RSVP Magazine December 2014

December 2014

Boo! Ball Chefs’ Celebrity Gala Spirits with the Spirits Brooks Avant-Garde Party A Magical Night in Overton Park Q&A with Phil Trenary

CONTENTS

Contents December 201 4

From the Editor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8 Signature Memphis . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10 RSVP took a trip to the Memphis Zoo! There were some fun-loving giraffes, and we talked African elephants with zoo president and CEO, Chuck Brady.

Chefs’ Celebrity Gala . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .12 Special celebrity guests served a decadent dinner to attendees at the Memphis Child Advocacy Center’s 25th annual fund-raiser.

56 A MAGICAL NIGHT IN OVERTON PARK Henry and Abby Talbot

StreetSeens . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20 & 22 Don’t move that dial; she is bringing local rock ‘n’ roll to the airwaves. He impressing coffee lovers with his sustainable locally roasted coffee. StreetSeens highlight Catrina Guttery and Jimmy Lewis.

44 BOO! BALL Nelly Ochoa and Amber Ray

Ambassador Series . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .24 D E C E M B E R 2 0 14

His Mettle of Honor Eugene Pidgeon honors the memory of the late Vernon McGarity, patriot and receiver of a WWII Medal of Honor.

Brooks Avant-Garde Party . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .26 Guests came dressed in their Egyptian royal-best at this year’s Memphis Brooks Museum of Art annual party.

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Vox Popular . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .32 Q&A with Phil Trenary, president and chief executive officer at the Greater Memphis Chamber.

12 Spirits with the Spirits . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .38

CHEFS’ CELEBRITY GALA Lanny and Betsy Mitchell

People were dying to get into Elmwood Cemetery for its annual bash.

38 SPIRITS WITH THE SPIRITS Melanie and Adam Sprienkle

Boo! Ball . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .44 Costumes and a shrunken head made this spooky Halloween-themed fête a night to remember at the Pink Palace Family of Museums.

Onsites . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .52, 54, 55, 60 & 61 Gatherings that have earned an honorable mention.

Magical Night in Overton Park . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .56 Memphians gathered for an enchanted evening with fine wine and great food in the historic Overton Park.

RSVPhillippi . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .65

26 BROOK’S AVANT-GARDE PARTY Hannah Nelson

More Words About Cats Brace yourselves; Dennis Phillippi has some more choice words to say about dogs and cats.

Cover Photo Richard and Chandra Harris at Chefs’ Celebrity Gala Photo by Don Perry

32 VOXPOPULAR Phil Trenary

R SV P S TA F F Volume XX

Number III

December 201 4 PUBLISHER

Roy Haithcock EDITOR

R achel Warren CONTRIBUTING WRITERS

Emily Ander son Ruth Cassin Emily Adams Keplinger Dennis Phillippi Eugene Pidgeon Suzanne Thompson Lesley Young

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.

ART DIRECTOR

Patrick Aker s

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PHOTOGRAPHERS

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Daniel Frederick Patrick L antrip Don Perry Steve Roberts ACCOUNT EXECUTIVES

Chris Pugh Robin Morgan

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

Ruth Cassin EDITORIAL INTERN

Patrick L antrip RSVP

ROBIN MORGAN ,

ACCOUNTING

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

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 girl friends.

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!

For advertising information contact Roy Haithcock Phone (901) 276-7787, ext. 101 Fax (901) 276-7785 e-mail publisher@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

Copyright 2014 Haithcock Communications, Inc.

PATRICK LANTRIP, EDITORIAL INTERN 901.276.7787, EXT. 107 patrickl@rsvpmagazine.com

Patrick Lantrip is currently seeking his journalism degree at the University of Memphis, where he also serves as the managing editor of The Daily Helmsman. A native of Midtown Memphis, Patrick is an avid outdoors enthusiast who enjoys mountain biking, hiking, camping and wildlife photography. He enjoys spending his downtime with his daughter, Anna and their cat, Bella.

From the Editor

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ell hello there December! It seems like every year it creeps up on me. We here at RSVP Magazine have been rushing around to all of the end-ofthe-year fund-raisers and benefit parties. It is one of our favorite times! Seeing everyone in the community out and about, supporting their local nonprofits and creating citywide memories, makes you realize that the people of Memphis are oneof-a-kind. That is probably why we were recently recognized as the second most charitable city in the nation. That might be because in Memphis, it’s not home unless you are giving something back. Whether it be time, energy, money or just a little attention, Memphis is a place that is not comfortable just sitting back and letting things go by. As much as we like to complain about ourselves (or perhaps that is just the voices of jealous non-Memphians), we are a city made up of genuine souls ready to call everyone their brother and sister and give back to the community that raised them.

Putting together this issue, it warms my heart to see the people, just regular folks, getting together and throwing a benefit during these tricky economic times. Maybe that is why we give so much. I think we all recognize that we couldn’t have made it without the help of others in the community to lean on. So keep it up, Memphis! Let’s keep our minds and hearts open and continue to lift each other up. On a final note, don’t forget to say hi to our wonderful photographers and writers at the events you attend who have given up their weekends to capture these special moments of giving and service. This month we featured some fantastic people that are lifting up the community and making Memphis shine. Catrina Guttery of Rock 103 is spotlighting up-and-coming rock artists (page 20), and Jimmy Lewis is offering Memphians locally roasted coffee (page 22). Phil Trenary of the Greater Memphis Chamber is speaking up for small businesses and helping create jobs for the citizens of Memphis (page 32). Happy Holidays everyone!

Rachel Warren editor@rsvpmagazine.com

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President and CEO, Memphis Zoo

Hometown: New York Favorite Place to Travel: Vail, Colo.

First Car You Drove: 1966 Mustang.

Place You Go to Think: Horseshoe Lake.

Best Memphis Hangout: Huey’s Restaurant.

Favorite Southern Idiom: “Bless their hearts.”

Something You’ll Never Live Down: My accent.

Favorite Song: “Circle of Life” from “The Lion King.”

Your Best Quality: Listening to all points of view on an issue.

The Highlight of Your Day: Seeing children enjoying our Zoo. Coolest Thing About Memphis: Ice skating at the Memphis Zoo. Best Dish You Cook: Baked salmon with mushrooms and beans.

Your Most Annoying Habit: Not reading instructions…until I have to.

One Goal You’d Still Like to Accomplish: Helping to save African elephants.

Best Advice You Ever Got: Don’t expect better results if you do not change and improve the process.

Photo by Steve Roberts

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SIGNATURE MEMPHIS

Chuck Brady

EVENT

Chefs’ Celebrity Gala

CHEFS’ CELEBRITY GALA

Benefiting Memphis Child Advocacy Center

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Dana and Brett Prentiss

Virginia Stallworth and Justin James

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he Memphis Child Advocacy Center (CAC) held its oldest and most successful annual fund-raiser at the University of Memphis Holiday Inn. Sponsored by the Greater Memphis Chapter of the American Culinary Federation, the 25th annual Chefs’ Celebrity Gala featured a one-of-a-kind dinner for 500 distinguished guests. Offering a unique twist, this silver anniversary dinner was served by celebrity servers, some of Memphis’ “most philanthropic and community-spirited volunteers.” Carol W. Prentiss, Gala Chair, has been a part of the fundraiser since its beginnings, and she and the Gala committee worked hard to make this year’s event another great success.

Dressed in their best cocktail attire, Memphis CAC supporters crowded the lobby and sipped on fine wines provided by Frederick Wildman and Sons and Star Distributors as they checked out the variety of items up for grabs at the silent auction. From a hot air balloon ride to guitars signed by Darius Rucker and Steven Tyler and everything in between, the auction presented an eclectic array of specialty items. Virginia Stallworth, executive director Memphis CAC, said, “This is our 25th anniversary for the fund-raiser. It is the Memphis Child Advocacy Center’s biggest fund-raiser of the year, and we have been hosting it longer than our doors have been open. The very first Gala was held to raise funds to renovate the Center’s present-day Victorian house headquarters at 1085 Poplar Ave. The Chefs’ Celebrity Gala has since become the core fund-raiser for the Center.”

As the lights dimmed to announce dinner, attendees excitedly filed into the grand ballroom for a grand dinner. A charcuterie plate was presented as the first course, offering a select assortment of Toscano salami, black pepper salami, garlic sausages, Prosciutto ham, Manchego cheese, baby Swiss and cranberry chipotle cheddar cheese served with crostinis. The second course was a jumbo shrimp tabouli, followed by a lemon sorbet. The entrée consisted of seared beef tenderloin, au gratin potatoes, cognac demi cream, asparagus spears and carrot strips. Last, but not least, dinner was completed by a ganache Grand Marnier chocolate cake with raspberries, white chocolate sticks, apricot glaze and candied Macadamia nuts.

During dinner, Andy Childs and his band provided entertainment. The always-popular Teddy Bear Surprises had guests clamoring to buy a bear. Each bear corresponds to gifts and certificates for goods and services donated by local businesses and individuals. Teddy bear gifts included spa, travel and sports packages to name only a few of the fabulous surprises. Bears could be purchased at either a $250, $500 or $1,000 level of value. This year’s Gala was dedicated to Nancy Williams, who retired this January after leading the Memphis CAC for 20 years in her role as executive director. The Memphis CAC works tirelessly to serve children who are victims of sexual and severe physical abuse through prevention, education and intervention, and $250,000 was raised at this year’s gala to help fund those efforts.

Kim and Robert Cox

Dirk and Margaret Brakebusch

Story by Rachel Warren Photos by Don Perry See all the party photos at rsvpmagazine.com Password: RSVP Heather and Brad Ottinger

Amy Martin and Janice Gibert

Angie and Jerry Pesce

Patty Donnelly, Jennifer Gamblin and Anita Wathen

Carol W. Prentiss and Tommy Wofford

EVENT CHEFS’ CELEBRITY GALA

John Davis and Rosie Phillips

Margaret and Luke Hall

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Colleen and Charlie Long

Brian and Mandy Weeks

Yancy Villa-Calvo and Maurico Calvo

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Lauren and Jack Stimac

Tim and Cathy Dalfiume

Kristen and Bo Midgett

Rebecca Fowler and Doug Browne

Melanie and Mark Compton

Richard Shaw and Kathleen Montgomery

EVENT CHEFS’ CELEBRITY GALA

Jonathan and Cindy Schwartz

Sean and Cindy Carlson

Elizabeth and Greg Smithers

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Matt and Karen Hall

David and Sunny Stalls

Rusty Prudhon and Glenda Hastings

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Paul Bryant and Amy Davis

Delores Kinsolving and Andy Childs

Holly Shotsberger with Jeff and Nanette Crawley and David Shotsberger

Kelly and Sharon Truitt

Tanya Groves with Tommy and Paula McCalla

EVENT CHEFS’ CELEBRITY GALA

Monica and John Fuess

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Pete and Penny Aviotti

Morgan Goldsmith, Kristie Goldsmith and Annette Askew RSVP

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Susan Jordan, David Sears, Brad Robb and Andy Jordan

Larry and Lil Wright with Melanie and David Martin

EVENT CHEFS’ CELEBRITY GALA Scott Shanker with Kristen and Marshall Wright

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Judge Bobby Carter, Judge D’Army Bailey and Richard Glassman

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Mark Melton and Steve Prentiss

Carol, Pete and Sharon Voehringer with Suzanna Gehringer

STREETSEEN

Catrina Guttery On the Local Rock Scene: “Memphis Made”

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veryone knows that if you want to hear and see great music, Memphis is the place to be! Memphis consistently produces some of the best music in the country, and there are countless local bands that are putting Memphis on the map. From rock to rap from county to classical, Memphis is a hotbed of innovative and fresh musical talent. Catrina Guttery of Rock 103 is helping to spread the word about local rock music with the station’s “Memphis Made” program. The program along with Guttery’s lifelong passion for all things music and her wealth of experience managing bands and interviewing artists has worked together to create a show that is exposing listeners to the rock pioneers of the Memphis music scene.

Every Sunday night from 8-10 p.m., Rock 103 takes a break from the usual schedule of classic rock hits to play emerging rock music straight from the streets of Memphis. Its main focus is on local Memphis and Mid-South area music. The show brings Memphians up to speed on new bands, album releases as well as unique band interviews and on the scene reporting for musical concerts and events.

“Memphis Made” host, Guttery explains, “I play everything from the classic hits like Target and Survivor to Big Star to local up-and-coming bands like Manateees, Ex-Cult, Nots and Ghost Town Blues Band. We have blues bands on the show as well.

A mix of things Memphis music across the board as far as rock goes. We also have bands on the show. We let them come on and talk about their album release, their release parties and give a little background information on the band.”

Guttery has long been apart of the Memphis music scene, from sneaking into the Mid-South Coliseum when she was only 13 years old to see bands play, watching music at the now-gone Rascals bar in Overton Square and later going on to earn a degree in Entertainment Management that propelled her from watching bands to working with bands. Guttery has always had an affinity for great music and local talent.

“I have worked with everyone from local pop soul artist Ryan Peel, Good Luck Dark Star and Latin jazz artist Marcela Pinilla to my first band I ever managed called Augustine, who later went on to be called the Third Man. I worked with a little of everything across the board. I just think, ‘How can you live in Memphis and not be influenced by music!’ That is what did it for me, and that is what started my life-long appreciation of Memphis music,” Guttery exclaims.

Guttery explains that “Memphis Made” is now in its third year, and was the brainchild of Ditch Milne, Rock 103 program director, who approached her about reporting on Memphis music which led to her place now at Rock 103.

“He came into the Memphis Music Foundation, a local nonprofit that I worked for at the time, and wanted me to report the Memphis Music news weekly, so I started doing that. I progressed from there into becoming the producer and host of the ‘Memphis Made’ show. That has been going on now for two years now,” Guttery remarks.

On what is on the horizon for the program, Guttery responds that they have recently extended its hours to include more music and more interviews with bands. Guttery states that the there will now also be a “Memphis Made” on-the-scene segment where she will get a quick interview with bands at the concert or party. “It is fun to have the bands in the studio but to go into their own environment is really fun,” Guttery chimes.

Guttery also notes that the “Memphis Made” program is one of the ways Rock 103 is committed to staying connected to the Memphis community. Personally, Guttery also works to promote the Memphis Hispanic community through her work with the station. “I am able, through the station, to form those community partnerships and nurture them. That is very close to me because I am Mexican, and it is part of my roots. It is just such an exciting thing to see the Hispanic community here in Memphis grow.”

Guttery encourages all Memphis and Mid-South rock artists to submit their music to be considered for the show. Think your band can rock? Interested artists may apply at www.rock103.com/ onair/memphis-made-55562.

Story by Rachel Warren Photos by Steve Roberts

STREETSEEN

Jimmy Lewis For the Pleasure of Coffee

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ome might say that one of the great pleasures in life is a really fine cup of coffee. While tea fanatics are shaking their heads at this, whatever your warm beverage of choice is, there are just some things in life that taste better and feel better handcrafted with care and enthusiasm. Entrepreneur and well-known local, Jimmy Lewis, is on a mission to provide Memphians with an excellently crafted cup of coffee made from coffee beans roasted right here in Memphis.

“It is pretty important to experience pleasure in your life. It’s like looking at a great work of art and saying, ‘Wow.’ Watching the beans morph into a great cup of coffee…it’s just fun!” Lewis states, explaining that he has always been apart of coffee culture. Lewis relates that it was his love of coffee that led him to consider his trajectory in life and rethink his work as a commercial real estate broker.

“I asked myself what I wanted to do. In the course of asking myself what I wanted to do, the issue of fulfillment and pleasure in the experience of working came up,” Lewis says, and this, combined with his enjoyment of all things coffee, pushed him to take a chance and immerse himself in the full-time business of coffee.

This bold departure from real estate into the new territory of coffee led Lewis to go all in and open his own roastery, Relevant Roasters. Located at 584 Tillman Street, Relevant Roasters offers environmentally sustainable roasted coffee beans sourced from a variety of different regions such as Ethiopia and Nicaragua and roasted in house with the compnay’s top-of-the-line, sustainable convection roaster. The name Relevant Roasters comes from Lewis’ mission to take the lead from the costumer rather than tell the costumer what they want.

“We are not just walking into the business, saying, ‘OK world, tell me how to run my business.’ I am saying that I am coming at it from a different direction than most businesses do, which is try to identify what it is that you want and try to build my model around that. What we are really doing is asking the question what is relevant?

And we are following it,” Lewis states. After watching Lewis lovingly and meticulously roast and brew an experimental dark roast he is trying out for an interested buyer, it is clear to that Lewis’ pleasure has translated into a superior and flavorful cup of clean, bright coffee that is levels above the typical grocery variety.

Relevant Roasters plans on staying relevant to costumer desires by working closely with coffee distributers to make sure that their coffee bean farms that they are sourcing from are committed to socially and environmentally ethical practices as well as looking to donate portions of their proceeds to local nonprofits. With the business slogan of “every cup matters,” Lewis and his team are dedicated to creating an artisan-quality roasted coffee bean that creates a window of pleasure, a lasting memory and an ethical foundation for every costumer. It is working. So far several local shops around town have shelved his product including Tart Memphis, Bounty on Broad and Miss Cordelia’s Grocery. Relevant Roaster is also hosting a series of pop-up shops to offer interested coffee-drinkers a taste of their products. Every Friday and Saturday morning from 8-11 a.m., Lewis and his team are selling cups of coffee at the roastery on Tillman. Lewis hopes that, instead of struggling to get shelf placement around town targeted at an audience that is unaware of his product, the pop-up shops will create a demand from knowledgeable consumers that are familiar with the Relevant brand.

Right now Relevant Roasters is offering seven different blends and roasts. Lewis notes that as a new business, he first wants his team to perfect their product, and, instead of offering an overwhelming variety of products, he would like to build a demand and then focus on broadening their selection and placement. In the near future, Lewis wants to continue getting the Relevant Roaster name out there as well use the roastery as a event venue and show room. He plans to also open up public coffee tastings, called “cupping” in the coffee world, perfecting his products and getting Memphians excited about locally roasted coffee. “I am on an adventure here, and I am being guided by the way in which we interface the community around us,” Lewis shares.

There is little doubt Relevant Roasters will continue to grow.

Nothing is better than a really good cuppa Joe! For more information about Relevant Roasters contact info@relevantroaster.com or call 901458-5599.

Story by Rachel Warren Photos by Steve Roberts

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THE AMBASSADOR SERIES

The Ambassador Series

By Eugene Pidgeon

HIS METTLE OF HONOR

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checkerboard of the 99th Infantry Division near Krinkelt, Belgium. Seventy years ago, on this day, the first day of what is now referred to as the Battle of the Bulge, Vernon McGarity would earn his country’s highest military decoration for courage under fire: the Medal of Honor. Still, very few Memphians even know his name.

Upon his discharge from the United States Army, McGarity put away his wartime experiences and quietly returned to Tennessee, where he would build a new President Truman, General Eisenhower and Vernon McGarity

Photo by Acme Photo

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or the last two years I have been privileged to bring The Ambassador Series to the readers of RSVP Magazine and to the city of Memphis itself. For this December edition and, just as I did last year, I thought a recap of the stories and a revisit with the Memphians I have profiled in 2014 would be appropriate. Then I had another idea.

Instead of revisiting every story, I would like to remember a Memphian whom I never profiled or ever even met.

Still, he has affected me more than I can ever pretend to articulate, and, at the core of everyone I have profiled for the past two years, there is a part and parcel of the very same character and strength, service and humility, which so quietly and so naturally defined this Memphian’s life.

If you were to take a citywide poll and ask Memphians if they knew the name Vernon McGarity, most would say no. Yet, as much as the names of Elvis Presley, EH “Boss” Crump, Abe Plough and Dr. Vasco Smith resound and echo throughout our city, names, which comport the very marrow and muscle of our history, so should be the name Vernon McGarity.

When Vernon McGarity died at age 91 in May 2013, the city of Memphis, the state of Tennessee and, indeed, the entire country bade farewell to a man whose very actions, in such a long life, had spoken so loudly, that it must have been terribly hard to have ever heard a word he was saying.

What becomes a hero most? Is it valor exhibited, well above and beyond the call of duty, in the face of a desperate and determined enemy? Or is it modesty cultivated well above and beyond the call of duty; a modesty forever exhibited after the fact?

In the case of Vernon McGarity, an answer may be best sewn together with strands informed by both ideas. For the benefit of history, let all tales be told about how a lanky, country boy, newly sprung from the wilds of middle Tennessee, had managed to single handedly enable his men to disrupt a concentrated German armored thrust on an icy winter battlefield somewhere in Belgium and less than three weeks after his 23rd birthday.

On December 16, 1944, Vernon McGarity was a Technical Sergeant attached to Company L of the 393rd Combat Infantry Regiment and serving under the banner of the blue and white

life and a family. Thanks in part to Steven Spielberg and Tom Hanks, the movie “Saving Private Ryan” and the heralded HBO series “Band of Brothers,” veterans of the Second World War are now finding themselves in the spotlight once again. A renaissance of gratitude for the sacrifices made by these brave men and women is blossoming across the entire United States.

However, and despite the Medal of Honor, Vernon McGarity disdained the spotlight.

He preferred to keep his heroism to himself, even keeping it from his own son.

The late Ray McGarity was in the fourth grade at Bethel Grove Elementary when he first learned of how his father, Vernon McGarity, had earned the Medal of Honor. Before he passed away in May 2014, Ray had many fond memories of his father.

“It was in the fall, in November and close to Veterans Day,” he remembered. “My teacher approached me and asked if I knew my father had been a hero in the Second World War. I had no idea!

My dad was a very quiet man, and he hated being the center of attention.”

“The path I would take in my own life was never influenced by the Medal of Honor,” Ray McGarity insisted. “I was never made to feel by my dad that I was, in any way, expected to live up to what he had done as a soldier. It was simply about having good manners. To have bragged about the medal was just something you didn’t do. My father was never one to boast or to rely on what was done in the past, and though I was so proud of him after I found out, I quickly learned to respect and abide by his wishes.”

Prior to the Second World War, Vernon McGarity lived a quiet life as a family farmer. Yet after the war, he returned and took a job with the Veterans Administration in Memphis. The balance of his life was spent in service coordinating benefits for the soldiers who had fought before him and after him. “He was especially helpful to those veterans who had fought beside him in the Second World War,” Ray chimed.

There is an old wartime bromide, which declares with impunity that there are no atheists in a foxhole. If there was any measure of truth to this, it would be important to learn how combat alters one’s perception of God and how it impacts a soldier’s faith.

“My father was a man of faith, and we did attend the Baptist church when I was growing up, but if my father’s faith in God was ever mitigated by what he experienced on the battlefield…I never knew it.

All I know is that he lived his life with faith in God.” Vernon McGarity was a patriot.

After the war, through the threats of nuclear war and communism and then through the pains of the Civil Rights Movement, he never lost sight of the true American ideal. “If the ideal can survive, so can the country!” The preservation of the American ideal is what Sargeant Vernon McGarity was fighting for during the bitterly cold winter of 1944 in Belgium.

The American ideal is at the heart of The Ambassador Series. For valor in action, above and beyond the call of duty, Vernon McGarity received the Medal of Honor. He has earned the right to rest in peace. He has earned the right to be called a hero. A grateful nation and a grateful magazine columnist thank you for your service! I thank you for my possibility.

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BROOKS AVANT-GARDE PARTY

EVENT

Brooks Avant-Garde Party “Walk Like an Egyptian”

A Tyler Fuehrer and Devan Tackett

Juni Ganguli and Dr. Malini Gupta-Ganguli

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pproximately 200 people attended the Avant-Garde membership party held at the Memphis Brooks Museum of Art. With the theme “Walk Like an Egyptian” many in the crowd came in costume as Marc Anthony, Cleopatra, Nefertiti, Ramesses or other ancient souls.

Some guests declined costume attire and simply dressed as their “royal selves.”

Andria Lisle, Brooks public programs and public relations manager, explains, “This year’s Avant-Garde party was inspired by the curent exhibition ‘Soulful Creatures: Animal Mummies in Ancient Egypt,’ which is on view through January 18, 2015. Combining archaeology, history and modern medical imaging, ‘Soulful Creatures’ presents a fresh, exciting view of art and culture in ancient Egypt.”

“The Avant-Garde party is an annual event for ‘Fellow’ level members and above. Eligible members pay a minimum of $300 for a yearlong membership, and they receive two tickets to the party. It’s a big revenue generator for the Brooks,” Lisle added.

Food carried the Middle Eastern theme with appetizers of stuffed grape leaves, figs and dates, cheeses, hummus with pita bread and chicken satay, served with a peanut sauce. The museum’s restaurant staff at The Brushmark catered everything in-house. Wine and beer were offered, along with a specialty cocktail called “The Egyptian Martini” (strawberry lemonade-flavored Svedka vodka with pink lemonade and Triple Sec), which actually hails from a legendary Philadelphia nightclub named Egypt.

Giant props including a sarcophagus and a golden lion set the stage for entertainment that included belly dancing by Hannah “Hassanh” Nelson of Pyramid Dance Company. The side patio was tented and offered a warm spot for conversation beside a fire pit.

There was also a hookah lounge available. Vintage videos interspersed with Egyptian symbols and images were broadcast on three screens, and music from DJ Moi kept the crowd on the dance floor.

For all of the fun, the “Walk Like an Egyptian” event also gave partygoers the opportunity to enjoy an enhanced connection with the museum and the world of art as they delighted in an evening spent with fellow art enthusiasts.

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

Dr. Stanton Thomas and Dr. Genevieve Hill-Thomas

Story by Emily Adams Keplinger Photos by Patrick Lantrip

Khushbu and Bradley Lee

Rouben and Liz Simonian

Terry Beaty and Nancy Willis

John Kaltner and Debra Bartelli

Darcy Raches, Greg Thompson and Robin Poston

Gail Mayes and Jerry Michie

EVENT BROOKS AVANT-GARDE PARTY

Stewart Smith and Susan Evans with Kent and Dana Farmer

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Charlie Nelson, Melissa Renard and Adrienne Bailey

Shirley and Michael Lupfer

John Hickman and Cheryl Angelo

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Darrell and Mickey Cobbins

Lee and Annette Askew with Mari Askew and Patrick Foley

Michelle Snowden and Emily Gattuso

Edwin and Melissa Robinson

Leslie Crowe, Nikki Montesi and Traci Edwards

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EVENT BROOKS AVANT-GARDE PARTY D E C E M B E R 2 0 14

Caprice and Terry Morgan

Jeannie and Phil Ashford

Dave and Missy Fuehrer

Robin Davis and Cathy Winterburn

Kevin Kimberly and Geoff Maddox

Monique Williams and Corliss Shaw

Cyril Henry and Cavita Kapadia

Janet Lo and Lucas Elijovich

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EVENT

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Kelley and Ken Hayes with Caroline Martin and Jake Boynton

BROOKS AVANT-GARDE PARTY

Michelle Mattson and Mathias Kaelberer with Kathy Spiers and Jack Green

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Elenor Halliday, Marina Pacini and Bubba Halliday

Russell and Vicki Deaton with Chrysanthe Preza and Einir Valdimarsson

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Vox Popular Q&A with Phil Trenary

T

he Greater Memphis Chamber is spreading the word that Memphis is open and ready for business!

President and chief executive officer of the Chamber, Phil Trenary, opens up with RSVP editor Rachel Warren about the many new initiatives that the Chamber has been working on from Pre-K education to breaking the cycle of poverty and creating a job ready workforce in Memphis. The Chamber is speaking up loud and clear about Memphis business and taking challenges head on.

Trenary: We have the official mission but, if you think about Memphis and our greatest challenge, it is to break the cycle of poverty. It is important for the Chamber and the business community to accept and to take the leadership role in doing that. That means doing what it takes in terms of not only retaining and attracting good companies that provide good jobs, but, just as important, making sure that our people, especially our young people, have the skills they need to be prepared for those good jobs.

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RSVP: What are some of the ways the Chamber is working toward providing young people with those skills and breaking the cycle of poverty?

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Trenary: As we look at what the Chamber does and think about our objects, goals and priorities, we want to make sure that what we are doing supports that overall goal. For example, we have the Chairman’s Circle now. In addition to our 2,000 members now, we have 104 members that have come together and accepted a leadership role in this. We have created “Moon Missions” and there are five of them. These Moon Missions are named after a national goal set by President Kennedy of landing a man on the moon in the 1960s and work to significantly impact the economic prosperity of Greater Memphis. All five Moon Missions ultimately support this. The one you have probably heard the most about is something called Harvard Tech., which is now in partnership with The Brookings Institution, and they have developed the Greater Memphis Alliance for a Competitive Workforce, GMACW. That is an overarching strategy to bring together all our resources for technical education and post-secondary education to be able to match the demand from business with a supply side.

The initial goal is to have at least 2,000 students per year coming through that.

For example, we have 40,000 people unemployed in Memphis right now, but we have 16,000 jobs we cannot fill. It is a matter of matching these two. It is very important that we do that. It is called the 1,000 Entrepreneurs, and it is paramount in bringing together all of our resources.

Memphis, as a culture, tends to want to do good things. We are the second most giving community in the nation. So folks pool their resources, their talents and find ways to go about doing good works in the community, but sometimes they are siloed. In each one of these missions, the first thing we ask is, “Is someone else doing this?” Hence the Alliance with Brookings on what we call Harvard Tech. This is one where we come together. It is very important that we collaborate. We don’t care who gets the credit. What is impor-

tant is that we get it done. Pre-K education is one of the greatest challenges we have in Memphis. Memphis is leading the nation in education improvement. We have this gaping hole on the bottom end as far as early childhood education. So the Moon Mission is focused on these areas of 0K education. Right now, step one is to secure universal Pre-K with wrap around services. That is very important to the long-range development plan. Memphis has, over the years, done a lot of annexation.

Another issues is that it turns out there is no updated master plan for development in the city of Memphis. We are trying to help create a consistent development plan we can all agree on that will move Memphis forward. Take a look at cities that are successful.

They have definitive development plans. The Chamber is also working on tying together all of the green spaces the greater Memphis area and the surrounding areas have to offer. This is one of the things that we know attracts people, especially young people, to the community. The green space in our communities is one of the things that make people really want to stay here.

Just go on the Greenline or Shelby Farms any weekend.

These places are for all Memphians. They work for anyone. If you think about it, Memphis is so ideally positioned right now. We are starting to see companies reshoring, coming back from China. Memphis is ideally located geographically. We have the greatest infrastructure in the world for logistics, broadly speaking. We have the rail here, the highway, the river and the airport. Combine all that with our location and there is no better place for logistics in the country.

The thing we have to do is make sure we have a job ready workforce. If we have that, then no community will be able to compete with Memphis in the future. No other community has the complete package like Memphis does. The other thing is that other communities don’t have this large resource of young people. That is so key because so many people view that as one of our greatest problems. Compared to other cities that may not have a lot of young people, it is easier to address what we have here and give our young people the opportunities to succeed and make a good living than it is to convince people to come live in our community.

Photos by Don Perry

RSVP: What is the mission of the Greater Memphis Chamber?

RSVP: What are some things that we can look out for from the Chamber in 2015?

Trenary: Everything we do is very goal driven. You will see some

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RSVP: What inspires you in your work with the Chamber as president?

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announcements about new jobs, new companies coming to Memphis, we always work on retention with collaboration with EDGE (Economic Development Growth Engine), which is the government side. We represent the companies that EDGE represents. If you look at some of the pillars of the Chamber, you have economic development, which is number one, and it is about 66 percent of our budget. The second is community development, and they are all tied together, but community development is more focused on the work force and schools. What you are really seeing, and what you haven’t seen in the past, is the Chamber really acting as the voice of business. That is something we really haven’t necessarily been able to do in the past, but today, whenever there is an issue important to business, we want to collaborate with the government in every way we can, and we are seeing that our businesses are reaching out and developing strong relationships with government. The Chamber is also going to take hard stands when we have to and really work with our government to prepare us to be competitive. Things like fiscal responsibility, we can’t be a city that is teetering on financial precipitous and expect to be successful. We have to do secure our finances, and we have to send a message to the world that not only is Memphis open to business, but that we are open for business in a very responsible way and that this is a place you want to live. So expect to see the announcements of new companies and new jobs. You can also expect to hear results as far as Harvard Tech. and Pre-K education. With the Memphis EPIcenter (Entrepreneurship Powered Initiative Center) and the 1,000 Entrepreneurs, you are going to see some concrete steps come out of these groups. We hope to see the 80 community organizations for 14 communities and three states come together with their green spaces. So in the next 12 months, but really hopefully in the next 3-4 months, you will start hearing results on based launching these Moon Missions, and you will see the results as far as job creation and capital investment. That is how we tract our success. You will also see the Chamber continue to be the strong voice of business.

Trenary: You know, this is one of those things where you wake up, and you get to make a difference everyday. Bridget, my wife, and I had considered moving somewhere else.

We love Boulder, Colo., and we had considered moving there. When we came back to Memphis after a visit there, we said, “Wait a minute, so many things are going on in Memphis right now.” So many people have invested time, money and effort, literally sweat and tears to get us here, and how often do you have the opportunity to be that close to something when it is just about to go the right way. I believe Memphis will be recognized as an overnight success in the not-to-distant future. That ignores the fact that so many different people have been working hard for so long to do that, but it is our time. If we are successful, and I believe we will be, and if these initiatives come together, primarily education for our kids and having our fiscal and regulatory act together, there is no better place to be. We love living in Memphis. It is our home. We will be here for a while. It is a good time to get out of bed in the morning.

RSVP: What are some of the things you have learned as you took on the role of Chamber President?

Trenary: I knew it was time for the business community to step up. I didn’t realize how ready the business community was. I am talking about all our members. Today, 90 percent of our companies are small business. They want Memphis to be successful. They are willing to step out there and take leadership roles. That has been a very pleasant surprise. There is a large amount of passion and energy that is built up in the business community. People like to make negative comments, but the positive energy here right now is so strong.

We just have to have people believe and get behind a plan that can make it all happen. That has been a very gratifying aspect of my role. The young people are especially passionate. Kerry Hayes came to us and said, “I have a group of young people that really want to

be engaged and want to make a difference.” We put together a group called SoundCheck: A Young Professionals Council of the Greater Memphis Chamber. They have over 100 members now, primarily in their early 20s to mid-30s, that are focused on initiatives to change the community to bring about the kind of reform we need to make things happen. SoundCheck will be tied directly to the Chairman’s Circle, and will be moving agendas forward. They have a ton of energy. Young people are getting it. The young people in Memphis understand that Memphis is a great place to be because, if you are a young person, and you want to go to Denver, Atlanta, Dallas, it is pretty hard to make a difference. Young people are making a huge difference in Memphis, especially the “Millennials.” Our future really rests with them.

RSVP: What are some attracting points for small or large businesses to set up shop in Memphis?

Trenary: The one thing we have to start bragging about is our workforce because if a company will tell us what they need, we can provide. We have resources to provide a great workforce. The quality of life here is outstanding. If you think about the time it takes to commute to work, the cost of living, some really great schools, from a family perspective, it is a great place to live. I just love it when people come here and people try to talk them out of it. They get here, and you can’t get them to leave. They are surprised. That is because Memphis has done such a great job about complaining about itself. When you talk about breaking the cycle of poverty and growing business, the other part of that is the fact that we have to grow our middle class. Our middle class has actually shrunk in the last 20 years. You look at other communities, and their middle class has grown. Our’s has not. That is why we have to tell the world we are open for business. We want you to come here. We have the workforce. We have an unparallel supply of high-quality water. If you are looking at business and what you need, you need to be able to, one, dream, and Memphis has proven that there is something in the water here that lends to that. It doesn’t matter if it is music or business; this is a place to innovate. You have to have the infrastructure to build and distribute your product. There is no better place to do that than Memphis, and we have lots of people here ready to pitch in and make that happen.

RSVP: Is there anything that people may not know about the Chamber that they ought to?

Trenary: I think very few people recognize the full breath of what the Chamber does. We have people doing research and talking to companies every single day. The culture of the Chamber, for a long time, has been to go around and do all this great work and not tell anyone about it. I am telling everyone, “OK, we have to start bragging about ourselves.”

People don’t understand the value the Chamber brings to the business community. It doesn’t matter whether you are Winfield’s Shoe Store & Accessories, downtown, or the Mitsubishi Building, we play a role and create a place where they can grow their business for more people. The Chamber wants to help businesses small or large succeed. We are working on growing the middle class and growing the economy so there are more people that can go to your restaurant, more people to buy homes and more people to buy shoes. It is about growing the overall economy. All of the pieces that it takes to do that are housed in the Chamber building. We are reaching out to embrace the entire business community because we represent all business, but, for example, we don’t have enough representation by Hispanic businesses, and we want to do more with these business communities. We are actually starting a faith-based council, in the very early stages right now, because that is one aspect that is so important to this community. We are trying to create an environment that is good for, not just business, but also for the citizens of Memphis. It is really about expanding the Chamber and making sure that we are embracing everyone and bring value to everyone.

Probably the number one misconception is that the Chamber is only about big business. Small businesses make up 90 percent of our companies. The small businesses will be our foundation as we grow.

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SPIRITS WITH THE SPIRITS

EVENT

Spirits with the Spirits History in the Flesh

T Heather Baxter and Scott Healy

Jim and Ellen Westbrook

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he residents of Elmwood Cemetery welcomed guests to their resting place on a dark and chilly night for the annual Spirits with the Spirits fund-raiser for the historical cemetery. Candles and bonfires lit up the night as guests crossed the bridge into the entrance of the cemetery. The dress code called for black and white attire and attendees wore their best, and, since it was also the Day of the Dead, several attendees painted their faces to look like Sugar Skulls. Several characters from history took a break from their peaceful respite to inform partygoers of their colorful pasts. From confederate spies to beauty queens, these historical figures shared a drink with the crowd and divulged their stories of adventure and status.

The natural beauty of the 80-acre cemetery, known for its ancient trees and the resting place for veterans of every American war, was the backdrop as guests enjoyed treats from a large selection of local eateries such as Fork It Over Catering, Maximillian’s Catering, Just for Lunch and Baby Jack’s BBQ. Hits with the Elmwood supporters included the University Club’s candied bacon and The Boiling Point Seafood & Oyster Bar’s seafood gumbo and crawfish dip. Across the way, an “open casket” bar offered several strong potions and libations for those looking to quench their thirst, or, perhaps, to ingest some liquid courage before a moonlit stroll through the cemetery.

Roaring Tiger Vodka put some hair on the chest of attendees with shots of their premium vodka mixed with an orange and cranberry liquor. Jenny Moon, a confederate spy reenacted by Cathi Johnson, circulated through the crowd telling her intriguing life story. Mrs. Moon recalled her time deceiving several Union soldiers into taking her hand in marriage, giving her access to Union secrets as well as an interesting money making scheme that she devised involving a portrait of a bird and a large helping of ingenuity and daring.

A haunted wagon tour continued the history lesson into the many exciting and vibrant characters who reside in Elmwood. Those interested in looking into what their future held for them lined up to have their fortunes told and their tarot cards read. Always a favorite, the Ernestine and Hazel’s House Band with Willy Bearden as the front man heated up the party with some classic rock ‘n’ roll and blues. An Elmwood themed auction also turned up the heat with a silent auction that included artwork and furniture fashioned from repurposed wood from fallen trees in the cemetery. Other items included artistic renderings and photographs of the cemetery. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, Elmwood Cemetery hosts this annual haunted bash to continue to garner support and funds for the cemetery that is a historical landmark of the city and the nation.

Shana and Josh Durdin

Mary Kate and Stokes Garner

Story by Rachel Warren Photos by Daniel Frederick See all the party photos at rsvpmagazine.com Password: RSVP

Andy Overton and Beth Harper

Tom Jones and Marisa Lake

Mike Smith and Stephanie Lawson

Cathi Johnson, Joelle Pittman and Bethany Lewis

Emily Ashby and Elizabeth Dotoson

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Nancy Miles and Brandon Bowyer

Dan Conaway and Jeanne Arthur

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Richard and Maggie Murf

Dr. Kate Dirkes and Jennie Garvey

Cookie Swain and Bob Barnett

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Rebecca Davis and Matt Brown

Dave and Sarah Miller

Robbie and Michael Weinberg

Maggie Bearden and Kim McCollum

Courtney McCollum and Carol Durdin

Jill Ballard and Charles Fowler

EVENT SPIRITS WITH THE SPIRITS

Amanda Rast, Stacey Trimble and Erin Hillis

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Jack and Katherine Mayer with Karen and Dennis Watson

Tiffany and James Baker

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Lyle and Susan Ogle

Mimi Blanton, Teresa Fiduccia and Kevin Lange

Brittany Jones and Haileigh Disney

Paul Hearne and Leigh Ann Battles

Sandra Watson, Gayle Beckler and Shirhonda Jones

EVENT SPIRITS WITH THE SPIRITS

Cherry Pizzarelle and Kelly Houston

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Tina Nesterowich and Lisa Carson

Chris and Terry Mills with Kathy and Rodney Isbell RSVP

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Hester and Andy Mathes

Mandy Morse

Sharon Jackson with John and Amy Wood

EVENT Al Green and Lelia Green with Helen and Chris Bird

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Julia and Marshall Hart

SPIRITS WITH THE SPIRITS

Pam and Leslie Cooper

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Megan Hoffmann, Hunter Maccarino and Jana Mittelmeier

Jan Callaway, Mary Anne Cibulas, Terry Callaway and George Cibulas

EVENT

Boo! Ball

BOO! BALL

Monster Mansion

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Lisa and Hugh Mallory

Trey Hankins and Melissa Damico

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hings took a spooky turn at the Pink Palace Family of Museums this October as zombies, pirates, witches and skeletons took over the mansion for the annual Boo! Ball. The costume dress attire was taken seriously as Memphians showed up in their creepiest and best Halloween garb, ready to support a beloved Memphis institution and have some scary fun.

The Pink Palace was transformed into a haunted mansion with decorative touches like skulls, spider webs, witch hats and black fabric that hung from the rafters. For those looking to memorialize their costumes there was a photo booth available with a table of goofy dress-up items for guests looking to add to their looks. Princesses and monsters alike indulged in a glass of witch’s brew, and nobody missed out on the spread of heavy hors d’oeuvres. Attendees helped themselves to chicken sandwich sliders, pasta, crudités and a fancy cheese spread. Dessert included mini brownies, cookies and mini pastries.

With drinks in hand, partygoers wondered the dimly lit corners of the Pink Palace and took a look at the spine-chilling items on display. The shrunken head was a popular stop. Encased in glass and no bigger than the palm of one’s hand, the shrunken head was donated to the museum in the 1940s by Abe Scharff, former owner of Kraus Cleaners, and is reportedly from his visits to South American tribalregions in modern-day Ecuador and Peru. Guests were not relieved to hear that the head may very well be genuine given the practice of shrinking heads, according to the museum, was common in the region where the head was obtained. In another dark corridor there were more creepy items taken from the Pink Palace’s collection. On a table sat the skull of a Dire Wolf, an Ice Age ancestor of today’s wolves except this ancient wolf could pack on 175 pounds and grow to the length of 5 feet. Watch out Red Riding Hood! Lastly, there was a small undertaker’s basket on display that was used to transport the dead many years ago.

For those who wanted to dance, WALRUS, an 80s college rock and classic alternative band, brought the tunes to the party. Dracula danced with Princess Leia and Elvis served a stout drink at the bar.

All proceeds went to the Pink Palace Family of Museums.

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

Whitney and Phillip Cruzan

Story by Rachel Warren Photos by Patrick Lantrip

Angela Watson and Madelyn Gray

Tracye Jones and Janette Jones

Paul Tomes and Jennifer Tomes

Lake and Marrow Bailey

Jon and Sarah Wright with Jon and Raven Moorehead

Stacia Weir and Russell Hays

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EVENT BOO! BALL

Jeff and Leigh Ann Wills

Mary and Michael Saig

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Kevin and Amy Shutz

Spence and Becky Wilson

Martha and Terry Robertson

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Michael and Susan Horton

Archana and Sudhir Agrawal

Courtney Ward and Jodi Beth Haberman

Emily and Jeff McEvoy

Amanda and Bill Bannister

Courtney and Adam Winter

EVENT BOO! BALL

Johnny Lawrence and Andie Walsh

Gordin and Lisa McMurty

Mike and Suzanne McCarthy

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Alyce Burr and Sara Heckle

Michael Donahue and Jonny Ballinger

Tracey and Alex Thesmar

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Kim and David Hash

Kenny Locke and Sarah Shaw with Cathy and Jerry Grilli

Whitney Sanders and Stephen Pishko

Lee Sandberg and Peria Gober

Martha, Vickie and Robert Shaw

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

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EVENT BOO! BALL

Tyler and Lauren Cannon

Kenneth and Gloria Boyland

Julia Schweizer and Maggie Moore

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Nikkie Parker-Dunnewold and Garrett Dunnewold

Sarah Biggs and Chelsea Barton

Jan Crum and Vernon Fant

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Ford and Hailey Williams

Dr. Gordon and Joy Wills

Nicole Fox and Denise Higdon

Phillamon and Rominita Berry

Wes and Becky Kraker with Susan and Sheldon Dacus

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Ave Maria Home Dinner Gala

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The Ave Maria Home serves more than 140 nursing home and assisted-living residents on its nine acres facility in Bartlett. It offers the only Green House Project, which provides smaller home-like and self-starter dwelling situations to residents in West Tennessee, and the home serves 30 patients a day through its adult day care program as well as 150 disabled young adults and seniors through its home care program. The facility relies heavily on donations and the several fund-raisers it presents throughout the year, including the annual Gala Week. This year’s Gala Week kicked off at the Colonial Country Club in Cordova with the Gala Dinner. The gala dinner provided a reception to honor families and individuals who have contributed to and supported the facility over the years. “It’s a chance for everybody in the community to come together and recognize the people who have been helpful to Ave Maria and spread the word about what we do,” Executive Director Frank Gattuso said. During dinner, administrators honored the Montesi Family, Reverend James L. Pugh and Dr. R. Wayne Speer for their generosity of time, talent and resources.

The dinner was held at the country club to preview the next day’s Father Leonard Oglesby Memorial Golf Tournament.

Proceeds from the Gala Week will be used to build more Green House homes, more space for their Home Care and Adult Day Center programs and short-term rehabilitation services to residents and clients.

Salvation Army Women’s Auxiliary “Christmas in September” Memphians may have spotted District Attorney General Amy Weirich sporting some especially dazzling jewelry or Shelby County Mayor Mark Luttrell looking extra snazzy at the Hilton Memphis very recently.

The local luminaries-turned-models were there to look good for a good cause. The Greater Memphis Salvation Army Women’s Auxiliary presented their fund-raiser “Christmas in September,” which included a celebrity fashion show. Other celebrities included University of Memphis Dean Richard Ranta, 2014 Mrs. Tennessee USA Rachel Neudecker, Memphis and Shelby County Film Commission Director Linn Sitler and many others. The Shops of Saddle Creek donated the fashion and Mednikow the jewelry. The event benefitted the organization’s Angel Tree Program. The Angel Tree Program provides Christmas gifts for children and the elderly, called Angels. A silent auction augmented the live one, and attendees had the opportunity to get first dibs on this year’s distinctive Salvation Army Christmas cards, designed by local artist Steve Nelson.

Proceeds from the sale of the cards go to benefit the Army’s Purdue Center of Hope, which provides shelter to homeless women and children.

Story and Photos by Lesley Young

Lasting Hope Gala

Loving Local Fundraiser

It has been estimated that over 100,000 children live on the streets in the capital of Ethiopia, Addis Ababa. Memphian Joe Bridges witnessed this heartache firsthand while on a mission trip to the city in 2005, and as a result, formed The Forsaken Children (TFC) organization in an effort to help these youngsters. In partnership with the Street Child Restoration ministry in Ethiopia, Bridges and his team have reached hundreds of children, who have been kidnapped or enslaved and help find them adoptive homes. The organization held the Lasting Hope Gala at the University of Memphis Holiday Inn with the hopes of raising funds for the initiative.

The night offered a silent and live auction, including items such as vacation packages and jewelry, NFL game tickets and even a puppy. Attendees said their goodbyes to Bridges and his wife, Karyn, who are moving to Ethiopia to be of better service to the organization mission, and guests had the opportunity to see the efforts at work during a short video presentation which told the story of Nebiyu. After the death of his father, Nebiyu was left homeless. TFC invited Nebiyu into their center, enrolled him in school and later reunited him with his mother. “We are here to show why we should care about starving children on the other side of the world – because God commands us to,” TFC U.S. Director Britainy Sholl said.

If grazing on vegan nachos and pizza from food vendors such as Fuel Café and Ciao Bella wasn’t enough to give supporters their local fix, even the films were Memphis-made at this year’s Project Greenfork party. The fifth annual Loving Local Fundraiser charmed supporters from start to finish as they wound around the circuitous drive up to the big screens at the Malco Summer Drive-In. In keeping with the organization’s mission, which is to help area restaurants operate more sustainably by offering certifications to those that fulfill certain green criteria, the event showcased several local food vendors. Under a cloudless sky and choice temperatures on one of the first autumn-like days of the year, fire pits and S’mores – vegan and regular – were in order and were provided by Lady Bugg Bakery. The silent auction was a local lover’s dream with items from businesses such as Cosmic Coconut juices, Hollywood Feed pet store and Goner Records up for grabs. Raucous surfer sounds from the band Impala kept the party going until sunset. That’s when Screamin’ Jay Hawkins and Rufus Thomas graced the screen during the event’s showing of Jim Jarmusch’s locally made “Mystery Train.” No showcase of native film is complete without Joaquin Phoenix’s and Reese Witherspoon’s crooning of the Man in Black’s legendary songs in the movie “Walk the Line.” All in all, it was an enchanting evening for Memphians who love everything Memphis.

Story and Photos by Lesley Young

Story and Photos by Lesley Young

Story and Photos by Lesley Young

Joann Daniel and Billie Jean Graham

Mike and Kathleen Edelmuth with Michael and Michelle McIvor

Kevin Kane and Jim Eikner

Lillian Cara and Betty Powell

Barbara Rich and Ursula Madden

Kara Moses and Cathy Burk

Duane Larson and Anna Todd

Nicci Feathers and Matt Bandermann

Jenn Slawson and Kim Tummins

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Indie Memphis Film Festival Preview Party

Le Bon Vin and Spirits

Trezevant Episcopal Home “Party on the Patio”

Cirque du CMOM Kick Off Party

If you’re looking for original, innovative films that are thought provoking as well as entertaining, you’ll find them among the independent films promoted by Indie Memphis. The Indie Memphis Film Festival Preview Party was held at High Cotton Brewing Company – the perfect venue for hosting a party comprised of fire and aerial hoop performers, a live painting artist, craft beers and, of course, delicious food!

About 300 guests enjoyed the event and were able to see sneak previews for the upcoming film festival. Guests strolled through the venue, lounged on couches and admired the rustic aura of the party and location while awaiting the final and main act.

After a few words from Craig Brewer, the Indie president and acclaimed filmmaker, and Erik Jambor, the Indie executive director, partygoers gathered around a massive projection screen to watch this year’s Indie Memphis film selection. Many of the films were sent in from out of town, but there were some made right here in Memphis. One of those local to Memphis was “5 Steps to a Conversation.” It was definitely a teaser for unique and creative films!

“Le bon vin” is French for “the good wine,” which proved to be an understatement at Le Bon Vin and Spirits held at the Memphis Botanic Garden, since there were over 80 different kinds of wine on hand at the event benefiting Le Bonheur Children’s Hospital. Star Distributors generously donated the wine and spirits, and Horseshoe Casino Tunica and Jack Binion’s Steakhouse provided the fare. Heavy hors d’oeuvres of Blue Moon chicken, Prosciutto ham and cheese, shrimp rémoulade crostinis, smoked salmon cucumber and lamb chops were passed out. A lavish buffet was also provided that featured grilled antipasto, braised pork cheese amusebouches, sautéed garlic cremini mushrooms, brandied marinated Greek olives and an assortment of cured cold cuts, imported and domestic cheeses and tropical fruits. For desert, lemon curt tartlets, chocolate bon-bons and Bing cherry tartlets were served.

Tables were set up in the breezeway, atrium and Hardin Hall of the Botanic Garden where guests could sample a plethora of different wines as well as assorted liquors and “spirits of the season.” Charvey Mac and his smooth voice entertained guests from the stage as they wined, dined and mingled.

Trezevant Episcopal Home team members held a “Party on the Patio” for future Trezevant residents, providing a sneak preview into the lifestyle and cuisine offered at the senior community, located at 177 North Highland.

The event featured cocktails, heavy hors d’oeuvres, musical entertainment and mingling with soon-to-be neighbors. “This event is a wonderful opportunity for our future residents to get a glimpse into what it is like to live here,” noted Leslie Reed, director of sales at Trezevant. “We are as committed to our current residents as we are to those who have committed to live here in the future, and our goal is to create an environment of fellowship, friendship and stress-free living.”

Trezevant is a continuing care retirement community in the heart of Memphis. Trezevant has undergone a $120 million renovation and expansion project, which signifies Trezevant’s effort to consistently provide worldclass service to current and future residents while continuing to be an anchor in the community.

In anticipation for the 2015 Cirque du CMOM (Children’s Museum of Memphis) event, Memphians gathered at the home of JJ and Jay Keras for the Cirque du CMOM Kick Off Party. Upon entering, guests were greeted by the sight of decorative Halloween touches and strung lights. Sarah Watkins and Bridgette Speake, Cirque du CMOM event chairs, welcomed guests to the enchanting Keras abode. Caprese bites, sliders, egg rolls and fried mozzarella sticks made up the fare for the evening. An open bar beckoned the crowd to indulge in a happy hour drink or two as they hobnobbed with other CMOM supporters and excitedly waited to hear the announcement of the 2015 Cirque du CMOM event theme. Dick Hackett, CMOM chief executive director, thanked those in attendance and spoke of the important work the museum does on a daily basis in Memphis by offering youth with a healthy and educational option that detracts from violence.

“CMOM is one of the answers; not the only answer but one of them. It’s a clean environment where parents can come in, take their children and experience our educational options,” Hackett said. An elegant cake announced the 2015 Cirque du CMOM event theme: Pop. Rock. and Roll!

Cirque du CMOM benefits CMOM, and the funds raised by this annual event help the museum host traveling exhibits, special events for children and allows children and families to visit that may otherwise be unable to. The museum also announced the first annual Cirque du CMOM Tennis Tournament.

Story and Photos by Emily Anderson

Story Submitted Photos by Emily Palmer

Story and Photos by Patrick Lantrip

Finley VanBrocklin with Norma and Olin Atkins

Ren Busord, Tori Tijerina, Nicole Johnson and Danielle Merritt

Story and Photos by Rachel Warren

Sarah Watkins and Bridgette Speake

Carrie Long and Nancy Norman Kay Robilio, Leslie Reed and Victor Robilio

Carey Schaffler-Paret, Jenna Cox and Lindsay Piretti

Joe Pierce and Kevin Polsky

Phylicia Ward, Slyvia Henry and Ashley Skenandore

Susan Herron and Carol Sharpe

Dick Hackett and Joe Darden

Memphis Masquerade Black Tie Ball

The Consortium MMT (Memphis Music Town) held “A Soulright Evening Honoring Stevie Wonder,” a fund-raiser at the Cannon Center for the Performing Arts. David Porter, Hall of Fame songwriter, Stax Records legend and president and founder of The Consortium put together this star-studded fund-raiser, the first of its kind, and brought some of the great kings and queens of Soul together for one night to honor special performing guest and 22time Grammy winner Stevie Wonder with the Epitome of Soul Award. If a rare performance by Wonder himself wasn’t enough, guests were also privy to performances by Eddie Levert of The O’Jays, Sharon Jones of Sharon Jones and the Dap-Kings, Ledisi, BeBe Winans, Chaka Khan and Jordin Sparks. The Consortium is a nonprofit organization that works to promote Memphis music and create an avenue to help rising artists maneuver all aspects of the music business. Prior to the show, Wonder commented on the importance of The Consortium’s work with rising stars saying, “I know that there are so many kids that need to be motivated. That is why we are here today to give these children motivation and encouragement.” On the aspect of Soul music, Wonder commented that Soul takes forms in many genres of music, and that he believed it didn’t matter if it was country, rap, R&B, classical or any other type of music. The defining quality was that “you can’t be soulful and be a hater.” Show time started and each of the five performers sang hits by Wonder. Chaka Khan “The Queen of Funk” got the crowd up and out of their seats with “Tell Me Something Good,” written by Wonder. Rickey Minor, the “Tonight Show” bandleader, and his band played in between sets. Upon receiving the award, Wonder thanked all and remarked “the Spirit of Soul is really about giving praise to the Almighty.” Wonder thanked Porter for the honor and for his time encouraging young artists saying, “If you ever need me for anything ever…hold on, I’m coming,” a reference to Porter’s Sam & Dave hit “Hold On, I’m Comin’.” The Consortium will continue to annually recognize and present the Epitome of Soul Award to a national figure that inspires and encourages young and rising artistic talent as well as someone who does good for all of mankind.

It was a Halloween night that will be long remembered. There were ensembles complete with masks and lots of sweet treats, but this time the fun was for adults as Chef Phillip Ashley Rix presented the Memphis Masquerade Ball at The Pink Palace Family of Museums for approximately 400 guests. Adding to the festive feel of the event, DJ Devin Steel, and bands Candy Fox & Co. and TO & Britt played throughout the mansion while black tie-attired guests conversed and dined. Violinist “Lila, The Blue Violin” roamed about serenading the crowd and The Good Poet, Adam Maldonado, offered his impromptu prose. Memphis Masquerade was created by Rix to celebrate several organizations that support the Memphis community: the Church Health Center, Metropolitan Inter-Faith Association, Girls, Inc. and Frago, a veteran service organization. Party planner Maleka McCray of Signature Event Planning helped plan and facilitate the gala.

Partygoers approached the museum by crossing the front lawn where the stage was set with large illuminated orbs and trees decorated with white lights. There costumed fire twirlers, acrobats and aerialists from Valeria’s Wings of Memphis Aerial Arts cavorted on the front pavilion. Upon passing the circus acts, attendees walked a red carpet walkway where “paparazzi” waited to snap their pictures.

There was also a standing party backdrop, a la The Oscars, in front of which guests could pose to capture the moment. Inside the historic mansion, the tableau was set with an excess of riches with tables of glasses of rose wine stacked tall. Chef Robert Hayes catered a sumptuous buffet with specialty items such as organic tomatoes grown specially for him in California stuffed with salmon and lump crab meat and topped with capers, wild olives from Tuscany, deviled quail eggs with red caviar, three-meat Italian meatballs served in a sweet Asian chili sauce, pork tenderloin with onion jam served on homemade crostinis and, not-to-be-missed, pickled hyacinth bulbs.

On the outside pavilion, Blake Carson held court with his Brazilian barbecue company, Carson Rodizio Catering, and served delectable slices of meat that had been grilled over an open fire. Phillip Ashley Chocolates presented the dessert trays laden with chocolate-dipped Belgian waffles, golden pecan rum balls, chocolate bark made of pineapple, candied ginger, macadamia nuts and Applewood bacon, bourbon and pecans and Chia tea mousse. Additionally, his signature jewel-like, designer chocolates were passed out to attendees.

Story by Rachel Warren Photos by Jason King

Story and Photos by Emily Adams Keplinger

Stevie Wonder and David Porter

Carlee McCullough, Veronica Yates and Joyce Douglas

Rodney Dunigan and Jackie Orozco

George Monger

Sherri and Rob Joyner

Dana Holliday and David Kimbrell

Kelly and Kathy Fish

Rachel Levine and Nathaniel Spates

Kenneth Johnson and Vera McNary with Bonny and David Williams

Brenda Solomito and Claudia Cogswell

Laura Everly, Michelle Hays and Jennifer Kuehn

Ann Langston, Andrea Sheehan, Anthony Sheehan and Katy Langston

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“A Soulright Evening Honoring Stevie Wonder – The Epitome of Soul”

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A MAGICAL NIGHT IN OVERTON PARK

EVENT

A Magical Night in Overton Park An Enchanted Evening he first day of November dawned crisp and clear in the Bluff City and by evening, the temps were decidedly chilly. That certainly did not deter over 450 enthusiastic fans of Overton Park, who gathered in the formal gardens under the stars for a night of celebration at Midtown Memphis’ crown jewel.

This is the third year that the Overton Park Conservancy has held its “Magical Night” party and according to Melissa McMasters, director of communications for the Conservancy, ticket sales have increased nearly two-fold since the inaugural event, and it has become the largest fund-raiser for the conservancy. The gardens were breath taking, luminous with fuchsia lighting in the trees and the surrounding greenery. In keeping with the theme of bicycling, which was chosen to highlight the installation of Tylur French’s superb bicycle sculpture at the North Parkway park entrance earlier this year, an oversized penny-farthing bicycle at the entry (loaned by French) drew guests to two large tents, side by side, with a pathway between them to encourage crowd flow. Though most everyone was wrapped up in coats and scarves, there were quite a few outdoor heaters that helped to keep all warm and toasty. Each tent contained ample seating with simple but beautifully decorated tables.

Additionally, there were reproductions of Victorian sofas scattered around for comfortable conversation amongst the attendees.

Ernie Mellor and his team from A Moveable Feast created a feast indeed, which included Hog Wild’s grilled shrimp with barbeque rémoulade sauce, chicken skewers with Thai peanut sauce, marinated grilled asparagus, spinach and artichoke dip served with crostinis, fresh fruit and a layered cheese torte with sun-dried tomatoes, roasted garlic and pesto. Wine, beer and soft drinks, coffee and desserts rounded out the menu. Back by popular demand for year three was Jamille “JAM” Hunter and Mood Swing as well as Jay Thomas & The Swinging Monkeys, who performed cool jazz, much to the delight of the guests.

Sponsors included Blue Cross Blue Shield of Tennessee, Classic Party First Tennessee Foundation, Hyde Family Foundations, Lipscomb & Pitts and the Memphis Zoo. The host committee was comprised of Belinda (chair for the event) and Calvin Anderson, Julie and Bryce Ashby, Kate Duignan and Chris Peck, Stacey Greenberg and Warren Oster, Dorothy and Robert Pugh, Monica and Andre Wharton and Melanie and Dr. Frank White. Preparations for next year’s party are already in the works though organizers may opt to move it up several weeks to accommodate Mother Nature.

Story Ruth Cassin Photos by Don Perry

T Marie Cushing and Austin Beckford

Brooke and Mark Ryan

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Jeannie Price and Zynthia Howse

Beverly Marrero and Eric Barnes

See all the party photos at rsvpmagazine.com Password: RSVP Dean Hesterman and Johannah O’Malley

Terry Beaty and Nancy Willis

Corinna and Dr. Luis Campos

Alena Harris, Amy Campbell and Lee Harris

Monica and Andre Wharton

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Steve and Leslie Goodwin with Anne Phillips and John Knaff

Danielle Schonbaum, Lindsey Osborne and Meredith Hennessy

Calvin and Belinda Anderson

Cecelia and Stan Sawyer

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Jay and Leslie Tomasello

Erica and Dr. Tim Jancelewicz with Chip Williamson and Dr. Chris Cooper

Alan and Joy Adams

Bill and Teresa Bullock

Faith Morris, Valerie Scott and Gina Neely

EVENT Stacey Greensberg and Dr. Christina Michael

Debbie and Jessie McCabe

A MAGICAL NIGHT IN OVERTON PARK

Steve and Tracey Rone with Robert and Johnna Fehse

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Ted and Leslie Townsend with M.J. and Davey Weakes

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Grady and Elizabeth Frisby

Catina Jennings and Dr. Cory Newsom-Broughton

Joanna and Ron Byrnes

Penny Register-Shaw and Adam Shaw

Brad and Kris Walden with Louise Anne and Drew Dawkins

Sophie Richey and Alex Wood

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The Arc Mid-South Awards and Benefit Gala

The Woman’s Exchange Christmas Open House

Tiara Tea Society’s Coronation Concert Tea

Christina R. had a lifelong goal of obtaining her high school diploma. Though she spent 12 years in special education classes in the public school system, she could not get her credentials.

Recently the adult student celebrated the completion of this life goal in a special graduation ceremony presented by The Arc MidSouth. Christina participated in The Arc’s LETS program (Life, Education and Training Skills) to meet the requirements of a Gateway exam. Her success would not have been possible without The Arc’s mission to provide services and advocacy to individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities to realize their potential. Recently, the 64-yearold nonprofit held its primary annual fund-raiser, The Arc MidSouth Awards and Benefit Gala, to keep programs like LETS, along with many others, going.

“With the state cutting back on funding so significantly, it’s really important to raise as much money as we can so we can continue to do good work,” board member Judge Kathy Gomes said.

The 19th annual gala, “Creating Independence...Supporting Literacy,” was held at the Memphis Hilton and featured a silent and live auction, live entertainment by Memphis jazz musician Bill Hurd and a community awards ceremony for citizens who excelled in community service, humanitarianism, legislative support and empowerment. Last year, The Arc had the opportunity to offer services, education and advocacy to more than 1,350 people with Down syndrome, autism, cerebral palsy and other diagnoses.

Whether shoppers are looking for local handmade jewelry or a start-to-finish hand-knitted scarf, handmade silk pillows or one-ofa-kind ornaments, the Woman’s Exchange of Memphis has it.

And just in time for Christmas, as was evident at their annual Christmas Open House, held at their location on Racine Street.

The year-end event offered a few extras for 2014, such as book signings by Southern Living Magazine writer Kimberly Whitman, who has published a number of books on entertaining including “Tablescapes: Setting the Table with Style” and “Dog Parties: Entertaining Your Party Animals.” Grace Skertich was also in the house signing copies of her book “Good Night Memphis,” which gives a “good night” to local iconic structures such as Graceland, the Memphis bridge and others painted by local artist David Lynch. Frantic Chocolates, a local custom chocolate manufacture, was there taking pre-orders for the holiday season and offered samples of some of their sweet treats, right next to a dynamite spread of dips, punch and other goodies regularly featured in the shop. The shop, located alongside the restaurant at 88 Racine, showcases and consigns hundreds of items by local artisans including Ekata Designs jewelry and hand-smocked baby clothes.

Uniquely, the Exchange is run entirely by volunteers. “We have that one thing you’re looking for, for the someone who has everything,” said manager and director Nora Boswell.

The Tiara Tea Society crowned it 11th princess, Macy Elizabeth Gueldner at its Coronation Concert Tea at the Memphis Country Club. Society members were dressed in evening gowns and many wore tiaras as they entertained guests at their tables.

The ladies and their friends nibbled finger sandwiches from china plates and sipped punch from crystal cups. Macy and her 7-year-old sister, Cate, are daughters of Jeremy and Mary Catherine Gueldner. Violin virtuoso Joy Brown Weiner performed, as did the Germantown Chorus.

Macy, 4, was delighted when Miss Collierville, Olivia Shawkey, presented her with flowers and a tiara of her own. Rabbi Miccah Greenstein was the guest speaker.

Eva Lynn Bishop is president of The Tiara Tea Society, which will provide support for Macy who was born with Down syndrome and underwent heart surgery at four months old, before being diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia.

Story and Photos by Suzanne Thompson

“A Vintage Evening” Creative Aging Executive Director Meryl Klein chose the perfect location for the organization’s 10th birthday party themed “A Vintage Evening.” Guests drove up the winding driveway to the front of Annesdale Mansion, circa 1850, where valets awaited.

Double D, a musical duet, provided entertainment in a front room where people sat at tables enjoying dishes prepared by some of the city’s finest chefs such as Chef Jeffery Dunham of Grove Grill, Chef Erling Jensen of Erling Jensen, Chef Jose Gutierrez of River Oaks and Chef Walley Joe from Acre. Each eatery had a serving station in a separate room, so there space for the 300 guests to spread out as they sampled the various fare. In a small room at the back of the house, chocolatier Chef Phillip Ashley Rix of Phillip Ashley Chocolates laid a spread of his designer chocolates. A tent that covered the back patio made the perfect space for dancing and was surrounded by a sea of tables where many guests brought plates of food and others simply sat and enjoyed the music provided by Joyce Cobb.

Story and Photos by Suzanne Thompson

Mary Catherine, Cate, Macy and Jeremy Gueldner with Eva Lynn Bishop

Suzanne and Jim Varner

Donna Lewis and Gwendolyn Johnson

Jerry and Jeanene Feinstone with Katie and Keith Cole

Renata Baker, Kevin Gaylord and Michelle Cardot

Ken and Pam Crosno with Mary Helen McCoy and Jennifer Boles

Story and Photos by Lesley Young

Story and Photos by Lesley Young

Hannah Bleavins and Judge Kathy Gomes

Liz Hawthorne, Portia Williams and Brigitte Bruce

Vicki Prince, Carole Feisal, Catherine Bateman and Nora Boswell

Gail Herbert and Suzanne Campbell

The Memphis Symphony League celebrated the 62nd season of the Memphis Symphony Orchestra (MSO) with an “Autumn Harmonies” Luncheon at the Chickasaw Country Club. The Hardin Charitable Trust, with event donors Fresh Market, the Memphis Symphony League Board of Directors and Turner Dairies, sponsored the event.

Approximately 100 guests came to show their support of the MSO. Silent auction items set in the club’s lobby contributed to the fund-raising efforts. As the crowd settled in for lunch, Kathy King welcomed the group and Amy Meadows gave the invocation. Gayle S. Rose, chairperson of the board for the MSO reminded guests of the drastic financial cuts the symphony had been forced to make and asked for support of the musicians. Symphony members Joey Salvalaggio, Barrie Cooper and Paul York performed a “greatest hits of classical music” called “Love in the 90s” with Todd Berry as narrator.

During the fashion show, Laurence Welch and Jennifer Hobson modeled action and sportswear clothing from the retailer Lucy Activewear. In closing, Lura Turner sang a tribute to the symphony’s efforts to the piano accompaniment of Gary Beard. Additionally, Roland Valliere, president and CEO of the MSO, reminded everyone that 50 percent of the musicians’ time is spent in community service through their educational outreach and mentoring work with area schools. The work of the symphony is a combination of cultural entertainment, community engagement and education.

The Memphis Library Foundation hosted New York Times bestselling author Jess Walter for the foundation’s annual Libration event. This year’s fund-raiser took place in three settings, titled as “Chapter One, Chapter Two and Chapter Three.” The event opened with “Chapter One,” hosted in the Galloway Mansion by owners Ron and Jan Coleman. The event featured an exclusive meetand-greet with Walter and his wife, Anne. Guests enjoyed a buffet catered by Jason Severs of Bari Ristorante featuring stuffed shrimp, cod fritters, marinated beef tenderloin with arugula, roasted vegetables and charcuterie platters. Library Foundation board member Heather Heath Grosvenor fashioned elegant centerpieces to complement the author’s latest novel, which opens in Italy, by arranging yellow snapdragons, orange roses, yellow button mums, bells of Ireland, hydrangeas, alstroemeria and cascades of grapes in Italian wine crates. Chris Peck, former editor of The Commercial Appeal, was instrumental in bringing Walter to Memphis for the fund-raising event. Peck served as Walter’s first editor when the pair worked for the “The Spokesman-Review” in Spokane, Wash. Walter gave an engaging account of his path to become a novelist. Afterwards, Walter held a book signing in the mansion’s solarium and offered copies of several of his titles, including “Beautiful Ruins,” “We Live in Water” and “Ruby Ridge.” Proceeds from Libration support The Memphis Library Foundation, whose mission is to solicit, accept, steward and dispense private support for the enhancement of the Memphis Public Library & Information Center.

Story and Photos by Emily Adams Keplinger

GrowMemphis Harvest Celebration

Repair Days

The third annual Harvest Celebration took place in The Atrium at Overton Square. The event served as a fund-raiser for GrowMemphis as well as a chance for the organization’s leadership to pass the torch.

Chris Peterson, named as the first executive director for GrowMemphis, served for three years. Peterson has resigned from the organization to start his own farm in rural West Tennessee.

Carole Colter will serve as GrowMemphis’ new executive director, and she was warmly welcomed at the event. She was a familiar face for many as she has served as the organization’s food policy coordinator during Peterson’s tenure. Set against a backdrop of slide show depicting many of the community gardens that the organization has helped establish, guests at the Harvest Celebration enjoyed dishes locally sourced and prepared by Acre Restaurant. Drinks were provided

by High Cotton Brewing Company and the Mid-South Peace and Justice Center. The band Stranger in the Alps provided the evening’s musical entertainment. In his farewell, Peterson reminded the crowd of how GrowMemphis has helped turn vacant lots into thriving centers of community by providing start-up funding and training to neighborhood residents who want to create and sustain gardens.

“In the three years since GrowMemphis was founded, we have unanimously passed a new set of food ordinances for the city, implemented new training for community gardeners and begun the transformation of this city one lot, one street, one neighborhood at a time,” Peterson said.

Trinkets and heirloom treasures co-mingled on long tables under tents while owners discussed the demise of their objects at the annual Repair Days event. Held at the National Ornamental Metal Museum, the event brought together over 200 volunteers who did everything from making food to assisting with repairs and handling paperwork.

The most unusual item brought in for repairs this year was a metal historical marker from Beale Street that had been fractured after being run over by a car. Once repaired, all items passed a quality check under the keen eye of metalsmith Richard Prillaman, who served as a sort of “ringmaster” during the fourday event. Eileen Townsend, public engagement associate for the museum, explains, “We had a wide variety of items ranging from manual lawnmowers to fine silver and candelabras. Just for fun, we posted a mystery item on the Metal Museum page on Facebook and offered a 2014 Repair Days t-shirt as the prize for correctly identifying the object. The winning answer came from Chris Moore, a metalworker in Auckland, New Zealand. He correctly named a ‘harrow’ – which is a type of cultivating implement used for pulverizing and smoothing the soil.” Repair Days has been taking place since 1979 and serves as an annual fund-raiser to support the Metal Museum’s programs and exhibitions.

Story and Photos by Emily Adams Keplinger

Story and Photos by Emily Adams Keplinger

Story and Photos by Emily Adams Keplinger

Richard Prillaman and Fawn Learn

Chris Peterson and Carole Colter Gayle Rose, Lura Turner and Ryan Turner

Kent and Dana Farmer with Alison Smith and McClain Gordon

Kathy King and Roland Valliere

Ron and Jan Coleman, Jess and Anne Walter with Kate Duignan and Chris Peck

Rochelle Brahalla and Miles Tamboli

Carol Blumthal

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Memphis Library Foundation Libration “Chapter One”

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Memphis Symphony Orchestra “Autumn Harmonies” Luncheon

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AFTER HOURS

After Hours A photo collage of the latest business happenings

Hard Rock Café Grand Reopening

Sara Whitmer and Joe Whitman

Scott Bartlett with Kristen and Steven Pulley

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Memphis Jones and Joey Sulipeck

inferno Fuelanthropic

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Courdria Pointer, Jerrica Love and Chassity Pointer-Gibson

Dionne Noisette, Sathya Ramachandran, Denezza Noisette and Dan Nishimura

Tim and Carri Sellers

Jennifer Chandler Book Signing at Babcock Gifts

Jennifer Chandler

Jan Jeager and Gayle Barnwell

Mary Wilson, Jennifer Chandler and Sandy Patterson

RSVP CROSSWORD

10 Pallid

14 Red dye

15 Genuine

16 Former Mets’ stadium 17 Append (2 wds.)

18 Gun powder, e.g.

19 Tablet

20 Sitting for a picture 25 Poor

27 Notify

29 Represent pictorially

32 “Say Yes to the Dress” airer

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59 66

60 67

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41 Smooth talking

58 Spot

49 Shrill bark 51 Armory

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48 Direction from Memphis to Tulsa

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40

56 Gives off 57 Headed

60 Rooftop structure 64 Affirm

66 HS math class

68 From the pope

69 Metric weight unit 70 __ Ranger 71 Silly

72 Otherwise

2 Make anew 3 Tails

4 Apply holy oil 5 Custom

6 Tax professional 7 Delicious

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54 70’s music genre

46 Concure

38

56 58

74 Glens

1 Fellow

48 52

73 Brink

DOWN

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44 World group for collective defense

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33 World Cup chant

45 Go at it alone

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43 None

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37 Group of oil rich countries

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34 Raised strip

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22 Mimicking bird 24 Fish eggs

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8 Navy’s rival 9 Newly born

10 Poisonous African snake 11 Bake unshelled eggs

12 Serf

13 Harvard’s rival 21 Equipment 23 Every

26 Expiring

28 College business class 29 Short-nosed dogs

30 Capital of Norway 31 Berate (at)

35 Index (abbr.)

36 Glitter

38 Chess piece

39 Sicilian Volcano

40 Monk’s hood 42 Lads

46 Chosen disciple

47 Little Mermaid’s love 50 Winter hazard 52 Foolish

53 Spanish name for Spain 54 Demon

55 Heathen gods 56 Looking at

57 Inland water 59 Nudge

61 Opaque gem 62 Path

63 Beers

65 Wretchedness 67 “Gosh”

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6 Greenish-blue color

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C R E A M C Y A N A S H Y H E N N A P U R E S H E A A D D O N A M M O P I L L P O S I N G M Y N A R O E N E E D Y A L E R T P O R T R A Y T L C U S A R I D G E O P E C G L I B N I L N A T O S O L O A G R E E W N W Y I P A R S E N A L D I S C O E M I T S E D E S P Y C U P O L A V O W T R I G P A P A L I L O L O N E I N A N E L S E E D G E D A L E S

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RSVP Crossword | Edited by Ruth Cassin

RSV PHILLIPPI

By Dennis Phillippi

make plenty of irritating sounds, especially when you, like me, have a houseful of cats that don’t particularly care for one another. There’s plenty of hissing and growling, but, by and large, most of that can be slept through. Barking cannot be slept through. My dog friends argue that this is an invaluable tool for home security. I’m sure that’s true, but dogs don’t just bark at possible intruders. They bark at anything that moves outside of the house, from the FedEx guy, to the letter carrier, to a leaf blowing across the sidewalk. My cats have zero interest in anything happening outside of the house, because that’s

My cats honestly do not care whether I live or die. not where the food comes from, which is their second priority in life behind a place to sleep. I will say this about cats and home security, if they all suddenly vanish; it’s time to be worried.

Which brings me to Number 4. My cats honestly do not care whether I live or die. In my experience dogs are very needy.

They constantly seek affection and approval. Slavishly fawning over their owner, licking and jumping and generally making a pest of themselves. My cats will be found in whatever room my wife and I are in, but it’s certainly not because they are seeking validation. They are near us because, as far as they’re concerned, at any moment we might suddenly decide to give them food. They will, despite their disaffection

for one another, all sleep on the same bed with us, but, again, it’s not because they crave our adoration, that’s just the warmest place.

Number 5, cats are funny. Puppies don’t end up stranded on top of closets, but kittens do. Dogs don’t stalk and attack one another for their own entertainment, but cats do. One of my cats will walk beside another cat that is sleeping, look around casually, and then sit on the snoozing mouser’s head. Hilarious. Cats are also stupid. I’ve had cats all my life, and I’m constantly amused by their lack of intelligence. They may look all dignified, but dogs aren’t going to walk over to an empty tissue box and get their head stuck inside.

There is no such thing as bomb-sniffing cat. There are no seeing-eye cats. No one in their right mind would trust a cat to safely get the seeing-impaired across a busy street. They might see an insect, which would change their priorities instantly. One study from 2007 found that a cat has a memory of an absolute maximum of ten minutes. Domesticated cats were stopped after their front paws had cleared an obstacle, if they were prevented from walking for ten minutes they would completely forget that there was any need for them to raise their back legs. If they saw the hurtle, but were distracted in any way, they forgot that it was even there within seconds. Not good help animals.

There are probably good arguments for having a bird or fish or snakes, but beats me what they may be. Birds sit miserably in cages, fish swim in circles, and snakes are great at catching rats, but are really creepy pets.

Like almost all things, this is a result of experience. I have had cats all of my life. For a brief stretch, when I was a kid, we had a dog, a nasty, mean, smelly dog named after a David Bowie song. He barked, bit, and aggressively showed affection to anything that moved. It was not a good time. It was as if we had somehow captured a canine POW who was determined to make us pay.

Look. Get whatever pet makes you happy, just do the world a favor and get a rescue. Even a cat rescue will on some level recognize that you have done something charitable towards them. But only for ten minutes.

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’m sure I’m revisiting old territory here, but it’s a topic dear to my heart, and I have a deadline hanging over my head. Don’t bother with the emails or letters, on this topic, like religion and politics, we are not going to change one another’s opinions.

It’s an age-old question; are you a cat person or a dog person? While it’s true that there are plenty of people who have both, those people are weirdoes. They probably also have an iguana and some rodents in an aquarium. You are either a cat person or a dog person. I am a cat person. There is no reason for me to have to justify this, I’m not defensive about preferring cats to dogs, but, if I had to explain why I have cats instead of dogs, it comes down to just a couple of factors.

Number 1, my cats don’t force me to go outside in unpleasant weather because of their bathroom habits. My cats are indoor cats and, therefore, use indoor facilities. There is no bundling up to take Rover for a “walk,” a euphemism if ever I’ve seen one. There is no standing under an umbrella in someone else’s yard waiting for Rex to do his “business.” The very fact that there are so many alternate phrases for what your dog is doing masks your secret shame. Never will I be seen holding a plastic bag, looking self-conscious about my pet’s actions.

Number 2, and you’ll note the tasteful order of these; I don’t have to bathe my cats. Cats, thank heavens, are self-bathing. Whenever I stop to pet, or pat, someone’s dog, the very next stop is washing my hands. I just take it as assumed that while their dog is adorable, it also needs a bath. It could be because my friends are pretty lazy, and will put off the onerous, and odiferous, process of dog washing until people refuse to enter their house due to the smell. Additionally, my friends are also too cheap to drag their dog to a professional dog washer, a task that is probably just as unpleasant as doing the deed themselves.

Number 3, cats don’t bark. They

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MORE WORDS ABOUT CATS

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Birthday Celebration

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1957

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t’s the year 1957 and Ida Lebovitz is celebrating her 10th birthday with friends at the home of Maxine Shepard located at 369 Angelus in the Overton Park area of Midtown Memphis. The Shepard family lived at this address until they relocated to East Memphis in 1967.

PHOTO COURTESY OF MAXINE L. SHEPARD 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.