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Style Around Sumner Inside the Closets of Ladies Flaunting Fashion & Confidence in our Community
25 Fashionable You Falling in Love With Fall Fashion with Macy’s
36 Morningside of Gallatin Seniors & Pets Benefit From Being Together
44 Your Charitable Self Hendersonville Teen’s Charity Shoes More than 100,000
ON THE COVER
Our October cover features Olivia Wright, creator of the non-profit Tennessee H.U.G.S., Inc. (Help Us Give Shoes).
K
Steve Absher, Account Exec. Kingery Printing Company YOUR Printing Partner 615-828-8661 stevea@kingeryprinting.com quotes@kingeryprinting.com YOUR Williamson & YOUR Sumner are publications of: Robertson Media Group, LLC 436 Main Street, Suite 205 Franklin, TN 37064 Office: 615.979.1548 yourwilliamson.com yoursumner.com
Please send all content & coverage requests to: info@robertsonmediagroup.com
Your Williamson is a publication of Robertson Media Group, LLC. All rights reserved. Reproduction, in part or whole, without written permission from the publisher, is strictly prohibited. Opinions expressed herein are not necessarily those of Your Williamson or Robertson Media Group, LLC, its employees, and/or it’s representatives. All information printed in this publication or online, is compiled in such a way as to insure accuracy. However, Your Williamson and Robertson Media Group, LLC and its agents, assume no liability and/or responsibility for the accuracy of claims in advertisements, articles, photographs etc. published directly or submitted.
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Dear Readers,
Fall! A gorgeous season to experience in Middle Tennessee that is for certain. I do love summer. But when the light starts to change and the air becomes crisp, I suddenly become enamored with the color and smells of autumn. As leaves begin to fall and our thoughts turn to bonfires and hayrides, I quickly appreciate this season for all its beauty, as I am sure you do as well.
October brings a lot of activity in the way of events and holiday fun. Of course, I speak of Halloween. As a mother, I can now truly enjoy this holiday, well almost as much as I did as a child! Maybe more, since dressing my little munchkin up in whatever strikes my fancy of cuteness, has definitely added to my fall joy the last few years. This year, she will be picking her costume. But we just can’t decide between Snow White, Barbie or Elsa. It will be interesting to see which princess she goes with. Of course Tallulah Barkhead, the French bulldog will be ever the trooper in her already designated (by her human), costume as a Unicorn. And why not really? Wink wink.
Our overriding theme in this issue is philanthropy and the joy of giving back to our world as a whole. So many of the people you will see in our pages monthly are continuous and generous Charitable Partners to our community all the time. Whether it is through church, your favorite non-profit
Listen more than you speak. Act like you have purpose. Appreciate a simple life. Give more than you receive. Be happy with what you have. Be a best friend.
or simply paying it forward to the person ahead of you in the Starbucks line, the gift of giving back can make your heart and your spirit soar over and over. Hearing stories about the people behind the scenes who are always giving of their time, money and attributes, definitely inspires me to want to always be someone to whom much is given, much is required. My golden rule of thumb.
Take care of yourself and your loved ones this month as we recognize October as Breast Cancer Awareness Month, Addiction Recovery Month and coming in November, National Alzheimer’s Disease Awareness Month. As someone who has been touched by all three of these diseases in some way, I can attest that here in our backyard, there are numerous resources and sources of help and support for you or anyone you know who may be suffering from or caring for someone with any of these challenging diseases.
Enjoy fall and this special issue of YOUR Community Magazine!
Shelly Robertson Birdsong Publisher shelly@robertsonmediagroup.com
DANNY ANDERSON
A Southern Gentleman Is . . .
Danny is a Broker with Parks Realty on Main Street in downtown Franklin. Danny will be the new contributing his musings, advice, tips and tales for the Gentlemen (and ladies) of Williamson County.
KATIE JACOBS
Styling My Everyday stylingmyeveryday.com
Katie is a graphic designer, photographer and stylist. She is the art director and creator of stylingmyeveryday.com, a food and lifestyle blog with a focus on styling, entertaining and DIY.
MISS DAISY KING
Eat, Drink & Be Merry missdaisyking.com
Tennessee’s “First Lady of Southern Cooking,” Daisy was the founder and chef of the renowned Miss Daisy’s Tearoom and is now the proprietor and executive chef of Miss Daisy’s Kitchen.
KRISTA EHRET The Lady Entertains yoursouthernsoiree.com
Krista is an event designer and co-owner of Southern Soiree, a full service event and wedding planning company. She also enjoys bringing beauty into everyday life.
GINGER JONES Your Kids jonestherapyservices.com
Ginger is a Speech-Language Pathologist and the owner of Jones Therapy Services, which provides speech-language, occupational, and physical therapy in 7 locations across Middle and East Tennessee.
DAVID LOGAN Your Real Estate Wcartn.org
David has been a Realtor® for 30 years and holds his GRI designation. A member of WCAR for more than 26 years, he now serves as President for 2016. David has also served on the Government Affairs Committee, the Grievance Committee, Membership Services, and the Budget and Finance Committee.
LAURYN GILLIAM 5 Sense Living
Lauryn is a seeker of fun, student of life and lover of exploring mindful ways to enlist the 5 senses in all her experiences. Her column takes us on a sensory tour of all things arts, culture and dining.
ALEX JONES
Certified Financial PlannerTM–LPL Registered Principle We’re in the Money Guardingthepath.com
Alex Jones is with Guardian Financial, SmartVestor Pros, using the Guarding The Path holistic planning process, and time proven principles to plan your financial future with confidence.
JANE MARTIN Interior Thinking
Jane and her company Special Effects by Jane have been providing incredible design services to middle Tennessee for many years. Jane Martin can take your home to the next level of sophistication – using what you have in a whole new way.
CONNIE HALEY Your Best Self conniehaleylifecoaching.com
Connie is a certified life coach that specializes in helping people love the life they have and from there, create the life they always envisioned. She will show readers ways to find peace and calm.
JULIE JORGENSEN Beauty Junkie
Julie is our go-to gal for all things beauty - She scouts out the best deals and the best beauty tricks around. She treats readers to some hilarious insight into the world of what it takes to be fabulous!
KATIE RUSHTON Effortless Style effortlesstyle.com
Katie is a fashion stylist and owner of Effortless Style, a personal shopping and wardrobe consulting company. She provides a variety of services including Closet Audits, Styling Sessions and Personal Shopping.
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Global Motorsports Inc. is a luxury car dealer that specializes in a wide range of import and domestic vehicles including Mercedes Benz, BMW, Lexus, Audi, Porsche, Cadillac, Jaguar and more. Our dealerships are centrally located in the Middle Tennessee area. Before you buy anywhere else, stop in and discover for yourself why we are the top pre-owned luxury auto dealer in the mid-south region. One of our salesmen at our Belle Meade or Cool Springs location will be happy to help you.
Cool Springs 7116 Moores Ln. Brentwood, Tn 37207 (615) 661-5512 Service Dept. 6030 Neighborly Ave. Nashville, Tn 37209 (615) 353-8061 www.GMSNashville.com
Oktoberfest
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Here are just a few events to add to your Social Calendar this month. Visit YourSumner.com for more events.
6pm | Foxland Harbor Golf & Country Club | holidayfesttn.org
Kick off the Holiday Season with Oktoberfest, benefiting the Literacy Council of Middle Tennessee (LCMT). Enjoy authentic German music, food and beer tastings with ten beers! Don’t miss this fun event!
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Pumpkin Patch
10am-2pm | The Streets of Indian Lake | streetsofindianlake.com
This event is fun for the whole family! Enjoy a pumpkin patch, fall harvest produce, carnival games, inflatable toys, pumpkin painting, a magic show, face painting, live music, contests, prizes and more!
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Rescue Me! 5k
11am | Hendersonville Public Library | freedomfarm.net
Freedom Farm Animal Sanctuary is presenting their Second Annual Rescue Me! 5K/1 mile race. This race/walk is an animal friendly event! This year, the Rescue Me! 5K will take runners down the Hendersonville Greenways Trail.
The November issue
We celebrated National Coffee Day because we are so thankful to have coffee in our lives during production week at the office!
Autumn weather is the perfect excuse to enjoy a cup of coffee and read through a copy of Your Sumner magazine!
Have you had a chance to visit the Hancock House in Gallatin which was featured in last month’s issue?
Story & Photography by Erica Brown
The 10th Annual Harvest Moon Soirée was held at Bluegrass Country Club September 17th. The event included a dinner, entertainment and live auction to raise money for student scholarships at Volunteer State Community College. Entertainment for the night was courtesy of Lisa Smartt. The event was successful in benefiting the school including a guitar at the silent auction that sold for several thousands of dollars.
BY JULIE JORGENSEN
Y’all, can I be serious for a minute? Plenty of people in this world and even in our town, need our help. Whether it’s a hungry child, a sick friend or someone halfway across the world trying to rebuild among the rubble of a war-torn country, there’s no shortage of people in need. In honor of this issue’s theme of philanthropy (and our precious pets!), I’m sharing with y’all a few stellar cruelty-free beauty brands that put their money where their mouth is and make it a mission to give to others. Because what’s better in the beautyjunkie world than looking good and knowing that you’re doing some good as well? Nothing! Bonus: the products mentioned below are all lead by women! Hear us roar!
I have friends who swear by eyelash extensions, but they just seem a little too time-consuming and expensive for me. With that said, y’all know that I’m all about a gorgeous set of thick, full lashes. One of the coolest lash brands I’ve stumbled upon lately is Thrive Causemetics.
Founder Karissa Bodnar lost her friend Kristy to cancer at the age of twentyfour. Given Karissa’s expertise in the beauty industry, she’s worked for Clarisonic and Lancome, and hearing her story after story of women losing their eyelashes during chemotherapy, she decided to found Thrive Causemetics, specializing in fabulous false eyelashes and cosmetics that are all paraben-, toxin-, and cruelty-free. Additionally, for every Thrive product purchased, one is donated to a woman currently undergoing treatment for cancer. Customers can even nominate women to be crowned a Beauty With a Purpose to receive product donations. How incredible is that? Their impressive list of giving partners includes the MD Anderson Cancer Center, Make-A-Wish, and iHeart Radio, just to name a few.
BUYING GUIDE:
Thrive Causemetics: thrivecausemetics.com
Yes To: Walgreen’s and Target Beautycounter: beautycounter.com
GiveScent: givescent.com
Our sisters battling cancer aren’t the only ones receiving the benefits of some caringminded skincare companies—precious little boys and girls are included as well! The next time you’re in the drugstore, don’t pass up the Yes To brand. This line of 95 percent natural skincare donates a portion of every product sold to its Yes To Carrots Seed Fund, which plants community gardens around the world and has helped provide more than 50,000 meals to children in need. My perennial favorite Beautycounter, counts Healthy Child Healthy World among its charitable partners, each company working diligently to educate parents about the toxic chemicals found in products used every day. Beautycounter’s founder and CEO Gregg Renfrew is a mama to three children. From daily tips on the website to in-depth articles about the toxins found in everything from laundry detergent to baby formula, Healthy Child Healthy World is a wealth of information for keeping the products we give to our little ones safe. Oh, and Beautycounter’s products are always tested on humans— never on animals.
Let’s not forget about being charitable while also smelling amazing (yes, it’s possible). World-renowned yoga instructor Elena Bower founded GiveScent after spending two years in Italy and falling in love with the scents around her. Determined to empower women with safe and healthy products, she partnered with former Teach For America member Alexandra Lyon Perelman to create a a stellar line of essential-oil-based perfumes. With each bottle of fragrance purchased, GiveScent donates two dollars to Every Mother Counts, a campaign to end pregnancy- and childbirth-related deaths around the world. Additionally, another two dollars goes from three of the GiveScent fragrances to Women for Women International, an organization supporting female survivors of war. To date, almost half a million women have received assistance in moving from war-induced poverty to stability and self-sufficiency. Each fragrance comes in a cool roll-on bottle for less than fifty bucks—you can even purchase a generous sample if you’re not yet ready to commit to one scent or another. Ah, the smell of philanthropy in the air…
To paraphrase the old Latin adage, knowledge is power, friends. Once we know better, we have no choice but to do better, and there is nothing more worthwhile than helping each other along the way. I can certainly work harder to help others, but relatively effortless choices like the ones mentioned above are easily done! That’s a beautiful thing. Cheers!
Love,
BY SHELLY ROBERTSON BIRDSONG
In 2016, Vogue celebrates 100 years as the undisputed fashion bible. Now, a landmark publication, VOICE OF A CENTURY, compiles over 400 Vogue photographs and illustrations, correspondence and covers, plus 32,000 words of new interviews with 100 Vogue contributors. VOICE OF A CENTURY is strictly limited to only 1,916 craftsman-bound copies, and each 504-page volume is individually signed by at least seven major contributors.
VOICE OF A CENTURY includes previously unseen material, including letters from Helmut Newton and Cecil Beaton, as well as candid exchanges between Vogue editor Audrey Withers and Lee Miller. Editors and photographers talk about their special collaborations: Jerry Hall recalls those now iconic shoots with Grace Coddington and Norman Parkinson; Jean Shrimpton recollects her famous partnership with David Bailey; Kate Moss relives a shoot riding on elephants with Christy Turlington in Nepal; Bianca Jagger talks about her Vogue moment for a cover shoot in the Seventies in Paris; and Juergen Teller remembers his first rather surreal meeting with fashion editor Isabella Blow.
EDITOR’S LETTER FROM FIRST EVER ISSUE OF BRITISH VOGUE, SEPTEMBER 1916:
‘The time has come,’ designers say, ‘to talk of many things – of shoes and furs and lingerie, and if one flares or clings, and where the waist-line ought to be, and whether hats have wings.’ Really and truly, such amazing things are going to happen to you that you never would believe them, unless you saw them in Vogue.”
These exclusive contributions, combined with over 400 images selected from the magazine’s archives, show how Vogue has become the nation’s cultural barometer, placing fashion in the context of the wider world we live in – how we dress, entertain, what we eat, listen to, watch; who leads us, excites us and inspires us. “During the lifetime of British Vogue, there have been many Vogue books published. But never a book such as this. Vogue – Voice of A Century is the ultimate anthology of the magazine, a celebration of 100 years of the many talents that have created the thousands of pages of magical images and interesting and inspiring journalism,” comments Vogue Britain, Editor-inChief, Alexandra Shulman.
From its beginnings to today, three central principles have set Vogue apart: a commitment to visual genius, an investment in storytelling, and a selective, optimistic editorial eye. The magazine has discovered and championed young designers, writers, artists, photographers and models; documented wars and cultural change, and presented fashion from the most extraordinary places.
VOICE OF A CENTURY launched on September 15th, the same day as the first issue in 1916. The book was unveiled at a series of exclusive events beginning in London and then will be traveling globally in 2016 and early 2017. The signed limited edition book is available from Genesis Publications at voguecentury.com
BY HOLLIE DEESE
Sumner County is filled with strong, beautiful women who look effortlessly amazing while still maintaining their own sense of identity and style. Here are three local ladies who epitomize hard work and confidence, all while looking incredible.
Hendersonville native Kristen Weigel is always on the go, whether capturing her subjects’ best moments as a photographer or chasing around her two young boys. Her personal style is hard to define, and she likes it that way.
“I will look at something and maybe like one thing from it, then from there kind of find what I like and what I want and put my own thing together,” she says. “I just kind of do my own thing.”
And that can mean taking a piece and altering it to fit her needs.
KRISTEN BEVANS WEIGEL OCCUPATION: PHOTOGRAPHER
AGE: 36
“Scissors are a staple in my wardrobe,” she says. “That sounds crazy, but I’m not afraid to make something my own at all. I like having the guts to get a Free People bag and cut it up and wrap it around my wrist. I’m definitely a free spirit.”
The daughter of a former Miss Nashville, Weigel could never lay out her clothes for the next day because she loves to dress in the moment, and is not overly concerned with what the rules might be.
“Same thing with my photography - I do not follow the rules,” she says. “I’ve never done things the way that anybody else does them. It’s almost the exact same way with my fashion. I just know what I like and what I don’t, and don’t really care what anybody else says.”
Weigel knows her body type well, so she has no problem shopping online, opting for outlets like Urban Outfitters, Free People and Target to snag interesting pieces she can mix and match with her existing wardrobe.
“Rarely do I put the same thing together twice,” she says. “I don’t know if it’s the creative in me or what, but I will just keep mixing and matching until I do something different. Even if it’s just grabbing things off of my floor and putting stuff together, it’s never really thought out.”
For her shoots, she likes a bit more order, so she turns to wardrobe stylist Wendy Hicks and hair and makeup artist Kelly Valente to get just the right shot.
Of course, she isn’t above admitting past style mishaps either, including a sixthgrade era perm and Laura Ashley onesie, or the old-man flannel grunge trend from the 90s.
“I was a hot mess of awesomeness,” she laughs.
Now, she is fully confident in what works for her to get sucked into trends. For fall, she looks forward to being able to layer more pieces and texture, like her favorite rompers with long sweaters, boots and long socks.
“I like to have some kind of string or texture and different layers,” she says.
“If I have lace, I’m going to want to have something that’s opposite texture, something that’s going to give it some interest. It’s like I’m part hippy, I’m part rock and roll. I’m part everything and that’s the problem. I have to pull pieces to fit whatever it is me that day.”
TANYA TAYLOR MICIAK OCCUPATION: PR REP
AGE: 42
California native and Belmont graduate Tanya Taylor Miciak has been living in Hendersonville for four years now, following a trend her entire family started years ago when they began migrating to Middle Tennessee. Now, her mom lives in Portland, her sister in Gallatin and her father and stepmother in Hendersonville.
Because she gets to work from home a few days a week, sweats are a key part of her wardrobe, but the rest of the time she is handling clients in television and entertainment for Triple 7 PR, so dressing stylish is just as essential.
“Yesterday, I was in a day of meetings so I was wearing a pencil skirt with a blouse tucked in, really great heels, my hair down and little diamond earrings,” she says. “I don’t over accessorize when I’m taking a meeting.”
Miciak has been known to get style tips from television as well over the years as she has grown to find what works for her. “Because I have to watch so much television I get so many ideas from it,” she says. “When I was a teeny bopper, it was 90210, and then I was into Gossip Girl. Then as you age a little bit, even shows like The Good Wife and Suits where the women are wearing very staple pieces.”
She also pulls ideas for looks from Instagram and blogs like Angela Lanter’s Hello Gorgeous and Cassie Kelly’s Womanista. It’s a far cry from the tomboy style she embraced when she was a kid until she was a teen. “I was a complete tomboy until I actually moved to Nashville. I never wore dresses, never wore skirts, never wore heels,” she says. “I was in Converse tennis shoes, which, by the way, are still my comfort go-to on the days that I’m home.”
Her style began to evolve after she was recruited by the manager at Bebe in the Green Hills Mall and got made over by her fellow employees. “That’s when my fashion just completely changed because it had to. I was the girl in jeans and a black t-shirt. I didn’t even own heels. Now fashion has become something that I really love.” Checking out the other girls to steal their looks, she quickly determined what worked on her and what didn’t, what felt comfortable and what was too distracting. Now she just applies that knowledge when she shops, either in store or online. “I go to Francesca’s all the time,” she says. “They’ve got great tops, great dresses, super-cute hats. Right now I love velvet and
I got a couple of velvet things from Francesca’s the other day. For online, mostly I do Nordstrom, then I like Rue La La. They have really great deals. And Shopbop.”
And once Miciak does commit to boots for the season, she loves her overthe-knee version with lots of layers, including tunics and some color-block capes she bought last season. “When it’s the end of summer but fall’s kind of creeping in I’ll do a really good skinny jean with some holes or just some wear and tear,” she says. “I’m still doing open-toed shoes - I’m not quite at the boot yet. Then I love to accessorize, and any time I’m wearing a lot of accessories I’ll put my hair in a top knot. I’ll do big earrings or a chunky necklace. And for my purses, I always carry either my Louis Vuitton or I have a great bag called Hammitt - it’s a fringe bag and I love it.”
DEANNA MARTIN
OCCUPATION:
BOUTIQUE OWNER
AGE: 51
Born and raised in Mississippi, Deanna Martin moved to Franklin in 1999, then Sumner County in 2001. For most of that time she was in the medical industry, first as an oncology nurse and then pharmaceutical clinical research and development. But after raising four boys, now ages 25 to 33 and traveling extensively for work, she was ready to transition to something more creative and closer to home.
“It got to the point where I was tired,” she says. “I finally had enough at work one day and I bit the bullet and quit.”
Finally free of the golden handcuffs – insurance, 401K, a good salary – she was able to tap back into her creative side by opening the Velvet Antler Boutique in Gallatin last year, a shop that would allow her to draw from her other skill sets of throwing parties, decorating, crafting and painting.
She hates shopping at malls herself and when she was traveling for work the past sixteen years, she never got to enjoy her own local stores, just the ones in the cities she would visit. And sometimes those small towns had squares or downtown main streets that appealed to her.
“People were moving in and opening businesses and they were thriving,” she says. “I just kept saying the Gallatin square was too pretty. That’s where I wanted to look.”
October 22, 2016, 4-9 p.m.
She and her husband Tony started looking for a building to rent on the square but when the opportunity presented itself to buy, they did, securing the space in February 2015. They then spent the next nine months rehabbing it, with Tony doing all of the labor. In addition to the boutique, she rents the back of the building to Hair by Adair Salon and the upstairs was gutted to eventually rent out as a two-bedroom, two-bathroom loft apartment.
Presented by Greater Gallatin, Velvet Antler, Tennessee Honey and Southern Gypsies boutiques, the Gallatin Square will be transformed into an entertaining fashion destination with mobile boutiques, live music and food specials from local eateries.
and she is much more relaxed now than she has ever been before. And because Martin can be up on a ladder one minute, then on the floor helping a customer the next, keeping it easy is essential. So to make a look her own she is all about stacking up on accessories - she can pile them on without being held back from working throughout the day.
“We have a huge investment in this building,” she says.
As for her personal style, she certainly has more leeway then she did in her previous career of business wear,
“Jewelry is probably my main weakness,” she admits. “I will go crazy when it comes to jewelry and I wear jewelry all the time. I don’t even go to the lake without having my jewelry on. I know that sounds crazy but I love copper and I love gold and I love silver. I mean I love it all.”
Story & Photography by Erica Brown
The Sweet Tea & Shopping Preview Party started out with rain, and many feared the event might get rained out at the outdoor venue, but the weather let up and attendees began their shopping. Julia Proctor organized and managed the Sweet Tea & Shopping event, where customers browsed an assortment of handmade, homemade and original creations, vintage and antique treasures, original art, home décor and more. There were also demos and kids activities. If you were looking for beautiful furniture or boutique clothing this was the place to be. For more information, visit sweeteaandshopping.com.
Join us on Thanksgiving morning for Tennessee’s biggest stand-alone 5K—the Turkey Trot 5K benefitting GraceWorks Ministries.
November 24
5K at 8am Fun Run at 9am
D1 Sports Training at CoolSprings Galleria Register today at TurkeyTrotFranklin.com
Story & Photography by Erica Brown
The Inaugural Hendersonville Half Marathon was held on the Streets of Indian Lake, presented by the Primrose School of Hendersonville. The event benefited Mary’s Magical Place, a playground for special needs children to be built near Indian Lake. Mary was the daughter of Tommy and Rachel McAuley and they hope to fund a playground to benefit all of Mary’s friends. For more information visit marysmagicalplace.org
M. HASKELL FOR I.N.C. INTERNATIONAL CONCEPTS
PENDANT NECKLACE
$34.50
Perhaps no other season brings on as much excitement about new fashion trends than fall! Deep, rich color and fabrics are reborn in whatever the new year’s fashion trends dictate. This fall is no different and our friends at Macy’s are filling up their stores with plenty of enticing and fabulous offerings to help you get your fall and winter wardrobe ready! Check out these stylish ideas and look for more fashionable you choices at Macy’s of Cool Springs, Green Hills and Rivergate.
Look for great fashion summer, winter, spring and fall at macys.com.
This season brown emerges as the key color trend for Fall 2016. Think textural tweeds and classic menswear patterns for tailored clothing. The luxe suppleness of shearling and lambskin looks right for outerwear in rich shades ranging from chocolate to bark. Sweaters take on a new look when various shades of brown are combined. The outdoor lifestyle trend continues and the entire range of browns creates the base for a ruggedly refined attitude.
M. HASKELL FOR I.N.C. INTERNATIONAL CONCEPTS
PENDANT NECKLACE
HANDBAG $249.50
$34.50
AMERICAN RAG BARE SHOULDER
It’s a mod, mod world and we’re more than happy to live in it! A-line dresses, graphic prints and rust tones with a 60s and 70s vibe are swinging back on the fashion scene. The retro revolution rewinds the clock on the 9 to 5 wardrobe—romantic bow blouses, sleeveless sweater vests and flared pantsuits are back again. Collegiate classics like the varsity jacket and the schoolgirl favorite mini skirt are all the rage. The return of plaid, suede, and topstitch denim has everyone feeling groovy. Can you dig it?
Military style references influence one of the most important menswear trends of the season. Olive green takes the lead here, but is also supported by weathered shades of grey, blue and black. Look for camouflage to continue evolving by tweaking scale, color and pattern mixing. The cargo pocket pant is reinterpreted here in slimmer cuts and more pronounced details. Outerwear is strong within the trend, taking a new approach to four-pocket styling, shearling linings, the appliquéd bomber and an update to the classic peacoat. Patches, badges and metal buttons add an air of authenticity to the season’s best outerwear and sweaters.
I.N.C. INTERNATIONAL CONCEPTS
COATED DENIM MOTO JACKET $99.50
CAMOUFLAGE PRINT
Blessed is the influence of one true, loving human soul on another.
— George Eliot
Philanthropy. Webster’s definition is: “The practice of giving money and time to help make life better for other people.” This description might conjure up images of the rich and famous. People who have an excess of time and money to give to those in need. A very small portion of the population. Dissect the word further, however, and you will see that it is actually derived from the Greek word “Philanthropos,” or “man-loving.” This meaning feels more in line with the act of giving and invites everyone to participate.
Amidst our very scheduled, stressful lifestyles, it is easy to overlook the plight of our fellow humans. We get so engrossed in our own problems that we lose awareness that we are all breathing the same air on this planet, hurling through space. We forget that we’re here to help each other. The simple act of giving back benefits everyone involved. Increased happiness levels, lower depression rates and actual physical health benefits are documented by-products of giving. It creates a sense of belonging. The synergistic effects create better communities and ultimately a better planet.
It’s easy to experience the rewards of generosity. Find a cause or person that touches your heart. If it’s an organization, ensure that the leaders running the show are aligned with your values and then give with an open heart in one of the ways below:
MONEY – this traditional method is available for everyone. $10 or $100,000 all create the same feel-good when given with love. Glennon Doyle Melton’s charity, Together Rising, supports causes that lift women up. She has collected millions of dollars from an average donation amount of $25!
TIME – this is the only non-renewable commodity we have. For some people, giving their time is more meaningful than opening their wallet. A gift of time is greatly appreciated by any person or organization. Reach out. Donate your talents. Share the love in person.
KINDNESS – short on time and money? No worries. A helping hand, a listening ear, a prayer, a heartfelt thank you are just a few ways to spread goodwill that don’t cost a penny. When we accept and respect differences, or just refuse to give up on our values, our families, friends and communities, we are philanthropists.
Money, time or kindness; find a way of giving that feels good to you and just do it. Get creative. Create your own cause. Give from your heart. Be the catalyst for change in your own community.
Be You. No Apologies.
Connie
YOUR
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BY KRISTA COOK
Football season is officially here. For many households, kick-off is a divided reaction of whooping joy and eye rolling. In one corner, Husband has been preparing for weeks. The fantasy team has been selected, the beer fridge is completely stocked, and for the next four-and-a-half months the TV has been claimed on every Monday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday in the honor of the football Gods. Meanwhile, Wife has been going about her day-to-day silently watching Husband’s eyes light up at every mention of the “f” word (“football,” gutter head) and sighing as the familiar time draws near. Meet the Football Widow.
While, not all of us encounter this annual abandonment, we probably all know someone who deserves this title. And there are of course other scenarios such as the lucky couples who equally enjoy the season together, only watch their one favorite team play weekly, or neither cares anything about football - what’s that like? However, for every balanced household,there is one like Husband and Wife. Husband watches every single game that comes on and Wife falls asleep out of boredom before the National Anthem finishes. If you find yourself in this latter category, you’re not alone. As a selfproclaimed Football Widow, I have decided
to help my fellow women and have corralled a list of tips for enjoying the season.
Seek Revenge. Muahahaha (my version of evil laughter). Revenge is a dish best served by reality TV housewives, ballroom dancing stars or by Lord Grantham. Whatever your television vice, create a play list. Sweetie, guess what we’re watching after the Super Bowl??
Create a Support Group. Football season is a great excuse to have some ladies’ nights.
Channel Your Inner Book Worm. As the cool nights start to roll in, stock up on some best sellers and cozy up next to the fire.
Plan Some Parties. One of my favorite things about football season is the excuse to cook appetizers and have people over.
Prep For the Holidays. Realize that the fall season flies by. Start getting your Christmas lists ready and travel plans arranged.
Take a Class. You’ve been wanting to get back into yoga. Now is the perfect time! Watch the Game. Now, not every game of course, but I do try to watch the “important” games with my hubby. You may find you enjoy it more than expected.
Clean Up the Pinterest Boards. Fall is a great time for trying new recipes, crafts, etc. Go through and delete old or failed pins and find some new ones.
Indulge In Some Binge Watching. This is an ideal time to start that Netflix series that everyone’s talking about.
Find a Ying and Yang. It’s all about balance. While I don’t believe in nagging your spouse, use the games as some leverage. “I’ll go grocery shopping during the game and you can cook dinner after it’s over.”
Even for the happiest of couples, it’s okay to have time apart. Let your partner enjoy those coveted games and enjoy the excuse to be selfish and have some “me” time.
Story & Photography by Steve Doremus
Golfers gathered at Bluegrass Yacht and Country Club to hit the links and play the Fourth Annual United Way of Sumner County Charity Golf Scramble (UWSC). Proceeds from the scramble benefited thirty-one non-profit health and human service agencies serving Sumner County residents. The UWSC Charity Golf Scramble featured four-person teams, a breakfast prior to the event and a lunch and awards ceremony following the conclusion of play. To learn more about the United Way of Sumner County, visit unitedwaysumner.org.
BY ALISON KANABY, M.D.
Deciding to run/walk a 5K is a great step in the direction of getting healthy. It’s also a great way to get involved in your local community and contribute to a great cause. There are a lot of races that are out there, so why not pick one that supports a local organization that you can relate to?
On Saturday, October 22, there is a 5K called the Rescue Me 5K Run/1Mile Walk Event. The run will benefit Freedom Animal Sanctuary, a non-profit organization that rescues abandoned, neglected and abused animals and provides care for them. Freedom Farm is a safe organization for dogs and cats who need to be cared for. The animals are placed in foster homes, where they are given love and attention so they can find their forever homes.
Every Saturday, the dogs that are fostered can be adopted at PetSmart in Rivergate, and the cats are available to be adopted every day. This is a great way to prevent the unnecessary euthanasia of animals. The animals receive proper care from their foster families, and stay there until they are adopted. The goal, through fundraising events like this, is to eventually buy land to build a sanctuary and adoption center of their own.
the course. As the saying goes, what goes up, must come down, and you get to go down the hills on your way back to the finish line! The Greenway is a great place to hold a race. It is out of the way of traffic and there is plenty of shade, mixed in with a patches of abundant sunshine. Make sure to watch the weather though -you never know if it will be a freezing cold day, or if we will have a brutally hot fall day.
Another great thing about this 5K is that it is pet friendly! Bring your furry friend with you to walk or run with, and they will even get a treat in your swag bag when you pick up your racing bib. What better way to show your pet you love them, then to bring them with you for this great 5K?
5K’s are not just for professional runners or athletes. It is a great opportunity for anyone, and I mean anyone, to get outside and get healthy! A 5K is 3.1 miles, definitely a distance that a lot of people can build up to whether they are running or walking. If you decide that you would like to run the 5K, I recommend following a program, such as Couch to 5K, to build up your endurance so that you can run the full 3.1 miles! It is a nine-week training program that will increase your distance of running from a small distance, to the full 5K.
The Rescue Me 5K is held on the Hendersonville Greenway, starting at the Hendersonville Library. This course is relatively flat until you reach the half way point. At this juncture, you will encounter two hills - they may be a challenge for the beginning runner, but they can be overcome! I remember running my first race over these hills… I ended up walking up one and ran up the other one. The second time I ran a race in the same place, I ran up both hills and I was so excited. I had practiced hard, making sure I could accomplish it the second time around!
Anyone can walk up the hills, whether you are running or walking, just take the hills slower. Pacing yourself is the key to getting up the hills with enough energy to finish
If you don’t want to run, don’t have the time to run, or just decide that walking is for you, then you also can have a great time walking the 5K. There is nothing wrong with getting outside, enjoying the sunshine, and going for a 3.1 mile walk. Still, I recommend training for the 5K even if you are just walking. This distance can seem overwhelming to someone at first, but no reason to be overwhelmed. Just start a little at a time, walk for 15-20 minutes a day and build by an additional 2-3 minutes each day. Soon enough, you can be covering the full distance!
If you love animals - and who doesn’t - then this is a fantastic 5K for you to run or walk. Not only are you out there getting healthy, but you are donating to a fantastic cause. By walking or running this race, you are allowing current and future dogs and cats, to receive proper treatment and find their forever home.
MICHAEL REYNOLDS, LPC-MHSP, NCC, DCC COURTESY OF CENTERSTONE
Recovery Month – a time that honors those who have recovered from addiction and those who are about to make their first step to treatment. The state of Tennessee ranks fifth in cannabis production, second in meth lab seizures and third in prescription drug abuse. Michael Reynolds from Centerstone, one of the nation’s largest not-for-profit addiction support services and mental health providers, shares what individuals suffering from addiction can do to take the first step towards recovery. A person suffering from addiction may not know what’s wrong or be able to express that something is amiss and people around that individual do not always recognize signs of trouble. This reality, unfortunately, means that too few people get the help they need for their addictions. Addiction and its treatment represent a serious challenge for Tennessee. We have a generational cycle of addiction among many families – from that great grandfather who made moonshine during Prohibition to a teen today who is raiding medicine cabinets looking for painkillers. For the health and well-being of families and individuals of all ages across Tennessee, we have to break the cycle of addiction in which so many are caught. Recovery Month is the ideal time to explore how we can encourage anyone wrestling with alcohol or drug addiction to seek treatment. Here are three important steps towards a life-changing and even generation-altering recovery: Don’t Wait. The time to get help with addiction is now. Once a person takes the initial steps toward recovery efforts, it may take years for certain behaviors to feel entirely “normal” again. No matter how long an addiction has existed, recognize the problem at hand and get started on the solution.
See the Doctor. We don’t think twice about having healthcare professionals fix our broken legs. We should just as easily ask them to help treat addiction as well.
Trust the Process. You may have heard that “it often gets worse before it gets better” when fighting addiction. However, temporary discomfort from withdrawal pales in comparison to lasting sobriety. Recovery involves trust—trusting a sponsor, a counselor, a psychiatrist, a higher power. Whatever method you choose, believe in this wise decision you’ve made. Recovery Month honors those who have beat addiction as well as those about to take their first brave step into treatment.
Please call 888.291.HELP (4357).
BY ANNIE OSTEEN
When we reach middle age, that feeling of walking into a room only to completely forget why you walked in, is common. Misplacing the car keys, forgetting about a scheduled meeting…it happens to every single one of us. But when do those unclear moments become something more? What happens when occasional confusion turns into a life-altering diagnosis?
With the disease currently ranked as the sixth leading cause of death in the United States, Alzheimer’s will most likely make itself known and strike at least one person around us. It may be a grandparent, a neighbor, a friend or even a parent that has fallen victim (or will) to a disease that seems to be rapidly spreading throughout the country.
Alzheimer’s disease is an irreversible, evolving brain condition that gradually destroys memory and thinking skills. It has the ability to erase the human mind from remembering the most simple, everyday tasks.
Along with finding a cure, scientists are working hard to understand why Alzheimer’s works the way it does. To date, experts have been able to surmise that individuals with Alzheimer’s disease have been found to have abnormal clumps in their brain (amyloid plaques), along with tangled bundles of fiber (neurofibrillary tangles). These two things, along with the loss of connections between nerve cells and the brain and genetics seem to be a large part of why Alzheimer’s is in existence. Currently, there are five million Americans living with Alzheimer’s disease
and someone in this country develops the disease every sixty-six seconds.
Thankfully, researchers continue to unravel clues that lead us into more understanding of not only those with late-stage Alzheimer’s, but also those individuals that have been diagnosed as having the early-onset signs. With any luck, these clues will lead to a cure that will immobilize the illness that comes with such daunting statistics.
With the disease currently ranked as the sixth leading cause of death in the United States, Alzheimer’s disease will most likely make itself known and strike at least one person around us.
Only a few, short months ago, the winningest coach in the history of college basketball at the University of Tennessee, Pat Summitt, lost her life to Alzheimer’s disease. Alzheimer’s, just until recent years, was considered a disease in which only the “elderly” fell victim to. However, many people with early onset are in their 40s and 50s. They have families, careers or are even caregivers themselves when Alzheimer›s disease attacks. Pat Summitt was no different. Her death startled the country and was a heavy example that early-onset
Alzheimer’s is very present in our country. Summitt was fairly young---only 64 years old when she passed away in June.
Alzheimer’s, both early-onset and late-stage, is upsetting. There’s no easy way to say it, let alone live with it. There’s no cure—only a few FDA approved medications, such as Aricept and Namenda, that may lesson symptoms in some individuals but never truly destroy the illness.
Caregivers and families that wrestle with the monster that is Alzheimer’s should always seek support from somewhere. Maintaining the steady balance between a normal life and a life that no longer recognizes them, is crucial for emotional, mental and sometimes physical survival.
Organizations like the Alzheimer’s Association provide ongoing support for not only those physically affected by the disease, but those individuals supporting and caring for them each day.
Tiffany Cloud-Mann, the Vice President of Programs for the Mid-South Chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association states that the “stigma regarding Alzheimer’s disease is still very present, therefore public awareness is lacking. We just want people to know we are here, to help, to support and to educate. We are available day or night. We have a 24/7 Helpline at 800-272-3900 and our website, alz.org.”
The Alzheimer’s Association Mid-South Chapter has served over 196,000 people
throughout Tennessee and Alabama that are touched by Alzheimer’s and other related dementias such as Lewy Body dementia and vascular dementia. They have also supported over 717,000 caregivers who, at one point, recognized that traveling down the path of preparing themselves emotionally for what Alzheimer’s disease ultimately is, couldn’t be done alone.
There are various caregiver support groups throughout the Middle Tennessee area, including Davidson, Williamson, Rutherford, Sumner, Maury, Montgomery, Hickman, Wilson and Lewis Counties.
The Mid-South Chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association, like many different chapters throughout the country, raise money through an annual walk ---The Walk to End Alzheimer’s. This year’s walk will take place on October 15th, 2016 at the Walk of Fame Park in Nashville and the community is encouraged to become involved in some way. Every dollar raised for the Walk to End Alzheimer’s benefits those affected by Alzheimer’s disease in our local community. For more information, please visit: alz.org.
The Alzheimer’s Association’s vision is to live in a world without Alzheimer’s disease. It’s clear and it’s simple. It’s also the same vision shared by anyone who has been shaken by the disease. The confusion that’s felt by everyone, the fear of the unknown, the sensitive steps to recognize that a loved one is no longer who they’ve always been—it’s heartbreaking. The quicker the cure, the more memories saved for that person that deserves to keep every one of them.
OCT. 1, 2016 at LIBERTY PARK NASHVILLE OCT. 15, 2016 at WALK OF FAME PARK
WE ARE PROUD TO OFFER:
• One-level facility including a lovely wrap-around porch
• A choice of 5 attractive suites
OCT. 29, 2016 at MTSU TRACK & SOCCER FIELD
• Three delicious meals served daily, featuring a variety of menu choices
• Weekly housekeeping & laundry service
• Daily Lifestyle360 activities, including intellectual, social, physical, emotional and spiritual programming
BY HOLLIE DEESE
At Morningside Assisted Living facility in Gallatin, pets are important for so many reasons says Executive Director, Stephanie Harville. Proven studies have shown that having a pet can reduce blood pressure, cholesterol and risk for a heart attack among seniors. Not only that, residents are just overall happier, more sociable and stress-free when they have a furry friend around. “It improves your overall well-being across the board for residents and staff anytime you have an animal around,” she says. “It brings another layer of joy and happiness to our environment.”
Harville’s own dog Lizzie, an 8-year-old American EskimoAustralian Shepard mix, comes with her to work every day to roam the halls at Morningside and to visit with the residents she has a special bond with.
One of those residents is George Butler, who made a connection with Lizzie from the moment he arrived at Morningside.“We get along good,” Butler says, feeding treats to Lizzie in between her resting her head on his lap. “I was raised on a farm and used to have lots of dogs and cats and things of that nature. I always liked dogs and for the most part they liked me.”
Harville says despite Lizzie being a little wary of wheelchairs and other equipment sometimes, she never barks at Morningside even though she does it at home. And, Lizzie seems to be able to detect when someone needs soothing. One day a woman was in tears and could not be comforted by anyone who tried. Then Lizzie came into the room.
“She was sitting in her dining room chair and I kind of knelt down in front of her and was patting her leg,” Harville says. “Lizzie overheard us talking and she just walked up and laid her chin on the woman’s leg. The woman was still crying but she started petting Lizzie’s head and you could just see her starting to diffuse a little bit. It was almost like Lizzie just kind of knew what she needed.”
Plus, the pets at Morningside have become quite a draw for young relatives, making them eager to come and visit. Eloise
Allowing residents and animals to be together combats loneliness and isolation, lifts residents’ spirits, increases socialization and gives them a sense of self-confidence to be able to care for their own pet.
Pulias has no pets of her own at Morningside, but both she and her 7-yearold grandson love to pet the resident bunny Redford whenever they can. “My grandson said he’s so soft,” Pulias says.
It’s just one more benefit to having the pets on site, to provide something exciting for visiting families. “The rabbit and the cats are very popular with grandkids,” Harville adds.
Rebecca Coleman lives with her cat Cali at Morningside and together they keep each other company. Coleman first got Cali three years ago when she still lived independently, so when she was looking for an assisted-living facility, finding one that would take the two of them was imperative.
Luckily, she found Morningside. “If they had not taken her here I would not have come,” she says.
Originally from Robertson County where her sister still lives, it is hard for her or her other sister in Lynchburg to make the visit. Married for 52 years before her husband passed away, they had always had cats and dogs together. Now, Cali provides the company and connection Coleman needs. “She sleeps with me and she gets in my lap every night to take a nap,” Coleman says. “She’s just a sweet kitty and I think a lot of her. She’s just a lot of company for me here.”
Cali likes to have the apartment door open to check out the action, but isn’t a fan of some of the other animals. So she has an elaborate pet cage set up by the door where she can hang out and observe while staying safe with Coleman.“She loves the door open so I put her in there and we can open the door and she’ll just sit there and watch people,” Coleman says.
Sophie is one of the house cats who has roam of the facility, so she visits many of the residents at Morningside. She has been there for six years, a stray Harville adopted from her doctor’s office and has recently been spending extra time with a man whose wife just passed away. Harville says he even asked the staff to leave his door open just so Sophie can easily get to him. It’s one of the many benefits Harville has seen firsthand from allowing residents and animals to be together. It combats loneliness and isolation, lifts residents’ spirits, increases socialization and gives them a sense of self-confidence to be able to care for their own pet.
And of course, the animals love it too – there is always someone willing to give them a pet, or even sneak them a treat or two, like Morningside’s maintenance director who doles out something special to Sophie every morning when she follows him to his office.
“We make it clear when we interview and hire that we’re pet friendly so we tend to attract pet lovers,” Harville says. “And it’s funny, but when you see the cats pick up somebody, their selfconfidence blooms and you can just see they’re real proud of it. It is a joyful workplace.”
President and CEO of the Nashville Predators
BY MORGAN TELLER
For the past six years, ever since Nashville Predators President and CEO, Sean Henry, left the Tampa Bay Lightning to join the Nashville Predators, he has worked aggressively to build up and grow support for the Preds Nation. “Our philosophy is that we are sales and service people. If we are not filling the [Bridgestone Arena] up, we are not fulfilling our commitment to our fans,” says Henry.
In the 2011-2012 season, the color scheme change to modernize the Predators look was a big push to excite fans and create an entirely new aura surrounding the hockey team. “We wanted to grow our own identity crest to be something uniquely ours. By changing the color schemes to gold, we used that transition to get fans to grow the gold exclaiming, ‘In Gold We Trust,’” says Henry.
A primary reason the gold color was chosen was to encompass the dedication of all the Predators employees and players to community service and philanthropy. Gold is the color of children’s cancer awareness, a cause that is near and dear to their hearts.
The Nashville Predators Foundation’s mission is to change the lives of youth in Middle Tennessee. In 2014, the Predators formulated a pediatric cancer fund called “365 Fund.” This was a play-off of two of the players’ jersey numbers; Shea Weber (6) and Pekka Rinne (35). The fundraiser donates annually to the Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt.
The Nashville Predators Foundation is one of the more active foundations in sports because it engages with all employees by reaching out to each philanthropy or charity that is important to them through initiatives. “We commit to 6,000 hours of community service every year through our organization. From building homes with Habitat for Humanity, to coaching little league hockey teams, we
want to know what is important to people in our community and find out how we can help,” says Henry.
The season began in September, as well as the charitable events. On September 19-20, 2016, for the sixth consecutive year, the Nashville Predators Foundation and Peterson Foundation for Parkinson’s hosted the First Tennessee Brent Peterson Golf Classic and First Tennessee Petey’s Preds Party. The event was on September 19 (Golf Classic) and
September 20 (Petey’s Party) and had Nashville Predators players and celebrities present, including Preds Alum Sebastien Bordeleau, Nashville songwriter Kelley Lovelace and Middle Tennessee State University Head Basketball Coach Kermit Davis.
The Nashville Predators mission statement is to be the number one sports and entertainment venue in the United States with its centerpiece as the Stanley Cup Champion Nashville Predators. “This philosophy means nothing if we are not using the passion of our fans for our logo, and doing something unique by using our team members’ star power and heart for the community,” says Henry. Henry says the goal of the Predators Nation is the same and will always stay the same. As an entertainment business, they tirelessly control the environment of the Bridgestone Arena that the people are coming to use. They live and die for support of locals everyday from county to county – it’s all one great area – Smashville. For more info and upcoming schedule, go to: nhl.com/predators.
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BY HOLLIE DEESE
June McMahon has been involved with animal welfare in Sumner County for more than forty years, after moving to the area from New Jersey in 1973. Back home she had worked for an animal welfare group, but when she moved here, was surprised to find no such organization to participate in.
So McMahon started her own. She founded the Humane Society of Sumner County that year and has been on the Board for the Tennessee Humane Association since 1976. She currently serves on the legislative committee for the Companion Animal Initiative of Tennessee and in 2009 began to shift her focus to finding a way to curb the sheer amount of animals overwhelming the county. “I needed to turn the faucet off where the animals were coming from,” she says.
SUMNER SPAY NEUTER ALLIANCE 720 Blythe Ave., Gallatin Call 615-452-2233 or visit sumnerspayneuteralliance.com for an appointment to take advantage of the $10 cat spay for all of October.
The answer was the Sumner Spay Neuter Alliance (SSNA), a private, non-profit organization she launched with the goal of reducing the suffering and death of dogs and cats as a result of pet overpopulation. After a few years working with the county, they were able to open their own physical location in Gallatin in 2011 with one focus area - to spay and neuter animals.
And they have done just that with 40,000 animals in the last five years, serving not just Sumner but surrounding counties as well with no resources of their own, including Robertson, Montgomery, Trousdale and Macon.
“We believe in sharing what we know,” she says. “About a third of our clients are people who cannot afford to spay/neuter their pets. Of course, we have never turned anyone away for the lack of ability to pay.”
They are able to offset costs via fundraisers like the annual Fixer Mixer or Pedal for Paws, which raised $17,000 this past September.
And for the entire month of October, they have set a 1,000 cat challenge with a goal to “fix” that many felines. To make it easier for residents, they have offered to do the service from any location in October for just $10. “We already have hundreds of appointments on the book,” McMahon says.
The $10 fee is a fraction of the typical $43 cost of a cat spay, which also includes a rabies vaccine. A cat neuter is typically $33, and also includes the rabies vaccine. They also treat dogs and their goal is to help 10,000 animals this year.
The SSNA clinic employs licensed veterinarians and an experienced staff who use state of the art medical equipment for every surgical procedure. The SSNA also has traps to lend for feral cats. “Spaying and neutering saves lives,” McMahon says. “For every spay/neuter surgery, it’s estimated that about four lives are saved. In other words, four animals are not born to be abandoned, to suffer, to be thrown away, to not have a home. That’s important, and little by little communities are starting to recognize that animal control is important.”
They also help save animals when a pregnancy has put their life on the line, including a man who recently took his dog to a full-service clinic after she delivered a litter but still had one dead puppy inside her.
“The man could not hold back tears when he came to pick up his dog and saw that she was going to be ok,” she says. “We’re here for things like that. I love what we are able to do at the Sumner Spay Neuter Alliance. We improve the lives of people and animals every day while preventing the next generation of homeless pets.”
Story & Photography by Haley Anthony
Latte With Larry was held at a local Dunkin’ Donuts for residents of Sumner County to learn about volunteer and sponsorship opportunities at Holidayfest. Larry Phillips, is the president of HolidayFest, a nonprofit community service organization whose purpose is to provide an annual festival which brings the entire Hendersonville and adjoining Sumner County communities together during the Thanksgiving and Christmas season. The group discussed the over two dozen events planned for the 2016 Holidayfest including parades, galas, concerts, Oktoberfest, Breakfast with Santa and more. To learn more about HolidayFest, visit holidayfesttn.org.
VIRGINIA BEACH, VIRGINIA
Virginia Beach is a great option if you have an outdoorsman and a beach lover in the family or just love nature. This town boasts thirty-five miles of shoreline and quiets down from its usual traffic this time of year. Striped Bass fill up the Chesapeake Bay in huge numbers and from the Back Bay National Wildlife Refuge, you can see thousands of migrating ducks and snow geese move through. Afterwards, take a tour of the beach on horseback and check that off your bucket list. If you decide to drive to make the trip, you’re guaranteed to have your way paved with the breathtaking colors of fall.
This beautiful historic city full of live oaks with gothic drapes of Spanish moss is a perfect setting for a spooky time of year. From haunted pub-crawls to haunted hotels, Savannah is a Halloween lovers dream in a picturesque place. Even if scary isn’t your thing, you’ll find plenty to enjoy in this cultured town during the blissful fall weather.
BY CAITLIN DASCHNER
Summer is traditionally the peak of travel season, but our country has a lot to offer in the way of autumn vacations. As an added perk, many destinations are less crowded and see a decrease in prices. There are plenty of staple fall locales that most people consider this time of year, but we’ve gathered some destinations that may not be on your radar.
Cape May is a world famous migration capital and offers observation platforms to watch hawks and other raptors as they make their way south for winter. If birds aren’t your thing, every October, the Monarch Butterflies migrate 2,000 miles to Mexico to stop and rest in this beach town before making the ten-mile journey across the Delaware Bay. The city also holds a Victorian week, a ten-day extravaganza of tours and events to celebrate the history and lifestyle of the Victorian era against the backdrop of the sea.
Fall happens to be chile harvest season, and the smell of fresh roasted peppers will follow you from roadside stands throughout
this Southwestern town while you enjoy delicious food and excellent weather. The stunning Aspen Vista trail is only fourteen miles from downtown and can provide your fill of stunning autumn foliage.
If a winery tour has been on your trip list, skip touristy Napa and try the hot new destination for wine connoisseurs - Walla Walla. This city in Washington is home to more than 100 wineries against the stunning backdrop of the Blue Mountains. The city itself is full of rich history including early pioneers and the gold rush, and maintains an emphasis on culture, music and the arts. As an added bonus, USA Today named Walla Walla the Friendliest Small Town.
FEATURE| Your Charitable Self
BY HOLLIE DEESE
Olivia Wright, 17, was just 9-years-old when she watched a Feed the Children’s documentary about the Appalachian Mountains with her family and noticed none of the kids were wearing shoes. It was an observation that didn’t sit well with the compassionate young girl and she was determined to do something about it.
“Like every kid, I had a really big heart,” she says. “I was raised in the church and my parents had always instilled into me the knowledge that we’re here to make a difference, and to help other people. I knew, with a lot of help, we were going to give them shoes.”
And so, with the help of her family, Wright organized her very first shoe drive for her new non-profit, Tennessee H.U.G.S., Inc. (Help Us Give Shoes). She went to the children’s director of the First Baptist Church of Hendersonville and told him her mission – to give shoes and smiles – and the community came together by donating more than 700 pairs of shoes.
H.U.G.S. has grown a lot since then, but so has Wright. With a continued mission of “shoeing the world,” she collects gently-used shoes and then travels to locations across the U.S. to fit recipients. So far, she has collected and distributed more than 100,000 pair of shoes for people through H.U.G.S, providing footwear for children and adults in thirteen countries and in ten U.S. cities
including Washington, Atlanta and New York City.
Wright also still holds an annual Back-toSchool shoe give-away for children living in the Appalachian Mountains, ensuring every child leaves the event with a perfectly fitting, like-new pair of sneakers. She even sends shoes around the world via friends and missionaries.
“In January we reached our 100,000 pair of shoes mark,” she says.
Recently, Wright says she has broadened her mission statement to really make a point to emphasize the smiles part. So this year, she is starting an orphanage in India.
“It’s so surreal thinking about it because these kids are just my heart,” she says. “And it’s such a simple idea, to give them a home.”
Wright says from the moment she started her charity, her mom encouraged her to make a list of goals for the long term. And creating an orphanage was always on that list.
“My little brother was adopted from Russia when he was 18-months-old, so adoption was always really near to my heart,” she says. “My brother is my best friend and I love him so much. So, I knew that I wanted to give kids like him, Sergei, a chance at having a family too, and at having happiness. That was our goal then. Mom was like ‘It’s kind of far-fetched, but okay.’”
“My parents had always instilled into me the knowledge that we’re here to make a difference, and to help other people.”
So when Wright was going over those initial goals last year and saw the orphanage, she knew immediately is was time.
“My heart was really into it and I felt really called to go at it,” she says. “Everything worked out amazingly. I was immediately contacted by a pastor in India who also wanted to start an orphanage, but didn’t have the ability to because he didn’t have the funds behind him.”
Wright sent an ambassador from H.U.G.S to meet with him and meet the children who would be in the orphanage, the H.U.G.S. Forthward Home, and there will be three children in the home to start.
Wright’s good deeds are not only touching the people she helps, but it is being
statement out there. They’re giving us help with getting more press, and we always need more shoes.”
In fact, next on Wright’s list is getting warehouse space for the shoes, a goal she hopes to achieve by the end of the year. Currently, Wright cleans and disinfects each pair of shoes after they are delivered to her home before she sorts them into one of three storage units before shipping them off.
“My mom and I, and groups of volunteers, will go down there every so often, about three times a week, and organize the shoes, get them prepped and ready to go,” she says.
recognized on a national level when Wright was recently named a 2016 honoree by the Gloria Barron Prize for Young Heroes. Each year, the Barron Prize celebrates twenty-five inspiring, public-spirited young people – fifteen winners and ten honorees – who have made a significant, positive difference to people and the planet.
The Barron Prize was founded in 2001 by author T.A. Barron and named for his mother, Gloria Barron.
“It’s so unexpected,” she says of the award. “And really it is going to give a lot of recognition to H.U.G.S. and what we’re doing, and really get our mission
The former Hendersonville Christian Academy student spends so much time on her charity now between traveling and fundraising, she is now homeschooled while dual-enrolled at Volunteer State Community College in Gallatin.
“A lot of times I’ll do my schoolwork at nighttime, while I’m having engagements during the day. It’s more flexible,” she says.
HELP OLIVIA BUILD AN ORPHANAGE
Wright is currently fundraising for her orphanage in India, the Forthward Home, until Oct. 28, 2016. To help, visit the website helpusgiveshoes.org or email her directly at owright964@aol.com.
Story & Photography by Haley Anthony
The Hendersonville Area Chamber of Commerce and The Goddard School held their annual Taste of Hendersonville in September. Streets of Indian Lake was packed at this familyfriendly event with local tasting booths, allowing attendees the opportunity to sample the diverse flavors Hendersonville chefs and restaurants have to offer. This year, the Taste of Hendersonville partnered with the Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter 240 of Sumner County and collected nonperishable food donations. Each year, the evening ends with awards presented to the “Best Local Restaurant,” “Best National Restaurant” and “Best of Taste.”
Fall fashion gives me equal parts excitement and terror. With each new season, there are a variety of fashion trends that come off the runway and into closets across America with fervor, only to be found years later by your daughter who puts you in your place as quickly as she can, “Mom, what were you thinking?” Of course, there are always a few classic pieces that stand the test of time, both in your closet and in the kitchen.
Food trends seem to come-and-go just as quickly as their Vogue counterpart, but the trends that turn into staples – think kale, brussels, quinoa and other superfood staples that are now on menus all around town – truly expand our collective palate.
Figs fall into this trend turned staple category, first making its catwalk resurgence a few years ago. After it’s proven the test of time, we are ready to deem figs as the new black.
Of course, figs date back to the very beginning of time with The Wellness Encyclopedia of Food and Nutrition by Dr. Sheldon Margen and Dale A. Ogar stating, “Adam and Eve were said to have clothed themselves with fig leaves, so one could assume that they were also eating the fruits in the Garden of Eden. Ancient Egyptians knew that figs were an extremely nutritious fruit, and in Greece, the first Olympians not only savored the fruit, but wore them as medals
for their achievements.” We are glad to see that our generation has embraced the age-old fruit in a whole new way.
The versatility of the fig allows you to dress up or down the dish from sandwiches and pizzas, to elevated desserts and complex marinades, far advancing it from its nostalgic Newton days. Plus, with their dark purple hue and sweet honeyed flavor, black mission figs just feel like fall, reminding us that longer, cooler nights, fall sweaters and boots and festive bonfire gatherings are very near.
The little black dress of fig recipes is a straightforward little number that you can always throw on the menu for an instant classic. This ricotta stuffed fresh fig with wildflower honey and pistachios is versatile, alluring and perfect for almost any culinary setting. This magazine cover-worthy beauty
Ingredients
8 fresh figs
1/2 cup fresh ricotta cheese
1/4 cup shelled pistachios, chopped
4 Tablespoons honey or agave nectar, plus more to taste
4 Tablespoons mint leaves, finely chopped
Directions
Using a sharp knife, split each fig down the middle from the top (tapered stem end) to the bottom (plump broad end), but without cutting all the way through the fig (stop about 1/4 inch from the bottom of the fig).
Using the tip of a teaspoon, fill the split center of each fig with a generous dollop of ricotta.
Scatter the pistachios in a shallow bowl or on a small plate. Drizzle the honey on a small plate. Gently grasp each fig without squeezing it and dip its bottom first in the honey, then in the pistachios. Arrange the figs on a large plate or serving platter. Drizzle the figs with additional honey to taste and sprinkle with the fresh mint. Makes 4-6 servings
Ingredients
8 slices sourdough or your choice of artisan bread
16 slices Munster cheese
1/2 cup fig jam
1/2 cup bleu cheese crumbles
16 slices of thick cut bacon, cooked
4 Tablespoons unsalted butter
Directions
Spread butter on one side of each of the 8 slices of bread; with butter side down on the cutting board, add fig puree to four of the slices. Add the bleu cheese to the remaining four slices.
Add a slice of Munster to each of the 8 slices. Top with four slices of bacon. Close the sandwiches with a bacon covered piece of bread and a non bacon covered piece.
In a cast iron pan or griddle on medium high cook for 3-5 minutes on each side.
Makes 4 sandwiches
Ingredients
For the Pizza
1 lb pizza dough
5-6 tablespoons fig preserves/jam
4 ounces crumbled goat cheese
1/4 lb thinly sliced prosciutto
Directions
For the Arugula Topping
3 cups arugula
1 Tablespoon fresh lemon juice (about 1/2 a lemon)
1-2 teaspoons olive oil
1-2 teaspoons honey
1/4 teaspoon salt fresh cracked black pepper, to taste 1/4 teaspoon thyme (optional)
Preheat oven to 475°F with pizza stone in the oven (heat a baking sheet in the oven if you don’t have a pizza stone).
On a lightly floured surface, roll out pizza dough as thin as you can get it (about 14-15” in diameter) using a rolling pin. Pull pre-heated pizza stone (or baking sheet) out of oven using oven mitts (be careful - it is HOT). Sprinkle a light dusting of cornmeal in the shape of the dough, and carefully place dough on top the hot stone.
Evenly spread a thin layer of fig preserves over the entire pizza (leaving 3/4” border). Next, evenly disperse the crumbled goat cheese on top of the fig preserves and then add the slices of prosciutto in small mounds on top of that.
Using oven mitts, place entire pizza stone back into 475°F oven, and bake for 10-12 minutes until cheese is melted and turning slightly golden in places and the prosciutto begins to crisp.
Toss together arugula, lemon, olive oil, honey, thyme, salt and black pepper, and top pizza with this mixture. Slice and serve hot!
Makes 3-4 servings
of a dish works for a cocktail party just as well as an impromptu football watch-party and will carry you from fall festivities straight into the winter holidays.
For those who prefer to lounge around in the comfort of your favorite jeans or most warm and comforting fall sweater, our fig, prosciutto and goat cheese pizza is the perfect pairing. The pomegranate balsamic glaze drizzled on top is the statement piece that pulls it all together.
Our fig and bacon grilled cheese combines the sweetness of a fig spread with the sharpness of a smooth Munster cheese finished with the always perfect addition of crisp bacon, sandwiched between grilled sourdough. This is not yo’ mama’s grilled cheese, but rather a showstopper sandwich made for the runway.
We would never steer you wrong (we thought parachute pants were bad even in their heyday!), so you can incorporate figs into your fall line of go-to recipes with confidence. Go forth and strut your stuff and stuff your figs!
Props and jewelry shown in this month’s photos are from the Market Gift Shop at Chef’s Market Restaurant in Goodlettsville. Chef’s Market Catering & Restaurant is a full service catering company that continues to be celebrated as a leader in culinary skill and presentation, voted as Best Caterer in Nashville for the past five consecutive years. Chef’s Market offers catering and take-away options for both large and small events, from formal corporate galas to casual in-office get-togethers and outdoor affairs. Its Goodlettsville, Tenn. restaurant serves customer favorites for lunch and dinner Monday – Saturday. Visit chefsmarket.com for more information and menu selections.
The City of Gallatin received three awards for innovation in government programs by the Greater Nashville Regional Council during the council’s 49th Annual Awards Banquet.
Gallatin was given top honors for cost-saving techniques for its special census. The certified increase in population for Gallatin resulted in $516,000 additional annual funding to the city and a 4,691 percent return on investment. Gallatin’s Public Utilities Department was honored for completing a $4.65 million upgrade to its water treatment plant. Gallatin’s Economic Development Agency was awarded for the “Gallatin Gets It” campaign. Also at the banquet, Mayor Brown was sworn in as the new Regional Council Treasurer for the Greater Nashville Regional Council. For more information go to: gallatin-tn.gov.
GARDEN INN, CONFERENCE CENTER APPROVED FOR GALLATIN
The initial phase of a new hotel, restaurant and retail development in Gallatin has been approved by city leaders.
The Hilton Garden Inn hotel with 99 rooms, a conference center and 6,500 square feet of restaurant space. The project, which would be located on a portion of 8.15 acres along Tulip Poplar Drive between Nashville Pike and North Belvedere Drive, should help boost commercial development in the nearby area once completed.
The Gallatin Area Chamber of Commerce will host the Non-Profit Fair and Share! Participants will have an opportunity to showcase their organization to other Chamber members and community leaders. Occurring along with their November luncheon, participating organizations will be permitted to set up a display table to showcase services and opportunities, as well as given a 2-minute time slot to address the entire group of attendees. The Non-Profit Fair and Share will take place at the November Chamber luncheon at EPIC Event Centre on Monday, Nov. 14th. Participating non-profits should plan to be in attendance from around 10:00am to 1:30pm. The Non-Profit Fair and Share is a benefit available to Gallatin Area Chamber of Commerce non-profit members. Interested non-profits need to complete and return attached form no later than October 21st. For more information go to: gallatintn.org.
BY HOLLIE DEESE
Fashion trends can be fleeting and investing in a whole new wardrobe every year isn’t exactly feasible for everyone. Thankfully, Nashville is surrounded by some stellar consignment boutiques in Williamson and Sumner Counties that take the sting out of staying stylish.
Despite losing the stellar Second Time Around in Hendersonville this summer due to iconic owner Peggy Armstrong’s retirement, there are still plenty of places to find gently loved designer clothing. Here are some favorites for finding pieces for the whole family this fall season.
BLOOM DESIGNER FINDS
117 Stadium Drive, Hendersonville 615-264-0189
From J. Crew to Jimmy Choo, Bloom stocks all kinds of highquality, gently used designer items for resale in Sumner County, with prices well below what they were purchased before new. Have too many designer goods to schlep to the store for resale? Bloom also offers a Concierge Consignment Service to process your designer consignments right where you live, a service available within a twenty-five-mile radius of Nashville. Plus, they pull items from consignors not only in Middle Tennessee, but Chicago and Atlanta as well, so the range of items is pretty diverse.
HER MAJESTY’S CLOSET
600 Frazier Drive, Franklin 615-430-4157
If you are looking for luxury, you’ve found it with Her Majesty’s Closet. This resale boutique only stocks the real thing, and they are very choosy about what they take – think Chanel, Dior and Fendi. Sign up for email alerts so you are first to know about new merchandise, like a recent Burberry bag that retails for $795 but was at the boutique for $599. In search of a bag they don’t have in store? They will even do the hunting for you for a small finder’s fee. Maybe that Birkin isn’t so far out of reach?
THE MENS ROOM
109 Walton Ferry Road, Hendersonville 615-431-2438
Specializing in big and tall men’s clothing – which can get pretty pricey at retail – The Mens Room has found a niche that works. Stocked with casual, business and formal consignment clothing in sizes up to 10X, they also have plenty of accessories with ties, hats, belts and suspenders available for purchase. They only accept highquality merchandise and their prices reflect that quality – less than retail but certainly not a thrift store. Look for everything from suits to sporting wear.
PLATO’S CLOSET
1731 Mallory Lane #107, Brentwood 615-645-2274
2135 Gallatin Pike N., Madison 615-851-1101
Families with tweens and teens will love Plato’s Closet for their commitment to current fashions, so everything is pretty on trend. The stores stock a variety of sizes too, with girl’s sizes ranging from 0 to 20 and guy’s (waist) sizes 28 to 40. They look for specific brands tweens and teens will love, like Forever 21, Charlotte Russe, Rebecca Minkoff, H&M, Guess and Levi’s, among many more.
302 Highway 76E, White House 615-672-1552
Specializing in formal wear, this is the place to go in Sumner County for affordable prom or special event gowns – an inventory that tops 2,000 - and all of the shiny accessories to match. They market themselves as having the largest selection of secondhand formal gowns and it is easy to see why once you walk in the store. Sequins and sparkle are everywhere and everyone from pageant girls to future brides should be able to find just the right dress.
The Factory at Franklin 230 Franklin Road, Franklin 615-790-3477
Jewelry might be the first thing you notice at Second Impressions, followed quickly by the amazing designer handbags and flawless secondhand fashions that are beautiful and timeless enough to last a lifetime. Clothes range from casual to cocktail and while the labels are high-end, the prices are right on par with what you want from consignment.
114 Main St., Gallatin 615-206-0027
Still looking for Halloween costumes? Secret Garden has those in stock and so much more, taking in quality items for kids’ size preemie to 14, in addition to maternity clothes, team sportswear and lots of hair bows. They have already set out their fall and winter clothing – just in time with the recent shift in weather - with new items hitting the shelves daily. While it lasts, summer clothing is marked at 40 percent off, so if you are still feeling the heat, now is a good time to buy.
240 E. Main St., Hendersonville 615-264-6569
Since 2007, Up and Down Closet has been the go-to place for professional plus size women to find quality clothes at a fraction of the price of retail. It is also just the right place for women in the process of losing weight to sell clothing they no longer need and stock up on items they may only wear for a short time as they lose even more weight. They only take flawless items that are no more than threeyears-old, so everything is fresh, stylish and ready to take home.
Just as we change our wardrobes from season to season, we should also change our homes to reflect the cooler weather. It needn’t be complicated. It needn’t be much and certainly, it needn’t cost you too much money. No matter your budget or style there are simple ways to help welcome the cooler weather into our homes.
2MAKE YOUR BEDROOM COZIER BY REMOVING THE COOL, CRISP WHITE DUVETS AND LINENS FOR COZIER FABRICS AND WARMER TEXTURES. The bed photographed above has an autumnal feel from the colors and patterns in the bedding. Beds are perhaps the easiest thing in the home to change for the seasons. Sheets are relatively inexpensive these days and so why not have a few on hand to accompany the changing of the seasons. Perhaps flannel is what you are after for a warmer, cozier feel during the cooler days of fall. Toss on a few blankets, even a faux fur throw to really welcome the fall!
1IN THE LIVING ROOM SWITCH OUT DECORATIVE PILLOWS, SLIPCOVERS OR CURTAINS. The living room below is easily transitioned from season to season. The white couch and chair lend themselves to all the seasons with a quick change of the decorative pillows and the addition of the lovely orange Hermes blanket. The layering of the Zebra skin on top of the sisal rug adds a dimension of texture that creates a feeling of warmth.
3
PLACE BOWLS OF SEASONAL FRUITS, SUCH AS CLEMENTINES, APPLES AND PEARS, ALL AROUND THE KITCHEN AND THE HOUSE.
A trip to the grocery store is all it takes. Load your cart up with fresh apples, pears, berries and nuts and you will have a healthy and environmentally pleasing display. Other ideas are to bring the outdoors inside. Bundle sticks and branches together and place them by the fireplace or in vases and jars. Pinecones of all shapes and sizes can look quite lovely in large glass or ceramic bowls. Autumn decor shouldn’t have to cost too much.
4CREATE PRETTY DISPLAYS WITH DECORATIVE PUMPKINS OR GOURDS OR PINECONES. Again using natural resources, you can create warm and visually appealing displays. Combine candles with fruit, pumpkins, gourds or nuts and arrange them in wooden boxes and crates, plates, platters or trays and place them around your home. The warm glow created by candlelight makes any home feel comfortable and warm.
5
PURCHASE SOME SEASONAL PLANTS LIKE MUMS OR HYDRANGEA AND PLACE THEM BY YOUR ENTRY WAY OR MANTEL.
Or go out to your yard and cut a few branches to create a beautiful fall-like setting. Dried hydrangea in lovely glass jars, pitchers or baskets as pictured are the perfect transitional plant if you are not quite ready, this early in the season, to work with a darker palate.
6
BUNDLE CANDLES TOGETHER ON A TRAY IN ASSORTED HEIGHTS AND SIZES.
Light them when the sun starts to set, which is getting earlier and earlier now. Candles are the perfect accessory and can be easily switched up to change with the seasons. Here, displayed in wrought iron lanterns and coupled with fresh fall flowers, a beautiful arrangement was created without much fuss. Change out the flowers and this look can be achieved year-round.
8IN THE KITCHEN OR DINING ROOM SWITCH OUT PLATES AND TABLE LINENS.
Set your tables with warmer colors. Add candles and fresh fruit, gourds or pumpkins in autumnal hues. Pictured to the right, the hostess has spray-painted her gourds and pumpkins in silver and gold tones, for a more formal look.
9LAYER RUGS AND BRING OUT THE WARM THROW BLANKETS.
A quick way to add warmth to your room without changing out furniture or changing your color scheme is to simply add some warmth and texture with a few fauxfur throw blanket and layered area rugs. Notice above the two patterns on the floor. Because there is no pattern anywhere else in the room, the layered affect, with these two busy rugs works beautifully.
10
7
DON’T FORGET THE OUTSIDE OF YOUR HOME.
While the temperatures are certainly cooler, we will have many warm evenings ahead of us and therefore it is not too cold to stop entertaining outdoors. When the evening air begins to give your guests a chill, leave warm blankets available for everyone to use.
Consider entertaining near a fire-pit or outdoor fireplace to generate some warmth and make your night that much more memorable.
PREP THE FIREPLACE FOR THE COOLER WEATHER. Nothing is as welcoming on a cool fall day as the inviting warmth and glow from a crackling fireplace. A working fireplace will pull the entire room together. It’s perhaps the most perfect accessory offering a visual aesthetic, a personal touch and the ultimate in comfort. If you live in an area where it’s still too warm to use your fireplace, a lovely arrangement inside with assorted pillar candles can achieve the same fall-like effect.
We hope this article has inspired you to get ready for the fall, which is such a lovely time of the year. What will you do to your home to usher in the cooler season? Share your ideas with us on Facebook - yourwilliamson - this month!
Story & Photography by Haley Anthony
PARKS Real Estate Services celebrated one year of success at their new location in Sumner County. However, the evening was not all about the office, as all donations collected went to Make-A-Wish, the foundation that works to grant the wish of every child diagnosed with a life-threatening medical condition. The evening began with a champagne toast to PARKS agents and staff by Bob Parks. Jessica Meyer, a Make-A-Wish recipient, spoke about her own experience with Make-A-Wish. The art of Douglas Charlton and T. Luttrell was featured as well. In under two hours, the event raised $880 for Make-A-Wish of Tennessee. To learn more about PARKS Real Estate Services visit parksathome.com. To learn more about Make-A-Wish visit wish.org.
BY HOLLIE DEESE
If you missed out on the annual candlelight tour at Gallatin Cemetery, it isn’t too late to learn more about some of Sumner County’s earliest residents.
According to Sumner County Historical President Ken Thomson, the Gallatin Cemetery was developed in 1814 when Felix Grundy, developer of Gallatin’s first subdivision, deeded one acre to the city for a burial ground. The first burial in the cemetery was Neal McAuley, who died Nov. 13, 1818, while visiting his brother Daniel McAuley.
Since then, there have been thousands of burials and more than a few of the county’s most fascinating characters have made Gallatin Cemetery their final resting place, some of whom were featured in the
recent candlelight tour through the cemetery, their lives recounted by costumed storytellers.
Thomason said the annual tour was conceived by Donna Smith years ago when she was the director of the Sumner County Museum, in collaboration with Barbara Parker, co-chair of this year’s event.
“It’s always the first Saturday of October and it always follows the Main Street Festival on the downtown Gallatin Square,” says Sumner County Museum Executive Director Ryan Baker. “A tour leader guides them from gravesite to gravesite and at each stop there is an actor there who tells the story of that notable citizen.”
The tour “greeter” this year portrayed Gallatin’s first mayor from 1822, William Hadley, who later moved to Nashville and became a prominent attorney. He was just one past resident who was featured on this year’s tour and Baker says people are welcome to visit the Sumner County Museum anytime to read up about him and everyone buried in the area in the county cemetery record book.
“This book is for the whole county so it’s a lot,” Baker says. “Some of the people it tells a little one sentence about them but most it does not. It just tells the name and when they were born and when they passed away.”
The candlelight tour just finished its 20th year. Funds from the annual fundraiser for the Sumner County Museum will go toward helping relocate to the Carriage House on East Main Street in Gallatin.
Nine Sumner County residents buried in the Gallatin Cemetery were featured in this year’s candlelight tour. Ken Thomson provides a bit more information about who they were.
WILLIAM HADLEY, Gallatin’s first mayor from 1822 who later moved to Nashville and became a prominent attorney.
SIDNEY HIX , commander of PT 108, who was killed in the South Pacific.
ELIZA ALLEN, the first wife of Gov. Sam Houston, whose marriage was cloaked in mystery.
EDWARD ALBRIGHT, author and owner/editor of the Sumner County News, who was also minister to Finland.
KHLEBER MILLER, who died of consumption after living in Mammoth Cave in a medical experiment in the 1840s.
HENRY FITZGERALD , an Irish immigrant who was a successful factory owner and reaped great profits in the Black Market during the Civil War.
VENA STUART, a beloved teacher and librarian in the local schools for sixty years. An area school and street are named after her.
GOVERNOR GEN. WILLIAM TROUSDALE, who was known as the, “War Horse of Sumner County.” He was active in both the military and politics as well as being a Minister to Brazil.
CAPT. STAFFORD H.R. DOYLE, a noted naval commander of the first U.S. aircraft carrier in the 1920s, who retired to Sumner County with his wife, a Sumner native. Their historic home was called “Duncruzin.”
Story & Photography by Haley Anthony
The Sumner Association of Realtors Golf Classic was the first event to start off an enjoyable day, followed by an after-party at Foxland Harbor Golf and Country Club with a theme of “Divas, Dudes, and Dice.” The main event and after-party made for a great occasion to deliver an excellent golfing experience and to show the club and new home development to the Sumner County Association of Realtors. Sponsors that contributed included, Acopia Home Loans, Goodall Homes & Communities, F&M Mortgage, Bell Law Settlement Services and Movement Mortgage. A portion of this year’s proceeds benefited Habitat for Humanity of Sumner County. For more information visit sumnercountyrealtors.com.
When I decided to write the finance article for YOUR Sumner, I was told it would be advisable to try and tie in my article with the monthly theme of the magazine. This month the theme is fashion, and let me tell you, I can summarize what I know about fashion in just about one word – nothing. My wife is the “fashionista” in our household and does a great job at it. She also does a great job at consigning things for our kids, but that’s probably a story for another time.
Back to the topic at hand. I work with a lot of people that are nearing, or planning for retirement. I’m still amazed that people own investment products that they have no business owning. To that point, when was the last time you have had an unbiased review of your financial situation? And, do you truly understand what’s happening in your portfolio? For comparison, I own a car to get me from point A to point B. That makes sense, and it should be just as intuitive with your investments and other areas of your financial health.
However, in my experience, I have found that most investors don’t understand basic foundational principles when it comes to investing. For example, how do you know that your investment accounts are performing appropriately? Do you know what the fee level of your portfolio is - both visible and invisible? Do you know what your investment philosophy is, and why is it important to have one? What are the dangers of comparing different investment portfolios/accounts? Do you know how markets truly work? Do you have a clear cut method for measuring the success or failure of your portfolio? Can you tell if your account is earning the return it should be versus the risk you are taking? These are questions that most investors should be able to answer, but can’t. And it’s not their fault as the industry doesn’t want them to be able to answer those questions. Being a more educated investor is not only important, it’s imperative to your financial success. Can you imagine the comfort level you would have with your investments and financial situation if you knew the answers to the above questions?
Let us help you look sharp with your financial plan. Regardless of what your goals are, it is always a good idea to review things periodically. Feel free to give our Gallatin office a call at 615-4618653, or check us out at www.paulwinkler.net. We can set up a free initial consultation to determine if our office can help you with your current situation.
Until next month, Jonathan
‘Into
BY HOLLIE DEESE
For those paying attention, the lineup of shows at Hendersonville Performing Arts Center (HPAC) over the past few years has been a steady flow of powerful musicals, family favorites and even productions with a bit of an edge. That trend continues with the theater company’s latest large-scale musical, James Lapino and Stephen Sondheim’s Tony Award-Winning, “Into the Woods.”
Four of the current show’s leads took time to speak to YOUR Sumner about the storybookcentered dark comedy, their experiences performing with HPAC and why community theater is important for locals and actors.
ROBERT PITT
Age: 35
“Into the Woods” role: The Wolf First show at HPAC: “The Incentive”
Robert Pitt was in the first show HPAC ever put on, back when they were still known as the Steeple Players in the small, Hendersonville Methodist Church. After graduating from Hendersonville High School he joined the Air Force, but
returned to the area – and HPAC – about eight years ago.
After all, theater for Pitt is a family affair. His mom, Kym Syms, is the president of HPAC, his former stepdaughter plays Rapunzel in “Into the Woods” and his young son has even been in a few productions himself.
“My mom stopped acting for a while after I was born and then we got into it together when I was probably 10 or 11-years-old,” he says. “That’s always been me and my mom’s thing. And now that I’ve started to direct shows outside of HPAC and my first one with HPAC later this year, that’s something else I now get to share with my mom.”
Pitt loves playing the villain and the idea of putting his own spin on the big, bad wolf really appealed to him. He never prepares for roles the same way, taking into account factors like if they are real or not, alive or dead. So for a character like the wolf, he wants to make sure he makes the character is his own.
“The wolf has been done so many different ways,” he says. “When you research that role, everything you look at is different and everybody has done it their own way. How do you make this crazy character your own?”
When Pitt was younger, he did more film work, but there is nothing that appeals to him like being part of a live production on stage, in the mix among makeup artists, lighting, set design and all of his costars. The preparation is intense, but so is the payoff.
“I went into the Air Force and I experienced a whole other life,” he says. “When I came back, I wanted to do what I wanted to do and I loved theater. I don’t even mess with film now. It’s not interesting. The thrill of theater is going out on that stage and knowing that anything can happen. If somebody drops a line, somebody else has to figure it out without the audience noticing. That’s adrenaline you don’t get from film. Anything could happen on the stage and I have seen anything happen.”
RYAN DEMOVILLE
Age: 28
“Into the Woods” role: The Baker First show with HPAC: “The Music Man”
Ryan DeMoville was cast in his first HPAC show when he was fourteen, just after his family moved to Hendersonville. He went to college in Philadelphia, securing a Bachelor
of Fine Arts in musical theater and spent a few years in New York before returning to Middle Tennessee and his community theater roots.
“It gives me an opportunity to make someone’s day a little bit brighter, or make them feel something different than they normally would in their everyday lives,” he says.
“Into the Woods” has always been one of his favorite shows and the baker is a role that he has always wanted to play.
“It’s a very complex show and I like the baker because you don’t see this whole transformation throughout the show,” he says. “He starts off kind of a timid man who just depends on his wife for everything, and then throughout the play he discovers he can really take care of himself. It’s a story that should be really familiar to everybody. It makes a lot of points about morality. These people will do anything that they can to get their wish. What lengths will you go to get what you want, and once you get it, are you willing to deal with the consequences?”
And being Stephen Sondheim, the music is difficult to pull off but incredibly impressive when the large cast nails it. So he and his costars are putting in the effort to make sure it comes off just right.
“It takes a lot of time, but the end result is always very rewarding,” he says.
EASTON CURTIS
Age: 16
“Into the Woods” role: Jack First show at HPAC: “Alice in Wonderland”
Easton Curtis had done a couple of shows at his church and school when he was a child, but it wasn’t until he was twelve and acted in his first stage production at HPAC that he became totally hooked on musical theater. “It’s such a great theater to start doing outside productions at,” he says. “It’s a really great learning theater and I’ve learned a lot there.”
Curtis watched “Into the Woods” for the first time a few years ago and has wanted to play Jack ever since. “When they announced that they were doing it, I was flipping out. I was so excited and so I auditioned for Jack and luckily I got him,” he says.
The pace has been intense prepping for the
show he says. Usually with a musical, the cast would spend the first couple of days on music and then move into choreography before blocking the scenes, but with this show and the intense music, Easton says they have spent almost a whole month on it while blocking and choreographing all at the same time.
“Doing ‘Into the Woods’ is very difficult but it’s very rewarding,” he says. “I think it is a phenomenally beautiful reflection of the human condition and it’s relatable for every single person on this planet. If you’re from 9 to 90, no matter where you are or where you’ve been, it’s a perfect show. I think the community is going to love it.”
After he graduates from Beech High School Easton, wants to double major in musical theater and education and his background in community theater has provided him the confidence and strong work ethic to work toward his theater goals.
“Community theater is so important. It’s not only a place where aspiring actors can learn their craft and grow, but it’s also a great stepping stone into the professional world,” he says. “And it’s a great place to just have fun if you just want to get out there.”
Plus, he has made some lifelong connections on the small stage in Hendersonville that he hopes to have forever. “There’s been a lot of friendships fostered at the theater,” he says. “Honestly, that’s where I met most of my friends who I consider family. That’s the place where all of us go for our art outlet.”
Age: 19
“Into the Woods” role: Cinderella First show at HPAC: “The Addams Family”
When she isn’t rehearsing or studying she works at Swaney Swift’s in Gallatin, thankful the schedule is flexible enough for her to handle auditions and rehearsals in addition to her music studies at Volunteer State.
“Into the Woods” is her fifth production with HPAC, performing in iconic musicals like “Wizard of Oz” and “Mary Poppins,” but Cinderella is a role she has always wanted to play.
“It’s been a dream role of mine ever since I saw the movie,” Tatum says. “She was just a different kind of character than the classic Cinderella because not everyone is the damsel in distress in real life. I’ve always looked at it as a dream character. When I got that opportunity and received the role, I was just in shock and awe.”
Tatum has done a few productions with most of her costars over the years, building on a rapport they have created over time. She hopes musical theater is something that will always be in her life.
The Hendersonville Performing Arts Company presents Into the Woods through Sunday, October 16 at the Hendersonville Performing Arts Company located in the City Square Shopping Center, 260 West Main St., Suite 204 in Hendersonville. Performances are Thursday, Friday and Saturday at 7:30 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday at 2 p.m. For tickets, call 615-826-6037 or visit hpactn.com.
“I don’t ever want to stop,” she says. “Community theater is extremely important because we all get to come together as one and become a team. A lot of people that I’ve met through HPAC I didn’t know before but now, they are like some of my closest friends. I love spending time with them. They’re all so creative and talented and I’m very honored to know them. Meeting everyone, coming together and collaborating, becoming a team and a cast, bonding, those are the best parts about community theater.”
With just two months of rehearsal for a complicated production, Tatum says it takes 100 percent commitment from all involved.
“It’s not just the cast,” she says. “It’s the crew, the directors and the instrumentalists – those jobs are just as hard as the people on stage. This show has probably been one of the most challenging shows that I’ve done and I’m so proud of our cast and crew. Everybody has just put in so much time and effort and I’m really excited for people to see it.”
It’s October… And you know what that means? It’s my Momma’s favorite time of year! She just loves Halloween! She even told me that I get to get my big boy costume this year, since I was still growing last year in my jailbird costume. I am so excited to get my new Halloween costume! What do I want to be? There are so many choices. Luckily, our friends at Halloween Express are helping us make our decision with their Top 10 Pet Costumes for Halloween 2016. They have everything on this list from scary to silly! The pups are sure to look spooktacular for Halloween this year!
Wiggle bottom and slobbery smooches to you and yours!
Ollie Pup
See more of Ollie and his adventures at facebook.com/OlliePupBoxer, on twitter @OlliePupBoxer and #OlliePup
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The Pet Costumes featured can be found at halloweenexpress.com or check out your local Halloween Express store.
Halloween Express Franklin The Cool Springs Galleria Parking Lot Tent
Express
Express Madison 2215 Gallatin Pike North Madison, TN
Show off your pup’s costume at these fun dog-friendly events coming up!
Who you gonna call? This pet costumes includes a character jumpsuit and inflatable backpack.
This pet costume includes a black top and hood with glow in the dark skeleton bones and skull screen print. Barktoberfest October 15, 12 p.m.-5 p.m. The Park at Harlinsdale Farm tnbarktoberfest.com Pumpkinfest
Take a bite out of the competition! This pet costume includes a foam headpiece and foam-padded body with fins and tail.
Story & Photography by Erica Brown
The Goodlettsville City Hall and Chamber of Commerce hosted their annual Arts, Antiques and Music Festival in early September on the lawn of City Hall. This family-friendly event provided musical performances by local artists, vendors, food trucks, an antique car show and art displays. Tents lined the streets for attendees to shop and view local work, while listening to performances from Wayne Tolbert, the Chris Blackburg Band and the D.B. Chase Band. This year, Wayne Tolbert hosted “Goodlettsville’s Got Talent,” an open mic competition to showcase local talent. For more information about the Goodlettsville Chamber of Commerce and their events, visit goodlettsvillechamber.com.
MONTHLY | Did You Know?
The oldest goldfish on record is “Freda” who died in Sussex, England aged 41 years.
57% of households include either a dog or cat
It is a common belief that cats are color blind. However, recent research has shown that cats can see blue and green, and possibly red.
Some authorities estimate that some dogs sense of olfaction (smelling) is as high as 1 million times greater than ours.
Toby, the world’s richest dogs was a Standard Poodle owned by Ella Wendel of New York. Upon her death in 1931, Ms. Wendel bequeathed 15 million pounds to her beloved pet.
Sumner county’s only Level II NICU offers peace of mind.
Whether you’re a first-time mom or practically an expert, you want the security of a birth center that can support all of your needs. If your baby arrives early or needs special attention, our Level II NICU is equipped to care for premature newborns. Our expert, compassionate staff is here for you and your tiny miracle.