the splendor of Summer
Sandestin packs in the fun with complimentary amenities, resort events and family friendly activities for everyone. With a variety of accommodations from the beach to the bay, you’ll find the perfect choice for your getaway!
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Brown’s Florist
Spring has sprung at Brown’s Florist and we are here to help you make your special celebrations beautiful!
Call us today to place your orders for all of your special events!
Summer is for celebrating!
Dear Readers,
Brown’s Florist
615.824.0857
269 W Main Street Hendersonville, TN 37075 brownsflorist.net
Summer is upon us and I can tell you that I personally feel like the summer is the greatest time of the year! It’s always full of fun, the weather is finally becoming temperate and flowers are blooming. We celebrate this year, eight years in business as Robertson Media Group. When I started my own publishing company eight years ago, it was with trepidation and foot dragging and, yes, complete and total no clue whatsoever what I was doing going into business all by myself! BUT – with determination, drive, a sheer force of will to never begin to acknowledge defeat or failure as an option and a whole lot of prayer, I got through that first year and really…every year since.
No matter what successes we see as a team, there is always that buck stops here mentality when you own your own business, and the burden of ownership and responsibility of employment of others and the obligation and commitment to always do what we say and say what we mean when it comes to our customers, never shuts off. I have laid awake more nights than I can count – okay, nearly every night – thinking about my business, my team members and my own family’s well-being, how to make payroll, meet all financial obligations, find ad sales reps, write one more editorial and make sure that our magazines get delivered on time. It’s an endless hamster wheel sometimes, when I am never quite sure what month it is or whether my theme is eating, drinking, medical, women, men, bridal or holiday!
But then I see and open a new magazine hot off the presses and sigh –sometimes audible and felt only to me – of pride. Pride not just in an incredible publication, but a little pat on the back for myself and a big applause for my team. As a woman overseeing a team of all women (except Johnny, of course)! It gives me pride to know that we are a small business, we are a women lead business AND in a world where the media has gained all kinds of notoriety and some of it not so good – we continue to publish great material and provide exceptional coverage of our amazing community and it’s residents.
When we curate our content monthly based on the wealth of options available to us, it is with love and sincere admiration for each and every interesting and worthwhile subject matter. Nothing is taken for granted and nothing is not given the utmost respect and attention to detail when we put together a magazine for you.
Thank you to my small but mighty team without whom, none of my dreams would be possible. The magazine is but one of three great loves of my life; to the other two – my husband, and co-Publisher, and to my children –thank you for allowing me to do what I love even when it makes me crazy or takes me away from you. And to our advertisers – without your support, this magazines would cease to exist. You are in fact what makes a great community magazine about Sumner County a reality – so another huge round of applause for you! To the residents of Sumner County – thanks for being our stories and for reading those stories. I hope you never tire of them as we will never tire of you.
Thank you!
Shelly
Robertson Birdsong | Publisher
YOUR SOCIAL SECRETARY
JUN
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JUN 20
JUL 3
Here are just a few events to add to your Social Calendar this spring. Visit yoursumner.com for more events.
Center Stage Plaza Grand Reveal Extravaganza
The Streets of Indian Lake | 4pm-7pm streetsofindianlake.com
Celebrate the newly-renovated Center Stage Plaza at The Streets of Indian Lake! Presented in partnership with The Goddard School, the event will have a ribbon cutting ceremony, children’s entertainment, food trucks, live music, giveaways and more!
3rd Thursdays on Main
Gallatin Square | 6:30pm-9pm downtowngallatin.com
The free concerts will be held on the third Thursday of each month from June through September. Historic Downtown Gallatin is hosting the free concerts with the help of local business sponsors. Downtown merchants, restaurants and bars will be open late!
Freedom Festival
Drakes Creek Park | 5pm hendersonvillechamber.com
Hendersonville’s Freedom Festival raises funds to provide grants to outstanding teachers in the Hendersonville area. The evening will have a kids zone, food vendors and live entertainment for the whole family to enjoy. It will end with a fireworks finale!
Congrats to our 2nd Annual Steeplechase Tailgate Contest Winners! #TNSteeplechase
The Southern Charmed Fashion Show has us ready for spring! #SpringFashion
The Hendersonville Area Chamber’s 30th Annual Golf Classic was a success! #HendersonvilleTN
Sponsored Event
SOCIAL | 78th Iroquois Steeplechase
Photography by Melissa DelRossi
Everyone showed up in their best suits, dresses and hats for the 78th Iroquois Steeplechase at Percy Warner Park! Games, music, delicious foods and drinks and the 2nd annual Tailgating Contest were all a part of this big party. Oh, and not to mention the beautiful horses! This family-friendly event has something for everyone, from bouncy houses and stick horse races for the kids, to food trucks and local vendors for the adults. If you haven’t attended this insanely fabulous event yet, be sure to plan ahead for next year! It is Nashville’s rite of spring! For more information, visit iroquoissteeplechase.org.
Mary-McKenzie Grier, Sarah Crosby, Kate Christiansen & Frances Garrard
William Rye & Joseph Vachmann
Stephen Bryant & Trey Hanna
Lauren & Jay Smith, Caroline Jackson
Katie MacLachlan, Eliza O’Neil & Alex Lions
Alex Loy, Kendal Krupa & Grace Leer
Monica Dipolito, Hannah Swafford, Rachael Dempey & Brigid Meagher
Marissa Lacono, Katie Peters, Anna Powers & Andrea LaVigne
Cara Weller, Alex Spivey & Carly Whittington
Nicholas Mason, Alexis Townsend, Tyler Gage & Nathan Stiffler
Tomicka German. Verdelle Bowie, Tanya Anderson, Shay Howard, Heather Williams, Mari Ross-Alexander, Eleanor Sheffield, Portia Jordan, Andrea Clancy & Stacey Floyd-Thomas
Ellen Zhang, Kenneth Leivfritz & Liz Mattarazzo
Anna Morris, Madison Gardner, Nicole Johnston, Sydney Boles & Amber Gardner
Faith Benson, Shelby Smith & Campbell Mobley
Lauren & Will Pottmeyer
Christy Benjamin & Sara Bartram
Darby Raybourn, Arlington Wade, Cele Hammet & Braddock Oaks Christine & Meredith Shih
Cara Weller, Alex Spivey & Carly Whittington
SOCIAL | 78th Iroquois Steeplechase Sponsored Event
Nick Pate, Jonny Gray & Conner Barnes Katie Pine & Andrea Thorsbakken
Betsy Pearson, Allison Lanquist, Chris Finley & Sara Hewitt
Parks Ball, Josie Oldham, Chan Schoerke & Catherine Camargo
Lee Davis Jr. & Hannah Tomlin
Andrei Javier, Gerd Peters, Sarah Joy Cook, Judy Spencer, Debroah Watts, Gail Peace & Melanie McMeekanSpencer, Debroah Watts, Gail Peace & Melanie McMeekan
Madison White & Meg Thalmann
Clara Kate Watts, Natalie Norris, Marci Watts & Jami Norris
Shelbie Yates, Kierston Cook, Lauren Blevins & Hannah Bounds
Marla White, Beth Frerichs & Tracey Clark
Tailgating Contest Entry
Tailgating Contest Entry
Tailgating Contest Entry
Tailgating Contest Entry
Music by Gospel Singer: WESS MORGAN Dancing to: The ERIK BLUE BAND
Jockey’s Favorite Colors & Silks Best Dressed Group Tailgating Contest Winner
Stop and Check the Roses…
What toxins could be hiding in your favorite products
BY JULIE JORGENSEN
This month, we’re getting serious about ingredients lurking in the products we put on ourselves and our babies regularly, and the potentially-sketchy effects they can have on our respective health. None of this is meant to scare y’all— the hope is that maybe we shed some light on how to make mindful choices and maybe pause before dousing ourselves in that bottle of our favorite perfume.
Let’s start with the basics and do a quick rundown on fragrance. The very word, when included in personal care products, covers a litany of chemicals, many of which have a questionable-to-potentially-nasty impact on women’s health. Given that the cosmetic industry in the United States is wildly unregulated, companies can hide scary ingredients like phthalates under the generic term “fragrance” without disclosing any additional information to the consumer. Phthalates, widely used in plastic products, are often added to personal-care products like nail polish, hairspray, and— you guessed it— perfume. If y’all have been paying attention to previous discussions about this sort of thing, you may remember that anything we put onto our skin can be detected in our bloodstream in a matter of seconds. Phthalates, sneaky little things that they are, mimic or disrupt naturallyproduced hormones in our bodies, which can wreck our fragile endocrine systems. What does this mean? Studies have linked phthalates to increased risk of infertility, breast cancer and even birth defects. Gross. Even worse, a product could have “phthalate-free” stamped on the front of the package, but if the ingredient list on the back contains the word “fragrance,” guess what? It probably contains phthalates! That’s enough to awaken the inner angry mama bear in just about anybody.
So, what’s a health-savvy gal to do? First, download the Environmental Working Group’s Healthy Living app. Scan a few of your beauty products and see how they register on the app’s scales that indicate concern regarding
allergic reaction, potential carcinogenics and ingredients that could cause developmental delays. The higher a product’s score, the higher the potential to have a negative impact on your health. You can even scan your food! Then, it’s time to purge and toss at your discretion. I scanned some of the “natural” products in the drugstore years ago and was absolutely floored— and not in a good way. Next, do a little homework. Trust me, your body will thank you. The Healthy Living app has tons of low-health-impact options for everything from shampoo to baby food. Shop accordingly. Additionally, think twice before reaching for that bottle of perfume. Now don’t get me wrong— I love a delicate, well-crafted fragrance. My grandmother got me into loving perfume when I was young. I thought it was so glamorous to do the whole “spray and walk through it” technique last thing before she would walk out the door to go somewhere. I’m not saying to break up with your signature scent. But maybe just spritz clothing before putting them on instead of spraying directly onto your skin. Look for fragrance-free products and/or those that source their respective scent from essential oils and are naturally derived. Finally, share your knowledge! Let your girlfriends know when you find that perfect body wash/ lipstick/ shaving cream that’s also towing the line when it comes to healthier living. I’ll toast to that— cheers, friends!
Love, The Beauty Junkie
JORGENSEN
Julie is our go-to gal for all things beautyshe 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!
JULIE
Beauty Junkie
Just Who is this
EmilyPost?
BY SHELLY ROBERTSON BIRDSONG WITH EMILYPOST.COM
The scion of social and etiquette must-do’s, Emily Post’s name is synonymous with the ways to behave properly in any situation. And although Miss Post lived in another era, when good manners and civility were the norm rather than the exception, her rules and advice are as applicable today as they were 100 years ago. But just who was the woman, or should I say lady, who has become the go to resource when you want to put your best foot forward? As part of our issue all about the ladies – I also was curious to know more about the consummate lady.
Emily Post was born in Baltimore, Maryland, on October 3, 1872, and educated by governesses and at private schools in Baltimore and New York. She spent her summers at Bar Harbor, Maine, and Tuxedo Park, New York which her father Bruce Price, a prominent architect, had been commissioned to design and develop. The season of her debut (that’s when young ladies were introduced to polite society in case you were wondering), Emily Price met Edwin Post, her husband-to-be, at a ball in one of Fifth Avenue’s elegant mansions. Following a fashionable wedding and a honeymoon tour of the continent, Mrs. Post’s first home was in New York’s Washington Square. When her two sons were old enough to attend boarding school, she turned her attention to writing. Her romantic stories of European and American society were serialized in several popular magazines, and many were successfully published in book form. She became a “traveling correspondent,” crossing the United States by car and touring Europe on the eve of World War I. Her stories were published in Vanity Fair, Collier’s and McCall’s.
Upon publication in 1922 her book, Etiquette: In Society, In Business, In Politics and At Home, topped the nonfiction bestseller list, and the phrase “according to Emily Post,” soon entered our language as the final word on the subject of social conduct. Mrs. Post, who as a girl had been told that well-bred women cannot work, was suddenly a celebrity and an outstanding American career woman, a position she maintained throughout her lifetime. Her numerous books, a syndicated newspaper column, and a regular network radio program made Emily Post a figure of national stature and importance.
Emily Post’s successor, Elizabeth Post, completed her first revision of the basic etiquette book in 1965 and until 1995 updated four major editions, in addition to other books on the subject of etiquette. For more information on Emily Post and to find the answer to all of your etiquette quandaries, go to emilypost.com.
Ladies looking lovely in
There are some designer brands that have such a signature style, it is impossible not to recognize them. Lilly Pulitzer has that unmistakable style. What began in 1959 in Palm Beach, Florida, has grown to become one of the most beloved brands over the past sixty years. With bright colors, bold patterns and complimentary silhouettes, Lilly Pulitzer clothing is a staple that every lady should have in her closet. Here are some of their latest styles that you will want to snag this season!
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MAISIE STRETCH SHIFT DRESS
We love the custom lace trim at the neckline, body, and sleeves and know it will be perfect for any occasion this Spring and beyond.
LULA DRESS
The Lula dress packs a lot of style in an easy, knit body. The tiered flounce sleeves and fresh new prints make it the perfect dress for transitioning to spring.
ELSA SILK TOP
The Elsa has become a Lilly favorite with its loose fitting body, beautiful smocking at the neckline and signature gold buttons at the placket. Paired with South Ocean Skinny Pants and lace along the side seam.
CASCADING PETALS HOOP EARRINGS
Dainty petals adorn the hammered gold hoops for a fun and flirty accessory perfect for the season.
REVERSIBLE SHOPPER TOTE
Two totes in one, this bag features two foil metallic prints and reverses from a printed canvas to a saffiano leather making it the perfect bag for a shopping run turned beached day.
DUSK RACERBACK TOP & BAL HARBOUR PALAZZO PANT
With a racerback neckline and adjustable spaghetti straps, this lined camisole is destined to become your go-to top for completing any outfit. Paired with the Bal Harbour Palazzo Pant. A pull-on rayon pant which adds a cool to the touch feeling in the fabric. The movement and flow of these pants are unmatched.
BUTTERCUP STRETCH SHORT
We love everything about the shorts from its woven jacquard fabric, signature scallop hem, functional front pockets and back welt pockets. Paired with the Elsa Top.
TISBURY SHIFT DRESS
The Tisbury Shift dress is a lot of detail packed perfectly into a straight silhouette. We love the engineered border and the ruffle collar that bring a soft femininity to the classic french terry body.
Sling-back sandal in-toe with its cork heel, woven braid detail and 1/2” platform. 9 10 11 12 13 14 9 10 11 12 13 14
HOLLIE TUNIC DRESS
The Hollie is your perfect everyday dress with its easy, tunic body and flirty flounce sleeves with a classic Lilly lace trim.
CALIENTE STATEMENT HOOP EARRINGS
The Caliente statement earrings feature a gold, hammered post with pearl and fabric drops and gold metal hoops.
CICELY OFF THE SHOULDER DRESS
Tiered fit and flare, bi-color lace dress. The off the shoulder sweetheart neckline and smocked sleeves create a playful yet chic silhouette.
JAN TWO PIECE SKIRT SET
Get a fresh update on traditional patchwork with this two-piece skirt set with peplum flounce top.
AMINA DRESS
The Amina Dress is travel-friendly and resort-ready. Sleeveless and bra-friendly, the inverted pleat gives you just the right amount of swing so you are comfortable no matter where the day takes you.
GARDEN GEM STATEMENT EARRINGS
Bold blooms and metal tassels help to create these fun statement earrings that add a pop of pretty to any outfit.
KRISIE WEDGE
LANGSTON TOP
Easy, drapey and in our best-selling Lileeze fabric, this woven top has 3/4 breezy tie sleeves. Go ahead, show off your favorite bracelet stack! Paired with the South Ocean Skinny Cropped Pants with a dot lace and fringe detail.
PEARL ROMPER
The Pearl Romper combines the high neckline of the Pearl Shift with the body of the Donna Romper for a style that will move with you and your busy social calendar.
SEA VIEW BUTTON DOWN TOP
We love the versatility of the Sea View Button Down. Wear traditionally with jeans or un-do a few buttons to tie in a bow. Paired with the Callahan Short with Beach Twill fabric
UPF 50+ TAMMY DRESS
The Tammy Dress is a classic shirt dress in the softest Palm Beach french terry, perfect for Spring onward. We love the cuffed sleeves for a subtle detail on an everyday must-have.
QUILTED LEATHER CRUISIN CROSSBODY BAG
The Cruisin Crossbody is done in a metallic quilted leather and features a hanging bamboo tassel and gold Lilly logo.
SLOANE DRESS
The Sloane is a cool, fit and flare maxi dress with head-to-toe shades of blue and subtle, soft hints of pink among layered flowers. The v-neck and ruched waistband are flattering and feminine, making this a truly effortless knit maxi. 15 16 17 18 19 20
Shop at your local Lilly Pulitzer store, retailer or online at lillypulitzer.com.
Lilly Pulitzer Mall at Green Hills
2126 Abbott Martin Road Nashville, TN 37215 615.645.0526
BY PAIGE ATWELL
The Power of The Women’s Fund
“we are not obligated to complete the task, but neither are you free to desist from it.”
Serving as President of The Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee for over twenty-five years, Ellen Lehman knows need when she sees it. In fact, she can still recall the first time she heard the words ‘community foundation.’
After attending Harvard University, economics school, working in New York for four years and later pursuing business school, Ellen decided to move back home to Tennessee. In September of 1991, she found herself serving on the boards of two nonprofit organizations that were “ran by lovely people doing great work.” At the time, endowment funds were a new concept on the horizon. As exciting as it seemed, Ellen quickly saw that while the leadership and good intentions were there, these organizations were not prepared to handle that kind of money.
“I was having lunch with a friend and was complaining about the fact that it wasn’t fair or wise for them to be taking this additional responsibility,” explains Ellen. “She leaned over, wagged her finger in my face and said, ‘You need to start a community foundation.’ I followed her back to her office, and she gave me a bunch of books and I went home and read them. That was about how magical it really was.”
Three years later, after she had spent some substantial time in the nonprofit realm, Ellen quickly realized that while we were in a wealthy, generous community, something was off about the way people were giving.
“I realized there was not a level playing field,” says Ellen. “We don’t love our sons more than our daughters, but the way people were giving, the organizations that served men and boys were bringing in more money and had more programs. It wasn’t intentional, but the playing field wasn’t level.”
So, in 1995, twenty-five women, along with “two enlightened men” founded The Women’s Fund. This organization would ensure that there would always be money to support women and girls amongst the forty counties within The Community Foundation.
Despite naysayers who believed the program was too radical to work in the south, The Women’s Fund managed to gather $4,000 to give for their first round of donations. Split into eight, $500 increments, these gifts went towards programs such as survival and housing initiatives, Girl
Scouts, the National Hemophilia Foundation, women empowerment workshops and the American Red Cross.
“We wanted to make sure that we sent the message that this was for women of all walks of life,” said Ellen.
Since that first gift, The Women’s Fund has made grants totaling $1,658,845 to more than 130 nonprofit organizations that assist, promote and address specific needs and the over all wellbeing of women and girls.
If these funds were pertinent in 1995, they have certainly become nothing short of crucial now. A lot of things have changed in the past twenty-five years, and The Women’s Fund is hoping to prepare for the needs that are sure to arise in the future.
“We have found a lot of need. Truly, we have found a lot of things that we could never have imagined,” says Ellen. “Who would ever have thought that Tennessee would become a hub for human sex trafficking? The reality is that we’re never going to fix all these problems, but we just have to keep doing our best.”
The Women’s Fund continues to make it their mission to show people the importance of lending a helping hand. One of their newest initiatives is Girls Give, which will help train the next generation of girls and young women on the importance of participating in philanthropy, because if there is anything her years of experience has taught her, it’s that the greatest thing we can do to make a difference is to give back.
“Whether it’s holding the door open, knitting a cap for a baby in the NICU, sometimes the smallest gifts are really the ones that are the most meaningful,” says Ellen. “It is important for people to realize you don’t have to have a lot of money; you just have to have a big heart. There are no shortage of opportunities to help.”
To learn more about The Community Foundation and The Women’s Fund, visit cgmt.org.
Storybook cottage style home with backyard oasis complete with an in-ground pool in the heart of Hendersonville!
595
Parnel Road | Old Hickory, TN
MLS#2043262
Offered at $1,395,000 Motivated Seller! Immediate Possession!
MLS#2032315
Custom built home on double wide lot with 200ft of shoreline located on the deep channel of Old Hickory Lake with outstanding views. Extensive decking brings you from the in-ground pool to the gazebo, fire pit, and private boat dock. The covered boat dock has an installed hydro-hoist boat lift. The three-story home has a residential elevator for ease of moving between floors and open concept living, dining and kitchen area. There is an attached two car garage and a detached 650sq ft workshop.
This secluded 30 acre private estate minutes from downtown is a rare find! You can be downtown in less than 20 minutes! Located on 100 acres shared with just 4 homes, this estate offers a community stocked fishing pond, private tennis court, luxurious and private resort style pool, tranquil wildlife abounds, beautiful rolling vista views, woods and pastures with endless possibilities for escaping the daily bustle and enjoying a desired quality of life right here in Nashville. This property is a dreamland complete with playhouse, batting cage above the detached garage, outdoor fireplace, room to roam, fish, enjoy your ATVs and entertain family and friends in this perfect gathering place. Move-In ready with Motivated Seller! New Roof offered under $2M. Call for current pricing.
My business has always been built on my relationships and results for my past clients and their referrals, which follow their success. I’m taking exclusive clients who know their value as well as mine. My clients and their most valuable assets genuinely matter to me. They will forever be in my little Black Book. For those that are open to out of the box real estate solutions and want a real estate broker who is professional with actual market knowledge and years of experience... if you are looking to buy, sell or invest in real estate, call me first.
your
805 Riverside Drive Old Hickory, TN
Offered at $1,150,000 Motivated Seller! Immediate Possession!
This custom modern and chic lake home is a true gem. As soon as you step foot into this home you are greeted with breathtaking views of Old Hickory Lake. Main level living with Master Bedroom, custom closet with motion lighting and master bath with amenities on par with those at your favorite spa. Private and yet open views from your stand-alone soaking tub and oversized walk-in shower. Basement with 3 rooms, living room, wet bar and back patio with chic built-in fire pit outdoor area. Perched on the hillside to take in channel views across from Drakes Creek Marina, just down from Sam's Sports Bar on the Lake.
Photography by Paige Atwell
The Woman’s Club of Hendersonville kicked off the spring season with their thirty-fourth annual Southern Charmed Fashion Show! Held at Bluegrass Yacht & Country Club, members of the organization and community alike, enjoyed a cocktail hour with a silent auction, followed by a luncheon and fashion show put on by Dillard’s at Cool Springs. Proceeds from this year’s event support the annual scholarships The Woman’s Club provides to the community to help educate women. To learn more about The Woman’s Club of Hendersonville, visit hwcnc.org.
Beth Foutch & Michelle Patterson
Julie Hisel & Angela Brewler
Pat Duchesne & Darlene Rawls
Cathy Basile, Karen Holmes & Joyce Eraps
Darci Kimmerling, Carly & Landa Rosendaho
Kim Luckey & Anne Johnson
Debrah Stoneaocker & G.H. Armour Susan Andsen & Martha Miller
Kasie Ramirez & Ronda Nason
Carole Crain & Mary Neal Glass
Rachel Collins & Kelly Parker
Linda Oliver & Bobbie Schorsten
Percy Graham & Kathey Brown
Sheila Wayne & Nancy Brooke
Judy Speed & Roseanne McINtosh
Leigh Masters, Trinity Scharett & Joy Baker
Sara Pratten & Lynn Takacs Kelly Wischird & Chris Ronen
Belita Smith & Betsy Head
Lynda Evjen & Hannah Williams Kay Wain & Vicki Groger
Betty Odom & Fran Mace
Photography by Richard Suter
The Volunteer State College Foundation began a women’s luncheon, Educate a Woman (EAW), in 2008. The mission of this event is to raise money for need-based and academic-based scholarships for women to attend Volunteer State Community College. The 2019 event welcomed the second year of a capacity crowd of more than 400 attendees. This year’s entertainer was best-selling author and syndicated columnist, Ronda Rich. To date, they have raised almost $300,000 for scholarships for women and have been able to provide sixty-four scholarships since the inception of the event. The Educate a Woman Luncheon is a wonderful opportunity for women to help other women achieve their hopes and dreams! To learn more about The Volunteer State College Foundation, visit volstate.edu/foundation.
Natasha Holcombs, Lori Cioccia, Becky Richards & Kelly Webb Bethany Crain, Amanda Sinks & Tish Drake
Lisa Crockett, Emily Birchall, Rebecca Stewart, Cherie Anderson & Keri Fulton Ronda Rich & Stevie Waltrip
Janice Herrin, Connie Pimentel. Joann Jordan & Sara Buchanan
Vanita Lytle-Sherrill, Melissa Hopgood, Chef Christopher & Loria Brooks Chuan Anderson
Kim Dickinson & Megan Leader
FOXLAND HARBOR IS A 350 ACRE MASTER PLANNED COMMUNITY WITH AN 18 HOLE GOLF COURSE, LAKESIDE POOL,OVER 2 MILES OF SHORELINE ON OLD HICKORY LAKE, JUST 25 MINUTES FROM NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE.
COME VISIT, THE CLUBHOUSE FOR SOCIAL EVENTS AND ACTIVITIES, UNDERGROUND UTILITIES, CURBED STREETS WITH SIDEWALKS, DECORATIVE STREET LIGHTS. ALL ARCHITECTURALLY MAINTAINED.
PURCHASING AT FOXLAND HARBOR PROVIDES A GRAND LIFESTYLE WITH PLENTY OF AMENITIES. AND JUST A SHORT DRIVE AWAY TO EVERYTHING!
The Fabric of The South
BY DICK SHIPLEY
We call it “seersucker,” a totally westernized term for something that came from the other side of the world; yet, we made it totally American – specifically, southern. Translated, it means “milk and sugar.” Who down here doesn’t love milk, in one form or another, or sugar? So here is a little background on a fabric that became not only a style, but a way of life from a southern boy who has dedicated his professional life to clothing and has long been endeared to its many qualities. Still today, it is the quintessential suit of the south – and another reason to love it on this side of the Mason-Dixon line.
The etymology of it is Persian, as its original name was shiro-shakar, but was Anglophiled by the British over 300 years ago. Quickly, it became a fabric of choice in the particularly hot, humid British colonies such as India; but had no relative influence in the new world. Soon the south, with its emphasis on our game-changing, economic cornerstone of cotton, was producing this cool, textured textile for the working class. Enter the twentieth century and a New Orleans clothier named Joseph Haspel, who found a new use for seersucker as an alternative to the hot wool suits of the day, and it began an ascent in southern sartorial lexicon. Haspel exploited his creation by having men clad in seersucker suits jump into Lake Pontchartrain, only to exit with a suit that still looked proper – if not better than before their dousing. It was highly effective in popularizing the fabric among professionals seeking a cooler, appropriate alternative to the heavier mainstays of the day.
Still, it enjoyed only regional success and popularity –unacceptable to the
proper business stiffs in the northern United States. Soon to follow though, a funny thing happened: then-Princeton University president – and future U.S. President – Woodrow Wilson, took a trip across the pond and upon seeing upper-class European academics and business magnates in England and France wear this wonderfully fashionable fabric, (no doubt in part due to the influence of cotton supplied by the south), he returned stateside as a Yankee advocate and trend-setter. Smitten with its lightweight quality and bengal-striped appearance, it was the rage among northeastern dandies and ivy league elitists. Seersucker then took off hotter than a mid-July day in Savannah!
There are many iterations of seersucker, but it remains pretty much the same today as it was a century ago. In its purist form, it is produced primarily of bi-warped, loosely woven cotton, thus giving it the texture and breathing quality we know and love. It is ideal to release stored heat and diffuse humidity; Lighter constructed and more colorful variations are an arid, fun look in shirts, too... Perhaps worn with a pair of chinos and a blazer. It’s not inexpensive to weave, but it comes from an abundant fiber that was once the backbone of our regional economy, so it’s reasonably priced. And while it’s gone around the world for centuries, its roots are firmly held in the sunny south.
As we enjoy a clothing renaissance, seersucker is still synonymous with sartorial splendor, genteelness, and brashness, all at once. Sure it’s “preppy,” but what’s wrong with that? Didn’t those guys go on to become successful? All the while, it’s chic... Heck, even bow-ties are cool now! Politicians and lawyers alike celebrate it (okay, not a selling point!), even giving it a national day of recognition. I have personally kept at least two working seersucker suits constantly in my wardrobe for thirty years; and, in my humble opinion, no self-respecting southern gentleman should be void of one in his. However, there are rules of engagement: as a genuine rite of spring, it
is only permissible to break out after the vernal equinox (first day of spring), and retired from the rotation after Labor Day. While a fashion icon amongst serious style mavens, seersucker is fun to wear because it’s, well, fun! A man can show style and whimsy, all the while being pragmatic and smart. The blue or gray with an alternating white/cream stripe is timeless and safe. For those bolder, venture onto the wild side with either pink or beige as the primary color. You’re making a statement, so liven it up! A bright orange/red necktie on a gray/cream stripe, or a salmon or pink bow-tie on a blue/white stripe seersucker perfectly completes the look. In any event, one of the beauties to the fabric is the latitude it lends the wearer: while I,
a professional haberdasher and clothier, typically eschew “mixing and matching” of suit components, this is a practice you can take license to with seersucker, as its longevity is spared by its seasonality.
Whether you’re meeting a client or rolling large at a cocktail party or horse race, one of my favorite fashion plays is taking a seersucker jacket and coupling it with a different trouser (i.e., white linen or wool, blue chambray, etc.), to make even a fashion neophyte look like a fashion guru. Likewise, turnabout is fair-play: you can wear the cotton striped trouser with either a navy blazer, wool/linen solid sports-coat, or even a madras plaid - only to be done if you’re inveterate dresser. Given its uniquely southern lineage, you’ll look desirably bedraggled; as the more it’s worn, the more personality it has. And we certainly have personality down here!
In all, seersucker transcends a fabric or clothing: it’s a way of life. That's how we think down here – cultural icons becoming the definition of who we are and vice versa. It belongs to dixie because it embodies dixie. While the sight of it evokes terms like dapper, ebullient and erudite, there is one word that represents the essence of seersucker unlike any other: civility. More than a look, or any of the aforementioned ideals, seersucker and civility go together like football and Saturday. So, go ahead and invest in that seersucker suit or jacket, and wear it as proudly as you do your dialect. It’s in my top ten wardrobe musts for every son of the south. And if you see a dapper fellow walking about in the summertime wearing a doublebreasted seersucker suit with a bow-tie, boater hat and a cigar, come up and say “hello.”
To get more tips on gentlemen’s fashion, you can find Dick Shipley at Dillard’s at CoolSprings Galleria. He can also be reached by email at dickshipley@gmail.com.
DICK SHIPLEY
Warm WEathEr Ready for
BY TIM KEARNS
It happens at the change of every season, by the time September comes around you’re sick of ninety-degree weather and high humidity. Instead, you’re craving cooler weather, sweaters and pumpkin spiced everything. At the beginning of April, most of us are tired of rain, mud, cold weather, coats and staying inside. This edition of Your Sumner is about gearing up for summer. For the southern gentlemen, that means bring on the springtime home and garden projects around the house!
My youngest daughter got married on June 1st, which means visitors and house guests started arriving after Memorial Day, not to mention the multiple showers in advance of the wedding. A southern gentleman wants his yard and home to be in tip-top shape for such a celebration. I began the process by taking stock of the grass and plants around the house. This past October, which was unseasonably hot and dry, took its toll on my fescue aeration and over seeding. I ended up seeding the yard twice and doubled my water bill irrigating it! The pre-emergent went down in February and with a wet winter, I’m hoping for the best when the ground temperature heats up those roots (which should be deep), and starts generating energy. I lost a couple of evergreens, which means a trip to the garden store to match the sizes of the surrounding, surviving plants. After that comes the back-breaking work component; a shovel and wheel barrow are needed to remove the dead plants and replant the new stock. Preemergent needs to be applied in the beds as well as mulch, in the form of pine straw or hardwood, to freshen up the look. It’s about this time that you wish you would have spent more time at the gym over the winter; your back, arms and legs will pay the price for all that manual labor.
The next step is to take an assessment of the house. My deck needs a new coat of stain and waterproofing every year to brighten the color and make it shine. Same with driveway sealing. I love the way it looks immediately after I seal it, but it fades quickly around six months.
Touching up the paint on the house and arbor, or at least pressure washing some of the problem spots that grow algae, help give it a great look. Cleaning out the gutters from any of the remnants of last fall or the last of the leaves from the winter is a must. Be careful on those ladders, I know a couple guys who have fallen off and it was much worse than just a few broken bones! It’s not worth it; if the project is too high or you’re unsteady, hire someone to do it! A southern gentleman must survive to complete more projects!
The warmer weather will also bring you outside to grill. If the grill is still in good shape after you remove the cover, you can simply spot clean the parts covered with grease or soot. Then fire it up, throw a piece of meat on there and see how it performs! Either way, the next six months your outdoor cooker will be a popular item come dinner time, so treat it right.
Just thinking about the grill gives me cravings! While I don’t eat steak often, my cut of choice when I do is tenderloin. I typically buy the whole tenderloin, have it trimmed by a butcher and cut it into some beautiful two-inch thick steaks. The rubs I use vary, sometimes it’s only a little salt & pepper, but my go-to rub of choice is Montreal’s seasoning.
After a long day of spring cleaning, all southern gentlemen should consider firing up the grill, put your protein of choice on it and open a bottle of your favorite wine or craft beer! It’s been a long winter, enjoy the spring weather!
A Southern Gentleman Is...
is a Williamson County business owner who lives, works and plays all within the county limits. He has been a triathlete for thirtythree years and married to Bess Kearns for thirty-two years. All of his commitments are for the long haul!
TIM KEARNS
Fit Farm
BE inspirEd to BE a hEalthiEr you
BY ALISON KANABY, D.O.
Looking to make major changes in nutrition and exercise in your life? Then I have two words for you: FIT FARM! This is a life-changing place to help transform anyone- from the person who has no gym experience, to NFL players looking to be stronger both mentally, physically and nutritionally! This picturesque farm is a place where you learn more about your body than you ever have before- including your metabolic rate, eating healthy, how to translate that into the real world when you leave and the importance of food as an energy source rather than something that we take in just for pleasure. I was able to spend several hours at the farm with Owner Kris Intress and General Manager Tari Barker.
I started by asking Kris what made her decide to start Fit Farm. “We all have moments in our life that makes us wonder- are we just going through the movements or are we alive? When my mother, my best friend, passed, I had to ask this hard question of myself. I resigned as CEO of a public company and looked in the mirror. How do I reset my life and challenge who and what I want in the future? How could I help others who knew it was time to come alive? Fit Farm is the
paradigm shift, created to do just that for everyone, to reflect and take back control of their lives.”
Fit Farm offers several different programs: one or more weeks living at the farm, Weekend Warrior (Thursday through Sunday), and even Saturday programs- which is a great way to try the program out. There are multiple levels of intensity- from complete beginners to athletes who are ready to take their fitness to the next level and everything in between. One of the biggest things that you learn from the program is that it is a combination of both mental, physical and nutritional health that compound to make you the healthiest version of you possible.
During the course of your stay at Fit Farm, you will attend classes on nutrition. It includes information that you will be able to use in your day-to-day life. You’ll also attend fitness classes that are taught by incredible trainers. The first step of the process is to find out your RMR (resting metabolic rate)- which then helps determine the amount of calories that you will take in daily. This is different for every person. They have chefs on staff who prepare a variety of meals (three a day) on a fourteen-day rotation for you, along with two snacks a day. They accommodate almost any diet to include the average American diet, vegetarian and gluten-free! There are even trips to the supermarket to help you learn how to navigate them after you leave the farm to be able to continue to make healthy choices. These classes and trips off the farm also help to teach parents how to reflect their healthy living and activities to their children when they leave. Teaching our future generation is of the utmost importance and something that Kris strives for. We need to continue to pave the road for our future by showing them how to be active, stay active and make healthy food choices.
Not only is Fit Farm for the individual, but they host corporate events as well. It’s incredible to be able to do team-building events at such a beautiful place. There is a yoga platform, a permanent obstacle course, conference rooms and areas for snacks to be set up. By taking your team members here, you will be able to create more of a sense of community between them in the classes offered by Fit Farm and still have the ability to get work done.
It is so hard to describe the passion and encouragement that all of the people at Fit Farm have to make their residents succeed in their journey. Everyone comes there with a different story, yet everyone is made to feel welcome. Getting through the “why” is one of the most important first steps when you are starting your journey at Fit Farm. This is a life choice; a choice to change our lives for the better. Some residents are there for four days, some for four weeks or more. The housing that is offered includes single rooms, a room with a double bed and then a shared room. And in each housing area there is a common room with washer/dryer, TV, couch and comfort items to make you feel at home.
During my visit, I got to hear Tari Barker’s story of joining Fit
Farm. She currently works at Fit Farm as the general manager but spent two weeks going through the program before she even considered becoming an employee. After her stay at Fit Farm, Kris and Tari realized that Tari needed to be part of the Fit Farm family. All employees at the farm are required to attend at least one week of training through the program so that they understand the ins and outs required of the residents. “The most rewarding job I’ve ever had is being a mom and a wife,” shared Tari. “But at one point, when I looked in the mirror, I saw a different person than I wanted to be. I had lost myself and needed more so I could be the mom I felt my family deserved. Deciding to go to Fit Farm was exactly the jump start I needed to be a better version of myselfboth emotionally and physically. Now, our family time is so different! We have family challenges to see who can run farther, do more burpees and hold the longest plank (P.S. - I’m still chasing them but catching up fast).”
I was lucky enough to engage in one class while I visited. It was called “Core and More.” Well, I’m going to tell you a little secret: the “more” is cardio! The class was incredible. The trainer was so supportive to everyone, encouraging everyone to keep going. Even the participants in the class were encouraging one another! We had a ladder of activities to perform- repeating the activities a set number of times, increasing in number and then down again. The class had music pumping and everyone was sweating, getting in a great workout! I only spent one hour there; can you imagine the energy level that exists all day long?
I left the farm feeling invigorated and wanted to continue my journey of fitness and eating healthy. It’s hard to describe the beauty of the farm. You truly need to experience it yourself. You can feel the passion of everyone that works there and their drive to help you accomplish your goals to help you succeed! In the dining room, there is even a stone wall where you can find slips of paper sticking out. Everyone that goes through the program writes an encouraging word or sentence to future residents who will attend the program. Fit Farm shows you how to combine fitness and nutrition and how to continue to use them in our everyday world. Life can be crazy, but with the knowledge that you learn at Fit Farm, you will be empowered to live your best and healthiest life for YOU!
AN ALL-INCLUSIVE BOOT CAMP RIGHT HERE IN SUMNER COUNTY. COME SEE WHY PEOPLE LOVE US!
160 acre farm turned into an adult playground offering personal fitness and wellness programs along with group, company and convention outings. At Fit Farm you’ll have a life-changing fitness and wellness experience whether your on your own personal journey or part of a group outing. Our fitness, education and nutrition programs are designed to help you challenge your limits and reset your pace for life.
Come play for a day, weekend, a week or more. Fit Farm has a program that will meet your needs.
Visit us at www.fit.farm for individual programs or www.furyevents.com for groups and company events.
Get Physical | runningmama2016.wordpress.com
ALISON KANABY
Summer Snacking On-the-Go
Chips, chocolate or cheese - which snack do you think is the favorite among North Americans?
If you said cheese, you’re…wrong. According to Nielsen research, the answer is (crunch, crunch) chips!
Does that fit with your current go-to snack?
Summer is the season for pool parties and backyard BBQs, when grabbing a plate full of salty and sweet treats - or two or three - is hard to avoid. It’s also the time of year when our routines shift.
The days may be longer, but we don't always have the time we want (and need) to plan out healthier options for those essential snacks that help us get through the day.
Snacks are meant to be like mini meals that provide your body with the additional nutrients you need. They can also help you from getting “hangry” and overeating during meals. So how much you eat is just as important as what you eat at snack time.
Ditch the chips and satisfy your summer cravings with our on-the-go snack guide:
Use Three Tips:
1. Keep snacks well stocked. Have a variety of healthy snacks on hand in the fridge and pantry so you don’t become a spontaneous snacker who ends up at the drive-thru next time you're hungry. This will also make the healthy choice the easy choice during your busy day.
2. Prepare perfect portions. Most people eat and drink more when they're served larger portions. By choosing smaller portions, you can help keep your calories in check (snacks should not be the calorie-equivalent of a meal). Purchase single-serving foods or pre-portion your own to avoid overdoing it at snack time.
3. Stick to your regular eating schedule, no matter where you are. And plan for those instances when you may be grabbing on-the-go. This will keep the hunger pangs at bay and your energy steady.
Choose from Three Categories:
1. To keep in your cooler
o Non-fat Greek yogurt (like these siggi's yogurt tubes) and berries
o Low-fat string cheese and mandarin oranges
o Hummus and raw veggies
2. From home, ready to-go
o Frozen grapes and a hard-boiled egg
o Low-fat cottage cheese and canned fruit (packed in water)
o Nut butter and an apple or banana
3. No refrigeration needed
o Popcorn, unsalted nuts or low-sodium jerky
o Add unsweetened dried fruit for the perfect snack pair on-the-go
Don't forget! If your snack stash is out, there are healthier spots than fast-food restaurants to stop and grab a bite to eat, like grocery stores, convenience stores and drug stores. Happy snacking!
BY JENNY REIMOLD
Spring in to Outdoor Entertaining
After a long winter, celebrate the sunshine by moving your entertaining outside! Raise your glass to spring and refresh your outdoor space by creating tablescapes with blooming floral jars, luminous colors and baked treats filled with the season’s freshest berries. Set aside traditional checked tablecloths and welcome the beauty of the season with whimsy and brilliance.
One of my favorite ways to style a space is by mixing vintage finds with modern trends. In creating this outdoor tablescape, I used an antique, eight-foot table that was formerly used in a school house. The worn wood was repainted with subtle new coats of aqua and kelly green. The distressed white bench, which once held eager young learners, is perfectly accented with wooden chairs that offer an alternative to the common, cushioned, outdoor chair.
Following several unsuccessful trips to locate the perfect, coordinating tablecloth, I resolved to make one on my own after surrendering in the middle of the party supply store. Armed only with the sewing skill set learned from a seventh grade, home economics pillow project, I knew I needed a simple solution that didn’t require a needle and thread. After selecting
four yards of a muted, polka dot, aqua fabric from JoAnn’s Fabrics, I selected a spool of white, pom pom fringe for its border. Crossing my fingers and hoping for the best, I added a bottle of Liquid Stitch to my cart thinking this magic project would be a substitute for a sewing machine. Much to my surprise, this $24, handmade tablecloth is now one of my favorites in my tablescaping arsenal. It took less than thirty minutes to make and its colors were EXACTLY what I was looking for. I didn’t have to settle for a look that did my style vision a disservice. If you can’t find what you are looking for, grab a bottle of glue and create it!
In keeping with the same cheerful outdoor theme, I selected Gerber daisies, hydrangeas and snapdragons, arranged in aqua ball jars, to add life and color to my table. Small and medium sized flower-filled jars, an alternative to one big centerpiece, were used along the length of the table. Local florist, Mansion and Marsh, used several inspiration photos I sent and created these beautiful designs. This talented florist specializes in detailed, unique and organic florals for the romantic bride or can assist with creating themes for special events. As with many of my tablescapes, I used wood slices and wooden crates to create
visual appeal and dimension by lifting and highlighting these gorgeous floral designs.
Layering chargers, plates and dishware is a trick of the trade used by many design professionals but easy enough for the decorating rookie. For this outdoor table, I first used a pink, straw charger with a wide diameter, as my foundation. I then added white, shiplap chargers, from Need More Heart, on Etsy. These modern farmhouse accents have been used in several of my photo shoots because I love the look and texture of the white wood against my ceramic or plastic plates. Finally, I added festive $3.99 melamine plates and bowls from HomeGoods, in my color scheme of aqua, white and pink to complete the place setting. Topped with festive lanterns and vases from Steinmart, this outdoor table is an inviting welcome to sunnier days.
What outdoor meal would be complete without savory bites of spring’s harvest? Incorporating strawberries into outdoor entertaining is a hosting tip sure to please. For this styled table, I asked Meesh’s Bakery in Franklin, to assist with some desserts made with fresh berries that complimented the celebratory hues of the table. Normally known for her custom cookies, owner Michelle Wilson baked individual servings of “strawberry shortcake cookie” that were used as a creative place setting topper. These delicious and decadent strawberry pies were used as focal points in the display proving that desserts can also be décor.
For a real sense of outdoor living, with added photo opportunities unlike no other, add a retro glam camper to your special event! What started out as a simple outdoor tablescape took on new life when The Green Canteen Company delivered Comet, their mint and white luxury glam camper. Started by a former teacher who had recently moved to the area with her family, this camper rental business wanted to share
the excitement of exploring Tennessee with outdoor enthusiasts looking to make lasting memories. Inspired by the original 1961 design, this sixteen ft. beauty features a vintage black and white checkered floor with the modern conveniences of a refrigerator, microwave and central heat and AC. Comet and her buttercream “sister” Daisy Lou are perfect for a couple’s getaway, camping, houseguests, parties, glamping, tailgating or a fun photo shoot. This is the ultimate way to style an outdoor space with a combination of retro vibes and modern trends! This outdoor entertaining piece was beautifully photographed by Evin Photography. Evin is an acclaimed professional photographer specializing in lifestyle and commercial photography. She creatively captures styled content for businesses, interiors, family portraits and weddings. She also has photographed books for Pizzazzerie’s Entertain in Style and Eric Ross Interiors’ Enduring Southern Homes. To see more of Evin’s gorgeous photos, vist evinphotography.com or on Instagram @evinphotography.
A very special thanks to Elena Graves, owner of Deerfield Farm in Franklin for use of her stunning property, antique table and beloved mini donkey, Taco.
Style Assistant: Sara Brigman
JENNY REIMOLD
Styling Your Everyday
Writer and Franklin resident, Jenny Reimold, is a local designer who serves as HomeGoods’ “Style Expert.” Her work has been featured in House Beautiful, HGTV,
PHOTOGRAPHY BY EVIN PHOTOGRAPHY
INNISBROOK
A SALAMANDER GOLF & SPA RESORT
Nestled deep in 900 wooded acres of rolling hills in the St. Petersburg/Clearwater area on Florida’s Gulf Coast, lies Innisbrook: A Salamander Golf & Spa Resort. Only twenty miles from Tampa International Airport, the resort appeals to visitors seeking the ultimate golf resort experience in a locale that is easily accessible and within minutes of the beaches on the Gulf of Mexico.
The sprawling property features seventy-two holes of championship golf, four restaurants and three bars, the Innisbrook Golf Academy, eleven tennis courts, the luxurious Salamander Spa with twelve treatment rooms and state-of-the-art fitness center, six heated swimming pool complexes, a nature preserve and three conference halls with 100,000 square feet of indoor and outdoor meeting space.
Owned by Sheila C. Johnson and operated by Salamander Hotels & Resorts, Innisbrook’s distinctive architecture is inspired by the back-to-nature movement, when eco-conscious architects designed buildings to mesh with their environment. The structures blend beautifully into the pristine nature, helping guests effortlessly become a part of their peaceful surroundings.
Innisbrook is the most infamous of Salamander Hotel and Resort’s Golf Collection. The property boasts four daring courses, all designed by golf legend Larry Packard, including the North course, the South course, the Island course and the worldrenowned Copperhead course, which is home to the PGA Tour’s annual Valspar Championship held every March. The property has consistently received top accolades such as Golf Magazine’s “Top 100 You Can Play,” and Golf Digest’s “Top 75 Golf Resorts in America.”
Golf superstars such as Jordan Spieth and Charl Schwartzel have taken on the challenge of the Copperhead’s “Snake Pit” – the final three holes of the lengthy 7,340-yard course – being a part of the few that have come out victorious. The course recently underwent a six-month restorative enhancement including the regressing of all fairways and roughs, the rebuilding of each green and the reshaping of the bunkers to stay true to Packard’s masterful design. Fifteen new forward tees were also added to enhance the experience for players of all skill levels, but the length remains challenging for tour professionals. An additional tier was added to the driving range and a new practice green was also added, which may very well be necessary to prepare for an experience Innisbrook describes as “the copperhead bites back.”
The island course features six holes bordered by beautiful Lake Innisbrook and lateral water hazards that require pinpoint accuracy on tee shots and approaches. Similar in terrain to the copperhead course, the north course is known for its daunting par 3s, well-bunkered greens and recent course enhancements including additional yardage to selected par 4s and 5s. The par 71 south course is reminiscent of a links-style design and has become
a favorite for its rolling hills and breezes sweeping in from the Gulf of Mexico, just minutes away by property-shuttle.
Apart from golf, the property invites guests to stay active at the Innisbrook Tennis Center, home to eleven Har-Tru® courts, a fully stocked pro shop and three racquetball courts. The resort regularly customizes programs for players from beginner to advanced levels and offers daily resort clinics, match play arranging, junior clinics and summer camp programs.
The family-fun never ends with Innisbrook Resort’s six heated swimming pools scattered around the 900 acres of property grounds. The favorite of the resort is the enormous Lochness Monster Pool. There’s an activity for everyone with two sand beach areas, a fifteen-foot waterfall, two winding water slides, water volleyball, a separate plunge pool with bubbling jets and fountains, sunbathing areas, sand volleyball and a monster-sized spa that seats up to thirty-six people. During the summer months and holidays, the younger crowd is sure to enjoy the many poolside games and family activities put on by Innisbrook’s friendly staff.
For those who wish to just sit back and relax on their vacation, Innisbrook’s Salamander Spa takes
the art of healing to an elevated level. Home to some of the world’s most sought-after spa therapists, balance and harmony within the mind and body can be achieved after a day of holistic restoration. Packages vary from an hour and a half to four refreshing hours of pampering services like an eighty-minute Salamander Signature Facial or an Aromatic Massage. The Salamander Spa is open Monday through Thursday from 9am to 6pm, Friday and Saturday from 9am to 7pm and Sunday from 9am to 5pm.
The property activities are only the beginning of a vacation at Innisbrook Golf & Spa Resort. The destination begs to be explored with spots like Honeymoon Island State Park. A resort shuttle drives nature lovers right to the edge of the white sands of the Gulf Coast’s most romantic beach. With strong currents along the island, travelers who enjoy scouring for shells will have a particularly good experience, as there is an incredible variety that gets deposited on the shore.
For additional information, please visit innisbrookgolfresort.com or call 727.942.2000. To interact with the resort socially, please visit @innisbrook on Facebook and Twitter, as well as @innisbrookresort on Instagram.
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Hosting a Self-Care Girls’ Night-In
BY KRISTA EHRET
Women are notorious for doing everything for everyone except themselves. With work, husbands, children, friends and organizations, we tend to dole out all of our time and energy and leave ourselves at the bottom of a very long list. For so long, there has been a stigma with taking some time to focus on yourself. It’s been considered “pampering” and a luxury that wasn’t for the normal, working mom.
However, times are changing and we’re hearing the term “self-care” pop up more and more and learning how important it is to make it a priority. Self-care is defined as “the practice of taking action to preserve or improve one’s own health.” It can be as simple as a mental health break in the form of a hot bath, a beginning of the summer pedicure, or a weekly yoga class. It’s doing anything that’s just for yourself and is mentally or physically healthy.
After recently spending a full day with three of my closest girlfriends, I realized that being with these ladies is a form of self-care. Several hours of laughing, venting, reminiscing and more laughing is a great form of free therapy. I ended the day feeling happy and refreshed. Why not combine the concepts of “girl time” and “self-care” into one fun girls’ night-in? Chances are, if you’re in need of some “me” time, your friends are as well. I plan to try this out soon myself, so here are a couple of tips that I’ve come up with:
Main Event Ideas. While a movie night is always fun, you don’t get the chance to chat and connect. For this type of evening, try to pick an activity that enables some conversation and bonding time (it sounds cliché, but you need it). We’re lucky to live in an area where there are so many options. You can host a yoga class, wine tasting, mani/pedi or massage all in the comfort of your own home. I would avoid anything that requires too much “work” like a cooking class. We cook enough as it is. I also wouldn’t include anything where there’s pressure to buy a product at the end of the session (skin care parties, etc). If bringing an aesthetician or trainer into your home is a little too pricey, there are plenty of ways to DIY with homemade face or foot masks, workout videos on Amazon Prime, or even a puzzle. The point is to have fun and refresh mentally in a healthy way.
Keep it Cozy and Low Maintenance. For all other details, just keep things simple. Pick an area of your home that is comfortable with minimal clutter (don’t worry about cleaning the whole house). Get some relaxing aromatherapy going with essential oils or candles. Put out some cozy things like soft blankets, throw pillows and a candy dish with dark chocolates. You always need food and drink when you entertain, but don’t go all out. The point is for things to
be easy, even for the hostess. Buy pre-made healthy snacks such as a veggie tray, cheese tray, hummus and spinach dip, pita chips, chef salad, etc. Offer some sparkling seltzer water, wine and maybe even champagne. Focus on easy set-up and easy clean up so you don’t immediately have to snap out of relaxation mode post event.
Routine is Key. Don’t let this get-together be a once in a blue moon occurrence. Pass the torch and let someone else host. Monthly would be ideal, but every two to three months is probably more realistic. Plan ahead, as girl time/ “me time” is the first thing to get forgotten when schedules become too busy.
Practicing self-care is a great gift to give yourself this Mother’s Day. It’s not selfish, it’s vital. It takes a few times before the guilt subsides, but it will subside. Remember the airplane instructions in regard to the oxygen masks? You have to take care of yourself before taking care of those around you. Giving yourself this chance to breathe makes you better for the masses waiting not so patiently for your time and attention.
KRISTA EHRET
Lady Entertains
The Kentucky BourBon trail
BY JOHNNY BIRDSONG
Ahhh…Kentucky. The Bluegrass State. Home to bourbon, beautiful horses and fast women.
As a native “Kentucky boy,” I have always heard about and known about, the Kentucky Bourbon Trail, but have never taken the opportunity to experience it for myself. So, in this month’s issue, I go UP THE ROAD – I-65, on a two-and-a-half-hour drive to Bardstown, Kentucky – the official “Trail Head” of the Kentucky Bourbon Trail.
Bardstown is the second oldest city in Kentucky, settled in 1780. Home to “My Old Kentucky Home,” and also known as the bourbon capital of the world. Rand McNally also called it “the most beautiful small town in America.”
Since Baptist minister Elijah Craig, developed America’s signature spirit: Bourbon, in 1789; There are now seventy-three licensed distilleries in Kentucky and nine alone in Bardstown. “Too much of anything is bad, but too much whiskey is barely enough,” said Mark Twain, so...where to begin?
I started off at Willett Distillery.
After over eighty years, Willett Distillery remains truly family owned and operated. Founded by Thompson Willett and his brothers, the first barrel of bourbon was rolled into Warehouse A on St. Patrick’s Day 1937. Today, Thompson’s granddaughter Britt Kulsveen serves as the company’s President and Chief Whiskey Officer. Thompson’s Grandson Drew Kulsveen oversees whiskey production as Master Distiller and Director of Whiskey Operations. Janelle Kulsveen (Drew’s wife), leads the expanding hospitality program at Willett. Even Kulsveen, Thompson’s son-in-law, remains involved in the daily functions of the company. In short, members of the ownership
family, work in every building, every day, alongside employees and for that matter, employees are considered extended family.
Of the over 100 acres that make up the original Willet family livestock farm, Thompson chose a location that marks one of highest points in Nelson County for the construction of the distillery and warehouses. The altitude provides an almost constant breeze and Thompson believed this strong wind created the perfect environment for aging whiskey.
I found it interesting that though from the same “batch,” a barrel placed on top row of rickhouse and a barrel placed on a bottom row, over the same amount of time, can have a different, color, aroma and taste. All from mother nature.
The Willett brand of southern hospitality stems from family tradition. Below are some reflections from President Britt Kulsveen on the importance of hospitality instilled in her during her upbringing. The excerpt below demonstrates, in her words, how these traditions manifest on the property and into this history of American bourbons. And, I just found so many of these thoughts relevant to just being a Kentucky boy at heart.
“I don’t know if that is the nature of growing up in a whiskey family or a Kentucky family, but I can’t remember an occasion when bourbon wasn’t a central part of our family gatherings. We drink it, we cook with it, we drink it while we cook with it.”
“For our family ‘bourbon entertaining’ is simply entertaining; providing the absolute, utmost hospitality. You break out your china and open a rare release of some of the finest whiskey, an irreplaceable bottle as a matter fact, because it’s Tuesday and it finally stopped raining after ten consecutive days.”
“It’s all about porch time, and what that means to me is quite simply this: it’s your time, please take it, ideally on the porch. It is important beyond measure to make time for an adult timeout, unplug, sit on the porch and enjoy cocktails during the idle hour. It’s about social, human interaction and solving the world’s problems and retelling stories (that have been greatly exaggerated, more so with each sip), over a Willett Rye
Old Fashioned, with a splash of champs, of course.”
“It’s about making lasting, universal connections. You may have entered our home as a complete stranger, but we mean it when we say, “make yourself at home,” and you do and are considered family by the time you leave after the two-hour Kentucky goodbye.”
Well, this was the perfect start. This family owned and operated distillery truly gave me a load of hospitality and knowledge of the bourbon making process.
Next stop, fifteen miles up the road to the home of the “World’s Number 1 Bourbon:”
Jim Beam. Since 1795 (interrupted by prohibition), seven generations of the Beam family have been involved in whiskey production for the company that produces the brand “Jim Beam.”
Jacob Beam sold his first barrels of corn whiskey (what became known as bourbon), around 1795. It was first called OLD JAKE BEAM SOURMASH, and the distillery was known as OLD TUB. Colonel James Beauregard “Jim” Beam rebuilt the distillery in 120 days after prohibition ended at the age of sixty-nine. He unveiled “JIM BEAM” and the rest is history! It’s a must see!
All bourbon is whiskey, but not all whiskey is bourbon. A strict set of standards from the government regulates what’s what. So just ‘cause it’s whiskey doesn’t mean it’s bourbon. Got that? Because
WILLETT RYE SWITZEL:
2 oz. Willett Family Estate Bottled 3-Year Small Batch Rye
1 ½ Tbsp. Fresh lime juice
1 oz. Tippleman’s Double Spiced Falernum Cocktail Syrup
3 drops aromatic bitters
Fill a highball glass with ice cubes. Pour Rye, lime juice and syrup. Stir until glass is frosty. Top with bitters. Garnish with lime wheel and mint sprig.
someone who knows will correct you should you mix that up! Bourbon is kind of like whiskey’s “sweet spot.” Bourbon must be at least 51% corn, because corn is a sweet grain. The more corn, the sweeter the whiskey. The only thing that can be added to bourbon (and only to bring it down to proof), is water. Other whiskey makers can add colors, often caramel, and flavors to their product. But then they can’t call it bourbon. By law, bourbon must be aged in new barrels. It can’t say “bourbon” on the label if it’s not distilled and aged in the U.S. It can’t be “Kentucky Straight Bourbon,” unless it’s distilled and aged in Kentucky for at least two years.
Before making my trip, I had made a list of people and places I wanted to see along the trail. First of these was The Old Talbott Tavern in downtown Bardstown. Now a Bed and Breakfast, I made my reservation early. Especially when I saw they had a “Jesse James Suite!” Perfect for a guy like me. Upon arrival, the southern hospitality was flowing like honey.
The Old Talbott Tavern was built in 1779 and has been called the oldest western stagecoach stop in America as well as the oldest running tavern in the states. To be in a place with such deep history was pretty amazing. To be where such notables as Patrick Henry, Daniel Boone, exiled King Louis Phillipe of France, John Fitch, founder of the steamboat, Abraham Lincoln, Stephen Foster who penned “My Old Kentucky Home,” and of course Jesse James was pretty incredible. There are bullet holes in the walls over a mural Louis Phillipe’s brother painted, still there today. Supposedly he was over served and thought he saw birds moving, so he shot them. James’ cousin was the local sheriff at the time, so Jesse felt it was a safe hideout. Also, legend is that there are ghosts in the Tavern. Some have seen the ghost of Jesse James. The morning after my stay I was talking with my daughter on the telephone and she asked me if I had seen any ghosts. I told her it was a great day! 1) I woke up. 2) There were no new bullet holes and 3) I had not encountered any ghosts, but you know they were walking outside my door all night!
There is bourbon history with the Tavern as well. William Heaven Hill (Heaven Hill Distillery), was an early owner as well as T.D. Beam, Jim Beam’s brother, who owned and ran the establishment from
1916-1926. The current ownership has owned it since 1964. To borrow a line from Stephen Foster’s “My Old Kentucky Home” …. weep no more my lady, oh weep no more today. I have found the ultimate hidden gem. As we enjoy horse racing season, it’s all about the hat. This is your place. Just up the street from the Tavern in downtown Bardstown is Peacock On Third. Owner Catherine Clements is a native of Bardstown who thought downtown needed a nice women’s store. “I love clothes and I love to shop,” she says, so Peacock On Third was born. She bought the building that was a family run dry goods store originally in 1856, and then a ladies and children store.
Ladies, she has an amazing selection of race-day hats and clothing. She gets her hats from Atlanta, New York and Los Angeles. “You definitely have to have Derby hats and dresses when you are forty miles to Louisville,” says Catherine. And she does. In addition, she brings in a local hat designer who customizes hats. If you have your own hat or buy a plain hat, she can custom accessorize it with feathers, jewels, ribbons, whatever you want, to match your dress. Fashion and bourbon go hand and hand in the esteemed Kentucky horse country.
Now on to Frankfort, Kentucky’s capital located between Louisville and Lexington. My destination is Buffalo Trace Distillery – named Whiskey Magazine’s “Visitor Attraction of the year.” It stands today as the oldest continuously operating distillery in America. Designated as a national landmark, Buffalo Trace is the most awarded winning distillery in the world for its range of premium whiskeys. For more than two centuries, this distillery has been a major part of history with a list of who’s who names in the Kentucky bourbon.
I found it interesting that during prohibition there was such a thing as medicinal whiskey. The distillery was one of very, very few to receive permit to bottle medicinal whiskey and even
fewer to produce new whiskey from 1930-1933. Thus, the oldest “continuously operating” distillery in America.
There are so many brands, and each have their own story, but I was especially curious to learn about Pappy Van Winkle. It was once said to me that “Pappy Van Winkle” was the Bigfoot of bourbon. Everyone has heard about it, but almost no one has actually seen it!
Now after seeing and understanding the process, the time, the heritage, that goes into each bottle, I have a great appreciation for what it is and why it is so rare and hard to get. Go see for yourself.
On to Versailles. A must see: The historic Old Frankfort Pike. You’ll pass through six historic districts and four national landmarks. This IS horse country, and there is one beautiful horse farm after another. Trails.com voted this as “ONE OF THE TEN BEST SCENIC DRIVES IN THE UNITED STATES.” This almost seventeen-mile drive is breathtaking. In the spring, the flowering redbuds and dogwoods make an especially spectacular display. The breeding, racing, and sale of thoroughbred racehorses is a multi-billion-dollar business and the horse industry in Kentucky has its roots right along this road.
The drive down Old Frankfort Pike isn’t complete until you make a stop at Wallace Station. I had seen this featured on The Cooking Channel’s “Best Thing I Ever Ate,” and it was also featured on Diners, Drive-ins and Dives, so I couldn’t wait to visit. And I was NOT dissapointed.
Another stop after lunch was in downtown Midway, also known as middle way, from Frankfort to Lexington. Midway was the first town in Kentucky founded by a railway. 176 buildings here are on the National Register of Historic Places and its reputation for antiques, crafts, gifts, restaurants and clothing brings me to another REAL FIND:
Crittenden Rawlings. Critt started out in Kentucky working as a traveling salesman (known as a “packer”), of men’s clothing the summer before he was to go to college. Sixty plus years later- what a story he has to tell. He had joined Norman Hilton Company for ten years. He says “Norman Hilton, as a graduate of Yale, had a great New England style, then he (Hilton) and Ralph Lauren invested $50,000.00 each and started POLO, which is now a $18 billion-dollar business.” He then worked for Ralph Lauren for nearly a decade. His last stop was as President and CEO of Oxford Clothes, home of “the best suit made in the world,” for ten years and thought he was ready to retire back home in Kentucky, when restless and bored, he started Crittenden in 2008. “We sell more sport coats than any fine men’s store in Kentucky,” he says. He has traveled all over the world buying cloth. “We buy all our own fabric. So, everything we have is ours exclusively. We will only make twenty or so of each fabric, so you won’t see yourself walking down the street,” says Critt. He bought a coat that was tailored for the Duke of Windsor at an auction to simply use the patterned design to design all of his coats. Gentlemen, the wardrobe is an investment. Not only did I thoroughly enjoy getting to meet Mr. Rawlings, but I knew when I walked in the door I was leaving with a new sports coat – and I will be back. You can only buy his clothing at this store and he has a special line at Keeneland. Make it a point to visit here. You will thank yourself later.
Ten minutes from Midway is Versailles, and nestled amid the rolling hills of bluegrass and thoroughbred farms, sits historic Woodford
Reserve Distillery. The official bourbon of The Kentucky Derby and one of Kentucky’s oldest and smallest distilleries, the present-day Woodford Reserve distillery is built on history. It sits on Kentucky’s oldest distilling site where Elijah Pepper began crafting whiskey in 1812. It was on these grounds, that years later, Master Distiller James Christopher Crow perfected his whiskey making methods, which today have become common practice, which includes the implementation of sour mash into fermentation.
The distillery is home to a 500-foot-long gravity fed barrel run. They boast one of the only heat cycled barrelhouses in the world. This gives the barrel opportunity to expand and compress more than mother nature and gives Woodford Reserve, it’s color and signature flavor. You will not see an “age” on Woodford Reserve. Though aged on average around seven years, they select based on flavor not age.
Well it’s off to the races. Literally. My next stop, I start the morning at Keeneland Racecourse.You will find several resources on planning your future days at the races at keeneland.com. I hope to have the opportunity to visit many, many places I have not been. But to date, this place, Keeneland, is one of my must-see and experience to anyone who has not been. This wasn’t my first trip here and it won’t be my last! There is something magical here. It’s beautiful, fun and vibrant. Just like the races. Just like Kentucky – where the trail always leads to something! I hope to see you there. And I hope your day is as smooth as Kentucky bourbon and of course, that your horse wins!
Photography by Melissa DelRossi
As one of the Nashville Symphony’s major annual fundraisers, The Symphony Fashion Show celebrated its fourteenth season this year, featuring fashions from designer Carolina Herrera. Proceeds from the event support educational and communitybased programs, provide free concerts and activities and continue to provide outstanding artistry and performances through the Nashville Symphony. Guests enjoyed a cocktail hour and hor’dourves, a stunning fashion show and a special performance by award winning country artist, Lauren Alaina. To learn more about upcoming events at the Schermerhorn Symphony Center and the Nashville Symphony, visit nashvillesymphony.org.
CLUB LIFE REDISCOVERED
Last year we upped our game with an enhanced golf experience. This year we took it to a whole new level with an updated restaurant to enhance your dining experience, renewed entryway, lobby, and new resort style pool experience.
Join as a Golf or Social Member and enjoy discounted initiation fee as well as up to $500 in Club usage credit when you join!*
What are you waiting for? 615.824.6528 x 235 | samantha.starbuck@clubcorp.com Come eat, drink and be merry in our new event space!
Our picturesque event spaces offer an unforgettable setting for any event. Our Grand Ballroom and Glass Room have been updated with elegant modern décor, new technology capabilities and increased accommodations for up to 300 guests.
Drew Shannon & Callie Shell
Ashley Henry, Joanne Sowell, Suann Davis & Mary Hastings
Sarah & MaryLee Atenhan, Ashely Hedden
Linda Adams & Linda Ervin
Andrew Clancey, Laura Citron, Nikki & Ed Nash
Haley Brandstater, Devin Roper & Blair Bego
Katie Devault & Julie Mccluskey
Judith Bracken, Jacqueline Fisher, Colleen Bracken & Jessica Boyd
Rebecca Vaughn & Leigh Avery
Spring time can bring so many delightful and entertaining events. Wine readily comes to mind for things such as bridal showers, graduation parties and just the chance to enjoy the outdoors. Whether it’s a fancy dinner, a casual “order in fare” or just lots of fun snacks and desserts; sparkling wines easily fit the bill.
These wines have significant levels of carbon dioxide, which create the FIZZ. This occurs via a secondary fermentation in the bottle caused by a small amount of sugar, usually being a concentrated grape must (also called a DOSAGE). These “bubblies” have various levels of sweetness, as indicated by the following on the label:
BRUT - Wine that is dry with a small hint of sweetness. Example: Champagne from Champagne, France.
EXTRA DRY - Wine that retains a slight bit more sweetness; however, not sugary. Example: Proseccos from the Piedmont region of Italy.
Bubbly for Spring
BY JERILEE DAVIS
DEMI-SEC - Wines with more noticeable sugars in the taste and aroma. For example: numerous, New World Sparklings. Sparkling wines can be very diverse in aromas, tastes, grapes used and various wine makers’ preferences.
CHAMPAGNE is made usually of Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Pint Meunier varieties in varying ratios.
CREMANT WINE is also from France, but from various regions and can be different grapes. It’s similar to Champagne, but at a fraction of the cost.
PROSECCO is a wine from the Piedmont region of Italy. The Glera grape is the only one allowed. There can be numerous levels of sweetness as well. A very well-balanced example is Luminore by Lamarca
CAVA is sparkling wine from Spain. The grapes used are Xarello, Macabeo and Parellada. These wines can be fruity, figgy, nutty and toasty bread in character. A great example is Juve ‘y Camps Reserva
NEW WORLD SPARKLINGS can be made from various grapes and with a large variation of profiles. An excellent example is Domaine Bousquet Rose Brut, an organic bubbly from Argentina. Another is the award winning Gruet Brut from Albuquerque, New Mexico.
ITALIAN SWEET SPARKLINGS such as Mia Dolcea Moscato and Banfi Rosa Regale are made from notable varieties mostly from the Piedmont region of Italy.
A sparkling wine can be a party saver in so many aspects. Most bubblies pair with any appetizer such as spring rolls, spicy chicken wings, soft cheeses and all types of cured meats. These wines can even make buttered popcorn a special treat. The sweet sparkling wines are ready for a fun cookie swap, delicious chocolate truffles and all types of cheesecakes.
Another party idea is to build a potato bar with all the trimmings. Just bake or steam small Yukon Golds and Purple Blues; open each up for scooping in all your favorite toppings such as creme fraiche, cheeses, sautéed mushrooms, caviar, scallions and more.. So many lovely wines can be selected for this tasty fare. From lovely Cote Des Roses Rose to fabulous Bugey-Cerdon La Cueille, the entire gamut of wine can seal that perfect event.
JERILEE DAVIS
A Spirited Conversation
Jerilee’s passion for wonderful food and wines of the world began with
This interest spurred her to travel to wine events and seminars to fuel her knowledge. She taught the Wine Appreciation Continuing Education class at Vol State for years. Jeriliee is Pour Vous’ resident “Wine and Food Maven” and can be found discussing food pairings while conducting their weekly wine tastings.
Julia Child, Jacques Pepin and Lydia Bastianich.
THE STANDARD AT THE SMITH HOUSE
BY PAIGE ATWELL
From the lively night life to the exceptional hospitality, there are few spots that compare to the downtown Nashville dining scene. Likewise, rich with history and exuding decadence, there are few restaurants that compare to The Standard at the Smith House.
If you think the name sounds familiar, you’re probably right. The Smith House has remained a downtown staple since it was first built in 1840. Standing opposite of the abundance of new downtown construction and high-rises, it has certainly earned its place in the Nashville social scene over the years. In fact, it is the only grand townhouse remaining in downtown Nashville.
The home was originally owned and operated by the Claiborne family, who ran a boarding house that is said to have played home to some of Nashville’s most prominent citizens. In 1881, the home was purchased by prominent Jewish banker Julian Sax. A few years later, he leased the building to a social club named “The Standard Club,” an affluent social club that was home to members of some of Nashville’s most high society. In 1898, the home was purchased again by Dr. Giles Savage, who ran his medical practice in the building. It remained as such until it was bought again in 1980 by John W. Hunt and David Nelson, who turned it into a bed and breakfast.
In 2005, the home was purchased by the Smith family, who are responsible for its return to the original, Victorian glory that it is today. After running a successful real estate business, their son, Joshua, came up with the idea of running a restaurant in the downstairs portion of the house. Fast forward to today, and that ‘little restaurant’ has quickly flourished into one of Nashville’s premiere dining experiences. On the first floor, you’ll find a highly-rated, full service restaurant and bar open
to the public. Also featured is a courtyard bar, perfect for afterdinner cocktails and cigars. Upstairs houses a private members club. While you don’t have to be a member to enjoy The Standard dining experience, being a member certainly has its perks. Along with the same prime cigar offerings, decadent interiors and bar services that all guests can enjoy downstairs, the club hosts a multitude of events for its members throughout the year in its grand, upstairs spaces. These include exclusive, high-end wine tastings, live boxing matches, holiday parties and more. In 2012, The Standard Club was named one of the top five cigar bars in the country. s
Throughout its 179-year history, The Standard has taken on several faces, but the one thing that remains is the sheer opulence of the home. When you step through the door of The Standard, you’re stepping into an old-world experience. From the parlor rooms and grand chandeliers, to the smell of divine cuisine, classic cocktails and premier cigar selection, it can only be described as something Fitzgerald himself would have dreamt up.
When you walk through the doors, you’re greeted by a grand staircase and the one-of-a-kind hospitality of Mrs. Smith. According to her son, Joshua Smith, she’s part of the experience. “I love to come in at night and meet and greet everybody,” says Mrs. Smith.
As you head into the dining room, formerly used as a gentleman’s parlor, you’re met with white linen table cloths, striking chandeliers and the twinkling lights of the Nashville cityscape peeking through the grand windows. Everything about the look and feel of the house exudes splendor.
Thanks to Executive Chef Joe Shaw, the food is no exception. Like any true fine dining experience in the south, we started off with cocktails, and the Old Fashioned was the obvious choice. With its rich, Bulleit Rye bourbon, hints of cherry and a smoked orange to top it off, these combined flavors made for a warm, smooth classic cocktail. There is not a dish on the menu I can’t imagine it pairing well with.
While there was a plethora of delicious, southern-inspired appetizers to choose from, I had to go for the fried green tomatoes. There is nothing I love more than good fresh, produce, and these did not disappoint. With my first bite, I could instantly taste the warm, crisp corn meal in the batter. Topped with fresh crabmeat, this appetizer was a win-win.
I can easily say I was most excited for the main course. With all the great options on the menu, ranging from hearty steaks to fresh sea bass, it was nearly impossible to pick just one. Lucky for me, I got to pick two. The first one I tasted was The Standard Filet. According to the Executive Chef, The Standard only serves the freshest ingredients, and their meat is some of the finest USDA prime on the market. I have to say, I’ve had a lot of steaks, but this had to be one of the best. Not only did it have a lot of flavor, something that can be difficult to accomplish with a filet, but it cut like butter. It was accompanied with a truffle hash cake, The Standard special sauce and topped with crisp, fried sweet onions. Truly, does it get any better?
Honestly, I wasn’t quite sure. That is, until I got to the second entrée. I’ve never been much of a lamb eater, but
JOE SHAW, EXECUTIVE CHEF
MRS. SMITH
JOSHUA SMITH
the Leader’s Choice Grilled Rack of Lamb was phenomenal. Served on the bone, the meat had so much flavor. It was accompanied by peach preserves and a corn and okra succotash. Combined, it tasted like southern comfort on a plate.
Last but certainly not least, I finished up with one of their famous desserts. After all, there is always room for something sweet, right? Holding its own to its preceding dishes, The Standard Chocolate Mousse Cake was like heaven on a plate. The smooth slice of chocolate has a rich, chocolate crust, topped with chocolate mousse, caramel and chocolate drizzle and, because there is no such thing as too much chocolate, topped with chocolate candy pieces. It was smooth, rich and absolutely worth every bite.
To put it simply, The Standard is a five-star experience. From the service, ambience, history and incredible cuisine, it was unlike any other restaurant I’ve visited. “We want to give everyone a dining experience, and we want them to take their time. We don’t want to rush. We’re not perfect, but we try to do our very best for each customer,” explains Mrs. Smith. “We consider this our home, and we plan on it being in our family for a very long time.”
To learn more about The Standard, visit them at smithhousenashville. com, or give them a call at 615.254.1277.
Locally-owned, voted best area liquor store for three years running in Sumner County, Pour Vous! has the selection and passionate staff to make any occasion a memorable celebration.
• Expansive whiskey and bourbon selection
• 16 Tap Growler station
• Over 800 Beers in stock from around the world
• Handpicked wines for ANY budget
• Walk-in humidor
• Unique gifts, bar and glassware & party accessories
• Greeting cards that win the day
COME SEE THE TALK OF THE TOWN AT OUR WEEKLY TASTINGS:
Photography by Richard Suter
Habitat for Humanity of Sumner County held its sixth annual Raise the Roof Luncheon on April 24th, netting more than $44,000 for the construction of a new home with an affordable mortgage for a Sumner County family. Highlights included entertainment by Britlyn Jarrett Duncan; a moving panel interview of local Sumner County businessmen and NFL veterans Kevin Long and Frank Omiyale and an interview of the future habitat homeowner Jessica Head with her daughter Ja’Kendra. Construction will begin this fall. When completed, Jessica Head will receive a zero percent interest mortgage with affordable monthly payments. Habitat for Humanity of Sumner County is part of a global, nonprofit housing organization operated on Christian principles that seeks to put God’s love into action by building homes, communities and hope. To learn more about the organization, visit habitatsumnercounty.org.
Susan Johnson, Megan Kiepert, Jessica & Ja’Kendra Head, Mike, Laura & Tammy Duke
Britlyn Duncan
Sue and Rick Morrison and Pastor Randy Goodman
Randy Pomeroy, Deann DeWitt and Ted Fellman
Tamra Braase, Brandi Green & Rhonda Holt
P.J. Davis, Cherie Cline, Jana Boner, Linda O’Connell & Jamie Abbott
Mitch Healy, Elicia & Michael Lajoie
Jim Hawkins, P.J. Davis, Scott Couch & Frank Omiyale
Kevin Long, Frank Omiyale & Scott Couch
Frank Omiyale & Dewayne Alexander
Scott Couch &Travis Fleming
Trina Woodard, Deborah Olds & Karen Celsor
Rain Rain has Gone Away The NASHVILLE Housing Market is HERE to Stay
BY KARI POWELL
I recently attended a luncheon at Wilson Bank & Trust where Michael Leidel, regional director of Tennessee for metro study, spoke to investors, real estate agents and builders about the health of the Nashville housing market.
Historic rainfall slowed the new construction market in the Nashville area as well as home buyer’s motivation to get out and look for a new home. Now that the clouds have separated, there has been new light shining for buyers and sellers. “Music City continues to experience historically low unemployment rates and is a popular destination for corporate relocations and job growth. Some recent announcements affecting the local economy are Philips and Alliance Bernstein, both creating over 1,000 new jobs each. Plus, Amazon is opening their Operations Center of Excellence in downtown Nashville, creating over 5,000 new positions, possibly more now that Amazon is no longer opening their HQ2 in New York. 2019 is positioned to be a great year for Nashville and surrounding counties,” said Michael.
I personally toured new construction homes in our area with buyers in the $400-$500,000 range recently, and it was eye-opening to see the inventory shrinking with sold out lots and contracts on homes that had been sitting there a few months during winter and spring. With less supply, builders are also able to cut typical expectations for a more substantial profit. As we were leaving one of the homes my clients thought might be a good contender, we ran into the builder who greeted us to see if we had any questions. It was still down to the studs, and he informed us the home would be around $500,000 completed with an unfinished bonus room. We were a little shocked that one of the most prominent selling features for this family of four would have been the large bonus room over the garage. Unfortunately, he said that would be an extra $40,000 to finish.
However, new construction does have its benefits with home warranties and the latest trends and styles of fixtures, hardware and more open floor plans buyers are looking for these days.
During the luncheon with metro study, Leidel confirmed that the majority of millennial buyers are looking for more low maintenance homes with more efficient layouts over large square footage. There is even a trend for more townhome and maintenance-free living among families than ever before in our area.
Resales of preexisting homes offer many overlooked benefits as well such as window treatments, plantation blinds, irrigation systems and upgrades which have already been added. If you are planning to sell in the next several months and are contemplating what areas of your home to address before hitting the market, remember these critical factors about today’s buyers and what they are looking for:
WHAT DO TODAY’S BUYERS REALLY WANT?
1. Today’s buyers want a home to be ‘turnkey’ when they move in. Everyone’s busy. People don’t have time to buy a house and fix it up like our parents did.
2. Generation X is focused on family, requires more bedrooms, places for kids to play and at least two bathrooms.
3. People want houses that are modern and don’t need repairs. If there is cosmetic work that can be completed, go ahead and do that. Be sure to fix any plumbing or roofing issues too.
IF YOU’RE THINKING OF SELLING SOON, WHAT SHOULD YOU CONSIDER DOING?
1. Most of the time, it pays to put in some kind of investment to market your home. There’s nothing wrong with investing $2,000 to $5,000 if it helps speed things along.
2. Don’t gut your kitchen if you don’t have to, but do paint cabinets, change hardware and buy new lighting fixtures to give rooms a modern look.
3. Also, unclutter every room. Sometimes moving furniture around or removing a piece altogether to open up more space can make a big difference.
If you want to sell a house fast, remodel the kitchen and bathroom or even fix a roof, but that isn’t likely to bring you a windfall unless you have a lot of equity or are competing with new construction homes in your price range. Depending on the price and size of the house, a complete kitchen renovation with new appliances might run between $15,000 and $30,000, a bathroom renovation could cost $10,000 to $20,000 and a roof repair $6,000 to $12,000 for a typical two-story or ranch-style home in Sumner County. Those fixes help sell, but they don’t guarantee more profit on certain price points.
The first thing you should do when thinking about buying or selling is to contact a trusted real estate agent who has first-hand knowledge of what is going on in your market right now. You don't need to know everything about buying and selling real estate if you hire a real estate professional who does. Henry Ford once said that “when you hire
people who are smarter than you are, it proves you are smarter than they are.” The trick is to find the right person. For the most part, they all cost roughly the same, so why not hire a person with the experience and education? We're all looking for more precious time in our lives, and hiring pros gives you just that!
Photography by Jeff Hawkins
The Hendersonville Area Chamber of Commerce would like to thank everyone who participated in the Thirtieth Annual Golf Classic held on April 29th at Bluegrass Yacht and Country Club. They had a great turn out this year with beautiful weather, amazing volunteers, participation on the course with hole sponsors, driving and driveway sponsors and a full roster of golfers. Chamber members came through and provided many door prizes and goodie bag items. The day was an all-around success! To learn more about the Hendersonville Area Chamber of Commerce and their upcoming events, visit hendersonvillechamber.com.
Bridget Wooden, Erin Morton, Mark Bentle & Melissa Baker Stephanie Moynihan & Gennie Campbell
Winnie Rose
Richard McClure & Kathleen Hawkins
Justin Clinard & Michael Rollins
Jennifer Hubmann & Crystal Reece
Erin Morton, Kendell Sinks, Katie Murphy, Jonathan Blayney & April Jones
Meghan Rewa, Scot Robinson & Tracy Mostek
Melissa Thorniley & Eric Patrick
Katie Newbern
Jamie Clary
Elizabeth & Adam Bell
Kathleen Hawkins & Tony Richards
Cookie Advantage
Keep Your Small Business Team Motivated
BY JEFFREY O’HARA
As a small business owner, you want to hire employees who are agile and adaptable as circumstances change. The smaller your business, the more critical this becomes. You need a team of people who can live without a clear job description and who won’t get stressed by the constant flow of events typical in a small, fastgrowing company. There is a downside to hiring these kinds of employees, however. Agility goes hand in hand with ambition, and your agile, ambitious team members will want to be pushed to grow through constant challenges. How, then, do you keep ambitious people motivated on a small team? Here are five tips:
1. Let Your Team Help Define What the Company Becomes
Give people the freedom to pursue new challenges and opportunities, even if they are outside the core business. If new directions emerge from these pursuits, create new positions and roles to go with them.
2. Help People Get Excited About Uncertainty
It is typical for entrepreneurs not to know what the company’s next big thing will be. This can be frustrating to team members who want a clear sense of what their next career steps will be. Tell employees honestly that you don’t know exactly what’s next, but that this is what makes the job exciting. Part of the fun of entrepreneurship is that you never know what’s around the corner, but you do know you’ll seize good opportunities when you see them. Getting your team to buy into this vision is the key to motivation.
3. Invest Both Money and Time in Your Team
Many companies are reluctant to devote resources to developing their teams, but your team is your biggest asset. There is no shortage of opportunities for investing in your people: continuing education programs, local seminars, inspirational conferences and so on. If travel is involved, ask employees to develop a list of expected takeaways from the event to justify the investment. Broadening one’s range of both knowledge and network contacts can only be helpful to both the employee and the company.
4. Give Employees New Challenges and the Permission to Fail
Some people on your team may not yet have built up the confidence needed to bring new ideas to the table. Others might be so caught up in the day-to-day they can’t step back and look at the big picture. As a leader, it is critical for you to come up with new challenges for these employees. Will those challenges contribute directly to people’s quarterly bonuses? More often than not, the answer will be no. However, if enough new ideas work and are properly celebrated, your team will buy in.
5. Force People Out of Their Comfort Zones
When they succeed, have a big celebration to inspire confidence. Don’t hesitate to remind them — both when they succeed and when presenting the next challenge — that they didn’t think they could do it, but you knew they could.
The greatest feelings in business come not from financial success nor from recognition, but from seeing people I have developed succeed in their careers and accomplish things they did not realize they were capable of. Hopefully you will also get to experience this joy yourself.
JEFF O’HARA
Jeff O’Hara, is president
Decided to sell on your own? Don’t do it alone! You deserve an attorney involved in your transaction.
Financial Spring Cleaning…
BY JONATHAN WALKER
It’s “spring cleaning” time! And as such, it’s always a good idea to revisit financial planning goals. As an advisor, I am generally trying to get clients to focus not on the short-term, but what your overall goals are. Whether you are in retirement, close, or far away from it, it’s important to make sure you go “back to the basics.” Here are things you can do to help.
Don’t lose your perspective. In the last forty-five years, a globally allocated sixty/forty stock/bond portfolio has never had a negative rolling five-year return. Resisting recency bias (thinking about what the market did in 2008, for example) is the greatest struggle for most investors. You don’t have to be irrational long-term but focusing on the short-term is just as irrational. One of the main points of emphasis is remembering why the portfolio allocation was structured and realizing there are bumps (volatility) along the way. Continue to work closely with your advisor to make sure planning goals are still on track.
Turn off the news. Unfortunately, there is no emotion more powerful than fear. This is why financial TV ratings surge during bear markets. You tune in, get scared out of your wits, get caught up in the hysteria, sell in panic, rinse, wash and repeat. Most clients I talk to tell me they have turned off financial TV shows, and it’s one of the best financial decisions they ever made.
Stop looking at your account. A research firm found that investors who don’t log into their accounts perform better than investors who login regularly. The best thing most investors could do is lose their password to their account about once every five years. Logging in and incessantly focusing on your portfolio is just about the best way to ensure that you become a victim of recency bias.
Focus on something else. Excessive activity is the illusion of control during the course of creating inefficient portfolio frictions. But that’s what our survival mentality tells us to do. Get your mind off your portfolio by focusing on hobbies or work. Sitting around worrying about your portfolio isn’t going to help you or your portfolio.
Does this sound familiar to you? If so, feel free to give our Gallatin office a call at 615.461.8653, or check us out at paulwinkler.com. We can set up a free initial consultation to determine if our office can help you with your current situation.
*Advisory services offered through Paul Winkler, Inc. (“PWI”), a Registered Investment Advisor. PWI does not provide tax or legal advice; please consult your tax or legal advisor regarding your particular situation. This information is provided for informational purposes only and should not be construed to be a solicitation for the purchase or sale of any securities.
Mom Mistakes it’s Okay to Make
BY GINGER JONES
Unless you’ve been living under a rock since blogging, Google and social media came onto the scene, then you’re probably all too familiar with all the mistakes you can make as a mom. New mom, working mom, mom of an only child, single mom...you name it, there are so many ways we can find how any of us can mistakenly ruin our children for life. Nothing brings out the judgy side of people like a good ‘ole debate on sleep training, discipline or the eating habits of children. So, how about a twist on all the regular “mistakes moms make” articles. I don’t know about you, but I could stand to let myself off the hook every now and then. So here are mom mistakes I think it is okay to make.
1 - Worrying when you know you shouldn’t. So, we worry. It’s just what mom’s do. I am not saying that you should worry about every little thing, but if you find yourself stressed over something now and then, know it is normal. Nothing makes us question ourselves and our abilities like motherhood.
2 - Losing your cool in front of your kids. You are human. It happens. Of course, it’s not something we set out to do, but given a crazy day at work, a broken washing machine, getting stuck in traffic, coming home to fighting children and milk spilled on the floor, you would have to muster a lot of zen to not be a little agitated. It’s ok. Just take a deep breath, apologize for losing it, and then think about some ways you can prevent those small life stressors from piling up and making you crazy the next time.
3 - Overscheduling or underscheduling your child. As your child gets to the age where he can participate in extracurricular activities, it can be overwhelming to know which ones. Your overzealousness may result in signing up for more than you realized. Alternatively, I know plenty of well-adjusted adults who didn’t play a sport or have any organized
activity during school. Give yourself time to find out what works for your child and your family.
4 - Being overly focused on consequences. This one is especially for moms of toddlers and young kids. When your children first start showing signs of gaining their independence, it can be maddening. And the mom frustration grows the more strong-willed your child is. When you first begin to implement behavior management strategies, it is easy to focus more on the negative consequences before you learn the delicate dance of positive and negative reinforcement and what level of those work for your child.
There is no such thing as a perfect mom, no matter how much we strive to be. Perfect parenting isn’t real parenting. We will all make mistakes (and probably beat ourselves up about it too much). How about we learn to learn from those mistakes quickly, give ourselves some much-deserved grace and get onto the business of loving our kids and loving ourselves well. Let’s face it; making mistakes doesn’t make you a bad parent; it makes you normal.
I would love to follow along on your journey on social media, where we can share our crazy #momlife moments. My instagram is @gingerjones and I look forward to meeting you!
PUPPY PLAYTIME!
Hello there, adventure seekers!
Ollie Pup here and I am loving this warmer weather! If you are itching to get out and about with your pups to enjoy the beautiful days together, here are some local dog parks to enjoy! Just remember to have your dog’s vaccinations up to date, watch your pup to make sure they are getting along with others and remove if not, and keep you pups on a leash at all times when not inside the safety of the dog park.
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 follow @OlliePupBoxer on Instagram.
FENWAY’S DOG PARK 745 Caldwell Drive | Goodlettsville, TN
MEADOWBARK DOG PARK 703 S Broadway | Portland, TN
MEMORIAL PARK - DOG PARK 151 E. Main Street | Hendersonville, TN
ROVER’S RIDGE DOG PARK 308 Stadium Drive | White House, TN
TRIPLE CREEK DOG PARK 1333 Touchdown Drive | Gallatin, TN
There never seems to be a shortage of arts and culture events to attend in middle Tennessee! Here are just a handful of upcoming art exhibits, music events, plays and more that we can’t wait to see!
Generations Shuptrine
May 12th-June 15th | Monthaven Arts & Cultural Center monthavenartsandculturalcenter.com
In art, few will ever know the extent to which their art touches the world and the impact their talent will have. Yet, one family has experienced this not just one time, but three! GENERATIONS SHUPTRINE features the works of renowned artist Hubert Shuptrine, acclaimed water color artist Alan Shuptrine and introduces sculpture artist Ben Shuptrine. Showcasing three generations of creative work, GENERATIONS SHUPTRINE celebrates each artist’s deep connection with his environment telling a story of his passion from within.
Fiddler on The Roof
June 25th-30th | Tennessee Performing Arts Center | tpac.org
Audiences across north America are toasting a new production of Fiddler on the Roof, coming to Tennessee Performing Arts Center this summer! Rich with musical hits you know and love, including Tradition, Sunrise, Sunset, If I Were A Rich Man, Matchmaker, Matchmaker, and To Life (L’Chaim!), Fiddler on the Roof is the heartwarming story of fathers and daughters, husbands and wives and life, love and laughter. Featuring a talented cast, lavish orchestra and stunning movement and dance, Fiddler on the Roof will introduce a new generation to the uplifting celebration that raises its cup to joy! To love! To life!
Richard Marx with the Nashville Symphony
June 14th | Schermerhorn Symphony Center | nashvillesymphony.org
Making a rare stop in Music City, Richard Marx joins the Nashville Symphony to perform beautiful orchestral arrangements drawn from his incredible catalog of hits! With more than thirty million albums sold worldwide, this prolific singer/songwriter/producer has also written numerous chart-toppers for other artists. Experience it for yourself at the Nashville Symphony June 14th!
An Evening with NB2
July 17th | Tennessee Performing Arts Center | nashvilleballet.com
Witness Nashville Ballet’s next generation of stars on stage! An Evening with NB2 is a mixed rep program that boasts classical works as well as numerous contemporary works created specifically for Nashville Ballet’s second company in an invigorating display of artistry.
Henry V
July 5th & 6th | Actors Point Theatre Company | actorspointtheatre.com
The Sumner Plays Fine Arts festival is proud to present William Shakespeare’s Henry V as its inaugural offering of a unique summer event. Guests will enjoy world-class Shakespeare at its finest - featuring artists from Prague, Los Angeles and around the southeast! Each day will open up with education classes including seminars on stage fighting and juggling!
With the no remnants of winter left in sight, we can finally rejoice that summer is in full swing! Along with lovely weather, vacations and lots of sunshine, the month of June is packed full of days to celebrate. Here’s a few national holidays in June you can add to your calendar this year:
1. June 1st: National Say Something Nice Day 2. June 8th: National Rosé Day
4. June 18th: National Splurge Day
5. June 28th: National Insurance Awareness Day
3. June 11th: National Making Life Beautiful Day
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3D mammograms can reveal more life-saving detail.
A 3D mammogram at Sumner Regional Medical Center offers a more detailed image which can result in fewer callbacks, especially for women with dense breast tissue. If you are 40 years of age or older, talk to your doctor about scheduling regular mammograms.
Schedule your 3D mammogram by calling 615.328.6500