RSVP Magazine February 2014 by RSVP Magazine

February 2014

THE WEDDING ISSUE Grizz Gala Tool Box Bash Orpheum Auction Gala Liberty Bowl President’s Gala Q&A with Steve Nash

CONTENTS

Contents February 201 4

From the Editor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8 Signature Memphis . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10 John “the Bull’ Bramlett, former two-time NFL All-Pro linebacker and President of John Bramlett Ministries, invites RSVP to chat at his home.

Orpheum Auction Gala . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .12 The historic theatre garners support for its new Centre for Performing Arts.

10 SIGNATURE MEMPHIS John “the Bull” Bramlett

The Ambassador Series . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .18 Leah Fitzpatrick’s Cutting Edge Eugene Pidgeon gives a loving salute to the former editor of RSVP.

StreetSeens . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20 & 22

31 LIBERTY BOWL PRESIDENT’S GALA Pam Kimery and Megan Mullen

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She is helping to bring Memphis together through green spaces. He is helping Millennials invest in the great Bluff City. StreetSeens highlight Jen Andrews and John Carroll.

Grizz Gala . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .24 Grizzlies teamed up with Memphians to raise funds at the Gold Strike Resort and Casino in Tunica, MS..

Onsites . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .28, 29, 66, & 67

4 RSVP

Gatherings that have earned an honorable mention.

Liberty Bowl President’s Gala . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .31

12 ORPHEUM AUCTION GALA Lori Turner-Wilson and Mike Wilson

Before Mississippi State and Rice University faced off, fans turned out for a party benefitting St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital at the Peabody Hotel.

RSVP Wedding Fasion Shoot . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .39

39 RSVP WEDDING FASHION SHOOT

Our gorgeous bride shows off the season’s most fashion-forward bridal looks at the University of Memphis Cecil C. Humphreys School of Law.

RSVP Featured Weddings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .48 Real Memphis couples share their big day with us.

Vox Popular . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .57 Q&A with the executive director at Advance Memphis, Steve Nash.

Tool Box Bash . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .60 Rescheduling for after the holidays only made this party benefiting Habitat for Humanity of Greater Memphis at The Great Hall even sweeter.

24 GRIZZ GALA Brooke and Alan Balducci

RSVPhillippi . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .69 Happy Broom Jumping Humor columnist Dennis Phillippi discusses his warm feelings for the ceremony of marriage.

Cover Photo Ashley and Patrick Parsons at Heartwood Hall Photo by Donny Granger of Creation Studios

60 TOOL BOX BASH Rebecca and Peter Parent

R SV P S TA F F Volume XIX

Number V

February 201 4 PUBLISHER

Roy Haithcock EDITOR

R achel Warren CONTRIBUTING WRITERS

Jeannie Ashford Leah Fitzpatrick Dennis Phillippi Eugene Pidgeon Suzanne Thompson Lesley Young ART DIRECTOR

Patrick Aker s PHOTOGRAPHERS

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Baxter Buck Don Perry Steve Roberts

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ACCOUNT EXECUTIVES

Chris Pugh Kristen Miller 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

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.

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

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KRISTEN MILLER, ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE 901.276.7787, EXT. 104 kristen@rsvpmagazine.com

Having worked in print advertising for nearly eight years, Kristen Miller felt it was a natural fit to join the RSVP team as an account executive. Kristen, who lives in Arlington with her husband and four children, loves to cook, fish, watch college and Arlington Tigers football, spend time with her family and advertising, of course.

From the Editor

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would like to begin with a big “Hey y’all!” With the departure of our great editor Leah Fitzpatrick who is beginning a new chapter in her life in Middle Tennessee, I have taken over the RSVP editor position and cannot express to you how grateful and honored I feel to have the chance to be a part of a magazine that highlights some of the most important people in our city – those who are working for and with non-profits and philanthropic causes. I know that I have very big shoes to fill, Leah being the very pinnacle of Southern class with an unchallenged eye for perfection, but I know our hearts are both in the same place. Leah and I both have a passion for uncovering and promoting the hard work that the many nonprofit organizations within the Bluff City are doing day in and day out, and so I am thrilled to be given the opportunity to showcase their good works. It is appropriate that during the month of love, February, I am feeling the love from the tight crew at RVSP headquarters as they have supported me through every step of the way with my first issue as editor. I am also feeling the love from you, the readers, as you champion the magazine every time you pick up an issue or keep us on our toes with your comments and reviews; keep them coming! I dare you to not feel the love when you take a look at our RSVP Featured Weddings on page 48. The joy and adoration that each couple holds for each other is contagious. Our cover featuring real newlywed Memphians, Ashley and Patrick Parsons, also displays real love. The February issue is a special one for us in that we were presented with the challenge of coming up with an inspiring location for our wedding fashion shoot, but we were lucky enough to have the whole-hearted support of the University of Memphis Cecil C. Humphreys School of Law where we shot the beautiful spread, and we thank them for their generosity. Built in the 19th century and at different points in time a Memphis main customs house, a federal courthouse and a U.S. post office, the history and architecture of the law school was truly breathtaking. Special thanks, also, goes out to our friend Ryan Jones, director of communications and special events at the law school, who set up the entire operation and let RSVP take over the building. This issue is from us, with love.

Rachel Warren editor@rsvpmagazine.com

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February 24March 1

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Former two-time NFL All-Pro Linebacker/President of John Bramlett Ministries, Inc.

Hometown: Memphis, TN. Who Inspires You: Military men and women. Who Would Play You in a Movie: Mark Wahlberg. Favorite Southern Idiom: “Hallelu-yer” (Hallelujah). Your Best Quality: Discernment. I don’t see any gray areas. The Highlight of Your Day: Hanging out with my grandkids. Place You Go to Think: My office where I have quiet time everyday. Your Lucky Charm: I don’t believe in luck, but Nancy (my wife) is my charm. Best Advice You Ever Got: People may disappoint you but the Lord never will. Best Gift You Ever Received: Documentary of my life, “Taming the Bull,” that came out earlier this year. Proudest Moment of Your Life: The day my life changed totally and completely when I accepted Jesus Christ in my heart. Coolest Thing About Memphis: FedEx, St. Jude, and the generosity and teamwork of our citizens. Something You’ll Never Live Down: I once drove a golf cart on the expressway in San Diego when I was playing for the Miami Dolphins. One Goal You’d Still Like to Accomplish: I would love to see our documentary, “Taming the Bull,” made into a feature film.

Photo by Steve Roberts

SIGNATURE MEMPHIS F E B R U A R Y 2 0 14 RSVP

John “the Bull” Bramlett

EVENT

Orpheum Auction Gala

ORPHEUM AUCTION GALA

Fund-Raising for New Center for Performing Arts

T Stacy Toro and Billy Moore

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hree separate auction events and a classic car raffle helped to make this year’s Orpheum Auction the most profitable to date. Now in its 35th year, the event serves as the largest fund-raiser for the historic theater, which celebrated its 85th birthday in 2013. The gala brought in more than 800 guests and $348,000 in addition to the $72,600 that the donated 1995 348 Spider Ferrari convertible collected via a $100 raffle ticket. An online auction kicked off the event two weeks prior to the actual gala at the Orpheum Theatre. Over 572 items, from original works of art to a woman’s fur coat, were available during the silent auction, which took place in the lobby, onstage and backstage where guests also dined on a variety of local eateries’ offerings. Attendees sat in the auditorium during the live auction and bid on items such as a 2014 Nissan Pathfinder and a trip for two to the US Open Men’s Golf Tournament in Pinehurst, NC. “We’ve got a crowd,” Orpheum president and CEO Pat Halloran said, adding, “Every year it is a successful event.” Susan Covington has yet to miss an Annual Auction for the past 10 years. “It’s always interesting,” Covington, of Cordova, said. “I want to support the Orpheum. It brings so much to Memphis. I’m in the hospitality industry, and it’s a wonderful thing for the city.” Covington’s friend, Laverne Crouch, also of Cordova, added. “It’s always full of interesting people, and the contributions to the auction are varied. It’s just very entertaining.” Proceeds from the Annual Auction will go towards the Orpheum Theatre’s planned $14.5 million Centre for Performing Arts that is scheduled to break ground early this year and will feature advanced performing arts education programs and increase the availability of space for more concerts, theatre, dance and special presentations. “The success of our 35th annual auction and raffle has made a significant impact on our fund-raising goals for the Centre,” said Halloran. “We want to thank everyone who supported this event by donating, sponsoring, attending and bidding. The Memphis community has always come through for the Orpheum, and we are excited and encouraged that our patrons are just as dedicated to the new Centre and all that it will accomplish in developing the next generation of arts professionals.”

Melinda Aldison and Michael Maness

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

Heather and Bob Lundy

Story by Lesley Young Photos by Don Perry

Derick Garner and Marianne Clendenen

Mori and John Welborn

Sara and Frank Pace

Tim Tanner and Kip Meyer

Amy and Chad Smith with Carina and Derrick Santa Maria

Harry and Karen Zepatos

EVENT ORPHEUM AUCTION GALA

Tony and Dee Bologna

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Gail and Mike Huey

David and Jan Gould with Tammy and Jim Umlauf

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Jeff and Cindy Debardelaben with Brittney and Jim Hagmaier

Heather Huffman, Beth Jett, Linda Tremayne and John McIntyre

EVENT ORPHEUM AUCTION GALA

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James Gattas, Justice Janice Holder and Linda Gattas

Larry and Joy Rice with Jenny and Sarkis Kish RSVP

Anne and Bill Russell with Amy Lindeman

Preston Thompson, Jennifer Clark with Liza and Stephen Roth

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Cathy Boyd and Lynda Black

Ann and Jim Forbis

Ashley Sweat and Katie Jenkins

Charles Warner and Marne Anderson

Catty and Tim Nichols

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Clint Maners and Fariss Adams

Kris Kourdouvelis and Sharon Gray

Natalie Garner and Mike Meagle

Brittany Bullock and Mike Majestic

Jeremy and Jeanene Feinstone

Samuel and Cookie Jones

THE AMBASSADOR SERIES

The Ambassador Series By Eugene Pidgeon

LEAH FITZPATRICK’S CUTTING EDGE

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adies and gentlemen, a moment of silence is in order. After presiding for six years and one month (November 2007-December 2013) as the editor in chief for RSVP Magazine, Leah Fitzpatrick is no longer with us. Relax, she is in perfect health and is in fine spirits. She is just no longer in Memphis. Sadly, Fitzpatrick has relocated to Franklin, Tennessee with her husband and their two cocker spaniels in tow. She will be missed. Call it fate, call it Cupid or call it our good luck. No matter what you call it, the true story of Leah Fitzpatrick and how she would find her seat at the head of the table at RSVP Magazine is, perhaps, the stuff of legend. If not legend, because it is still young and contemporary, then certainly her tale is genuinely the stuff of romance. And, indeed, not the stuff of just any rote or ordinary romance but is, in fact, the stuff of great romance. It is romance reminiscent of those marvelous “screwball comedies” produced in Hollywood during the 1930s and ‘40s. “I was living in Franklin at the time and was dating my husband who was then my boyfriend and he was living in Memphis,” Fitzpatrick recalls. “Every weekend, he was either coming to Franklin, or I was going to Memphis. One of us was going to have to move.” It would be Fitzpatrick who took the journey westward. “I kind of heard about the job opening at RSVP through a friend in Memphis,” she says. “Honestly, it all just kind of fell into place. I got the job at the interview.” There is a pause and a slight chuckle of bemusement as she remembers and tells the story. So, it is not too much of an abstraction to interpret or even link the very gumption and mettle of Fitzpatrick to that of Ellen “Ellie” Andrews, Claudette Colbert’s character in It Happened One Night, and/or Hildegard “Hildy” Johnson, played by Rosalind Russell in His Girl Friday. Ultimately, Colbert and Russell were much greater than the mere sum of their parts. The unique characters they created and embodied are much more than simply the indelible and enduring images of American cinema or the great Golden Age of Hollywood. They are the very portraits of strength, resilience and resourcefulness. Against the odds and often against the oddly, these are fiercely independent women whose performances have not curdled or soured in time. Today, Colbert’s “Ellie” and Russell’s “Hildy” remain as fresh and as relevant as they did when they made their first appearances on the screen

well over a half a century ago. Ellie and Hildy were grandly brave women who trusted their own instincts and followed their heart no matter where it took them. And without wavering even when having to learn hard life lessons, Ellie and Hildy would always remain true to themselves and, therefore, always true to us. In one writer’s humble opinion, Leah Fitzpatrick stands shoulder to shoulder with Ellie and Hildy, Claudette and

Rosalind. By trusting her instincts and following her heart, she came to Memphis and then to RSVP. Now as a consequence of her departure and as a souvenir of her contributions to both, it becomes clear to all how she has helped to make Memphis a better place to live and RSVP Magazine a better publication to read. Without racing to Google or consulting with Julian Assange, what do you imagine is the single most important function of an editor in chief? The only way you will discover a correct answer is by asking a writer. And, every writer’s answer will be correct. Every writer’s answer will also be different. Yet, most would agree, an editor in chief has a single priority, and that is to take a writer’s very best work and make it better. Even more so, it is to imbue a writer with the sense of how anything worth editing is worth publishing. For 13 months, I have been writing the Ambassador Series for RSVP Magazine—my hometown magazine and the scariest place on Earth for any writer to balance the demons of positive and negative criticism of his published body of work. During my time as author of the column, this is exactly what Leah Fitzpatrick has done for me. She took my work and made it better. She took my excuses, my hyperbole and my broken promises to

never deliver copy later than the appointed deadline and made me better. Without ever raising her voice, she has raised the bar, and she has raised the stakes. She took me seriously. Evidence of editor Fitzpatrick’s positive influence can now be found in the pages of RSVP and also at my mother’s dinner table. This coming May will mark my 28th year of writing for a publication. And until I began writing for RSVP, I was lucky enough to have had my work edited and improved by a very small roster of extraordinary editors. A couple of them are quite well known…with one who even edited Hemingway and Salinger. I am now honored to add the name Leah Fitzpatrick to this roster. All editing aside, the single most important thing Fitzpatrick has done for me is to help me rediscover my love for Memphis, as I have lived away from my hometown for years and the prospect of returning permanently was not one I engaged enthusiastically. Yet with the Ambassador Series being a cursory look at other Memphians who are now living away from the city, I can see now how each of them, each of us, are bound together by much more than our origin. Our hearts and our thoughts and prayers, as well as our successes and failures, are all part and parcel to the cast and character of this brave city — a place I once considered “a great place to leave!” So for me, and much differently now, I believe as Leah Fitzpatrick leaves Memphis, she is leaving a great place. For Memphis and she are a city and a person made better by having known each other. And we have all derived a great and tertiary benefit from their mutual acquaintance. Like Colbert and Russell before her, Fitzpatrick is greater than the sum of her parts. Whether she is an editor, an entrepreneur, a wife and dog lover, the things that make her great, like those that made Colbert and Russell great, are intangible and are not anything that can be found on a resume. As Memphis bids farewell to Citizen Fitzpatrick and RSVP says goodbye to its beloved editor, let us reflect on just what it means to be an ambassador. Every answer will be correct. And, every answer will also be different. Yet, most of us will agree that for RSVP Magazine and for the whole of Memphis itself, Leah Fitzpatrick will always be a remarkable one. Thank you.

To make a suggestion or pitch a story idea to Eugene, feel free to e-mail him at eugenepidgeon@rsvpmagazine.com.

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STREETSEEN

Jen Andrews Connecting Memphis Through Green Spaces

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ou don’t usually hear people saying that they love their job. Jen Andrews, though, will be the first person in the room to admit that she feels like the luckiest people in the world. As the Director of Development and Communications at Shelby Farms Park Conservancy, she says that very few people get the chance to go work all day at a park or even drive by a herd of buffalo on their way to the office. While no one can deny that Andrews gets the chance to work within a space that many people could only dream of, she also has one of the toughest jobs around in the country: fund-raising for one of the largest urban parks in America within a difficult economy. Yet, it is her unwavering passion for creating public spaces that anyone from any walk of life can enjoy coupled with her enthusiasm for the outdoors that drives her to take on the demanding role. Andrews did not always know she wanted to work at a park. An Arkansas native that came to Memphis to attend Rhodes College, she graduated in 2006 with a degree in English Literature and had been accepted into a Ph.D. program. She deferred her Ph.D. spot for a year to earn money for the next level of school when she met Laura Adams, now executive director of SFPC. “I had met Laura through an alumni connection at Rhodes and she laid out this vision that she had,” says Andrews. Andrews explains that Adams had a vision of Shelby Farms Park made into the next “greatest 21st century parks” that would connect the people of Memphis through parks, greenways and trails. “I had never been involved with anything like that. I thought it was bold and ambitious…fearless. So I hitched my wagon to Laura’s star,” says Andrews. And with that, Andrews started one of the greatest adventures of her life. Containing 4,500 acres of space, taking on the development and operations of Shelby Farms Park was no small task. After the Shelby Farms Park Alliance became the Shelby Farms Park Conservancy in 2007, Andrews and her team got to work raising the roughly $2.5 million yearly it takes to fund the basic park operations. This is in addition to the capital campaign, which has a goal of $70 million and is part of the SFPC Master plan that has already delivered the Wolf River Pedestrian Bridge, the Shelby Farm Greenline and the Woodland Discovery Playground. Raising funds is not easy even on a small scale and, some might say, madness for something the size of SFPC. Yet, Andrews refused to let the state of the park be defined by the current economic situation. She came up with a clever solution. She merged the Communications and Development departments. “It felt like it was a creative approach to a difficult fund-raising landscape. It’s been a tough economy, and in a tough economy it becomes harder to raise money and we are an organization that really thrives on the generosity of the community. What we were really doing was changing our approach to respond to a difficult climate and it worked,” she says. It is through Andrews’ tireless campaigning and fund-raising that keeps the entire park open and free to all Memphians and visitors. The green spaces within the park have quickly become some of the most diverse areas in Memphis. On any given day you can see people from all every age, background, race and economic demographic enjoying a bike ride or taking a stroll in the many areas of the park, says Andrews. With the SFPC team gearing up to roll out the “Heart of the Park” part of the SFPC Master Plan to create a central point of the park that will include an array of attractions and activities, there is no doubt that the park will continue to grow as a diverse hub that connects all points of Memphis. This is why, at the end of the day, it is worth it to have one of the hardest jobs in the country. Story by Rachel Warren Photo by Steve Roberts

STREETSEEN

John Carroll Tuning In Young Adults to Memphis Opportunities

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ccording to City Leadership’s founder and executive director, John Carroll, people are most likely to move to another city between the ages of 21 and 27, with 22 being the peak age to relocate. As a result, City Leadership, a nonprofit that “exists to recruit, develop and catalyze leaders for the benefit of the city of Memphis,” set out to answer the obvious question: What opportunities are available for 20-somethings here? Well, it turns out there are many ways to get involved, including participating in the Church Health Scholar program and the Memphis Teacher Residency, however when Carroll heard that these programs and others weren’t getting enough applicants to fill spots, he felt a national scale promotion was in order. Enter Choose901, a City Leadership campaign that bills the Bluff City as a top location for someone to invest in and enjoy his or her life. Carroll says, “Research we did shows that Millennials’ generational desire is to enjoy, and that every decision they make is based on that, whereas his or her parents’ desire was to fulfill and their grandparents’ was safety. This generation, more than any other, also has a strong moral desire to make a difference in society. Choose901 was created to attract those people all over the country and is a rallying campaign for those already here.” Begun nearly two years ago, Choose901 has been showcasing the city’s positive attributes under “INVEST” and “ENJOY” navigation tabs on choose901.com, as well as through social media. One of the featured components includes weekly Choose901TV episodes that highlight budding entrepreneurs (like those behind Amurica Photo, Reverb Coffee and Wiseacre Brewing) and a diverse array of nonprofits (think Indie Memphis, New Ballet Ensemble and the UrbanArt Commission). Additional components involve posting a job of the week appropriate for those in their twenties, making short videos about programs offered by the campaign’s 11 Invest Partners, taking See 901 Instagram pics at around-town happenings and updating the New to 901 section, which entails info about how to register to vote, public transportation and where to buy locallysourced food, for example. Of newcomers, Carroll adds, “People have to answer two questions—where to live and what to do—when they move, and hopefully we can answer what to do. However, sometimes we’ll feature what it’s like to live in a certain community, and we hope that info becomes a reference point for them.” He goes on to say that he hasn’t found any contemporaries to this campaign in other cities, and that those who appear on the Choose901 site are never charged—an important factor considering many of the nonprofits run on limited budgets. A further advantage to featuring nonprofits’ work is that it shows the efforts taking place to alleviate the city’s needs. In this vein, City Leadership conducted a survey that found college grads are aware Memphis has its problems, but they don’t know the people who are making progress on those problems. “Knowing they [young adults] can join a positive movement makes our city more attractive,” affirms Carroll, who also points out, “This age group also wasn’t aware of Grizz games, the Greater Memphis Greenline, Huey’s burgers, sunsets on the Mississippi and rooftop parties. Really though, what we’re trying to be is a trusted and passionate representation of Memphis’ genuine identity. Whether people move here or not, we want them to know what it genuinely is, a beautiful city full of great people.” Millennials, take note! Story by Leah Fitzpatrick Photo by Steve Roberts

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EVENT

Grizz Gala

GRIZZ GALA

Giving Back Grizzlies Style

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Jade and Eric Poff

Brooke Marrs, Ed Davis and Ronda Mitchell

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id-South benefits typically draw boldface names from Memphis society, but the guests at the 5th Annual Grizz Gala to benefit the Memphis Grizzlies House at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital were mostly average Joes and Janes who were happy to rub elbows with their Memphis Grizzlies. “We’re just Grizz fans,” explained Brandon Roland. He and his entourage were among several hundred team enthusiasts who flocked to the Gold Strike Casino Resort in Tunica, MS for a chance to shake hands with Zack Randolph, snap a picture with Marc Gasol or strike up a conversation with Ed Davis and Kosta Koufas. Grizzlies players graciously greeted friends and fans alike. Zach Randolph was dressed to the nines, his 6’9” 260-lb. physique cutting a trim figure in a tux designed by Jered M. “I’m here because of the fans,” Randolph told RSVP. Grizzlies forward Ed Davis said he was at the Gala to support a great cause: St. Jude’s. “It’s important for a professional athlete to give back to the less fortunate and never forget where you came from,” he said. The event featured a novel twist to a traditional silent auction, consisting mostly of player shoes and basketballs. Gone were the clipboards and pens. Bidders instead used their smart phones to bid. One could see guests checking their iPhones and Androids through the night as a text alerts were sent to them when someone topped their existing bid. Guests also used their phones to donate during the live auction and enjoyed the instant gratification of seeing their contribution reflected in a tally kept on big monitors next to the stage. The auction was managed by Chicago-based Auction By Cellular (ABC), which was working its first event in Memphis. ABC’s Jordan Myers, a native Memphian, pitched the Grizzlies because “The owner of the Grizzlies is a tech entrepreneur, and the organization loved the idea.” Still, parties need good food, drink and music to really stand out, and this event got it right on all three counts. Stand out tidbits included a mashed potato station with cabernet sauvignon-infused spuds, tiny crab-cake balls and Mississippi mud pie. Early on, DJ Jason Sims spun classic 45’s, and, later, G3: The Garry Goin Group and the Grizzlies house band started rocking. A flock of Grizz Girls took to the dance floor, which soon was packed. One intrepid guest, dressed in a stunning blue dress, scooted up in a wheelchair to swivel and swirl in her wheelchair. In a flash, Grizzlies forward Mike Miller grabbed the chair and began to dance with her. The Grizzlies players have game; they also have big hearts. Story by Jeannie Ashford See all the party photos at Photos by Don Perry rsvpmagazine.com Password: RSVP

Lindsey Wilkerson and Joel Alsup

Denis Ward, Mike Miller and Greg Ward

Cristina Blesa and Marc Gasol

Leia Sergakis and Kosta Koufos

Sean and Angie Gould

Tiffani Morrow, Mark Sanford and Kaila Calhoun

Zach Randolph and Faune Drake

EVENT GRIZZ GALA

Chris and Elizabeth Tennison

Pamela and Edward Marshall

Bill and Lauren Logan

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Ellen Hunter and Pat Chaffee

Aja Kimrey and Nick Letterly

Jason and Apryl Potter

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Alisha Kimber and Stacy Brown

Julianne and Matt Burns

Karen and Fred Sliney

Jessica Coleman and Adam Exelbierd

Tim Jordan, Dan Peterson, Mason Massey and Jill Berryman

Dennis and Gretchen Turner

EVENT GRIZZ GALA Sean Green, Renee Diaz and Monica Green

Elizabeth and Andy Vinson with Lindsay and Brian Haynes

Farrah Basma, Sameer Mansour and Lina Basma

Brandon and Ashley Bodine

Brandon and Marcie Roland

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Barbara and Ricky Parham

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Sean and Donna Pollard

Johna Smith and JoAn Linkins

Donna and Mark Bettison with Brandi Palmer and Vanessa Shumaker

Garth and Yvette Webster with Daryl Gann and Eric Granger

Betty Donald and Ashley Bennett

Kim and Sean Hopkins

ONSITE

Onsite I

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Freedom Award Ceremony

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Make-A-Wish Silent Auction and Wine Tasting Benefit

The 2013 Freedom Award Ceremony, themed “Shaping A Culture Building a Nation,” returned to the Cannon Center for the Performing Arts last November. Hosted by the National Civil Rights Museum, the occasion honored those who have devoted their lives to advocating for human rights around the globe, and it also served as a fund-raiser for the museum. The honorees this night included Geoffrey Canada, president and CEO of the Harlem Children’s Zone; Earl Graves Sr., the founder and publisher of Black Enterprise Magazine, former chairman and CEO of Pepsi-Cola in Washington, D.C. and a director of Aetna, Inc.; and Mary Robinson, Ireland’s first female president. These recipients join a notable list of former Freedom Award recipients who include Bono, Danny Glover, the Dalai Lama, Nelson Mandela and Rosa Parks, to name a few.

Make-A-Wish® Mid-South was the chosen beneficiary for the Memphis Consumer Credit Association’s annual Silent Auction and Wine Tasting Benefit. Held during the holiday season at the Regions Headquarters on Poplar, the fund-raiser offered a plethora of items for guests to bid on, from a LifeGreen Regions bike and helmet and an Origins gift box to a Ryder Cup pin flag autograph-ed by three-time major winner Padraig Harrington. Oenophiles were pleased with the appearance of many a collector’s bottle of wine in the silent auction, with a 1982 and 1985 bottle of Robert Mondavi Winery Reserve Cabernet—each valued at $150—registering as very enticing choices. And accompanying the wine tasting was a nice spread of finger foods like ricotta-stuffed mushrooms, spicy garlic shrimp with tomatoes and chickpeas on bruschetta and hazelnut and chocolate biscotti.

Story and Photos by Leah Fitzpatrick

Story by Leah Fitzpatrick Photos Submitted and by Leah Fitzpatrick

Sowing Seeds for Crosstown The $180 million revitalization effort for the Sears Crosstown mixed-use building has garnered lots of attention as of late, and will include offices for the Church Health Center, which celebrated with an event called Sowing Seeds for Crosstown. The Metropolitan Bank threw the function at the Cotton Museum downtown to observe the momentous move for the organization, a nonprofit that provides health care to the low-income, working uninsured. Guests of honor included Dr. Scott Morris, the founder/CEO of the Church Health Center, and the new Church Health Center president, Antony Sheehan, who attended with his lovely wife, Andrea. Story and Photos by Leah Fitzpatrick

Methodist Healthcare Foundation Center Cancer Luncheon Over 1,000 guests packed into the Peabody Hotel’s Grand Ballroom to hear Academy Award and Golden Globe-winning actress, Sally Field speak and to support the West Cancer Center at the 12th annual Methodist Healthcare Foundation Cancer Center Luncheon presented by the Methodist Healthcare Foundation and Cigna. Field had no trouble capturing the audience’s attention with compelling stories from her 50 years in Hollywood and the fight she put up to land the roles she later made iconic. This wonderful event raised $95,000 with all proceeds directly benefitting the West Cancer Center. Story by Rachel Warren Photos by Joseph Martin

Rachael Meurrier and Kera Cooper

Dr. Steven Richey, Sally Field and Dr. Sylvia Richey

Antony and Andrea Sheehan, Ashley Coffield, Denise Burnett and Aimee Lewis

Joe Birch and Gary Shorb

Ken Hall, Jennifer McCullough and John Thatcher

Ashley Wagner, Mayor Mark Luttrell and Mark Wagner

Betty Kyles and Elaine Clyburn Dean Puryear and Meredith Crawford

Allie and Renee Bond

Ruth Lasley, Debra Alexander, David May and Loretta Becton

Mary Holmes, Mary Anne Johnson, Taryn Burks and Rose Slaughter

Cara Marsico and Karen Harris

Duration Fine Arts Club members convened at the Chickasaw Country Club to celebrate at the group’s annual Holiday Luncheon. Guests enjoyed mingling over mimosas and poinsettias as they found their seats at tables adorned with beautiful centerpieces of winter cabbage, pinecones, holly and pine tree branches. The Memphis University School’s all-male a cappella group, Beg to Differ, directed by John Hiltonsmith, added to the ambiance by entertaining attendees with a mixture of Christmas carols and popular songs. The Duration Fine Arts Club provides artistic and cultural offerings like these to its members throughout the year.

Oh the weather outside was frightful, but, inside, it was another story at the Salvation Army Women’s Auxiliary Christmas Brunch. Referencing the icy conditions that plagued many on their way to The Peabody, the Auxiliary’s president, Mary Ellen Chase, commented, “You all deserve a standing ovation for being here today!” A fund-raiser for the programs provided by the Salvation Army, the brunch was themed “A Tennessee Christmas,” and fittingly featured Kellye Cash Sheppard, the 1986 Miss Tennessee and 1987 Miss America, as a special guest performer. The Whitehaven High School Orchestra, directed by Michelle Johnson, also provided Christmas tunes, and pianist Scott Lane put everyone in the spirit of the season while guests dined on assorted pastries, fresh fruit, mini quiche tarts and cheese grits.

Story and Photos by Leah Fitzpatrick

MCA Holiday Bazaar Over a thousand Memphians packed into Memphis College of Art’s Rust Hall in an early shopping frenzy to find holiday gifts that ranged from the crafty to the unusually artful during the college’s 64th annual Holiday Bazaar. Items for sale included original paintings, prints, sculptures, crafts, and clothing. Hannah Rohrbacher, MCA junior, was the creator of this year’s promotional item, a large gold foil sculpture of the head of a triceratops titled Luxury. Guests sipped on drinks as they let out their inner art lover, perusing the aisles for the perfect knitted hat or mixed media piece to gift to a loved one or even to themselves. Although the main event was free and open to the public, a special preview hour preceded it. Offering a sneak peek on all merchandise prior to the main sale, preview ticket holders were given express checkout privileges and a complimentary MCA tote bag. Showing that no one loves their local artists quite like us Memphians do, most everyone left with at least one piece of unique art, raising $20,480 to support the MCA scholarship for students and $37,137 paid out to the artists themselves. Story and Photos by Rachel Warren

Josephine Circle Christmas Luncheon Celebrating 100 years of service, the Josephine Circle, Inc. held a Christmas Luncheon at the Crescent Club. Dedicated to providing scholarships and interestfree loans to young men and women who are achieving a higher education, this amazing organization has endowed scholarships at Rhodes College and the University of Memphis as well as granting annual scholarships at the University of Tennessee School of Dental Hygiene. Guests enjoyed a full lunch while new members were presented and Charlotte Neal provided musical entertainment on the piano. Dressed in Charles Dickinson– inspired costumes, the Houston High School Boys and Girls Show Choir ushered in the Christmas spirit by serenading the women of the Josephine Circle with several classical and contemporary carols. Honorary members Jo Walt and Josephine Crestman, great granddaughter of founder Josephine Millsaps Fitzhugh, were also present for this special gathering. Look out for Josephine Circle’s annual Fashion Show and Luncheon on April 7, 2014 at Memphis Hilton Hotel at 10:30 a.m. In conjunction with Laurelwood Shopping Center, the show will include Laurelwood’s hottest looks for the season as well as a generous silent auction. Story and Photos by Rachel Warren

Donna Godwin and Gerry Thomas Mary Booker, Anne Howdeshell and Nadene Mangello Jason Brandon and Funlola Coker Jo Watt and Josephine Crestman

John Hiltonsmith, Hilda Mullen and Jennifer Schneider

Gloria Hyden, Nancy Duvall and Cathy Fields Maggie and Ty Blaker

Donna McManus, Karen Gahan and Patricia Meyers

Pat Massengill, Mary Ellen Chase, Kellye Cash Sheppard and Tommie Pardue

Ashley McEntire and Emily Dunn

Shirley Andrews and Ginger Ferguson

Annette Poole and Faye Woods

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Salvation Army Women’s Auxiliary Christmas Brunch

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Hemmy and Rick Patel

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Ross and Anna Katherine Pickle

Story by Jeannie Ashford Photos by Don Perry

Barnabas and Leesha Chamberlain

Amy and Chad Smith

Valerie and Jeff Morris

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Wayne and Rose Parks

he football players and coaches were tucked in their beds, but their fans turned out in force to attend the black-tie 55th President’s Gala the night before the AutoZone Liberty Bowl at the Peabody Hotel. The Gala Committee kept to the winning formula that has made the Presidents’ Gala a social highlight of the Memphis holiday season: cocktails in the Continental Ballroom featuring music by piano duo Hudson & Saleeby, followed by dinner and boogying on a crowded dance floor to musician Andy Childs and his band in the Grand Ballroom. In keeping with tradition, the evening featured an up-close and personal musical performance by the half-time entertainers that would play before thousands of fans the next day: the Grammy-winning country group Diamond Rio. Billy Hicks, Jr., president of the 2013 AutoZone Liberty Bowl, presented the group with the AutoZone Liberty Bowl’s Outstanding Achievement Award for their many charitable activities. Nearly 1,000 people attended the event, which benefited St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. The next day’s matchup between the Mississippi State Bulldogs and the Rice University Owls attracted guests far and wide. The Mississippi State contingent included alumnus, David Abney, the chief operating officer of UPS, who had no qualms about coming to FedEx’s home turf with his wife Sherry. Among those rooting for Rice was Mike Ecklund of Houston, and he was happy to have an excuse to visit the River City. “Who wouldn’t want to come to Memphis?” he asked rhetorically. Memphis’ reputation as a place where the good times roll was widespread among guests. During the traditional presentation of the head coaches’ wives – who had no curfew hanging over their heads — Megan Mullin, wife of Mississippi State’s Dan Mullin, said, “No other bowl puts on a party like this!” The Liberty Bowl draws its name from the Liberty Bell in Philadelphia, which hosted the bowl in its early years. Memphis continues to commemorate the Liberty theme, which seemed near and dear to many in attendance. Dr. Fred Heros, who served as association president in 2003, said the Liberty Bowl theme was particularly significant to him as a native Cuban who had fled his homeland to seek freedom in America. Mayor A C Wharton, who gave the invocation, reiterated the theme by expressing thanks for “the blessings of liberty.” Naturally, the Grand Ballroom sported a red, white and blue matching motif with tables featuring red or blue napkins and floral centerpieces. In homage to the Rice Owls, the dinner menu included tasty jasmine lemony rice to accompany spinach-stuffed chicken breasts and tender beef fillet. Sadly for Rice fans, the Bulldogs ate the Owls’ lunch in a lopsided 44-7 victory. But after nearly a week long of festivities, everyone went home with a smile on their face.

Judy and John Oros

Leigh Shockey, Grant Andrew, Beth Flanagan and Tim Maxwell

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Benefiting St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital

LIBERTY BOWL PRESIDENT’S GALA

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Liberty Bowl President’s Gala

Porsha and Wayne Parks Jr.

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Marina and Eldon Pico

Stephanie and Neal Boggins

Marie and Larry Howell

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Sharon Moore and Ambria Reese

Brad and Sara Fuller

Donna and Videt Carmichael

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Adam Foote and Cassie Lynn

Davanna Law, Miss Autozone Liberty Bowl

Mike Applebaum and Kim Adams

Leigh Ann and Phil Stevenson

Bill and April Lipsey with Angie and Jonathan Hackmeyer

Hyunsook Lee and Dan Kim

EVENT Jim and Janie Henderson with Lanetta and Buddy Lanier

John and Lisa Rucker with Sheryl and Wayne Tabor

Emily Burnett and Shane Waldroup

Mike and Celeste Longo

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Sid and Aggie Alexander

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Renee Riley and Jessica Ikner

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Christopher and Jennifer Jenkins

Mandy and Mark Morse

John and Wanda Barzizza with Caroline Cousins and David Sutton

Bruce and Julie Martin with Anne and Scott Stricklin

Johnnie and K.K. Gross

Jennifer and Alan Bosworth

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Bobby and Janette Krauch

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Kim and Becky Webb

Greg Ehrhart, Amy Ehrhart, Randy Chumley, Urszula Milewicz and Kirk Ehrhart

Mark and Lynne Wagner

Mike and Peggy Callahan

Jason and Caitlin Motte

Debbie and Alan Carey

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Ann Bixby with Bob and Betty Bixby

Alan Eaves, Leslie Barron, Scott Wood and Trish Eaves

Ron and Jan Black with Lauren Hailey and Brandon Black

Deborah and Hugh McVeigh

Donna and Pat Hoffman

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Photography Steve Roberts | Photography Assistant Ralph Crafton | Creative Direction Rachel Warren | Creative Direction/Styling Chris Pugh | Assistant Kristen Miller | Makeup Mardine Wortham of Heather Cosmetics Boutique (901) 249-5018 | Hair Janean Roberts of Vanity Salon (901) 373-8182 | Model Corinne Vance of Colors Talent Agency | Location Courtesy of The University of Memphis Cecil C. Humphreys School of Law Dress, Low’s Bridal and Formal; Earrings, Owner’s Private Collection; Bracelet, Maggie Louise Bridal Boutique; Ring, Diamond Brokers

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Dress, Lowâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Bridal and Formal; Earrings and Ring, Las Savell Jewelry; Bouquet, Le Fleur

Dress, Maggie Louis Bridal Boutique; Earrings, Bracelet and Ring, Doris McLendonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Jewelry, Inc.

Dress and Bracelet, Maggie Louise Bridal Boutique; Earrings, South House Fine Jewelry; Ring, Ownerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Private Collection

Dress, Maggie Louise Bridal Boutique; Earrings, Owner’s Private Collection; Ring and Bracelet, Doris McLendon’s Jewelry, Inc.; Veil, Maggie Louise Bridal Boutique

Dress, Maggie Louise Bridal Boutique; Earrings and Necklace, South House Fine Jewelry; Ring, Doris McLendonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Jewelry, Inc.

Dress, Lowâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Bridal and Formal; Earrings and Ring, Bob Richards Jewelers

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Photos by Pablo Corona Photography www.pablocoronaphotography.com

MOFFETT & CRUZEN 9 • 21 • 13

ickie Lynn Moffett, daughter of Karen Boroughs and Layne Moffett, and Stephen Baker Cruzen, son of Mr. and Mrs. Philip Cruzen, were thrilled to have the first official wedding at Annesdale mansion, an antebellum residence in Memphis’ Annesdale Snowden Historic District. The ceremony was held on September 21, 2013 in the estate’s garden with a reception following inside the mansion. Honoring the couple’s southern heritage and first meeting through their involvement with Carnival Memphis (formerly Memphis Cotton Carnival) long-stemmed cotton stalks lined the antique gates and railings and were incorporated into floral arrangements displayed in silver champagne buckets and chalices. Additionally, cotton bolls also appeared in the bride’s vintage brooch bouquet, boutonnières and atop the wedding cake and were patterned on bowties and cookies. The bride’s blue suede boots and Dinstuhl’s chocolate cotton bolls paid further homage to Memphis’ cotton heritage. The bride and the groom felt blessed to have family, friends and their Westie, Baxter, in the wedding party to help celebrate their special day. After dancing to the music of Kings of the Delta and dining on southern treats like shrimp and grits and mini-barbecue sandwiches, the couple departed for the Peabody Hotel in a 1953 Studebaker and, after honeymooning in Italy, now resides in Memphis.

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Photos by Ramblin’ Rose Photography www.ramblinrosephotography.com

WILSON & BUCKNER 6 • 13 • 13

he black tie optional wedding of Collin Wilson, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Gib Wilson, and Sam Buckner, son of Mr. and Mrs. Tom Buckner, was held on July 13, 2013 at 7 p.m. The ceremony took place at Idlewild Presbyterian Church with the reception following at the Memphis Country Club. The rehearsal dinner took place the evening before in the gorgeous Venetian Room at the Peabody with an after-party with coffee and deserts next door. The bride’s dress came from Maggie Louise Bridal Boutique, while her veil was one that had been worn by more than ten family members. The bridesmaid’s dresses came from Bella Bridesmaid. Six of the bride’s and groom’s cousins and nieces served as the flower girls and ring bearers, adding a special familial touch to the wedding. The groom’s cake was made by Brandi Marter at Yolo FroYo, Gelato and Cake Bakery. Over 325 guests boogied the night away to the amazing Dance Street Band’s performance. Flowers were by Kacie Cooper Floral Design. The night concluded with the couple leaving in a 1950’s royal blue Cadillac. Afterward, the newlyweds honeymooned at the Four Seasons Resort in Bora Bora, where they were excited to spot Heidi Klum vacationing with her family.

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Photos by Ramblin’ Rose Photography www.ramblinrosephotography.com

PIERCE & GARDNER 11 • 30 • 13

Louise Palmer Pierce and Robert Goodwyn Gardner III were married at a beautiful ceremony at St. John’s Episcopal Church on November 30,

2013. The bride wore a blush faille wedding dress adorned by a shimmering beaded sash and a long lace veil. The ceremony was hilighted by a stunning arch of an assortment of breathtaking all white flowers, opera-trained singers, trumpeter and a gorgeous wedding party of close friends and family. Immediately following the ceremony, the celebration continued at a reception at the Memphis Country Club that was magically transformed into an elegant icy winter setting by the super talented Kevin Coble of Le Fleur. A series of incredible arches and arbors of breathtaking all white amaryllis, peonies, orchids, roses, french tulips and delphinium lined the halls and adorned the various rooms. Wedding planners Ruthie Bowlin and Russell Whitehead along with the stellar Memphis Country Club staff creatively and displayed the delicious dinner including tenderloin, gnocchi and oyster bars and baby lamb chops and made sure the night was truly unforgettable. Party Planet kicked off the dancing and closed the evening with fun soul/party music in the ballroom anchored by a large silver bar, twinkling lights and white draping. However, the big surprise of the evening came when the ballroom doors opened to a smoke filled, music blaring ‘Raiford’s” room complete with red balloons, dance floor, forties, lighted disco party props and the fabulous DJ Mark Anderson introducing the one and only Paula of Raiford’s. Following the passing of late night Krystal burgers and miniature “Dessert Justine’s’’ and the band’s last set, the couple exited in an antique Rolls-Royce to waving giant sparklers and headed to Parrot Cay in Turks and Caicos for a fabulous honeymoon.

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Photos by Creation Studios www.creationstudiosgallery.com

LARKIN & PARSONS 5 • 10 • 13

On the day of their wedding, Ashley Nicole Larkin met with her husband-to-be, Patrick Scott Parsons, on the porch of an antebellum mansion. They embraced each other and Patrick told her how beautiful she was and how her dress was a perfect fit for her. This day was one neither would ever forget.

The wedding ceremony of Ashley and Patrick took place on May 10, 2013 at Heartwood Hall in Piperton, TN inside the property’s rustic barn. The day that Ashley had longed to be sunny and gorgeous started out cloudy with light rain. Despite the rain, the day and festivities went on without a hitch! The bridal party signaled the beginning of the reception inside the barn by dancing into the room to their song. D.J. mark eM with Jordabella Entertainment got friends and family dancing as he spun classic hits. The wedding cake was as glitzy and elegant as the bride’s dress with a beautiful pearl finish and rhinestones that trimmed the base of each tier. The groom’s cake, chocolate ganache, sported a Memphis Tigers logo. The blissful couple wowed the crowd with a choreographed dance and, later, slowed danced to Keith Urban’s “Only You Can Love Me This Way.”

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Photos by Rob Lyons Photography www.roblyonsphotography.com

KING & HULL 8 • 24 • 13

riends for many years and then eventually a couple, Milandria King and Truman J. Hull Jr. wed on the afternoon of August 24, 2013 at the historic Collins Chapel CME Church in Memphis, Tennessee. Dr. Earnest Mottley, Pastor of Spring Hill Baptist Church, officiated at the ceremony. Milandria is the daughter of Mrs. Marlen J. King and the late Mr. Merriman King Sr., and Truman is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Truman J. Hull Sr. Following the traditional ceremony, which featured a special tribute to the bride’s father, the couple, family and friends gathered for a seated dinner reception at the Westin Memphis Hotel Beale Street in downtown Memphis. The couple arrived at the reception venue in a white RollsRoyce. The ballroom was beautifully decorated with unique floral designs by Paula Rush Payton. Guests were entertained by the soulful sounds of Will Graves & Soul as they enjoyed a special wedding cake from The Flour Garden. Milandria wore a beaded, A-line gown by Jasmine Couture, and Truman wore a classic, black tuxedo from American Tuxedo. Milandria and Truman celebrated their nuptials with a honeymoon at a luxury resort in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic. The couple now resides in Memphis.

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Photos by Creation Studios www.creationstudiosgallery.com

GREENE & CLARK 10 â&#x20AC;˘ 19 â&#x20AC;˘ 13

he marriage of Miss Bethany Anne Greene to Lieutenant, junior grade, Ryan Stephen Clark was held on October 19, 2013 at the Independence Presbyterian Church, and their reception followed at the Cadre Building. The couple met in high school at Evangelical Christian School in Cordova and dated throughout college. Bethany received her bachelor of arts in psychology from the University of Tennessee at Knoxville. Ryan received his bachelor of science in political science from the United States Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland. The couple would like to extend heartfelt gratitude to Donny Granger and his Creation Studios team, Deedra Stone and Deedra Stone Designs, Cindy Krag and Cindy Krag Catering, the Soul Shockers, Frost Bake Shop, Sue Clark with The Paper Place, in addition to Pageboy Salon and Heather Cosmetic Boutique. Each of them proved essential for what the couple deemed a perfect day and their professionalism, patience and skills were greatly appreciated. The couple currently resides in Monterey, California as Ryan pursues a master of arts in security affairs at Naval Postgraduate School. Bethany continues to work remotely as an account manager with Lockton Companies. They recently returned from their honeymoon in Bora Bora, enjoying a long week of relaxation.

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Photos by Reggie Thomas Top middle photo by Amurica Photo Booth www.amurica.com

HUFF & KING 10 • 19 • 13

Libby Huff and Andy King met on the banks of the Mississippi and became engaged on the White River, so when it came time to decide where to exchange vows, their favorite bluff at The National Ornamental Metal Museum was an easy choice. The outdoor ceremony, officiated by Bill Russell, was in front of 200 of their dearest friends and family.

During cocktail hour guests enjoyed the fall sunset and the grounds. Paradox Catering dished out southern cuisine such as chicken and waffles, flat iron steak and Creole shrimp over delta grits. FreeWorld rocked their favorite tunes, and guests got to snap pictures in the always-fun Amurica photo booth. Libby is the daughter of Mr. Bill Huff and Mr. and Mrs. Ed Owen, and Andy is the son of Dr. and Mrs. Scott King. The bride’s attendants included: Crystal McAllister of Athens, GA; Adam Morgan of Nashville, TN; Laura Ashley of Jackson, MS; Jessica Guthrie of Denver, CO; Sarah Long of Memphis; Leigh Monroe of Tupelo, MS; Christina Morgan of Nashville, TN; and Melissa Pickering of Birmingham, AL. Scott King of Memphis and David King of Oakland, CA; Barry Huff of Hattiesburg, MS; John Scruggs, Blake Rhea, and Wade Rhea, all from Memphis, stood by Andy. The wedding planner was Salt Style & Events and flowers were furnished by Le Fleur.

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Vox Popular Q&A with Steve Nash

RSVP: Where did the idea for a program that offered soft skills training to adults come from? Nash: I used to volunteer in this building when it housed Street Ministries, a youth ministry, founded by Ken Bennett and still to this day operates in two different sites in our city, one here in the Cleaborn-Foote neighborhood and one in the Graham Heights neighborhood. Bennett was an instrumental part of my introduction

RSVP: What community is Advance Memphis serving currently? Nash: We work in the Cleaborn-Foote neighborhood. We have been asked, and we would be humbled and amazed to replicate Advance Memphis in other neighborhoods, but we are very relationship based and our sense of community and place [keeps us exclusively in the Cleaborne-Foote community]. So, I think that as we stay in the community, getting to know the community and unpacking things like emotional and physical roadblocks - the home, the neighborhood, the education, the crime, the employment wages, they just get healthier. We would really like to share what we have learned, but we don’t see ourselves, at this time, being the organization that is in every neighborhood in our city in five years or even 15 years from now. RSVP: What were some of the obstacles that the Cleaborn-Foote community was facing when you formed Advance Memphis in 1999? Nash: We were overwhelmed with the need to look at drugs and alcohol issues within an individual’s life. I needed to deal with education, domestic violence, employers that would hire from the

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Nash: The concept came to me because I had worked in business and had a brother who was in for-profit business, as well as my father who wished he had done that. I was being encouraged to start a business but growing profits exponentially did not fire me up. At the time, I had listened to some home missions speakers that were coming to Second Presbyterian Church. I heard Wayne Gordon and Mark Gornik talking about the inner city and the two had done some small entrepreneurial ventures in the inner city. I had also read an article out of the Harvard Business Review about myths about the inner city that Michael Porter had written. I got excited about starting a for-profit business where the majority of the ownership would reside with the residents in the community. I would take a minority position in the business and that would be sustainable economic activity. I got together a board of advisors and we and started to put together Subdue Ink. Genesis scripture talks about subduing the earth, and I thought we could start a construction site clean up business and that would be a for-profit enterprise. As we worked on the business plan, we ran into some roadblocks. And then one of my friends Bubba Halliday asked why don’t we start a non-profit and you run it? I wrestled with that idea for a while, and I remember discussing it with my wife. I remember very vividly we had two little girls and we were pregnant with our third and she was very lovely asking,“Are you sure this is what we ought to do?” I responded that, from the best that I could discern, this is where the Lord is leading us. She agreed to try it and both of us are delighted after 14 years that we have a direction to take my vocational life.

to the Cleaborn-Foote neighborhood. Having been involved in business and asking questions in the inner city of different urban leaders like Howard Eddings and Dr. Larry Lloyd, I began to find that there were not a lot of non-profits focusing on employment for adults. Over the past 14 years, I have learned that the Hudson Institute did a study of something like 1,200 congregations across all denominational lines and focused on how many of these were doing anything for employment with adults. Adult employment was in the last category. The top three things that congregations were focusing on were: housing, food and clothing. Clearly, there was an opportunity and a need to serve. Out of my own business background, volunteering here in the building and in the city and listening to Memphis non-profit leaders, I realized there was both a need for and an opportunity within adult employment.

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RSVP: How did the concept for an organization like Advance Memphis come to you?

Photos by Don Perry

ince 1999, the non-profit Advance Memphis has been empowering residents within one of the poorest urban zip codes in Tennessee, the 38126 zip code of the South Memphis Cleaborn-Foote community. Feeling called upon by Christ, executive director, Steve Nash and his super team of volunteers and employees offer resources and programs that help community individuals acquire the skills and knowledge to become economically self-sufficient in a variety of practical and relevant ways. RSVP editor Rachel Warren caught up with Nash at the Advance Memphis headquarters within the heart of the Cleaborn-Foote neighborhood to discuss how Advance Memphis is shaping lives.

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Cleaborn-Foote community and staff to teach. I was one person. Yet, I needed all of these things immediately for the friends I was getting to know within the community. During that time, a big need was for credibility and for trust. I am a suburbanite and white. So, I was facing those barriers that come with being a white male in the South and working in an African American community. I needed to listen. I had a lot to learn and a lot of trust to be built.

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RSVP: Have those challenges changed?

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Nash: I think you are always looking to build trust and respect. I think we have built a lot of that over time and we are still working on that, but it is not at the same level. We have done a lot of things to communicate that this place is not ours; it’s the community’s. We have cut into the brick exterior of our office building, and we have built windows. There is an element of vulnerability and an element of light. It affects behaviors, moods and education when there is light in the building. We have recently taken down the back gate which had rolled barbwire on it and that’s the reality of saying we want to continue to connect and, rather than have barriers, let’s eliminate these and express trust, love and vulnerability. I think the challenges have changed and the trust is not so much as a need and issue today, but we continue to grow that trust by doing things like taking the gate down and building windows. RSVP: What are the positive changes that you have seen? Nash: To have 36 adults from the 38126 zip code, one of the poorest in urban zip codes in Tennessee, get their high school equivalency last year is huge. Other things that are phenomenal, just last year 138 people got to work after completing the Jobs for Life program and working within our staffing program, which is part of our mission to help people reach economic selfsufficiency. Those 138 people earned almost $900,00. Additionally, 44 folks earned over $421,000 at their permanent jobs. Combined, this group of 138 graduates earned over $1.3 million this last year. There are just awesome, awesome things going on. RSVP: What programs does Advance Memphis offer to the Cleaborn-Foote community? Nash: We feel that we have been called to serve adults on the economic front in the Cleaborn-Foote community and to restore hope and healing to everyone we come in contact with. We focus on providing development rather than relief through biblical truths while cultivating relationships. We offer a six-week long soft skills training class, Jobs for Life, which meets Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to noon. Our 11-week financial

Nash: One role is providing lunch. A volunteer will buy or make lunch everyday and bring it for a group of maybe twenty students. Another volunteer function is tutoring students in the high school equivalency program. We have volunteers that are networking for Advance. We have business people that volunteer with staff and help us with our payroll and bookkeeping. Within the Faith and Finance class, we have what we call allies, volunteers that attend the class and help the students go through budgeting and provide them with encouragement. We also have champions, a volunteer role within the soft skills class. Champions meet every Wednesday with a group of two to three adults in small groups and help the students work through some of the things from class. We also want our volunteers to not just provide wisdom for students but to also share and apply biblical truths in work settings. RSVP: What are some things Advance Memphis will be doing in the future? Nash: I wouldn’t count on us to fill up your refrigerator with food, but last year I wrote a letter the owner of a half acre of land that’s located 300 yards from our Advance building on the corner of St. Paul Avenue and Walnut Street. He donated it to us, and we have started a community garden. John Wilson, an Advance graduate, lives next door and does his own gardening and will lead operations at the garden site. Betty Massey, currently part of the high school equivalency program at Advance, lives close by and will be helping out too. We hope to have a community garden up and operational very soon. Maybe it will turn into a market garden. We think there’s absolutely a need for local food, and there’s just real value in something that is grown locally. So, we are hopeful to be a part of providing local food options to the community. That’s an expression of some of our entrepreneurial DNA.

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RSVP: What kind of roles do volunteers fill at Advance Memphis?

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literacy class, Faith and Finance, meets one night a week for eleven consecutive weeks. For individuals who have completed Faith and Finance, we offer Individual Development Accounts, and for every dollar they save from earned income, we will match it two dollars to one. That money is then saved for them to purchase an asset. Last year we had nine graduates from Faith and Finance open up an IDA account. Three individuals purchased an asset, either a car, a house, going back to postsecondary education or starting a business. We also offer the opportunity for individuals to earn their high school equivalency within the High School Equivalency Preparation Program. We also have the staffing program, which is only open to graduates that have come through the Jobs for Life class at Advance Memphis. We then also have a Community Steering Committee. Those involved with the committee are graduates from our soft skills training class that meet once a month. We are really trying to listen to what the committee’s thoughts and dreams are for the community. We learned that in Chattanooga there’s a program called LAUNCH Chattanooga, which is teaching entrepreneurship classes to their community and launches for-profit businesses that are run by one or two people. We had seven community residents and three interns who went to Chattanooga to learn about LAUNCH. When they came back the community said they would like to see Advance have an entrepreneurship class. We said okay and on the 13th of January 2014, LAUNCH Chattanooga will be coming to our office here in Memphis. Advance will become a LAUNCH franchise site and will train us. We have four or five business leaders from our city that will be volunteering with us and will be attending the training. We will, in 2014, start teaching a LAUNCH entrepreneurship class and it will be only open to the folks in the Cleaborn-Foote neighborhood.

EVENT

Tool Box Bash

TOOL BOX BASH

Building A Future

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Jessica and Sean Hord

Casey and Joan Zettler

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fter Old Man Winter roared to life a little early this December, the planners of the 12th Annual Tool Box Bash benefiting Habitat for Humanity of Greater Memphis decided to reschedule the event to Jan. 10. “We knew rescheduling this event was a bit unorthodox, but we felt it was the right decision. And, that hunch proved to be true,” said Dwayne Spencer, executive director of Habitat for Humanity of Greater Memphis. “The success of the 12th Annual Tool Box Bash - despite the new date - is a real testament to the dedication of our supporters to help raise funds for our work in Memphis.” And come they did. Supporters of the organization turned out in droves at The Great Hall in Germantown, where food and fun aplenty awaited. G3: The Garry Goin Group got the night started with Motown hits like “Ain’t No Mountain High Enough,” “Mercy Mercy Me,” and other old favorites like “How Sweet It Is (To Be Loved by You).” As the band played, guests had the opportunity to enjoy the food provided by Heart & Soul Catering and Zest of Memphis while browsing silent auction items, some of which included a paintball package from CHF Paintball, a gift certificate and Italian gift basket from Whole Foods as well as gift certificates from Serenity Day Spa, Folks Folly, and Memphis Symphony Orchestra, among others. Andy and Tina Feinstone perused the silent auction offerings, along with their friend Audrey Belvin, who said she especially enjoyed the photo booth that was on hand for those who wanted a memento of the occasion. Auctioneer Jeff Morris took the stage where he got the bidding started for a 55” Samsung TV, an iPad Air and “the chance to fly an airplane and never crash,” Morris said of the FedEx Flight Simulator package up for grabs. The auction ended with a fund the cause donation, and money raised was earmarked for Restore Habitat, a renovation project for 100 of the homes originally built by the organization, many occupied by elderly and disabled homeowners. Spencer reiterated that he had no regrets about rescheduling the Tool Box Bash when he said, “We had a great turnout, and I believe the January date provided an opportunity for friends of Habitat to get together without the looming stress of the holidays.”

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Carol and Bill Anderson

Story by Suzanne Thompson Photos by Don Perry

Allen Stanford and Brad Holobaugh

Swayne Spencer and Chris Reeder

Debbie and Tom Wiles

Jannell Lott and Hollis Hulett

Audrey Belvin with Andy and Tina Feinstone

Courtney and Geoffrey Lewis

EVENT TOOL BOX BASH Rick and Jan Trent

Brad and Keli Grissom

David and Deena Arnold

Daniela Litcheva and David Wagner

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Mel Headly and Claudia Lyons

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Don and Marilyn Skwor

Albert Markle and Lillie Kay Mitchell

Cynthia Talley and Angie Murdock

Mark and Patty Guttensohn

Bill and Joyce Hudspeth

Joey and Dolly Faller

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Arthur and Julie Wistock with Lou Anne Anderson and Alan Higdon

Keith and Pam Scarbrough

Almeta and Keith McWright

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Bill and Lori Weide with Julia and Jim Williams

Steve Herrington and Robin Waters

Steve and Dianna Waring

TOOL BOX BASH E V E N T Alan and Misy Massing

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Melanie Hill and Alex Mobley

Jonathan and Crystal Hardin with Carter Beard and Terry Reeves RSVP

Michael Brennan and Misty Welch

Mark and Martha Nicolas

Foxy Walker and Virginia Walker with Miriam Thompson

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Cheryll Jones, Stephanie Sharpe and Tynearia Hall

Lynn Brotchner and Jaqueline Brotchner

Charla and Bart Sparks

Trinica Goods and Trey Easter

Markel Brown, Ian Anderson, Aaron Cregger and Oscar Bustamante

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Pam and Richard Scarbrough

Miki Dunavant, Chris Riedell and Anna Francis

David and Kim Perry

Lashara Quinn and Michelle Quinn

Pamela Haymer and Jeremy Lands

Jeremy Jones and Jamie Ross-King

Edith Young and Hazel Wesley

EVENT TOOL BOX BASH

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Mitchell Saddler, Ruth Rawlings, Johnnie Brumley and Mark Scobel

Ross and Jackie Butler RSVP

Connie Wilson, Betty Bowman and Sylvia Boldreghini

Ali Glemser, Pat Lichterman-Bates, Sarah Lichterman and Joyce Beggs

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Curtain Up

DeNeuville Learning Center Auction and Dinner

Playhouse on the Square was transformed into a dark carnival for one night only for their annual Curtain Up fund-raiser. Featuring dark twists and theatrical fun, this event was appropriately themed “Carnival Noir.” As more than 200 guests arrived, they found that each room of the building had been transformed into varying whimsical and fantastical spaces. Upstairs, guests found themselves in a room of clouds where they could seek their fortunes with the palm reader and nibble on cotton candy. Taking a ride in the elevator brought attendees to the rooftop, which featured a fire pit, tarot card readings and henna tattoos. Guests tried their luck with gambling in the dark corners of the Trap Room underneath the stage. The Café provided cozy autumnal decorations as guests sipped hot cups of cider. Great music was abundant with musical acts Memphis Knights Big Band, Nay Nay and the Doo Right Boys, Black Max and vocalist Alexis Grace entertaining.

DeNeuville Learning Center held its 12th annual gala and auction at Hutchison School. Celebrating the women it serves and raising funds to continue its mission of providing counseling, education and employment resources to women throughout the MidSouth, this event provided a night of fun with a purpose. The silent auction kicked off the festivities for the night, offering up a plethora of items from everything from tickets to events around town to bread makers. The live auction also garnered a lot of attention, offering up Memphis Grizzlies basketball tickets with a night at the Peabody and a Mirimichi golf package, to name a few. Kim Clark from WMC-TV acted as the Master of Ceremonies for the evening and got the bidding wars started by encouraging everyone to “bid high and bid often.” Mary Kay Runyan, senior vice president of Supply Management at ServiceMaster, was made an honorary chairperson and eloquently applauded DeNeuville for giving women the chance to “build a foundation, not for themselves, but for the generations to come.” Guests enjoyed entertainment from the Real McCoys band and Irish clog dancing provided by Delta Rhythm Cloggers. Over 250 guests attended this wonderful event and $45,000 was raised to support DeNeuville’s service to the community.

Story and Photos by Rachel Warren

Friends for Life Halloween Party

Strike Out Cancer

The annual Friends for Life Halloween Party never disappoints, and this year was no exception. Called “A Night at the Museum,” this year’s bash was held at the Pink Palace Museum, and was filled with a wonderland of ghouls, garishness and ghastliness, including an All Hallows’ Eve version of the Kardashians — the “Trashbaggians.” Drinks and noshes were a plenty as was dancing and delight. DJ Nathan Ashby kept revelers grooving to the wee hours, and a costume contest kept the Halloween spirit high. Friends for Life provides education, housing, food and healthy life skills to people affected by HIV/AIDS as well as strives to create awareness and acceptance and promote prevention for the Mid-South community.

A few hundred guests gathered for the second annual Strike Out Cancer fund-raiser at the Clark Opera Memphis Center with Jason Motte, a Major League Baseball pitcher for the St. Louis Cardinals who created this event in an effort to “provide comfort and care where there is a need for those affected, either directly or indirectly, by cancers of all kinds.” Motte served as host with his wife Caitlin, providing signed sports memorabilia, such as baseballs, gloves, hats, cleats, jerseys, footballs and basketballs for the live and silent auctions as well as drinks, dinner and dancing. The event was held this year to benefit the Wings Cancer Foundation of the West Clinic.

Story and Photos by Lesley Young

Story and Photos by Rachel Warren

David Babij and Brian Spight

Christie and John Walters

Eddie Thornton and Michael J. Vales

Brad and Maria Lensing

Will Woods, Jason Motte and Denise Woods Beth Crocker and Jack Gross

Mary Kay Runyan, Jessica Stooksbury and Hobbs DeWitt

Juan Fuentes, John Seaton and Tony Kemp

Paul and Andrea Casoria

Sister Lakshmi Napagoda and Gray Joan

Tom Clifton and Shannon Sparks

Mike and Linda Oliver

On National Philanthropy Day the Association of Fundraising Professionals honored individuals and organizations that have strengthened their communities through dedicated philanthropy and hard work at the 2013 Crystal Awards Luncheon. The group presented couple Rudi and Honey Scheidt the Outstanding Philanthropist Award and Charles and Judy Burkett were honored as Outstanding Volunteer Fundraisers. The R. Brad Martin Family Foundation received the Award for Outstanding Foundation and 11-year-old Madison Dismuke and her 9year-old sister, Lindsey, received the Spirit of Philanthropy Award for their efforts raising $220,000 for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. Also honored were Philip Aiken and Amber Bryan as Outstanding Youth in Philanthropy, Nancy Williams as the Outstanding Executive Leader for her work at the Children’s Advocacy Center and Memphis Light, Gas & Water as Outstanding Corporation.

Story and Photos by Suzanne Thompson Story and Photos by Suzanne Thompson

Alzheimer’s Day Services of Memphis, Inc. always hosts fabulous fund-raisers, but the nonprofit shifted into high gear for its 30th Anniversary Musical Celebration. About 150 people attended the event held in Temple Israel’s Ettelson-Wax Hall, which ADS Executive Director Ruthann Shelton called “a hidden gem.” She discovered it last May when the Temple served as the site of the Alliance for Nonprofit Excellence annual conference. For the ADS celebration, the Temple provided ample room to accommodate cocktails, a silent auction and a memory wall that chronicled ADS’ past 30 years. Music plays an important role in this fund-raiser and ADS got everyone dancing with musical acts like The Three Cantors, Joyce Cobb and Eddie Harrison and the Short Kuts with David “Flash” Fleischman on the Comfort Keepers Stage. The musical trio, South Side Supper Club also entertained during the silent auction. Shelton explained that music plays such an a large role in the fund-raiser because someone with Alzheimer’s disease may not respond to other stimuli, but music seems to break through the barrier.

Signature Chefs Auction The Signature Chefs Auction benefitting the March of Dimes is an event that always offers guests lots of tasty treats from top local chefs and is one many people look forward to all year. Itta Bena Restuarant, Napa Cafe, Sharkey’s Gulf Grill and Miss Muff’n Bakery were a few of the eateries that were showcased. Mary Kosloski Garrett, the 1955 poster child for March of Dimes, was on hand and was seated next to a poster that displayed a photo taken of her with Elvis Presley. Garrett chatted with guests as they perused the silent auction packages that included weekend getaways, fine dining and spa vacations, to name only a few. The fund-raiser raised nearly $200,000 for the March of Dimes. Story and Photos by Jeannie Ashford

Story and Photos by Jeannie Ashford

Christy Correa, Irene Smith and Phyllis Southall

Jere Gerard and Sharrel McGraw Charles and Judy Burkett Ruthann Shelton, Hank Shelton, Jill Wadsworth and Simon Wadsworth

Mandy Vezina and Jan Corkern

Cartesa and Louis Jackson Wendy Rotter, Kate Basar, Wanda Miller and Cecelia Erwin Rudi and Honey Scheidt

Ann and Sam Beach

Bob Arnold, Tiffany Calhoun, Stephen Kirkpatrick and Joyce Mollerup

Diane Land, Joel Bessoff and Mack Land

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St. George’s Art & Antiques Arcade Preview Party at St. George’s Episcopal Church is always a delight for the senses – wonderful food, beautiful music and, of course, plenty of stunning artwork. Art and antiques included in the show ranged from vintage jewelry and rugs to antique furniture and decorative orna-ments for outside the home. Party guests got the first crack at taking home their favorite art, which they browsed leisurely as the enjoyed wine and soft drinks, along with delicious food provided by Buckley’s Fine Fillet Grill, Just in Thyme Catering and Ricki’s Cookie Corner and Bakery. Music played by Rene Koop Quartet even had some dancing in the aisles as the party wound down.

Alzheimer’s Day Services 30th Anniversary Musical Celebration

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St. George’s Art & Antiques Arcade Preview Party National Philanthropy Day Crystal Awards

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Mary Kosloski Garrett and Edward Nare

14 Arbitrary order

16 Liberal __ college

17 Indicate before hand

19 Part of a 3 piece suit 20 Succor

21 Ceremonies 23 Accuse

26 Reddish dye

28 Bro.ʼs sibling

31 HSTʼs predecessor 32 Drops (2 wds.)

33 Greek goddess of the

dawn

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52 56

59 64

49 Chant heard at Olympic Games

71 Orchestra instrument

60 Number of commandments 61 Against, slangily

69 Penny

70 A negatively charged particle

72 Type of lily

73 Brash

8 Squirrelʼs dinner

9 Making clothes by hand 10 Lay aside money

12 __ A Small World...

13 Memphis time zone 18 Pose (for)

22 Chinese religion

23 Farming club (abr.)

24 High naval rank (abbr.) 25 Coffee server 26 Chief

27 And so forth

29 Promissory note

30 Certain compass point 32 Fib

35 NYC Time zone 36 Joint user

38 Resort hotel, maybe

43 Vane direction 44 Michigan city 45 Zilch

46 Catch some Zs 47 Color

48 Affirmative

51 One who makes cuts 52 A dog

56 Pastor (abbr.)

57 Burger topping 59 In toward 60 Small

61 American Cancer Society (abbr.) 62 __ Whiz

64 Title of respect

65 Governor (abbr.)

66 Hoops association 67 Supreme Being 68 Body of water

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74 None in Spanish

40 Entertain

41 Elbow location 42 Certain, name

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

Solution:

54 TV lawyer Matlock 56 Cords

11 Irons 66

63 Qualms

53 Popeyeʼs yes

5 Condition characterized by inattention

7 Cover

60 63

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and hyperactivity (abbr.)

40 Clasp

50 Certain prejudice

6 Brewed drink 46

58 Wailing warning

45 Allied invasion site

34 Memory loss victim

42 Greek ʻDʼ

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2 Carnivale city

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39 Molt

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37 Problem

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21 26

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H E A D

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S P I C A R T S V E S T E S S I S E O S S S U E P A N D Y A Y E P E S

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

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C A N I N E

Edited by Ruth Cassin

A D S H I D T L S I H E A R A E X R E M A N

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By Dennis Phillippi

to themselves that we were too young and that the whole thing would collapse before we got to Nashville on our way to our honeymoon. The video, with post and pregame footage, is maybe fifteen minutes long, and every time we watch it all we see is two people who really, really wanted to be married. In the ensuing nearly three decades we have been to more weddings than we could count, and that’s what we always love – the look of two people who really, really want to be married to each other. On your wedding day, your whole world is filled with that one thought. That and when can you get out of those incredibly uncomfortable clothes. Setting aside the perversity of

Even when we are certain that the couple has no more business marrying one another than they have opening a bassoon store, it’s still fun to be there. wedding dresses being designed to virtually immobilize the bride, there is more than enough discomfort to go around. The bridesmaids are miserable because their dresses exist solely to make the bride look better. The groomsmen are miserable because they can’t stop thinking about all the proms their rented pants have attended. And every single person has sore feet. Naturally, what you want to do then is stand for a while in front of a bunch of people. We have been to huge weddings, intimate weddings, outdoor weddings, hippie weddings, redneck weddings, long weddings, brief weddings and bad idea weddings. We enjoyed them all. Even when we are certain that the couple has no more business marrying one another than they have opening a bassoon store, it’s still fun to be there. It’s very rare in my experience for anyone to be in a bad mood at a wedding. Other than the guy paying for it of

course, but he’s good enough to keep those thoughts at bay, except during his toast at the reception where it inevitably comes up as a “joke.” Now, I say we like to be at weddings, that doesn’t mean we like being in weddings. I’ve been best man a couple of times, and that is an interminable experience. My wife has been in weddings, and that sucks because that means I’m sitting with someone else, and not getting to feel all sanctimonious about my long tenure as a husband. The best advice I ever received was from my oldest brother Dan on our wedding day when he pulled me aside and said, “this day is not about you.” By saying that he forestalled, as he knew he would, any attempts by me to enjoy the spotlight and try to milk a few laughs while I was up there. On the other hand, my new bride, who was renowned for her shyness mugged not once for the camera but three separate times. That’s okay; it was her day. Weddings are about the bride. I have no idea how they sort this out at gay weddings. And she was funny. I just stood there trying not to let my gargantuan glasses slide off my sweaty face. While I do love weddings, I could do just as well without receptions. It’s always nice to go to a free party, but at a wedding reception you’re going to end up sitting at a round table with some people you don’t know who inevitably want to rectify that. Anyone who has ever met me knows that the last thing in the world I want is to get to know more people. I know too many people as it is, but my wife informed me a long time ago that you’re not allowed to fire your friends. So, you sit there listening to stories from your tablemates while the wedding party is in the church taking pictures as we all wait for them to get done so we can watch them cut the cake. I like cake as much as the next guy, but watching someone make the first slice isn’t exactly watching someone hit a jump shot. Anyway, to all of you inspired by this issue to get hitched, Mazel Tov. Try not to spill red wine on the dress.

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h, the wedding issue, the one that makes women smile, men quake with fear and fathers-in-law start checking to see how their investments are doing. In the preceding pages you can see so many beautiful people all dolled up for their big day, happy as newlywed clams. It’s really very sweet. Probably because I’m happily married, and have been for a very long time, I love weddings. My wife and I sit there feeling all smug and superior to the people just now tying the knot, nodding sagely at them as they stroll down the aisle as if to say, “Yes, children, you will be happy. Look at us.” Of course, we’re very well aware that the bride and groom aren’t seeing us, or anything else for that matter. If it’s their first wedding they’re seeing nothing but blind panic. They’re terrified that something will go sideways and their wedding will be the one everyone always talks about because it was the one where her mother fainted, or the best man forgot the ring, or the minister had a few glasses of sherry and kept calling the bride Sherry when her name was Hannah. If it’s their second wedding, they’re just seeing the insides of lawyer’s offices with their first spouse looking at them with contempt. If it’s anything beyond their second wedding, they’ve stopped caring and are just waiting to get to the bar. As I’ve written here before, my wife and I had a really small wedding in her parents’ living room. There were maybe three dozen people there and even then it was crowded and hot. My wife’s brother had set up an industrial grade video camera next to where we stood along with a light that could’ve steered the Space Shuttle in for a night landing. We were very young, and I was sweating like a Governor of Illinois at a deposition. My best man had forgotten his shoes and was wobbling in a pair of my new father-in-law’s. Everyone was thinking

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Walking in Memphis

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hile a fifth grade student at St. Thomas Elementary School, located on Trigg Street in South Memphis, Vince Alfonso was asked to be King Cotton in the schoolâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s entry in a Cotton Carnival parade. The photo above shows Alfonso, who remembers wearing blue suede shoes for the occasion, as the parade presided down Main Street. PHOTO COURTESY OF VINCE ALFONSO 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.