RSVP Magazine December 2009 by RSVP Magazine

November

2009

Connections: Food Taste of the Town Art on Tap MIFA “Feed the Soul” Party River Rendezvous Rock n Roll, Brews & Q Q&A with Woody Woodward

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CONTENTS

Contents November 2009

From the Editor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8 Signature Memphis . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10 Stephen C. Reynolds The president and CEO of Baptist Memorial Health Care Corporation takes RSVP inside his favorite escape, a hunting room.

Connections: Food . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .12 Ballet Memphis ventured to the Bridges facility downtown for a unique fund-raiser that brought new meaning to “dinner and dancing.”

12 NOVEMBER 2009

CONNECTIONS: FOOD Mary Jane Ward and Dr. Eric Gardner

Onsites . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .16, 28, 48 & 75 Gatherings that have earned an honorable mention.

StreetSeens . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .18, 20 & 22

Perhaps best known for his children’s museum designs, this architect will delight children and adults alike this holiday season with a spectacular light display. She’s spreading the word about a school that helps dyslexic children become better learners. This hunter has made a career out of knowing how to call ducks. StreetSeens highlight Reb Haizlip, Dr. Rene Friemoth Lee and Buck Gardner.

54 MIFA “FEED THE SOUL” PARTY Cathy Kenny and Marianne Mard

Vox Popular . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .24 Q&A with the Boy Scouts of America’s Chickasaw Council CEO/Scout Executive

Taste of the Town . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .30

The Germantown Chamber of Commerce threw a foodie’s paradise at Agricenter International to benefit the Make-A-Wish Foundation® Mid-South Chapter.

4 RSVP

RSVPeople . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .36 A trek across the city’s party landscape.

30 TASTE OF THE TOWN Tracy and John Lovelace

Art on Tap . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .50

Young at Art members invaded the Dixon Gallery and Gardens for its yearly membership drive and benefit for the museum’s outreach programs.

62 RIVER RENDEZVOUS Aimee Robinson and Sarah Lorent

MIFA “Feed the Soul” Party . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .54 MIFA hosted round two of its fall fund-raiser to a receptive crowd at the Warehouse.

River Rendezvous . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .62 Young philanthropists gathered for Friends of St. Jude’s first charity event at the Cadre Building.

Rock n Roll, Brews & Q . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .68 The music, drinks and food that define Memphis were all brought under one roof for the Orpheum Theatre’s biggest supporters.

RSVPhillippi . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .76 Shoes for You to Eschew Dennis Phillippi tackles the subject of women’s footwear, which leaves us wondering if he tried on a pair of stilettos just for the heck of it.

ART ON TAP Fancher Smith and Libby Huff

ROCK N ROLL, BREWS & Q Danny Knight and Keith Jaworski Cover Photo Heather Dossey and Jennifer Wright at River Rendezvous Photo by Roy Haithcock

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Volume XV

Number II

November 2009 PUBLISHER

Roy Haithcock EDITOR

Leah Fitzpatrick CONTRIBUTING WRITERS

Ruth Cassin Kelly Cox Dennis Phillippi Lesley Young ART DIRECTOR

Patrick Aker s PHOTOGRAPHERS

NOVEMBER 2009

Nathan Berry Roy Haithcock Don Perry Steve Roberts SENIOR ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE

Libby Huff

Chris Pugh

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ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE

Ruth Cassin

ACCOUNTING

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

$M BT T J D 'S F OD I * OnVF OD F #J T U S P

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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 Copyright 2009 Haithcock Communications, Inc.

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From the Editor

NOVEMBER 2009

RSVP

hile I realize that recognizing belated birthdays is a bit annoying, there’s a late birthday worth mentioning—that of RSVP magazine. In the midst of the party madness, I somehow forgot to mention in last month’s column that it was 14 years ago this October that RSVP first hit newsstands. Promoting a new breed of editorial coverage for its day, RSVP focused on the world of nonprofits, of which Memphis has hundreds, by featuring numerous stories on an executive director or founder of a charitable organization. And of course, there were thousands of philanthropists the magazine gave light to for the first time through its party pictorials, which are narratives in their own right. The formula worked, and here we are, already eager to celebrate our 15-year anniversary next year. Maybe my philosophy should be that birthday wishes are better late than never, however I’ve decided to use the remainder of my allotted space to send out early well wishes to two important organizations that have reached the 100-year milestone. First, the Chickasaw Council, which is the Boy Scouts of America’s Mid-South chapter, will celebrate its 100th birthday with a Centennial Exposition at Shelby Farms, and the public is invited to come out on November 7 to see all the action and eat some yummy food. To gain insight into the council’s purpose and rich history, flip to page 24 for a Vox Popular story highlighting Woody Woodward, the Chickasaw Council CEO/Scout Executive. Another big birthday coming up is that of Les Passees, the oldest women’s volunteer organization in the city. Les Passees also turns 100 this year and has lots to celebrate since impacting many a child’s life at its Les Passes Center for Children and Families and through its sponsorship of the national Kids on the Block program. Ironically, the group plans to host its birthday bash, the Les Passees’ Centennial Cabaret Ball, on November 7. This glamorous affair will take place at Hilton Memphis. I send my congrats to others who might also have reached 100 this year, as it’s a testament to your character. Just remember that turning another year older doesn’t always make you another year wiser, but you can’t help it if others think you are.

Leah Fitzpatrick editor@rsvpmagazine.com

President and CEO of Baptist Memorial Health Care Corporation/Avid Sportsman

Your mantra: Listen. First concert: The Lettermen. Guilty pleasure: Key lime pie. Favorite author: Stephen Ambrose. Childhood ambition: Sanitation worker. Hobby: Duck hunting, turkey hunting and fly fishing. Favorite album: Precious Memories by Alan Jackson. First job: Housekeeping at Baptist Health in Little Rock. Last book you’ve read: River of Doubt by Candice Millard. One thing you can’t live without: My lovely wife Ann. Movie you could watch over and over again: Glory. Words or phrases you overuse: “I am going to let you…” Personal hero: Frank S. Groner, CEO of BMH from 1946-1980. Where you take out-of-town guests: Dixon Gallery and Gardens. Historical figure you most identify with: Theodore Roosevelt. Your greatest achievement: Working for Baptist Memorial Health Care. Biggest obstacle you’ve overcome: A statistics course at Washington University.

photo by Steve Roberts

SIGNATURE MEMPHIS NOVEMBER 2009 RSVP

Stephen C. Reynolds

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EVENT

Connections: Food

CONNECTIONS: FOOD

Benefiting Ballet Memphis

NOVEMBER 2009

Peter and Jessica Abell

Mary Kathryn Jorgensen and Rachel Lowe

RSVP

allet Memphis took its dancers outside the studio for the fifth installment of Connections: Food at Bridges. A fund-raiser devoid of artistic limitations, the event caters to the dramatic by treating attendees to four courses of whimsical food and dance pairings. Staying true to Ballet Memphis’ motto, “Always Surprising,” event organizers forwent the party’s traditional route of having choreographers base their music and dances around the menu. Instead, Ballet Memphis artistic director Dorothy Gunther Pugh invited contributing chefs to the studio to draw inspiration for the first course, second course, entrée and dessert offerings. The result: a lavish spread of 11 eclectic appetizers from Karen Blockman Carrier and Tim Barker to Nicole Corea’s “Children of the River”; rabbit confit raviolo, sous vide rabbit tenderloin and foie grass torchon prepared by Andy Ticer and Michael Hudman for Steve McMahon’s “Anniversary”; saddle of lamb “vin cotto” with Creole andouille flan and truffled gumbo created by Kelly English for Garrett Ammon’s “Ramble”; and Jenny Dempsey’s lemon blueberry cake with chantilly cream, Mexican chocolate cake, triple coconut cake and mini ice cream cones created for Petr Zahradnicek’s “Cake Love.” During her welcome, Pugh noted the chefs’ attention to detail when she said, “It’s good to find other people who take their art form as seriously as we do ours.” Pugh added that she had asked all the dancers and choreographers to touch on theme of “joy” this year in hopes of spreading the sentiment to Ballet Memphis audiences. The artistic director’s vision came full circle this night, as guests gave a standing ovation after the final dance. Ten-year Ballet Memphis veteran Stephanie Mei Hom also received a standing ovation following her solo “Anniversary” performance, which included a unique sculpture designed by Mary Catherine Floyd of the National Ornamental Metal Museum that Hom adopted as part of her costume…yet another ingenious marriage of two art forms. Plenty of tea light candles and clusters of peach roses heightened the glamorous atmosphere that ballet enthusiasts have come to expect from this spectacular affair. Kate Duignan and Chris Peck happily played hosts for the occasion that also featured music by the Gary Johns Band, signature cocktails by Marne Anderson and the Victor L. Robilio Company, guest chef Martha Hall Foose and her Screen Doors & Sweet Tea cookbook and In Situ wines courtesy of Horacio Vicente, Rosie Abell and Peter Abell. “It’s great for us to be with people we care about tonight,” Pugh smiled. Story and photos by Leah Fitzpatrick See all the party photos at rsvpmagazine.com Password: RSVP

Anna Ivey and Kevin Ritz

Amy and Timothy Bing

Aimee and Zack McMillin

Karen Spacek and Bill Solmsom

Colely Webster and Rachel Schumake

Dorothy Gunther Pugh with Carla and James Plunkett

David and Stacie Waddell

EVENT CONNECTIONS: FOOD

Chris Peck with Martha and Jim Boyd

NOVEMBER 2009

Jeff and Valerie Morris with Dr. Michael and Tina Jones

King and Judy Self

George and Cynthia Mayzell

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Vicki and Michael Fahy

Dirk Scholvin, Angela Copeland and Tom Schmitt

Mary Jane Ward and Claire Rebe

Ella and Odell Horton

Megan Jones, Roger Johnson and Pat Mitchell Worley

ONSITE

Onsite

Art of Caring Subsidium Carrousel of Shoppes Kick-off Les Passees Stock Exchange Preview Party

NOVEMBER 2009

Wendy Arbeit and Michelle Arbeit at Art of Caring

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Bill Pennington and Don Walker at Art of Caring

rt of Caring, hosted by Perry Nicole Fine Art, raised more than $70,000 for Baptist Trinity Hospice House and the Kemmons Wilson Family Center for Good Grief. Of the 64 artists featured, eight were Baptist employees and one was “Memphis Masters” artist Elizabeth Alley. Jana Travis curated the show, which was featured throughout Chickasaw Oaks Village. This year, Janice Albertine received the Jane Pridgeon Award, given to honor an up-and-coming participating artist in the event co-founder’s name. Subsidium members geared up for their holiday fund-raiser with the Subsidium Carrousel of Shoppes Kick-off at the Esplanade. In addition to recognizing event sponsors, members, volunteers and those associated with the Memphis Oral School for the Deaf, Subsidium’s chosen philanthropy, this occasion marked a night of celebration with dinner, cocktails and entertainment by Mean Green Machine. Mother and son, Susan and Alex Miller, are the 2009 honorary Carrousel chairmen for the Subsidium Carrousel of Shoppes, scheduled for the first weekend in December at the Agricenter. At the Les Passees Stock Exchange Preview Party, more than 450 attendees perused thousands of items, ranging from antiques to vintage jewelry, before the consignment shop officially opened to the public the following day. For the opening festivities, T. Graham Howell showed off his musical skills, and the hospitality committee, headed by Emily McEvoy and Pamela Harber, served up some yummy treats, including a chocolate fountain with pound cake, fruit and marshmallows for dipping. Located at the former Circuit City building at 10217 East Shelby Drive, the shopping extravaganza continues through October 31, with 30 percent of proceeds benefiting Les Passees Kids on the Block and the Les Passees Harwood Center and 70 percent going to consignors.

Dr. Dima Turpin and Dr. Umar Boston at Subsidium Carrousel of Shoppes Kick-off

Michelle and Todd Brown at Subsidium Carrousel of Shoppes Kick-off

Story by Leah Fitzpatrick Photos Submitted and by Leah Fitzpatrick Janice Albertine at Art of Caring

Katie McLean and Angela Meyer at Les Passees Stock Exchange Preview Party

Alex Miller and Amanda Farmer at Subsidium Carrousel of Shoppes Kick-off

Ann and Ron Sebastian at Les Passees Stock Exchange Preview Party

Marti Kruchten and Cathy Turner at Les Passees Stock Exchange Preview Party

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STREETSEEN

Reb Haizlip Reigniting Starry Nights

NOVEMBER 2009

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y focusing on nonprofit and education partnerships, Reb Haizlip of Haizlip Studio has incorporated an appreciation for exhibitions and museums into his design career. With a résumé that includes the Children’s Museum of Memphis and the Memphis Botanic Garden’s My Big Backyard, Haizlip admits he’s had a blast working on projects that impact the community, but at the top of his favorite assignments is the much beloved Starry Nights, an over-the-top holiday light display at Shelby Farms. “Starry Nights is definitely a project for the soul,” he says. “It’s also a great opportunity to view design purely through an artistic lens.” MIFA first dreamed up the light show Haizlip calls “wild” and “cool” back in the early ‘90s, and he immediately agreed to be part of the elaborate production. The nonprofit’s goal was to produce the best light show in the country—a challenge he relished. To the organizers’ credit, Haizlip says they entertained whimsy and unique approaches, and there were no limitations for the designs. “MIFA wasn’t provincial when it came to the displays…we even constructed a fish in the middle of the lake that was 35-feet tall and wide,” he adds. From 1994 to 1999, the show ran during the Christmas season, but it all came to an end when costs didn’t match revenue expectations. Another factor in the shutdown was the massive amount of manpower needed to assemble millions of twinkling lights that sprawled more than a mile along a path visitors drove. Haizlip jokes that no one knew what they were getting into when Starry Nights began, making it hard to foresee the undertaking’s growth. For those who missed out, overwhelming public response has spurred a Starry Nights resurgence, with Shelby Farms Park Conservancy at the helm this time around. The construction phase has already begun, with opening day scheduled for November 27. Visitors can expect to see some signature pieces from years past, but 80 percent of Starry Nights has been redesigned. Josh Jackson of Haizlip Studio has been a great addition to the project’s design team, which drew inspiration from the park’s natural beauty. “Shelby Farms’ mission is to conserve ecology, so we wanted to reflect its values in the design,” Haizlip says. “Also, we ordered one million LED lights, which conserve energy and decrease maintenance repairs.” Starry Nights will stay open until January 2 and feature 20 exhibits this year, with plans for additional designs in the future. This way, spectators anticipate new features each year and find a reason to return. “If the new Starry Nights can elicit a ‘wow,’ then that’s good enough for me,” Haizlip says. Story by Leah Fitzpatrick Photo by Steve Roberts

STREETSEEN

Dr. Rene Friemoth Lee Empowering Dyslexic Students

NOVEMBER 2009

RSVP

estled between houses in a Germantown neighborhood, The Bodine School goes unnoticed by many, but the institution stands out like a needle in a haystack for families affected by dyslexia. As Dr. Rene Friemoth Lee, Bodine’s executive director, points out, “We’re the only school of our kind in this area.” The type of school she’s referring to helps first through eighth graders combat dyslexia so they can successfully transition back into mainstream schools within three to five years. Often called an “invisible disorder” because one can’t see any physical symptoms of someone who struggles with reading, dyslexia is difficult for parents to detect. Dr. Lee knows the feeling all too well, as she recalls being told by teachers that she was an overanxious parent when her incredibly verbal son didn’t take to written language. So when Dr. Lee later learned that her son did indeed have dyslexia, she harbored the same misconceptions that most parents have about the disorder. She tells, “I thought dyslexia meant that people see, read and write backwards, but it’s not a visually based disorder. It’s primarily an auditory disorder, meaning that the transfer from the print to the sound is where things fall apart.” Dr. Lee says other common misconceptions are that boys are more prone to dyslexia than girls and that reading is equated with intelligence. In hopes of educating people with the right information, she periodically gives public library talks and conducts Tuesday tours at Bodine. Part of the tour is a dyslexia assimilation lab, where the purpose is for people to feel the same frustrations shared by Bodine’s student population. She says lab participants leave with a different view from the one they had upon arrival. “Just imagine how students feel when they first come here,” Dr. Lee says. “I am so proud of so many of them and admire them for their courage.” While she stresses that motivation is very important at Bodine, students aren’t given an easy pass. Rather, enrollees can expect a lot of hard work with a curriculum based on the OrtonGillingham approach, which keys in on action-oriented teaching sessions. Class size is limited to 10 students to meet individual needs, and the further along a student is grade-wise, the more contentbased courses become. Though classes seem challenging at times, Dr. Lee reassures students that the hard work will be worth the effort when they are able to be self-sufficient adults. Currently, Bodine offers day school classes and summer programming, and families who qualify are able to receive financial assistance. Dr. Lee just wishes that a school like this one had existed when her son was little. Story by Leah Fitzpatrick Photo by Steve Roberts

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STREETSEEN

Buck Gardner Hobbyist Turned Entrepreneur

NOVEMBER 2009

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hat appears to be a million boxes are laying around a 32,000-square-foot warehouse that Buck Gardner practically lives at in the months leading up to hunting season. Soon enough, most of these boxes will be filled with duck calls from his own line, Buck Gardner Calls, and shipped off to hunters across the world. The task has Gardner putting in 12 to 14 hour days from mid-July to October, but he doesn’t seem to mind considering that his office is the last place you’ll find him by November. Most likely, Gardner will head to his hunting cabin outside Aubrey, Arkansas. Known as “Maggie’s Retreat,” the family getaway is named after one of his dogs and stays fully stocked with clothes, boots and hunting gear for visitors. Other than the prime duck-hunting locale, the best part for new guests is they get to see a world champion duck caller in action. You see, about 15 years ago, Gardner won the World Championship at the World’s Championship Duck Calling Contest in Stuttgart, Arkansas, which he followed up the next year by taking home the Champion of Champions title, the top honor in duck calling. Gardner retired from competition after achieving Champion of Champions status, but is just as much involved in duck calling as he ever was thanks to judging commitments and the waterfowl business he began in 1986. The company actually started out as a hobby to fund hunting adventures, but Gardner took the idea a step further once he retired from being a manufacturer rep. He confesses he was afraid no one would buy his duck calls, but his clients thought otherwise. His company has now grown to include clothing, hunting accessories, food seasonings and a large line of calls, including crow, deer, goose, owl, squirrel and predator calls. However, Gardner’s best known for developing a product line called “Spit Tech,” which are calls that operate when they’re full of moisture and are guaranteed to never stick. To date, no one has called for a refund. He says, “A lot of people make good calls, but they don’t blow every time. That’s frustrating when you’ve been sitting around for hours waiting on a duck.” Even kids are part of his fanbase, and Gardner says he definitely has a soft spot for youngsters who contact him requesting a call when they can’t afford one. He always obliges these requests, as long as the kids promise to make good grades. Gardner also takes children with medical conditions hunting sometimes, giving them a prime opportunity to see even the best mess up. “A good duck caller doesn’t call ‘em all, which is what makes it so much fun,” he says. “The experience changes every day with every group of birds.” Story by Leah Fitzpatrick Photo by Steve Roberts

Ted Cashion – M na Ma ag giing ng Dir irec ecto ec tor. to r r. Fina Fina Fi nanc anc ncia al Ad A viiso or. Le egs of St Stee e l.. ee Hear He arrt off Gol o d.

At Morgan Keegan, our employees do some tremendous work outside the office. For 20 years, Ted Cashion has participated in MS Rides for the National Multiple Sclerosis Society. Ted also peddles his influence around the Morgan Keegan office each year to recruit a team of riders for the events. Since 1990, they have raised more than $200,000 for the fight against MS. Ted is just one of many committed volunteers who work at Morgan Keegan. Together, they put in tens of thousands of hours each year building homes, mentoring children and raising money for charity in our communities. As a company, we’re also deeply involved in our communities through municipal bond underwriting, sponsorships and corporate giving. Of course, Ted’s also committed to helping our individual clients achieve their financial goals through sound investment advice. Way to go, Ted. Please visit morgankeegan.com to learn more about the good work we do every day.

morgankeegan.com Morgan Keegan & Co. Inc. Member FINRA, SIPC. Securities are not FDIC-insured, not bank guaranteed, and may lose value.

VOX POPULAR

Vox Popular Q&A with Woody Woodward

NOVEMBER 2009 RSVP

RSVP: When did you first become involved with the Boy Scouts of America?

times get a bad rap, so it’s nice to see some positive things happen.

Woodward: I was a youth member when I was younger, however I did not make Eagle Scout. I got involved in Scouting as far as my professional side in my early 20s. My first assignment was actually in Charlotte, North Carolina. Memphis is actually my sixth assignment, and my third as a director. I was hired by the Chickasaw Council board in May of 2006.

RSVP: I read that Spanish is being incorporated into some of the Boy Scouts’ programming. Is that correct?

RSVP: What are some things that distinguish the Chickasaw Council from others across the nation? Woodward: We have a long and successful history in Scouting, and I think one of the real resources that our council has is that the community values mirror those of the Boy Scouts of America. The things we stand for and what we represent are also what the community in the Mid-South believes are important: honor, duty, belief in God and things that are found in the Scout oath and laws. Kind of going along with that, because we have such a rich history, many of the people who are products of the Boy Scouts of America still live here. We have great relationships with our churches, of which about 90 percent of all of our Cub Scout and Boy Scout troops are chartered by churches. That’s one of the things I noticed when I came here for the interview—how many churches we have on almost every street corner. Churches are real conducive to the Scouting program. This is just a wonderful area, and the people care here—care about kids, the community and the future.

Photos by Don Perry

he longevity of the Boy Scouts of America’s Chickasaw Council, which encompasses 17 counties, including Shelby County, speaks volumes about the group’s backbone. Just ask Woody Woodward, the Chickasaw Council CEO/Scout Executive, why he thinks the local leg of the Boy Scouts has been able to successfully operate for 100 years, and he’ll tell you, “We’ve kept up with the changing times without affecting our core values. We’ve changed, but not changed who we are. There’s also a phrase in Scouting a few years ago that America is coming back to the values that scouting never left.” With the Centennial Exposition scheduled for November 6 through 8 at Shelby Farms, Woodward has a lot on his plate, but he took a break to sit down with RSVP editor Leah Fitzpatrick at the council’s headquarters in Memphis to discuss the celebration and all things Scouting.

Woodward: Yes, all of our literature is now bilingual from our national office. One area where want to make strides is our Hispanic population because it’s ever-growing here in Memphis and all throughout the country. We have started an initiative to go into Hispanic communities in our area and serve those kids and give them a chance at Scouting. RSVP: What is one of your earliest experiences with the Boy Scouts that’s always stood out in your mind? Woodward: I was at a Camporee, where they have competitive events, and had an experience that’s always stuck in my mind. During the event, kids were divided into patrols, but this one patrol had a young man who was physically challenged. I watched this patrol, at the expense of winning some events they could have won, make sure that their number one priority was to make this boy feel like he was included. You know, we can be cruel in this world, but to watch 12 and 13-year-old boys take the time to realize there’s something more important than getting a firstplace ribbon is great. What a better world it would be if more people thought like that. I’ve never wanted to shake that experience, but I’ve never been able to either. It just resonated with me.

RSVP: What is the Scoutreach program? Woodward: Scoutreach is part of our national program, but each council approaches it in its own way. We have one of the best Scoutreach programs in the country. I’m very proud and excited about what we’ve done. We’ve gone into the intercity in challenging at-risk areas and provided Scouting to people in the housing projects and housing developments, and it’s been a tremendous success. We’ve had several kids from the Scoutreach program who have attained the rank of Eagle Scout. These are great kids who some-

RSVP: What are some of the Chickasaw Council’s greatest achievements? Woodward: The first thing that comes to mind is the actual program experience that people have had. As we come up on our 100th anniversary, we have 75 million people who have experienced Scouting. We have a current active alumni base of almost 50 million people, which I think, from anything I’m aware of, makes us the largest youth-serving organization ever in the history of this coun-

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try. I guess one of the real pride points is the fact that we are coming up on our 100th anniversary, and not many organizations, whether nonprofit, public or private, can even say that. Our organization is also still viable, still meaningful and we’ve adapted to technological changes, like being on Facebook. Our merit badge system has also changed through the years, as we try to add merit badges according to what kids are interested in now. Some of the most recent ones would be in the technology field.

NOVEMBER 2009

RSVP: When did planning for the Chickasaw Council’s Centennial Exposition begin?

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Woodward: Our national organization took the lead with it—we’re headquartered in Dallas—at least two-plus years ago saying this is going to be a special anniversary. All kidding aside, we all said we’re probably not going to be around for the 200th. In fact, in a meeting the other day someone said he probably wouldn’t be around for the 125th, so we better make this one count. It’s really an exciting time to revisit our history but also look forward to the future. We have a lot of plans here in the Memphis area. We have formed a 100th anniversary committee made up of a cross section of volunteers of 30 to 45 people strong. We plan on reacquainting with the community where we need to and getting our story out. A lot of alumni events are planned…we actually have an event today at FedEx where we have invited all the Eagle Scouts from FedEx to a social. One of the things we always find out from these type events are that people can be working side by side and they don’t know the guy next to them was an Eagle Scout. We’re going to really take advantage of a wonderful year. RSVP: How many attendees are you expecting at the expo? Woodward: We’re anticipating 3,000 to 5,000 participants over at Shelby Farms. We’re really excited about the relationship with Shelby Farms. This is the first time that we will have had a major event there, and they’ve been very cooperative. One of the things we’re going to do the Saturday of the expo is get all the participants lined up to spell “100,” and we’re going to take an aerial photo and submit it to Boys’ Life magazine. That’s going to be pretty cool. We’re also planning on digging up Boy Scout time capsules around the city and putting some new ones in. We now have a council historian, who has done some tremendous research on the history of this council. We were one of the first councils to serve the African-American community in the entire country. At a time when it obviously wasn’t that popular, this council was taking a lead in respect to civil rights. So, the historian is creating an archival type thing for a book about all the things he discovers.

ty awareness event that will take place at the expo? Woodward: Well, we think it’s real important for our participants to understand and be sensitive to their environment and the people around them, so we’re going to have a kind of a course that helps you understand what it’s like for those who are challenged physically, or what have you, to go through that. For those who haven’t gone through the course, it will be a great sense of awareness for them. And we’ll have facilities set up for people who aren’t mobile, so that anyone who wants to participate can. RSVP: What is the service project you’ll be doing for Shelby Farms during the expo? Woodward: One of the things we’ve done in the past is to plant trees for Arbor Day, so what we’ve asked the park to do is come up with any list of projects that they would like the Boy Scouts to participate in. It’s good for us because we try to make a place better than we found it, but also here’s 3,000 to 5,000 men we’ll have to do the project. We’ll definitely do something that improves the park, but also allows kids and parents to come back in the future and see what the Boy Scouts did. At this point, Shelby Farms is still in the process of letting us know what they want. RSVP: If there’s a lesson you hope Centennial Expo participants take away with them, what would it be? Woodward: That Scouting is a lot of fun, and it is an educational experience. Scouting is a good way to spend your time while making a difference. Boredom will not come into play whatsoever during the expo. RSVP: How do you think the Boy Scouts address social concerns of youth today? Woodward: That’s a great question because there are real challenges around. There’s a lot of single parent families. There’s a lot of families who work two or more jobs. A young person not around the right mentor or role model can really get lost, so I think one of the real pluses of the Boy Scouts is we bring a lot of things full circle because of the way our program is designed to include educational and spiritual aspects. We can kind of connect schools, churches, community groups and parenting. We’re not just a program where you drop someone off an hour a week. If you really look at our program, you see that it meets the needs of people in a lot of areas, and that’s why I think we’ve been successful for 100 years. The leadership skills and trainings Boy Scouts learn are unparalleled. There’s not many places where an 11-year-old boy can get that kind of responsibility, and then he does it with confidence and feels selfworth.

RSVP: What are some major highlights of the expo? Woodward: We’re going to try and offer as many merit badge experiences as possible. We’re not going to try to complete merit badges this weekend, but we want to give kids a taste of it. We’ll have a complete shooting sports area, an aquatics area and all types of displays from knot tying to monkey bridges. It’s not just for us internally for our kids to have a good weekend, but it’s also for the public to come by and see what we’re about. RSVP: Can you share with me some of the details about the disabili-

RSVP: What do you think people would be most surprised to know about the Boy Scouts? Woodward: I think there’s two things people would be surprised to know. One is that we have girls in Scouting. I also think people would be pleasantly surprised at how much else Scouts do besides just the traditional walking down the street with a backpack in a khaki uniform. I think they’d be quite pleased with the community impact that Scouting has, both for our youth members and for those who graduate out into leadership roles in our community.

NOVEMBER 2009

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Cooper-Young Festival Kick-off Arc Benefit Ball Cotton Wives Fashion Show and Luncheon

ary and Jonathan Postal were all smiles as the

poster they’d created for this year’s Cooper-Young

Festival was unveiled at the kick-off party. Dish Restaurant opened its doors for the festivities, which also had guests smiling thanks to lots of beverages courtesy of A.S. Barboro and food supplied by Chick-filA. Jo Jo Jeffries performed during the party that gave Ronald Kent and Ashley Crawford at Cooper-Young Festival Kick-off

attendees a taste of the fun to come during the CooperYoung neighborhood’s biggest party of the year.

Melissa Simpson, Sheila Wilson and Jean Carter Fisher at Cotton Wives Fashion Show and Luncheon

The Arc of the Mid-South, an organization devoted to enhancing the lives of those with developmental disabilities, hosted its 14th annual Arc Benefit Ball at Hilton Memphis. Joe Birch of WMC-TV 5 served as the event moderator and auctioneer, with Florence Howard, Corey Young, Sherry Aaholm and Terry NOVEMBER 2009

Hardaway presiding over the 2009 Recognition Awards ceremony. More than 300 patrons came out in support of the cause, shedding light to the party theme, “Strengthening the Community Through Partners and Families.” The Memphis Cotton Wives celebrated its 40th

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Cotton Blends with Charity” anniversary with a “C Tamara Walker and Bobby Cook at Cooper-Young Festival Kick-off

Ann Herring and Priscilla Alexander at Cotton Wives Fashion Show and Luncheon

Fashion Show and Luncheon. Held at the Memphis Country Club, the afternoon began with guests chipping in some change for a $500 gift basket courtesy of Macy’s and bidding on silent auction items. The event offered a bit of nostalgia for some when models showed off outfits worn by the 1958 Maid of Cotton, Jean Carter Fisher, during a fashion show commentated by Babbie Lovett and Sheila Wilson. Ann Herring chaired the event that raised money for The City Union of The King’s Daughters in memory of Sue Johnson. Story and photos by Leah Fitzpatrick Gwen Montague and Nancy Walker at Cotton Wives Fashion Show and Luncheon

Jonathan and Mary Postal at Cooper-Young Festival Kick-off

Eve and Terry Hardaway, Carlene Leaper and Penny Bateman at Arc Benefit Gala

Sherry and Steve Aaholm, Merle Smith and Kathy Gomes at Arc Benefit Gala

Apryl Askew and Tracci Banks at Arc Benefit Gala

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NOVEMBER 2009

EVENT

Taste of the Town

TASTE OF THE TOWN

Benefiting the Make-A-Wish Foundation®

NOVEMBER 2009

David and Debbie Snipes

Patty and Lia Fannin

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ere’s some food for thought: It’s possible to grant a wish for three children with life-threatening medical conditions by simply raising your fork. That’s just what some 650 attendees did at the ninth annual Taste of the Town when they raised $15,000 for beneficiaries of the Make-A-Wish Foundation® Mid-South Chapter. The Germantown Area Chamber of Commerce once again hosted the culinary fund-raiser at Agricenter International. Forty-six area restaurants and hospitality vendors donated signature dishes, desserts and refreshments for the occasion, forcing attendees to make their tastings wisely as not to overindulge. Seafood made a big showing this year in various menus that included bacon-wrapped shrimp on ciabatta bread from Rafferty’s Restaurant & Bar, crawfish mac ‘n’ cheese from Memorable Event Planners and Caterers, shrimp and grits from Magnolia: A Delta Grille and Bang Bang Shrimp from Bonefish Grill. For dessert, Chez Philippe impressed with a selection of key lime pie, fruit tarts, pineapple upside down cake, lemon cheesecake and strawberry lattice pastries. CrêpeMaker also packed a punch with its Triple Threat Crepe filled with fresh sliced bananas and strawberries, Nutella and lots of whip cream. Celebrity judges Lattie Michael (founder of Backyard Burgers), Steve Conley (co-host of Classic Hits 94.1 KQK) and Dr. Carol Silkes (chef and assistant professor of the Kemmons Wilson School of Hospitality) definitely had their taste buds cut out for them. With lots of pacing, the judges eventually decided on the Connoisseur Awards. Of the fine dining entries, Distinction Awards went to Sheraton Casino and Hotel in the appetizer, soup and salad category, Canal Bar and Bistro in the entrée category and Simple Conceptions in the dessert category. In the casual dining realm, Distinction Awards went to The Half Shell in the appetizer, soup and salad category and CrêpeMaker in the entrée and dessert categories. Silent and live auctions, the latter of which was conducted by Jeff Morris of Morris Auction Group, completed the event agenda. Musical guest Pat Register and emcee Sean Berry also reprised their roles for another year, as did Taste of the Town chair Judy Gupton and co-chairs Janice Hamil and Renee Cook.

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Alla Olswanger, Jane Clark, Betty Hays and Lisa Parker

Paul and Glenda Mosteller

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NOVEMBER 2009

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A Trek Across the City’s Party L andscape Baddour Center Fashion Show and Auction

Midler’s “From a Distance.” Auctioneer David Schwab challenged bidders during the live auction, which included dinner with news anchor Joe Birch and a Disney World vacation.

For 31 years, the Baddour Center has

The Baddour Center was established

served adults with intellectual disabilities by providing them with a community that offers spiritual, intellectual, social and vocational support. For almost as long it has provided the Mid-South with a sneak peek Deborah Campbell and Karen Dunn

local clothiers Special Daze, Chessie’s, Oak Hall and Gloria’s Mother of the Bride while

NOVEMBER 2009

guests lunched on club or tuna sandwiches and chocolate or cheesecake. Sam and Ginger Martin

in 1978 in Senatobia, Mississippi to provide a model residential community for adults Wayne Goodwin, Michelle Couch and Donna Goodwin

with intellectual disabilities in an environ-

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ment that promotes maximum growth intelof upcoming women’s fashion at its annual

lectually, spiritually, physically, socially,

fashion show fund-raiser.

emotionally and vocationally. It serves 171 men and women from 24 states and has

Held this year at the Hilton Memphis, the Baddour Center’s 30th annu-

Ashley and Rachel Price

years.

al Fashion Show and Auction did not disappoint. Close to 600 men, women and chil-

served almost 900 residents through the

More than 80 items were offered up for bidding during the silent auction, from travel packages to sports events and clothing covetables to beauty bounties. Throughout the to-do, the Baddour Center’s choir, The Miracles and Mime Team, entertained with renditions of inspiring tunes including Miley Cyrus’ “The Climb” and Bette

Barbara Dendy, Pat Tennant and Mary Lou Smiltnieks Carole Feisal and Gail Mitchell

Those supporting the center at the dren from all throughout the Mid-South

luncheon were Ann Todd, Barrett and

expressed their delight with “oohs,” “ahhs”

Douglas Vance, Lisa Miller, Jane Wilbanks,

and “awws” as girls and women of all ages

Sherri McCalla, Deborah Campbell, Karen

walked the temporary runway to the charis-

Dunn, Betsy Kelly, Sally Robertson, Rachel

matic commentary of fashion expert Babbie Lovett. Models donned ensembles from

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and Ashley Price, Donna and Wayne Goodwin, Michelle Couch, Ginger and Sam

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With the hallway outside the Memphis Ballroom packed with those eager to be a

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FOX13 News then welcomed attendees and shared her appreciation for being included

National Civil Rights Museum International Freedom Award Luncheon

in such a memorable occasion, which was blessed with an aspirational prayer by Chaplain Thomas Dwyer. Dr. Benjamin Hooks, The Dalai Lama and J.R. “Pitt” Hyde III

The Dalai Lama’s mass appeal as a

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spiritual leader was evident in Memphis as

part of history in the making, organizers

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1,000 supporters flocked to the

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She joked to the audience after one of her

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maintained a nonviolent stance against the Chinese government in hopes that Tibetans can regain control of their homeland. It was with great pride that the National Civil Rights Museum bestowed this honor upon the Dalai Lama, who generously donated his $50,000 honorarium to the museum. He also gave his presenters traditional white

Tibetan prayer scarves, which he said were symbols of harmony, while giving the crowd some laughs. He told, “Last year I went through gall bladder surgery, so since then, it’s been scientifically

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NOVEMBER 2009

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The Dalai Lama adopted a more serious tone during the rest of his acceptance speech by say-

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ing that humans must recognize

education helps bring on equality. He further relayed that the time has come for more compassion. In addition to the Dalai Lama, Myrlie Evers-Williams and Julius Erving will be honored with

Joyce, Ken and Kendra Robinson with Chaplain Thomas Dwyer

the National and Legacy Freedom Awards, respectively, at the Freedom Award Banquet to be

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NOVEMBER 2009

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Life Choices of Memphis “Nite Life” Gala Auction Not only did Elvis return to the building, but he also brought his guitar with him. In rhythm Blast from the with the theme “B NOVEMBER 2009

Past,” two Elvis impersonators

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Sheryl Hibbs with Kandice and Marybeth Francisco

hammed it up in full jumpsuit and ‘70s hair regalia at the Life Choices of Memphis third annual Nite Life” Gala Auction held at “N the Esplanade. “They were so funny,” said the pregnancy help medical center’s director, Sue Parker.

Edd and Patsy Lawrence

and Carson Looney, Gwen and Skip Hannah,

“Everyone really enjoyed them.”

Halley and Ford Williams, Amanda Perry,

And in addition to other Elvis mementos, guests were provided an opportunity to

Beth McDaniel, Renee Smith, Kathy Baker,

see one of the King’s six-strings, a 1958

Glenda and Phillip Farmer, Terri and Lance

Isana Black Pearl Guitar he purchased while

Walker and Karen and Bill McNeil.

stationed in Germany, on loan from the Memphis Rock ‘n’ Soul Museum. “It was a

Story and photos by Lesley Young

night of looking at things past, with Elvis memorabilia, 45 records, and we had Lowell and Linda Hays there who brought some of

Lance and Terri Walker with Karen and Bill McNeil

“The community has been very generous in helping us to provide these muchneeded services to women who might not be able to get them otherwise,” Parker said. The event is also an opportunity for friends and supporters to come together. “This is always a fun night for us, and this

Memphis Heritage Architectural Auction The 2009 Memphis Heritage Architectural Auction was held on the first chilly night of the year at historic Howard Hall in the heart of Midtown.

NOVEMBER 2009

A large wooden Mid-South Fair sign,

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handpainted with wacky cows and standing

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the jewelry they made for Elvis,” Parker said. The Nite Gala function is one of two fund-raisers held by the organization to help pay for the free services it offers Mid-South women facing unwanted pregnancy, such as

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counseling, adoption and some recently added medical services. In addition to the

year was definitely our best year,” Parker

hundreds of items on display for the silent

said.

and live auction, folks had the opportunity

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Others in attendance were Rosemary

to bid on professional-level desserts to

and Ken Bridges, Sheilah and Jeff Dunn,

cleanse their palate from the spread of buf-

Ellen Carrington, Chris Thomas, Melinda

fet-style delectables, including a German

Aldison, Jeanne Bruno, Sheryl Hibbs,

at the foot of the drive, immediately established a festive, carnivalesque atmosphere. Votives lit the path to the entrance, twin-

Kandice and Marybeth Francisco, Edd and Patsy Lawrence, Joey Sulipeck, Linda and Randy Mynatt, Lil and Larry Wright, Jennie

Maggie Murff and Brittany McDonald Jennie and Carson Looney

kling lights were strung throughout the

chocolate cake that went for $105. The gross total for the evening was $45,000, and members look to grow the event next year.

grounds and a tent reminiscent of a Big Top Amanda Perry and Beth McDaniel

housed the live auction. Indeed, a wealth of

Mid-South Fair memorabilia and Libertyland loot was rescued by Memphis Heritage when both Memphis landmarks were let go, and it was here for the winning.

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Step right up, and make your bid! Memories flowed along with the wine as architecture enthusiasts, history buffs and dyed-in-

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the-wool Memphians made their picks from among 400 silent auction items. In addition, Stacie Waddell donated enough clothing

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and accessories to transform one

toned boutique for the evening. The dining table fairly groaned with a variety of delectable offer-

s Gift ll a for

Special discounts

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room of Howard Hall into a jewelFea tu arti re st

ings, including Scotch eggs and hearty Irish stew from Celtic Crossing—a nod to the nip in the air. Live music was provided by local up-and-comers Brennan

Holidays start at the

Happi-Stores

Villines, Brad Whiteside, Noah

CHRISTMAS OPEN HOUSE

Hernandez and Michelle Bush.

Sat., Nov. 14, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Two particularly special

We’ll feature personalized gifts for all, Christmas gourmet treats, serving pieces, decorations, ornaments, candles, stockings, Christmas cards, invitations, Arthur Court Designs & Department 56 villages.

pieces headlined the live auction. One was the old-style neon sign that formerly advertised the Tobacco Bowl on Madison Avenue, which was delivered to Memphis Heritage by Balton Sign Company and Chandler Wrecking. Another was a gorgeous antique player piano. A third item— the Cumberland Presbyterian

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Archives sign—brought to mind Memphis Heritage’s success in Personalized gifts since 1975

urging Chik-fil-A toward adaptive reuse of

tion at The Peabody Skyway. Considering

the historic Cumberland Presbyterian

Honoring Our this special anniversary, “H

facade.

Past, Looking to Our Future” was a befit-

Among the more than 300 people who

Perfect Party II” ting theme for the “P

attended this spectacular biennial event

chaired by Billie Jean Graham, the league’s

were Memphis Heritage executive director

president-elect. Though bad weather caused the group to cancel an outdoor cocktail hour on The Peabody rooftop, attendees still sipped welcome drinks and enjoyed music by Tom

Cecile Skaggs, Debbie Litch and Lyda Parker

Goodwin and Chris Parker inside the Skyway grouper in a lemon beurre blanc sauce, home baked rolls and a dessert trio of cheesecake with strawberry sauce, flourless chocolate cake and crème brûlée. Needless to say, not a drop of food from any course Eric and Dawn Nielsen

remained on a plate.

June West, Beth and Chuck Smith, Jo and

past presidents were honored for their years

Ric Chetter, Candy and Rick Jefferies, Cathy

of service to the organization with beautiful

Winterburn, Linda Lipinski, Michael Hoots,

Joyce Wiener, Florence Leffler and Gloria Nobles

bouquets of hydrangeas and lilies. Debbie Litch, who was accompanied by Jason Bell,

Karla Kosar, Bradley Fogelman, Neely Powell, Lucy Woodson, Danny Washburn,

underneath the glow of the pink neon-lit

added to the experience by lending her won-

Mike Lauderdale, Maggie Murff, Brittany

ceiling. Ladies and gents also had a chance

derful singing talent to the evening, while

McDonald, Emily Pera, Alison Simmons,

to peruse silent auction items and catch up

Babbie Lovett served as the announcer.

with the league’s past presidents, many of

RSVP

NOVEMBER 2009

After dinner, the Symphony League’s

whom were in attendance for a special recognition ceremony. In good spirits, Florence Leffler stopped to pose with fellow past presidents Joyce Wiener and Gloria Nobles for a prime photo op. As appetites grew, partygoers took their seats at festive tables featuring tall centerpieces of black feathers, hydrangeas, lilies and silver accents. Tea lights added a Ric and Jo Chetter

Diana Bailey and Billie Jean Graham

romantic touch to the décor perfect for the “These past presidents have been

Lisa and Chris Sullivan, Dawn and Eric

responsible for the frosting on the cake and

Nielsen, Leigh and Steve McCraw and

paying the bills,” Lovett said. Another significant moment came when

Alison and Griffin Elkington.

current president Nancy Lou Jones

Story and photos by Kelly Cox

announced the Hebe Award recipient as Joyce Cobb. Though Cobb wasn’t able to

Memphis Symphony League “Perfect Party II”

attend, Bill Ellis delivered a message on her behalf and declared Cobb “one of the finest Bob Neal with Linda and Dr. Edward Kaplan

singers Memphis can claim.” The award was given to her for bringing the community

The Memphis Symphony League celebrated half a century of giving the gift of music, which called for an all-out celebra-

formal affair. The dinner menu included Greek-style salad with pita crisps, a choice of porcini- dusted filet mignon or seared

together through her love of music. The evening ended with guests heading to the dance floor for tunes by the Doctor’s

Martha McGuire and Jason Bowles

Band and bidding on live auction items like a trip to Africa, which was auctioned off by April McDaniel. Those who relished the good times and raised $12,000 for

NOVEMBER 2009

the Memphis Symphony Orchestra

Bryan and Terri Jones

were Charlotte and Bob Neal, Linda and Dr. Edward Kaplan, Rosemary and Lynn Ballinger, Cecile Skaggs, Lyda Parker, Diana Bailey, Terri and

Shirley Condon and Elise Frick

Bryan Jones, Shirley Condon, Elise Frick, Tommie Pardue, Ryan Fleur, Jason Bowles and Martha McGuire. Story and photos by Leah Fitzpatrick

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ONSITE

Onsite

Cirque du CMOM Kick-off Planned Parenthood James Award Celebration U of M Music Society Jam Session Big Scoop Ice Cream Festival

NOVEMBER 2009

Sydney and Angie Burns at Big Scoop Ice Cream Festival

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48 Allison and Steven Berger at Big Scoop Ice Cream Festival

he Children’s Museum of Memphis (CMOM) spread the word about its 2010 fund-raiser during the Cirque du CMOM Kick-off at the home of Cindy and Edward Dobbs. Katherine and John Dobbs and Heather and Henry Grosvenor hosted the party, where they Spectacular! announced the party’s theme, “S Spectacular!,” and talked about CMOM’s 20th birthday to a group of 75 guests. Cirque du CMOM is an annual charitable event for CMOM, a private, nonprofit organization that creates memorable learning experiences through the joy of play in hands-on exhibits and programs. Planned Parenthood Greater Memphis Region (PPGMR) honored Betsy Mandel-Carley with its James Award for her support of Planned Parenthood, women’s health and rights and her service to the Memphis community. This award is named in honor of Bob James, former Memphis city councilman and business leader who was a strong supporter of PPGMR. Seventy people turned out for the award reception at Just for Lunch, which provided hors d’oeuvres, sangria and wine. The Vaziri Brothers entertained with its classical guitar tunes during the festivities that raised $25,000 for PPGMR’s health center and education programs. Nancy and Jim Pettit, owners of the Memphis Drum Shop, welcomed more than 50 friends and members of the University of Memphis Alumni Association’s Music Society for a Jam Session. Music Society president Tommie Pardue recruited a house band made up of several Memphis legends to play at the gathering, which included wine, appetizers from Fratelli’s Fine Catering and two hours of improvised jazz ensemble music. Kym Clark of WMC-TV emceed the affair that encouraged people to join the alumni association. AutoZone Park served as a makeshift ice cream parlor for the 15th annual Big Scoop Ice Cream Festival. In addition to the dessert du jour, the festival offered salsa music by Caribbean Sounds and dance stylings from Watoto de Afrika. More than 2,100 adults and kids savored sweet treats for the benefit of the Ronald McDonald House Charities® of Memphis, and by day’s end, an excess of $42,000 had been raised for the charity’s beneficiaries.

Tommie Pardue, Jim Pettit and Chelsea Dubey at U of M Music Society Jam Session

Dean Deyo and Richard Ranta at U of M Music Society Jam Session

Story Submitted and by Leah Fitzpatrick Photos Submitted Ashley Coffield and Kathryn Leopard at Planned Parenthood James Award Celebration

Virginia Sharp, Katina Gaines and Wendy Smith at Cirque du CMOM Kick-off

Heather Grosvenor and Katherine Dobbs at Cirque du CMOM Kick-off

Dick Tillman, Lucia Heros and Dick Hackett at Cirque du CMOM Kick-off

Nora Boone and Betsy Mandel-Carley at Planned Parenthood James Award Celebration

EVENT

Art on Tap

ART ON TAP

Benefiting the Dixon Gallery and Gardens

uds flowed aplenty at Young at Art’s annual membership drive and fund-raiser, Art on Tap. In fact, event organizers served up more

than 100 domestic, imported and artisan beers, ensuring that 1,000 guests could find everything from pale lagers to distinct ales. Pilsner glasses in hand, Young at Art members and their guests “filled ‘em up” while making the rounds at various drink stations provided by Bluff City Brewers and Connoisseurs, Boscos, D.

NOVEMBER 2009

Jay and Amy Thakkar

Julie Clary and Meredith Marr

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Canale Beverages, Inc., Dos Equis, Ghost River Brewing and Heineken. Delectable hors d’oeuvres by The Bar-B-Q Shop, L’Ecole Culinaire, McAlister’s Deli and Swanky’s Taco Shop appeased the crowd between sips and socializing. Memphis-based band Venus Mission added to the ambiance with its high-energy tunes, as did artist Elisha Gold’s impressive steel bottle tree centerpiece created from recycled bottles. The Dixon’s formal gardens and woods, which span 17 acres, also made for an ideal backdrop. Free to members of Young At Art, the Dixon Gallery and Gardens’ membership group for ages 21 to 40, the affair was also open to the public for a small fee. Proceeds from the evening benefit the museum’s community outreach programs, including “Art to Grow.” This program offers free art instruction to students in the first through fifth grade at any Memphis area school. Examples of “Art to Grow” courses are architecture and neighborhoods, butterfly study, collage, fiber arts and wearable arts. Helping ensure the future of the arts are 2009 Young at Art chairs Chip and Peggy Campbell, as well as event sponsors Roadshow MINI, 98.1 The Max, 98.9 Kim FM and the Memphis Flyer.

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

Phillip Gattas and Chelsea Chandler

Story by Leah Fitzpatrick Photos by Libby Huff

Garner Williams and Pryor Lott

Jason Canada and Michelle Hodges

Maggie and Shea Hicks

Lee Ann Kunz and Dana Whitmore

Mark Turnbow, Rachael Beard and Stephen Laws

Amy Worrell and Steve Obringer

Our East Memphis family VMÂ°9LHS[VYZÂ°^PSSÂ°JVTWSL[L [OLÂ°WPJ[\YL Â° )\`PUNÂ°VYÂ°:LSSPUN 7LYRPUZÂ°H[Â° (\K\IVUÂ°7HYR OfMPJL! Â°

Tom Kimbrough Helen Broker Akin

Steve Bearman

Beth Blumenfeld

Phoebe Burks

Bill Butler

Sheryl Cassibry

Sandra Charlton

Robin Fauser

Gwen Flaniken

Jimmie Harder Fowler

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10-4 10-4 10-3

NOVEMBER 2009

MIFA “FEED THE SOUL” PARTY

EVENT

MIFA “Feed the Soul” Party Celebrating MIFA in Memphis

F Julia and Oliver Williams

Madison and Merry Moore

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or the past 41 years, the Metropolitan Inter-Faith Association (MIFA) has strived to bring about change for those in need. Currently, the association serves some 60,000 Memphis-area residents, who receive assistance from MIFA’s many programs made possible by charitable donations and fund-raisers. Encouraged by the success of the premier “Feed the Soul” Party last year, organizers planned an even bigger and better event this year with the help of SunTrust Banks, Inc., Harrah’s Entertainment, ServiceMaster and Thomas & Betts. A warm windy evening and the perfect locale of the Warehouse, with its special ambiance, set the stage for a scintillating and “soulful” experience for nearly 700 MIFA supporters. Upon arrival, guests were greeted by lovely members of the Memphis Grizzlies Dance Team and handed glow-in-the-dark necklaces. Raffle tickets were available at the entry to score desirable prizes given by area businesses, including Dabbles Hair Company, Henley Glassworks, Memphis Brooks Museum of Art, Kevin Barré Photography, Buckman Performing Arts Center and Amro Music Store. Further down the path, guests entered a garden area that featured a lounge tent containing MIFA Store Boutique finds like home furnishings, clothing, shoes and accessories. An unexpected treat was the oxygen bar, where one could choose from several flavors, and a margarita bar. Lines soon formed for down-home food, provided by Gus’s World Famous Fried Chicken and Hog Wild BBQ, and for the Rock ‘n’ Roll Pavilion, where DJ Spanish Fly and The South Side Steppers regaled enthusiastic partygoers. Inside the Warehouse, Japanese lanterns cast a glow over the festivities, and guests partook of a large array of delectable comestibles from The Inn at Hunt Phelan, Ruth’s Chris Steak House, Pa Pa Pia’s and Catering for You. The martini bar, sponsored by Dr. Thomas Chu, was a crowd favorite. Coors Light, Victor L. Robilio Company, Swanky’s Taco Shop, Pepsi and Buster’s Liquors and Wines also gave complimentary beverages. Tanya Bowley, a favorite radio personality at WUMR 92 FM, served as emcee for the evening, which had nationally recognized songwriter and soul man Earl Randle entertaining delighted fans from the Soul Stage. Others were eager to have their “Something Good in Memphis” party pics taken with DJ Hollywood Raiford, who spun quintessential dance tunes. Sally Heinz, MIFA’s vice president of development, enthused, “The second year of “Feed the Soul” had higher attendance, increased sponsor participation, support from dozens of volunteers and was loads of fun. The event introduced MIFA to many people in our community. We raised needed funds for our programs that sustain the elderly, such as Meals on Wheels, and stabilize families in crisis, such as Emergency Services, and we raised over $80,000.”

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

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Elizabeth Finch and Bonnie Price

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Linda Jackson and Major McNeil

Jhermon Lewis and Dionne Jones

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River Rendezvous

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NOVEMBER 2009

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Erin Horton and Julie Wright

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he Cadre Building rocked with good music, good friends and good intentions as more than 200 Friends of St. Jude members and their invited guests attended the River Rendezvous debut. A group of young professionals in 30-plus cities throughout the United States, Friends of St. Jude raises funds to support the cutting-edge work done at St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital. Through its sponsored events, the organization works hard to increase awareness of St. Jude within the local community, provide local volunteer support and create an exciting environment where young professionals can network. All these goals were definitely met as supporters, obligingly clad according to the “Black, White & Red Ball” theme, eagerly participated in the inaugural event, complete with a red carpet courtesy of Hollywood Casino. Beginning with the silent auction, guests chipped in support by bidding on Vera Bradley accessories, helicopter rides from Helicopters, Inc., flying lessons by Downtown Aviation, Memphis Grizzlies tickets, a Hilton Sandestin getaway, a Fleming’s wine dinner and a tower of board games. After the auction, these young philanthropists got down to the sounds of popular band Almost Famous until the wee hours. Charles Vergos’ Rendezvous, Itta Bena and B.B. King’s provided the delicious munchies that upped energy levels for the dancing set. Steve Owens, the chairperson for River Rendezvous, was ecstatic with the outcome and offered, “The River Rendezvous was a huge success. Everyone had a great time, and we raised a lot of money for the kids at St. Jude. We greatly appreciate everyone coming out to support the Friends of St. Jude Memphis group and St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.” Mahaffey Tent & Party Rentals and Second to Nunn Design are also owed a big thanks for believing in the group’s efforts and for serving as the first-ever River Rendezvous sponsors.

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

Heather Dossey and Jennifer Wright

Story by Ruth Cassin Photos by Roy Haithcock

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NOVEMBER 2009

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Aimee Robinson and Derek Fairchilds

Dan and Isabel Swearingin

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Jessie Hinch and John Miller

Heather Ross and Karolina Grabowicz

Jason Smith and Ashley Lopez

Megan Fitzgerald and Phillip Gattas

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NOVEMBER 2009

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ROCK N ROLL, BREWS AND Q

EVENT

Rock n Roll, Brews and Q Memphis Music. Memphis Beer. Memphis BBQ.

T Sarah Church and Tyler Johnson

Kesha and Jason Warren

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he Warehouse was the scene of a rollicking good time as the Orpheum Theatre pulled out all the stops to draw in 425 rock ‘n’ roll, beer and barbecue aficionados in support of “ArtReach,” its children’s and community arts education program. Boscos’ bodacious brews and Corky’s outstanding barbecue helped get everyone in the party-hearty mood. A special highlight of the evening was the surprise appearance of “The Godfather” Al Kapone, who contributed to the silent auction a half day at his recording studio. The Orpheum contributed heavily to the silent auction with tickets to Wilco, Lewis Black, Rain: A Beatles Tribute and Jackson Browne. Other items were a gift certificate for DeClutter Design Services from Lesley Adams, a “Girls Night Out” by MUSE, a styling session courtesy of Augusta Campbell, a Joan Jett Melody Maker Guitar from Gibson Guitar, Goner Fest passes and Hi Tone tee-shirts donated by the Hi Tone and a Memphis Music Tour courtesy of the Stax Museum of American Soul Music, Graceland and Sun Studio. The Earnestine and Hazel’s Band, featuring Willy B, Cotton, 3d and Jmac, started off the evening with some oldies but goodies and left the appreciative crowd clamoring for more. Ardent recording artists John Paul Keith and the One Four Fives obliged as they delivered some blistering tunes, including some from their recently released CD, Spills and Thrills, that had guests wearing out their dancing shoes. Kate Hackett, director of special events for the Orpheum, was exceptionally “pleased with the response and attendance for the second annual Rock n Roll Brews and Q event.” She added, “The Warehouse and Boscos, along with Corky’s and the fabulous guests, made it a great event. In addition to the third annual Rock n Roll, Brews and Q event in 2010, our hope is to have a similar event in the spring and really increase awareness for our education campaign, Orpheum’s ArtReach!” This year’s party raised more than $7,500 for ArtReach, and if the fun time had by all was any indication of what’s to come, then 2010 will rock for the Orpheum.

Betsy Brackin and Barbara Milligan

Pat Halloran and Patrick Halloran

Story by Ruth Cassin Photos by Nathan Berry and Roy Haithcock

See all the party photos at rsvpmagazine.com Password: RSVP Ryan Martin and Michelle Wilkes

Sharon Gray and Kris Kourdouvelis

Emily Holly and Sherry Misner

Georgia Hymen, Luke Ramsey and Kate Hackett

Brian and Cami Fields

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EVENT ROCK N ROLL, BREWS AND Q NOVEMBER 2009

Lara Babaoglu and Michael Reynolds

Lisa and Jeff Mollerup

Wes and Jaqueline Angel

Lee and Chip Googe

Kevin Ritz and Anna Ivey

Mary Cashiola and Michael Flanagan

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Matt Doll and Kelsey Burr

Karen Lebovitz and Steve Cantor

Melanie Miller and Jane Schneider

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EVENT ROCK N ROLL, BREWS AND Q NOVEMBER 2009

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Rebekah Stevens and Jeff Stockstill

Mark, Marie and Glenda Bugnitz

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Anna Hawkins, Kacy Maxwell, Gwen Martin and Christian Wright

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Ryan Collett and Sennicca Maskell

Roger Nichols and Michelle Hopper

Jeddie Maxwell and Janet Schwarz

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Rachael Payne and Brooks Hamner

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AFTER HOURS

BAPTIST PINK TIE EVENT THE AVENUE CARRIAGE CROSSING

After Hours A photo collage of the latest business happenings

BRENT SANDERS ART OPENING

HEATHER MOORE TRUNK SHOW AT SOUTH HOUSE IN JAMES DAVIS FINE JEWELRY BOUTIQUE

GALLERY FIFTY SIX

Marcia Reynolds and Kimberly Hawkins at Baptist Pink Tie Event

Anna Burnett, Heather B. Moore and Pam McDonnell at Heather Moore Trunk Show

NOVEMBER 2009

Renae and Brent Sanders at Brent Sanders Art Opening Michelle McCarty, Sharon Crews and Sami Weymouth at Baptist Pink Tie Event

Lynn Reed and Sharon Martin at Heather Moore Trunk Show

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Heather and Emma Thompson at Baptist Pink Tie Event

Marla Brown and Jennifer Hendrix at Brent Sanders Art Opening

Gabriella Iannarelli and Marge Snipes at Heather Moore Trunk Show

RESOURCE ENTERTAINMENT FIFTH ANNIVERSARY PARTY DURING DOWNTOWN ALLEY JAMS

Mason Bettenga and Virginia Cupples at Resource Entertainment Fifth Anniversary Party

Rollin Riggs, Stacey Keene, Mike Brocato, Paul Chandler and Howard Stovall at Resource Entertainment Fifth Anniversary Party

Michelle Bridges, Webb Dalton and Ruby Wilson at Resource Entertainment Fifth Anniversary Party

ONSITE

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Opera Memphis Season Preview Gala

Emily Hefley and Cyndii Jo Hartley at Opera Memphis Season Preview Gala

Story and photos by Jonathan Devin Emily Woodside and William Falvey at Opera Memphis Season Preview Gala

Jill Farr and Peggy Smith at Opera Memphis Season Preview Gala

Katie Smythe and Jimmy Gould at Opera Memphis Season Preview Gala

Nancy and J.C. Dupont at Opera Memphis Season Preview Gala

NOVEMBER 2009

Jaime and Jason Dietz at Opera Memphis Season Preview Gala

Jose and Evelina Ortega at Opera Memphis Season Preview Gala

75 RSVP

Sarah Squire and Jonathan McCarter at Opera Memphis Season Preview Gala

hen Opera Memphis throws a party, it’s always something to sing about, and this year was no different. The second annual Season Preview Gala kicked off the 2009-2010 season with a stylish sneak peek of what’s to come on stage. And luckily, two weeks of late summer rain finally gave way to a crisp clear evening at the Clark Opera Memphis Center, where the gala was held. Opera Memphis artistic and general director Michael Ching and his staff eagerly awaited guests, who arrived in black tuxedos and cocktail gowns, in the hall’s contemporary foyer with gift bags. Wine and passed hors d’ouevres awaited just inside, as did many works of art available in a silent auction. Locals artists, including Judith Dierkes, Mike Jones, Jason Miller, Marty Stoots, Daniel Tacker, Lizi Ward and Joe Thordarson contributed their pieces, and Brussel’s Bonzai offered a number of exotic and shapely miniature trees. After the cocktail hour, guests were ushered into the center’s rehearsal hall, which had been transformed into a starlit palazzo with black linen service for a three-course gourmet dinner by Ann Barnes of Just Catering and Just for Lunch. As opera supporters savored Mediterranean salad, sliced beef tenderloin with horseradish, lobster ravioli, chocolate fantasy and lemon parfait, Opera Memphis stars lit the stage with arias from the coming season. Maggie Malone, Sarah Squire, Jose Ortega and Kaori Williams gave the audience exhilarating tastes of “Cosi Fan Tutte,” “Orpheus,” “La Boheme” and “Madame Butterfly,” respectively. ´ For the finale, the musical atmosphere changed from one of lost lovers and tragic romance to the playfulness of 1950s classic rock ‘n’ roll as the upbeat trio The Dempseys took the stage and enticed guests to the dance floor. The evening ended on a high note with about 200 people supporting the fine craft of Opera Memphis for another year of stirring performances.

Gary Berglund and Elizabeth Harris at Opera Memphis Season Preview Gala

RSV PHILLIPPI

By Dennis Phillippi

SHOES FOR YOU TO ESCHEW

NOVEMBER 2009

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recent study by some group of eggheads in Massachusetts surveyed more than 3,000 men and women about their lifetime shoe purchases and found, what a shock, that a huge percentage of women chose shoes that they knew would cause them lifelong foot problems. This comes straight from the pages of I Could Have Told You That For Free magazine. More than 60 percent of the women surveyed said that they bought high heels, pumps and sandals that routinely caused them foot pain. Again, that number is more than 60 percent. To put the statistic in perspective, more than six in 10 women consciously chose foot pain over looking like that cat lady who always wears clunky athletic shoes to the grocery store. This has been a longtime issue for me. As a man, I can’t deny that a woman in a pair of snazzy high heels is a day brightener. Maybe being raised in the era when all women, regardless of their walk of life, were expected to walk it in heels has something to do with it. My friend’s moms wore pumps to vacuum. They wore heels to help out at the bake sale to raise money for the wrestling team’s trip to Copenhagen. They wore heels to swim meets. As a 10-year-old boy, when you are treated to the sight of the shot nurse strolling into school in 4-inch white heels, it makes an impression. From Betty Page to Betty in the Archie comics, we’re inundated with images of women in every kind of heel, from low pumps to stilettos, and almost never Earth shoes. For the normal, red-blooded American hound side of me, that’s the way things oughta be. Then there’s the lefty side of me whose life is almost entirely peopled by, and run by, women. From the earliest days of my marriage, I saw what bad things high heels can do to a woman’s feet. My wife is a stunner, but I won’t lie, she had the tiniest issue with her tiniest piggy. Having spent much of its life unceremoniously folded into the business end of the load-bearing portion of some sadistically designed footwear, the smallest of her foot phalanges is a sad little upturned reminder of a toe. It’s not horrific, we’re not talking foot binding exactly, but in another life, I’m sure it would’ve preferred to not face magnetic north.

One of our closest friends used to be a borderline shoe fetishist. She had a staggering collection of high heels that, along with augmenting her height, apparently elicited sounds of glee from other women who were outside of the normal human’s range of hearing. Gay men found witnessing the collection all but unbearable. One look at some of these could induce fainting in some members of her

As a 10-year-old boy, when you are treated to the sight of the shot nurse strolling into school in 4-inch white heels, it makes an impression. gender. Unfortunately, these same shoes also induced foot misery that has made her switch to flats she despises, and turned rainy days into pure misery. In the same egghead study, less than 2 percent of men chose footwear wherein comfort took second place to appearance. Honestly, I’m surprised the number was that high. I don’t know a single man, married or not, who has ever made the decision to wear uncomfortable footwear for the looks of them. I know a few men who have endured unpleasant shoes because of their stubborn pride. I’m one of them. Sure, I’ve bought a pair of shoes that I didn’t try on, or whose bargain price outweighed the likelihood that they would be as utilitarian as I had hoped, and, yes, I wore them not because

of how they looked but because of how it would’ve looked had I not worn them. That would’ve looked like an admission of a mistake. And, as I have already pointed out, I’m a man. We don’t do that. Like most men, I have the absolute bare minimum of shoes. Here’s the list: black dress shoes, brown dress shoes, gym shoes, boots and sandals. While any number of people has questioned the presence of sandals on the list because it probably denotes an arrested adolescence that could be addressed, for the lion’s share of the year, I wear either boots when it’s cold or sandals when it’s hot. Guy guys don’t spend any emotional capital on shoes. We spend it on sports. After a summer of sandal wearing, my wife has returned to the workplace, and that also means the return of those triangular pieces of foot torture that spell professionalism. Why a woman would be taken more seriously in fancy high heels than in, say, cat lady tennis shoes is beyond me. It seems to me that a woman clomping into an office in a set of those Minnie Mouse-sized moon shoes would scream, “I want to be taken seriously.” But, of course, that belies the central issue; those shoes don’t look good. When I brought this topic up with the ruling junta of women in my life, they pointed out that I love wearing suits, my dress shoes aren’t exactly marathon footwear and I never loosen my tie once I’ve put it on. These are all good points. I have a lot of suits, and I love wearing them. I keep my jacket on, and when not seated, it is always buttoned. I have never owned a pair of dress shoes that are comfortable for standing around at a class reunion for five hours. And my ties, always tightly knotted, can be hot, tight and uncomfortable. Yet, this is one sartorial situation in which I will not compromise. Ah rats, I’ve painted myself into a corner. But hey, my little toe looks like a toe.

Nobody sticks RSVP’s own Dennis Phillippi in a corner, except himself, of course. While the topic of women’s shoes is best suited for a female author, we respect Phillippi’s attempt at being a pundit for girly foot fashion…he definitely had us at “day brighteners.”

RSVPAST

A Baby’s First Year in Photos

NOVEMBER 2009

1954

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hen Bob and Jo Williams’ son, David, was born, the hospital let Bob take a photo of his son when he was about four minutes old. Each day when the proud father visited, he brought his camera and used it. “On the sixth day, we left the hospital and made a farewell picture,” Williams said. “Soon three months had passed, and we had a picture for each day. We decided to go for a picture-a-day for David’s first year.” The result was worth the effort, according to Bob. “After David’s first birthday, I called the editors of Life Magazine and told them what I had done. After I sent them the 8x10 pictures, they asked for the negatives.” Finally, on November 22, 1954, the 16th anniversary edition of Life came to life featuring what appeared to be a thousand pictures of little David Williams. PHOTO COURTESY OF BOB WILLIAMS • INFO COURTESY OF JERRY O’ROARK If you have a past photo you would like to share with RSVP readers, please contact Leah Fitzpatrick at 276-7787 ext. 105 or e-mail the photo and caption to editor@rsvpmagazine.com All photos will be returned promptly.