1469 WITHERSPOON DRIVE • BRENTWOOD Home of the 2017 Parade of Homes, Witherspoon is a prestigious lifestyle community located in the heart of Brentwood, It is home to a resort-style amenity complex and conveniently located within walking distance of top Williamson County schools.
I-65 SOUTH. HEAD EAST ON CONCORD ROAD. RIGHT ON WILSON PIKE. LEFT ON CROCKETT ROAD. TAKE THE FIRST EXIT ON THE ROUNDABOUT ONTO WITHERSPOON DRIVE. FOLLOW TO SALES CENTER/CLUBHOUSE.
YOUR STAFF
Shelly Robertson Birdsong CEO & PUBLISHER
Paige Atwell SALES & MARKETING COORDINATOR
Johnny Birdsong PRESIDENT SALES & DEVELOPMENT
Anna Robertson Ham VICE PRESIDENT MARKETING & COMMUNICATIONS
PRESIDENT OF
Erica Lampley GRAPHIC DESIGNER
PHOTOGRAPHERS
Your Williamson, Your Sumner and Distinctively Southern Wedding are publications of: Robertson Media Group, LLC P.O. Box 364 Franklin, TN 37065 Office: 615.236.9961 yourwilliamson.com yoursumner.com
Please send all content & coverage requests to: info@robertsonmediagroup.com
Steve Absher, Account Exec. Kingery Printing Company YOUR Printing Partner 615.828.8661 stevea@kingeryprinting.com quotes@kingeryprinting.com
Your Williamson & Your Sumner are publications of Robertson Media Group, LLC. All rights reserved. Reproduction, in part or whole, without written permission from the publisher, is strictly prohibited. Opinions expressed herein are not necessarily those of Your Williamson, Your Sumner or Robertson Media Group, LLC, its employees, and/or it’s representatives. All information printed in this publication or online, is compiled in such a way as to insure accuracy. However, Your Williamson, Your Sumner and Robertson Media Group, LLC and its agents, assume no liability and/ or responsibility for the accuracy of claims in advertisements, articles, photographs etc. published directly or submitted.
Catherine Royka MANAGING EDITOR
Tracey Starck CREATIVE DIRECTOR
Caitlin Daschner CREATIVE CONTENT EDITOR
Ron Cheatham VICE
Bloom Where You're Planted
Dear Readers,
Can it possibly be April already? It never fails that I am desperate to be out of the cold and gray of winter but when spring actually springs - I am taken aback. Taken aback at the beautiful array of flowers all of a sudden everywhere I look. Including, this year, my own yard. Despite my lackluster ability to grow or keep anything green alive, for some odd reason, I decided when Johnny and I married five plus years ago to give flower bulbs as favors to all of our guests. I was gleeful at my creativity and spent my wedding eve with my bridesmaids wrapping tulip and daffodil bulbs in burlap tied with matching wedding ribbon. Ultimately, as is the case at many a wedding, favors went unseen or un-taken by our guests and so I was left with quite a stash of bulbs. I threw them in a box with other random wedding memorabilia and forgot about them. Fast forward from 2012 to last spring, when said bulbs (still wrapped and ribboned) were spied and I said to my green thumb of a husband, “Plant these!” Who knows… maybe something will bloom. Five years later, I expected not, but lo and behold, this spring - they have sprung! Tulips and daffodils literally abound, and not only can I feel validated in my gardening skills (or Sweeties’), I can also have this personification of love, marriage, commitment and spring,
my favorite season, each day they bloom. My new spring love story to tell… over and over again for years to come.
April also gives us a multitude of events as well. We work with so many incredible organizations this month; some of my personal favorite events of the year including Friends & Fashion, A Vintage Affair and the Symphony Fashion Show. Plenty of reasons to don some new spring fashion and brighten up our wardrobes from our winter palette. This idea applies to our homes as well. I love our April Home & Garden theme, because as you can see in this issue, we get to showcase some truly spectacular homes, interiors and décor to inspire and show us all how to create warm and inviting spaces and - in general - brighten up our insides and outsides!
April is the month we celebrate here at Robertson Media Group, as the anniversary of our creation. Seven years ago, this month, I took that plunge into business ownership and have never looked back (even when I wanted to hide out)! Just kidding. Best decision I ever made personally and every year I take stock and assess where we are and where we have been and hope that you, as our most valuable asset - our readers - feel like it has been a good decision for Williamson County. We are YOUR magazine! Now and always,
Johnny, Keeling & Shelly Birdsong
“If you look the right way, you can see, the whole world is a garden.”
— Frances Hodgson Burnett
from the moment of our inception to our monthly press planning meetings - we ask ourselves: What story will we tell this month? What event will we highlight? Which leader will we salute? What corner of the county will we unveil? How can we tell the tale of Williamson County and show the world that, in fact, it is the greatest place in the country to live? As part of our annual celebration this year we want to know the answer from you! All month long, you are invited to post on our Facebook or email us your thoughts, memories of being in the magazine, or things you wish we would do. We so look forward to hearing from you and hope you will oblige, because - to us - it matters. We planted. We bloomed. And now, yours is the story we will tell, year after year. Thank you, Williamson County, for seven amazing years. Here’s to many more to come.
Patron Tables: Front Row Table for 8: $1,600 Second Row Table for 8: $1,400
All proceeds benefit Saddle Up!, serving children and youth with disabilities through the power of the horse.
Sponsored by:
Photo by Rick Stufflebean
Kay & Richard Francis Beth & Sam Harwell
YOUR SOCIAL SECRETARY
APR 20
APR 28-29
Here are a few events to add to your Social Calendar this month. Visit yourwilliamson.com for more events.
A Vintage Affair Main Event
6pm-10pm | The Factory at Franklin | avintageaffair.org
The seventeenth Annual Vintage Affair Main Event will be wonderful as always. There will be a silent auction, wine auction, as well as numerous food, wine and bourbon tastings. This highly-anticipated wine tasting event is designated to bring together the people of Williamson County who share a passion for wine and giving back to those in need. If you can’t make it to the Main Event, catch the Meet the Vintner Dinner on April 18th or A Vintage Affair Goes Country on April 19th
Main Street Festival
Saturday: 10am-6pm, Sunday: 11am-6pm
Historic Downtown Franklin | heritage.org
The Heritage Foundation’s Main Street Festival returns to downtown Franklin for another great year. The two-day weekend event will feature more than 150 artisans and crafters, dynamic live entertainment, a kids’ area and an international food court. Come enjoy the festival and everyone’s favorite Main Street.
MAY 5
Great Futures Gala
Omni Hotel | 5pm | bgcmt.org
This is the largest fundraiser for the Boys & Girls Clubs of Middle Tennessee. The Great Futures Gala supports the more than 4,000 kids they serve annually at nine Boys & Girls Clubs across middle Tennessee. The event is an evening of Hollywood glamour, fine dining and an auction experience. The Gala features a live and silent auction of more than 200 items - from Nashville-made products to international trips. Special guests have included: Shaquille O’Neal, Martin Short, Rob Lowe, Dylan McDermott, Martin Sheen and Dick Vitale.
Our #HomeAndGarden issue has us ready for redesigning and remodeling this spring! #springcleaning
Everyone needs some magic and sprinkles in their life. #UnicornHotChocolate
We couldn’t be more excited for the Pilgrimage Music & Cultural Festival on September 22nd & 23rd! #MakeThePilgrimage
Happy Anniversary Your Williamson!
We celebrate our seventh year in publication and will be celebrating all month long! Look for advertising specials and promotions for the May issue. May will also feature content for the Ladies, including our tribute to outstanding women in our community, Mother’s Day and more. Summer travel planning, great events and everything in between!
TAILGATING EQUIPMENT PACKAGES make race day hassle-free
GOURMET BOXED LUNCHES delivered to your tailgating spot
ADD FOX DEN TICKETS for food, beverages & all day entertainment
Photography by K. York
The downtown Franklin Square was adorned in green as beer lovers gathered for the Downtown Franklin Association’s annual Main Street Brewfest. This year, the luck of the Irish had the celebration falling on St. Patrick’s Day! Revelers came decked out in their shamrock suits, red wigs and green leprechaun hats to taste the latest local, national and international brews. With thirty-five tasting stations, brewers provided an array of colors, styles and flavors for the lads and lassies to savor. The event was full of Irish fun, sunny skies, live music, food, lots of beer and plenty of cheer for all. Proceeds benefit the continued revitalization and promotion of historic downtown Franklin. For more information about the Downtown Franklin Association and their events, please visit downtownfranklintn.com.
Leah Dickey, Sutton Barnes, Bettmary Rivera, Steve & Dawn Licht
Metro & Brooke Wrubel with Polly
Robin & Jon Mathews, Tracy Bibey
Chad Knaggs, Bill McDowell, Derek Rosa, Carson Dickey & Steve Licht
Brandy McDowell, Kim Rosa, Torrie Mills & Leigh Knaggs
Steve Chandler, Kelly Swartz, Todd & Mary Jo Wiggins, Dolly Chandler
Michele Cook & Nathan Grabowski
Nick Hobbs, Chad Dickinson & Lauren Hobbs
Summer Sheldon, Cody & Lindsey Eaton
Tristin Rager, Meghan Higgins, Brad & Rebecca Williams
April brings on fresh styles for springtime and we will get to see a showcase of those trends at the twenty-eighth annual Friends & Fashion luncheon and fashion show on April 9th at the Music City Center. This stylish event brings together women throughout middle Tennessee, who support Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt. Wearing the latest spring looks and ready to see more on the runway, ladies look forward to the annual rite of spring every year. This year, the runway show will feature clothing from The Friends Shop, located inside Children’s Hospital, Gus Mayer, Lilly Pulitzer and Macy’s, with a promotional sponsorship from The Mall at Green Hills. The ensembles will be worn by professional models as well as former Children’s Hospital patients.
Returning to emcee again this year is Elisabeth Hasselbeck. In 2017, Elisabeth was the special guest at Friends & Fashion where she entertained the attendees with a fun interview with two of the child models, along with expressing her love and passion for the missions of the Children’s Hospital. We had a mini Q&A with Elisabeth ourselves to learn more about the TV personality and why she feels so strongly about being a part of this event.
What is it about this event that is so special to you?
EH: This event brings together the stadium of “friends” cheering on the children and their families with such heart - on a stage where the smiles and character of each of the kids shines bright as they walk the runway with contagious joy! Bringing the community together for these children and their families is one of the best days on the calendar. Each child has a story, a hope, a dream and a mountain to climb. Each table has someone who has said: “Your story and dream and hope and mountain is my mountain too. I am with you.”
What is one of your fondest memories of being involved with Friends & Fashion?
EH: My fondest moments were all the great talks with Hank and Grace and all of the children at last year’s event. I could have talked with them and listened to their bright hearts and minds until bedtime! The optimism and grit and joy and courage that they share teaches us as adults a lot. Being with them and letting them share their story and their hopes for their bright future is a blessing.
What are you looking forward to for this year’s event?
EH: Lots of hugs and smiles and time with the bravest kids in town.
How did middle Tennessee become home for you and your family?
EH: Nashville called us. We came for a weekend for the Klove Awards four years ago. When we got on the plane I looked at my husband and said: “This is one of the kindest places I have ever been to, do you think God is showing us that this is supposed to be our home?” Tim felt the same. We prayed about it, and then just pulled up anchors in the north and made the move. It was home before we got here.
What are some of your goals in 2018?
SOME OF ELISABETH’S MIDDLE TENNESSEE FAVORITES
EH: Somehow get a meal plan for the week! Finishing the book I am currently writing, paint more and get back to Danita’s Children in Haiti.
Aside from being an advocate for Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt, Elisabeth is also passionate about the Positivity Project, Danita’s Children, I am Second and Team RWB. “Kids and their futures are what I’m all about,” Elisabeth says. “After having friends and little ones we know walk through their diagnosis or conditions at the hospital, it was an honor to spend the day with these awesome hearts coming together for such a great cause!”
Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt opened in 2004 and is a nationally recognized provider of pediatric health care services with more than 400 physicians trained in thirty pediatric and surgical specialties. Friends of Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt is a volunteer organization of members supporting the mission of Children’s Hospital through fundraising, community awareness and services to patients and their families, along with the hospital’s faculty and staff. To learn more about the organization, the Friends & Fashion luncheon and to purchase your tickets for this year’s stylish event, visit childrenshospital.vanderbilt.org/friendsandfashion.
PREDS GAMES SOUNDS GAMES MUSIC AT THE RYMAN DOWNTOWN FRANKLIN THREE BROTHERS COFFEE MAGPIES
IVEY CAKE
THE PEDESTRIAN BRIDGE
FRIST CENTER
BROADWAY
PILGRIMAGE FESTIVAL
PERCY WARNER PARK
MARTIN’S BBQ
PINEWOOD SOCIAL
CLIMB NASHVILLE
SALT & VINE
FARM BURGER
TAQUERIA DEL SOL
PUCKETT’S
12 SOUTH
BY JULIE JORGENSEN
Rain, Rain, Go Away…
We all know the saying “April showers bring May flowers,” but the struggle can be real until the rainy weather of early spring finally subsides. Our trusty Hunter boots and a cute umbrella can get us through almost any drizzly day, but what about our hair and skin? Fear not, friends, I’m here to “shower” you with timely advice for looking your best, even when the weather won’t cooperate.
First things first: Frizz is enemy number one this time of year, regardless of hair type or length. I have fine hair that somehow still manages to get frizzy and wants to lie flat (it’s just as fun as it sounds). After toweldrying, I use a volumizing spray (Davines Oi All-in-One Milk is my current fave), blow it dry with a flat brush, and finish with the cult-following Oribe Anti-Humidity Spray and a thorough mist of a light-hold hair spray. Independent of what type of hair you have, don’t wait terribly long before whipping out the blow dryer. Ladies, the type of hair dryer that you use matters! Invest in one that utilizes ionic technology for shiny, frizz-free tresses. I’m in love with my T3 Featherweight Luxe 2i (sleek, light, and easy to use), and my
hair stylist swears by his Harry Josh dryer. I had to consult my best friend for the proper way to handle curly hair in rainy weather — her hair always looks amazing, y’all. She swears that the Aveda Anti-Humectant Pomade, almost any product from the Deva Curl line, and a diffuser for your blow dryer, are absolutely essential for showing the humidity exactly who’s boss. Oh, and if you’re lucky enough to have curly or wavy hair, try not to mess with it. Brushing and generally messing with curly hair will produce frizz like nothing you’ve ever seen. Excessive washing and drying can damage anyone’s hair and will make any style harder for your hair to “hold,” so make sure a dry shampoo is in your hair-care arsenal. Second-day hair generally has more volume and less frizz. If all else fails, throw on a cute hat and work a tiny bit of body lotion into the ends of your hair.
“Independent of what type of hair you have, don’t wait terribly long before whipping out the blow dryer. Ladies, the type of hair dryer that you use matters!”
Humidity and fluctuations in temperature we frequently encounter during the spring can wreak havoc on our skin too. Moistureheavy air, while not typically a hazard for those of us with thirsty skin, can cause sweating and excessive oil production in normaland combination-skin types. To avoid walking around looking all greasy-faced, take a multipronged approach. Good old-fashioned charcoal works wonders when it comes to drawing out excess oil and clearing out clogged pores. Skip the questionable “black masks” found everywhere in your Instagram feed, as peel-off masks can deplete your skin of necessary
pull out toxins and leave skin baby-soft. Using the mist throughout the day will keep shine at bay too. Salicylic acid can also work wonders in clearing out clogged pores and dead-skin buildup that can make your face look dull. Therapy Systems (founded by a Nashville local), incorporates salicylic acid into its Problem Skin Cleansing Foam. Finish off your makeup application with a very light dusting of colorless face powder applied with a fan-shaped brush only where your face produces the most oil — too much powder will settle into fine lines and pores and can actually make you look older.
We may not be able to avoid the unpredictable weather middle Tennessee is known for, but we can at least look our best when we’re out in it! As the inimitable Dolly Parton famously put it, “The way I see it, if you want the rainbow, you’ve got to put up with the rain.” Cheers!
Love, the Beauty Junkie
JULIE JORGENSEN
Junkie
Photography by Tracey Starck
Draper James in Nashville hosted Katie Jacob’s celebration party for the release of her new book, So Much to Celebrate: Entertaining the Ones You Love the Whole Year Through. Katie, a lifestyle guru and frequent entertainer, provides readers with her party planning ideas, recipes and how to ensure your guests have the best time! At the event, guests enjoyed biscuits from Holler & Dash, macarons from Baked In Nashville, champagne from Le Courtage and the opportunity to talk with Katie and have their books signed. For more information about Katie, her blog and book, visit stylingmyeveryday.com.
Bonnie Richardson, Carol Leonard & Nancy Phillips Katie Jacobs
Aubrey West, Eve &Dawn Adcock, Marissa Pizzini
Merry McKeown & Carolyn Shaffermaster
Laura Holtzclaw & Jordan Stafford
Lori Cloud & Michael Aulisio
Model: @austin.bragdon
Photographer: @dredrea
Spring
Springtime brings warmer weather, beautiful blooms and flirty fashion. This is the season to mix and mingle in bright colors and fun patterns. It’s the perfect time for entertaining with colorfully whimsical pieces that add a splash of spring fun to any event. Macy’s has something for everyone with their fashion-forward Spring Collection. See more of the collection at macys.com.
INC International Concepts Blazer
$129.50 Pant
$59.50
Martha Stewart Collection Pineapple Cocktail Shaker $50
Martha Stewart Collection Pineapple Bottle Opener $22
Bar III Slip-on Shoe
$69.99
Fling
INC International Concepts
INC International Concepts
Gianni Bernini
Saffiano Dome Satchel
$99.50
Earrings
$29.50
Jill Jill Stuart
Halter Neck Ruffle Dress
$159
Kacee Shoe
$99.50
$32.50
Nine West
Inaya Bag
$79
Avec Les Filles
Mara Shoe
$158
Julia Jordan Cold Shoulder Tier Pleated Midi
$109
Martha Stewart Collection
Figural Ice CubeTray
$19
Julia Jordan
Long Sleeve Ruffle Tie Midi
$109
Flirty Flamingo
Decorative Pillow
$80
$99
Botanicals
$43
$37
VISIT YOUR LOCAL MACY’S STORES AT:
$79
$109
Rachel Rachel Roy Wrap Utility Skirt
Jill Jill Stuart Faux Wrap Skirt
Martha Stewart
Martha Stewart Collection Leaf Platter
Martha Stewart Collection Set of Four TomCollins Glasses (Acrylic)
Macy’s at CoolSprings Galleria
Macy’s at The Mall at Green Hills
Jessica Simpson Aeralin Pearl Shoe
SOCIAL | Whiskey Warmer
Photography by Rachel Cunningham
Master distillers from around the country provided a variety of whiskey samplings at the fourth annual Whiskey Warmer held in the Westhaven neighborhood. Guests met with the distillers and sampled multiple different whiskeys while enjoying a variety of local food options. Proceeds from the evening benefit The Westhaven Foundation, which provides grants, scholarships and funding for organizations serving the Franklin community. For additional information, visit whiskeywarmer.com/franklin.
Abigail Hertz, Evan Sells, Michael Weston & Corinne Neal
Historic Rippavilla Plantation opened its doors to co-host the 2018 Bridal Fair, along with Enchanted Brides and DJ’s Party rentals. Rippavilla is one of middle Tennessee’s top wedding venues. The event featured invitation-only vendors showcasing both tradition and the latest trends in formal wear, flowers, jewelry, photography, cakes, catering, music and gift registry. For more information on Rippavilla Plantation and their space, visit rippavilla.org.
Becca, Cathy, Jessica, Violet & Lindsay Parson
Maggie Augustin, Mary Ruth, Beverly, Baylee & Brianna Fincher
Cathy Giles, Mollie Wakefield & Nan Wakefield
Diane Crowell Adams, Ashley & Shawn Adams
Yolanda Rodriguez & Olivia Bane
Danielle Hansen & Wanda Guy
Sydney Smith, Micah Baker & Desirae Skelley
Rhena Ardry & Sabrina Ardry
Tiffany Kelly, Lisa Gray & Meredith Reeves
Connie Burns, Shawn & Tracie Westbrook
Tristan Quadrini, Brooke & Tammy Nicholson
Ashley Wilson & Suzanne Estes
BE WOOED BY
WU
YOUR WILLIAMSON INTERVIEWS
WORLD-RENOWNED FASHION DESIGNER
JASON WU WHOSE CREATIONS WILL BE SEEN AT THE 2018 SYMPHONY FASHION SHOW
BY ANNA ROBERTSON HAM
The Schermerhorn Symphony Center will host their annual Symphony Fashion Show, presented by Gus Mayer, on April 17th. This year, guests will enjoy entertainment by Little Big Town and for the fashion show the runway will be adorned with the stunning Fall 2018 Collection of Jason Wu. Jason is well-known for his sophisticated and glamorous creations that have been worn by influential women like Reese Witherspoon, Kerry Washington, Julianne Moore, First Lady Michelle Obama and many more. We had the opportunity to learn more from Jason with a little interview about his career in the fashion design industry.
When did you know you wanted to be in fashion and design?
JW: I spent my last year of high school in France where I decided that I was going to pursue a career in fashion. Spending time abroad in
“My design is characterized by the Jason Wu Woman more than anything else. She is strong, sophisticated, sensual and feminine.”
— Jason Wu
Paris taught me the artistry of fashion. After studying at Parsons, I was convinced that this was truly what I wanted to do. With a working knowledge of the industry and a vision in mind, I took the plunge and launched my label.
What motivates you and inspires you when creating new looks and lines?
JW: My design is characterized by the Jason Wu Woman more than anything else. She is strong, sophisticated, sensual and feminine. As a designer, I tell a story through each of my collections. The creative process is the most motivating part of my job. I often start with a specific idea or concept. Even a piece of fabric or a color can jump start the creative process for the entire season.
What has been your favorite piece or line that you have designed?
JW: The launch of my first fragrance is so special as it is a project I have been dreaming of doing since day one. I love mid-century design and the bottle, designed by architect Andre Mellone, is inspired by my favorite modern artists such as Josef Alber and Ellsworth Kelley. The scent is also very personal. Jasmine Sambac is my chosen note. It brought me back to my childhood in Taiwan where I used to pick flowers from my neighbor’s stone wall of jasmine.
What has been the most memorable moment during your career in fashion?
JW: There is no doubt that designing the former First Lady’s inaugural gowns has been the single greatest professional and personal accomplishment in my life. The reason that I moved to New York was to pursue a career in fashion, so to be a part of American history through this experience means the world to me.
What inspired the pieces that you are showcasing for the 2018 Symphony Fashion Show?
JW: I drew inspiration from various design objects and the works of Ettore Sottsass and Michele de Lucchi. I wanted to explore a rhythm of functionality and innovative design found in objects like Sottsass’ Olivetti typewriter from 1969 and apply that discipline with a sense of elegance to the Fall 2018 collection.
What piece in the collection being showcased in the show are you most fond of and why?
JW: I am most fond of the deep-sea blue pleated draped top and skirt. The manipulation of this silk fabric with twists and knots showcases the form and modernity of the Fall 2018 collection. Also, the Swarovski crystal embellishments is one of my favorite details seen throughout the collection. We used thousands of crystals to create luxe textures on engineered crushed pleats and a spectrum of jewel toned fabrics, from tropical wool to paperweight satin.
What is it about the Symphony Fashion Show that you are most looking forward to?
JW: I am looking forward toward visiting the Gus Mayer boutique and very excited to introduce my latest collection to Nashville in one of the city’s most elegant spaces, the Schermerhorn Symphony Center. Also, Little Big Town performing!
After the Symphony Fashion Show, Jason will continue to stay busy creating and designing the next looks to show the world. Jason says he is dreaming and plotting his next ten years. “I am excited about many upcoming projects that will see me expand into other realms of the creative industry,” says Jason.
To learn more about Jason Wu and see his designs, visit jasonwustudio.com. For more information about the Schermerhorn Symphony Fashion Show, visit nashvillesymphony.org.
PUEBLO REAL
1340 West Main Street Franklin, TN 37064
615.794.3232
TITO’S BERRY FARMS
4001 Hughes Crossing, Suite 111 Franklin, TN 37064
615.595.2500
TITO’S SPRING HILL
4886 Port Royal, #100 Spring Hill, TN 37174
931.486.9994
PUEBLO REAL & TITO’S
Family of Mexican Restaurants Serving Up Delicious Food and Friendships
BY ANNA ROBERTSON HAM
When one asks for recommendations on the best restaurants serving Mexican food, you always hear Pueblo Real and Tito’s Mexican restaurants. This is because owner Jose Mata prides himself on providing the best food and service possible - and he surrounds himself with others that do as well. He says his team is a family and that family strives to give the community a place with delicious food, a friendly atmosphere, wonderful service and friendships. Those that know Jose and the staff at the restaurants, know they will walk through the doors and be welcomed with hugs and smiles.
Pueblo Real was the first of the restaurants, and opened in 2003 on West Main Street in downtown Franklin. They will be celebrating their 15th anniversary this coming September. Tito’s in Spring Hill opened in 2011 and then Tito’s in Berry Farms opened up in 2016. All locations stay busy with regulars and newcomers, as well as numerous events to cater. I have been dining at Pueblo Real since it opened and am one of the regulars with my favorite go-to’s on the menu. But, I had the opportunity to try some different offerings when I visited them recently to hear more of their story.
First, I tasted one of the popular items - the Three Amigos Dips, which has guacamole, spicy or mild queso and queso Sabrocho (YUM!) with gluten-free chips. This is a crowd-pleaser, especially for those like me who want it all when I get there! The gluten-free chips are a nice option offered at the restaurants as well, as many can substitute them into their meals.
After that, I tasted the Grilled Fish Tacos served in flour tortillas with shredded cabbage, sliced avocado, pico de gallo and served with rice, black beans and homemade chipotle mayo. This is a great way to get something on the healthier side, but still with all of that wonderful flavor. I loved that they have the grilled fish option instead of fried. This dish is a big serving as well.
Then, I tried out the Mexican Salad. This is a great choice for those wanting to stick to a healthy and
lighter option. It is a large plate of crisp lettuce, tomato, sliced avocado, cilantro and lime slices with a succulent, grilled chicken breast on top. The chicken is marinated overnight and packs a whole lot of flavor. Completed with the addition of their jalapeño ranch dressing - this dish is full of tasty sweet heat.
“Those that know Jose Mata and the staff at the restaurants, know they will walk through the doors and be welcomed with hugs and smiles.”
To top off my tastings, I also got to sip on a couple of their signature drinks - the Tito’s Margarita and the Swirl Margarita. The Tito’s Margarita is a serving of Patrón Silver Tequila, Triple Sec, orange juice, sweet and sour and Grand Marnier served on the rocks. The Swirl Margarita is the perfect combo, as it is has Sangria swirled into their frozen margarita.
Pueblo Real and Tito’s offer so many appetizing eats from traditional Mexican gourmet to unique, in-house created dishes. Jose definitely works hard to feel the pulse of the community and hear what they want, thus adding healthy alternatives on the menu and providing fresher flavor to the customary recipes. Jose and his team also enjoy giving back to the community and hosting fundraising nights at the restaurants. So, if you have a cause, let Jose know and they can work to schedule a fundraising night to bring awareness and raise funds for the organization or nonprofit.
Now that you are craving some delicious Mexican food, I recommend you head over to see the Pueblo Real and Tito’s family at one of their three locations for a delicious meal! Check out their menu and catering options at titosmexicanrestaurant.com.
Photography by K. York
Girl Scouts of Middle Tennessee recently hosted their annual Outside the Box fundraising and award event. The 2018 Outside the Box Award was presented to Franklin’s Chief of Police, Deborah Y. Faulkner. As a former Girl Scout, Chief Faulkner shared the impact Scouting has had on her life and credited the skills she learned as a Girl Scout, for making her the woman she is today. Attendees enjoyed dessert before dinner as five desserts were presented for competition; with this year’s winner, the Cork and Cow’s Savannah Smiles Lemon White Chocolate Blueberry Pie. The fundraising goal of $20,000 was accomplished with all proceeds going to helping girls in middle Tennessee. To learn more, visit gsmidtn.org.
Stacey Langford & Kristin Stallcup
Elizabeth McCreary & Shanna Jackson
Erin Castleman, Matt Clemens & Rachel Norman
Julie Fette & Tammy Brown
Mike Alexander & Lynn Maddox
Christy Beattie, Teresa Moore & Stephanie McDaniel
Agenia Clark, Deborah Faulkner & Nancy Conway
Kurt & Ashley Coalmer
Catherine Herro, Karol Hernandez & Erin Maupen
Steve Horsepian, Michele Hester, Vicki Smith & Brian Delanter
Todd & Lauren Burka
Chrissie Coombs, Sandra Glewwe & Marcy Mickiewicz
Bess Butler, Matt Wombacher & Candy Vaughn
Gina Bashour & Helen Yarbrough
Casey & Deb Enright, Lauren Kissinger
Photography by Rachel Cunningham
Taste of Williamson, presented by Nissan, was back for another successful year at the CoolSprings Galleria. This grand food tasting event allows guests to meet with restaurant owners and chefs, sample menu offerings and sip beverages as they stroll from station to station. The evening is a fanfavorite for local residents and is a great way to kick off Williamson County restaurant week. CoolSprings Galleria hosts this annual tasting experience with all proceeds benefiting the United Way of Williamson County. To learn more about the annual event, visit tasteofwilliamson.com.
Jordan Hollingsworth & Anne Blankenship Leslie & Ricky Jones
Joan Dyer & Mimi Nuyews-Sulfridge
The Chevrolet Suburban is the standard when it comes to full-sized SUVs. It gives you a smooth ride, refined good looks, loaded with amenities and all the space you need. With best-in-class V-8 fuel economy, adaptive cruise control, lane keep assist and so much more, the Suburban gets you where you want to go and is built to accommodate your family’s needs. If comfort, versatility and space are what you’re looking for, then look no further than the Chevy Suburban.
A New Home for Miss Daisy’s Kitchen
BY CATHERINE ROYKA
Everyone’s favorite cooking and entertaining queen has found a new home for her food market in Franklin. When the Grassland Foodland closed, locals wondered what would happen to the popular and wellloved market area Miss Daisy had operated for years. At Grassland, she offered readymade meals, deli items, coffee, muffins and so much more. Thankfully, we didn’t have to say goodbye to our favorite foods Daisy whips up, as Daisy has moved to a new location in Franklin.
On March 22nd, Daisy and her team delightfully opened their new store and welcomed guests with her famous fruit tea and small bites. The shelves, fridge and store were packed with guests eagerly filling their arms with goodies from the store. “We will have a lot of similarities to what we had at Grassland Market, like the prepared takeout food (which is my mainstay). This includes entrées, salads, sides, casseroles, fruit teas, cakes and pies,” says Miss Daisy. “We are going to add more prepared foods, fresh vegetables and I want local farmers to come in and set-up.” She also plans to start carrying food and kitchenrelated gifts like aprons, casserole dishes and other baking items.
Daisy has always been a fixture in the Williamson County community. She was the founder and chef at Miss Daisy’s Tearoom, operated her market in Grassland Foodland for years, is the author of numerous cookbooks, appears on Nashville’s NewsChannel 5 “Talk of the Town” segment and has contributed to Your Williamson, as our Eat, Drink & Be Merry columnist. With her new storefront, Tennessee’s “First Lady of Southern Cooking” can continue to share her love of cooking, baking and entertaining with the community.
MISS DAISY’S KITCHEN
1110 Hillsboro Road, Suite 220 Franklin, Tennessee 37064
Fairways, food and fun encompasses the Tim Tebow Foundation celebrity golf classic. I have had the privilege of participating in the classic for the past seven years. I love being able to use my gift of cooking to help Tim’s foundation.
Each year I have a tent on one of the holes and serve tasty Southern bites to the golfers. This year at my tent on hole four, I served a mini baked donuts bar, hole-inone baked donut holes and BBQ pulled chicken tacos with spiralized slaw. The interactive make-your-own baked donut bar was definitely a highlight. It was fun to see everyone enjoying playing with their food. A drizzle of Nutella, a banana chip sliver and a few chopped pecans is my personal favorite donut combo, but the possibilities are endless.
When it comes to donuts, it doesn’t get any cuter than golf ball size baked donut holes unless of course you serve them on “grass” at a golf course. Cuteness overload! Trust me when I tell you the baked version tastes even better than the fried. The moist interior with the crunchy
Holein-one Party
BY WHITNEY MILLER
Hole-in-one Baked donut Holes
BLUEBERRY BAKED DONUT HOLES
Donuts:
1 box Krusteaz Wild Blueberry Muffin Mix
50 blueberries
Glaze:
1 cup confectioner’s sugar
3 Tablespoons whole milk
Crushed freeze-dried blueberries, for garnish
Preheat oven to 375° F. Lightly grease a nonstick (20 hole) donut hole pan with oil. Discard the tin of blueberries from the box.
In a mixing bowl, combine the muffin mix and the ingredients listed on the box. Whisk until smooth. Using a small cookie scooper, scoop the batter into each donut hole filling the hole completely with batter. Drop a blueberry into each batter filled hole. Push it into the batter to cover.
Bake for 8 to 10 minutes. Transfer to a wire baking rack to cool. Clean the donut hole pan, grease, and repeat with the additional batter.
For the glaze, combine the sugar and milk. Whisk until smooth.
Dip the rounded top of each cooled donut hole in the glaze.
Top with some of the crushed freezedried blueberries. Makes about 50 baked donut holes.
toppings make for the perfect bite. You can customize the topping with your favorite baked donut flavor. For a fun presentation, I served the baked donut holes on faux grass and in a ceramic egg holder.
After satisfying everyone’s sweet tooth, the golfers filled up on my BBQ pulled chicken tacos with spiralized slaw. Smoky pulled chicken enrobed in a sweet luscious barbecue sauce and zingy slaw filled warm corn tortillas. Who doesn’t love tacos? Especially a Southern barbecue version. For serving, I placed each taco in a stainless taco holder. The holder keeps the tacos intact and creates an appealing presentation.
Are you ready to host your own golf party? The Masters is this month. It is the perfect time to recreate these tasty treats and serve them to your golf enthusiast friends and family.
You can find out more about the Tim Tebow Foundation by visiting timtebowfoundation.org.
FIND THE RECIPE FOR BANANA NUT BAKED DONUT HOLES AT YOURWILLIAMSON.COM
Mini Baked donuts Bar
MINI BAKED DONUTS
1 box Krusteaz Cinnamon Swirl Crumb Cake mix
¼ cup sour cream or Greek yogurt
Preheat an oven to 375°F. Lightly grease two nonstick mini donut pans with oil. Save the cinnamon sugar packet in the box for another use.
In a mixing bowl, combine the crumb cake mix, the ingredients listed on the box and the sour cream. Whisk until smooth. Transfer half of the batter to a gallon zip top bag. Cut off a 1/2-inch tip from the bottom corner of the bag.
Squeeze the bag to pipe the batter into each section of the donut pans. Tap the pans on the counter to smooth the batter. Bake for 7 to 8 minutes. Transfer to a wire rack to cool.
Clean the mini donut pans, grease and repeat with the additional batter.
Makes about 48 mini baked donuts.
TOPPINGS FOR MINI BAKED DONUT BAR
Nutella hazelnut spread
Chopped pecans
Peanut butter
Mini chocolate chips
Pistachios
Banana chips
Chopped strawberries
Banana slices
BBQ Pulled CHiCken taCos witH sPiralized slaw
Roasted Barbecue Sauce:
3 pounds vine-ripened tomatoes, sliced
1/2 red onion, sliced
4 cloves garlic, thinly sliced
1 cup firmly packed light brown sugar
1/2 cup pure cane sugar
2 cinnamon sticks
1/4 teaspoon fine sea salt
1/4 teaspoon cracked black pepper
1/3 cup red wine vinegar
1/2 chipotle pepper in adobo sauce, chopped
2 teaspoons soy sauce
1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
Spiralized Slaw:
6 Tablespoons rice vinegar
3 Tablespoons granulated sugar
pinch fine sea salt
1 cup butternut squash spirals
1 cup zucchini spirals
Tacos:
16 corn tortillas
1 pound pulled smoked chicken* ¼ cup cilantro leaves
*Pick up the smoked chicken from your favorite barbecue restaurant.
Serves: 4 people, 2 tacos each
For the roasted barbecue sauce, preheat the oven to 400°F.
Divide the tomato slices between two 9 x 13-inch glass baking dishes. Place half of the sliced onion and half of the garlic slices over the tomatoes in each pan. Divide the brown sugar, cane sugar, cinnamon sticks, salt, pepper, vinegar, chipotle pepper, soy sauce, and Worcestershire sauce between the two pans.
Bake on the top rack of the oven for about 1 1⁄2 hours. Turn the pan around halfway through the baking time, and gently shake them to prevent the ingredients from sticking.
Working in batches, transfer the tomato mixture to a blender jar. Firmly secure the lid, place a kitchen towel on top, and hold down the lid while blending until smooth. Be careful while blending the hot liquid. Use immediately, or store in jars in the refrigerator for up to 1 week. Makes about 2 1/2 cups.
For the spiralized slaw, combine the vinegar and sugar in a medium microwave safe bowl. Microwave for 45 seconds. Stir until the sugar has dissolved. Allow to cool completely.
Add the salt, butternut squash spirals and zucchini spirals. Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes.
To assemble the tacos, heat a nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Warm the tortillas on each side in the skillet. Top each warm tortilla with 2 ounces of the pulled chicken, roasted barbecue sauce, spiralized slaw and cilantro leaves. Serve immediately.
Eat, Drink & Be Merry whitneymiller.net | facebook.com/WhitneyMillerH
SOCIAL | Button Ball
Photography by Haley Anthony
The Button Ball is the major fundraising event for Davis House Child Advocacy Center, a Franklin nonprofit that provides for child survivors of sexual or severe physical abuse. The night brought guests to the Factory at Franklin for a wine reception, dinner, program, live and silent auctions and dancing. Speakers included NewsChannel 5 anchor, Rhori Johnston, who returned as Master of Ceremonies alongside a former child client of Davis House, who shared her own story. Heidi Schwartz returned for the ninth year in a row to capture the evening on canvas with an interpretive live painting, which was auctioned off. Davis House Child Advocacy Center counters child abuse by matching services to children and their families in crisis and providing community education focused on prevention and early intervention. To learn more, visit davishousecac.org
sun is shining and the cold is fading – spring has begun! Embrace the possibilities with a Club membership and discover LIFE LIVED WELL.
• 27 holes of championship golf and upgraded practice areas
• Active tennis community and swim facility
• Innovative social-event programming for all ages
50% off dining at Temple Hills and access to the ClubCorp Network of more than 300 clubs when traveling.*
Kellee Hill & Renee Shipley
Andrea Clark, Scott Legiza, Jill Valentine, J.P. Taylor & Herman Gomez
Melissa & Richard Colvin, Tillman & Megan Holloway
Rosanne Schenck & Pam Stamps
Karyn Johnson & Megan Murphy
Chris Vernon, Pam Whitson, Cynthia Vernon & Sam Whitson
Horse racing and Kentucky are synonymous but remember, before they run the Derby, there is April’s Spring Meet at Keeneland. Located in the Horse Capital of the World, Keeneland is an internationally renowned racecourse and the Thoroughbred industry’s leading auction house. Founded in 1936, Keeneland’s mission is to continually invest in the industry and to preserve the tradition of Thoroughbred racing. Only at Keeneland are world-class racing and industry-leading sales united under one mission-driven entity. Today, Keeneland continues to be guided by its original mission, taking a leadership role in the industry to improve safety, promote integrity and strengthen the sport of racing. Keeneland is the world’s largest and most prominent Thoroughbred auction house and hosts world-class racing twice annually during its boutique spring and fall meetings. Owners, trainers, riders and fans from all over the world travel to Lexington each year to participate at Keeneland.
Keeneland’s 2018 Spring Meet which kicks off April 6th, promises sixteen days of spectacular racing highlighted by sixteen stakes worth a season-record $4.4 million. The meet gets off to a fast start as opening
weekend will showcase many of racing’s stars competing in eight graded stakes, led by the $1 million Toyota Blue Grass (G2) and $500,000 Central Bank Ashland (G1), nationally prominent prep races on the 2018 Roads to the Kentucky Derby (G1) and Kentucky Oaks (G1), respectively. Also featured this spring are lowered takeout and an Early Pick 5; robust social and digital media that deliver handicapping tools and information to your fingertips; a new “Today at Keeneland” preview show; popular special events that support community initiatives; exciting new brands and returning favorites at the Keeneland Shop and enhanced food and hospitality options, all designed to create the best racing experience possible for fans.
LUCRATIVE PURSES ATTRACT RACING’S TOP STABLES
This spring, Keeneland will offer average daily purse money of $731,365, among the highest in North America. The rich purse schedule and idyllic surroundings attract the nation’s top owners, trainers and jockeys, who come to Keeneland to compete with the best in Thoroughbred racing.
Keeneland will debut its new “Today at
Keeneland” show, a thirty-minute race-day preview for on-track patrons and simulcast fans, that begins at 11:30am from Wagering Central. Keeneland handicappers Katie Gensler and Jesse Ullery will host “Today at Keeneland” and the live Paddock show throughout the racing afternoon. NBC Sports Network will carry live coverage of the Toyota Blue Grass, Wood Memorial (G2) at Aqueduct and Santa Anita Derby (G1) from 5:30pm-7:30pm. Races also are streamed live on keeneland.com.
The Spring Meet runs April 6th-27th, with racing Wednesdays through Sundays. Gates open at 11am ET, with post time for the first race set for 1:05pm.
EXPERIENCE
KEENELAND
This “just up the road” travel experience means Williamson County residents can make this Keeneland’s April events, a day trip or stay for a few days of racing fun! Keeneland offers opportunities throughout the Spring Meet and beyond for fans to learn about the race track and Thoroughbred industry.
During the Spring Meet, guided tours are offered Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays beginning at 8:30am ET. On Saturdays during Sunrise Trackside, free guided tours begin every twenty minutes from the Paddock and Walking Ring from 7:30am-10am. Fans also can receive an insider view of racing on the Behind-the-Scenes Racing Tours and a Backstretch Tour and Day at the Races.
Sunrise Trackside (Saturday mornings)
Equine athletes and their human connections begin the day well before sunrise. See what they are up to Saturday mornings at Breakfast With the Works, where fans can enjoy a Southern-style breakfast and trackside commentary while horses train on the main track (7am8:30am). Enjoy children’s activities in the Kids Club Corner (7am-9am); guided walking tours (7:30am-10am); an equinerelated demonstration in the Paddock (9am);
and Q&A with a jockey in the Paddock (12:05pm).
The Hill (Fridays and Saturdays)
The ever-popular tailgating on The Hill will take place each Friday and Saturday (weather permitting). The Hill features local food trucks, a jumbo TV for watching all the racing action, wagering, The Keeneland Shop kiosk and complimentary shuttles to the track. On Saturdays, Bluegrass bands perform from noon to 4pm.
FEATURE EVENTS OFFER FUN AND COMMUNITY SUPPORT
College Scholarship Day (April 6th)
College Scholarship Day, which Keeneland holds in partnership with the Kentucky Thoroughbred Association, will give away a record $30,000.
Maker’s Mark Commemorative Bottle Signing (April 13th)
Sales of commemorative Maker’s Mark bottles have raised millions to benefit deserving causes in Central Kentucky. Proceeds from sales of the 2018 bottle honoring the 1997-1998 University of Kentucky men’s basketball national championship team benefit UK’s Center for Academic and Tutorial Services (CATS).
Budweiser Clydesdales (April 14th)
The famous Budweiser Clydesdales will appear on the track at the East Gate on April 11th-13th.
Lee Wybranski, a noted artist, has created the 2018 Commemorative Spring Print for Keeneland. He will be here April 13th and 14th to sign the print.
Military Day at the Races Presented by Marathon (April 22nd)
Keeneland recognizes the men and women who serve our country. All military active duty, reserve and their families will receive free general admission and access to reserved Grandstand seating with military I.D.
10th Anniversary Horses and Hope Pink Day (April 26th) Horses and Hope will hold a special celebration and day of racing for breast cancer survivors, with a featured Horses and Hope race to honor breast cancer survivors.
KEENELAND 2018 SPRING MEET AT A GLANCE
Post time: Gates open 11am ET
First post: 1:05pm
Admission: $5; children 12 and under free Parking: Free in designated lots near the Grandstand and on The Hill, Keeneland’s official tailgate lot, on Fridays and Saturdays(weather permitting).
Run For the Roses coverage, Derby fare, Mint Juleps, bourbon, wine & beer, the music of Pink Cadillac, equestrian themed games and competitions, silent auction, fancy hats and so much more. To purchase tickets, go to Stables A ndSilks.com
WOW Scholarships for Women, Habitat for Humanity, Bridges Domestic Violence Center, Friends of Franklin Parks Dodd Electric, Drury Group, OneSource Printing, RC Matthews, Simmons Bank, Storage Systems Unlimited, Suntrust Bank, The Gardner School
18th annual A Vintage Affair events!
April 18th
Meet the Vintners Dinner at Sperry’s Restaurant of Cool Springs
April 19th
AVA Goes Country at Green’s Grocery in Historic Leiper’s Fork
April 20th
AVA Main Event at The Factory at Franklin
Learn more and get your tickets now at:
BEYOND THE JULEP
THE KEENELAND BREEZE COCKTAIL
When it comes to bourbon and horse racing, most people don’t look past The Kentucky Derby, Churchill Downs and the mint julep. While a lot of focus is given to Louisville, where Churchill Downs is located, the real headquarters for racing in Kentucky lies in the area surrounding Lexington, where many of the world’s top race horses are bred. Keeneland’s importance and connection to Kentucky Bourbon is significant. Many of the distilleries near Lexington feature commemorative bottles featuring horses and horse racing, most notably the running horses atop Buffalo Trace’s Blanton’s Bourbon. Keeneland is the home to the Bourbon Stakes race held every October, as well as the Maker’s Mile (which is now the Maker’s 46 Mile). Keeneland was actually the first customer of a little emerging whiskey brand in the late 1950’s called Maker’s Mark. Were it not for Keeneland taking a chance on a new and very different style of bourbon, Maker’s Mark may not have become the brand it is today.
With no mint juleps at Keeneland for The Breeders’ Cup one year, instead of a single drink, the Breeders’ Cup at Keeneland featured a rainbow of drinks with bourbon (Maker’s Mark) at the center. While you might not think to put Maker’s Mark in your Bloody Mary, the Maker’s Bloody was one of the standout drinks of the race. Another notable drink at the Breeders’ Cup at Keeneland is one of the signature drinks of the track, the Keeneland Breeze. For the Breeders’ Cup, the drink was re-named The Breeders’ Cup Breeze - an affable mix of Maker’s Mark Bourbon, ginger ale, Cointreau, orange juice and an orange slice.
So, make a visit to “My Old Kentucky Home” in April or October and enjoy a Keeneland Breeze, or - better yet - mix one up at home for any occasion.
KEENELAND BREEZE
Maker’s Mark bourbon
Orange liqueur
Ginger ale
Fresh orange juice
Orange
Fill a highball glass about 2/3 of the way with ice and pour in one part of Maker’s Mark. Then add a splash of orange liqueur, a dash of fresh orange juice and top off with ginger ale. Use an orange slice to garnish this very orangey drink.
TREES FOR BEES TOP TREES TO PLANT FOR POLLINATORS
BY EMMA FITZPATRICK, PROJECT MANAGER, THE DAVEY TREE EXPERT COMPANY
Did you know eighty-five percent of plants require a pollinator, and bees pollinate more than a third of our fruits and vegetables? Pollinators are an essential part of our everyday life. Without them, our gardens and grocery store’s produce sections would look shockingly sparse.
As modern landscapes change, however, bees and other pollinators are fighting to survive. The loss of open space puts pressure on our urban environments to fill the nature gap. According to Scott Johnson, district manager of The Davey Tree Expert Company’s Nashville office, which services Williamson County, people across Tennessee are taking action.
“It’s great to see people caring and creating more spaces for pollinators,” says Scott. “While most people think first of planting flowers, trees, too, can help pollinators.”
Scott says there are many trees you can add to your property that will look great, benefit you and support pollinators. Here are his top five recommendations for Tennessee landscapes.
5 TOP TREES TO ATTRACT POLLINATORS
Native Oaks
Planting natives is one of the best ways to assist pollinators. Native oaks, like Tennessee’s black oak, white oak, pin oak, or swamp chestnut oak, support pollinators throughout the year in many ways, but especially by providing winter shelter and healthy habitat. In fact, oaks give more than 500 pollinator species a home and enable them to return for years to come. The tree height depends on variety, but the black oak can easily grow to a height of 60’ with a spread of 60’ or larger at maturity.
Southern Magnolia
Bees love this tree’s vibrant white to creamcolored flowers that are filled with pollen. Then, later in the spring, birds enjoy the
tree’s yummy fruit. All year round, you’ll get to admire the shiny, evergreen leaves of this Southern staple. This tree can grow to a height of 80’ with a spread of up to 40’.
Eastern Redbud
Bees of all kinds, including honey, bumble, and mason bees, enjoy its pollen and nectar. The rest of the year, birds and insects appreciate what this tree has to offer. Growing about 25’ tall with a 25’ spread, this tree, filled with heart-shaped leaves, will sure to be one of your (and the pollinators) favorites.
Black Gum
A black gum tree provides colorful pops of foliage to the fall landscape. But its yellow, red and orange leaves appeal to the bee population in a completely different way. The flowers provide a source of food for bees during springtime and the bark offers a safe home. This tree can grow to 50’ tall and 30’ wide when mature.
Tulip Tree
The large, tulip-like flowers produced by the yellow poplar give this tree its name. Not actually a poplar, this tree is actually a member of the magnolia family. Its greenish-yellow blooms and sweet nectar attract pollinators. This tree needs a lot of space, so plan for them to keep growing. At maturity, it can be 90’ tall with a spread of 40’.
Planting a tree is an investment in your property, community and environment that will truly pay off for years to come.
For more information about planting, read the rest online at yourwilliamson.com.
A lifelong tree hugger, Emma Fitzpatrick has spent the last five years marketing and writing about green companies. As a public relations project manager at Davey Tree, she helps get the word out about the power of trees and how to keep trees healthy for years to come.
For 109 years, local businesses and families have been coming to us for all their banking needs. And with our handy switch kit, it’s now even easier to make the move.
learn more, visit
An Estate That Makes a Statement
Welcome to your own personal paradise. It’s a wonderland that includes eight acres of gently rolling landscapes, panoramic views and an impeccably designed home that is as luxurious as it is relaxed and comfortable. Five large bedrooms, all with attached bathrooms and walk-in closets provide plenty of personal space. Although, it’s the common areas, including a huge finished basement and exquisite main level living room, where you’ll find yourself gathering with your nearest and dearest. You will love the large open-air deck that spans almost the entire length of the home providing plenty of space for sunbathing or alfresco dining. The expansive traditional brick façade provides glimpses of the grandeur and elegance that you’ll find indoors, but it’s the extraordinary setting that truly sets this home above and apart from all others.
FORMAL LIVING ROOM
In a gentler time, this graceful space would have been called the “sitting room” and we’d like to reclaim that title. It’s a room you’ll be glad to have when friends come to call. Offering a formal elegance with gleaming hardwood floors, extensive crown molding and a pair of brilliant oversized windows with arched transoms, the room offers a fine counterpoint to some of the more casual spaces in the home and is located just off the foyer across from the home’s formal dining room.
KITCHEN & KITCHEN NOOK
Whether you’re an established chef or a budding culinarian, you’ll love this kitchen which features state-of-the-art appliances, including KitchenAid double ovens, warming drawer, dishwasher and a five-burner gas cooktop. Light granite countertops on the cabinets contrast with the darker granite that covers the oversized island that is lighted by a decorative fixture and provides spacious bar top seating. Finally, the kitchen proper opens to a bright and sunny breakfast room that offers fabulous views of the sprawling backyard and rolling hills that surround the home.
FAMILY ROOM
The room is anchored by a gas fireplace surrounded by an impressive mantel that mirrors the same beautiful woodwork that frames the home’s front door. The fireplace is flanked by a pair of built-in bookshelves and cabinets and displays those elegant arches that are a hallmark of the home’s design aesthetic. A pinpoint light above the fireplace illuminates art, while can lights and recessed speakers are installed in the ceiling.
MASTER BEDROOM
The centerpiece of this master suite is the sublimely designed bedroom that showcases double panel crown molding, a tray ceiling with cove lighting and a lighted fan. The lower tier of the tray is dotted with can lights and recessed audio speakers and a control panel for the home’s security system is located conveniently here. At the end of the bedroom, a columned entry separates the bedroom from the sitting room that features a fireplace with tile and wood mantel. A wet bar, opposite the fireplace wall, is installed with granite countertops and cabinets, including an under-cabinet refrigerator. Lastly, French doors open to the home’s screened porch with more incredible views!
SEE IT FOR YOURSELF
For more information on 2840 Sawyer Bend Road, contact Lisa Culp Taylor (License #262332) at 615.300.8285 or email Lisa@LisaCulpTaylor.com. You can also visit lisaculptaylor.com to see more on this spectacular home!
2840 SAWYER BEND ROAD • FRANKLIN, TN 37069
Summer Bulb of the Year The Lily
COURTESY OF BULB.COM
Dazzling lilies set off colorful fireworks in the garden. Garden? Yes, the garden!
Many people are familiar with lilies as cut flowers but don’t know that they can also add sparkle to the garden or when planted in a container.
With all their beauty, symbolism and history, it’s no wonder that lilies were named the Summer Bulb of the Year.
SYMBOLISM
Native to the Northern Hemisphere, lilies have been seen as a flower of significance for thousands of years because of the extensive symbolism that surrounds them.
The lily represents femininity, love, purity and a sense of transience. But lilies also have a wonderful history. In 1150, King Louis of France used an image of a lily on his shield as a symbol of his name, Louis or Loys, and power. The lily is also portrayed as a focal point in many historical paintings.
SUMMER FLOWERS
Lilies are real summer beauties and easy-togrow in Tennessee soils. Their impressive flowers will bloom in the garden from early June until September.
To enjoy lilies in your garden all summer long, plant varieties that bloom in succession. Check out the following varieties for a summer of color.
• Early June: Madonna Lily (Lilium candidum), two-three weeks in bloom.
• Mid-June: Asian lilies, two-three weeks in full bloom.
• Late June: Trumpet lilies, two-four weeks in bloom.
• Early August: Oriental lilies, three-four weeks in bloom.
• Mid-August: Nepalese lilies, two-three weeks in bloom.
• September: Speciosum hybrid lilies, threefour weeks in bloom.
PLANTING LILY BULBS
Maybe you’ve fallen in love with this gorgeous summer bulb of the year and would like to plant it in your garden. Follow these five easy steps for planting success.
• Choose a sunny spot for your lilies that receives at least four to six hours of sun a day.
• Dig a hole four to six inches deep. It’s better to plant lily bulbs too deep rather than too shallow since planting them deep keeps them nice and cool and also encourages the development of sturdy stems.
• Loosen the soil at the bottom of the planting hole and place the lily bulbs in the hole. Keep a distance of six inches between all the bulbs so that the plants will receive enough sunlight later.
• Cover the hole containing the lily bulbs with soil.
• Give the lily bulbs some water right away. This will ensure that their roots start growing more quickly.
Plant lily bulbs as soon as you can after you purchase. In Tennessee, the best time to plant is April. The sooner you do this,
the better they will grow and the more beautifully they will bloom. If you can’t plant your lily bulbs right away, store them in a cool, dark place. This will keep shoots from emerging.
During the flowering season, snip off spent flowers but leave two-thirds of the stem standing. This will keep your lilies strong and healthy for years to come. Lily bulbs will also thrive in pots and plant containers. Just be sure that they have holes in the bottom so that excess water can drain away.
Happy gardening!
The ArT of Living
TREESCAPING FRANKLIN’S MAIN STREET
BY ANNA ROBERTSON HAM
The City of Franklin works hard every day to keep our community looking beautiful and many might take for granted what that means exactly. It is not just about waste management, streets and buildings. It gets down to the landscaping and the overall health of the grass, flowers and trees along streets in the city. Did you know that the City of Franklin has their own arborist, who’s responsibility it is to care for the trees? “As the City Arborist for Franklin, my job includes working with all City Departments on tree issues, working with developers and contractors and being a consultant for homeowners in Franklin that have questions or issues with their trees,” explains City of Franklin’s Arborist Todd Snackenberg. “I also supervise a three-man tree crew that performs tree work on all City trees and any trees that might pose a risk to residents or roadways.”
Todd has been taking care of Franklin’s trees as the City Arborist for almost ten years and loves what he does. “I really enjoy being able to educate the public about tree care and help homeowners navigate their decisions
based on facts. I also get to work with many different groups in the community which makes my job interesting. I started out about twenty years ago as a groundman on a tree crew in California and fell in love with the work. That has really helped me in my current job in understanding tree stewardship and the important relationships between trees and people,” he says.
Todd is working with the City now on a complete assessment and overhaul of the trees lining the sidewalks of Main Street in downtown Franklin. “We are currently looking to remove and replace a few of the trees along Main Street that have started to decline in health and/or have become too large for the limited planting space that they grow in. This will be an ongoing process in the years to come to help maintain a healthy and scenic urban forest for the downtown area,” says Todd.
Todd says the City has an approved tree list, taking in the account of the longevity of health, growth and appearance. “I strive to have as many different species planted so there is not a monoculture of one genus or species. There are literally hundreds of trees that will do well in our area. It really depends on the site and what look you are going for. I also like to use trees that are native to this area. They are better suited to the environment and local weather patterns.”
This will be a process that will be done in stages. You will not just come to downtown Franklin one day and see all of the trees gone. Todd and his team will work on removing and replacing the trees with healthy ones as quickly as possible and in specific areas at a time. The trees they will replace with the old ones are decided on using several factors. “We will use trees that are on the City’s approved tree planting list in the Zoning Ordinance. At this time, we have not decided on specific species, but a few examples would be red maple varieties, understory flowering trees and other species that will do well in confined growing spaces,” Todd explains. “The new trees will be smaller at first, but will be better suited for the area and, in the future, will improve the aesthetic look of the area.”
As residents in the community, we all need to be aware of the health of our own trees on our property. Dead trees can fall and damage your home, property, other trees or even persons standing nearby. Other than dead trees, Todd says that keeping a tree healthy is important to keeping it safe.
You can learn more about the treescape and the City of Franklin’s trees by contacting Todd at 615.550.6945 or emailing him at todd.snackenberg@franklintn.gov. Also, make plans to celebrate Arbor Day on April 21st in Pinkerton Park from 10am-2pm. The free event will have several activities, a tree climbing station set up that everyone can participate in, free hot dogs and water provided by Middle TN Electric, and they will be giving away free saplings. Learn more about this event and other City of Franklin events at franklintn.gov.
Todd Snackenberg
WCAR’S INAUGURAL CELEBRATION OF EXCELLENCE AWARDS GALA
WILLIAMSON COUNTY ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS® HONORS THE BEST OF THE BEST
Williamson County Association of REALTORS® (WCAR) held their inaugural Celebration of Excellence on February 24th in the ballroom of the Cool Springs Marriott.
The event honored WCAR members who excelled in the real estate market during 2017. The award requirements included sales volumes of more than $2,000,000 and at least six transactions to be considered for an award. In addition to honoring WCAR’s most outstanding members, WCAR also applauded their most outstanding affiliates and Major Investors for the REALTORS® Political Action Committee (RPAC).
Affiliate of the Year was presented to Julie Arnold, Highlands Residential - The Julie Arnold Team, for her generous support of WCAR during 2017. The Rookie of the Year award went to Lisa Davis of the Gary Ashton Team of Re/Max Advantage for outstanding production and proficiency of a new REALTOR® with less than two years of experience. WCAR’s highest honor went to the REALTOR® of the Year. REALTOR® of the Year requires at least six years of experience and a high level of engagement at the local, state and national level. Dawne Davis of PARKS was awarded with the 2017 REALTOR® of the Year for her perseverance and work in the interest of fellow REALTORS®, their profession, our community and WCAR.
“WCAR is proud of the outstanding results from the inaugural Celebration of Excellence. This year’s event was the collaboration of a year’s worth of planning by a very diligent awards committee. After selling out this year’s event we look forward to growing next year and having another successful event,” says WCAR Board President Matt Daniel.
WCAR’s next large event will be the annual Partnering in Professionalism Trade Show at the Embassy Suites, Franklin, on April 9th and 10th. Due to the success of previous years, WCAR has expanded the trade show into a two-day event. Now offering more professional development courses and opportunities to showcase new innovations in the real estate business. To get your ticket or sign up to be a vendor, go to wcartn.org/special-events.
With more than 2,500 members, the Williamson County Association of REALTORS® provides support and services for area real estate professionals and is the leading voice in the community for its members, as well as residential and commercial property owners. REALTOR® is a registered trademark which may be used only by real estate professionals who are members of the National Association of REALTORS® and subscribe to its strict Code of Ethics.
BY MATT DANIEL MATT DANIEL
Your Real Estate | wcartn.org
Matt
Regions Mo rt gage knows the needs of buying . What wo rk s for one buyer ma y
With your specific needs in mind, Regions
• Fi xe d- and Adjust able -R ate Mo rt gage
• Jumb o and Co nf or ming Lo an s
• Af fordable Housing Pr oduc ts
• FH A/ VA Lo an s
• Cons tr uc ti on -t o- Pe rmanent Loan s
Contac t your Mo rtgage Loan Originator for information
nsmortgage.com/blakezanoni
BY CATHERINE ROYKA
Spring has sprung, and the annual Nolensville Buttercup Festival is back for its nineteenth year! This free, one-day event that attracts thousands will return on Saturday, April 14th from 10am – 5pm in the downtown area of Nolensville. After the town of Nolensville was incorporated nineteen years ago, a few of the community members wanted to bring awareness to the community and its merchants in the historic district. What once was a small event has grown astronomically in the last few years, bringing crowds from all over and a bundle of artisans and vendors.
Through the years, the downtown scene has grown with more shops, restaurants and community members. Festival attendees can also visit the myriad of stores during the festival – with toy, clothing, home décor and furniture stores, pretty much all of your needs can be met at the district shops. A new restaurant is scheduled to open in time for the festival too, called Pork Belly Farmhouse. Attendees can expect some of their favorite attractions again this year – live music, the Little Miss and Miss Buttercup Pageant, a petting zoo, pony rides, Sam the Balloon
Nolensville Buttercup Festival
Man, corn hole games, Disney princesses, Civil War re-enactors, the Elite Dancers, food trucks, over 100 different artisans and vendor booths and the presentation of the Evelyn Bennett Scholarship award and their donations to local charities.
Giving back to the Nolensville community and bringing awareness to the historic district are essential parts of the festival –between distributing funds to local charities, the festival has also organized a scholarship fund to provide scholarships to two high school seniors. Mrs. Evelyn Bennett was the founder of the festival and a big supporter of the historic district merchants. As a tribute to Mrs. Bennett, the festival was named in her honor. A few years ago, they decided to add a $1,000 scholarship, and this year, they have added a second scholarship worth $500.
A SMALL TOWN WITH A BIG HEART
Debbie Suttmiller has been involved in the community for numbers of years. She has been the Chairman of the Buttercup Committee for three years now and has owned and operated a local shop downtown
“Giving back to the Nolensville community and bringing awareness to the historic district are essential parts of the festival.”
for seven years called The Peacock Lane. She is very passionate about helping local businesses and making the historic district thrive. “Being a business owner in the historic district of Nolensville and the Chairman of the Buttercup Festival Committee, I have had a lot of interaction with the citizens of Nolensville,” says Debbie. “Nolensville is a true small town with a big heart. They are supportive of the community and are always willing to lend a helping hand wherever it is needed.”
The festival is more than a great time with family and friends in a beautiful setting – it is a lot of hard work throughout the year by the committee members. “These members are the business owners in the historic district. We want to continue efforts to bring awareness to all the shops of the historic district and what they have to offer,” says Debbie. “Most importantly, we want everyone to be aware that we donate all the proceeds from the festival to local charities and community needs.”
For those who are interested in volunteering at the festival, please email nolensvillebuttercup@gmail.com. Visit the charming Nolensville community and enjoy this free event with friends and family on April 14th. To learn more, visit their Facebook page at facebook.com/ HistoricNolensvilleButtercupFestival.
VOGUE LIVING: HOUSES, GARDENS, PEOPLE
I am a collector of coffee table books and my collection recently gained the ultimate coffee table favorite, courtesy of the expert in all things, elegant and beautiful: Vogue
Vogue has produced this lavishly illustrated full color book of thirtysix spectacular houses and gardens - whose owners come from the worlds of fashion, music, art, and society - drawing on stories from the pages of Vogue and Vogue Living as well as never-before-published images by iconic photographers.
Vogue Living: Houses, Gardens, People takes you to these style-makers’ private realms around the world, captured by such celebrated photographers as Miles Aldridge,
BY SHELLY ROBERTSON BIRDSONG
Cecil Beaton, Jonathan Becker, Eric Boman, Oberto Gili, Horst P. Horst, Annie Leibovitz, François Halard, Sheila Metzner, Mario Testino, Tim Walke and Bruce Weber, among many others. Their dazzling photographs bring to life interiors and exteriors, modern and classical, that are both inspiring and transporting. Writers like Hamish Bowles, Joan Juliet Buck, Dodie Kazanjian, Eve MacSweeney, Julia Reed, Marina Rust and Vicki Woods take us behind the scenes to give us an intimate view of the owners and how they live.
See Madonna’s romantic rural retreat in the depths of the English countryside and the Oscar de la Renta’s coral-stone Palladian mansion on the coast of the Dominican Republic; Michael and Eva Chow’s epic Los Angeles manse and shoe maestro Christian Louboutin’s magical houseboat on the Nile;
Donna Karan’s Zenlike Manhattan aerie and legendary tastemaker Marella Agnelli’s enchanted villa and gardens in the Palmeraie of Marrakesh; Julian and Olatz Schnabel’s operatic downtown loft and childrenswear designer Rachel Riley’s miniature château on the Loire; celebrated landscape gardener Fernando Caruncho’s innovative Spanish gardens and Houghton, David Cholmondeley’s magnificent English stately home; Janet de Botton’s idyllic Provençal estate; and four decades of Karl Lagerfeld’s endlessly surprising houses, both innovative and palatial.
If you love to peruse the beauty of incredible interiors and imagine channeling your inner interior designer in your own abode – this is a perfect addition to not only your coffee table, but also for ideas and inspiration for living the “Vogue” life. Available on amazon.com.
Celebrating Spring in Your Home
BY JENNIFER PARKER
Who doesn’t love spring?! For many reasons, I am thrilled to welcome it. Nature is waking up and the longer sunny days energize and excite me. This spring I am also thrilled to announce the launch of my new business, Parker Haven Interiors. For years I have helped friends and family with many different aspects of decorating their homes, simply for the love and passion of it. Turning that passion and experience into a business has been a lifelong goal. Parker Haven Interiors is officially open, and I am excited to share my insight and joy for décor and design with you.
“I love for my home to reflect the joy and hopefulness of the spring. My criteria for this task includes the following guidelines; It must be livable, doable, elegantly casual, affordable and beautiful.”
Kicking off my first column, I will share my personal tips for celebrating spring in your home. This article will not recommend “Happy Spring” signs, anything with burlap in, on, or around it, or chalkboards announcing the pending season with pastel writing. As great as those may be, I prefer to take a less obvious and more organic approach. I like to use things found in nature naturally and also re-purpose things from my own home. This can be a difficult task, as once past Easter, there is no real holiday to work around. Yet I love for my home to reflect the joy and hopefulness of the spring. My criteria for this task includes the following guidelines; It must be livable, doable, elegantly casual, affordable and beautiful. The décor must also pass the durability test of kids, dogs and lots of friends and family coming and going. That is how we live in our home. We use all our spaces; we don’t tiptoe around them. I am excited to share my ideas with you.
Let’s start with the center of our home, the kitchen. Each spring, I strategically take things off the counters to lighten up the space and work to create “empty space” on my countertops and island (this includes clutter). This makes your kitchen lighter immediately. Do not be afraid of “negative/empty” space. It allows the room to breathe. Store away your blenders, heavy spices and crock pots and replace those items with large bowls of fresh fruit, produce and live blooming
plants. For my kitchen island at home, I re-purposed a champagne ice bucket and added ivy I bought at Publix, paired with a hydrangea from Garden Delights. I like to design rooms around feeling, function and form. I love the way my kitchen feels in the spring. Clearing out items allows for plenty of room to bring home goodies from the farmers market and display them before using. Thus, creating a room that makes our family feel happy, lighter and fully functional. This is the goal, people.
Bringing spring into my living room is one of my favorites. I store my heavy wool throws and replace them with lighter cotton versions. I also take the opportunity to change out the throw pillows on my couch with lighter palette ones, using linens and cotton fabrics that coordinate with my original decor. Do not forget the sense
of smell! Switch out your fall and winter candles and trade those in for light floral and clean scents. I love changing up my décor with accessories seasonally. My builtin shelves are an easy place to pull a few items and then fill in with pops of color, including accessories I use for entertaining. Don’t reinvent the wheel on this, just switch out a few things to lift the heaviness of winter and bring in a breezier feel. I am obsessed with fresh flowers, it’s a problem. Oh, the dream to have fresh flowers arranged and delivered weekly. But honey, you don’t have to break the bank to bring the outside in. Small bud vases of any variety on a tray can create an amazing display when grouped together. You can use single buds, grasses, fillers, greenery and fresh herbs to create something special that costs so little. You can also gather fresh cut items from your yard at no cost at all. Whether it’s an elegant luxury arrangement ordered for a special occasion or tulips from the grocery store, fresh flowers epitomize spring. Brightly hued florals are great, but don’t forget a simple elegant white orchid stands on its own beautifully. Ironically, I don’t trust myself to keep a real orchid alive but found a silk version that defies the eye amazingly.
Your front door is always a place to welcome guests with a beautiful decor piece. This one stumped me for years. I finally realized I am overly finicky about wreaths. Less is more in my assessment for these, and I prefer
a simple elegant version, or just nothing at all. Magnolias are one of the most beautiful outside to inside decor elements and I encourage you to use it year-round and not just at Christmas. Magnolia makes a simply elegant spring statement. The same goes with boxwood wreaths. Use them yearround to bring the green of spring into your space. Did I mention how much I love using green for spring?
I believe your home should welcome you with the feeling of joy this season, filled with things you love and give you the gift of function too. I hope these ideas have inspired you to bring in your spring!
H aven ARKER
P INTER IOR S
Jennifer Parker Parker Haven Interiors
615.948.0237
A special thank you to Garden Delights for providing the florals and Zulu and Mac for the home accessories.
JENNIFER PARKER
Thinking
BY LEAH HAUGH
There’s nothing like fresh-picked berries to add to a morning smoothie, fruit salad or dessert. Homegrown berries are nutritional powerhouses. They are low in fat and have high concentrations of antioxidants, which help protect our bodies from the damage caused by harmful molecules called free radicals.
For everyone from foodies to families, growing blueberries can be easy. The secret to blueberry success, according to Layci Gragnani, product manager for the Bushel and Berry™ collection, is the Four Ps — planting, pruning, picking and protecting.
Follow these simple steps to grow your own fresh blueberries at home this spring.
PLANTING
The first secret to success is choosing the right variety. Compact, self-pollinating blueberries are perfect for growing in patio pots, raised beds and directly in the garden.
Once you choose a blueberry variety, it’s important to plant it in the right place. Blueberries need at least six hours of sun each day.
Next, consider the soil. A simple soil test indicates acidity, which can easily be adjusted with amendments. Blueberries love acidic soils. A pH of 4.5-5.5 is ideal. Both soil kits and amendments are available at any local garden center.
FOUR
SIMPLE STEPS FOR
Growing Blueberries
Gragnani recommends giving the plant’s roots plenty of growing room when planting in a container. “Plant them in pots 16 inches or more in diameter and water deeply and regularly to make sure all of the soil within the pot is moist to the point that water is dripping from the pot’s bottom drainage holes,” she says.
PRUNING
Cutting beautiful branches off any plant can be daunting but rewarding. Pruning gives the bush more space between its branches, allowing air to flow freely through the plant and helping to prevent disease.
For blueberries, it’s best to prune in early spring when the blueberry plants are dormant. Pruning off dead wood or non-fruiting wood will allow the plant to put its energy into the good canes for maximizing fruit production.
Fertilizing is recommended in early and late spring. Look for fertilizers such as rhododendron or azalea formulations, and either granular or liquid fertilizers. Blueberries also prefer high-nitrogen organic fertilizers such as blood meal and acidic cottonseed meal. If you’re not sure which fertilizer to use, ask an expert at your local garden center.
PICKING
With planting and pruning in the bag, the next step — picking — is the pay off. Be sure to watch your berries carefully and pick them before the birds do.
PROTECTING
A little protection ensures your blueberry bush will thrive for another bountiful season. If birds are a problem, cover with bird netting in the spring to keep critters away. Birds are less likely to eat the fruit when the plants are in containers on the patio.
You don’t have to do anything to these plants in the winter unless you have very harsh winter weather. Plants in decorative containers are more at risk than plants in the ground, so moving the container to an unheated garage is a good idea. You’ll want to keep the soil moist but not soaked.
Spring’s sudden cold snaps endanger emerging growth, as well. Be sure to cover blueberry bushes with burlap or blankets when the forecast calls for frost once buds and flowers are emerging. Following these tips will ensure success with your blueberries season after season.
For more information on the blueberry varieties available from the Bushel and Berry™ Collection, visit bushelandberry.com.
Outdoor Entertaining
BY CATHERINE ROYKA
Spring and warmer weather is here to stay (hopefully), and now, we have outdoor entertaining on our mind; grilling, lounging poolside and enjoying the outdoor area of our home with friends and family. With the demand and growth for innovative, welcoming and cozy outdoor living areas on the rise, we wanted to get the scoop on what you need to know to make an outdoor living area the perfect fit for your style and needs.
“Outdoor living areas have been in demand for some time, but have recently grown in size and scale,” says Alan Looney, president and founder of the custom home, designbuild company, Castle Homes. “People like having the ability to entertain large groups and I think that is another reason the need has grown in size.”
BRAVING THE ELEMENTS & FUNCTIONALITY
Of course, with the constant changing weather here in middle Tennessee, including frequent cold snaps, snow in the spring and damaging thunderstorms throughout the summer, it is important to know what materials are the most durable for the elements to best protect your area. “All of the outdoor grilling areas that we are installing
are stainless steel, which holds up very well,” says Alan. Granite for the countertops and brick or stone around the grill are the best at holding up against nature. Technology also has allowed for smarter, more durable grilling and outdoor equipment.
BUILDING THE BEST SPACE FOR YOUR NEEDS
If you’re in the market for an outdoor living space, there are important aspects to consider. “The biggest consideration is how are you going to want to use the porch. We have done a lot of porches and outdoor living areas and we want to make sure they are integrated with the adjacent living areas. Think about if you want to use the porch for all four seasons,” explains Alan. “Is this space going to be used just for the summer? Or, will it be used in spring and fall when the temperatures are still mild or is your goal year-round use? You need to think about how you are going to enclose it as well as heat it,” says Alan. “Clients have asked the Castle team if they can construct custom-made enclosures retractable and flexible to the seasons. Glass is your best bet with the ability to open or close out the cold as needed.”
In the home, the grilling area has a customized and strong ventilation system that allows
for grilling in a covered porch. “This is something you have to keep in mind when designing a covered porch; you may need it to be screened in. You have to have a way to keep the smoke from getting too crazy in an area that is enclosed,” says Alan. “This home was designed to be open and inviting to accommodate a lot of people in a very welcoming way.”
WORKING WITH THE RIGHT TEAM
“Design-build is our passion,” says Alan. “Our expertise is bringing our clients’ visions and dreams to life. Clients come to us for our thorough and very detailed approach. From the beginning, we develop a plan for the client based on how they want to live. We guide you carefully through a very detailed process of completely building it first on paper, so clients have a full understanding of what the home will look like and most importantly how much it will cost. It’s fun and rewarding to see our clients enjoy the process – each home and build is important to us. We want to see a home thrive and perform well years after it was finished.”
For more information on Castle Homes and their work, visit castlehomes.com.
YOUR JOURNEY HOME BEGINS
As the most trusted custom home builder in Nashville, Williamson County and Middle Tennessee, we create your dream house by making every home a castle.
THIS HOME PROUDLY FEATURED IN THE 2017 PARADE OF HOMES!
JUDGE WALLACE SMITH’S
ENCHANTING GARDEN
BY RICK WARWICK
“O wind, if winter comes, can spring be far behind.” — by Percy Bysshe Shelley
Shelley’s words always remind me of daffodil, iris and crocus. What better way to lead into a discussion of one of Franklin’s well-known gardeners, Judge Wallace J. Smith.
Judge Wallace J. Smith was a wellknown Franklin gardener, who lived on the corner of Lewisburg Avenue and Fowlkes Street. Judge Wallace came to Franklin from Nolensville in 1912 after graduating from Cumberland Law School in Lebanon. After serving in World War I, he married Bettie Hunter of Paris, Tennessee in 1919 and in 1923, they moved into their new home, built by Frank Craig.
Review-Appeal reporter Jane Owen interviewed Judge Smith in 1936 for her “Who’s Who in Williamson County” series where she reported: “He is a great lover of nature and in the lovely garden at the rear of their beautiful home on Lewisburg Avenue, he has had a chance to work off his artistic enthusiasm. He boasts the first rock garden, pool and Japanese bridge built in Franklin. In this garden are over 500 separate and distinct varieties of shrubs, flowers and trees, coming from nearly every country in the world, some of which he smuggled in himself, and all planted by his own hands. He has the honor of being the only person in this section to successfully transplant rhododendrons from their natural habitat. He has had nearly every known wild flower as well as the most highly cultivated
ones on this little Eden. Comfortable seats add to the beautiful setting and make of it a rendezvous for their friends on summer evenings, for here can be found coolness even in the sultriest weather.”
Today, the present owner savors the remnants of Judge Smith’s enchanting rock garden in her backyard and is now enjoying the spring blooms. Many traveling on Fowlkes Street may see the architectural curiosity serving as the garden’s entrance gate and wonder “what could that be?” Now you know.
Days Gone By | historicfranklin.com
Rick has lived in Williamson County since 1970 and has been serving our community for many years. He currently serves as the County Historian at the Heritage Foundation of Williamson County.
RICK WARWICK
Judge Smith’s rock garden with fish pond and luscious vegetation.
(above) Judge Smith’s rock bridge over McEwen’s Branch. (left) The covered gate to Judge Smith’s enchanting garden on Fowlkes Street.
Judge Smith’s back yard with garage and gate in view.
Custom Built Home
Custom built home loaded with details. Knotty Alder doors & vaulted ceiling, hardwood floors throughout, custom cabinets, extra large master shower, large screened porch with a fireplace & one in the living room too! You will not be disappointed with the quality of this home. Plenty of space in front or behind to build your dream home, perked for 6 bedrooms. Listed by Cindy Garvey.
2 Bedrooms & Office / 2 Bath | 1,465 SF 6020 Serene Valley Trail, Franklin, TN Offered at $1,150,000
European Country Cottage
The seller of this home, a longtime owner of a Masonry company has always dreamed of building an authentic Tuscany designed home. At completion, this home will adorn an expansive front porch overlooking a 200 acre park of designated Tennessee land Trust. Lots of room for entertaining with versatile living space and grand vaulted ceilings. This home features 2 master suites and plenty of storage room.
2 Masters One Up One Down / 2 Bath | 3,500 SF 3330 Bailey Road, Franklin, TN Offered at $1,297,000
Country Lifestyle
Beautiful 2 story cabin with an open floor plan. This home features a huge kitchen that includes an island with a gas cook top and double ovens. There is a stone fireplace in the living room that is 2 stories high and hardwood floors throughout. Over 1500 square feet finished in the basement that you can make into your own space. In ground pool with a new liner. The barn has great open space to make it what you want. Plenty of pasture for all your animals & a spring fed creek for their water.
4 Bedrooms / 4 Bath | 4,179 SF 1320 Redbud Lane, Columbia, TN Offered at $894,000
All About the Lawn & Garden!
BY TIM KEARNS
April Showers bring May Flowers... or so we’re told. April means kicking the mower into gear (oil change, sharpen blade, tuneup), and getting back out in the yard. By now, the pre-emergent has been applied on the grass and beds to help keep the weeds at bay for the next six months or so. Depending on the type of grass you have, the work may have already begun (i.e., fescue), or for the warm season turf (Bermuda, Centipede or Zoysia) the grass doesn’t start turning green until the soil temperatures get into the mid50s.
For those of us who planted tulips along with the pansies last fall, you’ll see them begin to poke their heads out when the ground warms up. But it’s also that tricky time of year where frosty mornings require us to cover the flower bed in the evening and uncover again in the mornings… over and over and over! Everyone waits for the magical last frost date; Farmer’s Almanac says Williamson County dates are between May 1st through May 10th, but Victory Seeds says the date is April 29th… either way, April is a guessing game. However, there are enough nice days to get a head start on whatever your plans might be.
too. Jerry says the HOT trend for spring 2018 is “homesteading,” or growing your own food. Essentially, building your own garden or landscape around self-sustaining products; fruits, vegetables, herbs and really any edible plants. How about using blueberry bushes to make a hedge row? Obviously with ten acres of greenhouses, Jerry grows just about anything edible you’d want for your garden, but even those hard to find items like Honeybell and Goji Berries. They are my go-to place for very large rosemary bushes my wife likes to have in the garden for cooking. The Nashville Herb Society also uses Nature’s Best as their supplier of choice; if he’s good enough for the experts he’s doing things right! It’s worth the drive to see this amazing garden center, the chickens, greenhouses, the edible garden, outdoor living spaces, fireplaces and rooftop gardens. Visit their website for a list of Saturday hands on seminars and spring hours; NaturesBestTN.com. If you see Jerry at the nursery, tell him Tim sent you!
“Jerry Trageser at Nature’s Best Garden Center says the HOT trend for spring 2018 is ‘homesteading,’ or growing your own food.”
When you do decide it’s time for a little planting, let me recommend visiting my buddy and a great Southern Gentleman, Jerry Trageser at Nature’s Best Garden Center in Nolensville. There is no one else retailing in middle Tennessee on eighteen acres, including ten acres of greenhouses. Nature’s Best is the place other garden centers and landscapers in town use for their annuals and perennials. If they have the capacity and variety to supply plants to the professionals, you know they will work for you
Don’t spend all your time in the dirt. The Franklin Farmer’s Market is in full swing by now at the Factory at Franklin, every Saturday from 9am to 12pm. There are many farms offering a CSA (Consumer Supported Agricultural) basket on a weekly basis. If you don’t have the space or a green thumb, it’s the perfect way to get your fresh vegetables AND support a local grower. This month, the Nolensville Buttercup Festival is on April 14th and the Franklin Main Street Festival is on April 28th and 29th. If you can’t find something fun or constructive to do this month, you’re not trying hard enough! I’m sure you’ll see this Southern Gentleman and Bess out and about. If you do, say hey!
Southern Gentleman Is...
TIM KEARNS
Photography by Haley Anthony
Each spring, more than 10,000 people come together at Habitat for Humanity construction sites across the country, to recognize National Women Build Week. This is a week to challenge people, especially women, to devote at least one day to be a part of building affordable housing in their own community. Work on the ninth annual Women Build Home begins this month at a homesite in Columbia, To learn more about Habitat for Humanity WilliamsonMaury, volunteer opportunities and future projects, visit hfhwm.org
Ashley Kowalski & Michelle Falcon Kelly Milam & Sue Miller
Kassie & Kathy Dooley-Smith, Wanda Bruce Graham Coti Howell & Mickie Howell
Holly & Dave Thompson Meghann Wynne, Kate Habegger & Kelly Pekovitch
Sharon Bell, Michael & Chrissy Sprawling, Kena Wade-Smith
Renee Reid & Jennifer Demeraski
Kristen Schoonover & Brooke Jenkins
SELLERS
Full concierge services
BUYERS
Special Amenities
It’s the little extras that make a great home into a grand one. 36 Governors Way offers these special amenities that are guaranteed to bring the wow factor:
• Resort style salt water pool and spa
• Temperature controlled wine room
• Professional chefs kitchen with huge custom island, sub zero fridge, double ovens, two dishwashers, ice maker, hidden pantry
• In-law suite
• Professional gym with all equip,equipment
• Billiards room with full bar
• Media room with stack stone fireplace
• Theater room with projection screen
• Easy access to the Governors Club which provides an 18-hole Arnold Palmer Signature Golf Course, a full golf driving range and practice facility, a resort-style swimming pool with cabana bar, the 19th Hole Grille for casual dining and so much more.
Located on the 18th tee of the Governors Club Golf Course, this spectacular custom estate features 11,619 sq ft of gorgeous architectural details such as rough hewn beams and a 30 ft wall of windows. Not to mention these fantastic features that make a house a home:
• .76 acres meticulous landscaping
• 6 bedrooms / 6.5 baths
• 2 master suites with private balconies
• Keeping room with custom rough hewn, coffered ceiling
• Paneled office
• 3 fireplaces
• 4 car garage
• Full whole home network system
• Magnificent indoor/outdoor living areas
Photography by K. York
RINGSIDE: A Fight for Kids took center stage at the Factory at Franklin for its fourteenth annual fundraising event. DJKO rocked the hall with the music of the 1970s and many attendees were decked out in their bell bottoms and other 70s accessories. Special guest, “Irish” Micky Ward gave boxers Luke Cahill, Brian O’Neill, William Lowery and Austin Mullins a few words of advice before the bell rang for the Rumble on the Row. The premier charity boxing event benefits multiple children’s charities in the Nashville area in partnership with the Charley Foundation. For more information, visit charleyfoundation.org.
It has been our pleasure to serve the Nashville community for over 14 years! We sincerely appreciate all of our agents, clients, and friends for making 2017 a wonderful year at Worth Properties, LLC and we look forward to many more!
Janet Jones,Managing Broker
HIDDEN TREASURES
BY SCOTT SMITH
Once known as the “Antique Capital of Tennessee” and boasting over a dozen great shops, Franklin has lost most of these charming stores to progress and shifting interests. Arbor Antiques and Antiques of the Factory — both of which closed last month — are prime examples of our changing landscape; however, there are still great opportunities to suit every taste and pocketbook when searching for antiques in Williamson County, many of which have been operating for years and are subsequently tried-and-true marketplaces.
The Franklin Antique Mall boasts being the oldest antique collective in Williamson County and is still going strong. Affectionately deemed “The Ice House” (it was originally the source for ice circa 1903), this shop has morphed over the last four decades to re-invent itself to suit the tastes of the rising generations — many of whom are not collecting the traditional products. Amanda Glenn Pitts, the current owner, says that when her parents started this shop in 1980 their customers were still buying Gone with the Wind lamps and wooden spinning wheels. The modern generation as a whole has not bought into this look; therefore, she now includes new merchandise made from re-claimed wood and even industrial pieces to keep up with the trends while continuing to offer an eclectic mix of the old.
a
“Antiques by definition mean pieces at least 100 years old, while vintage refers to less than a century in age,” explains Amanda. “We have a selection of both and work very hard to satisfy our customers and keep up with trends.” Basically, you never know what you will find when you peruse the 12,000 square foot building with its charming brick walls covered with antique quilts. It boasts
“When my mother and father owned this mall, the sought-after items were things like flow blue china, brilliant period cut glass, and primitives like butter molds and dough bowls. Even collectibles were requested on a daily basis, whereas now we rarely have anyone shopping for those things. Hot items include rusty gas station signs, vintage toys, architectural pieces, tobacco baskets, stained glass windows and other things that appeal to baby boomers and their children,” Amanda explains. “I think that tastes and styles change but always return eventually, albeit with a fresh take. Our clients range from eight to ninety-eight and everyone seems to forget their troubles when they are here.” Indeed, a stroll through this place will cure what ails you, and it is doubtful that you will leave empty-handed from this curiosity shop of many temptations located at the corner of Second Avenue South and South Margin in downtown Franklin.
Winchester Antiques, formerly located on Bridge Street and relocated to 121 Second Avenue North in downtown Franklin, is a purveyor of quality merchandise. For nearly thirty years the proprietor has been founder Kim Tuzzio, who invites everyone to come and see how her myriad of filtered, knowledgeable dealers (over half of whom followed her to this new locale), create a fresh, clean atmosphere that resembles shops more likely found in larger cities. With an impressive
duke’s mixture of everything imaginable thanks to the seventy dealers who specialize in everything from flea market finds to shabby chic to upscale classical.
7,700 square feet of gallery space, every booth looks as if it has been decorated by an interior designer; however, the merchandise is still very affordable which makes for a pleasant and gratifying shopping experience. Kim states she is heartbroken to see so many of the local antique shops gone because in her business those are not competition. “The unspoken rule in antiques is simple: The more shops the better — make the pie bigger so everyone has a bigger slice. Nobody needs to dominate the market; instead, we all work together to make the experience bigger and better and therefore ensure repeat business. It follows that the customers will return when their invested time is rewarded. I hope that more shops will continue to open in downtown Franklin to help maintain our long-standing reputation of offering antiques.”
When purchasing antiques, it is customary to remember some simple etiquette. Most dealers are willing to dicker on their wares; however, generally stores offer a discount policy. Most antique malls are a cooperative and the shop keepers act as facilitators on behalf of both their consumers and dealers. If they allow offers, it is wise not to be insulting; rather, put yourself in the dealer’s shoes and think about it from both sides. With the advent of internet sales, the profit margins are not what they used to be, and dealers work hard and deserve to make money for their time spent at late-night auctions, early mornings at estate sales and educating themselves on their craft. Like all other salespersons, they deserve compensation for their work so do not deny them their due but at the same time have fun negotiating tactfully. Oftentimes, merchants and dealers have to pay credit card fees, so they
usually prefer cash or check payments. Most stores offer some type of lay-a-way plan at no interest. Almost all have a no return policy since they are dealing in used merchandise regardless of how old or fine so be sure to inspect any wares before purchasing and remember that caveat emptor — buyer beware — is the usual motto.
The antique business is a professional one so if you meet a dealer in the store do not hesitate to speak with them about their trade. Quality dealers are always ready to offer advice and guidance — not take your money and run! If you have inklings towards becoming a dealer, talk to them about how to get started. It can be a rewarding experience and the social aspect can be as exciting as the purchasing. After all, many dealers are just collectors who got out of control! This business has little start up cost and you do not have to be present to sell; however, unless you wish to actively and continuously buy, you probably do not need to become a dealer. There are other options for selling just a few things from your attic. It is not a just a hobby, either. Keeping a booth takes time not just in re-stocking and re-arranging but must be kept tidy and well-merchandised.
Although the selection of antiques now offered locally has dwindled noticeably, we are fortunate that it is still quality over quantity in the local market and all of these shops invite you to come be tantalized at the next opportunity!
If you are interested in more traditional antiques as well as their history, you might enjoy the mobile antiques forum led by yours truly. This year the dates are July 25th-29th, 2018 and will take place in East Tennessee where our group will visit superb private collections as well as museum settings and focus on quality period pieces. The cornerstone event is the seventieth annual Abingdon Antique Show in Abingdon, Virginia where early bird passes provide the pilgrims an opportunity to find a fantastic selection all under one roof. If you need additional information, contact me, Scott Smith, at 615.500.9500.
SCOTT SMITH
Scott Smith has been a lifelong collector but has also been an antique dealer for over thirty years. He grew up in Franklin and has his own tour company.
Local Care Center with All Private Rooms
The Reserve at Spring Hill offers full recovery facilities and assisted living with 24/7 registered nurses and private, individual rooms. Schedule your tour today by calling (931) 981-0139.
Howdy there, folks!
IS YOUR HOME SAFE FOR YOUR PET?
As we get in the groove of spring cleaning, it is very important for all pet owners to be aware of the dangerous chemicals they are using for all of that scrubbing and garden control. Have you looked at your cleaning products to see if they contain harmful ingredients? Did you know there are natural cleaning methods that work just as well if not better? Here is a list of some of the dangerous chemicals to avoid:
• Ammonia - Commonly used in degreasers for cleaning glass, ovens, stainless steel, drain cleaners, carpet cleaners, etc. Can also create a poisonous gas if mixed with bleach.
• Bleach - Found in many common household cleaners for disinfecting.
• Toilet Bowl Cleaners - These tablets that continuously clean the toilet bowl after every flush are very dangerous for pets that are tempted to drink from the toilet.
• Glycol Ethers - Found in several cleaners such as glass and carpet cleaners as well as some spot removers.
• Formaldehyde - Used in some antibacterial products, soaps and even some pet shampoos.
• Chlorine - Mainly used for disinfecting and found in toilet bowl cleaners, dish detergents and used for swimming pools, Jacuzzis, etc.
• Mulch - Some contain the discarded shells or hulls of cocoa beans, which are toxic to dogs.
• Compost - Can grow mold that is dangerous for pets to ingest.
• Weed Killers - Can contain dangerous chemicals that are dangerous for pets to ingest.
• Pesticides - Many contain chemicals that are dangerous to pets.
• Rodent Control - Pets can be poisoned if they ingest certain rodent killing chemicals, as well as if they eat a rodent that has ingested the poisonous chemical (secondhand poisoning).
Instead of exposing your pets to the numerous harsh chemicals and dangers associated with most big store brand name cleaning products, make some of your own DIY cleaning products. Some safe ingredients to use are vinegar and baking soda. These two simple ingredients can be used for disinfecting, degreasing, cleaning glass, deodorizing, etc. There are many DIY recipes online for all of the needs listed above that are natural and safe methods. They will also be better for the humans, too! If you do grab cleaners from the stores, then always look for words like non-toxic and pet safe; however, you still want to check the ingredients to make sure that the product truly is safe for your pups, kitties and other critters!
Wiggle bottom and slobbery smooches to you and yours!
Ollie Pup
See more of Ollie and his adventures on Facebook at facebook.com/OlliePupBoxer, on Twitter @OlliePupBoxer and follow OlliePupBoxer on Instagram.
HOME HISTORIC HOME
BY CATHERINE ROYKA
We know that Williamson County is home to a wealth of vibrant and important history – most well-known for the Battle of Franklin. Today you can visit historic homes like Carnton Plantation and the Lotz House to learn more about that significant chapter in our county’s history. Some residents here are lucky enough to live in a piece of history too. The Perry family – Clay, Tatum and their newborn Will, get to do just that, as they live in historic Boxmere on West Main Street.
“Our house was built in 1850 by Robert Courtney, who also built the Williamson County Courthouse on the Franklin Square, in Greek Revival
style,” explains Clay Perry. “It was built for Reverend A.N. Cunningham of the First Presbyterian Church and called ‘Boxmere’ after the many boxwood bushes that lined the English style garden that once graced the grounds. Bethenia Perkins Figuers, my first cousin six generations removed, owned the house from 1854 until she passed in 1869. During the Battle of Franklin, it was used as Union General William Grose’s headquarters and as a field hospital.”
After Bethenia Figuers’ passing, the heirs sold the house to C.E. Merrill in 1873 and it remained in their family for generations until the Perry family purchased the home from Rita Gathman in September 2016. They spent about a year restoring the home before they moved in, but still have some projects around the home they want to complete. During their remodeling stages to the home, Clay and Tatum wanted to ensure that they kept the historical structure of the home. They also looked to historical elements around the area for inspiration.
“Our goal in the restoration was to keep or return the house to as much of its original condition as possible while modernizing all of the infrastructure such as the wiring, plumbing, HVAC, insulation and appliances,” says Clay. “We didn’t change any walls or any of the essential character in the original 1850 portion of the house, but instead used the newer additions of the house to make layout changes to add a utility room, pantry, two new bathrooms, kitchen, office and master closet space. We replicated the trim, baseboards and doors found in the original part of the house and carried that through to the newer additions. Carnton has some similar features, like the stairwell banister, a ‘jib’ window that becomes a door and central hallway with back stairwell and porch door, and we wanted to be sure to preserve all of these and the other original features of the home.”
RENOVATIONS
“We feel thankful and honored to have had the opportunity to restore this beautiful and historic structure and to be a part of a long line of stewardship stretching back to its early construction. We loved watching the transformation of the house as the work progressed and new life was breathed into every room. We had a tremendous general contractor on the project, Adam Caldwell of Caldwell Associates, and it added special significance to have Tatum’s father and grandfather help work on several projects including closet and pantry build-outs, a utility room cabinet and back balcony finishings,” says Clay.
It was important for the Perry’s to bring the house up to the modern living standards during restoration, but they made sure to try to restore the original features to their former glory as much as they could.
“The balance of those two things are always a part of any historic restoration, and our legacy is that we didn’t sacrifice the irreplaceable integrity of the house in the process,” says Clay.
Of course, with home projects, there tend to be some road bumps along the way. Clay and Tatum noticed bees going into a hole in the secondfloor siding and decided to call a beekeeper to extract the hive from what would eventually be the wall of their son Will’s bedroom. They were told there were some 200,000 bees going in and out. Fortunately, both the wall and the bee hive survived the precarious situation.
THERE’S NO PLACE LIKE HOME
The front porch and portico are their favorite spots in the house. They enjoy sitting outside and watching the vibrant activity on West Main Street. And, their six-month old son Will, enjoys it too, as he is mesmerized by all the passing cars.
“Like most residents, we love the natural beauty of the landscape, the rich history and historic places, the walkability and charm of our neighborhood in downtown Franklin, and the engaged community of people that reside here,” says Tatum. “The best part is, both sides of our family live here as well, so we get to share all of these things with the friends and family we love so much.”
Photography by K. York
The DUI Court Foundation of Williamson County’s annual “Take the Cake” Auction and Celebrity Concert was held at the historic Franklin Theatre. Ten specialized cakes complete with gift packages were auctioned off to the highest bidders. Grammy-nominated and multi-platinum selling artist, John Ford Coley, formerly of the 70s soft rock duo England Dan and John Ford Coley performed an intimate acoustic concert with old favorites and music from his new ECLECTIC release. Williamson County’s DUI Court is a 501(c)3 nonprofit restorative justice program offering those charged with a second or third DUI the opportunity to enroll in an intensive year-long, courtsupervised recovery program. The program is a rigorous one-year program which has a 90 percent graduation rate. The Take the Cake annual fundraising event creates community awareness and provides the funding for the program. For more information about the nonprofit, visit duicourtfoundation.org.
John Ford Coley & Johnny Birdsong
Joey, Vanessa & Nelson Bryan
Scott Pieper, Karen Watson & Derek Smith
Paul Pratt Jr., Paul Pratt III, Blake Lambert & Patrick Baggett
Denise Andrea, John Milazo, Misty Parks & Scott Tubandt
LuAnn Reid & Scott Brasher
Jay & Nicollette Sanders
Theresa Kern & Melodie Thomas
Jaymey & Lindsay Hardin
Mike & Lynn Dobbins
Dawn & Spiro Dellos
Tammy Tubandt & Kristen Hull
IF YOU OR YOUR COMPANY HAS COMMUNITY OR BUSINESS NEWS TO SHARE, SEND TO INFO@YOURWILLIAMSON.COM
DANIEL SPANN APPOINTED TO TMA BOARD OF DIRECTORS
The TMA Group (Transportation Management Association) is pleased to welcome Daniel Spann, PE, PTOE, Vice-President Transportation Director with Barge Design Solutions. In his role with Barge Design Solutions, Spann serves as Transportation Director. He has over twenty years of combined experience in traffic engineering, roadway design and transportation planning projects, working extensively for both public agencies and private clients. He is responsible for several first-time intersection and transit applications as well as providing guidance and peer review to local and state agencies. The TMA Group is a regional leader in customizing environmentally-friendly, multimodal transportation solutions for employers and communities. For more information, contact Debbie Henry, Executive Director at 615.790.4005.
FRANKLIN RECEIVES DISTINGUISHED BUDGET PRESENTATION AWARD
The Distinguished Budget Presentation Award has been presented to the City of Franklin by the Government Finance Officers Association of the United States and Canada (GFOA). This award represents a significant achievement by the city. It reflects the commitment of the governing body and staff to meeting the highest principles of governmental budgeting. To receive the budget award, the City had to satisfy nationally recognized guidelines for effective budget presentation. The GFOA is a nonprofit association serving approximately 17,500 government finance professionals with offices in Chicago, Illinois and Washington, D.C.
FASTER SERVICE NEW ROUTES
MORE STOPS
U.S. TRAVEL BOARD OF DIRECTORS ADDS VISIT FRANKLIN PRESIDENT & CEO
Ellie Westman Chin, President and CEO of the Williamson County Convention and Visitors Bureau, has been named to the U.S. Travel Association Board of Directors. Nominated by Fred Dixon, President and CEO of NYC & Company, and approved by the US Travel Association Board of Directors, Westman Chin will serve as an at-large delegate for a two-year term. The U.S. Travel Association is the national, nonprofit organization representing all components of America’s travel industry that generates $2.3 trillion in economic outputs and supports 15.3 million American jobs. The Williamson County Convention & Visitors Bureau (WCCVB) is the official destination marketing organization for Franklin and the unique communities of Williamson County. The WCCVB stimulates economic growth through the promotion of travel and tourism assets. For information on Franklin and Williamson County, go to visitfranklin.com.
OUTLOOK WILLIAMSON 2018
Williamson County led the U.S. in job growth for the past three quarters. Come learn why Williamson County is Tennessee’s fastest-growing county at this half-day economic forum focusing on the latest business trends and statistical data. Outlook Williamson 2018 takes a deep dive into why corporations and small businesses choose to call Williamson County home and the factors that drive these business investment decisions. Hear from industry-leading experts and walk away with a new copy the 2018 Williamson County Trends Report.
The Scoop continued
APPLICATIONS FOR MEDICAL SCHOLARSHIPS ARE NOW BEING ACCEPTED THROUGH WILLIAMSON MEDICAL CENTER FOUNDATION
Each year the Williamson Medical Center Foundation offers several scholarship opportunities to students pursuing degrees in healthcare. The deadline for all three scholarships is on April 20th. There is still time to submit applications. The three scholarships being offered include: The Fay Porter Memorial Scholarship - ranging from $500 to $2,500 depending on the circumstances of the student awarded the scholarship, the Ike Brown Scholarship – available to medical students only and will pay $2,500 toward medical school tuition and the Kim McMurray Memorial Nursing Scholarship – this scholarship provides $500 and will be awarded to a nursing student accepted to the nursing curriculum who demonstrates a particular connection to cancer or the treatment of cancer. These scholarships are funded by donations from WMC’s medical staff, employees and members of the community. The annual Williamson Medical Center Foundation Golf Tournament also benefits these scholarships. For more information on the application process and to download the application, go to williamsonmedicalcenter.org.
HIGH HOPES DEVELOPMENT CENTER ANNOUNCES KINDERGARTEN CLASSROOM TO START FALL 2018
High Hopes is happy to announce their inaugural 2018-2019 Kindergarten classroom. Expansion of the School at High Hopes is bringing with it four new classrooms slated to finish in the fall of 2018. One of these classrooms will serve as a State approved, inclusive kindergarten. In its new state-of-the-art facility, the Kindergarten at High Hopes will employ the same inclusive model as their preschool, where approximately forty- percent of the students have a developmental delay. Kindergarten curriculum will follow state standards, utilizing standardized testing to ensure developmental milestones are achieved. For more information, contact Jessica Mizell at jmizell@highhopesforkids.org. High Hopes Development Center is a nonprofit organization that loves, nurtures and educates children with two integrated programs helping each child reach their maximum potential. Children ages six weeks to Pre-K, with and without special needs, are educated together in inclusive preschool classrooms by a team of experienced teachers supporting the individual needs of each child. Learn more by visiting highhopesforkids.org.
Built not Bought
FRANKLIN’S CHARGE
PRESENTED WITH $630,000 IN GRANTS TO PRESERVE THE SPIVEY TRACT IN FRANKLIN
Franklin’s Charge has received a $630,000 grant from the Tennessee Historical Commission and Tennessee Wars Commission to preserve the Spivey Tract in Franklin. The Spivey Tract is just under an acre of land, located south of the Federal defensive line near the Carter House and adjacent to Columbia Pike. During the Battle of Franklin in November 1864, the Confederate brigades of Brown’s Division suffered extensive casualties on this ground. The battle ultimately allowed the U.S. Army to remain in control of Nashville. The Tennessee Historical Commission and Tennessee Wars Commission have awarded nearly $700,000 in grant funding to preserve more than fifteen acres of critical Civil War battlefield land in three counties through the Tennessee Civil War Sites Preservation Fund (TCWSPF). The successful grantee organizations were the Civil War Preservation Trust and Franklin’s Charge. To learn more about the preservation efforts in Franklin and how you can get involved, visit boft.org and franklinscharge.org.
WILLIAMSON
COUNTY CASA ADDS SUSAN REINFELDT AND RACHEL MASON
Williamson County CASA welcomed Susan Reinfeldt as director of development and Rachel Mason as an advocate supervisor. Reinfeldt, a resident of Williamson County, has an extensive background in development, marketing and public relations. As founder and owner of The Write Word, she has spent twenty-five years helping small businesses and nonprofits enhance their presence in the marketplace. Williamson County CASA is a nonprofit organization helping children who are abused and neglected to find stable and permanent homes. CASA advocates for these children by speaking on their behalf in courtrooms, listening to their stories and identifying safe homes. To learn more, visit williamsoncountycasa.org.
The Landmark Residential Mortgage group builds relationships through friendly, knowledgeable bankers who provide customers with great experiences; not just someone trying to buy another relationship in a numbers game.
Ours is a partnership built on trust, prompt decision making, flexibility, and understanding of your mortgage needs. It would be our privilege to get to know you, build a relationship and have you become a valuable member of the Landmark family.
CUSTOM PUBLISHING
INTEGRATED MEDIA & MARKETING
DESIGN & PHOTOGRAPHY
CONSULTING EVENT MANAGEMENT
P.O. Box 364
Franklin, TN 37064
615.236.9961
info@robertsonmediagroup.com
MEET RENEE SHAFER
Your Williamson recently had a chance to sit down and chat with Renee Shafer, the new Director of Membership for Williamson, Inc.
Membership in the Chamber is a beneficial way to engage in the community and network with other business owners and employees. If you are not currently a member of Williamson, Inc. you should talk to Renee soon to learn about all the wonderful benefits!
YW: Are you from Williamson County or did you relocate from somewhere else?
RS: I grew up in a small town in West Tennessee, graduated from UT Knoxville and after a job relocation took me to Atlanta for twenty-five years, I yearned for a slower pace to raise my kids. I had always wanted to get back closer to my family and one day while I was traveling back home to West Tennessee from Atlanta, I took an unexpected detour through Franklin and knew instantly that this was the place I wanted to call home.
YW: What were your reasons for choosing Williamson County originally?
RS: Franklin is a friendly and creative place with a rich southern history. I loved the character of downtown Franklin, the rolling hills and all the green space. We have great schools for our kids and an impressive list of companies that are based here. I am so proud to call Franklin home both personally and professionally.
YW: What does a typical day at Williamson, Inc. look like for you?
RS: I have the best job in the world! My role as Director of Membership is to recruit businesses, large and small, to join our organization. We host over 120 different events per year to help businesses engage with the community to facilitate new business relationships and gain valuable exposure. When I’m not attending one of our awesome events, I am out meeting with all the diverse businesses that make up our vibrant business community.
YW: What’s the most rewarding part of your job?
RS: I love my Williamson, Inc. team, they are amazing people who share a common passion about the community we live and work in. But the most rewarding part of my job is helping our members make valuable connections that lead to business growth. I am so passionate about facilitating connections.
YW: How does Williamson, Inc. differ from other companies you have worked for?
RS: After twenty-five plus years of working in the corporate world, it has been refreshing to work for a small organization that exists solely for the betterment of the community. We have a unique company culture and flexibility that offers me great work/life balance, which has been key in raising my two very busy teenagers.
YW: What does a member get from joining the Chamber?
RS: When a company joins our Chamber, all employees can take advantage of the benefits we offer. Membership with Williamson, Inc. provides unique value for our businesses through innovative programming, networking events, vocal business advocacy and business growth opportunities.
YW: What kind of feedback have you had from members you have signed up?
RS: I hear all day long how progressive our Chamber is in what we offer our members compared to other Chambers they have been involved with previously. But we especially love hearing how many of our businesses have seen a huge return on their investment by becoming actively engaged with our Chamber. One of our members made a connection at one of our events that turned into the largest sale in the history of his company. That’s music to my ears!
Learn more about Williamson, Inc.’s people, events and information about joining by calling 615.771.1912 or by visiting williamsonchamber.com.
THE THREE MONUMENTAL MORTGAGE MISTAKES YOU MIGHT BE MAKING
BY MILLIE WILLIAMS
Springtime often ushers in another important time of year — home-buying season. If you are one of the millions hoping for a new place to call your own in 2018, it’s important to consider some common mortgage mistakes before you sign on the dotted line of what will probably be the most significant and most expensive purchase of your life.
MISTAKE 1:
GOING WITH THE FIRST LOAN RATE YOU RECEIVE
Even if you’re not much of a shopper in other areas of your life, when buying a house, it is essential to shop around in order to get the best loan type and rate for your lifestyle. When making a payment commitment that will typically span between fifteen and thirty years, even a few hundredths of a percent can equate to thousands of dollars. Getting four to six estimates from various institutions should be sufficient to find the right loan for you.
MISTAKE 2: NOT SHOPPING LOCAL
Just because you’re buying a home in Tennessee doesn’t mean that your mortgage will be handled in-state if you choose a national mortgage company. These large companies are often headquartered halfway across the country, which makes quality, high-touch service hard for them to provide. Not only can local mortgage lenders, such as community banking institutions, offer advice and guidance regarding the real estate market in your specific locale, they also typically offer rates competitive with national, less personal mortgage companies.
Some lenders may advertise low rates but then hit you with so many fees that the “low rate” actually ends up costing you more in the long run than a higher rate would have. Be sure to consider a lender’s mortgage points, origination fees and additional closing costs, which can affect your overall APR and dramatically alter how much you pay over the lifetime of your loan.
When you’re ready to start your home search, seek out the advice of an experienced mortgage lender that knows the area and can give you the individualized service you deserve. Happy house-hunting!
WILLIAMS
As with anything that’s built to last, the difference is in the details.
Design your dream home, and let Franklin Synergy Bank design the right financial plan to fit your lifestyle.
Contact us today to speak with one of our mortgage professionals.
NOPSI Hotel, New Orleans Powers Up
A trip to the Big Easy has never been so hugely fabulous as it can be now with new hotel NOPSI. NOPSI Hotel, New Orleans has illuminated the city’s luxury lodging landscape. Located in the vibrant Central Business District, the nine-story brick building was originally constructed in 1927 as the headquarters for New Orleans Public Service Inc. (NOPSI), the city’s former utility company and transit operator. Now, nine decades after it originally opened to service the city’s needs, the historic landmark has been re-imagined as a luxury hotel with a community spirit.
Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, NOPSI Hotel features 217 refined guestrooms – including seventysix suites; a lively and regionally inspired restaurant called Public Service; 14,000 square feet of architecturally significant indoor and outdoor meeting space; and
a sophisticated rooftop pool and bar. The hotel is dedicated to providing an authentic experience inspired by the rich history of the destination it proudly serves again, NOPSI Hotel underwent a meticulous restoration, which returned the grand dame to its original splendor, including the building’s street facades, cast iron rails and stone panels. Inside the sweeping lobby, guests can discover faithfully renovated vaulted ceilings, graceful arches, ornamental columns, brass grills and stone terrazzo flooring.
“At NOPSI Hotel, service is more than just a word, it’s part of the building’s fabric and complements Salamander’s authentic approach to hospitality,” says Sheila Johnson, Founder & CEO of Salamander Hotels & Resorts, the hotel’s management company. Sheila is also one of America’s top entrepreneurs and the co-founder of Black Entertainment Television. “NOPSI Hotel will become known as one of the finest city hotels in America, and we look forward to reflecting the unique spirit of New Orleans,” she says.
The property was originally designed by Favrot and Livaudais, a Louisiana-based architectural firm that designed many other historically significant buildings. Woodward Design + Build from New Orleans served as the hotel’s architect of record and general contractor during the renovation process. The project’s development team has also worked closely with Louisiana’s State Historic Preservation Office to ensure the architectural integrity of the building was preserved.
Within a short walk of The French Quarter, the Warehouse District and the Garden District, NOPSI Hotel is located near Lafayette Square and close to major attractions like the Mercedes-Benz Superdome and the World War II Museum. Thousands of manhole covers still bear the NOPSI name, which inspired the hotel’s unique circular logo, adding a sense of nostalgia to a walk down many of The Crescent City’s streets.
Guest room design presents the highest level of luxury highlighted by refined furnishings and décor, all uniquely inspired by the building’s industrial history. The luxury suites include additional living space, some of which feature spacious terraces with sweeping city views. The ninth-floor features four Spa Suites with spacious terraces that can be utilized for an extraordinary in-room Salamander Spa experience.
Architecturally unique. Industrially elegant. Timelessly refined. NOPSI is the first
luxury hotel to open in New Orleans in a generation, the impressive and dramatic Grand Lobby featuring vaulted ceilings and stone terrazzo flooring, is highlighted by inviting, polished furnishings. A lively signature restaurant, architecturally stunning boardrooms, breakout rooms and meeting space and a shimmering rooftop pool and bar provide an inspiring, one-of-a-kind guest, event or business experiences.
NOPSI Hotel offers an impressive backdrop for any meeting or special event. The hotel’s immense and expansive ballroom, with floor-to-ceiling arched windows and a soaring thirty-foot ceiling, epitomizes the original architecture of this iconic building. The meticulous renovation has retained the room’s twenty-four-foot high crane and tracks, which formerly transported transformers to storage vaults for repair. Five vaulted breakout rooms with historic
architectural features provide an impressive setting for corporate meetings, dinners or teambuilding events. Additional event spaces include a charming and regal outdoor patio and PS Reserve, a unique private space above our signature restaurant.
Uniquely situated in New Orleans’ bustling Central Business District right on the corner of Baronne Street and Union Street, the hotel is just minutes from the vibrant energy and excitement that is quintessentially the Crescent City. Just steps away, guests can experience one of the world’s most iconic and culturally diverse destinations — the historic French Quarter. Lined with fabulous architecture, wrought-iron balconies, cobblestone side streets and colorful courtyards, this romantic neighborhood is a mecca for foodies, music aficionados and antique lovers. Additional attractions include the artsy Warehouse District, filled with refined art galleries, eclectic music venues and theaters, outdoor concerts at Lafayette Square and the massive Mercedes-Benz Superdome, host to six Superbowls, the NFL’s New Orleans Saints, concerts, conventions and shows.
The Central Business District’s most dynamic community gathering place, Public Service is a casual-yet-sophisticated restaurant which respects the civic spirit of the
former New Orleans Public Service Inc. With a menu that honors the Gulf Coast’s hardworking fishermen and farmers, we prepare contemporary cuisine in an open-display kitchen highlighted by a modern raw bar and open-flame rotisserie. The vintage design features a two-story glass façade, exposed brick and a custom-built craft bar.
NOPSI Hotel’s shimmering rooftop pool and bar, Above the Grid, offers a hot spot for hotel guests, visitors and locals alike with a unique view of the city’s skyline. By day, the pool is a peaceful oasis for hotel guests with indulgent cabana service. In the evening, the energy level increases and the setting transform into one of New Orleans’ most exclusive establishments with private cabana tables, live entertainment and one of the coolest scenes in the city.
Located in the hotel’s classic lobby, underCURRENT Bar & Patio features iconic vaulted ceilings as the quintessential backdrop for light snacks and an afternoon cocktail experience. Step into true casual elegance on the patio where guests can enjoy “life as a local” in lush surroundings with wrought iron accents reminiscent of a quiet hideaway deep in the French Quarter.
Spring is a perfect time to visit the Crescent City! Schedule your next trip to and plan to enjoy all this amazing city has to offer while also taking advantage of one of its newest treasures in fine accommodations, dining and history.
317 Baronne Street
New Orleans, LA 70112
504.962.6500
NOPSIHOTEL.COM
LIFESTYLE | The Lady Entertains
BY KRISTA EHRET
Celebrating your baby’s first birthday is an exciting time. Not only is it a major milestone for your little one, but it’s likely the first time you get to plan a celebration all about them. Plus, this is probably the only birthday party where they don’t have an opinion, so you are in complete control! My husband and I are on the cusp of planning this special day, so here are some tips I’ve discovered so far:
TIMING IS KEY
Large gatherings can be overwhelming for itty bitties, especially when the focus is primarily on them. And we all know what happens if baby doesn’t get to nap at his or her desired time. Scheduling the party strategically and having a set start and end time will hopefully ward off the fussiness and allow the guest of honor to enjoy the festivities. I’ve been to brunch birthdays which are a lot of fun as well as mid-day. I would avoid evenings as many of the guests probably have early bedtimes.
SHRINK THE GUEST LIST
It’s completely a personal preference, but you may consider keeping this a more intimate event for a couple of reasons. First, fewer guests will keep things less chaotic and more enjoyable for baby. Secondly, the time for huge (and expensive) birthday bashes with an entire class of kids is just around the corner. Enjoy this opportunity to keep things a little simpler and relaxing. This allows you to focus on playing mommy or daddy instead of playing host.
Baby’s First Birthday
“The
time for huge (and expensive) birthday bashes with an entire class of kids is just around the corner. Enjoy this opportunity to keep things a little simpler and relaxing.”
DON’T SWEAT THE SMALL STUFF
Pinterest has warped our vision and seriously upped the ante of what any event should look like. Don’t get me wrong, I love a good blogworthy party, but am also a firm believer that you should only take on as much as you truly want to and are willing to budget for. Think of nostalgic parties from your youth. Did you really miss having a “make your own floral crown” activity station? Did you turn up your nose at a homemade sheet cake and demand a three-tier sculpted version? I doubt it. The
checklist in reality, is pretty manageable: Invitations, food, drinks, cake, candles, a few decorations and maybe a party favor. For this first birthday, you can even get away without having any sort of entertainment. Keep the petting zoo and magician on hold for another year or so.
MAKE IT A PARTY FOR ALL AGES
Chances are the age of your guests will range from newborn to Nana. Keeping everyone comfortable, fed and entertained, may be one of the trickiest parts of the planning. If you have the party at home, consider designating certain areas to accommodate different needs. A quiet room if a baby needs to nap, a space for toddlers to play or watch a movie and a comfy chair or couch for any older guests. The menu may be slightly mismatched from what you’re used to as well. It’s okay to have goldfish crackers in a bowl next to a gourmet cheese board or a selection of juice boxes with a white and red wine option. Time of day will dictate your specifics but err on the side of less formal fare to accommodate less mature palates.
Set yourself up for success, by keeping things simple. Candid snapshots are just as valuable as professional photography and grocery store cupcakes are as big of a hit as gourmet ones. You’re at the finish line of earning your new parent badge and this should be a time for you to celebrate and be in the moment. Keep the focus on your little one and making those priceless memories.
KRISTA EHRET
The Lady Entertains From intimate dinner parties to huge annual events, Krista believes we can always find an excuse to celebrate. With a background in interior and event design, she loves bringing people together in a beautiful and welcoming environment.
Lyla at 7 months
FOR MORE NEWS AND INFORMATION FROM WILLIAMSON COUNTY SCHOOLS, GO TO WCS.EDU
FRANKLIN HIGH JROTC STUDENTS ADVANCE IN ACADEMIC BOWL
Four Franklin High School JROTC students are competing to travel to Washington, D.C. to compete in the Army JROTC Leadership and Academic Bowl (JLAB) Level III academic championship in June. Cadets Shrita Reddy, Meredith Adkins, Sikama N’ Kouka and Rohan Alokam recently represented Franklin High School in the JLAB Level I competition and were one of 1,389 teams in the country that advanced to Level II. “They are wonderful students that have represented Franklin High School and Williamson County well,” says Retired Maj. Jay Massey, the Senior Army Instructor for Franklin High’s JROTC. “This is just one of the many reasons that I love this job. It is such a treat to come to work every day to lead and mentor such amazing young men and women.”
FIVE WCS STUDENTS EARN PERFECT ACT COMPOSITES
Five more talented Williamson County Schools students join the ranks of those who achieved a perfect 36 composite on their ACT. Brentwood High’s Hutson Staggs, Franklin High’s Sina Ghandi, Independence High’s Brent Lane and Sean Smith and Ravenwood High’s Brendan Goodbred all aced the college readiness exam. In the U.S. high school graduating class of 2017, only 2,760 out of more than two- million graduates who took the ACT earned a perfect score.
Schakolad’s chocolate is made fresh on site using a tried and true three-generation family recipe that calls for the highest quality ingredients and attention to design detail.
PAGE MIDDLE STUDENT SPELLS HIS WAY TO WASHINGTON
Page Middle spelling champ Sri Nemmani will represent middle Tennessee next month at the 2018 Scripps National Spelling Bee in Washington D.C. The eighth grader correctly spelling the word “khedive” to win first place at the Tennessee Titans Regional Spelling Bee. Sri says practice is the key to success. Sri reviews 1,500 words per weekday and 3,000 words during the weekend using a study program.
BRENTWOOD HIGH TEACHER WINS OUTSTANDING TITLE
Brentwood High Advanced Placement (AP) Human Geography teacher Jessica Crosby was named the 2018 Outstanding High School Teacher of the Year by the Tennessee Council for the Social Studies (TCSS). The award, which is given based on experience, curriculum development, leadership in the teaching profession, professional development and community involvement, comes with a $500 prize and a plaque from TCSS. Crosby has been teaching at Brentwood High since 2012.
the award-winning combination of taste and artistry, Schakolad chocolate truly sells itself.
SAFETY IN OUR SCHOOLS
BY ANNIE OSTEEN
While February 14th, Valentine’s Day, typically serves as a day to remind us of the love in our lives, this most recent one, was anything but that for our country. It was a day of horror for those in Parkland, Florida, where a nineteen-year-old opened fire on hundreds of teenagers at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School, killing seventeen individuals. The February 14th event struck a heavy chord of fear in most parents, as we couldn’t help but to have uneasy thoughts of whether or not our own children were safe while they were sitting in their Williamson County classrooms.
On February 19th, Dr. Mike Looney, Williamson County Superintendent, made the decision to close all of the Williamson County Schools in order to insure that all school safety plans could be “revisited, reviewed and reinforced immediately,” with school personnel and law enforcement.
“The February 14th event struck a heavy chord of fear in most parents, as we couldn’t help but to have uneasy thoughts of whether or not our own children were safe while they were sitting in their Williamson County classrooms.”
This isn’t the first time that Williamson County Schools (WCS) has taken a proactive step to boost their security measures. After the 2012 Sandy Hook school shooting, WCS hired School Resource Officers (SROs) for all elementary schools, hired the district’s first security director and conducted an external audit of the district’s security protocols.
While Franklin Special School District (FSSD) was already closed on February 19th for the observance of President’s Day, they pro-actively sent an email to families regarding school safety policies stating that school administrators “meet regularly with first responders to discuss responses to potential dangers and district personnel routinely participate in county-wide mock drills.”
All doors are locked, and all visitors must enter through the front office and show valid photo identification at each FSSD school. The SROs also perform perimeter checks daily, and every FSSD school has a video monitoring system.
While Williamson County parents are rightfully waiting to obtain the safety blueprint that both districts are continuing to lay out in the aftermath of the MSD shooting, FSSD and WCS districts cannot readily share safety plan specifics with anyone who is not in charge of putting those plans into motion. Doing this would put all schools and students at risk by divulging the specific tactics that the faculty, staff and students would employ if and when confronted with a deadly situation.
Last year, the Williamson County Sheriff’s Office (WCSO) launched tip411, an internet-based tool that enables the general public to text message an anonymous tip to law enforcement. This new tool also allows students to share suspicious safety information anonymously with law enforcement by sending them a secure text message about any strange or deviant activity they witness. While most students are to report suspicions of unusual or problematic behavior that they may see in or outside of their classrooms, they often do not report it for fear of being identified as “a snitch.” Tip411 will allow the students to bypass any hesitation they may have as, again, it’s completely anonymous as names and numbers are private.
While this is a public service for anyone to use in Williamson County, students with a cell phone are encouraged to download the new Tip411 WSCO app. However, anyone may also send an anonymous tip to WSCO by texting TIPWCSO with their message if or when they notice any type of suspicious activity on their school’s campus.
While many parents often classify themselves and their children as exempt from any type of tragic school situation because of a Williamson County address, that brand of ignorance will only create a more detrimental direction for our schools, should something one day burst the Williamson County bubble. The fact is that Parkland, Florida can inarguably be compared to Williamson County, with social and economic status similarities. We are not immune from the evil that has casually walked into a school and taken innocent lives. Talking about this is scary but being ignorant to it is even scarier.
Both of our districts, Williamson County Schools and Franklin Special School District, have always created a safe atmosphere for our kids each day. However, with the times changing and our world becoming more calamitous, our two districts are aggressively seeking to identify even more reliable solutions to ensure that when we put our children on the bus each morning, we can walk away confidently knowing that our babies will safely return to us each afternoon.
ANNIE OSTEEN
Your Williamson Community Writer
Annie lives in Franklin with her husband and children. When she’s not writing, she’s busy volunteering in her children’s schools or cheering on her beloved Florida State Seminoles.
Photography by K. York
New Hope Academy’s (NHA) annual banquet, “Into the Water,” was held at Liberty Hall at the Factory at Franklin recently. It was a very special evening with speakers Nyamal Pal, NHA Alumnus and Dr. Anthony Gordon sharing special messages. New Hope Academy’s mission focuses on the development of children in the community, regardless of ethnic origin or economic status to become great leaders with a solid biblical world-view and the vision of hope. In the presentation of this message, Jon Reddick, NHA parent and gifted musician, added a special touch to the evening with his performance. To learn more about New Hope Academy, visit nhafranklin.org.
PRESENTED BY
SATURDAY, MAY 5, 2018
Daniel Shearon, Dede Crooper & Kristan Gordon
Kristin Porter, Cathy Irwin & Betty Atwell
Bretta Freeman, Keith Grigsby, Brenda Haworth & Noemi Turcious Paige Pitts & Julian Bibb
Carolina Arrieta & Joseph White
Stephanie & William Pals
Erica Edwards & Cyndi Higgins
Linda & Ken Moore
Robert Blair, Stephanie & Tony Steele
Bobby & Corrie Fritts
LeAnn Nichols & John Ambrose
Affordable Spring Activities
BY GINGER JONES
With warmer weather arriving, everyone wants to get outside and have some fun in the sunshine and fresh air. Spring activities as a family are fun and exciting - but you don’t want them to break the bank. Here are some activities you can do around middle Tennessee this spring that will keep your family and your wallet happy.
NASHVILLE CHERRY BLOSSOM FESTIVAL
The Nashville Cherry Blossom Festival, on April 14th, has been called the best familyfriendly festival in the area. It’s free to the public, and it’s a fun celebration of Japanese culture. That means not only will your kids have fun, but they’ll learn something, too.
TENNESSEE CRAFT FAIR
This event takes place every year in Centennial Park (May 4th-6th & September 28th-30th) and you know it’s good because of how difficult parking can be (seriously - arrive early)! Show your little ones how creative they can be and teach them why art and imagination are so important - all while supporting local artists and small businesses.
FANNIE MAE DEES PARK
Looking for a good park? One of my favorites is Fannie Mae Dees park. It’s fun for children of all ages, and all abilities. It’s extremely inclusive for kids with special needs. Plus, there’s plenty of ice cream in the area.
TENNESSEE STATE MUSEUM
Have you visited the Tennessee State Museum? Teach your little ones about the state they live in. The best part is the hands-on activities and books they have for kids. It’s not just a lot of wandering around and ‘look, don’t touch’ - it gets interactive!
IN SEARCH OF AN INCLUSIVE CAMP THIS SUMMER? BELOW ARE A FEW RECOMMENDATIONS:
CAMP CONQUEST
Camp Conquest is a Christ-centered, weeklong, overnight camp that encourages children and adults with special needs, chronic illnesses and disabilities to try things they never imagined possible. As they conquer activities like a three-story lake slide, a 30’ rope swing, zipping down a zip line, being covered in paint, riding a horse for the first time, canoeing on the lake, or climbing a three-story rock climbing wall, campers build confidence that will shape how they view the rest of their lives. Learn more at campconquest.com.
NEW BEGINNINGS YOUTH RANCH
New Beginnings Youth Ranch summer camps offer unique and authentic ranch experiences for unique and authentic children. Campers engage in traditional camp activities centered around life on a working horse and cattle ranch. Campers will explore ranch life in a safe, nurturing environment where all of our experiences, accomplishments and joy are a form of thanks and worship. Learn more at newbeginningsyouthranch.com.
PATTY ROSSBACH YOUTH CAMP
Since 2000, the Amputee Coalition has provided a safe place for kids to learn more about living with limb loss and limb difference. It has evolved to traditional summer camp, complete with canoes and campfires. Most importantly, the focus is on the campers. For the Paddy Rossbach Youth Camp, that means kids living with limb loss and limb difference, ages ten-seventeen. Learn more at dev.amputee-coalition.org.
The Toy Rack
MAIN STREET FESTIVAL VENDOR’S THIRTY-FIFTH YEAR
BY ANNA ROBERTSON HAM
This month, one of the largest festivals in the Southeast takes place in Williamson County. Long-time festival goers can’t wait to see who is new this year, but even more so, they are excited to see who will be returning so they can shop with their favorite arts and crafts vendors. The thirty-fifth annual Main Street Festival, presented by First Tennessee Bank, returns on April 28th and 29th filling the streets of historic downtown Franklin with numerous artisan and crafter vendor booths, activities for all ages, food, live music, entertainment and fun for the entire family.
The arts and crafts vendors are always a huge draw to locals as well as out-of-towners. Vendors for Main Street Festival travel from all over the country, but there are some local ones that have been a part of the event since the beginning. Don Stockton is one of those vendors. He has participated in all thirty-five festivals and has some great memories from every year. Don’s business, The Toy Rack, displays handmade craftsmanship of handmade wooden toys. His trade began out of a family love for the woodworking craft. “My father was a carpenter, and I was always around lumber and saws. About forty years ago, I saw a person selling wooden toys in a mall. I thought, I think that is something I would like to do. It didn’t take long until I was hooked. My favorite items are the cars, trucks, trains and tractors,” explains Don.
Don, who is a Columbia, Tennessee resident, continues to come back to the annual event because he loves being a part of something that brings so much joy to people, old and young. He enjoys seeing familiar faces stop by his booth to say hello and those that he saw as children, grow up and now return with their own children to buy a toy. Being a part of the event has created many friendships and several fond memories. “We have met and become friends with several fellow vendors, and many of the downtown merchants. Each year we look forward to seeing the Walton’s of Walton’s Jewelery and former Pigg & Peach store owner, Bill Peach,” he says. “It is a fun festival to participate in as a vendor. The festival is well-organized, well-advertised and there is always
“It is a fun festival to participate in as a vendor. The festival is well-organized, well-advertised and there is always a large crowd. The show has a large range of items for sale. There is something for everyone.”
a large crowd. The show has a large range of items for sale. There is something for everyone.”
Make plans to attend this year’s Main Street Festival on April 28th from 10am-6pm and April 29th from 11am-6pm and stop by to visit Don at his booth. You will love his work and timeless treasures. You can also visit Don when he participates at the Bell Buckle Craft Fair, Pumpkinfest, Christmas in the Country in Dickson, Christmas Village in Nashville and the Centennial High School Holiday Show.
Proceeds from the Main Street Festival benefit the Heritage Foundation of Williamson County and its’ division, the Downtown Franklin Association, and their mission to protect and preserve the architectural, geographical and cultural heritage of Franklin and Williamson County, as well as to promote the ongoing economic revitalization of downtown Franklin in the context of historic preservation. To learn more about the Heritage Foundation of Williamson County, the Downtown Franklin Association, Main Street Festival and other events benefiting the organizations, visit williamsonheritage.org.
You Are the Center. The all-new 2019 INFINITI QX50 was completely designed around you, the driver. Every inch – every surface, gauge and angle – was meticulously crafted to empower the driver and ensure the comfort of the passenger. Unmistakably beautiful and flawlessly functional, the QX50’s hand-finished cabin places you at the center of everything, confident and in control.
Starting at $36,550*
WICKED GOOD
GINNA
MASON BRINGS HER OWN LOCAL MAGIC TO THE POPULAR BROADWAY SHOW
BY CATHERINE ROYKA
PHOTOGRAPHY BY JOAN MARCUS
From Brentwood to Broadway, middle Tennessee local, Ginna Claire Mason, is back in her hometown to perform her dream role as Glinda in Wicked. Since opening in 2003, Wicked has been performed in over 100 cities in fifteen countries around the world, and has been declared “The Best Musical of the Decade” by Entertainment Weekly and “A Cultural Phenomenon” by Variety. In addition, Wicked is the recipient of more than 100 international awards including a Grammy Award and three Tony Awards.
You may be somewhat familiar with the story that shares the surprising tale of an unlikely friendship between two women in the Land of Oz. Wicked tells the untold tale of the Wicked Witch of the West and Glinda the Good, long before Dorothy drops in.
I had the opportunity to chat with Ginna Claire and discuss her acting history, her role as Glinda, why she loves Tennessee and our shared love for Merridee’s. Let’s learn more about Ginna Claire:
How excited are you to perform in your hometown?
GCM: I joined the Broadway company about
two and a half years ago and I remember within my first few weeks of being with the Broadway company, I made an inquiry to the company manager: “When is the next time the tour is going through Nashville?!” I can’t really imagine anything better than playing my dream role in my hometown. I think it is kind of perfect that the first time I am going to be performing in my hometown is doing this role I dreamed about my whole life.
You mentioned this is your dream role, tell us more about that and any other productions that inspired you.
GCM: I saw the original cast when it first opened in 2003. I said to my dad at intermission, “I’m going to play Glinda one day.” He bought me the t-shirt and the soundtrack, and I played it on repeat for years. I had seen other Broadway shows that really inspired me. I saw Les Miserables in fourth grade with my mom and I remember asking her: “People do this for a living, this is their job? Some people go into accounting but some people get to sing and dance? Count me in!” Wicked definitely sealed the deal for me as far as the fate of my future and what I wanted.
Where and when did you start practicing theater?
GCM: I got involved in community theater in the third grade at Star Bright Children’s Theatre.
Then, I started taking voice lessons at Franklin Brentwood Arts Academy (FBAA) – I was their first voice student! I also took dance classes at Franklin School of Performing Arts.
What drew you to the performing arts?
GCM: I have always said that musical theater was in my bones. My parents raised us on the classics – Sound of Music, Singing in the Rain and Guys & Dolls. The soundtracks of my childhood were Annie, My Fair Lady and Cats. I have two older brothers, and from a very young age, I was watching them do school shows at Brentwood Academy - I was the fan girl in the front row cheering them on. When it was time for me to actually start auditioning for community theater, I felt like I knew what I was doing because I watched my big brothers do it.
What do you miss most about the middle Tennessee area?
GCM: The southern charm! It is so real! It’s easy to forget being away from it, but I am always struck by it as soon as I step back on Tennessee soil. You see it at the grocery store, the stage door, you see it at any door because someone is there ready to open it for you! Also, it’s the people. The people are so kind and considerate, and they say “y’all” and “bless your heart,” it feels like home for me. For some New Yorkers, it feels a little slower paced here, but I enjoy that.
What has been your favorite part about working with the Wicked crew?
GCM: Something that has been very wonderful and surprising is that [while respecting the integrity of the role the way it was written], I feel like they have let me bring my own artistic take to the part, which is really cool. The show has been running for almost fifteen years and I think it would be really easy to say well this is the cookie cutter way and you have to play the role like this, but that has not been my experience. Again, respecting the integrity and
CLAIRE
the way it was written and the original cast – I do feel like they have trusted me to bring me to the role. I think a reason Wicked has been so successful, is because they don’t put actors in these roles and let them stay for years. I think it keeps the show really fresh. I think it has aided in the success and why the show has been running for so long.
How do you add your personal touch to your character?
GCM: I think I bring some of my dad’s sense of humor and my own quirkiness to it – it is always growing – my Glinda today is different than the Glinda I started a year ago on tour. I’ve been so fortunate to be on stage with masterful actors that I love, trust and adore. When you have that kind of trust on stage, it gives you the freedom to play, listen and explore.
What is your favorite song from Wicked?
GCM: I’ll say, it is always changing, however, since you are asking me today, my favorite song is “For Good,” which is the song the witches sing at the end of the show. It’s a beautiful reflection of their friendship, their journey, the story they have told and the way they have impacted each other. The most special part for me is who I get to sing it with. Mary Kate Morrissey is currently playing Elphaba and we instantly bonded from the very first rehearsal. The first thing we did in rehearsal was sing “For Good” and it was an instant bond between the two of us. She’s just become a lifelong best friend. Our friendship is so special for me personally which only aides to the friendship of Glinda and Elphaba.
What is on your bucket list while you are back in your hometown?
GCM: Well, Merridee’s is at the top of my list! I also love the little boutiques in Franklin. I want to go back to my old stomping grounds and visit Brentwood Academy, visit teachers. If time allows, I’d love to drop by FBAA and Franklin School of Performing Arts where I received my training. Even stopping by the local Publix and TJ Maxx – you know the layout; there’s no place like home! Even just to drive every day past Harlinsdale Farm – I can’t turn a corner without a flood of memories, it’s pretty special.
Any last thoughts you want to share with your Tennessee community?
GCM: After every show I am going to come out on stage – I love to visit friends, family and locals and say hi to everyone. I have friends and family coming to just about every performance; it is going to be the ultimate adrenaline rush day after day! I’ll be wearing my cowgirl boots every day and soaking up all that is Nashville, Tennessee!
There’s no place like home for Ginna Claire, who is excited to be performing her dream role now through April 22nd at the Tennessee Performing Arts Center. For more information about the show and how to purchase tickets, visit tpac.org. To follow Ginna Claire Mason on her journey in Wicked and performing arts, follow her on Instagram at @GinnaClaire.
Waitress presented by
BY Marc Camoletti
ART
The arts and culture scene doesn’t skip a beat here in middle Tennessee!
The Drowsy Chaperone
Battle Ground Academy’s Theatre Department will present The Drowsy Chaperone as its spring musical with performances April 12th-14th at 7pm. The Drowsy Chaperone features a cast and crew of thirty BGA students. The musical is open to the public and all performances will take place at the Harlin Student Center on BGA’s Glen Echo campus.
“I saw this show in its original run on Broadway and fell in love with it,” says Jenny Wallace, BGA’s Upper School Drama Director. “I have enjoyed every minute of working on it with this talented cast and crew, and I am confident the audience will enjoy it too.”
When wealthy widow Mrs. Tottenham hosts the wedding of the year, she gets a lot more than a write-up in the society pages: Janet Van de Graaff, glittering starlet of Feldzieg’s Follies, is leaving the stage for love, a turn of events which horrifies the angry and anxious Mr. Feldzieg, whose chief investor has sent two gangsters disguised as pastry chefs to make sure he stops the wedding. We won’t give away too many details, as you should see it yourself! Visit battlegroundacademy.org for more.
Celebrating the 14 Millionth Student-Published Author
As part of Studentreasures Publishing’s 14 millionth published author celebration, more than 500 students at Moore Elementary in Franklin were recognized for writing, illustrating and publishing their own books. Specifically, Mrs. Medders’ firstgrade class was honored for publishing the company’s actual 14 millionth studentauthored book, “Invincible Grit,” and awarded a $1,000 grant as part of an all-school celebration. These student authors are automatically entered into Studentreasures’ National Book Challenge, the only studentpublishing book contest in the nation. Studentreasures, has been encouraging young writers across the United States and Canada for more than twenty-two years.
Photography by K. York
High Hope’s annual String and Stories fundraising event took place in the intimate setting of Green’s Grocery in Leiper’s Fork. Acclaimed artists Jordan Reynolds, Kelly Archer and Sean McConnell entertained the crowd with their mix of soulful, country acoustic performances and the stories behind the music. High Hope’s Executive Director Gail Powell shared how, in three short years, the agency has outgrown their newly built facility with a ninety-seven percent increase in clinic patients. Land for a new facility has been donated and the new expansion is underway, which will allow the Development Center to double their clientele. To learn more, visit highhopesforkids.org.
Chris Jenkins, Gail Powell, Rick & Pam Bryant
Cheryl Dean, Jordan Reynolds & Kelly Archer
Grayson, Tammy & Harold Brewer, Sandy Washburn
Mary Susan & Sean McConnell
Kristin Garner, Melanie Anderson & Hallie Sullivan
Nanci Bauchiero, Sue Geisen, Jennifer Bent, Terry & Jan Mostrom, Jim Bauchiero
Josh Raplee, McKenzie Coffman, Margee & Scott Raplee
Valerie Locati, Susan & Patrick Moody
Pamela Andrews, Jessica Mizell, Mary Hyche & Grace Hastings
Mark & Bethanie Goodson
As you contemplate your home & garden or yard
When the first Home Depot store opened, it was the largest home improvement specialty store, with about 25,000 different home improvement products available in each store. Today, an average Home Depot store will have up to 40,000 different products, and Home Depot customers have the ability to special order 250,000 additional products not stocked in the brick-and-mortar Home Depot stores.
EIGHTY MILLION POUNDS OF PESTICIDES AND SEVENTY MILLION POUNDS OF CHEMICAL FERTILIZER ARE APPLIED TO OUR LAWNS IN THE UNITED STATES EACH YEAR. Home is where the heart (and equity) is: 61.4 percent of the average American family’s net worth is in home equity.
In Scotland, homeowners paint their front door red when they pay off their mortgage.
BRASS DOORKNOBS DISINFECT THEMSELVES. THE IONS IN THE METAL HAVE A TOXIC EFFECT ON SPORES, FUNGI, VIRUSES AND OTHER GERMS, ELIMINATING THE INFECTIONS WITHIN EIGHT HOURS.
