Gateway to Music City by Shannon Hargis

Get treated. Not seated.

In case of an emergency, look to TriStar Summit’s ER. TriStar Summit Medical Center’s ER physicians and nurses are committed to offering you and your family the best state-of-the art emergency care close to where you live, work and play. • Board certified emergency physicians • 32 private treatment rooms 5655 Frist Blvd. Hermitage, TN 37076 615.316.3000

26 general treatment rooms 4 “fast-track” rooms for rapid medical evaluation 2 trauma rooms • Private and intimate healing environment

It’s all from the hospital committed to providing exceptional care before, during and after an emergency.

TriStarHealth.com/Summit

Because every transaction is an investment in community. You may not realize it, but making a deposit at your nearest Wilson Bank & Trust doesnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t just ensure the safekeeping of your hard-earned dollar. It also enriches, cultivates and develops our community. Thanks for helping us carry on the tradition of giving back and investing in our neighbors.

Visit us on the web at wilsonbank.com or one of our 25 offices throughout Middle Tennessee

Committed to Community Banking since 1987 Member FDIC

Community A strong, close-knit populace and a unified spirit are the backbone of any true community. Donelson and Hermitage are fortunate to have an ever-expanding network of residents, business owners, non-profit organizations and community leaders who are focused on bringing neighbors together, building and celebrating local pride and moving our communities forward for the benefit of all.

Economy Home to corporations known the world over, entrepreneurs and family-owned businesses, Donelson and Hermitage enjoy a robust and diverse economy. Thanks to a strong, educated workforce and a prime location as the “Gateway to Music City,” Donelson and Hermitage are proud to count employers in numerous arenas as part of their respective economic landscapes. And the communities’ thriving business environment hasn’t gone unnoticed, as young families are moving to the area in large numbers.

Education Education is the cornerstone of a community’s future and, rich with nationally recognized public and private school options, Donelson and Hermitage take great pride in educating tomorrow’s leaders. From pre-school and elementary programs to model academy high schools such as McGavock High and unique higher education institutions, the communities offer a broad range of educational opportunities, and local schools enjoy strong parental and community involvement – laying the groundwork for a bright future. 4

Entertainment As one might expect, there’s no shortage of entertainment options in a place known as the “Gateway to Music City.” Donelson and Hermitage are home to many live music venues, included the world-renowned Grand Ole Opry, as well as a host of popular eateries and live theatre venues. Whether you’re looking for a place to take in traditional country sounds, to meet fun and interesting people or to enjoy a fun time out with the entire family, you needn’t go any farther than your own backyard.

Tourism When your community is home to such iconic institutions as The Grand Ole Opry and conveniently located a stone’s throw away from Music City, U.S.A., you’re bound to attract your fair share of attention. Such is the case for Donelson and Hermitage, which regularly see millions of tourists each year from across the country and around the globe. Whether it’s the Gaylord Opryland Resort and Convention Center, the home of our nation’s seventh president or world-class shopping and dining, visitors to the area and local residents alike can enjoy an array of must-see attractions and activities in our communities.

COMMUNITY

DIVERSITY IN BUSINESS

Hip Donelson Farmers’ Market Parks and Greenways Events & Festivals

From family owned small businesses to tech startups and some of the country’s leading corporations, Donelson and Hermitage enjoy a strong and diverse business community

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ECONOMY TriStar Summit Medical Center Music City Star Real Estate Growth

EDUCATION Argosy University Art Institute of Tennessee Tennessee School for the Blind McGavock High School

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ENTERTAINMENT The Larry Keeton Theatre The Grand Ole Opry McNamara’s Irish Pub John A’s Restaurant

TOURISM Nashville Shores Opry Mills Mall The Hermitage

ECONOMIC

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H E A LT H C A R E

PUBLIC SERVICE

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We know your community because we are your community.

COMMUNITY

mainstreets J U L I E T

M T .

O F

BLICATION ENNESSEE PU T MEDIA OF T A MAIN STREE

2 0 1 4 2014

Tristar Summit: MJ’s home for healthcare

2014 Gateway to Music City, presented by the Donelson Hermitage Chamber of Commerce

Makin’ Bacon takes a little time

FIELD OF HONOR City remembers those who

served

OMMERCE HAMBER OF C EST WILSON C T. JULIET / W IP WITH THE M I N PA R T N E R S H

2014 MainStreets of Mt. Juli

a publication of MAIN STREET MEDIA OF TENNESSEE

mainstreets M T .

O F

President/Owner Dave Gould

T M A I N S T R E E

M E D I A

J U L I E T

O N P U B L I C A T I

2 0 1 3

Years...And Counting

Production Director Zack Owensby Editorial Director Brian Harville

ty Chamber Lebanon Wilson Coun es 90 Years rat leb Ce e erc mm of Co unity mm Co the g rvin Se of

Art Director Shannon Hargis

Speak of the Devil

Photography Dallus Whitfield Advertising Debby Mabry, Becky Andrews Graphics Mary Anne Ferrell Accounting Angela Ashford

Economic Education Recreation Healthcare Public Service Community I N

I P P A R T N E R S H

2014 Lebanon Wilson County

Chamber of Commerce

Business/Information Guide

& Membership Directory

Chamber of Commerce 2014 Lebanon Wilson County Membership Directory and e Business/Information Guid

Country music’s fiddle man makes MJ home

Big Bad Wolf

Secret smokehouse has gained its own following

W I T H

T H E

W E S T

W I L S O N

C H A M B E R

O F

C O M M E R C E

2013 MainStreets of Mt. Juli

Special Thanks to the Donelson Hermitage Chamber of Commerce, Executive Director Leah Jack, the DHCC Board of Directors and Brian Hinchman of McGavock High School. Gateway to Music City is published annually by Main Street Media of Tennessee, a locally-owned, locallyproduced media company which publishes several business and community magazines, as well as several local newspapers. For advertising information or to inquire about other publications, contact us at (615) 444-6008.

HENDERSONVILLE A

E E T M A I N S T R

M E D I A

T I O N P U B L I C A

2013-2014

The girl next door

the fox family

Hendersonville’s Swift shows maturity with new album

Amateur golf champ, family settle in Hendersonville

back cotome hendersonville

Chamber of Commerce 2013 Lebanon Wilson County Membership Directory and e Guid n atio Business/Inform

Cundiff family returns to childhood home

OUNDATION LE CHAMBER F ENDERSONVIL IP WITH THE H IN PARTNERSH

ille

2013 Portrait of Hendersonv

Main Street Media of Tennessee 107-B Bay Court Lebanon, TN 37087 (615) 444-6008

Main Street Media of Tennessee Community Publishing Division produces high-quality, locally-inspired magazines to tell the story of the communities in which we live and love. For more information about our publications, please call 615-444-6008.

Who We Are Donelson (37214) Population: 29,000 Median age: 38.1 Avg. household income: $58,007 Population by age: 0-19: 20.2% 20-44: 40.2% 45-74: 33.6% 75+: 6.1%

Hermitage (37076) Population: 35,254 Median age: 35.1 Avg. household income: $31,101 Population by age: 0-19: 24.3% 20-44: 40.3% 45-74: 31% 75+: 4.5%

A Note from the Executive Director O

n behalf of the Donelson Hermitage Chamber of Commerce staff, officers and board of directors, welcome to Donelson Hermitage â&#x20AC;&#x201C; the â&#x20AC;&#x153;Gateway to Music City.â&#x20AC;? Situated on the eastern edge of Davidson County and mere minutes from downtown Nashville, the Donelson Hermitage community is home to some of the best Nashville has to offer. From air service at the Nashville International Airport to the Music City Star commuter rail line and tour outlets such as Gray Line Tours, getting you where you need to be is a priority our community fulfills. We are bordered by the gracious Cumberland River to the west and the beautiful Old Hickory and Percy Priest lakes to the north and south. Greenways and parks are abundant here, providing many opportunities for recreation both on and off the water. Whether you live, work or visit our community, we hope you will enjoy learning about Donelson Hermitage. In addition to those spotlighted in the pages of this magazine, we are rich with prosperous businesses of all types, welcoming places of worship, dedicated community service organizations and quiet, established neighborhoods filled with residents who exhibit a genuine sense of community pride. The Donelson Hermitage Chamber of Commerce connects people and businesses to further grow and enhance our community. It is our objective to support endeavors that inspire people to make new and continued investments in Donelson Hermitage. We appreciate our business partners, community and civic organizations, educational institutions, area non-profit groups and individuals who contribute greatly to the fabric of the Donelson Hermitage community, and it is our intention to encourage sustained involvement for years to come. We experienced tremendous growth in 2013 and, with Nashville being held in such high esteem both nationally and around the globe, the sky is the limit. With both commercial and residential real estate gaining momentum, we can expect 2014 to bring new businesses, residents and opportunities to Donelson Hermitage. This meaningful growth will be invigorating as we continue to cultivate our emerging community. Our rich and enduring heritage provides an optimal foundation for this growth, and we hope you will join us in the effort to make our community THE place to be in Tennessee.

Sincerely,

Diversity Caucasion, African American, American Indian, Asian, Hispanic and more!

d-hchamber.com Leah Jack Executive Director Donelson Hermitage Chamber of Commerce

community

DO P I H

N EL S O

' s r e m r Fa et k r a M by Brian Harville

Since its inception, the Hip Donelson organization has spawned a wealth of community-centric programs and initiatives, but few have skyrocketed in popularity as quickly as the Hip Donelson Farmers’ Market.

n 2012, the community’s desire for a farmers’ market to call its own quickly began to gain momentum on the non-profit organization’s prominent Facebook group, leading Hip Donelson leaders to hold an interest meeting and share ideas, according to Frank Trew, president of Hip Donelson. Local resident Michele Mazzu, proprietor of Mazzu Familia Fattoria, attended the initial meeting and described it as small, but exciting.

“I knew how popular farmers’ markets had become nationwide, and I wanted to be a part of growing our very own market,” she said. Following additional planning and organizing, the Hip Donelson Farmers’ Market opened for business with 15 vendors in August of 2012 at the Donelson FiftyForward Center, just across the street from the Donelson Hermitage Chamber of Commerce. Trew described those first few months of operation as “a learning experience.” “None of us had ever run a farmers’ market; we’d only been customers,” Trew said. And so, prior to the market’s 2013 opening, the Hip Donelson Farmers’ Market formed an alliance with other area farmers’ markets for help with marketing and expanding the operation. By the time the local market opened for the season in May 2013,

Photos courtesy Hip Donelson, Sheri Oneal

VENDOR SPOTLIGHT

Mazzu Familia Fattoria Michele and Randy Mazzu and their three children launched Mazzu Familia Fattoria at the Hip Donelson Farmers’ Market in May 2013 Mazzu Familia Fattoria specializes in organic fair trade teas, homemade organic spice rubs and organic herb seedlings 9

Founded in the historic Bluefields neighborhood in 2009, Hip Donelson is a wholly local movement aimed at supporting and celebrating the entire community and all it has to offer. According to Hip Donelson President Frank Trew, Bluefields resident Andrew Bradley initially launched a page on Facebook to build excitement about things taking place in the community and to encourage his neighbors to rally around Donelson. In early 2011, Bradley asked Trew and fellow Hip Donelson founder Jeff Syracuse to join in on a brainstorming session intended to grow the movement beyond the Bluefield neighborhood. What followed was nothing short of a social media phenomenon, Trew recalled. “The three of us just kind of put our heads together and came up with what is now Hip Donelson,” he said. “… When I came on board, I think there were 250 people on the Hip Donelson Facebook group. Now there are 8,300.” Today, Hip Donelson is a non-profit corporation focused on supporting local schools, other non-profit organizations and businesses via an area of events, typically held monthly. Trew noted Hip Donelson has evolved over the years and now counts several different organizations amongst its ranks. “We have a neighborhood watch page that helps the community keep up with crime activity and see where things are going – and that’s in partnership with Metro police. We have a new partnership with the American Red Cross … if there’s a disaster in Donelson, we’re the second group of people to be called if a family needs help with food, clothing, that type of thing,” he explained. Hip Donelson also includes a lost-andfound group for local pets as well as Donelson Outdoors, a group that offers active residents who enjoy the great outdoors the opportunity to connect with others via social media. Hip Donelson T-shirts are available for purchase on the organization’s website, and an array of local merchants offer daily deals to anyone sporting the “unapologetically hip” shirts. All funds Hip Donelson receives go directly back to the community, Trew noted. “Nobody makes anything at Hip Donelson,” he said. “All the monies that we make are donated to local non-profit organizations, schools, et cetera.” Trew attributed Hip Donelson’s rapid rise to community support and the organization’s nine-member board of directors, whom he called “the hardest working board in nonprofits.” And as the movement continues to grow, Hip Donelson has begun to reach out to other communities start their own, similar movements. Trew said Hip Donelson has already given some help to the Bellevue community in southern Davidson County, where a “great thing” is already going. “The vision is to be that community conduit to make people proud of our community,” he smiled. “That’s our vision, and that’s one that we will maintain. Our community is growing by leaps and bounds, and that growth is going to take us forward. I just see this blooming and growing.” For more information, visit

hipdonelson.com

it had grown to include 55 vendors. Both Trew and Mazzu said the market’s continued steady growth has exceeded their expectations. “Last year, we averaged about 2,200 people going through our doors … every Friday. It’s a phenomenon,” Trew said. Mazzu, her husband and three children launched Mazzu Familia Fattoria at the Hip Donelson Farmers’ Market in May 2013. A tea-lover, Mazzu created the business specifically as a means of participating in the market and sharing her passion for organic teas and fair trade products. Mazzu Familia Fattoria specializes in organic fair trade teas, homemade organic spice rubs and organic herb seedlings. Mazzu credited the success of the local farmers’ market – which brought in $250,000 in sales during its sixmonth-long run in 2013 – to a special environment and a proud community. “The Donelson Farmers’ Market isn’t necessarily a place you go to shop, although you will usually end up with an armful of delicious items,” she said. “It feels like an old-fashioned community get-together. You might just go to stroll, listen to music, talk to the people at the non-profit booth or say ‘hi’ to your friends and neighbors. I met many local people through the market who I now call friends … There is a lot of pride in this community, and our market reflects that pride.” The farmers’ market is also emblematic of a community that cares,

Last year, we averaged about 2,200 people going through our doors...every Friday. It’s a phenomenon.” —FRANK TREW Trew added, noting the Hip Donelson Farmers’ Market is one of very few “smaller” farmers’ markets that accepts Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits. Among the team of area farmers’ markets with which Hip Donelson aligned itself prior to its 2013 opening was a non-profit organization known as Community Food Advocates. The organization approached Hip Donelson Farmers’ Market leaders and asked them to consider accepting the beneficiaries of the SNAP program. “Their mission is to alleviate hunger and make sure that everybody has good food,” Trew said of Community Food Advocates. “ … We have food deserts in Nashville where it’s hard to find farm-fresh foods and, when you can, sometimes it’s at double the price. So, it’s really difficult for the recipients

of SNAP to be able to manage that.” The Hip Donelson Farmers’ Market made a $1,000 investment and took on a monthly fee in order to accommodate SNAP recipients, and the response was overwhelming. In the final three months of the market’s 2013 season, SNAP benefits represented roughly six percent of the market’s sales. Hip Donelson’s efforts to ensure wholesome, locally grown foods were available for all gained an additional boost thanks to a grant from Piedmont Natural Gas, Trew continued. “It was meant to double the SNAP beneficiaries’ ability to buy fresh fruits and vegetables at our market,” Trew said of the grant. “People would come through and slide their card, and we would match dollar-for-dollar – up to $20 – whatever they spent. It was a huge success, and we’re looking to do the same thing (in 2014) and hoping that, along with Piedmont, we can get some other corporate donors to help. That’s something Community Food Advocates is working with us very closely on.” The Hip Donelson Farmers’ Market’s commitment to serving others and promoting the community came as no surprise to Mazzu. “Hip Donelson has brought back the oldfashioned idea to truly care about and look out for your neighbors. This community support has become infectious, spreading first through a Facebook page then rippling outward,” she remarked. “… This ripple is also felt throughout the Hip Donelson Farmers’ Market. You see it in the smiling faces; you hear it in the music played; you can taste it in the delicious local foods; and you feel it when you stroll down the aisles.” Due to its continued growth, the Hip Donelson Farmers’ Market will open at a new location in May 2014 – the parking lot of the former Two Rivers Ford. Trew said he expects the number of vendors to climb as high as 75 or possibly even 100.

The Donelson Farmers’ Market isn’t necessarily a place you go to shop, although you will usually end up with an armful of delicious items. It feels like an old-fashioned community get-together. You might just go to stroll, listen to music, talk to the people at the non-profit booth or say ‘hi’ to your friends and neighbors.” —MICHELE MAZZU

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10,000 of which are devoted to wildlife management. Like Old Hickory Lake, Percy Priest is also home to a number of marinas, boat and yacht clubs. Those seeking a longer-term outdoor experience would do well to visit the Yogi Bear Jellystone Park Camp and Resort™ on Music Valley Drive. Open year-round, the local campground features several different types of cabins as well as more traditional tent campsites – for those who like their adventures to be a bit more rustic. The facility features many amenities, including bike rentals, the 50s-themed Hot Rod Ice Cream Shoppe, miniature golf, an outdoor pavilion, free Wi-Fi and much, much more. For those who might prefer shorter outdoor excursions, Donelson and Hermitage are also home to many public parks and greenways, including paved trails such as the one found at Two Rivers Park – a 374-acre park that features the Wave Country wave-action swimming pool, Two Rivers Golf Course, a disc golf course, picnic shelters and Nashville’s only skate park. The Stones River Greenway which runs through Two Rivers Park con-

ome to a host of popular parks, greenways, golf courses and other outdoor adventures, Donelson and Hermitage offer a variety of recreational opportunities. Bordered by the Cumberland River to the west and the scenic Old Hickory and J. Percy Priest lakes to the north and south, boating and angling are popular pastimes in both communities. Many fishermen find Old Hickory Lake particularly alluring, as it boasts one state and two national record catches. The lake features 22,000 acres of water and 440 miles of shoreline, offering hiking, boating, skiing and other lake activities in addition to fishing. Marinas offer yacht and boat charters, and there are ample camping opportunities on the lake. Named for a Tennessee congressman, J. Percy Priest Lake sees more than five million visitors each year, all seeking to experience the Great Outdoors – whether via a canoe excursion, a relaxing horseback ride or refreshing swim. Located on the Stones River, Percy Priest Lake includes 14,400 acres of water surrounded by nearly 19,000 acres of public lands,

Community Planned Greenways Bike Lanes

Parks and Greenways: Old Hickory Lake J. Percy Priest Lake Stones River Greenway Two Rivers Park Crossing into

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12 Peeler Park Greenway Two miles of paved multi-use trails along the Cumberland River in this 255-acre park in Neelys Bend, with expansion underway onto adjacent 388 acres of new park land.

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Greenways Coming Soon

Richland Creek Greenway Over three miles of paved trail connecting McCabe Park and the Sylvan Park neighborhood with shopping centers along White Bridge Pike and Harding Road, and Nashville State Community College.

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Harpeth River Greenway: Warner Park to Bellevue Exchange Club

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Harpeth River Greenway: Morton Mill Section One-plus mile paved trail with a boardwalk overlooking the Harpeth River. Plans are in place to eventually connect it with the Harpeth Youth Soccer Association segment.

Two-mile paved trail linking Antioch Community Center and Middle School.

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MetroCenter Levee: Three-mile paved trail along the Cumberland River from Great Circle Road into Ted Rhodes Golf Course, featuring public art and a number of river overlooks. Soon to be extended through the TSU campus, connecting with Boyd Park. Downtown: Paved trail extends from MetroCenter Levee Greenway’s Great Circle trailhead into Downtown to 1st Ave along Fort Nashborough and Riverfront Park, with spurs along the way to Morgan Park and Bicentennial State Park. Half-mile loop accessible through the Harpeth Youth Soccer Association parking lot (but only when the soccer complex is open).

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170, Walk of Fame Park

DUE WEST

LEWIS RD

BRICK

AVE

DUE WEST

HWY 12

N ILTO

PKWY

AVE

JONES

AVE

ARM

HAM

ELLINGTON

STRATFORD

Oakwood Park

AVE

S BRANC DRAKE

LEB

Richard W. Hartman Park

AVE SCOTT

PIKE

DODSON

CHAPEL

MCGAVOCK

PIKE

SPENCE LN

S NEW

HOPE

MCGAVOCK

POLK

Percy Priest Reservoir

PATRICIA DR

FOSTER AVE

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THO

PIKE

AVE 10TH

Iris Park

RD PIKE

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Hamilton Creek Park LN

SOUTHLAKE

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CURREY

FAIRCLOTH

THOMPSON

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Metro Soccer Complex

Couchville Cedar Glade State Natural Area

ANTIOCH PIKE POWE

SIDCO DR

MCCALL

Una Recreation Park

Percy Priest Reservoir

AVE

BLVD

Paragon Mills Park

NER

BLVD

PRIEST LAKE DR

ALLIED DR

Green Hills Park

BELL RD

ESTES RD

REYNOLDS

MURF

William Coleman Park

NNY

BLVD BELMONT

JONES RD

Whitsett Park

THOMPSON

LEALAND

PIKE

PULLEY

ON CURREY

DONELS

AVE

DR DR HILLDALE HILLDALE

Columbine Park

FRANKLIN PIKE

BELLE MEADE BLVD

BRANSFORD

BLVD LYNNWOOD

BROOK

Azalea Park

PIKE

Gale Lane Community Park

161

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SVILLE

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AVE

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RD SH WAL

D ST CRAIGHEA

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Rosedale Park

Sevier Park

BATTLEFIELD

PIKE

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17TH AVE

AVE

GALE LN

HOPE RD

DR RIVERSIDE

S 11TH ST

S 10TH

PRESTON

AVE

SCOTT AVE

GALLA TIN

AVE

N 14TH ST

N 11TH ST

MCFERRIN

NS BLVD

VETERA

KOREAN

S AVE 12TH

LEWIS

MUSIC

21ST AVE

16TH AVE

TRCE NATCHEZ

LEWIS ST

SQ W

PL N ISTO ELL

SQ E

N AVE 28TH

31ST AVE N

8TH AVE S

N 40TH AVE

46TH AVE N

51ST AVE N

AVE

WEDGEWOOD

AVE

FERRY

OLD HICKORY BLVD

BOWLING

_69

BLVD

CRESTMOOR

JOHN

RD JOHN HAGAR

JOHN HAGAR RD JOHN HAGAR RD

BEL

STEWARTS ELM HILL PIKE

MASSMAN

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PIKE

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4TH

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AVE

2ND

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FAIRFIELD

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AVE EX

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AVE

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AVE

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4TH

AVE

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OLD

PIKE

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AVE

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ST TNUT CHES

ROSEDALE

HOBBS RD

LOTT

5TH

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City Cemetery Fort Negley

Reservoir Park

S DOUGLAS

BLAIR BLVD

GLE

_83

Long Hunter State Park

PL LN

NASHBORO

HICKS

WILLARD

HOLL

MT VIEW

AMALIE DR

PIKE EDMONDSON

NKL

CHV ILLE

BLVD OLD

HICKORY

OLD

CLOVERLAND DR

NTIE LN

SON PIKE

Y 100 HIGHWA

NOLE

HOLT RD

HOLT HILLS

EDMOND

PETTUS

PRESTON

FRA

LN MCCRORY

RD PASQUO

BLVD

BARNES

FRO

ST E

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CHURCH

Percy Priest Reservoir

S HARPETH

VIEW

HOLE

BLUE

BRIDGE

CHURCH

PIN HOOK RD PIKE

BLVD

HILL

SBO

CROSSINGS

COU

USD

HAMILTON

Granbery Park

TRO

PIKE

PKWY

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ALE

TON

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HUNTING

EST

HILL RD

SUMM

FRANKLIN PIKE CIR

PKW

LEW

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Antioch Park

EULALA DR

UNION

PIKE

HICK

BLVD

SON

PIKE

TRL

Radnor Lake State Natural Area OLD HICKORY

WAY RD

Mount View Glade State Natural Area RD

CHE

TUSC ULUM

COUNTRY

CHURCH

APA

William A. Pitts Park

HAMILTON

EDMON

REGEN

CRE

T DR

RICHARDS

DR ARD PACK

BRE WER

MCMURRAY

POPLA

RURAL

William Whitfield Park DSON

PIKE WHITE

R GRANNY

HAYWOOD

SPRINGS

Percy Priest Reservoir

HILL RD

IS DAV COL EY

OTTE

Ellington Agricultural Campus

OAKLEY DR

COLLINS

ANDERSON

DR TON

WOOD

HOGAN RD

Radnor Lake State Natural Area

Edwin Warner Park

WAY HIGH

COLLINS

SMITH

PIK

ANT

LING DAR

BARRY

Percy Warner Park

PIKE

100

LAK

UNA

Bellevue Park

DING HAR OLD

Harpeth Knoll Park

RD R CREEK

IOC

FAULKNER DR

TROUSDALE

RD PAGE

WALLACE

Wentworth-Caldwell Park BLACKMAN RD

HOB

DANBY DR

LEALAND LN

CHICKERI

NG RD

VAUGHNS GAP RD

BROWN SAWYER

BRIARWOOD DR

Mill Creek Park

NSVI LLE PIKE

CAN

WHITTEMORE

Cecil Rhea Crawford Park PETTUS RD

WAY

PIK

HIGH

BURKITT

VILL

RIDG

WAY

ENS NOL

HIGH

BATTLE

Cane Ridge Park

CAROTHERS RD

NOLENSVILLE RD

2 Miles

nects to Shelby Bottoms to the east via a stunning pedestrian bridge that spans the Cumberland River and extends eight miles to the west to Percy Priest Dam. The park is also home to Two Rivers Mansion, one of the earliest and best preserved of the early Italianate houses in the mid-state. And if hitting the links is your forte, world-class golfing opportunities are never far away. Hermitage Golf Course

There’s an app for that!

ATE

EDG E

R DR

G PL HARDIN

LINBA

Edwin Warner Park

CASTLEG

ELYSIAN FIELDS RD

PIKE

BLVD

Ezell Road Park

MILLS RD

OCH

PARAGON

ANTI

HIGHW AY

SIDCO DR

Grassmere / Nashville Zoo

S Y 70 HIGHWA

BATTERY

BLV D

Harpeth River Park

RGN

HARDING

TYN E

Newsom's Mill Historic Site

LAVE

PERC

WAR

HIGHWAY 70

AVE

BLAIR BLVD

S LN

PEG

Hidden Lakes State Natural Area

168

BLVD

PIKE

Percy Priest Reservoir

_29

ETTE SOUTH

CENTRAL

PIKE

HERMITAGE AVE

LAFAY

STOKE

MARTIN RD

MPBE

FACTORY

_77

ABBOTT

Parmer Park

AVE

FER

MCCA

CHESTNUT ST

PIK

DIN HAR DAVIDSON

TS AVE

Percy Priest Reservoir

E. S. Rose Park

MAGN PORTLAND

_74

AVE

L DAVI N AVE RGE 14TH

S AVE

DEMO

RON DAL E

Hermitage Park

WAR

ST DAVIDSON

SHA

AVE

Shelby Park

AVE

STE

PIKE

WOODLAWN

3RD

AVE

Kirkpatrick Park

_30

E G

175 1ST

GEO

31ST

BRID

BLVD

N AVE N 1ST AVE

AVE

_90 _14

_17 SHELBY Y AVE SHELB

Lytle Farm

East Bank Greenway

2ND

EDGEHILL

OLIA

N BLAKEMORE

WHIT

HILL WOO

AVE

Fannie Mae Dees Park

Elmington Park

90, Lockeland Springs Park

GAY

AVE

PIKE LOTTE CHAR

RIVER

83, Providence Park

N N AVE AVE N 4TH AVE 5TH

T END WES

DWAY

BROA

NBRE

160

H. G. Hill Park Brookmeade Park

81, Turner School Park

3RD

S BLVD

25TH

McCabe Park

79, Potters Field

COMM

East Park

L PARK

MURPHY

CH CHUR

_28 DIVISION

AVE

Centennial Park

77, Woodmont Park

S 5TH

ROSA

AVE

CHARLOTTE AVE

21ST

AVE

40TH AVE N

RICA

_59

WOOD

165

AVE

LAND

_23 ERCE

20TH

Charlotte Park

AME

Bells Bend Park

74, St. Bernard Park

AVE

CLIFTON

BLVD

69, Dallas H. Neil Park

_24

MAIN LAND

MAIN

N ST UNIO

Watkins Park JR

AVE N

England

2ND

28TH

46TH AVE N

AVE

TODD

R. H. Boyd - Preston Taylor Park ROBERTSON

ST GAY

64, Hope Gardens Park

HERMAN

MAIN

N 1ST ST

_64

AN HERM

ROW

West Park

DIRT RD

Heartland Park

Shelby Bottoms Park

S 14TH ST

BLVD

Bicentennial Capital Mall State Park ST

ON JEFFERS

MOR AVE JAMES

OLD LEBANON

Stone Hall Park

N NEW

AVE LISCHEY

ST HTI VAS

ST MERIDIAN ST MERIDIAN

COWAN ST

BEND

Fred Douglas Park SPRING ST

Clinton B. Fisk Park

Hadley Park

59, William Edmondson Park

PRESTON DR

PIKE VIST A RD L PITA HOS NTY COU

BLVD ED TEMPLE

_13

AVE

RILL

BLVD

Morgan Park

5TH

IAL

COCK

BUCHANAN ST

Bordeaux Garden Park

58, Eastland Park

CHANDLER

JUAREZ DR

Two Rivers Park

AVE

EASTLAND

CENTENN

PIKE

30, Tony Rose Park

W EASTLAND

McFerrin Park

PORTER RD

IAN

ST IELD GARF

SON

ROA

ST ANAN BUCH

TYLER

South Inglewood Park

_58

AVE

JACK

29, Mildred Shute Minipark

RAM

Ted Rhodes Park

County Cemetery

E. N. Peeler Park

PIKE

RIVE

28, Owen Bradley Park

PIKE

OTAY ST

DOUGLAS

Cleveland Park

CLEVELAND

VOCK

BUE NA

MCGAVOCK

MCGA

AN DR DOMINIC

E TRINITY

CAHAL AVE

Buena Vista Park

TULIP GROVE

PKWY

BRICK CHURCH PIKE

_79

24, McKissack Park

I40 RAMP

E TRINITY

Tom Joy Park

167

23, Church Street Park

BRILEY

W TRINITY LN

205, 12th Street Ballfield

TIMBER VALLEY DR

Joseph Brown Mullins Park

204, OHUD Arts center

ANO

PIKE

HWY

CREEK

CITY

H RD

ANS MOORM

203, Old Hickory Cemetery

CLARKSVIL

LAN

EATONS

ASH

Bordeaux-Timothy Drive Park

LE PIKE

KINGS LN

201, Veterans Parks

offers a pair of spectacular courses, The President’s Reserve and The General’s Retreat – considered by many to be Tennessee’s finest public access courses. In fact, The President’s Reserve has been recognized by “Golf Digest Magazine” as one of the top 10 courses in Tennessee; The General’s Retreat is also considered a “must play” for golfers and hosted the LPGA Sara Lee Classic from 1988 until 1999.

Developed by BDY Environmental LLC, The NashVitality app is a free application available on both Android and Apple devices. The app is a mobile guide to a healthy, active and green lifestyle in and around Nashville. The app offers interactive maps for all types of activities, including walking, hiking, biking, water access and much more. Every screen features an “Explore Near Me” option which, when clicked, displays nearby areas to be active and green.

community

events & festivals Throughout the year, the Donelson and Hermitage communities enjoy numerous popular annual events and festivals, further uniting their residents with community spirit and a healthy dose of familyy fun.

pretty eager to take part in the Donelson Hermitage Dash 10K/5K. This yearly race brings together the community to support a local charity while allowing neighbors to join together for an enjoyable run around scenic parks and greenways. And as

n the spring, foodies from throughout the area converge for the yearly Taste Donelson Hermitage food and beverage event. Guests delight in sampling food and beverages from the best food emporiums in Donelson and Hermitage. This family friendly event concludes with the presentation of awards in several categories. In the fall comes another opportunity for area residents to treat their palates at the annual Tennessee Beer Festival, held each year at the historic Two Rivers Mansion on McGavock Pike. Brewers and wineries from across the region showcase their wares at the festival, as do local artisans Proceeds from the crowd-pleasing event, which is limited to those who are age 21 and over, benefit numerous local charities. In fact, since the event began in 2010, the Tennessee Beer Festival has contributed roughly $30,000 to local charitable organizations. Right around the time of the Tennessee Beer Festival, The Hermitage – home to our nation’s seventh

president, Andrew Jackson – plays host to Fall Fest @ The Hermitage, a weekend full of fun, music, food, art and history. Geared toward the entire family, Fall Fest @ The Hermitage features a variety of live music that can only be found in Music City as well as specialty foods, spirits, handmade arts and crafts from local artisans and regional artists. After so many events featuring delectable food, residents are generally

each year draws to a close, the young and the young at heart always enjoy the annual festivities at the Donelson Hermitage Christmas Parade. Presented by the Donelson Hermitage th Chamber of Commerce, this Cha jubilant parade warms the heart jubilan and spreads holiday cheer throughout the community – and a little magic from Santa himself is always certain to make the day merry and bright. These annual events are only a small sampling of all the great community-building, enjoyable activities that take place in Donelson and Hermitage. Each year, the calendar adds new charitable events, 5K and 10K races and family friendly activities. Keep an eye out for announcements about new and exciting events throughout the year! 15

diversity in business From family owned small businesses to tech startups and some of the country’s leading corporations, the twin communities of Donelson and Hermitage enjoy a strong and diverse business community.

rom family owned small businesses to tech startups and some of the country’s leading corporations, the twin communities of Donelson and Hermitage enjoy a strong and diverse business community, according to Donelson Hermitage Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Leah Jack. “We’re home to vastly different types of businesses and industries,” ,” Jack said, “with larger corporate residents such as Cummins

Crosspoint, Deloitte and healthcare providers as well as family owned shops and restaurants.” One of “The Big Four” international professional services networks, Deloitte’s local operation provides jobs for more than 1,000 people in fields like finance, accounting, information technology, call center support, information management and human resources. Located in Hermitage, Deloitte’s facility occupies more than 200,000 square feet of space on Sells Drive. Meanwhile, Cummins Crosspoint LLC serves as the exclusive distributor of Cummins products in a five-state territory. Its employees serve the needs of a variety of customers in the industries of trucking, mining, marine, oil and gas, power generation and agri16

culture. The business has built a strong reputation for providing top-notch sales, service and support for world-renowned Cummins engines, generators, filters and related products. Not surprisingly due to the communities’ proximity to Musicc City and the Nashville International onal Airport, the area is also home to many hospitality and entertainment-focused d businesses. Among the best-known attractions are Opry Mills, Nashville Shores, the Grand Ole Opry and the world-class, 2,800-room Gaylord Opryland Resort & Convention Center. Local restaurateurs and small business owners said the hospitality industry and the convenient access to downtown Nashville has been integral to their businesses’ success. “It’s a cool place … you’re seven miles from downtown; you’re two miles from the airport. I’d estimate I have about 17,000 hotel rooms within four square miles of my front door,” Sean McNamara, proprietor of McNa-

mara’s Irish Pub, said. Tourism, coupled with the presence of several large employers, have helped fuel the success of locally owned shops and eateries, such as McNamara’s and Ellendale’s Restaurant. The local business community also includes a host of attorneys, financial institutions, higher education providers, private schools and healthcare corporaproviding residents and visitors with a tions, provid job market and a sense of economic varied jo security and well-being. secur In addition to education-focused residents like ITT Tech, University re of the Phoenix, Argosy University and The Art Institute of Tennessee – Nashville, the area is also home to the Tennessee Secondary School Athletic Association (TSSAA). Located in Hermitage, the TSSAA administers all junior and high school sporting events iin the Volunteer State. In all, the TSSAA oversees sporting events for TS estimated 110,000 participants and an es 5,500 tteams.

economy

LTHCARE A HE

t i m m Su l a c i d e M ter Cen

Conveniently located just off Interstate 40 in Hermitage, TriStar Summit Medical Center has served the Donelson and Hermitage communities since 1994 and offers a full range of services, including cardiology, oncology, diagnostic, obstetric and emergency medical services.

ummit Chief Executive Officer Jeff Whitehorn, who has served as the 188-bed facility’s CEO for over a decade, said he and his team keep a close eye on trends and forecasts as far as five years out in order to keep pace with growth and community demand. In order to strengthen their efforts, he noted hospital administrators listen carefully to their physicians and the public. “We try to always be able to provide services that we feel the community needs, that they deserve to have,” Whitehorn said. “It’s always been a good relationship between the community and us. We’re a community hospital, and the communities we serve have supported us and so, as a result of that, we’ve been able to give back.” Over the past three years, Whitehorn explained, the hospital has grown at a tremendous pace and recognized the need for new services. Three years ago, Summit’s renowned emergency department underwent a $6.3 million upgrade and now includes 32 private patient rooms. This year, the hospital – certified by The Joint Commission as a Primary Stroke Center – launched an inpatient rehabilitation program aimed at aiding in stroke victims’ recovery. The 14,774-squarefoot, state-of-the-art facility includes 12 private rooms, a fully equipped gym and complete apartment settings to help patients restore their activities of daily living. A Total Joint Center focused on total knee and hip replacement is also in the hospital’s immediate future. Whitehorn noted both the inpatient rehabilitation and total joint programs were in response to growth and consumer demand. He explained Summit had seen a sizable increase in stroke patients over the past two years and responded accordingly. As for the total knee and hip replacement specialized care unit, its development represents a continued commitment to one of the hospital’s busiest

departments: orthopedics. “The Total Joint Center will focus on total hips and total knees. Orthopedics is the number one surgery we do here at Summit – it’s one of the highest volumes in the city,” Whitehorn said. Summit also plays a major role in welcoming the newest residents to Donelson, Hermitage and Middle Tennessee via the Women’s Services labor and delivery department. In addition to 18 labor-delivery-recovery rooms that allow the entire birth process to be completed in a home-like setting, Summit is also home to a Level 3A neonatal intensive care nursery to care for premature and high-risk babies. Whitehorn estimated the labor and delivery department would welcome more than 1,200 newborns into the world this year. Looking toward the future of the hospital and the community, Whitehorn said Summit would continue to include physician and patient input as part of its planning process. “It comes back to the relationships that we have with medical staff in our community. We’ve just grown to know each other pretty well,” he said. “We try to make sure that we’re out there, that we’re listening. It’s important.”

We try to always be able to provide services that we feel the community needs, that they deserve to have.” —JEFF WHITEHORN

To learn more visit TriStarSummit.com. 19

economy

ST S A

RANSIT

y t i C c i s u M

Star

n 2006, the first-ever commuter train service in Nashville, the Music City Star, began operations with one 32-mile rail line from neighboring Wilson County to Nashville – and both Donelson and Hermitage were awarded stops along the line, making the short commute to Nashville even more convenient. Three trains provide weekday morning and evening service, and ridership has steadily increased since late 2010. According to the Middle

Photos by Ken Beck

Tennessee Regional Transportation Authority (RTA), which oversees the Music City Star regional rail, fiscal year 2011 saw a 24-percent increase in total trips over the previous year, with a daily average ride increase of 45 percent at 1,225 per day. When the train arrives at Nashville’s Riverfront Station, the RTA provides Nashville Metropolitan Transit Authority (MTA) buses to ferry Music City Star passengers from the station to their respective workplaces.

The commuter rail line has been described as a true asset by community leaders, who have noted that it makes the communities it serves even more attractive to prospective residents and corporations. In addition to its weekday service, the Music City Star often operates during special events, including Nashville’s annual Independence Day Celebration, the New Year’s Eve Bash on Broadway and Tennessee Titans games via the RTA Game-Day Express.

DONELSON STATION

HERMITAGE STATION

The Music City Star Donelson Station is located at 2705 Lebanon Pike, directly north of the intersection of Donelson Pike and Bluefield Avenue. It is adjacent to the FiftyForward center with direct access to the park-and-ride lot from Donelson Pike. In addition to the commuter train, Route 6 Lebanon Road and Route 34 Opry Mills Nashville MTA buses also serve the park-and-ride lot. Approximately 230 parking spaces are provided.

The commuter rail line’s Hermitage Station is located at 4121 Andrew Jackson Parkway, directly off Andrew Jackson Parkway near Old Hickory Boulevard. Nashville MTA’s Route 6 Lebanon Road buses also serve the park-andride lot at the Hermitage station, which offers roughly 280 parking spaces.

For information regarding fares, train schedules and other details, visit rtarelaxandride.com 21

economy

With top-notch schools, an evergrowing sense of community spirit and an array of housing options, the Donelson and Hermitage communities are on the move and attracting a new generation of families. Historic Homes in Donelson and Hermitage  The Hermitage (1863)

 Tulip Grove (1863)

 Cole House (circa 1856)

 Governor Roberts Home (circa 1800)

 James Buchanan Log House (1800)  Belair – H.H. Chitwood House (1838)  Cleveland Hall (1841)  Two Rivers Mansion (1859) above 22

 Clover Bottom Mansion (1858)  Stone Hall (1899)  McCampbell Home (1790)

ccording to Sharon Kipp, a Realtor with Team Kipp of RE/MAX Elite and a member of the Donelson Hermitage Chamber of Commerce board of directors, the communities were largely built and developed in the 1950s. As the original owners of those homes move on, Kipp said the area has become increasingly popular with young families over the years. “It’s like 1950s déjà vu. There’s been a turnover of homes for people who have lived there since they were built in the 1950s or 1960s,” Kipp said. “The majority of the buyers that we’re seeing purchase those homes.” John C. Hobbs, a Donelson native and a Realtor with RE/ MAX Carriage House, shared Kipp’s take on the local real estate market. “You know these homes are well built, even if they were built in the 50s or 60s. They don’t build them like that anymore,” Hobbs said, adding the area is increasingly appealing to young families for a host of reasons. “They’ve fallen in love with Donelson and Hermitage. It’s so close to the airport, so close to downtown (Nashville), so close to shopping destinations like Opry Mills and so close to the interstates – you can be in Franklin in 30 minutes; you can be downtown in less than 20.” In addition to an influx of young families from across the region, Kipp added the area is also seeing many new families relocate from East Nashville. Many of those were initially attracted to the East Nashville area prior to starting families, she continued. “As those people get married and start families, they’re thinking, ‘Hmm, I’d like to have a garden in my backyard; I’d like to have a place for my children to play, and it’s kind of noisy over here, so I’d like to have a little more peace and quiet,” Kipp explained. “So now we’re seeing those young people move to the area.” Both Kipp and Hobbs attributed the ongoing success of the local real estate market to a number of factors, most notably the quality of local schools and steadily appreciating home values. “On any given year when they do the studies to determine what parts of Middle Tennessee are appreciating, if Green Hills appreciated three percent, then Donelson appreciated two percent. And it’s been that way for pretty much the last 30 years,” Kipp said. “And I express to people who are relocating … that, in this area, we have great support for our schools – great parental support, parent-teacher organizations and community support.” And while the Recession had a severe impact on home prices elsewhere in the country from 2007 through 2009, Kipp explained the Nashville market was not impacted as dramatically as other areas of the United States. As national news reports cover “tremendous” rebounds in housing markets in places such as California, Kipp said the Donelson and Hermitage markets won’t see such changes, having never been as severely impacted by the Recession in the first place. “There’s been steady recovery in the Donelson area. I don’t expect that prices are going to go crazy yet here, but I think prices will slowly escalate,” she said. “The good thing about the Donelson area is that we haven’t had those big swings in values so, to me, it feels safer to invest in a place that has steady appreciation. It’s always been a good investment here.”

you have goals WE CAN HELP YOU REACH THEM.

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2233

education

Traditional and non-traditional students alike who seek to further their education and expand their career opportunities via an accelerated or flexible learning format need look no further than Argosy University, Nashville.

ounded in 2001, the Argosy University system – which consists of 28 campus locations across the United States – offers an array of academic programs at its Nashville location, including degrees at the associate, baccalaureate, graduate and post-graduate levels. Dr. Roger Widmer, president of Argosy University, Nashville, identified programs in behavioral sciences and business as the local campus’ specialties.

Argosy University, Nashville 100 Centerview Drive, Suite 225 Nashville, TN 37214 615-525-2800/866-833-6598 www.argosy.edu/nashville-tennessee

ARGOSY UNIVERSITY, NASHVILLE Among the Donelson Hermitage Chamber of Commerce’s newest members, Argosy University, Nashville has extended several opportunities to chamber members in an effort to support several chamber initiatives, including the Higher Learning Coalition and the Emerging Leaders and Women in Business initiatives. Through a special agreement, Argosy University, Nashville: Provides the chamber with

10 high school scholarships, allowing chamber members to nominate potential recipients. Provides a scholarship for chamber members selected for the Donelson Hermitage Emerging Leaders program to pursue either a master’s or doctoral degree in organizational leadership. Provides a scholarship for chamber members involved in the Women in Business initiative to pursue either a master’s

or doctoral degree in any College of Business program. Argosy University, Nashville President Dr. Roger Widmer said the university is excited to offer such opportunities. “We’ve been involved with the chamber for a year … and within that year, we have found a lot of opportunity to be involved in the community, lots of opportunity to connect,” Widmer said. “The university wants to really become part of the fabric of Donelson and Hermitage.”

RLD KNOWLE O D -W

REA L “Our strength has always been behavioral sciences,” Widmer, who holds a doctorate in education, said. “One of the three schools that merged together to form Argosy was the American School of Professional Psychology, and we really see those behavioral sciences as our strength.” Argosy Nashville’s College of Behavioral Sciences offers four master’s-level programs and a pair of doctoral degree programs. Of the university’s more than 25 total academic degree tracks, Widmer noted the Master of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling enjoys the highest enrollment. A Master of Arts in Forensic Psychology, Master of Arts in Industrial Organizational Psychology and Master of Science in Human Services round out the “suite of master’s programs” within the College of Behavioral Sciences, he said. At the doctoral level, Argosy Nashville’s College of Behavioral Sciences offers the Doctor of Education in Counselor Education & Supervision as well as the Doctor of Education in Pastoral Community Counseling – a unique program that is “interesting for this area,” according to Widmer. “It’s pastoral community counseling, and yet it does not lead to you becoming either a pastor or a counselor. It’s really designed for …

y s o g r A ity s r e v i Un

The person with this degree becomes the expert that brings all of those different services together and all of those individual organizations together to, in essence, serve the community.” —ROGER WIDMER

pastors or counselors already serving in that capacity – those people who work within the community and see that there are great needs and different nonprofit organizations that specialize in some aspect of the needs of the community,” Widmer explained. “The person with this degree becomes the expert that brings all of those different services together and all of those individual organizations together to, in essence, serve the community.” And when it comes to the Donelson and Hermitage communities, Argosy University, Nashville is also doing its part to help local high school students achieve the dream of a college education and place them on the fast track to a rewarding professional career. The local university has designed and implemented a program that allows incoming, traditional freshmen to obtain a baccalaureate and master’s degree in either a psychology or business discipline in four years – the same length of study that has

historically been required to obtain a bachelor’s degree alone. “It’s designed so that the student completes their undergraduate degree in two-and-a-half years, and then they transition into one of the aligned graduate programs. We also accelerate that program, finishing it in a year or year-and-a-half,” Widmer said. “… If you went to a traditional college, as I did, you went for eight semesters – four years, two semesters per year, fall and spring. This is designed so that you include the summers.” All of the degree programs at Argosy University, Nashville are designed to instill the knowledge, ethical values and interpersonal skills of professional practice and to foster values of social responsibility in a supportive, learner-centered environment of mutual respect and academic excellence. Many programs are available in flexible learning formats, such as evening, weekend and online courses, to accommodate the busy schedules of working adults. 25

education N LEARNIN O S G D N

e t u t i t s n I Art nessee n e T f o

by Brian Harville Thanks in part to our community’s reputation as the “Gateway to Music City” and Nashville’s growing reputation as an “it” city, The Art Institute of Tennessee – Nashville is attracting new students from across the country.

“

We have students from all over the country, and I think Nashville’s reputation helps,” Art Institute of Tennessee -- Nashville President Carol Menck said. “We have students from 20-plus states, some from as far away as Arizona and New York.” And while Nashville’s popularity influences many students’ decisions to enroll at The Art Institute, the school’s array of popular programs – in fields such as advertising, digital animation, interior design, audio production and web design – and state-of-the-art classrooms and equipment are undoubtedly the primary drivers behind its success. Of the school’s approximately 1,000 students, more than a third are enrolled in one of The Art Institute’s trio of culinary arts programs, according to Dean of Academic Affairs Greg Chapman. The Art Institute of Tennessee – Nashville has led the charge in the culinary arts, offering the state’s first four-year culinary program and the only such program in Nashville. The school offers associate degrees and diplomas in Baking & Pastry, Culinary Arts and a Bachelor of Science in Culinary Arts

Management. And, as is the case with its other art-centric programs, the school’s culinary programs are impressive in scope, and its students are afforded the latest in equipment and technology in one of The Art Institute’s three fully stocked commercial kitchens. Instruction for culinary students goes far beyond just learning cooking techniques and recipes, however. The Art Institute of Tennessee – Nashville is home to a unique restaurant called “Courses,” which serves the campus as well as visitors and is completely student-run, Chef Anthony Mandriota said. Mandriota, who serves as the school’s culinary academic director, explained the restaurant gives students hands-on experience in all aspects of the industry. Each quarter, students develop a new menu for the restaurant, featuring such delectable dishes such as duck confit ravioli, New Orleans-style barbecue shrimp and even maple candied bacon ice cream. Culinary students rotate through various stations throughout the quarter, learning about all aspects of the restaurant business, including marketing and budgeting. “It takes more than a great chef to have a successful restaurant … (Students) are well-rounded when they leave here,” Mandriota remarked. He added that, as The Art Institute’s academic calendar is divided into quarters rather than traditional fall and spring semesters, students can complete a bachelor’s degree in just three years. “It’s great,” Mandriota, a native of New York, said. “It gets them into the workforce a year early.” Student collaboration is strongly encouraged across

It takes more than a great chef to have a successful restaurant … (Students) are well-rounded when they leave here.” —CHEF ANTHONY MANDRIOTA 27

THE ART INSTITUTE OF TENNESSEE – NASHVILLE

Program Offerings  Advertising – Bachelor of Arts  Audio Production – Bachelor of Arts  Baking & Pastry – Associate of Arts, Diploma  Culinary Arts – Associate of Arts, Diploma  Culinary Arts Management – Bachelor of Science  Designing for Tablets: Digital Publishing – Bachelor of Fine Arts  Digital Filmmaking & Video Production – Bachelor of Fine Arts  Digital Image Management – Diploma  Fashion & Retail Management – Bachelor of Arts  Fashion Retailing – Diploma  Graphic & Web Design – Bachelor of Fine Arts, Associate of Arts  Interior Design – Bachelor of Fine Arts  Media Arts & Animation – Bachelor of Fine Arts  Photographic Imaging – Bachelor of Fine Arts  Video Production – Associate of Arts  Web Design & Development – Diploma  Web Design & Interactive Communications -Diploma 28

all of The Art Institute – Nashville’s programs, and the culinary arts programs are no different. Menck noted that students from different disciplines regularly work together. For instance, a photography student might work closely with a culinary arts student to photograph various dishes for inclusion in menus or on websites. When the project is complete, both students walk away with new material to include in their respective portfolios. Menck added students from all academic programs regularly take their skills outside the classroom to benefit the community. Culinary students are regularly involved with the Second Harvest Food Bank and other Nashville-area non-profits and special events; advertising and design students frequently take home ADDY Awards from the American Advertising Federation; and video production students are often found off-campus assisting with special projects, including work at the Bonnaroo Music and Arts Festival through a special program m known as Student Studio: o: Bonnaroo. “I think it’s a very important part of what we do, teaching our students to serve the community,” Menck said. The Art Institute of Tennessee –

Nashville offers numerous scholarships for both traditional and non-traditional students as well as student housing and a student shuttle service. The school also hosts annual workshops for high school students who are interested in its academic programs.

To learn more, visit artinstitutes.edu/nashville

education Founded in Donelson in 1844, the Tennessee School for the Blind provides blind and visually challenged students with opportunities to discover and develop their potential for a happy, self-fulfilling and productive life.

he school’s diverse curriculum meets the educational needs of students ranging from age four to age 22. The school – which is a residential campus with nearly 200 students enrolled each year – is home to a program designed to address the educational needs of a broad spectrum of students ranging from the academically gifted to the developmentally delayed. In addition to its academic focus, the Tennessee School for the Blind seeks to teach, train and equip blind children with special skills and techniques necessary to function at their optimum level in society. “The program is permeated with the philosophy that every individual is a person of worth, with the right to receive assistance in reaching his (or) her maximum level of functioning,” the

school’s vision statement states. “The instructional staff, including classroom and special area teachers, the residential staff, the support staff and the outreach staff comprise a special team dedicated to the implementation of this philosophy through the provision of a totally individualized program for each student.” The Tennessee School for the Blind also works closely with and supports the learning community of teachers, parents, universities and others concerned with the development and education of children and adults challenged by severe vision loss. Locally, the school benefits from the support of the community, specifically Friends of Tennessee School for the Blind, a Nashville-based non-profit organization that assists the school with the purchase of equipment, materials and enrichment activities. Since its inception in the late 1990s, the organization has contributed, either via donations or grant assistance, approximately a half-million dollars to benefit the Tennessee School for the Blind and its students. To learn more, visit tbstigers.org or www.friendsoftsb.org.

education AT

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High

ocated in Donelson, McGavock High School is among the Metro Nashville Public School System’s (MNPS) crown jewels. Aside from being the largest high school in the system with over 2,200 students, McGavock has earned national acclaim – and a nod from the White House – for its implementation of The Academies of Nashville program. Launched in 2006, The Academies of Nashville seeks to provide students with a personalized, small learning community focused upon their career interests and centered on the importance of community relationships. In addition to a Freshman Academy, McGavock High is home to four distinct academies: the Academy of Aviation and Transportation, the CMT Academy of Digital Design and Communication, the Academy of Health Science and Law, The Gaylord Academy of Hospitality & The US Community Credit Union Academy of Business and Finance. Academy Coach Paula Barkley, whose responsibilities include organizing experiential learning opportunities and business engagement for the McGavock program, was a part of the Academy’s implementation at the high school. She said the academy programs offered at McGavock were selected based upon economic projections for the area. “We chose the academies that would work with workforce development in our area because we knew it would be good for Nashville, and it would be good for our kids,” she explained. Barkley noted students at McGavock have benefited from the academies for several reasons, including strong teachers and a

Photo courtesy Shay Stamps, senior at McGavock High School

President Obama praises the largest high school in the metro school system for its implementation of The Academies of Nashville program.

A Difference That’s Important To You learning model that more closely resembles life outside the classroom. “The kids were always smart enough … but nothing in the classroom looked like they saw in the outside world,” she said. “Their world is full of technology and collaboration, and now we’re teaching more in line with the world they live in.” The Academies program is built upon an experiential learning model, encouraging students to find and pursue their passions early in their high school careers and providing them with the tools and opportunities to do so. All freshmen at McGavock are part of The Freshmen Academy, and during their first year in high school, they learn about college and career preparation through a freshman seminar course. Each and every freshman visits a college or university during the year and also attends the annual Career Exploration Fair, where hundreds of businesses from the Nashville area showcase various career opportunities and provide students with information about the qualifications they will need to enter a specific field. By their sophomore years, students are prepared to select the academy that best suits their career aspirations. As sophomores, students take career-related field trips; as juniors, they take “job shadowing” excursions

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and sample a day in the life of their chosen professional field; and as seniors, students complete capstone projects such as internships and indepth research projects. Throughout their high school careers, students are guided by teachers and mentors who focus on interdisciplinary, project-based learning. They are equipped with innovative, state-of-the-art technology to further prepare students and place them in real-life workplace environments. Over the course of four years, students can earn college credit as well as nationally recognized professional certifications. In The Academy of Aviation and Transportation, for example, students can choose to study aviation maintenance, flight, collision repair and engineering technology. Partners in the aviation and transportation academy include Middle Tennessee State University, Triumph Aerostructures, ICAR and the Nashville Airport Authority. Each academy enjoys such high-profile partners, making their respective educations more relevant to today’s workplace. In 2012, a pair of McGavock academies earned the highest designation as “model” academies from the National Career Academy Coalition – The Gaylord Academy of Hospitality & The US Community Credit Union Academy of Business and the

CMT Academy of Digital Design and Communication. In 2013, both the Academy of Health Science and Law and the Academy of Aviation and Transportation followed suit, making McGavock the only school with four nationally recognized, model academies. The special recognition did not go unnoticed, and one year later, President Barack Obama visited McGavock High School to praise the Academies redesign and its successes. “Over the past nine years, the graduation rate here has gone up 22 percent … Last year, attendance across the district, which includes 12 academy high schools, was higher than ever,” Obama said during his remarks. “Thousands of students are

getting a head start on their future years before many of their peers do. And it’s great for businesses because they’re developing a pool of workers who already have the skills that they’re looking for. “Now, every community is different, with different needs, different approaches. But if Nashville can bring schools and teachers and businesses and parents together for the sake of our kids, then other places can. That’s why my administration is already running a competition to redesign high schools through employer partnerships that combine a quality education with real-world skills and hands-on learning,” he continued. “I want to encourage more high schools to do what you are doing.”

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Larry on Keet

entertainment

e r t a e Th

Photo from The Larry Keeton Theatre’s 2013 production of “Little Women.” Pictured from left to right are Katherine Graddy, Stella London and Leslie Thompson. Photo by Mike Gomez.

iftyForward Donelson Station and the Senior Center for the Arts (SCA) is a unique facility located in the heart of Donelson that provides traditional and arts-integrated activities and opportunities for local citizens 50 and over. And, within Donelson Station you will find the area’s “homegrown” community theatre, The Larry Keeton Theatre – named in honor of legendary philanthropic businessman and its greatest supporter, Larry Keeton. Now in its 12th season, The Larry Keeton Theatre strives to be an inclusive and intergenerational theatre, producing six to seven musicals each year with casts ranging in age from three to 93. “Auditions are open to everyone, and we welcome and rely on the volunteer participation of seasoned pros, amateur enthusiasts and new-

comers,” Jamie London, administrator at the SCA and The Larry Keeton Theatre, said. “For those more inclined to be behind the scenes, we recruit volunteers for our creative production crews backstage and in the costume shop.” In addition to its main stage musical productions, the theatre also offers the Golden Follies, the 50-and-over, “seasoned” performance troupe also known as the Prime Time Players, as well as Keeton Kids, a program geared toward arts education and offering performance opportunities for children ages five to 16. London noted the SCA and The Larry Keeton Theatre enjoy strong support from local businesses, edu-

cational facilities, citizens and season ticket holders. Among the organizations’ list of collaborative partners are presenting sponsor Wilson Bank & Trust, Metro Arts Commission, Tennessee Arts Commission, Donelson Hermitage Evening Exchange Club, Dick’s Flowers, McKendree Village, Resha’s School of Dance, McGavock High School, Sheriff Daron Hall and the Davidson County Sheriff ’s Office, Metro School Board member Anna Shepherd and FiftyForward. “To maintain our community relationships and cultivate ongoing creative collaborative opportunities The Larry Keeton Theatre practices, we try to exemplify our mission, which simply states, ‘The Senior Center for the Arts has the sole purpose of creating opportunities in the arts for all members of the community,’” London said.

To learn more visit thelarrykeetontheatre.org 33

entertainment

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Opry

The Donelson Hermitage community is the proud home of country musicâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s most famous stage, the Grand Ole Opry. 34

OPRY MEMBER LIST

ach year, thousands of fans from around the globe flock to the worldfamous Opry, Nashville’s No. 1 attraction, for unparalleled entertainment and unforgettable, one-of-a-kind moments. In addition to those who make the trek to Music City to visit the Opry, the show that made country music famous is heard by millions via a mobile app, SiriusXM, Nashville’s 650 AM WSM and on opry.com and wsmonline.com. At the Opry, things happen you simply can’t see anywhere else. Unlike a typical concert, the Opry presents eight or more artists at each show, giving the audience a sample of each artist’s musical style. Many of those “Opry Moments,” as they are known, are the result of country music’s new stars, superstars and legends taking the same stage on the same night to perform a wide variety of musical styles – like the night Carrie Underwood brought down the house with her rendition of the Tammy Wynette classic, “Stand By Your Man,” or the evening Vince Gill invited jazz great Diana Krall to the stage for a spontaneous duet. “The Grand Ole Opry celebrates the diversity of all the musical styles under the country music umbrella … the Opry pres-

ents the many generations of artists who have formed country music’s rich legacy and continues to forge its future course,” Opry General Manager Pete Fisher said. “The key to the Opry’s longevity can be attributed to its ability to evolve with the ever-changing musical landscape of the times.” What began as a simple radio broadcast in 1925 has blossomed into a live entertainment phenomenon. Dedicated to honoring country music’s rich history and dynamic present, the Grand Ole Opry showcases a blend of country legends and the contemporary chart-toppers who have followed in their footsteps. Today’s roster of Opry members reads like an all-star lineup and includes the likes of Garth Brooks, Emmylou Harris, Alison Krauss, Old Crow Medicine Show, Rascal Flatts, Blake Shelton, Keith Urban and many more. Catch the Opry at the Grand Ole Opry – situated near the Gaylord Opryland Resort and Convention Center and Opry Mills, just nine short miles from downtown Nashville – every Friday and Saturday night between February and October or during the Opry’s wintertime run at its famous former home, the historic Ryman Auditorium from November through January.

to learn more visit www.opry.com

Trace Adkins Bill Anderson Dierks Bentley Clint Black Garth Brooks Jim Ed Brown Roy Clark Terri Clark John Conlee Charlie Daniels Diamond Rio Jimmy Dickens Joe Diffie The Gatlin Brothers Vince Gill Tom T. Hall George Hamilton IV Emmylou Harris Jan Howard Alan Jackson Stonewall Jackson Hal Ketchum Alison Krauss Rascal Flatts Patty Loveless Loretta Lynn Barbara Mandrell Martina McBride Del McCoury Reba McEntire Jesse McReynolds Ronnie Milsap Montgomery Gentry Craig Morgan Lorrie Morgan Jimmy C. Newman Oak Ridge Boys Old Crow Medicine Show The Osborne Brothers Brad Paisley Dolly Parton Stu Phillips Ray Pillow Charley Pride Jeanne Pruett Rascal Flatts Riders in the Sky Darius Rucker Jeannie Seely Blake Shelton Ricky Van Shelton Jean Shepard Ricky Skaggs Connie Smith Mike Snider Ralph Stanley Marty Stuart Mel Tillis Pam Tillis Randy Travis Travis Tritt Josh Turner Carrie Underwood Keith Urban Steve Wariner The Whites Trisha Yearwood *current as of Sept. 2013 Source: www.opry.com

entertainment

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AU T HEN

McNamara's Irish Pub by Brian Harville

Irish eyes are literally smiling on Donelson, home to McNamaraâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s, the No. 1 Irish pub in the world. 37

Pub was always short for ‘public house.’ People forget about that. A lot of times people associate ‘pub’ with ‘bar.’ That drives me nuts because, although we have a bar, we’re not a bar.” —SEAN McNAMARA

take a lot of pride in their locale,” he said. “(Donelson) is kind of where East Nashville was 15 years ago … people are moving out to this area. It’s a cool place. You’re seven miles from downtown (Nashville); you’re two miles from the airport.” In addition to the international recognition from “Ireland of the Welcomes,” McNamara’s has also been named one of the country’s top 100 kid-friendly restaurants by preeminent food blog Urban Spoon. And for the team at McNamara’s the kid-friendly distinction is equally as important. “We are family friendly. We are the type of place that you could bring your grandparents or your grandkids,” Sean said. “Children love it, and I’m a firm believer in what I call ‘genetic memory.’ There are a lot of people that have Irish roots, and they’ll come in here, have a bite to eat, listen to the music and they’ll go ‘Oh my, that’s so much fun.’ They don’t really know why.”

cNamara’s in Donelson has been named the No. 1 Irish pub in the world, according to Dublin-based “Ireland of the Welcomes,” the world’s largest and longest-running Irish interest magazine. The magazine lauded the locally owned business for its expertly prepared, traditional Irish cuisine, authentic décor, family friendly atmosphere and top-notch live musical performances – all key components husband-and-wife team Sean and Paula McNamara envisioned before opening the pub in February 2010. “When we opened the pub, we wanted it to be an authentic Irish pub,” Sean McNamara said. “Pub was always short for ‘public house.’ People forget about that. A lot of times people associate ‘pub’ with ‘bar.’ That drives me nuts because, although we have a bar, we’re not a bar.” Friendliness pervades McNamara’s. Upon visiting the pub, one immediately notices the phrase “céad míle fáilte,” or “a hundred thousand welcomes,” inscribed above the entryway to McNamara’s renowned music venue. Sean and his staff ’s commitment to the old Irish greeting is easily evident. There are no strangers at McNamara’s. Somehow managing to find time to greet new customers and chat with regulars amidst a bevy of other daily responsibilities, Sean’s passion for the pub and the community shines as brightly as his seemingly ever-present grin. “Donelson’s a real community, you know what I mean? They

Keep it simple. Keep it authentic. Keep it fresh. When Sean and Paula were developing the menu for McNamara’s, along with General Manager Kirk Orndorff and Kitchen Manager “Magic” Gyebi, their focus was to provide an affordable and varied menu with deep Irish roots. Paula, a native of County Down, Ireland, insists on serving a “proper pot of Irish tea” – complete with fresh milk, sugar and its own teapot -- that is unrivaled in the region; the corned beef is slow cooked every night for eight-and-a-half hours; the fish is hand-battered; and a full Irish breakfast imported directly from Ireland is served every weekend. The full menu of Irish classics features “every kind of protein” available, Sean said, stressing the importance of proper, fresh ingredients in dishes such as McNamara’s pork chops, roasted chicken, pork tenderloin and an array of other popular pub offerings. “When we were working on the menu, the whole concept was to keep it simple. Keep it authentic. Keep it fresh. We don’t even have a microwave in the restaurant. Everything’s made to order,” he said. “And we tried to make it as reasonable as we could. The most expensive thing on (the menu) is the rib-eye, but it’s a 14-ounce cut, and it’s all locally raised Hereford beef.”

The music is what we wanted to be known for, too. When Sean, a native of New Orleans, moved to Donelson in 1995 to pursue a career in the music industry, he landed his first job at the former Mulligan’s Pub on Nashville’s Second Avenue. He worked his way up from server to barback and, ultimately, to bartender. Then, on one fateful night, he took to the stage at Mulligan’s to perform the famed Irish ballad, “Danny Boy.” The late Tony Lyons, a WSM Radio personality who owned and operated Mulligans for many years, immediately took notice. “Tony, God rest him, said kind of half-jokingly, ‘You got a good voice. You learn 30 more Irish songs, and I’ll put you on stage,” Sean recalled. “So I took him at his word, sat down and learned 30 Irish songs and came back to him in about three weeks and told him. He said, ‘You what?’ And I said, ‘I learned 30 Irish songs.’” After Lyons heard all 30 songs,

Sean found himself with a regular Wednesday night gig at Mulligan’s. Soon, he found himself performing all over Music City, from Music Row to the Gaylord Opryland Resort and Convention Center. After performing for over 15 years, Sean decided to take the plunge – with Paula’s encouragement -- and open

what would ultimately become McNamara’s. It’s no surprise, then, that music plays a lead role at the world’s top Irish pub. “The music is what we wanted to be known for, too. We’ve had some of the top Irish acts in the world come to play here, and we have more coming this

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entertainment

good ole honky tonk

ocated across the street from the Gaylord Opryland Resort and Convention Center at 2421 Music Valley Dr., John A’s Restaurant is known worldwide for its good food, good times and good friends. John A. Hobbs was born and raised in Nashville. During World War II, he joined the Merchant Marines at the early age of 15. After the war, he worked numerous jobs before starting his own construction company in the late 1950s. He later ventured out to start several other businesses, including four hotels, the Music Valley Wax Museum, Music Valley Car Museum, Fiddler’s Inn Campground, convenience markets and other tourism-oriented businesses and restaurants. Among Hobbs’ most prized possessions was the World Famous Nashville Palace, located just one block from John A’s Restaurant on the corner of McGavock Pike and Music Valley Drive. It remains under new ownership today, and much of the tradition born there under Hobbs’ guidance lives on at John A’s. You might enter a stranger, but you leave feeling like a part of the John A’s family. Many Grand Ole Opry stars, movie stars, sports figures and politicians are often still seen at John A’s today. John A. Hobbs has been instrumental in providing the stage upon which many have seen their careers launched. Some of the most noteworthy newcomers were Lorrie Morgan, Randy Travis, Ricky Van Shelton, Garth Brooks and Alan Jackson. Grand Ole Opry legends Jeannie Seely, Jim Ed Brown, Little Jimmy Dickens, Jimmy C. Newman and Jan Howard may still be seen gracing the stage at John A’s from time to time. John A’s doesn’t only attract area musicians. You never know when you might see the likes of Major League Baseball greats Tommy Lasorda, John McNamara or MLB umpire Joe West. Local politicians are also known to congregate at John A’s for the camaraderie, delicious food and exposure. There is a magnetism at John A’s that is undeniable, and John A. Hobbs is the person responsible for the atmosphere. Whether you’re looking for downhome fried catfish, great live music or the chance to spot a celebrity, stop by and experience one of the most unique dining and entertainment establishments in Music City.

—johnasrestaurant.com. 40

Donelson’s a real community, you know what I mean? They take a lot of pride in their locale.”

year,” Sean said. “It all started with an artist named Finbar Furey, who is basically to Irish music what Johnny Cash was to country music. He has been on the music scene since the late1960s, and he’s still going strong. He came (to McNamara’s) in July of 2012 and kind of paved the way.” Along with an all-star list of Irish acts, Sean and his band, Nosey Flynn, take to the stage in McNamara’s intimate, 100-seat venue on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays. Now a well-known name in Irish music himself, Sean said the acclaim McNamara’s has received in just a few short years was not anticipated. He attributed the pub’s success to a commitment to quality, a dedicated staff and the support of the community. “It was not foreseen, you know what I mean?” he said of McNamara’s popularity. “What works for us is the fact that Paula, being from Ireland, her touch is on everything in this place. We also have a community of people that are working here that genuinely care about the guests … It’s a real community, and that’s the sign of a pub.”

FiftyForward Donelson Station is the proud home of The Larry Keeton Theatre Exciting, award-winning and affordable dinner theatre year-round Jamie London, Arts Administrator

Donelson Station White Christmas Jenny Steiner, Splendid Image

Little Women Michael Gomez, Gomez Photography

108 Donelson Pike Nashville, TN 37214

(615) 883-8375 Purchase tickets and view the performance schedule

visit www.thelarrykeetontheatre.org White Christmas and Sophisticated Ladies Jenny Steiner, Splendid Image

tourism ET

T AND PL A U O Y

e l l i v h s Na s e r o h S

Nashville Shores Lakeside Resort is a 385-acre family recreation destination located on Percy Priest Lake in Hermitage. It is comprised of a firstclass water park, ropes courses and zip lines, a recreational vehicle campground, lake-view cabins, a 310-slip marina, boat rental business and other attractions.

n a little over four years, the property has seen significant expansion with added attractions in the waterpark, the re-introduction of RV camping and lakeside cabins and the addition of the Treetop Adventure Park, which is a ropes course and zip line adventure park. In that time, Nashville Shores has transformed from a local waterpark to a regional destination attracting tourists and visitors from across the South. The waterpark, which will begin its 17th season in May 2014, currently includes a wave pool, Tennesseeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s widest lazy river, Kowabunga Beach, a massive

water treehouse and sprayground, multiple waterslides, three pools, kayaks and a beach. For those who prefer to stay dry, Nashville Shores offers free lake cruises onboard the Nashville Shoreliner, volleyball, horseshoes and much more. In 2010, Nashville Shores undertook the largest expansion in its history, doubling the park size with an addition that included a gigantic new wave pool and the lazy river. In addition, there were major upgrades throughout the waterpark with enhanced guest services, new restrooms, restaurants, expanded concession areas, refurbished retail spaces and

Nashville Shores Operating Calendar Waterpark: Open from mid-May to midSeptember. Lodging: Open from early March to the end of November. Treetop Adventure Park: Open from midMarch to the end of November.

Nashville Shores Lakeside Resort 4001 Bell Rd. Hermitage, TN 37076 615-889-7050 44

other improvements. One year later, the waterpark introduced Kowabunga Beach, a massive water treehouse and sprayground for the entire family. At four stories tall, the attraction utilizes thousands of gallons of water in more than 70 interactive features, including four colorful water slides, an enormous bucket that tips hundreds of gallons of water every few minutes, water jets, bridges, tunnels and dozens of other waterplay elements. That same year, after major renovations and significant upgrades, Nashville Shores reopened its RV campground and lakeside cabins, marking a significant step to becoming a regional destination. The complete renovation of the campground included full hookups, including sewer and electric, new cable and Wi-Fi, a playground, a recreation hall, an arcade, new RV sites, a totally refurbished bathhouse and other significant improvements. A Nashville Shores cabin features all of the comforts of home with air conditioning, leather furniture, Vizio flat screen television, Whirlpool and Frigidaire appliances, Serta mattresses and more top-of-the-line features. In 2012, Nashville Shores opened the Treetop Adventure Park, which contains 10 zip lines and a series of aerial adventure ropes courses, allowing individuals

NashvilleShores.com to navigate nearly 100 different obstacles. Separate from the waterpark, the Treetop Adventures Park is located on several acres of the Nashville Shores property. Course challenges include suspended bridges, cargo nets, scrambling walls, ladders, Tarzan jumps and many other thrilling elements. The Treetop Adventure Park also features a pair of zip lines that are over 600 feet long.

tourism

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s l l i M Opry 46

As the largest outlet and value retail shopping destination in the Volunteer State, Opry Mills – a 1.2 million-square-foot shopper’s paradise – regularly attracts tourists from around the globe. 47

Popular Opry Mills Retailers Coach Factory Store Calvin Klein The LEGO Store Polo Ralph Lauren Factory Store New York & Company Outlet Nike Factory Store Ann Taylor Factory Store Brooks Brothers Factory Store Banana Republic Factory Store The Limited Outlet “Opry Mills welcomes millions of area residents, as well as visitors from across the United States, the United Kingdom, Latin America and beyond,” Opry Mills General Manager Jad Murphy said. Conveniently located off Briley Parkway and within walking distance of the Grand Ole Opry and the 2,800room Gaylord Opryland Resort and Convention Center, Opry Mills offers a truly unique brand of shopping and boasts a phenomenal array of stores, full-service restaurants, a bustling food court and family friendly entertainment options. Anchor tenants at Opry Mills include such popular names as Bass Pro Shops Outdoor World, Old Navy Outlet, Off Broadway Shoes, Sun & Ski Sport and Saks Fifth Avenue OFF 5TH, while dozens and dozens of other well-known retailers offer unparal-

Victoria’s Secret leled shopping experiences. Entertainment options abound for tourists and locals alike. Guests can take in the latest blockbuster at Regal Cinemas Opry Mills Stadium 20 & IMAX, enjoy fun and games at Dave & Buster’s and experience a Music City staple – live music at The Opry Mills Stage presented by Wholesale Inc. – all under one roof. Young children are sure to fill the air with laughter thanks to the Tennessee Treasures Play Area. There’s also no shortage of choices when it comes to food. Opry Mills features a wide variety of dining options with several full-service restaurants, including Romano’s Macaroni Grill, Chuy’s Mexican Food, Claim Jumper, Aquarium Restaurant, Johnny Rockets, Rainforest Café and an 11-eatery food court.

Opry Mills continues to be an economic catalyst for Nashville, creating thousands of jobs, generating vital sales tax revenue and providing another reason for visitors to stay longer and spend more in the area.” — GM JAD MURPHY 48

White House Black Market Under Armour Factory House Janie and Jack® Outlet G by Guess The Disney Store Outlet J. Crew Factory The Children’s Place Outlet H&M … and many more

Thanks to its family friendly appeal and host of shopping, entertainment and dining options, Murphy said Opry Mills – which celebrated its grand re-opening in March 2012 after being closed for nearly two years following the historic Nashville flood of 2010 – has a strong impact on the local economy. “Opry Mills continues to be an economic catalyst for Nashville, creating thousands of jobs, generating vital sales tax revenue and providing another reason for visitors to stay longer and spend more in the area,” he said. Opry Mills also offers amenities such as a free shuttle to the Gaylord Opryland Resort and Convention Center, complimentary wheelchairs and a kids’ club program. To learn more, visit www.oprymills.com, www. facebook.com/OpryMills or follow along on Twitter at @shOpryMills.

RY COMES AL O T IV IS

The

tourism

e g a t i m r e H

he Hermitage, home of the seventh President of the United States, Andrew Jackson, is one of the four most-visited presidential sites in the nation, attracting an estimated 170,000 people to eastern Davidson County each year. But, according to The Hermitage’s Jason Nelson, it is much more than just another historic site. One of the nation’s oldest and largest historic museums, The Hermitage has been preserved and operated by the Ladies’ Hermitage Association (LHA) since 1889. The National Historic Landmark welcomes groups to experience one of the most authentic early presidential sites – there are approximately 800,000 archaeological artifacts in The Hermitage collection – as costumed interpreters lead tours of the 1837 Greek-revival mansion. Guests are invited to explore the Hermitage Garden, First Hermitage

farmhouse, slave cabins, walking trails, the museum and visitor center and to allow themselves to be lost in history at this stunning historic site. Of the roughly 170,000 people who tour The Hermitage each year, 35,000 are schoolchildren. Another 30,000 people make use of the historic site’s sprawling grounds for community events, facility rentals and athletic events. Visitors to The Hermitage come from all 50 states – the top five being Tennessee, California, Texas, Illinois and Ohio – and from around the globe. Nelson noted the site is interpreted in five foreign languages in order to accommodate guests. Still operated by the LHA, The Hermitage receives no ongoing government support, relying on admissions, revenues from museum store and café sales, memberships, facility rentals, farm leases and private donations to support its annual multi-million dollar budget, Nelson

quick facts The State of Tennessee purchased The Hermitage from President Andrew Jackson’s heir in 1855-56 with the intent of turning it over to the federal government for use as a southern branch of the West Point Military Academy; however, the proposal failed to materialize.

The Hermitage was Nashville’s first Smithsonian Institution Affiliate Museum as well as a “Partner Place” with the National Trust for Historic Preservation.

The Hermitage was listed as a National Historic Landmark in 1960 – one of the first sites to be so designated – and has grown into one of the country’s most significant educational sites for teaching about the period of American history between the founding fathers and the Civil War.

Over the past 120 years, more than 20 million people from around the world have visited The Hermitage. Notable visitors have included some 13 U.S. Presidents, including James Monroe and Ronald Reagan.

More than 95 percent of what visitors see at The Hermitage is original to the home and the Jackson family. This is rare for early Presidential sites.

added. The mission of the LHA is to preserve the 1,120-acre property and its 35 historic buildings and structures, to educate the public about Andrew Jackson and the Jacksonian Era and to inspire cultural citizenship. Today, The Hermitage offers a new multimedia tour as well as a horse-drawn carriage “ride through time” as part of a trip back in time.

-thehermitage.com

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