I Am Williamson County

PAM HORNE

NONPROFIT CHAMPION

BY CLAIRE PAGE PHOTOGRAPHY BY DEBBIE SMARTT

Pam Horne is the Community Relationships Coordinator at BrightStone, a twenty-two-yearold non-profit that serves adults with special needs and their families. She also spends a great deal of time at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, located in the heart of downtown Franklin, and graciously shares her time with organizations across Williamson County. Read below to learn more:

YW: What makes Williamson County feel like home to you? My first childhood impression of Williamson County was the friendly people. In fact, our first visitor was a sweet lady from Welcome Wagon bearing a bucket of Kentucky Fried Chicken and all the fixins’ for our family! My mom taught piano in our home afternoons, so I quickly learned how “community” works here. Of course, I was the kid who usually needed a ride to church or school activities, but that was never a concern because hearts are big in Williamson. Our home was a place of hospitality and music, where kids always felt welcome. To this day, making people feel welcome is essential to me.

YW: What do you like to do in your spare time? My passion is local discovery. Writing and learning about the lives of others gives me great joy. When I became a journalist in my early twenties, I quickly learned that if you don’t have experiences with places and people outside your circle of friends and family, you are missing out on a rich community.

YW: Where is your favorite place to go in WC and why? Favorite is a limitless word in Williamson County. I love my church, St. Paul’s Episcopal, for quiet solitude and joyful worship. It’s a humbling place where I gain strength and purpose from every visit. I love the personal vibe of McCreary’s Irish Pub, the greetings and desserts at Huff’s Market, and the hugs and broccoli salad from Miss Daisy’s. Near my home, I can hide and hang out along the bank of the Harpeth, just thinking about the good times my family has had here, enjoying the simplest things. The world didn’t begin with The Franklin Theatre, but my second date with my husband sealed it in 1989 when I fell asleep in Gone with the Wind.

YW: How long have you been involved with BrightStone? What is it about the organization that is so special to you? I joined BrightStone one year ago. BrightStone offers a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to make a huge difference in the vulnerable yet inspiring lives of adults with special needs. BrightStone’s new Land of Dreams Campus, situated on 140-acres off scenic Columbia Pike, just south of Franklin, is the next jewel in the loving heart of Williamson County. For me, this is history in the making! Folks are making it possible for adults with special needs to have lifelong learning, job training and job opportunities, and residential options that meet their physical and emotional needs. These folks are emblematic of Williamson’s commitment to spreading God’s love.

I have such respect for our founding director Brenda Hauk and the board of directors’ leadership, not to mention our many teachers and volunteers who have committed their lives to bringing new possibilities to our adult students, ages twenty-one and up, every day. I could begin to name those who have supported BrightStone, but hundreds and hundreds of men and women and families, have made sure that these 140 acres of magnificent beauty, could become our adult students’ BrightStone Land of Dreams!

YW: Anything else you would like for the readers of YOUR Williamson to know? Join the work of this community in any fashion you can. In response to your heart, dig deep for the possibilities through volunteerism and, sometimes, through your pocketbook. Every little bit counts. Never let your feelings of falling short amid such a “successful” community prevent you from being a part of what I consider to be God’s heaven on earth!

To read the full interview with Pam, visit yourwilliamson.com!

The I Am Williamson County column features individuals in Williamson County who are known and unknown as staples of our community, doing good, being seen and exuding Williamson County! If you know someone who fits this distinction, let us know at info@yourwilliamson.com.

Because Everyone Deserves a Little Magic

MAGICAL BIRTHDAY PARTIES WITH SOUTHERN GRACE UNICORNS

PHOTOGRAPHY BY CHASING RAINBOWS CREATIVE

Southern Grace Unicorns, LLC, was born through the magic of my four-year-old’s excitement when she saw her first unicorn. My mother and I have always had a love of horses, and on a whim, one day, we decided to dress up our new white horse, Luna, as a unicorn as a surprise. It was a fantasy come to life, and we knew that we needed to bring that magic to other little princes and princesses throughout middle Tennessee, and birthday parties are just one way we do that.

The key to a magical unicorn birthday party is all in the presentation. The way children’s little faces light up when they first see their own magic kingdom is nothing short of amazing. First, we suggest an eye-popping balloon arch for the lucky kids and guests to enter through. An arch built with white, pink and unicorn balloons sets the stage and builds anticipation. We often partner with Claire at PoppYAYparty to help make dreams come true.

Of course, it couldn’t be a unicorn party without a unicorn! Luna is our eleven-year-old Quarter Horse who has been specifically trained for this task. She loves children, is safe to ride, and knows a few tricks to make it even more special. We like to think she feels extra fancy in her costume because it seems the kids can feel that energy. The princes and princesses get to ride, brush, and feed Luna to truly bring the magic to life. Luna will even lie in the grass to show off her regal majesty.

Naturally, we have a little girl too! Pearl, our miniatureunicorn-in-training, is perfect for our little princes and princesses, especially if they are too shy or young for Luna. Pearl really brings out that Disney-esque goofiness and wonder when paired with Luna with her small stature and bite-sized resplendence. They are quite a pair, and there are no two unicorns like them in middle Tennessee!

Dressed in our most delicate princess dresses and adorned with the fanciest accessories, your princes and princesses will get to ride either Luna or Pearl to feel special on their birthday. With high-quality photography and Luna putting on her best show, Southern Grace Unicorns will ensure that you get good angles of this extraordinary memory worthy of a keepsake - something to have and share forever.

Finally, to wind down and cap off the magical day, we provide themed cake, cupcakes, or cookies for the party through our local partners. The best bakers book up fast, so hurry if you want to book your own! If you prefer to let us handle the desserts, our little elves at

Josephine Bean Bakery have a package deal to make sure they fit the theme and always arrive on time.

Contact the ladies at Southern Grace Unicorns to book the most magical and unique birthday party your prince or princess will ever have. But do it soon! There’s only so much magic to go around with so many wonderful kids in middle Tennessee! Find us on social media – @SouthernGraceUnicorns.