August 2010
Zoo Brew Flavors of Memphis Le Bonheur Opening Gala Crown & Sceptre Coronation Ball Q&A with Jeffrie Bruton
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CONTENTS
Contents August 2010
From the Editor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8 Signature Memphis . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10 Bill Dance has RSVP over for some fun at his fishing pond.
RSVP Watch List . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .12 Seven beauty products worthy of perfecting your summer glow.
10 SIGNATURE MEMPHIS Bill Dance
Le Bonheur Opening Gala . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .14 The new Le Bonheur Children’s Hospital opened to rave reviews from formally-attired supporters during a recent charity gala.
32 CROWN & SCEPTRE CORONATION BALL Brenda Smith and Vernon I. Smith III
StreetSeens . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .20 & 22 This musician has found a new outlet for his artistic prowess at the Soulsville Foundation.
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She’s keeping company with visitors at the Woodruff-Fontaine House. StreetSeens highlight
Kirk Whalum and Peggy Lovell.
Onsites . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .24, 44, 46 & 47
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Gatherings that have earned an honorable mention.
Vox Popular . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .28
14 LE BONHEUR OPENING GALA Katrina and Adam Hicks
Q&A with Shelby Recreational and Vocational Services executive director, Jeffrie Bruton.
Crown & Sceptre Coronation Ball . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .32
36 ZOO BREW Debra Bartelli and John Kaltner
The Carnival crowd carried on in a big way for its grand celebration at Hilton Memphis.
Zoo Brew . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .36 For once, the beverages were a bigger draw than the animals at the Memphis Zoo’s biannual fund-raiser.
Flavors of Memphis . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .40 Culinary delights abounded at the American Liver Foundation’s benefit at the Cadre Building.
RSVPhillippi . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .48
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But Wait, There’s More… Infomercials have gotten the best of Dennis Phillippi’s miscellaneous spending budget.
STREETSEEN Peggy Lovell
40 FLAVORS OF MEMPHIS Gary and Tracy Aulfinger
Cover Photo Johnny and Kim Pitts at Crown & Sceptre Coronation Ball Photo by Don Perry
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James Davis Women Fall 2010.
Volume XV
Number XI
August 2010 PUBLISHER
Roy Haithcock EDITOR
Leah Fitzpatrick CONTRIBUTING WRITERS
Ruth Cassin Kelly Cox Jonathan Devin Dennis Phillippi Suzanne Thompson ART DIRECTOR
Patrick Aker s PHOTOGRAPHERS
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Nathan Berry Don Perry Steve Roberts SENIOR ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE
Libby Huff ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE
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Chris Pugh ACCOUNTING
Ruth Cassin RSVP Memphis is published monthly by Haithcock Communications, Inc. First class subscriptions are available for $55.00 per year. Send name and address with a check to: Haithcock Communications, Inc. 2282 Central Avenue Memphis, TN 38104 For advertising information contact Roy Haithcock Phone (901) 276-7787, ext. 101 Fax (901) 276-7785 e-mail publisher@rsvpmagazine.com WEB
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From the Editor
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Photo by Steve Roberts
uly has been a whirlwind month, for sure. In no particular order, I took a trip to Maine and New Hampshire, had a girls’ weekend at the Tennessee River, attended a Live at the Garden concert featuring REO Speedwagon and Pat Benatar, headed over to the National Ornamental Metal Museum for WEVL’s Blues on the Bluff and saw Sabrina at the Orpheum Summer Movie Series. Unfortunately, I also endured a 24-hour stomach bug in Maine and a power surge on my street that destroyed my oven, dryer and microwave...you can’t have everything. Professionally, I seemed to have it all this month thanks to an interview schedule packed with well-known faces in the community. Beginning with the Signature Memphis on page 10, you’ll come across perhaps one of the area’s most recognizable outdoorsman, Bill Dance. Not only is he just as easygoing in real life as he is on camera, but he took time after his photo shoot to feed fish with me and show off an uncanny ability to attract dozens of hummingbirds (see pic below). The StreetSeens interviewees kept my attention peaked as well. Lucky me got to meet renowned saxophonist Kirk Whalum (featured on page 20) at the Stax Music Academy, where we listened in on a class playing “Theme from Shaft” at 10 a.m.—pure awesomeness. Then, Peggy Lovell (featured on page 22), an active preservationist and Le Bonheur Club member, extended an invitation to tour the Woodruff-Fontaine House. Of course, I happily accepted and was utterly impressed by this Memphis landmark’s sheer beauty, magnitude and rich history! Last, but not least, is the Vox Popular spotlighting Jeffrie Bruton on page 28. This woman amazed me from the get-go with her gusto for her executive director role at Shelby Recreational and Vocational Services and her compassion for the nonprofit’s service recipients. If you want to learn more about this organization, tours are always available. Enjoy this last bit of summer because Labor Day will be here before you know it!
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Leah Fitzpatrick editor@rsvpmagazine.com
Professional Bass Fishing’s First Superstar/Host-“Bill Dance Outdoors” and “Bill Dance Saltwater”
Favorite Memphis musician: Elvis. First concert: The Grand Ole Opry. One thing you can’t live without: Water. Personal hero: My grandfather, Paul Dance. Ideal vacation spots: Florida Keys and East Tennessee. Words or phrases you overuse: You know what I mean? Your mantra: Making someone smiles is a wonderful gift. Last book you’ve read: Alaska Bear Tales by Larry Kaniut. Movie you could watch over and over again: Forrest Gump. Guilty pleasure: Eating Honey Buns while drinking a diet drink. Historical figure you most identify with: The Rev. Billy Graham. One thing most people don’t know about you: I get very homesick! First job: Delivery boy for The Commercial Appeal and Memphis Press-Scimitar. Biggest obstacle you’ve overcome: Getting started in this business with so many NOs. Your greatest achievement: Being able to turn a hobby into a profession and make a living at it for more than 45 years.
photo by Steve Roberts
SIGNATURE MEMPHIS AU G U S T 2 010 RSVP
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Bill Dance
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SUMMER SKIN SAVERS
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THE SUN WON’T OUTSHINE YOU WITH HELP FROM THESE PRODUCTS.
Front, from left to right: Vegetable Glycerin Soap with Loofah by The Soap Ranch-$5 at Maggie’s Pharm (901-722-8898); SPF15 Sliced Peach Lip Balm by Kiss My Face-$3.49 at Outdoors Inc. (901-767-6790); Powder-Me SPF Dry Sunscreen by Jane Iredale-$44 at East Memphis Aesthetics (901-682-9211); Back, from left to right: After Sun Hydrator by June Jacobs Spa Collection-$48 from Mona Spa & Laser Center (901-683-0048); Glow on the Go Sunless Tanning Spray by Infinity Sun-$45 at Esthetiques Skin Spa (901-761-5741); Thai Citrus Purifying Salt Glow by Aihu-$28 at Renew Wellness Spa (901-435-6150); Pure Summer Shine Body Lotion by Mario Badescu Skin Care-$25.50 at Zóe (901-683-8232)
Photo by Nathan Berry
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Our East Memphis family of°Realtors°will°JVTWSL[e [OL°WPJ[\YL ° )\`PUN°VY°:LSSPUN
Tom Kimbrough Helen Broker Akin
Steve Bearman
Beth Blumenfeld
Phoebe Burks
Bill Butler
Sheryl Cassibry
Sandra Charlton
Robin Fauser
Gwen Flaniken
Jimmie Harder Fowler
Jan Gordon
Lauren Harkins
Walker Hays
Carolyn Hooker
George Merrifield
Alice Newton
Jim Pascover
Claire Perkins
Nancy Perrine
Monte Robinson Jr.
Crissy Smith
Tom Iverson
Sylvia Joure
Joy Kimbrough
Janet Lee
Nan Lee
Kathryn Ann Matheny
Susie Sneed
Tricia Snider
Carol Stout
Jeff Sullivan
Cooper Turner
Michael Varner
585 South Perkins at Audubon Park Office: (901) 766-9004 Lynn Walker
Vivian Watson
Melissa Wilbanks
Mig Williams
Judson Williford
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LE BONHEUR OPENING GALA
EVENT
Le Bonheur Opening Gala “Celebrating the Magic of Children”
T Vicki and Kenneth Richardson
Ashley and Chip Uffman
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here’s really only one word for the opening gala of the newest tower to grace the Memphis skyline: monumental. The long-awaited Le Bonheur Children’s Hospital opened its doors in mid-June for a celebration of medical miracles to come. “Celebrating the Magic of Children” was the theme of the gala, which was hosted by Le Bonheur Club event co-chairs Karen Carlisle, Joanie Lightman and Linda Underwood. The theme could have been “Celebrating the Artwork of Children” as each lobby, hallway and gathering space in the building displayed 3D works of art, some interactive, designed especially for the hospital. Guests in formal attire were greeted at the door with flutes of Champagne and then milled about the hospital’s round front lobby while a magician on stilts performed tricks. Appropriately, partygoers were issued hospital admission wristlets with their names and bidding numbers for the live auction. Hot hors d’oeuvres lured the crowd into various rooms, where noshes like ravioli from Ciao Bella, deviled eggs from Felicia Suzanne’s, barbecue shrimp and grits from McEwen’s, Nick Vergos’ famous Rendezvous sausage and cheddar and perhaps the most daring appetizer, the barbecue-tini, awaited. No matter what room or floor one visited, there was also entertainment, including the men’s a capella group DeltaCapella, singing jazz and R&B hits, a mime and twin brothers/artists Jerry and Terry Lynn, who created a painted masterpiece dedicated to the event that was later sold in a grand live auction. At dinnertime, numerous volunteers, medical professionals and event sponsors were ushered into a gymnasium-sized tent for a magnificent feast, dancing and dinner music by GalaxyRed of St. Louis. Sponsors FedEx, the First Tennessee Foundation, Skanska and others were duly lauded for the festivities, which raised hundreds of thousands to provide the children of Le Bonheur with play, art and music therapy.
Nickey and Terri Bishop
Russ and Taylor Brown
Story by Jonathan Devin Photos by Don Perry See all the party photos at rsvpmagazine.com Password: RSVP
Nancy and Michael Garvin
Don and Denise Nickleson
Peter and Leigh Ann Poole
Joanie Lightman, Linda Underwood and Karen Carlisle
Cyrus and Jennifer Purnell
EVENT LE BONHEUR OPENING GALA
Donna and Dr. Landon Pendergrass
Ansley and Richard Guenther
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Mary Relling and Bill Evans
Gary Ragland and Glenn Ragland
William and Sheila Harrell
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John and Trudy Copeland
Shari and Brian Lowery
Gail and Dr. Noah Kimball
Drs. Martin and Johnetta Blakely
Larry Jordan and Glenna Flautt
Valerie and Clarence Scott
EVENT
Billy and Rachel Albans with Candace and Charlie Lockhart
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LE BONHEUR OPENING GALA
Phil and Melinda Russell with Becky and Joel Halvorson
Mike and Donna McManus
Jackie and Toby Mann
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Dawn and Henry Chapman
Nick and Jenny Vergos
Torico Jones and Barissa Carpenter
Jeff and Carol Blankenship with Brenda and David Jeter
Kim and Johnny Pitts
Barbara Patronis and Hulon Warlick
EVENT Thomas and Christine Shelton with Betsy and Kinzie Bird
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Ralph and Leslie Donati
LE BONHEUR OPENING GALA
Bee and Niels French
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Daniel Bishop and Dana Shah Bishop
Jessica Lace and Block Meyer
Kelly Jo and Mitch Graves with Carol and William Kenley
STREETSEEN
Kirk Whalum From Sax to Stax
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irk Whalum might be best known for his stage presence—in concert playing the saxophone or in the pulpit as an ordained minister—but he recently expanded his professional scope as the president and CEO of the Soulsville Foundation, which has the Stax Museum of American Soul Music, the Stax Music Academy and the Soulsville Charter School under its canopy. Coincidentally, Whalum’s newest role places him that much closer to his roots. He says, “Look outside my office window, and you can actually see the lot where my grandparents’ house once stood.” In addition to the physical closeness to Stax, Whalum holds a musical kinship with the institution as the Stax Music Academy’s Artist in Residence from 2006 until April 2010. Though he’s now finding his rhythm on the administrative side, he still ventures into classrooms for student practice sessions and can’t deny his own urge to perform. Whalum’s Stax job only requires him to be in-house three days a week, affording the eight-time Grammy nominated jazz/R&B saxophonist and recording artist the freedom to tour whenever possible and work on his next project, Everything is Everything. This is not to say he doesn’t take his Stax appointment seriously. “My job with the Soulsville Foundation is my passion and a chance to do something more,” he says. “I’m not an administrator in the classic sense though, and the only way I can do it is with my amazing COO [Mark Wender].” With a special focus on fund-raising, Whalum oversees all aspects of the Stax Museum and Stax Music Academy and says the experience has been a real awakening for him. He similarly hopes that music will awaken other areas of life for students of Stax Music Academy, the SNAP! After School program and the Soulsville Charter School, an institution of about 370 students that’s about to get bigger thanks to a building project in the works. One of Whalum’s long-term goals entails establishing the Phineas Newborn Jazz Studies program. Whalum shares, “Phineas Newborn was musically revered, but in 1950, he couldn’t have sat down at a Woolworth’s counter without being asked to leave. He may have facilitated this legacy, but it’s up to us to aspire that kind of global greatness in kids.” For a man who’s been influenced by so many greats from Newborn to Hank Crawford, Ronnie Laws and Whitney Houston, with whom he has performed, it seems he’s now turning the tables and making an impression himself on young minds as a musical facilitator. Little did he know as a collegeage French student living in Paris that Stax would be his vehicle to empower the community through education. He tells, “I had my aha moment in Paris that Stax music truly impacted the world and continues to do so. You can’t say that about a lot of music.” Story by Leah Fitzpatrick Photo by Steve Roberts
STREETSEEN
Peggy Lovell Keeping the Past in the Present
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riving through what once was known as Millionaires Row, one only catches a glimpse of an era when 32 ornate mansions ruled Victorian Village, specifically Adams Avenue. Of the few remaining grand testaments to mostly Victorian architecture, the Woodruff-Fontaine House, which dates back to 1870 and boasts more than 15,000 square feet, 30 rooms and a tower that provides a 360-degree view of the city, is the lone example open to the public. Peggy Lovell, Woodruff-Fontaine’s executive director, points out there’s a lot more to be learned from the home-turned-museum than outer appearances allow. For starters, the museum has in its possession the largest textile collection in the Mid-South, hundreds of dresses (some on view in the “Wedding Belles” exhibit through September) and a collection of late Victorian and Edwardian costumes from 18711920s. Other items highlighting the social customs of yesteryear come in the way of a courting chair and a painting titled “Four Men on a Corner” that’s unusual for the time period in the sense it shows full-body lengths of four businessmen who could have worked with either of the house’s owners. Lovell’s favorite item is a lithophane lamp with a story on the shade of a girl berated by her mother for smoking. Though intangible, a ghost named Mollie, who is named after first owner Amos Woodruff’s daughter, also draws attention to the house. Lovell adds, “The first big social event at the house was Mollie Woodruff’s wedding in December of 1871, and it was the event that motivated her father to get the house completed.” Numerous weddings have transpired at the house since becoming a public landmark, bringing in new visitors who might not otherwise make the trip. Lovell says there’s no way of tracking the number of guests at events, but on average, 3,000 visitors come annually from throughout the world for paid tours. A demographic Lovell would like to see more of is Memphis’ younger set. “We never see school kids, and it breaks my heart because there are so many learning opportunities here,” she admits. Lovell’s a preservationist to say the least, with other roles as the Association for the Preservation of Tennessee Antiquities president and a Victorian Village Inc. board member. For all the time spent with these groups, her efforts are beginning to come to fruition with the Woodruff-Fontaine House pairing up with the Mallory-Neely House, which is slated to open again once renovations start in the coming months. Plans have also begun to open the Magevney House, and Scott Blake, the Victorian Village Inc. executive director, is working on getting neighboring Morris Park revamped. “The history of Memphis needs to stay alive,” Lovell expresses. Story by Leah Fitzpatrick Photo by Steve Roberts
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ONSITE
Onsite
Princess Ball Carnival Memphis Zoo Party Carnival Memphis Fashion Extravaganza
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Patricia and Hope Cook at Carnival Memphis Fashion Extravaganza
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24 Sheila and Marlon Foster at Carnival Memphis Fashion Extravaganza
arnival Memphis’ royal court, as well as their families and friends, began partying early in the evening at the Memphis Hunt and Polo Club during the Princess Ball. Princesses were dressed in gowns of blue or pink satin, while their escorts sported white dinner jackets. Guests enjoyed an eclectic buffet that included everything from spanakopita and baked brie with honey and almonds to maple soaked bacon strips and miniature hamburgers. King William Yandell III and Queen Mary Louise Carrick joined the group later in the evening as Amy, Kelsey and Everett Pidgeon celebrants danced the night away. at Princess Ball Inhabitants of the Primate Pavilion at the Memphis Zoo recently made room for Carnival Memphis supporters and beneficiaries. Dubbed the Carnival Memphis Zoo Party, the event provides a laid-back atmosphere, complete with barbecue and fixings from Hog Wild Catering and zoo tours, to break up the formality of most Carnival Memphis Week gatherings. A check for $110,000 was also presented to Children’s Charity Initiative representatives from Knowledge Quest, the Le Bonheur Foundation and the Memphis Child Advocacy Center. Trends of yesteryear and today were paraded on Bill, Jan and William Collins with Jacque and Anne Walker the runway at the Carnival Memphis Fashion Extravat Princess Ball aganza at Hilton Memphis. The afternoon kicked off with a beautiful rendition of “God Bless America” sung by Catherine Norton, followed by Grand Krewe royalty and Carnival princesses promenading the length of the ballroom, where the Secret Order of Boll Weevils soon descended for some mischief-making. While dining on tuna and chicken salad served on salad greens and fruit, guests oohed and aahed over “Fashions from the Past” donated by Ainslie Todd and McKay Clark and “Fashions of Today” featuring the designs of Sophie Jones, hats by Kaki Smith and jewelry designed by ZoftigDoll. Story and photos by Leah Fitzpatrick and Suzanne Thompson Barb and Kevin Bentley with Sherri Alexander at Princess Ball
Sally Halle, Carolyn Russell and Sharon Jones at Carnival Memphis Fashion Extravaganza
Lauren White and Diana Roberts at Carnival Memphis Zoo Party
(Front) Henry Widdop, Kneeland Gammill and Tom Wells; (Back) Ellen Wells, Kay Gammill and Ashley Wells at Carnival Memphis Zoo Party
Randy and Katherine Jefferson and Rebecca Ruleman at Carnival Memphis Zoo Party
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For underwriting information, call 90 For 901-678-2560 1-678-2560 Visit V isit us online at wumr wumr.memphis.edu .memphis.edu
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VOX POPULAR
Vox Popular Q&A with Jeffrie Bruton
T
he acronym SRVS (pronounced serves) stands for Shelby Recreational and Vocational Services, but what the name has come to mean for Mid-Southerners is a network of support for people with disabilities. Founded in 1962 by a group of families, SRVS provides residential and day services for more than 800 people with special needs, but executive director Jeffrie Bruton says a majority of the local population doesn’t know the scope of these services, which include medical attention, a nursing staff and financial case management, to name a few. Currently, 1,700 people are on a waiting list for SRVS services, making it all the more crucial to support an SRVS building expansion through fund-raisers like the upcoming Spirit of SRVS on August 28 at Hilton Memphis. RSVP editor Leah Fitzpatrick toured the current facility at 3592 Knight Arnold Road and witnessed a place filled with opportunity and caring for an underserved population. The experience is a gratifying one for Bruton, who says, “I’m getting paid to do a job I love, and I promise you that hardly a day goes by when I don’t get a hug, big smile and a handshake from people in the program.”
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Bruton: For a year before I became the executive director, I was the director of finance and administration at SRVS, which was a lot smaller then, so my job was like being the CFO and COO combined. My background is public accounting, and that’s what I’d done in the past. One thing I always did with my clients in public accounting was to really learn their business because I could do their tax work, audit work or accounting better, so when I came to SRVS, I carried that practice with me. That year I was the director of finance, I worked really hard to get acquainted with the SRVS programs, never dreaming that the executive director would leave in a year and that the board would ask me to be interim and then fulltime.
mostly due to behavioral issues. The average ratio in our residential program is one staff person for every three people, and overall, like in the workshop, we have as high as one staff person for every 15 people because most of those participants are much higher functioning. RSVP: What are the requirements for someone to participate in the SRVS workshop? Bruton: Really, all it takes for someone to be in the workshop is the desire to work. We will work with someone who has fairly severe disabilities if the workshop is something he or she wants to do. RSVP: What are some of the businesses that contract with the SRVS workshop?
RSVP: Do you feel your role at SRVS has evolved through the years? Bruton: It has. We had a budget of about $12 million or so and around 400 on staff when I first started. We have almost 1,000 staff now, and our budget is $30 million. During my early years, we had our core services: the residential, day and workshop. The difference now is we have all the services someone needs, like nursing, behavior support, dietitians and therapists, so we’ve greatly expanded. We’ve always had a community employment branch, where we find jobs for our participants at places like McDonald’s, Hutchison School, Pizza Hut, Kroger, Ave Maria Nursing Home and ALSAC/St. Jude. I think the other thing I’ve noticed that’s grown with me is the management team. We have 17 directors, and most of them grew up here, so to speak. We have one lady who just amazes me. She showed me a clipping of an interview she had when she graduated from college, and she’d commented that she wanted to find a job working with people with disabilities. Her first job ended up being at SRVS, and she’s been here more than 25 years and is one of my directors. That’s typical of the management team we’ve grown through these 14 years. RSVP: What is the ratio of employees to program participants? Bruton: It mostly depends on participants’ needs. We actually have a few people who have to have one person with them at all times,
Photos by by Don Don Perry Perry Photos
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RSVP: How familiar were you with SRVS before you became the executive director 14 years ago?
Bruton: Riviana Foods, BellMemphis, Business Products, UT Dental, American Stairways, Paramount, Aramark, Cintas, Lamberts Coffee, Levenger, Unisource, Remington and Elvis Presley Enterprises. They know we provide quality work at a competitive cost. It’s also a good feeling for these businesses because they’re helping people who otherwise wouldn’t have a job, and once a business works with us, they usually stay with us. RSVP: Are all ages of people with disabilities able to participate in SRVS?
Bruton: The day center and workshop are for people who are past school age. In the new building, we hope to have some summer and after-school programs for children with disabilities. The residential programs are for anyone from grade school up, but most are adults. At one point, we probably had about 40 school-age children in that program, however most of them have grown older. RSVP: What are some of the benefits you’ve seen as a result of people participating in the programs here? Bruton: I’ve had numerous parents express to me how excited they are to see what their son or daughter can do. At home, parents tend to think they have to do everything for their child with disabilities, and we try to teach people to do things for themselves. When we teach people with disabilities to do things for themselves, they gain
RSVP: Can you tell me about the SRVS expansion in the works?
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Bruton: The new building for us is around 80,000 square feet and is actually an existing building at 3971 Knight Arnold that weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re hoping to start renovations on this fall. Weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re about halfway to our goal of raising enough money for the first phase, which is renovating that building and that campus. We have some grant requests out, and we hope if we get approved on those that weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll be able to start soon. As you can tell from the current building, itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s old and run down, and we so desperately need a nice light space. One thing that happened here is weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve had to sort of mold the programs to fit the building. What weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re doing over there is setting up that building to fit our programs. RSVP: What are some features the new building will have?
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Bruton: For instance, Donna, who works in our workshop, is over all of our employment services, and she speaks a lot to local high schools about getting their children evaluated for job placement before graduation and lets them know about our employment program. We also have a lot of tours for different businesses on any day at any time. They just need to set that up with our public relations office. We are a United Way member agency, and United Way has a United Way Day of Caring, which we always participate in. On that day, volunteers either come out to our homes or to this site, and we have special projects that they do. In addition, we publicize SRVS activities, events and success stories on a regular basis.
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RSVP: What are some different ways that SRVS spreads the word about its services?
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self-esteem, lose that fear of trying to do new things, gain joy from being able to participate in the community and make new friends.
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Premiere Auction Wine Tastings Memphis’ Finest Restaurants Live Music Entertainment Diamonds by Doran
August 28, 2010 6:00 pm-10:00 pm Hilton Memphis 939 Ridge Lake Blvd Tickets $60 before 8/23; $65 at door Visit www.srvs.org or call 901-312-6802 Event Chairs: Mr. & Mrs. David Kimler Honorary Co-Chairs: Mr. & Mrs. Harold Collins Mr. & Mrs. Kemp Conrad, Dr. & Mrs Frank McGrew, III
Proceeds benefit SRVS & people with disabilities
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12th Annual Spirit of SRVS A Taste of the Good Life
paign goes to make up that difference. As I said, United Way is a big part of that. RSVP: What is your favorite SRVS success story?
Bruton: What we’re excited about is the specialty rooms. Our participants love music, so we hope to have a music room, as well as an art room. Presently, to teach people how to do household chores, we have a baby bed mattress on a table to show people how to make a bed, so we hope to have a model apartment with a dining room table, a real bed and everything else you would have in a home because one thing we teach repeatedly is how to do household chores for yourself. There will also be a training kitchen for participants and staff to learn basic cooking skills. We have around 80 homes throughout the community, and they’re staffed 24/7, so the staff is required to cook in those homes. That’s why we’re hoping to also teach the staff how to cook in this training kitchen. In our present therapy room, we just have a few bicycles and a treadmill in a corner of one of our classrooms, so we hope to have a separate therapy room in the new building. Our dream would also be to have a large aquarium, but until we get a real one, we’ll at least have a picture or mural in the new facility.
Bruton: The most outstanding success story to me is a guy named Adrian, who was about 12 when he came to us. He was born with spastic cerebral palsy and can’t use his arms, talk or walk, but he’s pretty sharp with his surroundings and his wants and desires. This was before my time, but I remember reading an article in the newspaper about SRVS getting a grant to purchase a computer for Adrian so that he could communicate. He’s grown now, about 30 years old, and he has gone from being in a nursing home when he first came here to being in a supported living home with a roommate of his choice. SRVS has provided Adrian with an Echo Machine, which is a communication device mounted to his wheelchair. He’s on several statewide committees to advocate for people with disabilities and makes trips to Nashville to participate in them. Adrian’s also a member of the AAC Club for people with Alternative Augmentative Communication.
RSVP: What is the name of the fund-raising campaign for the new SRVS building? Bruton: The Building Dreams Campaign. The first phase to do the new campus is $7 million. Then, we’ll immediately start working on another $4 or $5 million to redo the whole current campus. RSVP: What is the purpose of SRVS’ annual Imagine the PossABILITIES Campaign? Bruton: It’s pretty much a year-round campaign, but we specifically do an “ask” around the end of the year and try to do one in the middle of the year. We contract with the Tennessee Division of Intellectual Disabilities Services for most of our funding and services, but it only covers about 9095 percent of our costs. For example, we have to have a vehicle for the 80-plus homes we have in the community to take people to church, the doctor, etc., but the state does not pay for any capital costs, which are basically vehicles or any type of equipment. The money from the annual cam-
RSVP: What is the biggest benefit that SRVS provides to the community? Bruton: The number one benefit to the community is that, due to our programs, many caregivers are able to work and be productive community citizens who otherwise would be staying home caring for a family member with a disability. We have some service recipients who do not have families and without SRVS, they would be on the streets, in jails or hospitals.
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CROWN & SCEPTRE CORONATION BALL
EVENT
Crown & Sceptre Coronation Ball Carnival Memphis 2010
W Mary Katherine Thinnes and Maddy Prior
Carl Krausnik and Elizabeth Ansbro
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hen June arrives, Carnival Memphis backers come out in full force for a weeklong celebration aimed to show off the organization’s royalty and highlight the Carnival Memphis Children’s Charity Initiative. As is customary, the Crown & Sceptre Coronation Ball jumpstarts the regal festivities that have been lauded as a Memphis tradition for 79 years running. Ladies outfitted in floor-length evening gowns entered Hilton Memphis on the arms of gents donning tuxes with white ties and gloves, helping set a formal tone for the affair. The décor echoed the glamorous vibe with a display of gold crowns atop podiums for the cocktail hour and swathes of pastel tulle and planters of stargazer lilies adorning dinner tables. Thrones for King William Yandell III and Queen Mary Louise Carrick were the focal point of the stage, which had rows of steps on either side for those in the royal court to stand next to their leaders. Carnival president Buddy Dearman fulfilled the master of ceremonies role and was pleased to announce that a new service component, Carnival Cares, had been added this year. He went on to say that Carnival Memphis’ 2010 goal was to raise $100,000, a goal which had been exceeded. The money will be dispersed between Knowledge Quest, the Le Bonheur Foundation and the Memphis Child Advocacy Center. In that vein, Queen Mary Louise said, “We’re so much more than a party…we’re a party with a purpose.” Something else new this year was the recognition of past Carnival presidents, queens and kings during the ball. Perhaps the something familiar was the march of the Secret Order of Boll Weevils, led by His Evil Eminence, John Barzizza, and the return of the Pat Patrick Band. Dancing until midnight was also a given with this crowd, who kept up its energy and “Hip, Hip, Hoorays!” for numerous charitable visits and parties held the following week. See all the party photos at rsvpmagazine.com Password: RSVP
Deborah Tipton and Robert Tipton
Mitchel Norton and Elle Leatherman
Susan and David Orabone
Tim and Cindy Russell
Story by Leah Fitzpatrick Photos by Don Perry
Kevin and Sherri Kimery
Pat Patrick and “Wilber”
Holly and Paul Craft
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Jim Turner and Gaynette Price
CROWN & SCEPTRE CORONATION BALL
Jeff and Floy Cole
Marta Vinzant, Andrew Anderson and Carolyn Mayo
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Ricky and Catherine Harris
Ellen Patrick and Mike McNeer
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More Than 120,000 Readers Average Household Income. . . . . . . . . . . .$147,000 per year. 88.6% . . . . . . . . .Purchased a Product or Visited a Store due to Advertising in RSVP. 58.16% have HH incomes greater than . . . $75,000 per year. Female Readers . . . 59.2% Male Readers . . .40.8% 42.6% . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Traveled Abroad during the past year. Marital Status . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .62.2% married 52.% . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Eat out at least 3 times per week. Home Owners . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .81.3% 3 0 , 0 0 0 c o p i e s d e l i v e r e d m o n t h l y t h r o u gh o u t Education: Attended/Graduated College plus . . . . . . .83.0% the Aff luent Shopping Areas of Greater Memphis Have Post graduate degree . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .21.6% From Harbor Town to Collierville. Donna and Pat Hoffman
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EVENT Judy DeLasho, Ally Luciano, Esther Wilkinson and Carole Anne Furniss
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EVENT
Zoo Brew
ZOO BREW
A Lesson in Beerology
T
he Memphis Zoo jumpstarted the Memorial Day weekend with the largest Zoo Brew to date—a sellout crowd of 2,200 folks. A
beautiful late spring evening provided the perfect backdrop for thirsty partygoers. Presenting partner Southwestern Distributing Company, along with media partners KIX 106 and 98 The Max, pulled out all the stops to ensure that everyone enjoyed an evening of sampling and appreciating more than 100 different brews from the USA and throughout the world. The huge range of choices included lagers
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Angela and Robert Hagstrom
Mindy Bartlett and Jon Duncan
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from India, The Philippines, Brazil, Thailand, Germany and England to Canadian and Belgian tripels and strong ales. Stateside showings came in the form of ambers and stouts from California, Oregon, Maryland and Colorado. The Mid-South was well represented with Memphis Home Brewers proffering 19 handcrafted beers and local favorites Ghost River and Yazoo serving up their popular pale ales and wheats. New this year at the zoo is Lancer Catering, which provided a large array of tempting treats for sale from Sabino’s and The Memphis Grille inside The Cat House Café, as well as à la carte offerings from several concession carts and at the Tram Stop and Cat Country. While sipping the suds and savoring the eats, guests also enjoyed great music from The Doc Shots. Organizers estimated that the event generated more than $43,000, which will be used to help fund the zoo’s general animal care and education programs. Tim Dalfiume, Memphis Zoo director of events, could not have been more pleased. “We are ecstatic to see the success Zoo Brew has been since it began in 2008,” said Dalfiume. “The event continues to grow and has become a vital part of our fund-raising efforts. We especially want to thank our partner, Southwestern Distributing, and look forward to another stellar turnout at the next Zoo Brew on September 3.”
See all the party photos at rsvpmagazine.com Password: RSVP
Chris Valldejuli and Sarah Cox
Story by Ruth Cassin Photos by Nathan Berry
Robert Zeits and Rebecca Bolding
Robin and Scott Moneypenny
Wendy Gammill and Jessica Elvert
Joseph Baker and Susan Wessel
Hunter Crosby and Marcy Epperson with Kristin and Alan Richmond
Jeremy Martin and Lindsay Reynolds
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Advertising in RSVP Magazine places your message before an active, affluent market of Mid-Southerners who desire the best in quality and service.
More Than 120,000 Readers Average Household Income. . . . . . . . . . .$147,000 per year. 58.16% have HH incomes greater than . $75,000 per year. Female Readers . . . 59.2% Male Readers . . 40.8% Marital Status . . . . . . . . . 62.2% married Home Owners . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .81.3% Education: Attended/Graduated College plus . . . . . .83.0% Have Post graduate degree . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .21.6% 88.6% . . . . Purchased a Product or Visited a Store due to Advertising in RSVP. 42.6% . . . .Traveled Abroad during the past year. 52.% . . . .Eat out at least 3 times per week. 30,000 copies delivered monthly throughout the Affluent Shopping Areas of Greater Memphis From Harbor Town to Collierville.
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operamemphis.org
901.257.3100
music by Giuseppe Verdi Orpheum Theatre 203 South Main, Memphis Oct 7 & 9, 2010 7:30 pm
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music by Michael Ching a collaboration with Playhouse on the Square featuring DeltaCappella
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Playhouse on the Square 66 South Cooper, Memphis Jan 21 - Feb 13, 2011 Thu - Sat at 8:00 pm Sun at 2:00 pm music by Giaochino Rossini a collaboration with Mississippi Opera The Cannon Center for the Performing Arts 255 North Main, Memphis Apr 16 at 7:30 pm Apr 17 at 3:00 pm
S U B S C R I B E
T O D A Y !
ZOO BREW
EVENT
2010 2011
Jackye Haas, Kay Cockroft, Bette Gevers and Pam Peden
Mary Camille Hickerson and Brad Sperry
Mandy and David Lynch
Opera Memphis thanks our generous season sponsors:
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ZOO BREW E V E N T Aaron Kerr and James Hutto
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Charles Mitchell and Jenny Buchanan
Mike Scholl, Joelle Bradshaw, Jessica Puckett and Craig Morton RSVP
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Flavors of Memphis
FLAVORS OF MEMPHIS
An Extraordinary Culinary Experience
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Matt and Cathy Sprayberry
Katy and Brent Nair
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iving it up in support of the American Liver Foundation, gourmands traded the hectic heat of summer in the city for the cool calm of downtown’s Cadre Building and an opportunity to delight their discriminating palates at ALF’s elegant Flavors of Memphis. During this swanky soirée, 10 of Memphis’ most notable chefs served five wine-paired courses, prepared tableside, to intimate tables of 15. At his table, Chef Andreas Kisler of The Peabody hotel began with a first course of seared marinated sea scallops with soba noodles, seaweed salad and ginger-sesame vinaigrette. At hers, Chef Jasmine Hicks of Capriccio Grill followed a spicy crab cake and a cucumber and orange salad with a third course of Kobe beef and caramelized onion ravioli with truffle butter cream. And Chef David Schrier of Currents threw in an amuse bouche (chilled melon and strawberry soup with crispy prosciutto) before launching his guests on a five-course journey that ended with a chocolate terrine, coffee gelée, a citrus cookie and Chantilly cream. Not only the menus bore the signature styles of each chef. The table of Chef Ben Adams (Napa Cafe) was strewn with little amber-colored glass beads that reflected the twinkle of votive candles in puddle-like holders. But most arresting was the tall, twisted, rustic candelabra that proved to be an old zinfandel vine. “The candelabra was something we found on a recent trip to Napa Valley,” explained Napa Cafe proprietor Glenda Hastings. “This is unlike any event we’ve done before,” she added. “Preparing five courses tableside is so exciting. And we’ve carefully paired the courses with some really nice wines, from Champagne to port.” Other participating chefs were Chef Derk Meitzler (Itta Bena), Chef Daniel John (‘37 Fine Dining, Harrah’s Tunica), Chef Joshua L. Perkins (The Grove Grill), Chef Stephen Meek (Morrison Management, Baptist Hospital), Chef Edward Nowakowski (Medallion, University of Memphis Holiday Inn) and Pastry Chef Konrad Spitzbart (The Peabody hotel). Though the chefs were local, guests hailed from near and far, with John and Marcy Fikany coming down from Michigan for the event. The evening was emceed by Fox 13’s Mearl Purvis, and Winn Stephenson was honored as 2010 Man of the Year at this Flavors of Memphis. Stephenson has long been a driving force of the MidSouth Division of the ALF, from pioneering Memphis’ first ALF fund-raising gala to helping start the ALF Golf Classic and other events vital to the organization’s charity efforts.
See all the party photos at rsvpmagazine.com Password: RSVP
Michelle Dunn and Amy Jackson
Story by Kelly Cox Photos by Don Perry Mark Baricos and Megan Murdock
Brooke Bailey and Joshua Helms
Doyle and Eddie Jean Childress
Beth and Mike O’Neill
Ken Pasley, Andy and Celeste Autry and Susan Pasley
Mike and Charlotte Stewart
EVENT FLAVORS OF MEMPHIS Martha and Glenn Carr
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Kim and Don Bland
Michael and Jill Stockburger with Jayne Whittington RSVP
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Shan McAllister and Ashley Dorroh with Jennifer and Tony Strafaci
Karen Hamburger with Corinna and Dr. Luis Campos
EVENT FLAVORS OF MEMPHIS AU G U S T 2 010
Judith Black and Mearl Purvis
Jill and Benny Arogyaswamy
Sharon and Thomas Johnson
Amy Pollan and Barbara Parham
Robert and Jeannine Brooks
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Lisa and Craig Holliday
Bradford Waters and Anca Pop
Michael and Susan Jonas
Adele Williams and Laci Jackson
Farah and Dan Platko
Courtney Knowles and Jeannie Price
“No longer on the road less traveled.”
7PUL *VUL /PSS
l i v e at t h e g a r d e n . c o m
Please visit us at our new location. 5101 Sanderlin, Memphis 901.682.8277
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A L L T I C K E TS O N SA L E N O W to purchase tickets, visit ticketmaster.com, call 800.745.3000 or go by any area schnucks location. for more information, please call our box office at 901.576.4107.
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ONSITE
Onsite
Secret Order of Boll Weevils Party Grand Krewe of Ennead Clubroom Exceptional Art Show and Reception
T
he royalty of Carnival Memphis convened at the Memphis Home Builders Association for the annual
Secret Order of Boll Weevils Party. Some of the party hosts, who were dressed in their full Boll Weevil costumed glory, zipped through the crowded room plastering partygoers with their signature yellow stickers: Boll Weevils Strike Again! About 300 people mixed and mingled, and Almost Famous provided dance music for the
Jennifer, Ivy and Walter Williams at Exceptional Art Show and Reception
revelers. The secret society has been holding and crash-
Ken Roberts, “McGuyver,” Lisa Roberts, Michelle Brown and “X-Ray” ing bashes for more than 40 years, and when in cosat Secret Order of Boll Weevils Party
tume, members will only give the monikers they use in the club. The Memphis Home Builders Association also hosted the Grand Krewe of Ennead Clubroom. Held during Carnival Memphis Week, the party highlighted Magic Carpet Ride,” which was Ennead’s 2010 theme, “M apparent in table decorations of magic lamps and flying AU G U S T 2 010
carpets. Partygoers enjoyed dancing the night away to the music of Natchez, as well as celebrating the krewe’s 20th anniversary. Supporters, participants and staff of the Exceptional Foundation of West Tennessee recently
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44 Scott Knowlton, Kim Weiss and “Gunk” at Secret Order of Boll Weevils Party
gathered for the Exceptional Art Show and Reception at
Henri Wedell and Ann Jackson at Exceptional Art Show and Reception
the nonprofit’s headquarters. Art created by the group’s participants, individuals with mental or physical challenges, as well as work by local artists, was sold during a silent auction benefiting the EFWT. Offerings varied from oil paintings to handmade jewelry. The EFWT, which opened its doors in March 2009, provides services including cultural field trips, daily exercise, arts and crafts, sports and music programs for exceptional people of all ages. Story and photos by Suzanne Thompson
Dr. Greta Coger, Rick Condrey and Sue Woodall at Secret Order of Boll Weevils Party
Sarah Fay Sawyer, Boll Weevil #84, Margaret Brown, Boll Weevil #50 and Laura Dearman at Grand Krewe of Ennead Clubroom
Grantland Rice, KC Hutchinson and Corderoa Smith at Exceptional Art Show and Reception
Joe Chamoun, Andrew Anderson, Barbara Baker, John Goodyear and Marion Marr at Grand Krewe of Ennead Clubroom
Katia Neves, Jim Turner, Dr. Rodney Olinger and Susan Hanlon at Grand Krewe of Ennead Clubroom
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Purchase at The Orpheum Box Office, Davis-Kidd Booksellers and 525-3000 Visit orpheum-memphis.com for info.
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United Methodist Neighborhood Centers of Memphis Fund-raiser Community Legal Center Fund-raiser Beale Street Caravan Blowout
T
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Ward Archer with Stephanie and Barry Leff at Beale Street Caravan Blowout
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46 Deborah Swiney and Lilli Jackson at Beale Street Caravan Blowout
heatre Memphis welcomed nearly 400 United Methodist Neighborhood Centers of Memphis supporters for a benefit performance of “JJoseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat.” Before curtain call, guests perused lots of food-friendly gift certificates, artwork and museum passes, all the while listening to piano classics and eating appetizers from the “Holy Land” buffet courtesy of Just Catering. Potted palms were an Martha Ann and Jerry Corlew at United Methodist Neighborhood Centers of Memphis Fund-raiser appropriate adornment for the occasion, which helped bring awareness and $25,000 in donations to an organization that provides educational efforts, assistance programs and social services to tens of thousands of individuals in the community. The Community Legal Center also utilized the run of “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat” at Theatre Memphis for its 10th annual fundraiser. Cocktails, hors d’oeuvres and a silent auction were on the agenda prior to show time. Funds raised totaled more than $20,000 and will help the CLC assist those who do not qualify for assistance from Memphis Area Legal Services but remain unable to afford counsel in civil matters. Though it isn’t a juke joint, Ardent Studios had blues lovers lining up to attend the Beale Street Sabrina, Zoe and Carl Carter Caravan Blowout. Founded by Sid Selvidge, Beale Street at United Methodist Neighborhood Centers of Memphis Fund-raiser Caravan has become the most widely distributed radio blues program in the world and is hosted each week by Memphis’ own Pat Mitchell Worley. In order to keep this program free of charge to radio stations, the organization hosts an annual fund-raiser to cover one month’s operating expenses. This year, the benefit offered lots of silent auction items in the way of local art, music memorabilia and vacation packages to generate funding, in addition to featuring the tunes of Homemade Jamz, a sibling blues band out of Tupelo, Mississippi. Story and photos by Leah Fitzpatrick
Emma Stokes and Marie Lamon at United Methodist Neighborhood Centers of Memphis Fund-raiser
Peet and Sue Strydom with Heather Isaac at Beale Street Caravan Blowout
Lucy McLemore and Teri Dow at Community Legal Center Fund-raiser
Hayden Lait with Cathy and Jack Richbourg at Community Legal Center Fund-raiser
Bill and Bev Patterson at Community Legal Center Fund-raiser
ONSITE
Onsite
Young Heritage Scotch Tasting “Memphis On The Rocks” Crisis Center 40th Anniversary
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Paul and Denise Lussie at Crisis Center 40th Anniversary
Meagan Pounders and Aaron Michael at Crisis Center 40th Anniversary
Bill Pope and Isaac Lake at Young Heritage Scotch Tasting
Story and photos by Kelly Cox and Jonathan Devin
Paul and Jenny Cowgill with Stacey Clements at Young Heritage Scotch Tasting
Kim Hill and Bethany Walker at “Memphis On The Rocks”
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Markova Reed and Chris Anderson at “Memphis On The Rocks”
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Kyle and Petya Grady at Crisis Center 40th Anniversary
he Irish weren’t the only ones smiling at the inaugural Young Heritage Scotch Tasting benefiting Memphis Heritage, hosted by Celtic Crossing. In fact, with 12 scotches to choose from and eight rare and premium scotches available for VIPs, a gathering of about 70 whiskey enthusiasts had all but forgotten how to frown. Partygoers nibbled on light appetizers and sipped shots of Johnnie Walker, Talisker, Clynelish and the like while a bagpiper filled the white tent with sounds of the Highland and bartenders raced to keep up with a crowd so happy that a streaming downpour couldn’t dampen its spirits. Memphis On The Rocks” opened the doors of “M 409 South Main to an ease-you-into-the-weekend Thursday night party benefiting the YWCA of Greater Memphis. Hosted by The City Taste, this premium liquor tasting featured a wide range of specialty spirits, many new to the Memphis market. If a “Mango Splash” cocktail or “Not Your Granny’s Lemonade” were too frou-frou, you could sample the Rebel Reserve Kentucky Straight Bourbon, Forty Creek Canadian Whiskey on the rocks or even the Ghost River Brewing Company beer selection. Add an enticing spread from local restaurants such as Safari World Tapas Bar, the sounds of Ryan Peel and his band and works on view and up for bid by local artists, including Chris Reed, Joel Halpern and Regis Lawson, and there was a full blown list of activities to shake up the night. A portion of proceeds helped to maintain the YWCA-Abused Women’s Services, such as legal advocacy, immigrant women’s services, a 24/7-crisis hotline and an emergency shelter for abused women and their children. The Crisis Center turned into party central in late June as volunteers, staff and guests celebrated the 40th anniversary of the newly independent United Way agency dedicated to being there when it really counts. The celebration took place at The Vine in Midtown, opening with blues guitar music by Mike Joyner and Danny Jones. About 100 guests munched on passed hors d’oeuvres and strolled amidst shadowy ambiance and candlelight to enjoy cocktails and a silent auction. Numerous volunteer awards were lovingly handed out, with a lifetime achievement award going to Doug Daniel, before the cutting of a massive anniversary cake. Sponsors Anise and Ron Belz and Maurice Buring are owed a big thanks for the fabulous summer affair.
John Pantall and Ashley Hunt at “Memphis On The Rocks”
Mike Ogden and Tom Laurence at Young Heritage Scotch Tasting
RSV PHILLIPPI
By Dennis Phillippi
BUT WAIT, THERE’S MORE...
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es, for those of you who have driven by and seen it, that is a Topsy Turvy, as advertised on television, tomato plant on my front porch, and no, we haven’t seen even the tiniest tomato. Did I, as so many have asked, succumb to the siren song of their commercial about beefsteaks the size of a toddler’s head and pick up the phone? In a word, no. I bought it at Walgreens. But, yes, it was the freakish tomatoes on the TV spot that inspired me…that and it was next to the checkout line when I was buying a gigantic bag of candy bars to eat late at night when the commercial comes on. If you spend any of your free time watching sports, you’ve seen the spot: a breathless voice-over extolling the ease with which you can grow massive tomatoes as the camera lovingly lingers on the beautiful globes dangling from their space age nurturing device. I don’t spend some of my free time watching sports, I spend all of my free time watching sports, so eventually I became brainwashed and bought the thing. I did not, I stress again, make the call. I have never made the call. Not once in my entire life have I bought anything seen on TV over the phone. It just seems like a slippery slope. First it’s a Topsy Turvy, and before you know it, you’re ordering up a set of Shake Weights. If you haven’t seen that commercial, you’ll have to look it up on the Interwebs. Nothing I say here could do it justice. There isn’t really a need to buy any of the unnecessary $20 bargains you see on TV over the phone because drugstores now have an “As Seen On TV” section. You can soberly buy all the crazy stuff you’ve almost bought after a few glasses of wine while watching reruns of “Everybody Loves Raymond.” There’s that creepy little wand thing that “painlessly” removes unwanted hair. That one almost got me because not only have I reached the age where I get hair in my ears, I’ve also reached the age where I don’t have the energy to deal with it very often. The commercial for this little miracle is extra long and features a lot of actors willing to have close-ups of their nose hair and women’s mustaches being “painlessly” removed. I expressed an interest in this product, and my wife reminded me of the time I thought she would be
happy to receive an Epilady, which also purported to remove hair “painlessly.” The shrieks that one inspired almost got us a visit from the “Have You Been Beating Your Wife, Sir?” division of the MPD. On a side note, I always feel sorry for the actors in that spot. Work is work, but do you really want to be recognized on the subway as “lady with problem sideburns?” Another one that tempted me was
Work is work, but do you really want to be recognized on the subway as “lady with problem sideburns?” the set of plastic storage containers that stack neatly and all have lids that fit. It’s been a good 15 years since our plastic storage containers could make either of those claims. The lady on that commercial seems so happy now that she has stackable storage containers. Her life seems complete somehow. The cabinet where we keep our plastic storage containers looks like someone is doing a perverse experiment in crossbreeding of legitimate containers and old whipped cream and margarine tubs. We never use either of those things, so I can only assume they came with leftovers from someone else’s house and were never returned. That’s probably what happened to our good ones. There are a lot of products I don’t find tempting at all, most of which involve multiple payments and would only result in a piece of bulky exercise equipment draped with an unfolded load of whites. If, that is, I ever even bothered to take the thing out of the box and assemble it. Chances are it would just be snuck into the attic, hidden in shame. None of the
rubber band, yoga ball or aforementioned Shake Weights have any appeal. By the way, any piece of equipment that claims to make any exercise easier is, by definition, making the exercise less effective. A 6 year old knows that. It was a 6 year old who pointed it out to me. The category that is the most tempting to me is kitchen gadgets. I spend a lot of time in the kitchen, and through the years, I’ve accumulated a number of the things advertised on TV. I have a chopping machine, and as much as I want to punch the guy who pitches it on TV in the neck, the thing works like a dream. No kidding, I’ve been through three of them. I have a microwave bacon cooker, and I know, the microwave itself is a perfectly good bacon cooker, but the plastic doohickey collects the grease perfectly…for me to use to make something else deadly fattening later. I have the thing that’s supposed to poach an egg in its shell in the microwave too, but I’ve never tried it. I’m too chicken and too lazy to clean exploded egg out of my microwave. None of these things were purchased over the phone. They were either bought in stores or gotten as gifts after heavy-handed hinting. My wife has bought a few things over the phone, mostly exercise programs that she was convinced would act as a time machine and make us not old. She has actually gotten good use out of most of them, even though we’re still old. She did buy some foot product at some point that landed her on an automated phone tree that frustrated her to the point of almost hurling a cordless phone into the neighbor’s yard, but I explained that they already think we’re hillbillies because of the height of our grass, and phone hurling wouldn’t help. None of this is an endorsement for anything, mainly because I haven’t gotten a toddler-head-sized tomato yet. But if I do…
Dennis Phillippi, you could have saved yourself gas money and possibly embarrassment if you had picked up your phone instead of showing your face in the “As Seen on TV” aisle at Walgreens. However, if shame isn’t an issue, head east to Pigeon Forge, where there’s an “As Seen on TV” superstore.
After Hours A photo collage of the latest business happenings
MONA DAY SPA KICK-OFF AND ENVISION MEMPHIS ANNIVERSARY
AFTER HOURS
DERMATOLOGY REALM OPEN HOUSE BENEFITING ST. JUDE CHILDRENâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S RESEARCH HOSPITAL
PRETTY PLEASE GRAND OPENING
Christy, Hayden, Taylor and Chris Moneymaker at Pretty Please
Stephanie Bennett and Frank Howell at Mona Day Spa/Envision Memphis Jennifer Black, Dr. Adam Baker and Ashley Smith at Dermatology Realm
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Jessica Sappenfield, Chris Pugh and Mona Sappenfield at Mona Day Spa/Envision Memphis
Teresa Wilkes, China Palko and Jan Hooper at Dermatology Realm
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Kim Williams and Sibonie Jones at Dermatology Realm
Kim Flynn, Ellie Grace and Connie Loeb at Pretty Please
Allison Cook and Meghan Washburn at Mona Day Spa/Envision Memphis
Kooky Canuck Fifth Anniversary Party
Debbie Baker and Jennie Stader at Dermatology Realm
Shawn Danko, Robin Young, Lana Danko and Brandon Young at Kooky Canuck
Lee Warren, Chuck Blum and Fabian Matthews at Kooky Canuck
RSVPAST
Court Memories
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1990
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enior members of the Fayette-Ware Comprehensive High Schoolâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Wildcat basketball team, Terry Jones and Terry Dickerson, pose with head coach Benny Perry in 1990. The team went on to compete in the sub-state competition that year. On July 30August 1, some of these team members will reunite with classmates at the Fayette-Ware High Class of 1990 Reunion. PHOTO COURTESY OF ERIC KELLEY If you have a past photo you would like to share with RSVP readers, please contact Leah Fitzpatrick at 276-7787 ext. 105 or e-mail the photo and caption to editor@rsvpmagazine.com All photos will be returned promptly.