5 minute read
In YOUR Neighborhood
The Books: National celebrity came when Robert turned to writing fiction. His first novel, set in Franklin at none other than his beloved Carnton, was the New York Times Bestseller, The Widow of the South. His success had similar repercussions for Franklin: The town boomed as a destination for heritage tourists and now draws more than 125,000 such visitors every year, more than 50,000 of whom visit Carnton. He followed with A Separate Country and The Orphan Mother. “The Battle of Franklin,” Robert often said, “was where the Old South died.” The phrase summed up both his romantic fascination with the region and his acknowledgment of its history’s darker shadows. Robert’s essays on regional history, southern material culture, furniture and music have appeared in numerous publications over the years. He wrote op-eds for The New York Times on contemporary politics in the South. He was also a regular contributor to Garden & Gun.
His friendships and his impact on individuals far and near were no more evident than as he was laid to rest in the shadow of his muse, Carnton. “Among his gifts, Robert was a great collector of people,” wrote one friend on Facebook shortly after his passing. Even as he battled cancer over the past four years, other friends said, Robert’s outstanding characteristic was his enduring sense of gratitude. “The glass of life is overflowing,” he wrote just a few days before death.
Those wishing to honor Robert’s commitment to Franklin and battlefield reclamation may designate memorials to Franklin’s Charge and visit for more information at franklinscharge.org or the Battle of Franklin Trust at boft.org.
PHOTOGRAPHY BY: NELSON EDDY
Robert’s “Famous” Pimento Cheese Recipe
PROVIDED BY FRIEND, SUSAN BESSER
Robert had posted this on his Facebook page, as it had been evidently requested by so many who had become acquainted with it. As enthusiastic as he was for history, he also was an aficionado of pimento cheese, Miss Daisy’s poppy seed chicken and chicken pot pie, so I am told, just to name a few. As with anything penned by Robert, the recipe is filled with anecdotal additional information to add to the “story” of the best pimento cheese!
PIMENTO CHEESE INGREDIENTS 1 lb. finely grated cheddar cheese (Don’t buy it already grated, grate it yourself) 1/3 cup of drained and finely chopped pimentos from a jar 2 Tbsp. of finely chopped Jalapeno peppers 6 Tbsp. of Duke’s Mayonnaise 1 tsp. on Louisiana Hot Sauce 1 tsp. finely chopped garlic ½ tsp. of kosher salt ½ tsp. ground black pepper 2 Tbsp. of dill pickle brine 1 ½ tsp. Dijon mustard
PIMENTO CHEESE INGREDIENTS In a mixing bowl, mix the Duke’s Mayonnaise, Louisiana Hot Sauce, chopped garlic, pickle brine, mustard, salt and pepper. Stir well. Then add the cheese, red pimentos, Jalapenos, and grated cheese. Mix and store in the refrigerator.
Note: I like it hotter than some folks and use fresh Jalapenos. Whether you use fresh or picked and how much you use should be done to taste. Be forewarned. I also add 1/4 cup of chopped green onion, but again it is optional. My friend, Laura Stockett Roberts, adds 1/4 cup of chopped pecans, which I like, but as she is from Mississippi, she probably adds chopped pecans to her spaghetti sauce, too. They sure do love their pecans in Mississippi.
Makes around 3 cups (Without the chopped onions and pecans). I usually double it all as it keeps.
According to my friend, Patricia Munro, Palmetto Pimento Cheese is better than mine. She repeated that to me three times one day in a conversation. I like it, but no one else has ever said that. It sure is a lot easier.
As for me, I’ll stick with mine. In fact, I am eating it right now. If someone over the age of eight claims to be a Southerner and doesn’t like Pimento Cheese, avoid them. They are not to be trusted.
I say amen to that~ SRB
WITH HEIDI HOOD, MANAGING DIRECTOR OF THE DOWNTOWN FRANKLIN ASSOCIATION
Spring is upon us, and The Downtown Franklin Association (a division of the Heritage Foundation of Williamson County) is excited to continue its mission work this year. As a nationally accredited Main Street program, the Downtown Franklin Association’s mission is to lead the continued revitalization and purposeful evolution of downtown Franklin, in the context of historic preservation, by maintaining a diverse economic base, promoting a unique local shopping experience, fostering accessible and attractive public spaces and forging partnerships across all sectors.
WORK DOWNTOWN During March, the DFA hosted a “Work Downtown” promotional campaign to its collective following of nearly 100k, highlighting downtown Franklin as an ideal place to work and build a career while also promoting business members now hiring.
SMART START™ The DFA continues to live into its new role as a Smart Start™ Tennessee community, contributing to the goal of making Tennessee one of the easiest places to start and run a business. The organization is now working to equip the new officially recognized Community Partners downtown with the tools and resources they need to empower startups and existing small businesses to grow and thrive downtown. momentum for the program. Providing hospitality and concierge on the streets for visitors downtown, Franklin Locals equips trained onthe-street representatives to answer questions, give recommendations, and share the story of Franklin with new friends.
FRANKLIN LOCALS With a tremendous kick-off for Franklin Locals on March 1st, the association followed suit with immediate makeup training for its volunteers, with new applicants for Franklin Locals building
FRANK TALKS The nonprofit Franklin Tomorrow featured the DFA Managing Director on its panel for March Frank Talks to showcase the work of the association downtown and help the community get more acquainted with how to get involved in support of the mission work.
BUILDING OWNERS The association is living into its promise to cultivate partnerships across all sectors by hosting the first round-table discussion for building owners downtown since before the pandemic, with another building owners meeting scheduled for Q2.
In the ever-changing landscape of Franklin, the DFA is working hard to ensure downtown remains one of America’s favorite historic districts.
WWW.HESTERANDCOOK.COM @HESTERANDCOOK
340A MAIN ST. FRANKLIN, TN (615)905-8180
