RSVP Magazine March 2019

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Memphi Mid-Winter Ball

Staxtacular

Page Robbins Winter Gala


8998 Jenna Road

10285 Carnegie Club Drive

352 Grandview Street

Germantown, TN 38138

Collierville, TN 38017

Memphis, TN 38111

$825,000

$530,000

Get ready for a beautiful spring and outdoor entertaining, luxury style. This 5,300 sq. ft. home hosts 4 bedrooms, 3.5 baths and separate living quarters for In-Law or teenage suite. Updated kitchen overlooks a resort-style backyard with a new gunite pool w/ waterfall, koi pond, fieldstone firepit patio and grilling station. 4-car garage. All on a 2-acre estate-sized lot, in Germantown!

Tammy Davis 901.626.6674 tdavis@ collins-maury.com

Resort like setting on the Memphis National Golf Course with breathtaking views of the lake and golf course. Morning sun fills the master bedroom and living areas with glorious sunshine. Hardwood floors throughout the first floor and a large entry add to the richness of the home. Gated community off of Houston Levee Rd. Certified Luxury Home Marketing Specialist Š

Nancy Cunningham

Coming Soon! A home designed to nurture love and laughter with unique details to make daily life more fun and functional for the whole family! 6 BD, 8 BA, office, art room, playroom, laundry room per floor, 3 car GA, indoor pool and hot tub, .91 acre lot, and guest house complete with kitchen and laundry room! This home will wow and welcome! Please visit 352grandview.com for the full story of this unforgettable home.

Katie Davidson 901.604.4926 davidson@ collins-maury.com

901.569.2389 cunningham@ collins-maury.com

4087 Herons Landing Lane Lakeland, TN 38002

$565,000

Cathy Banks 901.606.2374

Marina Brinkley 901.619.4023

Danielle Cook 901.487.3408

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The floor plan on this stunning home is fantastic! There is no wasted space and it flows perfectly for entertaining and privacy. Every element of this home has been updated: every bath has new tile and counter tops; remodeled kitchen as well; new carpet upstairs; new paint everywhere; even down to the the hardwood floors re-sanded and stained. Added an outdoor kitchen overlooking a gorgeous Gunite pool ; incredible media room with projection TV.; and 4 Smart Home Thermostats. martysmith901.com Certified Luxury Home Marketing Specialist Š

Marty Smith 901-674-1031 msmith@ collins-maury.com

Collins-Maury.com 5865 Ridgeway Center Pkwy Ste. 105 Memphis, TN 38120 901.259.8550

3276 Goodman Rd. Southaven,MS 38672 662.548.2000

968 Civic Center Drive Ste. 103 Collierville, TN 38017 901.259.8500



CONTENTS March 2019 Features

Signature Memphis • 12 Lee Harris

Mayor of Shelby County

StreetSeen • 16

StreetSeen • 18

RSVPhillippi • 49

Artist found her place in Memphis

Owner and Chef at River Oaks Restaurant

The world of our youth was a minefield we managed to survive.

Ben and Beth Buffington

Shawn and Lana Danko

Michelle and Tim Dlabaj

Cat Peña

José Gutierrez

Games of Chance

Events

Kevin and Christie Williams

Memphis Moments • 14, 28, 29, 36, 37, 38, 39, 46 & 47

Memphi Mid-Winter Ball • 20 Toasts from coast to coast for the Mystic Society of the Memphi

Staxtacular 2019 • 30 Grit, grind and get funky for the Soulsville Foundation

Page Robbins Winter Gala • 40 “Once upon a time” a fairy tale affair at the home of "The King"

Cover Photo: Carol and Dr. Matt Fields at the Memphi Mid-Winter Ball. Photo by Don Perry Contents Photo: The Greenbelt at Harbor Town. Photo by Roy Haithcock

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RSVP Staff Volume XXV • Number III

March 2019 Publisher Roy Haithcock

Chris Pugh

Account Executive Chris has been exercising his talent in the advertising world since 1999. He joined the RSVP team in 2009 and brought with him a love for laughter and creativity. Originally from New Albany, Mississippi, Chris has settled in Memphis and enjoys being active in the fashion community.

Editor Emily Adams Keplinger Copy Editor/Accounting Ruth Cassin Contributing Writers Bill Bannister Virginia M. Davis­­­ Dennis Phillippi Gaye Swan Art Director Kim Coleman Photographers Baxter Buck Don Perry Steve Roberts Account Executives Chris Pugh Carter Davis

Carter Davis

Account Executive

Carter is native Memphian and a veteran of the broadcast industry, and magazine publishing. He is also a freelance voiceover talent and can be heard on WKNO 91.1FM on Sundays. Carter is an avid animal lover and likes to work with aquariums as a hobby. He enjoys his East Memphis home with his wife and 2 dogs, and 6 cats.

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 publisher@rsvpmagazine.com Visit us online at:

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 Fax: 901-276-7785 editor@rsvpmagazine.com Follow us on:

Kim Coleman Art Director

Kim oversees all visual aspects of the magazine — advertising and editorial. Her career encompasses working with both print and digital media for magazines, newspapers and e-publications. Kim and her husband are raising their two children in the Cooper-Young area where their family enjoys the artistic atmosphere and entrepreneurial spirit of Midtown.

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RSVP Memphis Magazine

Copyright 2019 Haithcock Communications, Inc.


Now Dazzling Germantown

9155 Poplar Ave. Suite 18 • Shops of Forest Hill in Germantown • 901.474.7427

March 2019

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From the Editor

March

I

MAGRR

Memphis Area Golden Retriever Rescue

Could you host a Golden Guest? ●

For a weekend or a couple of weeks

All medical care covered

For information email rescue@magrr.org or call 901-755-5607 and leave a message

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March 2019

t feels like we’ve been flirting with Spring since the early days of February when our temperatures warmed into the 70s. However, this is the month when Spring officially arrives, on March 20 to be exact. As our forecast calls for sunshine more often than not, we can finally feel like we are getting out from under the heavy gray skies that made us want to hibernate indoors. Several nonprofit organizations are launching their fundraising endeavors by hosting colorful events designed to lift you out of the doldrums and spark your imagination. On March 2, Cirque du CMOM is sure to put folks in a festive mood. This year’s theme is “What Goes Round, Comes Round” and plays nicely to the restored 1909 Dentzel Memphis Grand Carousel that has gone from being a hidden gem to being the centerpiece of a perfectly magical environment. The event is the largest annual fundraiser benefiting the CMOM and supports the museum’s programming, sponsorships and more. On March 2, take a dip into a car-lovers fantasy at the fourth annual Cognac, Cars & Cigars event, held on the grounds of the Metal Museum. Enjoy a cigar and cognac tasting event while admiring some of the hottest cars on the market. There will also be live music by local performers and food from local restaurants. Proceeds benefit Make-A-Wish Mid-South. In the time-honored tradition of Mardi Gras celebrations, Alpha and Omega Veterans Services (AOVS) is hosting a Military Masquerade Ball at the Memphis Botanic Garden. On March 9, guests are encouraged to wear masks with either their military uniforms or black tie attire as they “Laissez Les Bon Temps Rouler.” All proceeds will benefit for AOVS, a nonprofit organization that helps homeless and disabled military veterans. Carnival Memphis continues its theme of “The Party with a Purpose” as various krewes hold their coronations and Ptah’s Black Tie and Tennis Shoes takes place on Mar. 30 at the Shrine Temple. This annual event features fun contests, including a tennis shoe decorating contest, and members of Carnival Memphis’ Grand Krewes perform entertaining skits. A percentage of the evening’s proceeds will be used to support the Carnival Memphis Children’s Charity Initiative. The 2019 Children’s Charities are Neighborhood Christian Centers, Inc., Palmer Home for Children and Porter-Leath. Also on March 30, the American Cancer Society (ACS) hosts its Imagine Ball at the Children’s Museum of Memphis. The evening’s proceeds will be used to support Harrah’s Hope Lodge, the ACS’ home away from home for cancer patients who travel to Memphis to undergo treatment. There are lots of events to choose from that allow you to show your support for our community, so pull out your calendar and SPRING into action. As always,

Emily Adams Keplinger editor@rsvpmagazine.com



Signature Memphis

March

Lee Harris Mayor of Shelby County Hometown: Memphis Favorite Song: “Lord Don’t Move the Mountain” by Mahalia Jackson

Your Lucky Charm: I have a blue tie with flowers on it that my daughter gave me as a present. I feel strong when I have it on.

A Nonliving Celebrity/Role Model You Would Invite to Dinner: Good

question. Lincoln is very interesting to me right now. He did the right thing, but his reasons were complex. I’d love to chat with him about it.

Your Favorite Memphis “Thang”: Right now,

I like Payne’s restaurant. I’m always fascinated that tourists seem to find their way to this restaurant. It’s out of the way and a pretty hard to find hole-in-the-wall. The barbecue, cole slaw and atmosphere is one-of-a-kind.

Favorite Place to Travel: I’m easy — Destin. Best Memphis Hangout: I like Havana Mix downtown. First Car You Owned: I had a 1995 black Chevy Blazer in high school.

Place You Go to Think: I’ve been taking piano lessons

lately. It’s really challenging and I think I’m probably creating all sorts of new neural connections. My brain is tired after every practice. I think that qualifies as a thinking place.

Favorite Southern Idiom: I like the word “mane” a lot. Your Most Annoying Habit: Coffee The Highlight of Your Day: Coffee WMC News Sportscaster.

One Goal You’d Still Like to Accomplish: Have

more kids, drive a bus, design a building, serve in the military, and become a school principal. All of these are still on the table as far as I’m concerned.

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Photo by Steve Roberts

Who Would Play You in a Movie: Jarvis Greer, the


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Memphis Moment

March

A Celebration of Memphis Art UrbanArt Commission Birthday Party

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ublic art in Memphis is an important way for local and regional artists to express the unique vibe of our city. UrbanArt Commission (UAC) has commissioned such famous sculptures as Yvonne Bobo’s orbitals in Peabody Park, Greely Myatt’s “Cloudy Thoughts” on Madison and numerous unique-to-Memphis murals in the I Love Memphis series. Bar DKDC, in the heart of Cooper-Young, was the backdrop for the UrbanArt Commission’s 21st birthday party. Supporters and patrons gathered, mingled and enjoyed libations with signature dishes including Shrimp a la Plancha, pork carnitas and plum, Negril style jerk chicken and tuna pizzette and cast iron New York strip with chimichurri. Executive Director Lauren Kennedy said, “This is a super exciting time for the UAC because we have just released a new strategic plan and a new mission statement. This is a great time to roll out the program.” Story and Photos by Bill Bannister Tara and John Paul Shaffer

Amelia Thompson with Lakethen Mason and Ebony Archie

Michael Abney and Amanda Grobmeyer

Desiree Wallace and Janique Byrd

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March 2019

Lauren Kennedy and Rachel Knox

Molly Quinn with Jeff Rhodin and Josh Breeden

Hayley Williams and Stacy Kiehl

Elizabeth Belz and Cassi Rebman

Alex Weaver and Mary Haizlip

Mark Weaver and Reb Haizlip

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March 2019

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Artist found her place in Memphis

CAT PEĂ‘A Story by Emily Adams Keplinger | Photos by Steve Roberts


March

A

StreetSeen

self-described “plate spinner,” Cat Peña is accustomed to balancing a myriad of tasks. Currently, she is a working artist, an art administrator, a public art consultant and a business co-owner.

Born and raised in Santa Fe, New Mexico, Peña came to Memphis to attend graduate school at the Memphis College of Art (MCA). “When I was in school I thought I would be here in Memphis for two years and then leave,” explained Peña. Upon graduation, Peña and her husband, Nick, both had job offers that made them re-think their relocation plans. “It can be hard for couples who are art partners to find jobs in academia and in their fields,” said Peña. “Memphis was an unexpected opportunity. Nick accepted a position as a fine arts educator at Christian Brothers University (CBU) and I began working with the UrbanArts Commission. Now we’ve been here 11 years.” “It was great to see multiple installations of public art, including a number of murals and sculptures, in Overton Square,” recalled Peña. “The deeper focus on art and culture, as well as the performing arts, really brought public art to life in a much broader sense.” Peña continued, “My work in the community happened first through the UrbanArts Commission, then I started doing more independent projects. My work evolved from studio work to a focus on public art or socially engaged art. For a while I also taught public art at MCA. I’ve always been interested in public art, but have viewed it through a different lens than what we typically see in Memphis. For example, there are lots of developing trends in public art with artists playing a higher role in community

comes the process of determining how the artwork is to be commissioned and where the money is going to come from to support it,” said Peña. “Most public art is commissioned as part of capital improvement projects. Germantown has the opportunity to focus on newer approaches to public art, like having development.” Peña’s crosswalk in the Medical Disartists embedded in city departments, doing art festrict, on Manassas Street, is a prime example of the tivals, and more.” public art she has a passion for. It is designed in a Peña’s work continues to be socially engaged, geometric pattern that creates giving a voice to issues. And an illusion and provides multiple in addition to her own artistic “It was great to see prospectives for those walking or endeavors, Peña was hired about driving through it, versus those multiple installations of a year and a half ago to manage viewing it from above in adjathe Beverly and Sam Ross Gallery cent buildings. public art, including a at CBU. “It’s not typically a place “My goal was to revamp number of murals and the gallery and make it more where artists would be part of the conversation, but it has a natural student-friendly,” said Peña. “I sculptures, in Overton also curate shows for local and fit,” explained Peña. “It involved design elements and ways of regional artists.” including aesthetics in a common Square. The deeper focus And last, but certainly not public setting.” least, Peña and her husband, on art and culture, as Another example of Peña’s along with Eric Clausen, copublic art can be seen in the big “Wonder/Cowork/ well as the performing founded blue streamers forming a canopy Create” in the Edge District. along Marshall and Monroe, arts, really brought public “We’ve established a noncommissioned by the Downtown competitive space for creatives Memphis Commission. That work art to life in a much and business entrepreneurs to came out of a larger project called, meet and work together,” said broader sense.” ‘Collaboratory,’ a public art platPeña. “We host events at our form Peña created that expands space and help our members get public art practices through collaborative and social comfortable reaching out to the business community. practices. We also manage some public art programming for Additionally, Peña has been working with the the Memphis Medical District Collaborative.” City of Germantown as a consultant to help create a Public Art Commission. To learn more about Peña’s artistic ventures, visit “The commissioners have been named. Now https://www.wondercc.org or catpena.com.

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JOSÉ GUTIERREZ Owner and Chef at River Oaks Restaurant Story by Emily Adams Keplinger | Photos by Steve Roberts


March

StreetSeen

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here are many talented chefs in the Greater Memphis area, but José Gutierrez is the only French Master Chef in the Mid-South (the next closest is in Atlanta, GA or Charleston, SC). It is no surprise that the designation is so rare. Certified French Master Chef status is only awarded after candidates successfully complete a multiple-day marathon, comprised of a series of tests covering a wide range of cooking styles and methods. The title is conferred by The Association of Maîtres Cuisiniers de France and represents that a chef has reached the pinnacle of professionalism and skills in French cuisine. When asked what influenced Gutierrez to become a chef, surprisingly, he said it wasn’t his first career choice. “I grew up in the Provence region of France and thought I wanted to be a fashion designer,” explained Gutierrez. “I liked the creativity of sewing clothes. But I was rejected when I applied to a design school, so I redirected my path and went to school to learn to be a maître d′ or a chef. It was there that I received the greatest service that anyone has ever given to me. My instructor called me out because I was getting low marks, especially in English. Basically he said, ‘How can someone so smart be so stupid!’ That simple challenge made me turn red. I was humiliated, but it made me work much harder to prove myself. Ultimately, I finished in the top of my class. However, since my English was not strong, I chose to work in the ‘back of the house’ and become a chef.” When asked what’s his favorite thing about being a chef, Gutierrez said, “It is so many things. People look at you differently when you are a chef. You have the opportunity to put people together. At my tables, the more diverse, the better. We

all become friends and family. As for my favorite thing to do as a chef, it is finding out how to please people and their unique tastes.” Gutierrez likens cuisine to fashion, saying that tastes in both are changing all the time. For instance, he recalls that when he came to Memphis in 1982 there was only one French restaurant, Justine’s. And very little of the food that was served was fresh, most was flown in from Atlanta or the Gulf Coast. Because of that, chefs had to plan menus 2 - 3 days in advance. Now they can pick

up the phone and have same day delivery. Over the years, Gutierrez has helped expand culinary tastes by training hundreds of people, mostly during his 22 years at Chez Philippe at The Peabody to branch out beyond traditional Southern fare. In fact, Gutierrez is credited with creating “Nouvelle Southern Cuisine,” a blend of Southern classics and French technique. As for the challenges that he sets for himself, Gutierrez says the most important thing is to continue creating. “It is equally important to keep up with the quality and consistency, both of the food and the service,” explained Gutierrez. “I take classes about new techniques, like sous vide where food is put in a plastic bag, all of the air removed, and cooked in the bag, or the kayo concentration method used to give a sauce more flavor. The technique involves making a juice and freezing it, rather than reducing it over heat.” Gutierrez continued, “Curiosity is probably one of the best tools a chef can have. Following a recipe is one thing, but having great technique is another. I try to keep my staff as excited as I am about trying new things.”

March 2019 •

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Memphi Mid-Winter Ball

March

Memphi Mid-Winter Ball

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Ceil Walker and Cecilia Walker

Mimi and Jim Taylor

Toasts from Coast to Coast

arnival Memphis season officially arrives during early summer with a non-stop schedule of splashy social gatherings, events that laud local commerce and industry initiatives, and activities that raise financial support for local youth charities. However, during winter’s chilliest months, Carnival’s supporting organizations, including the Mystic Society of the Memphi, present formal events that unveil Carnival season’s royal personages. After all, midwinter is the time for Mardi Gras and its annual traditions, from which Carnival Memphis and Memphi trace their origins. The Mystic Society of the Memphi held its 2019 annual Mid-Winter Ball in the elegant surrounds of Memphis Country Club, with guests clad in chic formal dresses and tuxedos. Nashville’s Peabody Rocket band provided musical entertainment. “Memphi: Coast to Coast” was the party’s theme and will continue throughout this year’s Carnival Memphis season. The winter event at Memphis Country Club featured a photographic backdrop of the venerable beachside resort of Hotel del Coronado near San Diego, California. Succeeding Memphi events will highlight other venerable grand resorts situated on American shores. The dinner menu for MidWinter Ball featured, in keeping with cuisine offered at Hotel del Coronado’s restaurants, Southern California salad See all the party photos at rsvpmagazine.com Password: RSVP

with baby greens, roasted sugar beets, goat cheese, with a dressing of jalapeño, honey, and black garlic; grassfed wood-grilled filet of beef, Valencia orange-rubbed shrimp, roasted fingerling potato hash with asparagus, artichoke, and roasted garlic. A tartlet of lemon-lime curd with toasted meringue, cinnamon graham cracker crust and raspberries topped the evening’s fare. During the Memphi Mid-Winter Ball, the krewe’s royalty was formally introduced. This year’s dukes and duchesses are Dr. Paul and Jennifer Brezina, Jay and Laura Cofield, Dr. Matt and Carol Fields, Bart and Ashlee Reid, Michael and Dr. Shelley Thannum, and Todd and Crocker Wallace. The duchesses will participate in events leading up to and during Carnival Week in early June. Following tradition, the identities of the king and queen of Memphi will be revealed at a later date. For 2019, designated beneficiaries of Carnival Memphis Children’s Charities Initiatives are Neighborhood Christian Centers Inc., whose mission is to guide those in need toward sustainability through compassionate and Christiancentered empowerment; Palmer Home for Children, which believes in making lives whole through healing and restoration; and Porter-Leath, a primary resource for Memphis’ at-risk children and families.

Drs. Rusty and Rebekah Shappley

George and Wendy Flinn

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Metcalf and Madeleine Crump

Story by Virginia M. Davis Photos by Don Perry

Nancy and Chuck Coe

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Hugh and Lisa Mallory

Anne and Kemp Conrad with Steve Guinn

March 2019

George and Nayla Nassar


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Memphi Mid-Winter Ball

March

Martha and Mike Hess

Jay and Laura Cofield

Michael and Dr. Shelley Thannum

Ashlee and Bart Reid

Elizabeth and Charles Mitchell

Teresa Hurst and Mike Roberts

Dennis and Sarah Norton with Vickie and Stephen Cruzen

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Dr. Paul and Jennifer Brezina

March 2019

Todd and Crocker Wallace

Robyn and Van Raby

Joey and Laura Russell with Ashley and Jamie Riney


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March

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Davis and Christian Owen

Donna Melton and Ed Galfsky

Tom and Liz Baker with Nancy and Jim Brooks

March 2019

Richard and Christina Roberts

Ricky and Catherine Harris

Josh and Sharon Shipley with Susan and Bobby Solberg


March 2019

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Memphis Moment

March

Wine & Dine Benefiting Special Olympics

H

undreds of people came to Tower Center to support the eighth annual Wine & Dine as top local chefs prepared dishes that were matched with fine wines, all to benefit Special Olympics of Greater Memphis. Guests mingled between tasting tables as they enjoyed food and wine selected to highlight and complement each bite. The event was presented by Joshua Spotts, Crye-Leike Realtors, Germantown Village Wine & Liquor, West Tennessee Crown Distributing and Cotton Row Uniques, LLC. In addition to wining and dining, guests browsed and bid on silent auction items that included home chef appearances and destination trips. Date night baskets, rounds of golf, sports memorabilia, gift baskets for an array of items and services, and, of course, a variety of wines were also up for bid. Auctioneer Jeff Morris led the competitive bidding in the live auction. The evening’s entertainment was provided by Bob Buckley, Deborah Swiney, Ed Finney and John Scanlon. Story and Photos by Emily Adams Keplinger

Greer Saller, Samantha Keo and Juan Fonseca

Adam and Christie Burnes

Kayla Sentell and Clayton Smith

Kelly Amos and Matt Weltlich

Jennifer and Russell Church

Veronica and Chris Kelly

Scot Bearup and Valerie Morris

Carly Downing, Cody Garbuzinski and Ramona Hughes

Stacey Adams and Shelley Strickland

Abby Huber and Abby Milam

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March 2019


March

Memphis Moment

Soiree in the Spotlight Celebrating The Orpheum’s 90th Anniversary

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he Orpheum celebrated its 90th anniversary in grand style with a glamorous evening of cocktails, wonderful food, live music, live and silent auctions, and a raffle. Guests began the evening with a cocktail hour in the Halloran Centre. An open bar complemented the hors d’oeuvres from Sweet Grass Next Door and Café Ole. The theatre opened to continue the fun with dancing on stage and a delicious backstage buffet. The silent auction boasted hundreds of luxurious items, and many guests took advantage of mobile bidding. The live auction featured “Hamilton” tickets, unique dining experiences, trips, and more. An annual highlight is always the raffle – this year’s grand prize was a 2011 Harley Davidson CVO. Soiree in the Spotlight is The Orpheum’s biggest night of the year, benefiting their education and community programs, which strive to inspire a lasting love of the arts in our community’s youth.

Carl Smith, Chris Jones and Mark Wittman

Story and Photos by Gaye Swan

Pat Halloran with Kim and Mark Mathews

Drs. Diane and Tom Long

Tammy and Jim Umlauf

Rey Vaanunu and Lia Lansky

Patty and George Alvord

Mike and Mary Jung Richard and Diane Copley

Gloria Fulton-Singleton, Carol Watson and Essie Anita Bland

Boyd and Charlotte Gillespie

Jessica Mason and Jonathan Mosley

Cassie Gerken, Mana Boushehri-Patel and Jennie McNab

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Staxtacular

March

Staxtacular 2019

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Dave Evans and Toni Boland-Evans

Candace and Benjamin Sanders

Grit, Grind and Get Funky

he Soulsville Foundation was joined by Grizzlies guard/forward Dillon Brooks and the Memphis Grizzlies in hosting the 15th annual Staxtacular. The event was presented by SunTrust at the Stax Museum of American Soul Music, and served as the largest fundraiser of the year for the students at Stax Music Academy (SMA). This year’s event attendees were treated to complimentary valet parking as they started their evening in the lobby of the STAX Museum, where guests had the opportunity to mix and mingle with Brooks and other members of the Memphis Grizzlies. Bartenders from Memphis Bar Tie kept the libations flowing with craft cocktails, specialty drinks from Old Dominick Distillery and Staxtacular’s most famous beverage, “Shaft on Draft” from Bosco’s. Party-goers also enjoyed food catered by Simply Delicious, with candied bacon being a big crowd pleaser. As the evening progressed, current students of the Stax Music Academy performed in the museum’s Studio A. The band also led the crowd in doing “The Funky Chicken,” a dance made famous by the late, great entertainer Rufus Thomas. Next up, the legendary Bar-Kays delighted the crowd with their mixture of American soul, R&B, and funk. It was a homecoming of sorts for James See all the party photos at rsvpmagazine.com Password: RSVP

Alexander, the group’s sole-surviving original member. The Bar-Kays formed in Memphis in 1966 and was one of the original house bands for Stax Records. Afterwards, many in the crowd took to the dance floor to enjoy the musical entertainment provided by DJ Mary the K Live. Other guests circulated among tables in the museum’s Cadillac Corner, placing their bids on silent auction items. One of the most popular items was a large framed poster, created by Red Deluxe and framed by 1910 Frame Works. It featured autographs of all of the current members of The Bar-Kays. The item that garnered the highest bid was a seven-night stay at a condo in Holiday Inn Club Vacations Orange Lake Resort in Kissimmee, FL, next door to Walk Disney Resort and Animal Kingdom. The travel package Included one-day passes to Disney World, Magic Kingdom, Epcot, Hollywood Studios or Animal Kingdom and was donated by Kemmons Wilson Companies and Walt Disney World. “Many of our students attend SMA via scholarships provided by the Soulsville Foundation through fundraising efforts such as Staxtacular,” said Pat Mitchell Worley, executive director of Stax Music Academy. “Since its inception, Staxtacular has raised over $1.4 million for Stax Music Academy.”

Tim Sampson and Wendy Moten

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Susan Marshall and Jeff Powell

March 2019

Roy Mays with Rhonda and David Porter

Jennifer and Paul Chandler


March

Martavious McGee and Maria Alvarado

Abigail Gardiner and Victor Sawyer

Matthew and Heather Preston

Nick and Laura Scott

Charlie and Marie Roland

Brenda Webber and Priscilla Smith

Staxtacular

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Val Farris with Chuck and Nancy Rumsey

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Staxtacular

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March

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Staxtacular

Celebrate 35 Years of Annieglass

MEET THE ARTIST Join Annie Morhauser at Two Doors Down for a rare chance to meet the founder of Annieglass

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MONDAY, MARCH 25TH 11:00 am - 2 pm Meet Annie Morhauser and learn her ideas for “A Handcrafted Gathering.” Courtney and Lloyd Allen

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March 2019

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Staxtacular

March

Christian Bolton and Miah Perez

Janice and Charles Alton

Robert and Gladys Hunt

Jerry Stackhouse and Tayshaun Prince

Brandy and Bobby Meier

Tad and Traci Lauritzen Wright with Deanie Parker

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Chad and Doc Barton

Virginia Boyd and Robert Morgan

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Molly Sanders, Michael Zepatos and Alyssa Briggs



Memphis Moment

March

Conservation Through Art Supporting Wildlife and the Arts

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ven before the event began, the eighth Conservation Through Art honoree dinner had secured over $900 thousand in commitments to support both ArtsMemphis and Ducks Unlimited, making this year’s event the most successful to date. Attendees were asked to help surpass the $1 million goal by bidding generously on live auction items or by making donations. John Hull Dobbs, Jr., founder and President of Dobbs Equity Partners, LLC, was the 2018 honoree, recognized for his support of countless worthwhile causes including ArtsMemphis and Ducks Unlimited. “The first such event was envisioned by Tommie and Billy Dunavant and their founding committee as a way to raise money for, and celebrate, two of our region’s greatest assets — wildlife and the arts,” explained Elizabeth Rouse, President and CEO of ArtsMemphis. “Over the past 13 years, Conservation Through Art has raised over $6 million — helping ArtsMemphis provide grants for over 80 local arts groups and artists every year, and helping Ducks Unlimited conserve thousands of acres of wetlands.” Story and Photos by Emily Adams Keplinger Emily and Matt Robbins

Mary and Bob Loeb

Justin and Jena Miller

Chip and Amy Crain

Mike and Becky Orians with Allison Worthington

Mary Morris, John Stokes, Tommie Dunavant, Dr. Scott Morris and Anne Stokes

Susan and Tom Stephenson

Jay and JJ Keras

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Paul and Paige Gillespie

March 2019

Bob and Alice Bender

Gail and Karl Schledwitz


March

Memphis Moment

Eye Ball Gala Must Believe to See

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Dr. Steve and Brister Shum with Dr. Christina Newman and Dr. Eleanor Null

osted by Eye Specialty Group, the inaugural Eye Ball Gala at The Great Hall in Germantown raised financial support for outreach efforts of the Surgical Eye Care Foundation. The foundation is a 501(c) 3 nonprofit organization and part of Eye Specialty Group’s philanthropic arm, 2020 Memphis. It exists to provide eye care access, including ophthalmologic surgery, for those facing imminent blindness and who have little or no access to eye care. Guests dined on a buffet provided by several area restaurants. The ever-joyous Memphis favorite, jazz singer Joyce Cobb, performed with some of her musician friends, including Dr. Mark Weiss. “Love them eyes, keep ‘em if you have ‘em,” Cobb sang. Silent and live auctions of donated items provided additional means for attendees to contribute. WMC-TV’s Joe Birch emceed. Sponsors were Allergan, Carrabba’s Italian Grill, Dreamers Merchants Coffee Co., Forest Hill Grill, Lucky Cat, Olive Branch Catfish and Smoothie King. Story and Photos by Virginia M. Davis

Latoya Bowdre, Ineta Heard, Louise Boyd and Doris McKissick

Amy and Tim Hall

Terry and Shantay Wood

David and Jessie Donahue

Sarah Micklos and Shelby Carter

Kimberly and Drew Tatum

Rachel Tolbert, Madeline Carter and Lucrezia Ongaro

Dr. Dennis Mathews and Julia Mathews

Phyllis Duckett and Roderick Rogers

Patrick Hanthorn and Zack Nicholson

Paulo Benedeti, Marie Pizano and Chris Thomas

Alicia Dickenson and Kate Petrocione

March 2019

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Memphis Moment

March

Agape HeartLight Love Mercy A Celebration of Giving

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he word “agape” is derived from Greek and is defined as the highest form of love and charity. Agape Family Services has been the living embodiment of that word for many years here in Memphis, providing nearly 8,000 families a year with vital support to foster healthier and more sustainable lives. Mississippi Boulevard Christian Church was the site of Agape HeartLight Love Mercy, a celebration of giving in the truest sense of the word. Before the event, more than 300 sponsors and volunteers gathered under a big tent to enjoy the Overcoming Faith Christian Church Worship Band and a dinner of fried chicken, barbecue and home-made banana pudding. The many volunteers and sponsors who make Agape’s important work possible were also recognized. There were more than 1,300 people in attendance to hear featured speaker Dr. Tony Evans give his vision of hope for the community. Story and Photos by Bill Bannister Betsy Kolznak with Kim Sharp and Bernice Martin

Ann and Carlus Gupton

Tony Kolznak and Dale Sharp

David and Theresa Jordan with Dr. Tony Evans

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Michael and Cindy Savage

Tommy Peeler and Jess Crosnoe

Randy Lillard and Bruce Chambers

Jim and Stacy Hinkle

Carolyn Cunningham and Glenda Bass

Miya and Ia-Kay White

Ethan and Tia Brown with Linda Oxford


March

Memphis Moment

The Hope Promise Gala Shine On, Charlie Glass

A Morgan and Russ Bryant

Drs. Patrick and Lida Curlee

pledge made to a beloved parent during the latter moments of his life finally took wing atop The Peabody Hotel. Kathleen Glass Burk described The Hope Promise and the new foundation that supports its goal to guests at a formal event held in the hotel’s famed Skyway. Covington, Tennessee native and businessman Charlie Glass passed away in 2012 after a three-year fight to survive sarcoma, a tumor that grows in the body’s soft tissues. Few treatment options for the rare form of cancer existed; Glass tried most of them. As his time grew short Glass asked his daughter, Kathleen, to establish a means to fund research for an effective and affordable treatment of sarcoma. Burk’s efforts gave rise to the Charlie Glass Sarcoma Research Foundation, which will fund trial research for an experimental drug option for sarcoma patients. St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital and MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston,Texas, are working hand-in-hand in this development. Story and Photos by Virginia M. Davis

Tatiana and Dr. Alex Jankov

Bill Eck and Jim Stock

John Poag, Dr. David Wheless and Ed Williams

Chase and Anna Marie Peeler

Romeo Khazen, Doug Browne and Kevin Kane

Kathleen Glass Burk and Regina Golder

Allen and Pam DeWitt with Stephanie and George Eivaz

Amy Golden, May Walker and Ginger Warmath

Martha Glass Smith and Judy Glass

March 2019

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Page Robbins Winter Gala

March

Page Robbins Winter Gala

E Chloe Lawson and Kaite Kirkpatrick

Denise Johnston and Christy Leard

“Once Upon a Time”

very good fairy tale begins with “Once upon a time,” and the 2019 Page Robbins Winter Gala was an epic storybook affair that brought together nearly 500 guests and supporters at the home of The King. The Guest House at Graceland was transformed into a magical and enchanting wonderland of music, feasting and fun. Katie Kirkpatrick, development and communications director for Page Robbins Adult Day Center said, “This is our largest fundraising event of the year. It’s more like a big family gathering”. Wine glasses were available for a donation at the entrance which partygoers could then refill with their choice of red or white wine throughout the evening. Another fun feature was the photo booth sponsored by Renasant Bank, where guests could try on an assortment of wacky props for a unique souvenir from the event. Fully stocked bars were open for favorite libations as the well-dressed assembly made their way to the tables of the super-exclusive silent auction to bid on treasures donated by Sissy’s Log Cabin, J. Holloway Fur Company, Folk’s Folly, Ballet Memphis, The Peabody, Café Piazza and Windyke Country Club. Father Jeff Marx, Rector at St.

Andrew’s Episcopal Church, was on hand for the official invocation. A scrumptious feast began at eight o’clock with a “Wicked Apple” and frisee salad, followed by a beef and shellfish double entrée featuring a petit filet with demiglace and Cajun-style shrimp with spinach and artichoke gnocchi, broccolini and overnight tomato. Dessert came straight from the “Garden of Good and Evil” and was comprised of a Key lime tartlet and a chocolate ganache truffle. The live auction was conducted by Terri Walker of Walker Auctions and included an overnight stay fit for a king from The Guest House at Graceland, an afternoon round-trip flight in a private plane, including lunch at Lambert’s in Sikeston Missouri, from General Aviation, a Happily Ever After white gold and diamond ring from Sissy’s Log Cabin, a four-night best of Prague trip for two including accommodations at the fabulous Four Seasons Hotel, daily breakfast for two and opera tickets. Also up for bid was a bottle of Old Rip Van Winkle Handmade Bourbon and an exhilarating one-hour hot air balloon ride from Bluff City Balloons. Dancing into the night started as the Soul Shockers took to the stage to make sure the evening ended happily ever after.

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Christine Donhardt and Linda Stamps

Chris and Stacy Coughlin

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Sherry and Steven Rose

Story by Bill Bannister Photos by Baxter Buck

Chris Knudsen and Matt Rhoads

Amy and Terry Peters with Ann Wroblewski

March 2019

Mike and Kim Humerickhouse

Emily and Tom Love


March

Carl and Jennifer O’Connell

Carolyn and Victor Santos

Adam and Melony Bratton

Scott and Mary King

Stella and Kirby Woehst

Tino Acchiardo and Melissa Sweazy

Brodie and Faydra Foster

Jacqueline Lycan and Patrick Brannon

Page Robbins Winter Gala

March 2019

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Page Robbins Winter Gala

March

Brooke and Phil Berryman

Steve and Anita Brunson

Marion Marr and Vicki Jones

Charles and Zoe Woods

Keith and Benita May

Bill and Sonya Scofield

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March 2019

Tharen Haley and Karen Hjerpe

Matthew and Erinn Monette

Lauren and Anthony Albonetti

Debra and Kenneth Nichols

Ulrika Speckman and Jeff Poole

Mary and John Walton Allen

Lester Brown and Jackie Dandridge


March

Russ and Kelley Clack

Ramona Rork and Gary Mullins

Clyde Keenan and Jill Dyles

Mike and Suzanne Mims

Damon and Kara Sanders

Craig and Julia Berry

Page Robbins Winter Gala

Beautiful and lasting memories are as simple as

rsvpmagazine.com More pictures than would ever fit in a magazine are online and available on our website. If you’re looking for a photo that one of our photographers took at a major social event featured in our magazine, that photo may be readily available online. Just go to our site, click on the event and remember the password: rsvp. Bill and Jaimee Lapham

Wes and Beth Belleville

March 2019

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Page Robbins Winter Gala

March

Deedee and Jim Brookhart

James and Mary Nelson

Cori and Carroll Kirkpatrick

Mark and Sheila Moody

Charles and Laura Hall

Terry and Tom Dean

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Lee and Monica Murphy

Rachel and David Wall

Dwain and Mary Agnes Harris

March 2019

Parker and Lindsey Nelson

Kevin and Rhonda Baltier

Rob and Holly Walters

Barton and Christy Thrasher


March 2019

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Memphis Moment

March

Unmask the Future Masquerade Auction and Gala Benefits DeNeuville Learning Center

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uests wearing a delightful array of masquerade masks filled the Welch Dining Hall at Hutchison School for the DeNeuville Learning Center’s 17th annual auction and gala. The evening of cocktails, hors d’oeuvres, music and entertainment supported the center’s mission to empower women to improve their lives through education and community. Money raised at the event will be used to fund educational programs and services for under-served adult women and their children. Guests enjoyed a fun interactive photo booth, an open bar, a delicious buffet and a silent auction throughout the evening. A live auction featured luxury items such as a gold and diamond bracelet and a silver and pearl necklace, and unique packages including a VIP date night and a suite at a Grizzlies game. Dr. Kathy Tuberville, the Director of the Avron B. Fogelman Professional Development Center at the University of Memphis, was this year’s honorary chair.

Frank and Gail Fogleman with Mary Catherine Fogleman

Story and Photos by Gaye Swan

Kyle and Emily Taubken with Dr. Kathy and Paul Tuberville

Michael and Ashley Robilio with Lori Jones Bramlett

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Melanee Fleenor and Mark McCarty

Linda Heitzman, Amanda Farmer, Delaine Smith and Katy Nair

Carla and Joe Wakeley

Angela Parker and Anne Hotze

Jonathan Riley and Sarah Thompson

Kelly Nguyen and Richard Paessler

Christopher and Aparna Narayanan

Stephanie and Shane Hendrix

Arlender Jones and Crystal Robinson

Brandy and Robert Wagner

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March

• Memphis Moment

Greenway Soiree Preserving the Wonder of The Wolf

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Janet Stevens and Sarah Stevens with Gene Carkeet

he Wolf River is one of our most cherished natural resources. The organization that protects the over 16,000 acres of land within the Wolf River watershed, as well as built the Wolf River Greenway, is the Wolf River Conservancy (WRC). More than 300 supporters came together at the headquarters of Opera Memphis for WRC’s biggest annual fundraiser, The Greenway Soiree. The presenting sponsor was International Paper. The evening began with a cocktail reception featuring the conservancy’s signature drink, the Moscow Tennessee Mule. Music was by the Earnestine and Hazel’s Band. Guests browsed more than 50 items on the silent auction tables before enjoying a mouth-watering dinner of dry-aged beef loin and smoke-kissed chicken with crushed butter parsley potatoes. The live auction included a private eco tour for 10 on the Wolf River, a staycation package at The Peabody, a season package to Live at the Garden, and a private dinner for eight. Story and Photos by Bill Bannister

Angie Gardner and Grace Sammarco with Cyndie Fogarty

Keith and Katie Cole

Jennifer and Paul Kelley

Nick Wiggins and Heather Rhodes

Bob and Edy Wenner

Lucille Posa and Dermot Murray

Charles and Julie Umsted

Suzanne and Walter Allen

Marcus and Christy Gilmour

Jeff and Sally Justis

Karen and Jerry Winemiller

March 2019

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Crossword

March

RSVP Crossword Edited By Ruth Cassin

ACROSS 1 Computer code for characters 6 Winged (var.) 10 Qualified 14 ___ of burden 15 Ear part 16 Nail 17 Waitress on Cheers

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18 Abates 19 Ace might be a low one 20 Raids 22 Soft cheese 24 Climbing vine 25 Chilly 27 Accra is its capital 29 One could be a lemon (2 wds.) 32 The Titans belong to it (abbr.) 33 Mr. Potato Head or a slinky 34 Gets wet 37 Booted 41 Brews 43 Poem of praise 44 Honolulu's locale 45 Tool for watering a garden 46 Precede 48 Sail 49 Miss 51 Southwest American Native tribe members 54 Run ___ of the law 56 Movie award 57 Spanish "one" 58 Island 60 Yippee! 64 Read attentively 66 Luck of the ___ 68 Hangman's knot 69 Chances of winning 70 Resound 71 Mary __ Moore

March 2019

72 Bird's home 73 George Bernard __ 74 Relating to the sun

DOWN 1 What children learn 2 Place to sit down 3 Feel concern 4 Capri, for one 5 Slanted font 6 Brew 7 Solicit 8 Shorten (abbr.) 9 Quits 10 Easy as ___ 11 Intellect 12 Worm-like stage 13 Whirl 21 Resort amenities 23 Radio ban between 30 and 300 (abbr.) 26 Evidence 28 Too 29 Salt Lake City locaton 30 Fly alone 31 Sight organs 35 Flurry 36 Composer Jerome and family 38 Pilgrimage to Mecca 39 Home of Columbus? 40 Names 42 Type of lily 46 Refers indirectly

47 Every 50 Back to school mo. 52 Touts 53 Gully, in Cancun 54 Positive electrode 55 Henry or Gerald 56 City in Nebraska 57 Onto 59 Bend 61 List of names 62 Afloat 63 "Mister" (German) 65 NYC's time zone 67 Great!


GAMES OF CHANCE •

March

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ecently I saw a commercial, I have no idea what it was advertising, that featured people competing in a sack race. When I was a By Dennis Phillippi kid, sack racing was a relatively common activity at picnics and other outdoor gatherings, but the only place you’re going to see one today is on a commercial. For one thing, burlap sacks are an increasingly rare thing to come across. For another, encasing your legs inside a burlap sack and then attempting to race one another is a quick ticket to an Emergency Room visit. Think about it, hopping competitively while your legs are wrapped in a bag is one simple and effective way to face plant in gravel. It’s like it’s a game that was invented by orthodontists. As we all get older there seems to be an almost irresistible need to claim that the world of our youth was a better place than the one we live in now. As it turns out, the world of our youth was a minefield we somehow managed to survive. No one I knew when I was a kid wore a bike helmet as a preventative measure. If a kid wore a helmet to ride his bike it was because he had already suffered some kind of head trauma. Not only did we not wear bike helmets, bike safety itself was considered the refuge of cowards. Bikes were for jumping. Bikes were for racing. Bikes were for showing up for school on Monday with a patchwork of road rash and a few missing teeth. Bicycle injuries were a badge of honor. Today, rightly so, bicycle injuries are a solid reason for a visit from Child Services. Sack races went hand in hand with threelegged races, wherein each pair of competitors had their inside legs tied together forcing the team to operate in perfect tandem. Unfortunately threelegged races always seemed to be held at parent/ child events and the teams always consisted of an adult and a child bound together. This size inequity made for great hilarity, and epic falls that couldn’t be broken by the use of your two good legs. My memory of three-legged races are almost completely composed of a montage of adults landing on me. No one seems to remember the impossibly unwise game Red Rover. Red Rover consisted of two teams, each lined up a few dozen feet apart, holding hands, or if you were really determined, wrists. The object of the game was for one team to single out a member of the other team, ideally the weakest, and chant; “Red Rover, Red Rover,

As we all get older there seems to be an almost irresistible need to claim that the world of our youth was a better place than the one we live in now. As it turns out, the world of our youth was a minefield we somehow managed to survive. No one I knew when I was a kid wore a bike helmet as a preventative measure. If a kid wore a helmet to ride his bike it was because he had already suffered some kind of head trauma.

send Emily on over.” At which point little Emily would screw her courage to the sticking point and charge full speed toward the opposing line in an attempt to break through the linked arms. Take a second and picture what we’re talking about here. This is a child, running full tilt at a braced line of other children of various sizes and ages, with the intention of physically impacting them with a

RSVPhillippi

maximum amount of force. Imagine trying to sell this idea to today’s children. “Sure, there’s a good chance one or more of you are going to end up with a sprained or broken wrist, and others very well might clothesline themselves resulting in God knows what injuries. Fun huh? Let’s go.” You’ d be lucky if they tore their eyes away from their phones long enough to roll them. My friends that still have small children shelter their little snowflakes like they’re made of fine porcelain. If they found out I was trying to scare up a game of Red Rover they’d have me institutionalized. One of the great joys of my childhood was climbing trees. Not just getting up on a limb and sitting 10 feet off the ground, but tree climbing. Scrambling up to the top of a tree just to do it. We’re talking 50 or 60 feet in the air. And when it was dinnertime our moms would just yell up into the tree that it was time to eat. They wouldn’t wring their hands and tremble with fear. They would just yell for us to get down. Not because they thought we were in terrible danger, but because they wanted us to come eat before Bonanza came on. If kids did this today there’d be an entire line of Tree Climbing safety equipment. No child would climb a tree without their tree climbing helmet. In the summertime I used to spend hours goofing off in the creek behind my parents’ house. No one knew where this creek started or ended, and certainly no one had any idea what had been dumped into it along the way. Nonetheless, my folks completely ignored the fact that I was splashing around in it barefoot. That’s another thing; do kids even go barefoot any more? When I was a kid, the day school ended my shoes came off and only went back on for church until school started again. The bottoms of my feet during the summer were as solid and rugged as the bottoms of a pair of work boots. They were also the same color as the bottom of a pair of work boots. Climbing around in creeks, and trees, and Red Rover games had made them indestructible. This was not a better world. I can remember perfectly the experience of losing the grip with my knees on a branch I was hanging upside down from and watching as the ground rushed towards my face. One of my brothers received dozens of stitches after a bike jump gone terrible wrong. One of my sisters went over her handlebars and eventually had to get a brand new set of teeth. It’s easy to think of yesteryear as the Good Old Days, but the truth is, today’s world is infinitely safer than the one we knew. Yes, it’s also kind of boring, but dull over deadly is always the better option.

March 2019

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March

RSVPast Happy Birthday!

1945

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his photograph is a wonderful memento of the celebration of Jim Gordon’s birthday celebration in 1945. These friends gathered for a “Kodak” moment. Back row, left to right: Billy Mitchell, Bobby Mitchell, Bobby Sayer and Richard Bell. Front row: Carl Fritz, Larry Fury, Jimmy Gordon (the birthday boy), Charlie Handley and Cary Poole. Photo courtesy of James Gordon If you have a past photo you would like to share with RSVP readers, please contact Emily Adams Keplinger at 276-7787 ext. 105 or e-mail the photo and caption to editor@rsvpmagazine.com All photos will be returned promptly.

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