs. jones website www. mrsjonespaintedfinishes.com/studio/ and don’t miss Jones’ book, which is being sold online and, of course, at both of the me & mrs. jones locations. Story by Rachel Warren Photo by Steve Roberts

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STREETSEEN

Lauren Wilson Young Sweet Cookies on a Sweet Mission

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auren Wilson Young had a dream of making cookies a business, but she also wanted to make a difference. After perfecting her original cookie recipe, Young launched Sweet LaLa’s Bakery in Memphis in 2002. As friends, family and beyond became hooked on her addictive cookies, Young wanted to get her cookies out to a larger market. Young began to split her time between making cookies, launching the Sweet LaLa’s Bakery name and taking on the position of executive director at her family’s foundation, the Kemmons Wilson Family Foundation, as well as her work with the nonprofit organization JIFF (Juvenile Intervention and Faith-Based Follow-Up). “The brain child last year was combining my cookie passion with my passion for working on the board of the JIFF organization,” Young asserts. JIFF is dedicated to providing intervention services for court-referred youth through case mentoring. Referred by the Juvenile Court’s Youth Based Service Bureau, these young people are often repeat offenders, and JIFF and the courts are working to reduce their return rate. One way in which Young and JIFF saw a way to break the cycle of returning children was through matching them with meaningful work within a for-profit structure. Young and JIFF saw Sweet LaLa’s Bakery as an answer to that need, one that offers JIFF referees help building confidence and keeps them from turning back to crime. Lauren describes, “I wanted to show that JIFF students really have a lot of capability and desire, and they deserve to get paid for their work. I wanted to make it a real opportunity for students to walk away not only feeling like they have learned something new but, hopefully, understanding the value of a dollar that they earned.” This sweet possibility for Memphis youth and cookie lovers started in Nashville when Young’s high school sweetheart, Tommy, proposed to her. Wanting to help pay for the engagement ring, Young took a job at a local deli. This deli’s popular teacake caught Young’s attention, and, along with a friend’s cookie recipe, she eventually created what would become the cornerstone of Sweet LaLa’s fame, the Original LaLa. From there, the combined efforts of JIFF and Sweet LaLa’s has produced uncountable cookies made to order, and people are getting behind the mission to enrich the lives of JIFF students and help them financially plan a bright future. Young says that right now there are many exciting prospects for Sweet LaLa’s. They hope to get into a storefront in the near future, and they hope their for-profit partnership with JIFF will be a sustainable model for other corporations to use. “JIFF is successful because the kids really attach themselves to the case mentors and our bakery team. When we believe in the kids, and they, in turn, begin to believe in themselves again and their abilities to make good choices,” Young says. As a family business, Young gets lots of support from her three children and husband Tommy. She notes that her children are her best taste-testers and are developing a couple new flavors of their own. Look out for these flavors and more as well as where to order these cookies online at www.sweetlalas.com. Story by Rachel Warren Photo by Steve Roberts

THE AMBASSADOR SERIES

The Ambassador Series By Eugene Pidgeon

JOHN LAUGHLIN: AN OFFICER AND A SOUTHERN GENTLEMAN.

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t was sometime around 1977. Ground beef was retailing, for the average American consumer, at a reasonable $1.14 a pound. Regular gas was flowing from pump to tank at a staggering $0.65 per gallon. One could drive a brand new BMW 320i off the lot for a tad under eight grand. The yearly inflation rate was holding steady 6.5% in the United States. In 1977, Jimmy Carter moved into the White House and Elvis Presley would die of a heart attack at age 42. It was the year of the Sex Pistols, Johnny Rotten and his imperceptible and imperfectly unkempt rattle was chafing at the heels of the perfectly kempt John Travolta, the new Patron Saint of the Disco Era. And while punk bands like the Ramones, The Clash and The Damned battled for chart position and credibility against the double knit and leisure suit conceits of ABBA, the Bee Gees and KC and The Sunshine Band, a young Memphian, John Crump McLaughlin made his acting debut on “The Dating Game.” “This was my first acting gig. And I won!” As bachelor number two, Laughlin was introduced as John Crump. The grand prize was supposed to be a weekend getaway to the California desert resort of Palm Springs. “But I never went on the date,” Laughlin mused. “I reneged. Let’s just say it was not a good idea. We were just two different people, and the actual date wasn’t supposed to even take place for a year. Still, I made $1,800.00. This was the first money I ever earned as an actor.” Fast-forward almost 40 years. Today, John Crump McLaughlin is now billed simply as John Laughlin. By the time he got to Hollywood, another actor was using McLaughlin, thus requiring him to change his name. This, however, is merely a sidebar. The real story of John Laughlin is not so much about his arc as an actor or even his impressive body of work. It is about how he summoned his Muse, found his direction and momentum and never abandoned the ideal he discovered for himself, an ideal that proved terrifying for him when it first manifested “I did not come to LA years ago to become a movie star or an A-List actor. This was not my motivation,” Laughlin confirms. “I just wanted to know what acting was. I do know that the very first time I stepped up at the Charles E Conrad

Studio (CEC) in front of Charles Conrad himself, a very prominent film acting coach, my knees were shaking so bad. Everyone in the room could feel it. I was terrified. But as I got up to do the scene, I found what I had been looking for my entire life. At that moment, it didn’t matter where anything else went because I just knew acting is what I was supposed to be doing.” By his own admission, Laughlin marvels at the speed of his own ascent in

John Laughlin and Leslie Rhoden at Graceland

Hollywood. “It started working for me pretty quickly,” he recalls. “I was actually earning a good living from acting in films in the first four years I was out there.” Not only did Laughlin begin earning a comfortable living during this period, he was also landing starring roles and in big budgeted feature films and motion pictures. “I never thought I would ever star in movies!” He was cast in the lead opposite Kathleen Turner in “Crimes of Passion.” He worked his magic on Cybill Shepherd, in the atmospheric outing “Memphis.” Other credits include “The Rock,” “Midnight Crossing” and a signature appearance in “An Officer and a Gentleman,” where he was almost dispatched to the netherworld after accosting Richard Gere outside the local billiards emporium. Add to this a bounty of featured and starring roles on primetime television and with all of the trimmings of remuneration and accolade, Laughlin has indeed crafted a stellar resume. Still, his road was not all about the perks. Life lessons have come hard to him and despite the obvious success. It is not something he dwells on

except for when he endeavors to put his own professional life into some context or on a spatial parity with his spiritual ambitions, but Laughlin notes having been cast in between 40 or 50 starring roles in both film and television over the course of his career. “It is about the privilege I have had to work with the cream of the crop of actors and directors,” Laughlin cites genuinely. “I have had the privilege of working with people like Francis Ford Coppola, Taylor Hackford, Michael Cimino and Herbert Ross. I am so lucky.” Still, while Laughlin continues navigating the tosses and turns of his own journey up the Yellow Brick Road, he is very open in his assessment of the damages he incurred when experimenting with life in the fast lane. “In the midst of all of this success, I was crazy,” he confesses. “I was at the peak of my alcoholism and drug addiction. Even as my career was rising, I had not gotten sober yet.” Quietly and sensitively, Laughlin is now able to discriminate and articulate the different manner of how he engaged and now engages the challenges of his career before and after his sobriety. “I know now how to embrace the work that I do get. I am grateful now for the success I have had along the way. I have learned to enjoy being in the moment. Before I got sober, with the more than 20 films I had done, it was always looking for the next job and worrying about what I had to do to do it better, how can I get more, how can I get more, how I can get more?” If John Laughlin’s career ended abruptly in one fell swoop today, he would still have it all, because after nearly 40 years in Hollywood, a steaming cauldron to melt the ambition and the bones of most, Laughlin is emerging with his spiritual priorities intact. The work keeps coming. He just wrapped an action film called “The Forgotten.” “Yet one of the things I am most proud of,” he says, “is my son John Ryan, now 22 years-old and living with me. I am so honored to be his father. I am also proud of Leslie, my strong and beautiful girlfriend. I cannot believe how lucky…no, how blessed I am today.”

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EVENT

Staxtacular

STAXTACULAR

Grit, Grind and Soul

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Jimmy Newell and Rebecca Vaughn

Dr. Michael and Rebecca Ugwueke

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Randy Engel and Andrea Wiley

Lori Spicer and Eric Robertson

emphians once again broke out their dancing shoes for the one of the city’s grooviest annual fund-raisers, Staxtacular. Held at the historic Stax Museum of American Soul Music and hosted by the Memphis Grizzlies, this event mixed music, basketball and mentoring into one unforgettable party to raise funds for the Soulsville Foundation. The Memphis Grizzlies “Core Four” of Tony Allen, Mike Conley, Marc Garsol and Zach Randolph and other Grizz players mingled and snapped pictures with guests as all noshed on a variety of delicacies offered in the event’s “World Tour” of cuisine provided by Master Chef Joe Ziparo and his catering team at Ziparo’s Catering. The “Express Yourself Dance Floor” was host to a fish taco station, and at the “Backstage with Isaac Hayes’ Cadillac” the pasta station enticed guests as they took in the sight of Hayes’ far-out 1972 Cadillac El Dorado. Next door at the Stax Music Academy, there was sushi to be had, and, in the “Precursors to Stax Rotunda” room, Ziparo’s proudly displayed their decadent fruit and cheese tower, which featured rare imported Italian cheeses. There were also several stations set up in the Rufus Thomas exhibits offering down home classics like pot roast, mashed potatoes and green beans. Chef Ziparo stated that he wanted the food and the food displays to tie into the Stax history and exhibits. “It is upscale but also ties into anything like a church from the Delta,” Ziparo said refering to the Hoopers A.M.E. Chapel displayed in the museum’s “Roots of Soul” exhibit. Stax turned up the volume with several stellar performances by the Stax Music Academy in Studio A. DJ Superman along with Stax Music Academy vocalists performed in the Stax Music Academy Lobby. Studio A was also host to the world famous Bo-Keys and Stax Records legend William Bell. The silent auction was also a large attraction with specialty items, many of which were Grizz and Stax themed. Packages like the Hot Springs rental and Tunica Getaway offered guests the chance to plan some vacation time. Autographed Grizz sports memorabilia were also popular items. Mednikow Jewelers offered a dazzling display of jewelry up for bid. A display of live art also grabbed the attention of guests as they watched Jamond Bullock create an original piece of art right before their eyes. The live auction gave attendees the chance to get their hands on some rare packages like a private wine tasting and dinner for eight at Erling Jensen’s with 12-time Grammy nominee, Grammy winner and Soulsville Foundation creative director, Kirk Whalum. There were also chances to win a round of golf for two in Nashville with Booker T. & the M.G.’s guitarist, Steve Cropper; a VIP Grizz game; and a photo op with Grizzlies Tony Allen, Zach Randolph, Mike Conley and Marc Gasol in front of the Stax marquee. The Soulsville Foundation is a nonprofit organization that operates the Stax Museum, the Stax Music Academy and the Soulsville Charter School. Its mission is to preserve, promote and utilize the music of Soulsville USA and to mentor young minds within that capacity for lifelong success. See all the party photos at rsvpmagazine.com Password: RSVP

Story by Rachel Warren Photos by Daniel Frederick

Bo Reed, Emily Ebbs, Lauren Draffin and Al Gossett

Marshall and Kristen Wright

Diane Jalfon and Daniel Weickenand

Sylvester and Tausha Tate

Mike Walsh and Chelsea Lanier

EVENT STAXTACULAR

Taylor Dunaway and George Coors

Mike and Cookie Swain

Alex and Jonathan Rudner

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Chassity Pointer-Gibson and Courdria Pointer

Shawn Williams and Jianna Hunter

Lucas Isley and Elizabeth Smith

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Sherman Holman and Stacy Brown

Larry Valliere, Jacqueline Beaumont and William Bell

Michael Vinson and Tiffani Morrow

Carlyle White and Renee Wills

Princess Galloway, Kimeka Bloomfield, Vince Carter, Linda McNeal and Lakiesha Sukkar

EVENT STAXTACULAR Ken and Meghan Gaber

Andrew and Jacquelyne Martin

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Allison Swanson and Robyn Jones

Robbin Childress and Robert Phillips

Reginald and Martha Rogers RSVP

Amanda and Tim Weatherford

Lane Franklyn and Melody Usdan

Jermaine and Christy Fletcher

Erica and Justin Reed

Mindy Son and Kenny Fleming

Erica Dallas and Tiffanie Grier

VOX POPULAR

Vox Popular Q&A with Scott McCormick

ative Memphian Scott McCormick has served within many sectors of the Memphis community: private,

public and nonprofit. He has led Matrix Printing, served as chairman on the Memphis City Council, head-

ed the Plough Foundation, and, now, taking on the role as the new executive director at the Memphis

Botanic Garden, McCormick is not one to sit idly by. McCormick shares with RSVP editor Rachel Warren how

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RSVP: As a native Memphian, has the Memphis Botanic Garden always been a part of your life here in Memphis?

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McCormick: Yes, I grew up in the neighborhood around the Garden and attended White Station High School. When I was a kid growing up, White Station Elementary, Junior High and High School were all located on Perkins. I grew up just behind the school. When we were seniors and juniors, we always went to the Japanese garden in the Botanic Garden for the “Most Likely To…” yearbook pictures. I was never one of those people pictured in the “Most Likely To…” pictures, but I was the photographer. Even though there was a professional photographer doing the posed pictures, I was there doing all the candid shots. Growing up, Audubon Park was also a huge hangout for us. It used to be a cruise spot. Sundays were the big day. Everybody came out, and you could drive around the lake. The road was open, and it would be bumper-tobumper. This whole area was part of me growing up. RSVP: Did you ever imagine that you would be working here at the Garden? McCormick: Never. There are a lot of things that I have gone on to do in my life that I have never imagined that I would end up doing. RSVP: Nonprofit and philanthropic work has been a big part of your work within the Memphis community. How did you get started with this type of work and what motivates you about it? McCormick: In my business career, I have served on a number of nonprofit boards. I served as the president of the Executive Leadership Council for the American Cancer Society’s Mid-South Division. Then I was appointed to Memphis City Beautiful and served as its chairman for two years. I am on the board of the

Photos by Don Perry

he is using his experience in all three sectors of civic life to lead and grow the Memphis Botanic Garden.

Memphis Zoo. I have had a lot experience working with nonprofits from the board side. Then in 2008, I saw the opening for executive director of the Plough Foundation become available, and I interviewed for that. I was selected, and I received a very valuable learning experience in how nonprofits actually work. Even though the Plough Foundation is on the side where we are giving money out, part of my job was to review the structure of the nonprofits asking for funds, their financial structure, how they operated and so forth. Plough is unique in that it only provides funding to Shelby County organizations. That position really gave me a good insiders view of how many of the nonprofits in this area work and how they operate. It gave me a perspective of what works well with nonprofits. Now, I am in the position of raising funds to help support the Garden’s nonprofit programs, and I think I have a much better understanding of how that process works. RSVP: You are also involved in the public sector with your work with the Memphis City Council and the Shelby County Schools. You also have experience in for-profit business. What kind of experience did these various positions give you, and how are you implementing that knowledge into your work at the Garden? McCormick: As you know, the Garden is owned by the city. So we work hand-in-hand with the local city government. I served on the city council as the chairman for a year. I currently serve on the Shelby County School Board. That gives me the perspective of how government works as well as an understanding of its process. We have a lot of capital needs projects here at the Garden. And we apply to the city to help service those needs, and since I have served with the city council on the other side of reviewing these

RSVP: What are some of goals or plans you would like to enact during your leadership position at the Garden? McCormick: I just took over the position, so I am just beginning to make big plans,

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needs, I understand how the capital works and the process it has to go through. I also understand and have developed patience for the amount of time it takes to actually get things done working through the government. By no means is that a slam to them. The government, obviously, is a huge organization and it is a process. So you can’t just call up and say, “Hey, I need $10,000 to fix the heater upstairs.” It takes time, and there is a process that they go through. Understanding and knowing how that works makes our lives much easier. I have three invaluable areas of expertise I am bringing to the Garden: private, public and nonprofit. While the Garden is a nonprofit organization, it operates like a business, particularly, for our rentals like Hardin Hall, the Goldsmith Room and Sara’s Place. We rent these spaces for weddings, business meetings, and various events. We also host fun events to raise money for the Garden, like the Vine to Wine series we are doing throughout the year as well as our very popular Live at the Garden series. Live at the Garden is a major revenue generator for us, and all that goes to help support the Garden. The more we can increase our revenues through rentals and increase our donations through philanthropy, the less we have to rely on the city of Memphis to provide us funding. Look at the challenges the city has. Their dollars are becoming harder to gain because of the pressing needs the city faces. I think it is just prudent for us to continue to build our outside revenue and our philanthropic gifts to help offset what will, most likely, be dwindling dollars coming from the city.

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but I will say this: we finished spending $6.5 million building the Jim Duncan Stage. Right now, the stage is there for Live at the Garden, which consists of five shows. That is a huge opportunity for the Garden, and I have been thinking about what else we can put on the stage that would be an asset for the community and for us. Whereas before, it was a temporary stage that would be assembled for each show, but now it is permanent. That makes me think, “What can we do with this, and how can we use this to not only provide an amenity to the community, but also to provide additional dollars for the Garden?” That would be an immediate goal. From there, if we are successful in providing other programming using the stage then we can figure out, for the dollars that we are generating, how to use those for the Garden. Everything for which the stage can be used is intended to enhance the Garden. RSVP: Live at the Garden has just become such a huge event. What is this year looking like?

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McCormick: It is huge. All of the tables are sold out way before we even release the Live at the Garden lineup. You have to buy your table before we even tell you who is playing. We have a waiting list of a hundred people who want to buy tables. We sold out of 285 tables this year. It is really just amazing. Then we also have the whole lawn area. So if you don’t have a table you can still buy a ticket. When you buy a table, you are buying tickets for the entire series. The lawn allows you to buy tickets for individual shows. With lawn seats, you can buy the series, or you can buy individual tickets for the lawn. If you buy the series, it saves you about a show and a half versus buying individual tickets. That is a pretty good model, when everything is sold out and there is a waiting list. RSVP: When will you be announcing the Live at the Garden music lineup? McCormick: April 22nd. Tickets will go on sale to the public on April 23rd.

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RSVP: What is the Garden’s mission, and how does it strive to connect the Memphis community to that mission? McCormick: Our mission is to enhance people’s lives by connecting them with nature and increase their awareness and appreciation of our environment. We have 96-acres on our property, which

includes 28 specialty gardens. We give our visitors an in-depth look into the various families of plants, flowers and trees. We have a whole host of programming here at the Garden that helps achieve this mission. We have everything from the Memphis Area Iris Society to the Memphis Area Master Gardeners that volunteer here at the Garden. There are a lot of opportunities for people who are interested in landscaping or gardening. We offer classes all the time on landscape design and how to select plants, and we also have classes about indoor plants. We have an Ikebana InternationalMemphis Bamboo Chapter. Ikebana is the Japanese art of flower arranging. We have classes where artists come in and teach painting on watercolors and oils. The Garden is just a tremendous resource. We have an eclectic array of programs here at the Garden. There are also a large amount of children’s programs. My Big Backyard is huge. This is a very popular program, and we have big plans for the warmer weather. RSVP: I am sure your work with the Memphis Shelby County Schools will complement and overlap with these educational children’s programs. McCormick: Yes, most certainly. I know within a year the number of students, not just from Shelby County but all schools even down in DeSoto County, who walk through our doors will be about 35,000. The majority of those students will be here in the spring. In addition, our Education Department has an outreach component. We have two members that go out to the schools and do different programs within the schools. So we are educating kids here at the Garden but also going to their schools. RSVP: Do you have any visions for where you want the Garden to be in the next five years? McCormick: There are ideas that the Garden has been thinking about and looking into for many years. At the moment, we have done the Jim Duncan stage, which is a great achievement. The stage is there to not only to provide an amenity to the public but to also to help us raise money for us to grow the Garden. There is a lot of opportunity with the stage, and we are thinking about that. We want to keep the uniqueness and excitement of Live at the Garden, but we are also thinking carefully about what else we can utilize the stage for that would both serve the Garden and the public.

EVENT

Krewes for Kids “Fat Friday”

KREWES FOR KIDS

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Valerie and Jeff Morris

Daryl Lewis and Kela Jones

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emphians partied with a purpose at the seventh annual Krewes for Kids fund-raiser thrown by Carnival Memphis. Benefiting the Carnival Memphis Children’s Charity Initiative (CCI), this year’s funds will go toward the Madonna Learning Center, the Peer Power Foundation and the Red Zone Ministries. Co-Chaired by Joanie Lightman, Vicki McCullough, Margaret Steffner, Lucy Woodson, Ryan Groves, Kathy Sapp and Kaki Smith and brought together with the dedication of many volunteers, this event is an annual Memphis tradition that opens the doors of Carnival Memphis and its historical Grand Krewes to the wider public. Carnival king, John Bobango, and queen, Lockie Dearman oversaw the festivities. Memphis Botanic Garden was decked out in carnival décor touches with purple and green lights on the dance floor, beads and festive table decorations that all celebrated the party’s theme of “Fat Friday.” Ed Galfsky, Carnival Memphis executive director, said, “We have been supporting three local children’s charities each year since 1999. The event has really grown a lot. This year, we have a great team of volunteers that have taken the fund-raiser up a notch.” Memphis party band G3: The Garry Goin Group got the party started with some soulful and funky classics. The mischievous Carnival Boll Weevils made sure everyone was on their feet dancing and grooving. Over a dozen local food vendors tempted partygoers to fill their plates with local bites. Central BBQ offered up pulled pork sandwiches, and no one could pass up some spicy chicken from Gus’s World Famous Fried Chicken. DeJAVU Restaurant brought the carnival spirit with New Orleans dishes like its jambalaya and bread pudding. A Malco Theatre popcorn machine supplied fresh popcorn that was bagged in genuine movie theatre bags so attendees could take their snack to go. Outside in a heated and tented courtyard, the Royal Beer Garden offered beer lovers a chance to sample local brews such as the Memphis Made Brewing Reverberation, the High Cotton Brewing Company ESB and the Ghost River Brewing Midnight Magic. The live auction gave guests the chance to take home some rare and high-end items. One such item was a one-of-a-kind brooch made by Christo Kifer of Sissy’s Log Cabin exclusively for the 2015 Krewes for Kids auction. Kifer, an international award-winning designer and master jeweler, crafted a carnival mask brooch made from 18k yellow and white gold, valued at $10,000. Oenophiles fought for the chance to win a trip for eight people through the Wine Trail of West Tennessee. The opportunity to duck hunt with 2011 Carnival king John Dobbs; a stay in San Miguel, Mexico; Redbirds suite and first pitch package; and a stay at Redfish Village Condominium in Santa Rosa Beach, Florida had those in the crowd heatedly bidding. Since the inception of the Carnival’s CCI, Carnival Memphis and the Grand Krewes have raised over $1,300,000 for local children’s charities.

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Mike Walsh and Cathy Walsh

Story by Rachel Warren Photos by Don Perry

Mace Gearhardt and Dr. Nancy Chase

Tiffany Brimhall and March Gates

Wes Seale and Katherine Hawkins

Austin Moylan and Emma Leatherland

Janette and Bobby Krauch with Cindy Gambrell

Donna Melton and Ed Galfsky

EVENT KREWES FOR KIDS Terry and Caprice Morgan

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Jeff and Chantal Johnson with Martha and Mike Hess RSVP

Natalie and Mike Davis

Mike and Dr. Shelly Thannum

Kaki Smith, Patty Welch and Mimi Taylor

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Lisa Williams, Joe Rushing, Stefanie Plunk and Sean Williams

Jerry Michie and Martha Jones

Reece Dike and Jane Venters-Dike

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Melissa Cole and Ed Starr with John and Karen Davis

Teresa Hurst and Mike Roberts

Ricky and Catherine Harris

EVENT KREWES FOR KIDS John and Molly Goggans

Alan Barfield and Connie Massey

Liz and Lloyd Thomas

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Mike and Marcy McConnell

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Earl, Hope and Patricia Cook

Barbara Benstein and Mike McNeer

Patrick and May Walker

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Eve and Bob Gammon

Donna and Pat Hoffman

Michelle and Todd Brown

Drs. Rusty and Rebekah Shappley

Chuck and Mary Stewart

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Carrie and Jeffrey Lewis

Russ and Cindy Mire

Leslie Darr and Kim Flynn

Myra and Anthony Clark

Mitchell and Missy McConnell

Mike and Liz Neel

EVENT Phil and Marilyn Seaton

Lynn and Ernie Mellor

Ellen Patrick and Mike Cannon

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KREWES FOR KIDS Janet Schwarz and Jay Mehan

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Sarah and Glen Barlow

Kathy and Dan Breckenridge

Albert Markle and Lillie Kay Mitchell

John and Morgan Tonahill

EVENT

Wild Game Dinner “We Got Game”

WILD GAME DINNER

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Will Murray and April Holm

Bonnie and Grant McGee

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pproximately 200 opera enthusiasts and wild game foodies alike flocked to Clark Opera Memphis Center for Opera Memphis’ annual Wild Game Dinner, and, as in past years, enjoyed a ferociously good evening! It began with a festive cocktail hour in the center’s lobby, with barkeeps pouring up folks’ favorite libations and a great deal of mixing and mingling going on. As guests looked forward to the opening of the event hall where a plethora of culinary pleasures awaited, they browsed the impressive array of silent auction items generously donated by area merchants, eateries and opera patrons. It wasn’t long before attendees commenced to bid fast and furiously on such items as a Book Sellers at Laurelwood gift box, Ninja Kitchen Systems and La Creuset cookware. Also on the auction block were hand crafted duck decoys, a Shark deep clean floor machine and gift certificates from River Inn and Swankys Taco Shop. Tickets for the Dixon Gallery & Gardens “Hail, Britannia!” art exhibit and the West Tennessee Wine Trail Tour were also in high demand. When the food stations were opened, hungry partygoers helped themselves to a large variety of tasty treats prepared by some of Memphis’ best caterers and restaurants. Heart & Soul Catering’s Chef Michael Francis and his team presented a crowd-pleasing roasted whole hog served with apple-honey barbeque sauce, wild rice and gravy with goat cheese, mashed potatoes, roasted vegetables, venison poppers and a salsa of mango, papaya and cilantro. Just for Lunch and Catering served up a hearty duck and sausage gumbo, while Club Winward offered delicious duck poppers. Delectables Catering & Company offered a delicious pecan encrusted catfish with Cajun slaw, while Donelson’s Catering delighted with duck sliders with carrot and Daikon Radish slaw and topped with jalapenos, cucumbers and cilantro aioli. When all was said and done (and tasted!), Coletta’s Restaurant took home the Golden Duck Award for its venison ravioli with wild mushrooms and a Killian’s cream sauce. Rounding out the evening’s menu was an over-the-top presentation of a selection of Frost Bake Shop’s famous cakes, including the Memphis Cream, a glorious banana layer cake filled with a concoction of pastry cream and peanut butter and topped with chocolate ganache. Throughout the night, many guests stopped by Ray Jamieson’s “corner bar” to sip Gun Oil – his original spiced bourbon. After opening remarks, the Bluff City Backsliders took the stage with their popular sounds of jazz, blues, old time country and bluegrass, and guests took to the dance floor to work off some of the calories consumed from the scrumptious feast. Trey Watkins served as this year’s chairman, and Shelby County Mark Luttrell reprised his role as honorary chairman.

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Cherice Roberson and Kadron Boone

Story by Ruth Cassin Photos by Patrick Lantrip

Robin and John Bratton

Kacky Walton and Bard Cole

Kristen and Brandon Dent

Hank and RuthAnn Shelton

Sarah Squire and Erin Craig with Jesse and Melissa Koza

Morgan Beckford and Neal Beckford

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Amy Walsh, Karen Canty and Ben Makino

Charlie and Mickey Schaffler with Linda and Joe Jenkins RSVP

Sarah Tinker, Vilori Inge and Angelica Bossert

Bill Carwell and Kathy Bacherig

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Leon Hurd, Marti Ash, Jeanne Ellett and Joe Sohm

Jess and Annabell Woodall

Bradley Fogelman and Butch Kinnebrew

Lisa Coletta and Karen French

Vance and Liz James

Max and Elizabeth Ostner

Heidi and Carl Shafer

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EVENT WILD GAME DINNER Kim and Wendell Donelson

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www.rsvpmagazine.com More pictures than would ever fit in a magazine are online and available on our website. If youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re looking for a photo that one of our photographers took at a major social event and is featured in our magazine, that photo may be readily available through our web address. Just go to our site, click on the event, and remember the password: rsvp. Geoffrey Ward, Judy Snodgrass, Hilary Dow Ward and Darel Snodgrass

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Niki Dunavant and Anna Francis

Sarah Watkins and Meg Warner

Marty Ferguson and Jonna Hart

Tonda and Greg Griffin

Honey and Rudi Scheidt

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Art Unleashed

“Wine Down”

“Rock the Ribbon”

Memphis Pets Alive (MPA) is a shelter organization without a home, just like the animals they support. Volunteers from MPA go to high-kill shelters and share the stories of displaced dogs and cats via social media and the Internet in order to lower the large number of critters that are put down every day. Volunteers also take food to low-income neighborhoods where homeless animals are rampant. In order to raise money for the organization, MPA held the Art Unleashed fund-raiser at Crosstown Arts. Local artists donated their original works of art to the silent auction in order to support MPA’s quest for their own permanent home. Attendees strolled the gallery while sipping craft beer by Wiseacre Brewing and Ciao Bella Italian Grill snacks. Then, the bidding wars began! Guests hurriedly wrote their names and prices down in hopes of taking home a piece of unique artwork, however, prices quickly soared. There were all kinds of art available to choose from including jewelry, paintings, photography, cards, furniture, pottery and even sunlight catchers. Other sponsors were Memphis Animal Clinic, who provided guests with goodie bags filled with a cup, doggy toothbrush and toothpaste, all natural preservative-free treats, and spot solution. Holly & Ivy Floral provided lush flower arrangements. It was a fun and tasty evening for some disadvantaged, but hopefully, future Memphis pets.

Wine and cheese pair quite like nothing else. At the Dixon Gallery & Gardens’ “Wine Down: Cheese Edition,” guests walked through the gallery and sipped on their favorite selections of wine. With five different types of wines to choose from including both reds and whites, the perfect combination of wine and cheese could be tested, tried and achieved! With all proceeds supporting the Dixon’s educational department, it was a fun night of eating and drinking for a good cause among beautiful artwork. Buster’s Liquors & Wines supplied the night’s beverages. Each wine was paired with a local Memphis restaurant. The menu included Sweet Grass’ goat cheese croutons, Tart’s Brandyfig tarts, Bari Ristorante cheeses including Dolomitico al Koenig and Pecorino Romano, Ecco’s strawberry and blueberry cheesecake bites and Strano Sicilian Kitchen & Bar’s cheese pizza. Regions Bank, the evening’s sponsor, had their own table with the most demanded dish – a cheese pecan berry spread. Folk/rock singers William Charles Collective added to the party atmosphere.

The crowd got funky well into the night at this year’s Rock the Ribbon party at the Great Hall & Conference Center in Germantown. Benefiting Susan G. Komen Memphis MidSouth®, the evening featured the energetic and entertaining Dr. Zarr’s Funk Monsters, who had everyone on their feet dancing to everything from disco to glam rock. There was plenty of food, libations and tables and chairs available to take a break from all the dancing, if needed. Appetizers were provided by several popular vendors, which included Humdingers’ seared tuna, Huey’s warm and thick potato soup, spicy Gus’s World Famous Fried Chicken, Ziparo’s Catering’s Zucchini Pasta Alfredo and the Seasons 52 desert bar, which offered treats from S’mores to carrot cake. Food vendors were scattered around the dance floor, making it easy to snack while wandering through the silent auction, where guests could bid on a wide range of items. With three open bars and a photo booth complete with costumes provided by Stratum Photobooths, the night was a disco success. Baptist Memorial Hospital was the presenting sponsor.

Story and Photos by Emily Anderson

Minnie Lotay and Donna Newman

Olive Crotwell and Farrar Vaughan

Pat McRee and Beth Turner

Kathryn McWhortor and Charlotte Nuckles

Story and Photos by Emily Anderson

Aurora Tamayo and Anthony Corrao

Emma Meskovic and Molly Peacher-Ryan Sean Dodds and Gloria Dodds

Lisa Balton, Barbara Standing and Rena Chiozza

Amanda Barganier and Maggie Oliver

Virginia Wages, Jeralyn Miller, and Kris Stewart

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“A Table to Toast”

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Tennessee Shakespeare Company Valentine’s Gala

For decades, hundreds of women from Catholic parishes of the Mid-South have been gathering together in the name of good will through the Madonna Circle Memphis. Next year will mark their 80th year of charitable work, which includes help with the elderly, tutoring and others, and they have a lot to be proud about. “We have a wonderful group of women and very talented ladies,” Madonna Circle president Charlotte Henderson said. The group hosted “A Table to Toast” to help raise funds for one of their causes, Camp Love and Learn. Several designers in the area were invited to create table settings, complete with special flatware, fresh cut flowers and custom seating. Attendees dined on a meal prepared by the celebrated local chef duo Andy Ticer and Michael Hudman. The idea was to complement the featured attraction for the day, a special presentation by the highly regarded designer Susan Ferrier, who recently published a new book with business partner Bobby McAlpine titled “Art of the House: Reflections on Design,” which she signed copies of after the event. All proceeds from the event went toward Camp Love and Learn, which offers summer learning and art activities for atrisk children thanks to the Catholic Charities of West Tennessee.

Better raise that card fast or the prize is gone! This wasn’t quite your usual auction. This was a fast-paced auction mania! Bidders held their cards high in the air, hoping to be the first spotted to win one of many exceptionally exclusive gifts at the Tennessee Shakespeare Company’s (TSC) annual Valentine’s Gala. Instead of prizes going to the highest bidder, they went to the first bidder. The spontaneous excitement of the race definitely infused the atmosphere at Germantown Performing Arts Center on this Valentine’s night. Before the auction, bidders snacked at the delicious buffet provided by Just for Lunch. Prichard’s Distillery provided valuable auction fuel at the bar. Holliday Flowers, Inc. provided luscious flower arrangements perfect for the individual tables and buffet. This romantic and fun sixth annual gala raised funds for the TSC Romeo and Juliet Project, an educational program implemented in schools across Tennessee where young actors re-create Shakespeare’s works that promote anti-violence. After all the fun, guests settled into a cozier ambiance and listened as soprano Rebecca Luker, a Broadway actor and performer, sang a sequence of serious and funny songs about love.

Story and Photos by Lesley Young

Story and Photos by Emily Anderson

Incognito Art Gala and Silent Auction The Memphis Botanic Garden held its annual Incognito Art Gala and Silent Auction, an event that offered patrons a chance to bid on works of art created by local artists, but with a twist – no one knew who painted the picture until after it was purchased. “I think it is one of the greatest events of the season,” featured artist Connie Lampen said. “It really allows the artists to be creative and showcase their work.” Early birds had the opportunity to exercise the “Quick Sale” option, where they could purchase any piece for $250 and bypass the silent auction. Ticket sales benefited the Memphis Botanic Garden’s outreach and education programs. Just for Lunch catered crawfish étouffée, Fratelli’s Café offered meatballs in a caper cream sauce, Draper’s Catering dished out Philly cheese steak rolls and Stone Soup Café served Swedish meatballs and strawberry gooeybutter bars for dessert. Rene Koopman and Tom Prestigiacomo provided the musical entertainment for the evening. Story and Photos by Patrick Lantrip

Greg and Caroline Jones Scott and Forest Imorde

Connie Lampen and Bill Von Staden Lisa Berry and Charlotte Henderson

Kristen Hale and Anthony Adams

Geri Cuoghi, Julia James, Nancy Willingham and Kay Clark

Susan and Philip Prichard

Marina Bogan and John Bogan

Hannah Verret and Glenda Landrum

Julie O'Bryan, Grayson Smith, Taylor Mitchell and Gina Harris

Grand Krewe of RaMet Coronation

This year, to present its prestigious Hebe Award, the Memphis Symphony League (MSL) held an event of a different kind, High Tea. Ladies wearing magnificent hats filled Clark Opera Memphis Center, and a string quartet from the Memphis Symphony Orchestra played as the ladies enjoyed their tea and delicate treats. Far beyond biscuits traditionally served at team time, Maximilian’s Catering laid out a spread that included dainty rolls stuffed with chicken salad, salmon mousse in an edible spoon, brioche, cucumber canapé, French teacakes, lemon meringue tarts and an assortment of macaroons. A small silent auction contained a variety of items like gift certificates to Kittie Kyle Collection, Paulette’s Restaurant, and, of course, a hat – this one a fur felt from Makowsky Millinery. Kathy King, president of MSL, invited guests who were not members to join the league and presented the 2015 Hebe Award to Nancy Coe, who wore a hat of her mother’s, circa 1935. The Hebe Award is given to a member who has demonstrated outstanding service to the organization. During her comments, King commented on the unique affair, “This is the first of hopefully many events like this that bring out the fashionable best in all of us.”

The Grande Krewe of RaMet Coronation, themed “Crowns & Cravats,” was a sparkling affair that filled the Clark Opera Memphis Center almost to capacity. As the program began, Jim Wilson, RaMet krewe member, gave an entertaining introductory, much of which was cleverly written in rhyming verse. After recognizing the royalty from the other nine krewes, the presentation began. Sandra Cooper, outgoing queen, and Len Penwick, her king, bid the crowd a fond farewell wave. Steve Leatherland, husband of this year’s Queen, took his role as flagman seriously and waved the RaMet banner with a flourish as the duchesses Patricia Cook, Peggy Everson and Emma Leatherland and the grand duchess, Linda Barnhardt were presented. Queen Jane Leatherland, Queen Maat, and Francis “Buddy” Winkler, King Ra, took their places on stage, along with pages Lilly and Lexi Leatherland. During the Queen’s speech, she mentioned her British heritage. “As a little girl in England we all dream of becoming a princess, but I never thought I would be Queen,” she quipped.

Opera Memphis “Hansel & Gretel” Preview Party Opera Memphis’ “Hansel & Gretel” was a huge success! But before the show premiered, Opera Memphis hosted a Preview Party to showcase the show’s extraordinary talent. During the event, audience members and WKNO radio listeners got a sneak peak of the singers’ incredible capabilities and song selections from this famous opera. Held at the Clark Opera Memphis Center, guests mixed and mingled while noshing on hors d’oeuvres prepared by Donelson’s Catering. Broadcasted live by WKNO, the event was a fun way to give partygoers and those at home a special look into the behind-the-scenes development of this spectacular opera performance. Story Submitted Photos by Sarah Burgess

Story and Photos by Suzanne Thompson

Chelsea Miller and Christine Amo

Story and Photos by Suzanne Thompson

Jane Leatherland and Francis Winkler

Julie Maroda and Nancy Coe Marina and Jon Bogan Shelby Harwell and Robin Harwell with Gwen and John Brown

Dr. JoeAnn Ballard and Linda Webster with Rachel and Stephen Shankman

Reverend Cozette R. Garrett and Carolyn Tisdale

Kathy King and Elise Frick

DeAnne Gammon, Kim Flynn and Carol Saunders

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Memphis Theological Seminary’s 28th annual Dr. Henry Logan Starks Scholarship Dinner and Awards Ceremony at Hilton Memphis was a night filled with praise and musical performances. Roderick Vester, and Bindy Snider tickled the ivories and Crystal Brown, known as “The Sax Lady,” entertained the crowd with soulful melodies. Prior to the presentation of each award, a video describing the achievements of each honoree was shown. Members of the former Prescott Memorial Baptist Church (MBC), which merged with Shady Grove Presbyterian Church, were presented with the Legacy Award. Prescott MBC was the first Southern Baptist Church in Memphis to offer racially integrated services. Rachel Shankman, former executive director of Facing History & Ourselves, received the President’s Lifetime Achievement Award. Dr. JoeAnn Ballard was recognized with the Distinguished Service Award. Dr. Jerry L. Christian and Pastor Pearly M. Stone were Outstanding African American Alumnus and Alumna. Memphis music legends John Kilzer and Kirk Whalum, a past recipient of the President’s Humanitarian Award, performed a duet. Songbird Deborah M. Thomas concluded the evening with a moving rendition of “To God Be the Glory.” Gale Jones Carson and Rev. Eric L. Winston served as honorary co-chairs of the event.

Memphis Symphony League High Tea

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Dr. Henry Logan Starks Scholarship Dinner and Awards Ceremony

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Onsite III

Sally Stover and Elizabeth Kroeker

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ONSITE

Onsite IV

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“Mix-Odyssey”

“Works of Heart”

“Wine for Wishes”

Approximately 200 people attended Volunteer Odyssey’s second annual Mix-Odyssey fund-raiser held at the Visible Music College. The sold-out event offered seven stations with signature drinks, for which the crowd cast their votes for a People’s Choice favorite. Also tasked with choosing the best drink were judges Bret Rodriguez of Bacardi, Jim Bruce of Metro Graphics and Kirk Williams of Buster’s Liquors & Wines. The choice was unanimous – “Felina, Goodbye,” mixed by Justin Dobbs, chosen as the best cocktail. Memphis Grizzlies DJ Justin Baker provided music, while WMC-TV’s Lauren Squires emceed the event. Page Baker, Kat Franchino, Erica Page and Courtney Ratts played the part of fortunetellers. They talked to guests, then presented individuals with a “tarot card” that listed the names of organizational matches for their future as a volunteer. Proceeds from the event will be used for Volunteer Odyssey to further its mission of creating a community of dedicated volunteers through immersive service experiences and the power of storytelling. The nonprofit organization now has 35 community partners.

Art lovers and supporters filled Rust Hall of the Memphis College of Art for the Memphis Child Advocacy Center’s (CAC) 23rd annual Works of Heart fund-raiser. Heart-felt and heartthemed art of every medium ringed the walls as the Memphis community banded together in support of children in need. More than 100 major area artists created gallery-quality work for this event. The artists were given a 12-by-12 inch wooden-heart to begin crafting their designs. The resulting works incorporated various techniques such as painting, photography, sculpture and collage. Joe Birch of WMC-TV served as the evening’s emcee. Volunteers, called “Heart Hawkers,” wore heart-inspired “fascinators” and red feather boas as they encouraged guests to bid on auction items by sharing background about the artists and their work. Guests who placed winning bids were able to take home unique works of art made by some of the best-known names in the region, such as John Robinette, Carroll Todd, John McIntire, Veda Reed, Maysey Craddock, Dolph Smith, and many more. Virginia Stallworth, executive director of the Memphis CAC, said, “The Child Advocacy Center is so honored by the philanthropic spirit of our community of artists who, year after year, choose to donate to Works of Heart to help hurting children heal.” According to Beryl Wight, Memphis CAC communications coordinator, the event raised $90,000 to aid in organization’s mission.

Make-A-Wish® Mid-South celebrated the fifth anniversary of the Wine for Wishes event at The Cadre Building. The Make-A-Wish® Associate Board, comprised of young professionals from the Memphis area, hosted the charitable wine-tasting event. The group supports the foundation with event-based fund-raising, which helps to create awareness and share the power of a wish. For this event they secured the items for the silent auction, including designer sunglasses and handbags, sports memorabilia, and spa treatments. A Moveable Feast Catering treated guests to a catered buffet. Jeremy Parks emceed the event. A wine pull, featuring wines from Buster’s Liquors & Wines, and the band Detective Bureau kept things lively. Beau Yarbro, a wish dad and member of the Make-A-Wish® Board of Directors, gave a personal testimony. His daughter Avery was a Wish Kid when she was five-years-old and is now a happy, healthy, nine-year-old. The event was presented by Data Facts and raised $37,000. The proceeds will benefit local children with life-threatening medical conditions.

Story and Photos by Emily Adams Keplinger

Tadd Wilcox, Jennifer Wilcox, Katie Sharpe and Nick Percell

Kara Jamison, Zack Jamison and Mary Catherine Fogleman

Sarah Petschonek, Nick Welch and Amanda Chisholm Story and Photos by Emily Adams Keplinger

Carla Beth McCallum, Lee McCallum and Justin Miller Rebekah Sudduth, Whitney Burnes and Mary Anne Young Lori Patton, Eldra White and George Macon Chris Dieckhaus, Derrick Dease, Kevin Dean, Barry Wolverton, Shawn McGhee and Brit McDaniel

Al Pickett, Shawn Flynn, Nelia Dempsey, Katie Walsh and Victor Evans

John McIntire and John Robinette

Liz Nelson, Sherry Hodgson, Miranda Harbor and Anna Howell

Katie Masters, Kevin McGoldrick, Kevin Leahy and Rebekah Heslin

AFTER HOURS

After Hours A photo collage of the latest business happenings

Crosstown Ground Breaking Ceremony

Lucy, Claude, Shea, Carl and Sophie Fox

Drew Taylor and Michael Phelan

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Eclectic Eye Annual Sale Preview Party

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Michael Herr II and Michael Herr

Leigh Martin and Margot Metz

Gary and Barbara Sysak

Glo Medical Aesthetics Grand Opening Event

Julie Runnels and Lisa Street

Brittany Luckett and Mallory Burnett

Farrah Kyle, Amanda Farmer and Dawn Coletta

17 Santa’s helper 18 Stair grips

19 Short sketch or act 20 Bread factory 22 Males

23 Cousin 24 Mirth

25 Tears

27 Incite (2 wds.)

23 27

50 56

3 Period of play in a baseball game

58 62

48 52

4 Blue-pencil

5 Physician, familiarly

6 Atlantic, for example

7 A pitching motion that isn’t a pitch 8 Hellish

9 Highest level of minor league baseball 10 Prudish 11 Bored

29 False (2 wds.)

46 Native of Western Alaska

12 Part of NCAA (abbr.)

35 Sales agents, briefly

51 Cut

21 Wild disorder

36 Plot or scheme

39 Wing or extension of a building 40 In the middle of

53 Count at a gym

56 New Jersey city 58 Sailing

59 Ancient Indian

15 Burial chamber

20 Bat the ball weakly on purpose 24 A ball hit out of fair territory 26 Swing and miss 28 Urged

30 Scarlet

38 Ghost’s greeting 39 Right, on a map

40 Gangster’s girlfriend 42 Window part

43 Take a base without a hit 45 A seat in the dugout 47 Northern Ireland

48 Touching with the foot digits 50 Angry

52 Analyze

53 MPH, i.e.

54 Jewish scribe from the Old Testament 55 Students support groups 57 Sailors “hey”

58 China’s locale

60 Certain compass point

62 Loose gown worn at mass

i t ’ s j a zz! 63 Garbage

cl a ssy

31 ___ the ante

32 Superlative suffix 34 Soar

For underwriting information, call 901-678-2560 Visit us online at wumr wumr.memphis.edu .memphis.edu

Solution:

44 One-celled animals (var.)

62 Bustling

A S S N

43 Asian cooking pan

61 Expression of surprise

I D L E

42 Charge

50 Ailing

37 A pitcher’s pride

B A L K

41 Push

49 Ding

36 Tax specialist

O C E A N

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34 Fleshy

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2 Athlete in first year of play

DOWN

1 To search a suspect

68 River transport

33 Three strikes is one of these

67 Henna, for one

33 36

66 Move gently

65 Legal claims to property

R O O K I E

RSVP CROSSWORD

Edited by Ruth Cassin

F R I S K

64 Molder

U E P S S T

F L Y

C A P R A M

P A R S E

16 Type of Greek column

T O E I N G

team, briefly

14 Able

15 St. Louis baseball

A P A R A I M S T R R E I D K E U L S T E R

13 Musical piece

A S I A

Samoa

I N C F R E R Y R I P N O T A T L M W O A L I L L R K A A T L E B

9 Capital of Western

A H O Y

6 Kimono sash

E A S T W A R D

1 Cooked in oil

I E D N D O N I C I T B N F U G G O N O U T B A L O D P O E B A D E N P N E T E C A S H S E

E Z R A

ACROSS

R A T E

RSVP Crossword

RSV PHILLIPPI

By Dennis Phillippi

already pretty short, and I announced that if anyone donated a hundred bucks, I’d go under the clippers. Understand, I didn’t think anyone would cough up a hundred smackers just to see me suffer, there were real famous people there to torment. The event ended, and no one had ponied up the Benjamin. I was lamenting this with the owner of the restaurant when my best friend, a man I would give a kidney, pulled out his checkbook and scratched out the hundred. Less than five minutes later, I was sporting a shiny new dome. Like most men, I had often worried that if my hair

To me, worrying about losing your hair is like worrying about what’s going on in Syria, there’s nothing you can do about it, and sweating it is probably going to, you know, make your hair fall out. was ever to pull a D.B. Cooper I might have a weird looking head. Some things you simply can’t do anything about, and a funny looking skull is among them. It turns out, I have a perfectly average looking head. It’s not pointed or dented or otherwise misshapen. There is a little Gorbachev wine-stain birthmark, but it’s barely visible. The most notable thing to me about having a baldhead was that, when it was cold, it felt wet all the time. That, and I became obsessed with trying to keep it as smooth and reflective as possible, which is a really stupid thing to dwell upon for any length of time. What I should have been obsessing about was my friend betraying me and plotting my revenge. Eventually, I grew it back out, secure in the knowledge that in the worstcase hirsutus event, I’d be okay.

It’s surprising to me that the majority of men fret so much about losing their hair when every hipster in their twenties has grown a ludicrous beard and shaved their head. It’s like the stylish thing now is to try to turn your head upside down. By the way, I also read in that same magazine that hipster beards are more fetid bacterial sponges than bacterial sponges, so enjoy kissing those boys, girls. Apparently, American men see the loss of their hair as a sign of diminishing virility. One glance at my last name will tell you that I am of Greek heritage, and, among my people, hair loss has long been viewed as an indication of more masculinity. Of course, that is because among my people it’s not really so much hair loss as it is hair migration. It moves from the top of our heads to our shoulders and down our backs, making us resemble something a little on the simian side during a day at the pool. To us, apelike equals manly. Look, we live in what very well may be the vainest time in history. Throughout history, from the ruffled collars of the Renaissance, to the powdered wigs of the eighteenth century, to the zoot suits of the twenties, men have gone to idiotic lengths in the name of egotism, but this is the first time that people of all stripes are constantly taking pictures of themselves. In any other point in time, people would’ve had to cart around either a photographer or a painter to keep a running record of their inconsequential daily lives. Even then, the portraits would’ve had to be shared by hanging them on a wall, or forcing others to endure the onerous task of looking through a photo album. Now everyone takes their own picture and slaps it up on their personal social media page for all to see, even though most of would just as soon not. Maybe that’s the root of this terror of a receding hairline. In today’s world, you don’t just lose your hair; now it’s documented. I imagine there are plenty of guys who can go back through their page over the last few years and watch as their forehead steadily grows. Vanity; thy name is Facebook.

53 RSVP

ecently, while I was waiting for my car to cost me a few hundred dollars, I flipped through one of those magazines that are supposedly marketed for men but feature lots and lots of pictures of men in much better shape than the rest of us shirtless, and there was a survey asking fellas what is their single biggest fear. Now, either you are a man or you know plenty of them, so take a second and try to guess what our biggest fear might be. Before you go heading down the wrong path, it has nothing to do with the bedroom. It’s not a terrorist attack. It’s not being on a plane that crashes into a fireworks factory where there’s been an Ebola outbreak. It’s not even that our son might grow up and marry Miley Cyrus. American men named their single biggest fear, and, above all else, it was losing our hair. Anyone who knows me, has read the stuff I write, seen me perform, or even has an acquaintance in common with me knows that I am as vain as anyone. My ego stacks up right there beside Vladimir Putin and Donald Trump, but personally I don’t really care one way or the other if I go bald. Okay, I’d just as soon not get the dreaded horseshoe, but, if I did, I’d shave that and be done with it. To me, worrying about losing your hair is like worrying about what’s going on in Syria, there’s nothing you can do about it, and sweating it is probably going to, you know, make your hair fall out. I have been bald. Years ago, I was doing one of these “celebrity waiter” nights at a restaurant because they couldn’t scare up a full ration of actual celebrities, and there was a crew there shaving people’s heads for charity. Either you donated a certain amount of money, or someone did it in your name, and they’d buzz your scalp smooth in the name of some kind of illness or whatever the cause was, I can’t remember. My hair was

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THE THIN HAIR LINE

RSVPAST

Carnival Royalty

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1952

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uring the heyday of Cotton Carnival, most Memphis junior and senior high schools furnished faux royalty for the Mid-South’s “Party with a Purpose.” In 1952, eighth graders Johnny Harkins and Rosemarie Stevens were prince and princess for St. Anne Catholic School at 670 S. Highland. Second graders Charlie Jester and Kay Gardner were their pages. White Palm Beach suits and long pink dresses were the uniforms of the day for Carnival functions. PHOTO COURTESY OF JOHN HARKINS If you have a past photo you would like to share with RSVP readers, please contact Rachel Warren at 276-7787 ext. 105 or e-mail the photo and caption to editor@rsvpmagazine.com All photos will be returned promptly.