February 2015
Toy Bash Food 2 Dream Tool Box Bash Italian Winterfest Liberty Bowl Presidents’ Gala RSVProfile with Rosalind Withers
CONTENTS
Contents February 2015
From the Editor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8 Signature Memphis . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10 RSVP caught up with Alexis Grace, singer-songwriter and WHBQ-FM DJ, on South Main St. to discuss her debut EP “Kiddo” and the first concert she ever attended.
Liberty Bowl Presidents’ Gala . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .12 All the Presidents’ men and women were at The Peabody Hotel prior to the 56th annual AutoZone Liberty Bowl.
12 LIBERTY BOWL PRESIDENTS’ GALA Dennis Midegett and Natalie Person
StreetSeens . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20 & 22 His home garden inspires this artist’s dynamic paintings. This green duo are training a new crop of ethical farmers in the Shelby County area.
42 FOOD 2 DREAM Paula Rush-Payton and Carmilla Wheeler
RSVProfile . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .24 Rosalind Withers, president and board chairman of the Withers Collection Museum F E B R UA R Y 2 015
and Gallery, discusses the museum’s recent partnership with Rhodes College to digitalize and catalogue the renowned Dr. Ernest Withers’ immense collection of historic images – one million and counting!
Italian Winterfest . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .26 It may be cold outside, but the food options were red-hot at the Racquet Club of
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Memphis in support of the Ave Maria Home and the Memphis Catholic Schools Education Scholarship Fund.
26 ITALIAN WINERFEST Linda Spano and Denise Lucchesi
Tool Box Bash . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .36
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Habitat for Humanity of Greater Memphis’ fund-raiser had all the right tools at the Great Hall & Conference Center in Germantown.
TOY BASH Phyllis Ayers and Quinesha Ayers
Food 2 Dream . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .42 There were rollin’ Cadillacs and rockin’ chefs at the Stax Museum of American Soul Music for the Dream Church and Dream Center.
Onsites . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .48, 56, 58, 60 & 61 Gatherings that have earned an honorable mention.
Toy Bash . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .50 Santa made an appearance at the Boys and Girls Club of Greater Memphis fundraiser at Minglewood Hall.
RSVPhillippi . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .65
36 TOOL BOX BASH Bill and Joyce Hudspeth
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11,000 Days, More or Less Dennis Phillippi recounts the best of times and the worst of times in his overview of the last couple of decades. Meeting the love of his life was the game changer.
Cover Photo Mike and Celeste Longo at Libert Bowl Presidents’ Gala Photo by Don Perry
RSVPROFILE Rosalind Withers
Volume XX
Number V
February 2015 PUBLISHER
Roy Haithcock EDITOR
R achel Warren CONTRIBUTING WRITERS
Emily Ander son Emily Adams Keplinger Dennis Phillippi Suzanne Thompson Lesley Young ART DIRECTOR
Patrick Aker s PHOTOGRAPHERS
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Daniel Frederick Patrick L antrip Don Perry Steve Roberts ACCOUNT EXECUTIVES
Chris Pugh Robin Morgan ACCOUNTING
Ruth Cassin EDITORIAL INTERN
Patrick L antrip
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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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From the Editor
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Photo by Marcie Cohen Ferris
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H
ere we are inching our way to Spring everyone! Let’s all shake the winter out of our bones and look forward to warmer days. February is also my official one-year anniversary as the RSVP editor. It has been my honor to work with the brightest and best in Memphis as we bring the finest coverage of Memphis’ première social gatherings, philanthropic events and nonprofit features right into your hands at absolutely no charge. I have learned a lot over the course of the year. Print can be an unforgiving medium, but we work hard to bring our readers a flawless issue each and every month. Unfortunately, errors do occur from time to time. In the 2015 January issue of our Vox Popular feature (page 26), I made a large error. I killed someone. Don’t worry; I haven’t gone off the deep end just yet. I erroneously referred to William Ferris, co-founder of Center for Southern Folklore in Memphis, as the “late William Ferris.” I am happy to report that Mr. Ferris is alive and well. So alive, in fact, that he is the Joel R. Williamson Eminent Professor of History at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. My deepest apologizes go out to him, his family, his friends and his associates. He is a very generous man, and, instead of giving me the esoteric neck wringing I deserve, he merely laughed and asked me to make sure I let everyone know he is alive. There are not many people out there that would have been so kind as this. In light of Mr. Ferris’ charitable spirit, I would like to take the opportunity to highlight Mr. Ferris’ many contributions to society. Aside from establishing, with Judy Peiser, one of the nation’s leading centers on the preservation and documentation of Southern heritage and culture, he is also a widely recognized leader in Southern studies, African American music and folklore, and is the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill’s senior associate director in Curriculum on Folklore. The former chairman of the National Endowment for the Humanities (1997-2001) has conducted thousand of interviews with musicians from all walks of life, has written or edited 10 books and created 15 documentaries. His most recent book, “The Storied South: Voices of Writers and Artists,” was published in 2013 by the University of North Carolina Press. He has won dozens of prestigious awards and honors throughout his illustrious career. As Mark Twain was purported to have said about his own misreported death, “The reports of my death are greatly exaggerated.” Thank goodness, we can say the same about Mr. Ferris! As a dear friend said to me, a mistake is an error made repeatedly. I can confidently say that this will remain an error, and it will never see the light of day as a mistake. Here is to the health and happiness of Mr. Ferris!
Rachel Warren editor@rsvpmagazine.com
Singer, DJ at WHBQ-FM, Actress
Hometown: Memphis, Tenn. First Concert: Beck. ‘94 Beale Street Music Festival. Boom. Your Best Quality: I love to laugh. So I'll go ahead and say my sense of humor. First Car You Drove: 1989 Dodge Shadow, two-toned green convertible. It had a CD player. Don't judge me. Best Advice You Ever Got: Just shut up, and do it already. No one ever said that to me. I'm constantly telling myself this though. Favorite Place to Travel: I went to New Orleans for the first time last year. I could definitely keep going back there for the rest of my life. Coolest Thing About Memphis: The vibe. The way we talk. The way we get excited about something that's happening locally. Oh, and the barbecue. Your Lucky Charm: My sweet baby girl Ryan and my wonderful husband Thomas. Best Memphis Hangout: Lately my home has been the best hangout, but that's only because I haven't gotten out in a while. Also, Muddy's Grindhouse. My daughter and I are obsessed with the cupcakes. One Goal You’d Still Like to Accomplish: Just one? I'm only 27. I should have at least 20 goals and not follow through with 19 of them. My life's goal is to always be happy. Pretty simple. Who Would Play You in a Movie: Johnny Depp. He can play anything, even a 4'11 blonde girl from Memphis. Or, perhaps, Macaulay Culkin with a wig. Seriously, Google image him now, then me. Proudest Moment of Your Life: When I get a genuine laugh from my daughter by something I say. Also, when she does something caring or kind. I'm so proud that I have a smart, beautiful and talented daughter. Always will be.
Photo by Steve Roberts
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Alexis Grace
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Liberty Bowl Presidents’ Gala Liberty Bowl Tr adition
Kendall McCoy and Pierce Hurst
Amy and Matt Moss
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s folks were preparing to count down to the New Year, a crowd of more than 750 people gathered at The Peabody Hotel on Dec. 28 to count down to the kickoff of the 56th AutoZone Liberty Bowl. The 2014 Presidents’ Gala began with a cocktail reception in the Continental Ballroom. Hudson & Saleeby performed on an elevated stage while guests mingled, sharing their predictions for the outcome of the next day’s game between Texas A&M and West Virginia. The group moved to the Peabody Grand Ballroom where Andy Childs provided musical entertainment. Steve Ehrhart, executive director of AutoZone Liberty Bowl, welcomed attendees and called a fleet of dignitaries, including city of Memphis Mayor A C Wharton and Shelby County Mayor Mark Luttrell, up front to be recognized. Mayor Wharton spoke to the crowd, explaining the significance of the Liberty Bowl to the overall bowl tradition. He also provided the evening’s invocation. The seated dinner was catered by The Peabody and offered a menu of green salad with sundried tomatoes and walnuts, served with balsamic vinaigrette, a double entree of chicken and filet, mashed potatoes and steamed vegetables. A dessert trio included crème brûlée, fresh fruit and a miniature chocolate Bundt cake. Ehrhart made the traditional presentation of crystal vases to Charlene Sumlin, wife of Kevin Sumlin, head coach of Texas A&M, and Pat Holgorsen, mother of Dana Holgorsen, head coach of West Virginia. Next, the country music duo Big & Rich was brought to the stage as Doug Browne, president of the 2014 AutoZone Liberty Bowl presented them with the Outstanding Achievement Award. “Each year, this award is presented in recognition of excellence in the field of music and entertainment, as well as service to the community. Over the last decade Big & Rich has become synonymous with college football across America. Their hit song ‘Comin’ to Your City’ is the theme song of ESPN’s hugely popular College Game Day program and is featured on ESPN every Saturday. Past recipients of the Outstanding Achievement Award include Danny Thomas, Elvis Presley, B.B. King, Lou Rawls, Clint Black, Little Richard, Alabama, The Beach Boys, LeAnn Rimes, The O’Jays, KC & The Sunshine Band and The Temptations,” said Ehrhart. Big & Rich were the headline entertainment at the Presidents’ Gala Dinner Dance. Their high-energy music brought people to their feet and filled the dance floor with many guests opting to wear Stetsons with their black tie attire. The band also starred the next day in the AutoZone Liberty Bowl’s halftime spectacular.
Madison Vollmer and Michael Spurlock
Bobby Lanier and Mayor A C Wharton
Story by Emily Adams Keplinger Photos by Don Perry See all the party photos at rsvpmagazine.com Password: RSVP Pat and Mayor Mark Luttrell
Hemmy and Rick Patel
Charlie Butterworth and Taylor Webb
Haley West and Myles Parma
Kate and Sean Covich
EVENT LIBERTY BOWL PRESIDENTS’ GALA F E B R UA R Y 2 015
Johnnie and KK Gross
Brad and Maria Lensing
Bruce and Karla Wilson
Stephen and Gina Dukes
Ann and Mack Andrews
MaryAnne and Joe Brown
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Gavin Bell and Carolyn Young
Paige Eubank, Heather Duncan and Kelsey Wells
Josh and Allison Tribo
Adam Joyner and Ciara Chaney
Paul Martinelli, Cora King, Braden Stewart and Dixie Martinelli
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Anna Katherine and Ross Pickle
Jack and Pam Michael
Steve and Paila Beussink
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Melissa Hussey and Pauline Hyman
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Jeff Farmer and Norma Upshur with Debbie and Greg Cotton
Mike Glenn and Jacinda Norton
John and Sandy Santi
EVENT Gordon Gee, Diane Lewis and Ken Jackson
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Kevin Kane and Billie Jean Graham
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Jasmine and Martin Nolan
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David Sutton and Sarah Watkins
Mandy Morse and Christine Hughes
Katie and Zach Cordell with Zach and Elizabeth Wiggs
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Sid and Aggie Alexander
John Warra and Patti Shannon
Tommy Pou and Judy Herring
Sidney and Angie Shields
Jason and Caitlin Motte
Terry Reeves and Cater Beard
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Hugh and Deborah McVeigh
Nikki Jimenez and Dustin Wood
Nap Overton and Cindy Tobin
Janet and Paul Brundige
Andrew and Jessica Moseley
EVENT Bridget Shelby and Michael Poellnitz
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Stephanie and Bobby White
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Toni and Dave Evans with Betty and Ken Coble
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Bill and Debbie Kinkade
Will and Lauren Carnell
Bryan Marino and Kathy Bowling
Mike and Celeste Longo
STREETSEEN
Chuck Johnson Quiet Strength
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bstract shapes dance and pull against botanical images of flowers, leaves and plants. As one stares, another layer of swirling shapes and vibrant foliage slowly jumps out at the viewer, unfurling the illusion of a single flat background and revealing a world composed of a spectrum of layers that work together to create a moment that takes hold of a viewer and, before they know it, they are lost in the colorful and magical world of one of Chuck Johnson’s paintings. Johnson, local artist and University of Memphis fine arts professor, is a master at pulling the viewer in when they least expect it. It was exactly this gift that caught the attention of RiverArtFest, Inc. when they chosen him to be their 2014 Fine Arts Poster Artist. “My work is a cross between realism and abstractions. I am inspired by nature,” Johnson says. It is hard to imagine anyone not being inspired when they step into the home of Johnson. There are African masks on the walls, graceful statues of dancing figures from Sri Lanka tucked into corners, bright Latin American prints draped over reclaimed furniture and wooden Mexican relics displayed in the kitchen. Not to mention, the large collection of artwork, his own and his friends, that line the walls. A world traveler, Johnson’s home is a collection of his global journeys and a creative mind that is constantly finding that certain bright spark within an antique or even within the folded edges of a paper fan. Outside, within the perimeters of his wooden fence, lies the impressive garden Johnson has cultivated with his unfaltering green thumb. Turn a corner, and one is surrounded by rows and rows of bonsai trees. Johnson has created an oasis of inspiration that touches everyone lucky enough to be apart of it. Johnson’s artwork is a culmination of these varying inspirations. “All the shapes, the leaves, the pod shapes, come directly from my garden. Everything comes from this little perimeter. I design the stencils from the plants and nature from my garden. I collect everything, even dead leaves. I will pick it up, make my own stencil with it, and use it in my paintings,” Johnson explains. Using china markers, graphite, oils and wax, Johnson instills a pull and tug between realism and abstraction within his art. Johnson was raised in Memphis and worked in the army as an illustrator. Stationed in Germany, the army was the beginning of Johnson’s global adventure. After his honorable discharge in 1974, Johnson earned his Bachelor of Fine Arts from Memphis State University and went on to teach at Shelby State Community College (now Southwest TN Community College), Southwestern at Memphis (now Rhodes College) and Prince George’s Community College in Maryland. His job with the Department of the Navy at the Pentagon as a Visual Information Specialist allowed him, once again, to travel around the world, where he collected many of the precious artifacts displayed in his homestead. He retired from the Pentagon in 2001, a year that brought the U.S. to its knees when his office building, the Pentagon, and the World Trade Center towers were attacked. One of the lucky survivors, Johnson returned to his hometown of Memphis, where he began working and teaching at the University of Memphis. He brought with him, along with his creative talent, a love for bonsai. “I enjoy painting. It is just such a part of me. It is natural, but, doing bonsai, that is my therapy. It has a Zen aspect. You are shaping and clipping. I love it. Bonsai can be challenging, but that is part of the therapy. You have got to know every plant. You almost have to be a botanist about the details, but that is just part of the fun. The Japanese have a phrase called ‘wabi-sabi.’ It means quiet strength. That is how I see my life and the art of bonsai,” Johnson enthusiastically discloses. Johnson’s artistic work – his home, his garden, his paintings – all exude the quiet strength of his life philosophy. This February, Johnson’s new series of artwork will be on display at L Ross Gallery in an exhibit titled “Paradise Found,” which Johnson describes saying, “Everyone has heard of ‘Paradise Lost,’ but to me it’s utopia. All of my paintings have an inner light. If you look at them, they look as if they are radiating from the center. That is, in a way, a destiny or a path toward a paradise.” Don’t miss this fascinating look at one of Memphis’ unique artists. Story by Rachel Warren Photo by Steve Robert
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Mary Phillips Riddle and Wes Riddle Planting the Seeds for an Ethical Food Scene
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t’s February, and while there is still a nip in the air, very soon the Tennessee soil will be in full bloom again with fresh produce and other ripe offerings. One Memphis organization, in particular, will have already planted their seedlings early in anticipation of another generous harvest, Roots Memphis. Created by co-founders and couple Mary Phillips Riddle and Wes Riddle, Roots Memphis is more than your usual Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) in that the organization is not only designed to provide customers with sustainable food through its CSA program, but it also is working to create a new system of farmers that adhere to ethical standards of farming practices within the Shelby County area. “Roots Memphis is a farmer training program, and our mission it to train new and beginning farmers here in Shelby County. We want to bring fresh, local and ethical food to the Memphis market here,” Mary states, describing the Roots Memphis Farm Academy, a farmer incubator program that trains and launches farmers who are dedicated to farming using sustainable and ethical methods of growing, selling and conducting business. Mary, who graduated from Warren Wilson College with a degree in English Literature and has managed farms in the past, along with Wes, who has studied law and has a specialized master’s degree in Real Estate Finance and Development, bring two seemingly different business foundations to the Roots organization. Yet, ultimately, this fusion of finance aptitude and farming smarts has created a program that produces farmers that not only know how to grow sustainable and ethical food but also knows how to market themselves, buy land and make accurate predictions of market demand. It is a mission that teaches sustainable agriculture production along with sustainable economic development to the Shelby County area. “We are trying to prove that this is possible, that you can have economically sustainable, environmentally sustainable and socially sustainable businesses that are thriving in our region,” Wes explains. The Farm Academy fulfills this commitment by instructing farming students on researched and proven curriculum that bridges small business entrepreneurship and sustainable agricultural practices as well as production in an eight-month course. The academy is also dedicated to protecting its farming students throughout the duration of the program and beyond. The program is designed to sell students’ produce while they are in training so they don’t have to worry about sales making or breaking them. “We try really hard to reduce all the students’ risks and barriers to entry so that they can start a farm. We want them to start a farm as easily as possible,” Wes comments, adding that the program is aiming for the very real goal of graduates beginning what is considered a medium-sized farm by the United States Department of Agriculture. Started in 2013, the Academy is just now seeing its first crop of graduates who are begining to shop around for land. In addition to protecting their students during training, Wes and Mary are also looking out for their futures as a farming community in Shelby County. “They have agreed to, as part of the program, to organize themselves as a farmers cooperative upon graduation. The goal is for everyone that is apart of our system to be a collective, to be a farming community that shares risk and reward and shares benefits and a set of values,” Wes articulates. Mary and Wes see Roots Memphis as a method to creating a ripple effect in the area that increases market demand for sustainable fresh food as well as a sustainable economy in the business sector. Both wish to see the farm-to-table concept go beyond a marketing technique and become an easily retainable reality for local restaurants and grocery stores. “Local food is thousands of miles fresher than anything from California!” Mary declares. Roots Memphis has a lot on its plate this season! Their CSA is picking up steam again, and Mary says the will be selling their usual suspects in this spring including greens and root vegetables along with summer tomatoes and peppers, but are adding a new twist – flowers. “We want Memphis to go farm-to-table as well as farm-to-vase,” Mary chimes. “We are also looking into hot sauces,” she adds. The CSA is moving its pick-up location to its new Shelby Farms Park greenhouse location on Haley Road. They will continue to sell their produce every Saturday morning at the Cooper-Young Community Farmers Market located at First Congregational Church. Are you a promising farmer or want sustainable produce in your pantry? Take a look at their website www.rootsmemphis.org. Story by Rachel Warren Photo by Steve Roberts
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RSVProfile Withers Collection Museum and Gallery: Continuing a Legacy picture is worth a thousand words goes the old saying. That saying especially rings true for the body of work that late Dr. Ernest Withers amassed over a lifetime of photojournalism and artistic work. In his lifetime, Dr. Withers was dedicated to capturing images of the segregated South, the Modern American Civil Rights Movement, baseball and the Memphis music scene. Known for powerful images of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and his coverage of the Emmett Till trial, his works appeared in the likes of The New York Times, Jet and Ebony, to mention only a few of the many publications his work was included in.
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In his more than 60-year career, Withers created a body of work that is estimated to be a collection of more than one million images. After his passing in 2007, his daughter Rosalind Withers was named the Trustee of the Ernest Withers Trust. She has made it her mission to educate the public on and to preserve the works of Dr. Withers, and, in 2009, she founded and was named the president and board chairman of the Withers Collection Museum and Gallery. Over time, Rosalind has produced a gallery that poignantly displays the historical significance of the Withers Collection at their location at 333 Beale Street, the same location of Dr. Withers’ former studio. Yet, this is just the tip of the iceberg. Thousands of images still remain in the Withers archive that have never been seen
by the greater public. Working in conjunction with Rhodes College, the Withers Collection Museum and Gallery will start the journey of cataloging and digitalizing the entirety of the collection, a process estimated to take ten years. “The significance of the body of work – every time I was in the presence of the body of work – just spoke so much volume. I was thinking, ‘I cannot do this lightly.’ I have got to do the right thing,” Rosalind says, referring to the various feelings she experienced after being named the Trustee of the Withers Collection. Before being named the Trustee, Rosalind and her family were living in Florida. She explains that it took her awhile to absorb the news that she would be in charge of such a massive collection that filled Withers’ studio. Uncountable numbers of envelopes filled with film negatives were packed in boxes, filing cabinets and drawers taking up rooms and rooms. “It was kind of a shock, but I gradually began to absorb it. I was thinking, ‘How I am I going to do this?’” she says. She describes how, at that time, she had just launched her own company in South Florida and had to make a critical decision about the path she would take. With much prayer and thought, Rosalind knew she had to present the world with the legacy of her father’s historical impact for the sake of future generations. “Each one of these drawers has a sheet, and the sheet actually tells how many negatives there are. What we did was collect all of these sheets and the information on these sheets. When we got to over one million, I said, ‘That’s it.’ It was around the number of 500,000, something of that nature in terms of envelopes, and we
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estimated how many were in there. There is clearly over a million,” Rosalind states, pointing to rooms filled with filing cabinets. Each small drawer in the towering cabinets contains a number of envelopes with several film negatives tucked into each. She notes that they are constantly finding surprises within the collection. For instance, she and her team have recently come across a negative containing the image of Sammy Davis Jr. within the envelopes. To help with the immense project of cataloging and digitalizing over a lifetime’s worth of work, the Withers Collection Museum and Gallery has enlisted the help of Russ Wigginton, vice president of the Office of External Programs at Rhodes College as well as Liz Daggett, Rhodes assistant professor of Art and director of the Center for Outreach in Development of the Arts, and her students. Another challenge Rosalind and the museum face is the fact that many of the photographs do not include the identities of their subjects. Rhodes College will also be aiding the museum and gallery in that respect as well. The Withers Collection Museum and Gallery have also partnered with The Tri-State Defender and are publishing never-before-seen photographs from the collection along with a little known history facts in the publication so that the public can reach out and help the museum identify people captured by the tireless lens of Dr. Withers. “It is bringing so much life to the images!” Rosalind exclaims, adding that by keeping the collection in Memphis, the museum and gallery is able to get a large share of feedback as far as the identification process goes. She adds that, from time to time, people walk into the gallery and point themselves out in a photograph where they were previously unidentified. The museum has plans to capture the memories of these previously unidentified men and women pictured on film, continuing the legacy that Dr. Withers began long ago. Rosalind notes that she would also like to invite the community into the gallery to help identify various people and places. While getting the Withers Collection organized and ready for public viewing makes up the bulk of the museum and gallery’s work at the moment, Rosalind also has several different projects that are underway that will continue to preserve the history of Dr. Withers. In the near future, there will be a book centered on the works of her father produced by the David Logan Foundation and written by Michael Williams and Richard Cahan, noted co-authors of the book “Vivian Maier: Out of the Shadows.” Ms. Withers states, “What is significant about the book is that it is taking a completely different angle. People know dad’s work from the Civil Rights era. They know his work as the official photographer for Stax for two decades. They know his work on early baseball, covering the transition from the Negro Leagues to the Major Leagues, but this book will focus on him as an artist within the
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medium of photography.” Rosalind explains that there will also be a documentary created about the life of Dr. Withers by Peabody Award-winning producer, Robert Katz of K2 Pictures. Currently in production, the feature length documentary, “Ernest Withers: Double Exposure,” will chronicle Withers’ life as a photographer and explore the validity of recent allegations that he was an FBI informant. The documentary will be include footage taken by the late St. Clair C. Bourne, celebrated documentary filmmaker. Furthermore, Rosalind says she will be helping promote a documentary called "From Swastika to Jim Crow" alongside Danielle Kahane-Kaminsky, executive director of the Tennessee Holocaust Commission at Vanderbilt University. John Franklin, part of the research staff for the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, will the program's guest speaker. His father John Hope Franklin, noted American historian of the U.S. and prominent scholar, is featured in the film and is co-author of the book “From Swastika to Jim Crow: Refugee Scholars at Black Colleges.” The documentary explores the similarities between Nazism in Germany and racism in the American South. Rosalind comments that documentaries such as this one allow further discussion in the classroom of the Civil Rights Movement, a subject that many Social Studies classes never reach or don’t have time for an indepth analysis. Dave Barrett, Social Studies instructional advisor at the department of Curriculum and Instruction at the Shelby County Schools, will also be working closely with the team to bring awareness to this documentary and use it as an opportunity to discuss development of education. When asked why it was important to make sure younger generations have access to images and information available about the Civil Rights Movement, Rosalind responds that providing all generations with reliable information concerning our historical foundation is of the utmost importance. “Any culture that has a firm foundation in its existence is because of the historical knowledge of who they are. That is the void of our youth today. That is what is missing. So we must change that because that will change the persona and the demeanor of our youth 25 by giving them their history. That is a must,” Rosalind passionately resounds.
Ernest Withers was a man who would not stop. Through his determined photography, he made the world pay attention with his unflinching photographs covering the Civil Rights Movement and the segregated American South. He presented the life and soul of Memphis, both turbulent and happy, to the rest of the world with clarity and profundity. Rosalind Withers is continuing this powerful legacy as she preserves the works of her father and continues to bring awareness to the history of our nation. Help keep the Withers Collection Museum and Gallery’s mission of education and preservation alive by donating or signing up to volunteer on their website www.thewitherscollection.com. Story by Rachel Warren Photos by Don Perry
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Italian Winterfest
ITALIAN WINTERFEST
Buon Cibo, Buon Vino, Buoni Amici!
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iao inverno, addio la fame! The 5th annual Italian Winterfest, benefitting the Ave Maria Home and the Catholic Schools Education Scholarship Fund, was held at the Racquet Club of Memphis, and, in true Italian fashion, the event featured singing, dancing, authentic Italian cuisine from over a dozen of the city’s Mediterranean-style masters, and, of course, no one was a stranger. “I think this year, more than any, proves that Italian Winterfest is about good food, good music, good wine, and lots of fun,” co-founder Tony Barrasso said. Emissaries from fourteen different local restaurants set up shop to serve several styles salacious sustenance. Lucchessi’s Ravioli & Pasta Company served meat ravioli and Italian spinach. Charles Vergo’s Rendezvous had red beans and rice and Coletta’s Italian Restaurant offered mini-barbecue pizzas. Garibaldi’s Pizza provided meatballs and toasted ravioli, Pete & Sam’s supplied lasagna, and Folk’s Folly dished out beef tenderloin skewers with Maker’s Mark Bourbon cream sauce. Pesces’s Authentic Italian Sausage continued the traditional fare with spaghetti and Italian sausage. Grawmeyer’s had attendees coming back for more German potato casserole, and Valle’s Italian Rebel provided samples of their cheese manicotti. The Racquet Club graciously took care of desert while Athen’s Distributing, Coca-Cola, Buster’s Wine and Liquors, A.S. Barbaro, Delta Wholesale, Glazer’s Distributing, West Tennessee Crown Distributing, and John and Wanda Barzizza donated the wine, beer, and soda. WMC-TV anchor Joe Birch emceed the event that also honored Rev. Msgr. John B. McArthur of St. Louis Catholic Church, who was greeted with a standing ovation, for his years of faithful service to the Ave Maria Home and numerous other Catholic charities. In addition to Msgr. McArthur, the fund-raiser also honored the memory of Sam Bomarito and Angelo A. Lucchesi, whom, along with Barrasso, cofounded the event. D.J. Michael Spano spun records to get the crowd out of their seats and onto the dance floor. Adding to the festivities, Barrasso grabbed his trusty accordion and delighted guests with his traditional tableside tunes. Located in Bartlett, Tenn., the Ave Maria Home has been providing long-term care and support for senior citizens of all faiths and economic backgrounds for nearly 60 years. The Catholic Education Scholarship Fund, started by the Catholic Diocese of Memphis, has worked tirelessly to ease the burden of low-income families who wish to provide their children with a Catholic education. This event raised over $30,000 for this effort.
Ann Marie Fry and Mike Garabaldi
Stephanie and Ron Nichols
Story and Photos by Patrick Lantrip See all the party photos at rsvpmagazine.com Password: RSVP
Lester Brown and Ann Dandridge
Chrissie Allen and Glenn Garner
Libby Buring and Janet Ticer
David Fontana and Heather Golden with Jami and Frank Guttuso
Peter and Claire Childress
EVENT ITALIAN WINTERFEST Michael Patrick, Audra Eickhoff and Chris Lucchesi
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Tim Shaner, Lindsay Sigler and Eric Buring
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Doris Valle Fragale, Sue Valle Hall and Joey Valle Stark
Jimmy Black, Becky Black and Frank Lewis
EVENT ITALIAN WINTERFEST
Stacy Montegut with Erik and Lydia Frank
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Zack Street with Tony and Bonnie Barrasso and Angie, Wesley, Charlie and Zachary Street
Sandy Treece and Ann Wilson
Deline Luster and Jerry Brocato
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Judy and Martin Rosenblum
Kent and Lori Hansom with Gale and Patricia Hamann
Paula Wyatt and Greg Maksi
Elizabeth Valle and Vincent Valle
Kay, Terry and Phil Woodard
DIVORCE THE RICES WROTE THE BOOK. They really did. Larry Rice and Nick Rice are co-authors of The Complete Guide to Divorce Practice. Published by the American Bar Association, the book is recognized as the standard reference for divorce lawyers across the nation. The 25th anniversary edition documents over 900 pages of their insights, experiences and techniques. The National Academy of Family Law Attorneys recognized Larry as a Nationally Ranked Top 10 Attorney and Nick as a Nationally Ranked Top 10 Under 40 Attorney. They were both recognized as The Face of Divorce Law in the MidSouth by Memphis Magazine and are both rated Superb and 10 out of 10 by Avvo.com. Lawyers seek out Larry’s expertise. He has given over 200 lectures on divorce practice to lawyers nationally and internationally. As the only Super Lawyer in Memphis certified as a Family Law Specialist, Larry spends most of his time practicing law with the Rice Divorce Team. Larry received the AIFLA Client Satisfaction Award as one of the best in Tennessee. A third generation lawyer, Nick Rice grew up with the law. After graduating from CBHS and UT-Knoxville, Nick clerked in the family firm while attending The University of Memphis Law School. Nick has lectured on several occasions and is recognized as a Super Lawyer Rising Star. The Rice Divorce Team is a practice group within Rice, Amundsen & Caperton, PLLC, a firm which was selected as the Best Law Firm by The Commercial Appeal. The Rice Divorce Team is exclusively committed to family law – from prenuptial agreements to final decrees, from parenting time to property division and everything in-between. The team includes: Larry Rice, Nick Rice, Jennifer Bellott, Erin O’Dea, Jessica Farmer, Tracy Eaton, Andrea Schultz CP, Carla Baker, Susan New ACP, Stacy Pipkin, Cyndy McCrory, Jennifer Bicknell, Roxana Rudolph, Ken Schultz, and Sharon Beard. The team applies generations of experience, nationally recognized expertise, and up-to-date technology to lead their clients through negotiations, mediation, arbitration or litigation. Hundreds of lawyers reviewed, contributed to and helped refine the system used by the Rice Divorce Team. The depth of the Rice Divorce Team’s personnel provides the ability to tailor representation to each client’s individual needs and goals. While the team is proud of courtroom success, their greatest satisfaction often comes from obtaining a quiet settlement favorable to their client. Divorce is difficult. Divorce is made worse by misinformation. The Rices’ guide to divorce is available to you at www.aboutdivorce.com.
275 Jefferson Avenue Memphis, Tennessee 38103 901.526.6701 larry@ricelaw.com • aboutdivorce.com
EVENT ITALIAN WINTERFEST
Eddie Kivelle and Connie Smith
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Donna Shivers and Gene Amagliani
Arthur and Tricia Franklin with Penny and Pete Aviotti RSVP
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Austin Thomas and Mark Grawmeyer
Christy Cornell Knott and Steve Knott
Fred and Gayle Heros
EVENT ITALIAN WINTERFEST Rick and Pat Mays
Pauldina McDaniel and Phillip Webb
F E B R UA R Y 2 015
Melanie Bell, Felix Pesce and Anna Vescovo with Daniel and Kim Pesce
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Jared Montegut and Tony Lanigan with James and Susan McArthur
Nick and Judy Belisomo
Lance and Traci Denton
EVENT ITALIAN WINTERFEST
Mike and Paula McCormick
Shannon Jersey and Bree Howard
Nancy Eddins and David Cremeriius
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Marie and Todd Murrah
Angelo Lecamie and Sabrina Arcuri
Pamela Uberti and Natalie Uberti
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Meagan Patty and Sam Aljumdi
Reed Vergos, Nick Vergos and Cole Mallery
Michael Bomarito and Taylor Agee
Steve Esterman and Lorelei Scatamacchia
Nathan Irvin, Glenna Whisenand and Mario Grisanti
EVENT
Tool Box Bash
TOOL BOX BASH
Constructing a Bright Future
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F E B R UA R Y 2 015
Shelley and Roger Fields
Daniela and David Wagner
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oliday revelers came together to eat, drink, dance and bid the night away when the 13th annual Valero Memphis Refinery Tool Box Bash took place at The Great Hall & Conference Center in Germantown. Guests partied with a “rustic chic” theme that incorporated construction materials utilized by Habitat for Humanity to build homes. Decorative stars were created out of wooden trim for houses, and doors and cabinets were repurposed to make chalkboard signs that listed the schedule of events and party areas – all to help raise funds for Habitat for Humanity of Greater Memphis. For the gala, Tool Box Bash committee members included auction chair Jackie Brotchner, Sylvia Boldreghini, Janice Goldrick, Patrick Hampton, Crystel Hardin, Randy Henry, Lisa Jenkins, Andria Lewis, Sarah Lichterman, Ken and Janet MacNair, Forestine Owens, Judy Pearson, David and Kim Perry, and Bill Stemmler. Partygoers enjoyed a homemade, upscale menu from Heart & Soul Catering by Michael Francis. The menu included a Southern-style biscuit bar and a potato bar, and shrimp and grits cakes. There was also gelato for dessert from The Creamery Memphis. The Stellar Cellar Wine & Spirits, Eagle Distributing Memphis and Coca-Cola provided beverages. Stellar Cellar also sponsored a whiskey tasting and a “Wall of Wine,” where guests could make a donation to Habitat and receive a mystery bottle of wine. The evening’s festivities were presided over by Stan Bell, one of Memphis’ most energetic radio hosts for 28 years (V101 and WDIA). Hotshots Photobooth was onsite to provide guests with festive mementos of the evening. Party Planet provided entertainment while guests reviewed an assortment of auction items such as trips, gift cards, jewelry, a Coach purse, a Gibson guitar and restaurant gift certificates that were up for bid during both a silent and a live auction. At the party, First Tennessee Bank sponsored a “Fund-A-Need” auction. All proceeds were designated for a specific Memphis Habitat project, called the Aging in Place initiative. Memphis is one of 10 cities across the country working with national leaders to implement new ways to improve the lives of seniors who want to live independently at home as they age. Jessica Hord, director of marketing and communications at Memphis Habitat, said, “This event offered a fun way to do some holiday shopping, and, most importantly, it helped raise funds to support Habitat for Humanity’s mission in Memphis of eliminating substandard housing throughout the city of Memphis and its surrounding areas.”
See all the party photos at rsvpmagazine.com Password: RSVP
Katie and Derrick McNeal
Story by Emily Adams Keplinger Photos by Don Perry
George and Margie Shawver
Karla and Tim Tadler
Claire and Shane Morton
Liza Monaghan and Bernie Krock
Ali Glemser, Ashley Williford, Sarah Lichterman and Natalie Ledoux
Ruby Fenton and Cary Woods
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EVENT TOOL BOX BASH
Carol and Dr. Nick Howard
Forestine and George Owens
Mistye Quinn and Michelle Quinn
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Bob and Martha Stewart
Shawn Graves and Kim Morrison
Richard and Diane Copley
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Pam and Keith Scarbrough
Kim and David Perry with Crystel and Jonathan Hardin
Amy Paul and Joe Davidson
Suzanne Stevens and Rebecca Howles
Nancy Box, Cynthia Talley, Eloise Graziosi and Debra Towns
EVENT TOOL BOX BASH George Ramsey and Anita Lotz
Ian and Laura Anderson with Mary Claire Borys
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Bill Bates and Pat Lichterman Bates
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Lashara Quinn and Jay Fearnley
Danny and Cheri Campbell
Sean and Audrey Belvin with Brent Endres
EVENT TOOL BOX BASH
Jimmy and Carolyn Holmes
Marcia and Mel Headley
Lois Richardson and Myra Marti
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Lorna and Paul Schmidt
Charles and Mary Lynn Lloyd
Vince and Laura Heeney
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Misty and Alan Massing
Claudia and Danny Lyons
Josh and Rosemary Jacobs
Kevin Smith and Dr. Rachael Smith
Kate DeWeese, Anna Francis and Maryrose Brame
Travis Flagg and AprilDawn Flagg
EVENT
Food 2 Dream Making Dreams Come True
FOOD 2 DREAM
I
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Titus and Lisa Driver
Susan and Michael Wiegert
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magine a scenario that involved Memphis star chef Erling Jensen presenting 30 colleagues from the Mid-South and their delectable creations for a tasting. Now imagine that scenario with a backdrop of a 1972 Cadillac El Dorado formerly owned by Isaac Hayes; a recording console that made the likes of Sam & Dave, Led Zeppelin, and Leon Russell; and a maze of walls of fame displaying a thousand-plus records. The result would be Food 2 Dream, a dream, which became a reality at the Stax Museum of American Soul Music. Pastor Alfred Milan cooked up the inaugural event in the hopes of realizing another pursuit – to build the Dream Center facility. Three years ago Milan began his ministry, the Dream Church, where he is the senior pastor and also ministers to those without a permanent home, those with addiction trouble and those with literacy issues. He created the ministry because of his own struggle with substance abuse and homelessness. “I was homeless myself and on drugs. God tremendously changed my life. That’s a lot of why I work with the homeless,” Milan said. As of now Milan and his congregation meet at the Crowne Plaza Memphis Downtown. This summer Milan and the church purchased property on Henry Ave. near the National Civil Rights Museum, and renovations on the building are underway. “The church began to grow because of what I do. Funds from the event will be used to for the new facility we purchased downtown,” Milan said. “We’re getting close. It’s looking good.” Throughout the venue, patrons could choose to taste fish tacos, pork tenderloin, shrimp and grits, gourmet pizza and soul food. The tour ended with a dessert spread that included peanut butter mousse, a coffee bar and ice cream stuffed donuts. No one left the event hungry, and everyone left with a little more soul in their step – either from being in the presence of such amazing history or from the disco-ball-lit “Express Yourself Dance Floor” or from the live music presented in Studio A. “We have so many great chefs here, and we’re glad to support Pastor Milan and his team. They’re really passionate about what they do. It’s a worthwhile cause, and it’s been a very smooth event,” Henry Nelson, group sales and events coordinator for the Soulsville Foundation, said. “All these people coming out, it’s been a huge success. I’m honored to be here,” Milan said. “It’s a blessing.” All proceeds benefited The Memphis Dream Center, the Mid-South’s only comprehensive holistic healing facility.
See all the party photos at rsvpmagazine.com Password: RSVP
Tisha and Clovis Wright
Story by Lesley Young Photos by Daniel Fredricks
Avery Franklin and Steven Pham
Alice Higdon and Daniel Reid
Gail Sharkey-Clayborn and Stacey Loper
Anna Fulwood and Jameson Powell
Rodney Dunigan and Pastor Alfred Milan
Audrey Milan and Dekarius Dawson
A
fter meeting Marie Pizano there are a few things that are abundantly clear...she is passionate, genuine, has a creative business mind and a love for serving others. Growing up on the South side of Chicago taught her many life lessons, especially how to be a survivor despite any circumstance. At age 18, she survived a near-fatal motorcycle accident that almost ended her life and certainly changed her course in life. Morgan Freeman has been an inspiration to Marie and refers to her "T" shaped scar on her leg as standing for Tough! Another amazing talent that Marie possesses is being what I call "a connector of people." One of my favorite quotes from our time together is "You’ve got sticks, I gotta match… together let's make a fire!"
FILM
Pizano has served on the advisory board of On Location Memphis Film and Music Fest and has been
instrumental in bringing well known celebrities to Memphis such as Tom Berenger and film director Jeff Celentano. As the executive producer of the award winning film "Momo: The Sam Giancana Story" she is excited to begin filming the movie inspired by her book "from Barefoot to Stiletto's." But this is by no means her only "iron in the fire." Additional projects include Shattered, Echoes of Shannon Street, Hillbilly Bible, The Invaders and Purple Church all written by local authors.
MUSIC
Lawrence "Boo" Mitchell of the legendary Royal Studios was actually one of Marie's first friends after moving to Memphis. She began a working relationship with Mitchell
in 2005. Pizano is the first in history to record an audio book at Royal Studios. The audio version of the book "from Barefoot to Stilettos" will be released in the near future and Mitchell is assisting with the soundtrack for the movie version. After meeting the Mulch Brothers she started working with Billy Falcon who writes with Bon Jovi and numerous well known musicians. She also began managing the Mulch Brothers which taught her a great deal about the music side of the industry. One of the primary goals of MVP3 is to cultivate artists, musicians and musical groups locally, helping them not only creatively but educating artists on how to manage the business side of the industry. Pizano is currently working with Memphis talent Chris Hill and Jeremiah Tucker to release
their CDs this Spring/Summer.
COMMUNITY
Each of Pizano's projects make a contribution back into the community. For example, the film "Barefoot to Stiletto's" will give back and bring awareness to the Military Warriors Support Foundation. She has partnered with the organization to create the MVP3 Hero campaign (www.militarywarriors.org/mvp3hero). The goal of the campaign is to raise money in order to donate a 100 percent new home for one of our wounded military Heros. MVP3 Entertain-ment Group also creates economic opportunities for Memphis and the surrounding areas. Each independent film can employ anywhere from 40-70 people from a variety of work backgrounds. To find out more information about how you can be a part of the empire visit www.mvp3media.com.
–C. A. Pugh
Paid Advertisement
EVENT FOOD 2 DREAM F E B R UA R Y 2 015
Carley and Tim Myrick
Telischa and Antwan Gordon
Donna and Glen Wadford
Sonya Shen and Antara Mandal
Jhermon Lewis and Tamara Toler
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Katherine Cull and Dottie Cull-Burana
Stacey Loper and Rhodis Pittman
Danielle and Jason Harris
Gary Williams, Tara Durnham and Rondell Williams
Jazmin Foster and Darryl Causey
Tonee Estell and Ragan Oglesby
EVENT FOOD 2 DREAM Towanna Kemp and Veronica Kemp
Donna Kuy Kendall and Tranise Gates
Kristie Greer and James Ellis
Angela Turner and Monique Williams
Darlene Butler and Sandra Wade Mabry
F E B R UA R Y 2 015
Josephine Nathan and Edward Brown
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Veronica Sally-Garner and Ida Carpenter
Janice Chinopulos and Mike Grimes with Sandra and David Spence
Kenisha and Thomas Causey
Vonnie Fleming and Elaine Williams
Christopher Martin, Sarah Leonard and John Hixon
EVENT FOOD 2 DREAM F E B R UA R Y 2 015
Morgan Hester and Tim Antignane
Judy and Howard Lawrence
Peggy Killett and Wes Parker
Martrese and Clarence Garrett
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Treniece Gray and Marcus Armstrong
Terence Oliver, Marieta Oliver and Gregory Nolan
Deonna Pruitt and Trevor Keys
Margaret Walls and Delois Thompson
Anton Mack, Gregory Mack, Charles Newborn, Erskine Gillespie and Rolando Hertz
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ONSITE
Onsite I “Holiday Chalet”
Kidney Awareness & Living Donor Charity Gala
Memphis Mistletoe Gala
The home of the Soul Burger and legendary Memphis hangout, Earnestine & Hazel’s was home to the 8th annual Harvest Party Fundraiser in benefit of The Cotton Museum at the Memphis Cotton Exchange. Guests gladly enjoyed their fill of Soul Burgers as the chefs cranked out a seemingly endless supply of the iconic Memphis staple. Five different bars were set up around the building to insure no one’s thirst went unquenched. In addition to the Soul Burgers, a buffet that featured sausage, fresh fruit, crudités and imported cheeses was offered next to the photo booth. The sounds of the eponymous Earnestine & Hazel’s Band entertained guests in the main room while the Side Street Steppers enthralled patrons in the back room. Founded in 2006, The Cotton Museum’s mission is to preserve the history and to “tell the epic story of the famed cash crop and its profound influence on the city of Memphis.” The Cotton Museum has attracted over 100,000 visitors since its inception nearly a decade ago.
Dr. Esmond and Pam Arrindell graciously opened up their elegant home to host this year’s Holiday Chalet benefiting the Germantown Performing Arts Center (GPAC). “This is our second Holiday Chalet, and we hope to make it an annual fundraiser for the programs at GPAC,” Paul Chandler, GPAC’s executive director said. Given that the Arrindells hail from St. Thomas and the Bahamas, respectively, the party was Caribbean themed and featured an authentic menu and island inspired cocktails. Calypso Pork with red beans and rice, Bahamian Junkanoo dip, Curried goat with Gungo peas and rice, Curried chicken with steamed rice and St. Kitts Romantic Chicken were just few of the popular dishes served. To wash everything down, guests sipped on drinks such as Caribbean Fruit Punch and Martinique Martinis. Prior to dinner, the guests enjoyed piano melodies from Jon Felix, Christmas carols from members of Opera Memphis and a silent auction in the pool house where Jeremy Shrader and Ed Finney provided additional musical entertainment. Founded in 1994, the 824seat GPAC welcomes over 70,000 visitors annually.
The theme was green at the 4th annual Kidney Awareness & Living Donor Charity Gala presented by Just Say Y.E.S. at the National Civil Rights Museum. According to Just Say Y.E.S. founder and CEO, Romalic Jones, green is the official color of organ and tissue donation awareness. Romalic was afflicted with renal failure in 2001 and was on dialysis until 2011 when he received “the gift of life” from Christina Hobson. Since then, he has founded Just Say Y.E.S. in appreciation of his living donor and hopes to raise awareness about kidney disorders and eradicate the insecurities in regards to becoming a living donor. Guests mingled in the FedEx Atrium during the “Green Carpet” reception where they enjoyed live music, perused silent auction items and snacked on crudités. Next, guests congregated in the Ford Motor Company Theatre where WHBQ Fox 13’s Ephie Ballard Johnson kicked off the ceremony that honored Terrance Jewell Carpenter, Geneva Moody Cochran, Michael Cole, Tracy Luellen-Johnson, Wakeya Luckey, Dallas Palmer and Dr. Vinaya Rao. After the program, guests enjoyed dinner at the Hooks Hyde Hall.
It must have been the mistletoe that brought guests to the Oak Court Mall for the inaugural Memphis Mistletoe Gala benefiting The Memphis Cultural Arts Enrichment Center. Billed as a black-tie affair, patrons were greeted with a red carpet and enjoyed cocktails prior to the gala where they had the chance to purchase items from local artists, Angela Meyers and Michael B. Partee, the latter of whom also peddled his homemade gourmet pecans, while Twinkie Cakes dished out delicious deserts in the lobby. After the reception, Porsche Stevens and Myron Mays of WRBO-FM Soul Classics hosted the event while DJ Nero kept things spinning. The evening’s honorees were Dr. Bartholomew Orr of Brown Missionary Baptist Church and Bishop Edward H. Stephens Jr. of Golden Gate Cathedral. For entertainment, guests enjoyed a dance performance from the children of the Watoto Memphis Performing Arts Academy, a Fashion Spotlight by Leonard Pegues and his Reflections Modeling agency, and musical entertainment by Will Graves & Soul. Located at 55 S. Main St., the Memphis Cultural Arts Enrichment Center’s mission is to nurture the minds of children and youth by using the performing arts and history to improve their academic and social skills.
Story and Photos by Patrick Lantrip
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Harvest Party Fundraiser
Story and Photos by Patrick Lantrip
Story and Photos by Patrick Lantrip
Story and Photos by Patrick Lantrip
Reagan Davis and Amy Simmons Dr. Esmond and Pam Arrindell
Will Scott and Akeela Johnson
Erik and Amanda Henneghan
Jordan Pegram and Lialah Harper Jon Felix and Delores Kinsolving
David and Ashton Underwood
Ron South and Deni Hirsh
Carolyn McGhee-Cole, Romalic Jones and Evelyn Jones
Allison Hoskins and Toni Settles
Paula Jones and Cicely Sharp
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F E B R UA R Y 2 015
EVENT
Toy Bash
TOY BASH
Benefiting the Boys and Girls Club of Greater Memphis
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Dr. Anne Rowland and Jennifer Futch
Angie Breland and Andrea Wiggins
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hey say it is better to give than it is to receive, but being able to do both at the same time is twice as nice. That is exactly what guests at the Boys and Girls Clubs of Greater Memphis’ Toy Bash found out. Held at Minglewood Hall, this annual fund-raiser asked attendees to bring an unwrapped gift for a child between the ages of 6-12 to place under the toy tree upon entering the venue, and, after that, it was time to treat themselves to an evening of good food, good music and good times. After dropping off their gifts, guest paused to take a picture with Santa and his better half, Mrs. Claus, before entering the seasonal soirée. In the first room partygoers snacked on appetizers of cilantro pesto and oregano basil pesto bruschetta and enjoyed a whiskey and scotch tasting provided by The Corkscrew that featured Knob Creek Rye, Jameson’s Black, Ardberg, Four Roses, Buffalo Trace and Bulleit, to name a few. There was also a silent auction section with presents from Santa’s workshop that included seven nights in St. Lucia, a golf package to Hilton Head, South Carolina, Overton Square dining packages, Tennessee Titans and Memphis Grizzlies game day packages, jewelry, accessories gift baskets and more. In the next room, dubbed a “Winter Wonderland,” white tablecloths and holiday inspired lighting set the tone as Fox 13’s Joey Sulipeck emceed the event. A Bacardi Bar was set up, and the popular Amurcia Photo booth was on hand to offer their unique brand of visual anthropology. Wade & Company Catering furnished several themed food stations for guests to dine on such as a taco station, macaroni and cheese station and a barbecue sundae station. Not even Santa himself could resist getting on the dance floor and cutting loose once the band Memphis Soul Revue took the stage. For over a hundred years, the mission of the Boys and Girls Clubs of America (BGCA) has been “to enable all young people, especially those who need us most, to reach their full potential as productive, caring, responsible citizens.” Nationally, BGCA provides support for almost 4 million children annually at over 4,100 local facilities. Locally, the Boys and Girls Club of Greater Memphis specializes in five core program areas and recently boasted a 100 percent graduation rate from its seniors, with 68 percent of them attending college on scholarship.
Justin Sypult and Anna Skeen
Zach Kennedy and Jackie Martin
Story and Photos by Patrick Lantrip See all the party photos at rsvpmagazine.com Password: RSVP
Ashlee and T.J. McClellan
Natalie Hickman and Clayton Mullen
Teddy Gorman and Nicole Lauchaire
Meghan Jean, Della Alles, Tiera Cole and Alexandria Milakis
Jan Walker and Summer Banks
EVENT TOY BASH Shanti and Chris Bradley
Teresa and Steve Williams
F E B R UA R Y 2 015
Ted and Jessica Simpson with Gail and Johnny Weakley
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Erin and Jonathon Phillips with Tricia and Nelson Adrien
Courtney Counce and Lauren Moore
Kristen Duncan and Eleanor Jacobs
EVENT TOY BASH
Jim and Krista Dorroh
Sardor Umarov and Naira Umarov
George Scarbrough III and Olivia Nichols
F E B R UA R Y 2 015
Connie and Jimmy Neal
Taylor Lewallen and Christy Moore
Matt and Wendy VanCleve
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Kaylyn Strausser and Morgan Benson
Jeremy and Stacy Black with Kelley and Frank Lamanna
Libee and Chris Hebert
Jennie Dickerson and Macy Raffles
Kevin and Pam McAdams with Alexis Pugh and Michael Stewart
S I N C E 1995
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the Affluent Shopping Areas of Greater Memphis From Harbor Town to Collierville.
Beautiful and lasting memories are as simple as
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EVENT CROWN & SCEPTER
Kevin and Cindy Brewer with Mark and Holly Renken
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Amanda Harris, Todd Photopulis, Scot James and Megan Klein
Jennifer and Joe Roberts
Drs. Alicia and Nick Poochoon
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David Short and Melanie Capps
Victoria Sweat, Patrick Webb, Tanylyn Pride and Tammy Shipp
Randall Bennett and Art Davis
Fharon Hicks and Melanie Jackson-Hicks
Dr. Brooke Dishman with Sharon and Jeffery Harris
EVENT TOY BASH Bob Musolf with Joey and Lisa Sulipeck and Michelle Musolf
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Clayton Templeton and Michelle Rose with Stephanie and Eddie Chittom
Jay and Emily Hazen
Kim Harrison and George Moore RSVP
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Keith and Vera Blanchard
Dave and Sarah Miller with Catherine and Dave Arick
Sol and Daniel Weaver
Kim and Billy Post
Alex Ezell, Kellie Allen and Kristin Nguyen
ONSITE
Onsite II
F E B R UA R Y 2 015
Methodist Healthcare Foundation Cancer Center Luncheon
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“Who would have thought he would have caused such a stir!” said Paula Jacobson, president of the Methodist Healthcare Foundation. She was referring to the line of women that wound around the Mezzanine of The Peabody Hotel waiting for their chance to meet, shake hands with and, most of all, have their photo taken with ‘80s “Brat Pack” heartthrob Rob Lowe. The film and television actor served as this year’s featured speaker for the annual Methodist Healthcare Foundation Cancer Center Luncheon, a tradition and fundraiser that has brought in the likes of Sally Field, Michael Douglas, and Barbara Bush in years past. Longtime attendee, Bill Stegbauer, remembers meeting Diane Keaton. This year’s luncheon drew a crowd of more than 1,000 guests. Lowe spoke of his own experience with cancer. His mother died of breast cancer in 2004, and his grandmother and great-grandmother also battled breast cancer. His father is a survivor of non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma. Each year, the luncheon raises an average of $120,000, and proceeds go to the West Cancer Center, which partners with the Methodist Healthcare Foundation and the University of Tennessee Health Science Center in cancer research and treatment. This year marks the 13th annual luncheon and was in The Peabody Grand Ballroom. A reception preceded the luncheon for VIP ticket holders, which included the opportunity to meet Lowe and participate in a photo shoot. “He has such a personal story about cancer, plus the women are pretty excited,” added Jacobson.
“Mrs. Murray’s Supper Club”
Freedom Award
Theater ghost stories abound as prolifically as do production costume changes. Germantown Community Theatre (GCT) has Mrs. Murray. Mrs. Murray was purporteldy a schoolteacher at the turn-of-the-century schoolhouse that now operates as the performance hall. Her ghost been known to randomly turn on the compressor or lock someone in the bathroom at the playhouse. To honor their resident spirit, and to raise a little money for their numerous programs, the GCT recently hosted their inaugural Mrs. Murray’s Supper Club event. The roaring affair, held at the Clark Opera Memphis Center, provided many offerings for the “theaterphile.” Local favorite Coletta’s Italian Restaurant catered dinner. While dining on the Italian fare, fans of the local troupe were treated to a musical revue featuring some of their favorite show tunes presented with live accompaniment. A silent auction was presented during the cocktail reception, and guests enjoyed a live auction during the revue’s intermission. Each year the playhouse chooses an honorary chair, and this year’s honoree was local alderman Rocky Janda. “He takes excellent care of us,” said GCT Executive Director Michael Miles. The fall dinner and performance were a new approach to their usual spring fete. “We wanted to create a nicer evening event with a seated dinner and a two-act musical revue to have something after the dinner starts,” Miles said. All proceeds benefited the GCT, a nonprofit.
In 1991, the National Civil Rights Museum established an opportunity to recognize individuals who had made significant advancements in the ongoing fight for human rights across the globe. What began with a ceremony observing the achievements of two champions, the National and International awards, the Freedom Award has now expanded to include other recipients, including the presentation of a Lifetime Achievement Award. This year’s ceremony, “Breaking Barriers, Advancing Freedom,” recognized four honorees as well as students through its Keepers of the Dream Awards. The celebration kicked off that morning with the annual Public Forum, held at the Temple of Deliverance C.O.G.I.C., where this past year’s recipients answered questions and members of the community could attend and hear from the recipients. That evening, attendees gathered in black-tie dress for the awards ceremony at The Cannon Center for the Performing Arts. This year’s recipients included Charlayne Hunter-Gault for the International Freedom Award; Bob Moses for the National Freedom Award; Frank Robinson for the Lifetime Achievement Award for Sports; and Tom Brokaw for the Lifetime Achievement Award for Journalism. The ceremony was followed by a gala dinner in the Memphis Cook Convention Center. Story and Photos by Lesley Young
Story and Photos by Lesley Young
“Tis the Season for Tea in Fairyland” Besides sleigh bells, there is another familiar bell that helps ring in the holidays – the Salvation Army Christmas bell. The red-aproned ringers stood with their red buckets all over town last year, ringing encouragement to give to the Christian philanthropic organization. One local venue where they made an appearance this last Christmas season was the landscape design and home goods store Millstone Market and Nursery on Poplar Ave. in Germantown. Not only did the business have their own ringer, but they also hosted the Salvation Army Memphis Area Command Women’s Auxiliary for their inaugural Christmas tea, “Tis the Season for Tea in Fairyland.” “This is the first time we have done this. We decided to host a tea instead of our usual luncheon,” said event chair and Women’s Auxiliary Vice President, Susan Madden. Inside the nursery were tables for all sorts of occasions, from sitting and visiting, to noshing, to demonstrations. Local Carrington Wise of Carrington’s Catering provided the fare of pastries, dips as well as a Yule log cake that Wise donated as a door prize. In addition to providing an attractive venue for the tea, Millstone Market also donated 10 percent of sales made during the tea to the Salvation Army. Each $25 ticket also went to the philanthropic organization, particularly its programs including the Single Women’s Lodge, the Emergency Family Shelter and the Forgotten Angels program, which furnishes Christmas gifts to children who otherwise would not have Christmas.
Story and Photos by Lesley Young Story and Photos by Lesley Young
Patrick and Cathy Lawton with Sally and Rocky Janda
Leo and Maggie Liu Cheri Benoit and Sarah Knowles Nancy Hays and Carrington Wise
Denise Henning, Paula Jacobson, KK Weinberg and Rebecca Hardwick
Megan and Michael Miles
Meka, Pamela, Sobenna and Elechi Egwuekwe
Nancy Bell, Judy Sisk and Ellen Ellis
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“The Cancer Card Xchange”
Literacy Mid-South Book Sale
Memphis College of Art Holiday Bazaar
Metal Museum Holiday Show and Sale
Each week throughout the year, many cancer paitents around the country go to their mailboxes and find a surprise – a card containing gift cards. The cards are sent by The Cancer Card Xchange, a nonprofit organization started in 2011 by Collierville resident Emily Thomas, who runs the charity from her home. For the second year, Kelli Geminn and her husband Walt, owners of Square Beans Coffee Company, opened their home for a fundraiser for the charity during the holiday season. This was a treat for guests, as the Geminn’s was one of the houses featured in the Collierville Contemporary Club Christmas Home Tour. Michael Cooper, worship pastor at Grace Crossing Church and Collin Littlejohn strummed their guitars and sang as guests snacked on homemade goodies. Partygoers generously donated $6,300 in cash and gift cards during the party. “That’s really amazing considering the average donation or gift card is $25,” Thomas said. Since its creation, The Cancer Card Xchange has sent more than $120,000 in gift cards to 1,300 people.
Book lovers of all ages flocked to Circuit Playhouse where more than 3,000 new books took center stage. The Commercial Appeal sponsors this annual book sale event as a benefit for Literacy Mid-South (LMS). Works of fiction and non-fiction were on sale for a fraction of their original purchase price, including hardbacks, paperbacks and oversized books. The most popular genres sold this year were children’s books, murder mysteries and titles written by local authors. Kevin Dean, executive director of LMS said, “Our first year at Circuit Playhouse has been a fantastic experience. Since we moved into Playhouse on the Square last year, holding this event at Circuit was a natural fit for our organization.” Nicole Yasinsky, a self-professed bibliophile, added, “As a book junkie, the LMS Book Sale is an annual must for me. What a great way to support literacy and a love for reading with a wonderful organization – not to mention, an inexpensive way to shop for the holidays and feed my addiction.” This was the 15th year for the event, which usually raises about $10,000 to help support the programs of LMS. Such programs include teaching adults to read, free training for community educators, and book giveaways to area schools and nonprofit organizations, like the Metropolitan Inter-Faith Association. This year, all remaining books will be donated to the Shelby County Schools to help build their libraries.
The seasonal tradition of the Memphis College of Art (MCA) kicked off the holidays for the hundreds of people who headed to the school’s 65th annual Holiday Bazaar. The event began with a special Preview Party, where guests were treated to complimentary champagne, a MCA tote bag, and, for the first time ever, the opportunity to make purchases during the preview hours. “The Preview has traditionally been a time to come in, meet your friends and get that first ‘sneak peek’ at all the artwork and merchandise,” said Laura Hine, MCA’s new vice president for college advancement. “It’s always been fun, but the ability to actually make purchases during the Preview Hours added a new dynamic this year.” MCA students dressed as elves welcomed attendees as they entered Rust Hall where tables were laden with artwork and crafts created by MCA students, faculty, staff and alumni. The walls were filled with artwork as well. Over 125 artists participated in this year’s event, which is Memphis’ original and longestrunning art bazaar. For the public, the event offers the opportunity to get a jump on their holiday shopping while supporting local talent. For participating artists, the Holiday Bazaar offers a chance to showcase their abilities as well as supporting their school. Proceeds from the Holiday Bazaar are split, with a portion going to the artists and a portion benefiting the MCA Scholarship Fund.
All was “merry and bright” as the National Ornamental Metal Museum rang in the holidays with a Holiday Show and Sale. Approximately 20 artists were featured in the Holiday event, with works ranging from hand-made jewelry to metal-crocheted and glass ornaments, enameled bowls, and wall sculptures. “This event was designed to invite the public to celebrate the holidays with us and see this year’s Holiday Show and Sale. There are new works in the museum store and the Open House intentionally coincided with the opening of the new Museum Store Gallery. It features higher-end works by artists from around the country,” said Grace Stewart, collections manager and registrar for the museum. Guests were offered homemade holiday sweets, hot chocolate, wine and beer in a tented area on the grounds. Repair Specialist Kevin Burge, held court in the blacksmith shop, providing oversight for folks participating in a hands-on workshop where they were making their own holiday ornaments using enamel and metal discs. “The Metal Museum is the only institution in the United States devoted exclusively to the advancement of the art and craft of fine metalwork. As such, it leads the way in recognizing and promoting the careers of metalsmiths. With strong ties to metalsmithing and craft programs throughout the country, the museum serves as an educational facility and training ground for young artists,” explained Carissa Hussong, the museum’s executive director.
Story and Photos by Emily Adams Keplinger
Story and Photos by Emily Adams Keplinger
Story and Photos by Suzanne Thompson
Story and Photos by Emily Adams Keplinger
Kelli Geminn, Shelby Geminn and Jack Conners
Lori Gipson and Megan Doss
Ashley Bonds Dacus and Nicole Yasinsky Ron Jones, Dianne Mall, Myron Mall, Julies Raines and Jim Raines
John and Susan Hathhorn with Maurie and Betty Thomas
Emily and Joel Thomas
Kevin Dean and Barry Wolverton
Alice Higdon and Mark Hatges
Grace Stewart with Rosie and James Meindl
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Hearts of Gold Pit Rescue Holiday Party and Silent Auction
Christian Brothers High School “Golden Jubilee” Anniversary
Homeless dogs are rampant in Memphis, and even more live in shelters. Among those are hundreds of Pit Bulls Terriers – unique creatures that are often misunderstood and are popularly bred and exploited as fighting animals. This leaves countless Pit Bull Terriers wandering the streets or having to spend their lives in a shelter. Hearts of Gold Pit Rescue was founded over 12 years ago in Memphis in order to offer this lovable breed of dog a better life. Their motto is, “Regardless of breed, evaluate each dog as an individual.” This proves true with their intense selection process, where pups are assessed based on their personality and temperament. After evaluation, the pits are sent to foster care homes until being chosen by new, lucky parents. Donna Velez, president and founder, doesn’t let adoptions happen carelessly either. She makes sure the new parents have the apt qualities for giving the pit the family it deserves. Hearts of Gold Pit Rescue had their 3rd annual Holiday Party at Chimes & Occasions, complete with an array of home cooked Indian food, Mexican food, Lenny’s and Buffalo Wild Wings. A selection of acoustic music artists played, and guests were able to bid at the silent auction. All proceeds go to Hearts of Gold Pit Rescue in order to improve the lives of man’s most earnest friend.
Every now and then influential people come into our lives and show us an example of virtuous living. Christian Brothers High School (CBHS) has been blessed with such a person for 50 years now and celebrated his life by throwing a Golden Jubilee Anniversary. Brother Joel William McGraw, who attended CBHS himself, has been the epitome for what it means to live selflessly and give abundantly every day. Whether to a student or a person in need, Brother Joel is known for his unceasing love. The Golden Jubilee was nothing short of a celebration with the glittery gold and purple décor, array of appetizers to choose from, an open bar stocked with the finest scotch and bourbon and a threecourse dinner. All proceeds will go to CBHS and their endowments, scholarships and the school in general, which never turns down a student based on financial reasons. Brother Joel encapsulated his drive for helping humanity perfectly by saying, “We need one another; we need to enjoy one another.”
“150 Days of Giving” Winner Celebration
Holiday Blues Concert
The First Tennessee Foundation gathered with eighty-four nonprofits from the West Tennessee region at the Brooks Museum of Art to celebrate the winners of the First Tennessee Foundation’s 150 Days of Giving. The 150 Days of Giving was the First Tennessee Foundation’s part in the First Tennessee Bank’s 150th anniversary celebration. Through the 150 Days of Giving, the First Tennessee Foundation awarded $5,000 to a different nonprofit each day for 150 days. That’s $750,000 that the First Tennessee Foundation invested to make our communities better, and it’s on top of the $5 million the First Tennessee Foundation traditionally gives each year. The first winner was determined on March 25, First Tennessee’s 150th birthday, and voting wrapped up 150 days later, on Aug. 21. At the conclusion of the 150 Days of Giving, more than 1.4 million votes had been submitted.
It was a blues jamboree for an important cause, and at what better place than the Jerry Lee Lewis Café & Honky Tonk on Beale Street? Art For Life’s Sake (AFLS), a nonprofit organization, hosted a Holiday Blues Concert with the purpose of raising money for children. This Tennessee Arts Commission organization reaches out to underprivileged children in Memphis by offering music lessons, instruments and even recitals in hopes of instilling the importance of the arts in children and raising their selfesteem. Dr. Hattie Isen, founding director, believes that by focusing on blues, the music connects Memphis children with their community and also expands their cultural appreciation. Other sponsors include Lane Music, Inc., which sells instruments to AFLS at a lower cost and the Memphis Blues Society, who provided all of the lively blues music for the evening. While guests enjoyed the relaxed atmosphere, they ate, drank and listened to acts such as Blind Mississippi Morris, Cash McCall and Butch Mudbone. Many children in Memphis are not able to enjoy a life filled with the arts. AFLS opens that door and introduces children to a world they would otherwise never know. All proceeds benefited AFLS mission within the community.
Story Submitted Photos by Thomas Eldred
Photos and Story by Emily Anderson
Photos and Story by Emily Anderson Photos and Story by Emily Anderson
Jim Duncan, Susan Springfield, Maggie Lovell, Will Murray and Bruce Hopkins Colleen and Dan Goodspeed
Katey McCabe, Ashley Padgett, Stacy Early and Amanda Ott
Jenny Fehrenbacher and David Fehrenbacher Ginger McGhee, Lucy Dubois, Jim McGhee, Don Dubois and Brother Paul Meyer
Joy Bowen and Cathi Johnson
Rena Chiozza, Kembree Darakshani and Terry Siple
Barbara Williams and Thomas Williams
Jackie and Pat Hogan
Donna Agnew, Suzanne Boyd and Lori White
Courtenay Adams, Laura Alexander-Dodds and Gloria Dodds
Story and Photos by Lesley Young
“Dia de los Muertos” Celebration
Bruise Ball
The ladies of the Duration Fine Arts Club gathered for a Holiday Luncheon that included a special treat from one of the world’s most talented classical guitarists, Lily Afshar. Held at the Chickasaw Country Club, attendees sipped mimosas and mingled amidst the seasonal decorative touches of tinsel and ornaments that filled the venue. Unique ornamental Santa Claus provided festive table centerpieces. Before lunch, Afshar performed a range of classical works from her large repertoire. Her latest album “Bach on Fire” was for sale as well as many of her previous albums. As Afshar took a bow, she and the Duration Club members broke bread together, enjoying a sumptuous lunch of cream of onion soup with a touch of raspberry and pork loin with risotto and mixed vegetables. The chocolate bread pudding for dessert was the sweet conclusion to a sweet afternoon.
The Memphis Day of the Dead Committee presented its eighth annual Day of the Dead (Dia de Muertos) Celebration at El Mercadito of Memphis. Over one thousand people attended the colorful, traditional Mexican event, which celebrates and honors deceased friends and loved ones. The mission of the Memphis event is to preserve and communicate the cultural heritage and importance of Dia de los Muertos and to strengthen the cultural identity of Memphis’ Latino community. Since 2007, the Memphis celebration has grown from a handful of “ofrendas” (altars decorated to honor and please the returning souls) to more than twenty. Rosalva King, owner of Visa Inc., chose to create a more personal altar. She dedicated hers to her late husband and other relatives. “The reason why I do an ofrenda is to celebrate, honor and remember my people who passed away. I really like sharing this tradition,” explained King, who has been an active participant for over seven years. The ofrendas ranged from child-sized altars to professional looking ones. Elaborately dressed figures called “Catrinas” and performances by Ballet Memphis and Danza Azteca Quetzalcoatl helped make this year’s event a complete success.
The women of Memphis Roller Derby (MRD) showed off their bruises at their annual Bruise Ball. Held at Forge on Broad Ave., the event featured a silent auction and the induction of their newest members. As guests entered the art warehouse, they perused the silent auction as they sipped on local brews like Tiny Bomb, made by Wiseacre Brewery Company. Auction items featured original artwork by Angela Goza, Cody Dalrymple and Karen Capps. An original photograph of the Skateland sign by Joy Rathheim was a popular item as were the outdoor succulent planters created by Wolfgang Marquardt. MRD members enjoyed refreshments and cheered their “newbies” on as they were inducted into the league. MDR was founded in 2006 and is a nonprofit, all-female league.
Story and Photos by Rachel Warren
Story and Photos by Rachel Warren
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Story Submitted Photos by Rafeal Figueroa
Chris Leafy and Sarah Evonne Stroupe Judy Belisomo, Hilda Mullin and Gladys Hamilton
Charlotte Marshall and Leniece Woods
Chloe Perkins and Meghan Horn Michelle Couch and Donna Godwin Mayra Peregrina and Sandra Figeroa Adele Landers, Gay Landaiche, Kelly McCracken and Robbie Lowry
Major and Linda McNeil
Lily Afshar
Luna and Raul Venagas
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In 1967, a group of six Memphis musicians known as the Bar-Kays made a sudden and significant impact on the music scene with their hit single “Soul Finger” that would jettison them into stardom and give them a musical foothold that, so far, has lasted 50 years. This December the soul and funk pioneers celebrated those 50 years of musical brilliance at the Bar-Kays 50th Anniversary Celebration Gala. Original member James Alexander, long-time member Larry Dodson, and their band took the stage to wow the audience at the Cannon Center for the Performing Arts. To celebrate, they didn’t just get on stage and run through their hits, they invited their friends, like George Clinton, the Dazz Band, Con Funk Shun, the S.O.S. Band and several others, to keep guests moving with their own special style of funk and R&B. Guests had a chance to attend a “meet and greet” with the Bar-Kays after the show. The band continues to record and play, and are set to record a new album in 2015. Their 50th Anniversary Celebration was held in part to raise funds for the Fab Five charities they sponsor, including St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Stax Music Academy, the LeMoyne-Owen College Allen Jones/Marjorie Barringer/BarKays Scholarship Fund, the Down Syndrome Association of Memphis, and United Way of the Mid-South.
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After Hours A photo collage of the latest business happenings
Gild the Lily Holiday Open House
Dorothy Miller, Dana Miller and Laura Howell
Peter Poole Fine Jewelers Holiday Open House
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Leigh Ann Poole, Peter Poole, Clayton Poole and Danielle Poole
Lauren Shaffrey and Mary Boyd
Maggie Louise Bridal Boutique and Bella Vita Bridal Shower Event
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By Dennis Phillippi
sitting in a dentist’s office waiting room for four years. Magic Johnson was leading the Showtime Era L.A. Lakers, the most entertaining professional basketball team in history that wasn’t playing the Washington Generals. Joe Montana was running an offense for the 49ers that made the rest of the league look like Pop Warner teams. In the ensuing years we had the first Bush administration. Bush the first is kind of a forgotten president, even though he ran a bang up war in the Persian Gulf and made it all right for people to admit they didn’t like broccoli. He seemed like a
I suppose it’s always a scary time, but this was a stretch when it seemed very possible that some clerical error could reduce civilization to following Patrick Swayze’s mullet into a postapocalyptic wasteland. decent enough guy, but there was a certain charisma gap after Reagan, which is probably how we ended up with Bill Clinton, a man so magnetic he could overcome truly terrible taste in mistresses. I met President Clinton in 1995, and he was easily the most strikingly charming, out-sized personality I’ve ever met, and I’m friends with Austin Onek. There was just sort of a general softening in the 90s. Without the everpresent threat of the Soviets turning all of us into Pompeii-like statutes, we became more obsessed with things like Madonna ruining a perfectly good wedding dress and Michael Jackson becoming Diana Ross. We discovered that it was just as much fun to cheer against celebrities as it was to worship them. MTV still showed music videos, which shows you we’re still talking about a long time ago. Looking back it almost seems funny that we winked at the president’s discourses and sat through episodes of “Two Guys, a Girl and a Pizza
Place” and “Becker” without complaint. Eventually the fun had to end, and it did on September 11, 2001. I won’t dwell on that terrible time, but it woke all of us up to the fact that the world was still full of real danger, and sobered all of us up to just how terrible “Two Guys, a Girl, and a Pizza Place” truly was. The first decade of this century was not a particularly fun time. It seemed like we were in fights on all sides. Between being in two wars, trying to tell the difference between Mathew McConaughey shirtless romantic comedies, and the invasion of the internet, all we seemed to do was complain. Well, we had a lot to complain about. You tell me the difference between “Failure to Launch” and “Fool’s Gold.” After a pretty bleak run, we all felt a renewed sense of hope, when, against all odds, the impossible happened and the Red Sox joined the Marlins and Diamondbacks as World Series Champions. Oh, and Barrack Obama was elected president. For the first time in my lifetime, we had a president I could’ve gone to high school with. Now, granted, he would’ve been two years ahead of me, and way, way more popular, but, still, he might’ve nodded to me in the cafeteria. While there are plenty of varying opinions upon the job President Obama has done, one thing is for sure, he’s a lot more like most of us than any president before him. George W. Bush may have been the president most people thought they’d like to have a beer with, but Obama is the president who may have actually watched the Final Four and cared about the outcome. My point is that it has been an eventful three decades. We’ve been through five presidents, a handful of wars, five “Rocky” movies, two unnecessary sequels to the “Matrix,” the Buccaneers winning a Superbowl, the terrible reign of reality television, the slow passing of newspapers, Al Franken becoming a United States Senator, whatever a Justin Bieber is, and a host of other things, good and awful, but one thing hasn’t changed. A few minutes before midnight, February 22, 1985, I met and fell in love at first sight with my wife Janet, and, if anything, I love her more now than I did then.
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few minutes before midnight, February 22, 1985. Some of you may be able to remember what the world was like back in 1985. It was the beginning of the second Reagan administration, and the cold war was at its hottest. It seemed like the president was playing chicken with the Soviet Union, but, instead of driving his dad’s old Ford, he was driving the population of the planet. It was a scary time. I suppose it’s always a scary time, but this was a stretch when it seemed very possible that some clerical error could reduce civilization to following Patrick Swayze’s mullet into a post-apocalyptic wasteland. That’s a scary time. As it turns out Reagan was actually playing poker, and betting that he could bankrupt the Soviets out of the worldwide domination table, and he was right. Whew, that was a close one. Critics lately have claimed that with the “Breaking Bad” and the “Walking Dead,” and the “Girls,” this is some golden era of television. In 1985, Thursday nights on NBC alone had the “Cosby Show,” “Family Ties,” “Night Court,” “Cheers,” and “L.A. Law.” All on one night, and all for free. Before being able to marathon watch an entire series, or beat everyone to the punch finding spoilers on the internet, you could sit on your couch for three straight hours, enjoying scripted entertainment without it costing you dime. Seriously, all you had to have was a TV and an antenna. I’ll leave it to you to look up what an antenna was. “Back to the Future,” “Better Off Dead,” and “The Goonies” came out that year, all of which are classics today. If you don’t agree then you should really revisit “Back to the Future.” I know you agree with me on “Better Off Dead.” Back in the mid-eighties, the Kansas City Royals mattered. That’s something that wouldn’t happen again until last spring. That is, assuming you’re reading this in 2015 and not somewhere down the line when this copy has been
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ictured above are Lausanne School for Girls (now Lausanne Collegiate School) students in 1954, when the school was located at 2485 Union Avenue, currently the site of Shelby County Schools Teaching and Learning Academy. From left to right are: Beth Partee, Nancy Spier, Lynn Gans, Patsye Patton, Beverly Robinson and Mona Claire Corbett. 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.