Representing eleven Williamson County School’s varsity cheerleading squads are Kassidy Walling, Briah Reed, Ashton Carteaux, Bailey Kelley, Cassey Valadez, Loren Smart, Erin Holder, Kylie Fernandez, Bentlee Burchell, Piper Gamble, Ashleigh McKinney and Tabatha Dismang; on the field at Battle Ground Academy’s Guffee-Brown Stadium.
Dear Readers,
It’s only the first week of August and yet I am forced, as are most of you, to accept the end of summer is here. I have heard so many people say, and I am certainly feeling, like this summer has flown by in an even more profound way than many before. Perhaps it is having kids; all the hoopla over having this big break in schedules and lazy, sweet summer days to enjoy and relax in; well, that doesn’t really apply when parents are still working and life in general is busy regardless of season!
If you are like me, you had your children scheduled out through June and July with camps, activities, play dates and vacations with a fervor. Keep them busy, keep them occupied, avoid the words “I am bored,” at all costs and make sure they do not forget how to read, write and count in their two months break from learning! At least that is what was happening in my house this summer. Now that we are gearing up to go back into the more rigid scheduling of the school year – the end of summer feels even more poignant and yes…sad. I don’t feel like we did half of the fun summer things I had planned back in May. I don’t feel like we had enough pool time or ice cream, or firefly chasing. I don’t feel like we laid in the hammock and
“You’re off to great places. Today is your day! Your mountain is waiting, so get on your way!” - Dr. Seuss
WILLIAMSON COUNTY VARSITY SCHOOL CHEERLEADERS POSE WITH FUTURE CHEERLEADERS CAROTHERS BETHURUM & KEELING BIRDSONG
looked at the sky and didn’t feel like we had to be doing 100 things… I feel pretty certain most of these emotions are mine and mine alone. My daughter doesn’t feel that way. She is so excited to go back to school and doesn’t have to see the two things as mutually exclusive. Mommy on the other hand feels each summer’s passing more, as it’s also the passing of childhood in front of me – growing up each passing season, becoming more and more of a little person, not a baby. Even the baby is growing up at lightning speed and it won’t be long before he too is running out of summer and into school days. Sniffle sniffle… Like summer, most of us mommy’s want to hold onto these days as the most precious, the most memorable even for doing nothing, as long and as hard as possible.
As we send our little one’s back out into the world this week – ready to open their minds to more knowledge, and more growth, remember Mommy’s (and Daddy’s too); summer’s sweetness will be here again in only a few hundred days. Until then, here’s to homework, projects, carpool line, lunch making, outfit choosing, tantrums and daily drama and trauma. Enjoy!
Shelly Robertson Birdsong | Publisher shelly@robertsonmediagroup.com
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Here are a few events to add to your Social Calendar this month. Visit yourwilliamson.com for more events.
The Park at Harlinsdale Farm | 5:30pm friendsoffranklinparks.org
Friends of Franklin Parks’ eighth annual Raise the Roofs fundraiser promises to be the best event of the summer! The event will incorporate more of the Harlinsdale Park campus and include a buffet dinner, along with traditional elements, such as the polo match held in the Tractor Supply Co. Arena. Patrons can expect plenty of great food, drink and cheer, live music and an after party. Tickets are available for $125 per person and all proceeds benefit the Friends of Franklin Parks and the organization’s efforts to continually enhance and connect the city’s incredible park system.
Vanderbilt’s Legends Club | 8am - 4pm | wcartn.org
The Williamson County Association of Realtors (WCAR) thirty-first annual Golf Scramble will be held at Vanderbilt’s Legends Club. Teams of four are available for $1,000 and includes a tee gift to Top Golf, breakfast, lunch and nineteenth hole. This fun golf scramble is a charity fundraising event benefiting the REALTOR® Good Works Foundation of WCAR. Register today!
The Park at Harlinsdale Farm | 4pm - 10pm greatamericanabbqfestival.com
The sweet aroma of hickory smoke and simmering sauce will fill the air for the Great Americana Barbecue Festival! Attendees will enjoy some of the most “finger licking good” barbecue around, prepared by professional pit masters and iron chefs from across the country. The festival is hosted by The Franklin BBQ Society and The Franklin Noon Rotary Club, which have dedicated over six decades of service to its community and has distributed over three million dollars to local charities. Get your tickets online for this tasty event!
We had an amazing time celebrating at the #YourWilliamson Summer Mixer!
Great info and tips provided at First Citizens National Bank’s #SmartWomen luncheon!
Check out RMG’s Summer 2019 issue of #DistinctivelySouthernWedding!
The September edition of Your Williamson will feature all things Real Estate & Home, with highlights including builders, interior design, local homes for sale, neighborhoods, developments and more!
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Photography by Paige Atwell
On July 24th, Williamson County residents, businesses and government and public officials gathered for Williamson County Mayor Rogers Anderson’s seventeenth annual State of the County. Held at the Franklin Marriott Cool Springs and hosted by Williamson, Inc., guests enjoyed networking time and lunch before settling in to hear updates on the progress of Williamson County this year. Mayor Anderson spoke on education budgets, public safety, new projects and developments, tourism and job growth. To learn more about Williamson County, the Chamber of Commerce and their upcoming events, visit williamsonchamber.com.
Robertson Media Group
cordially invites you to discover
Distinctively Southern Wedding, a wedding resource no Middle Tennessee bride will want to do without!
Look for our Summer 2019 edition on stands throughout middle Tennessee!
For more information on how to advertise in Distinctively Southern Wedding or to showcase your wedding story - Contact us at: info@robertsonmediagroup.com
BY: DEBBIE CUNNINGHAM
Statistics show that three out of seven couples will divorce, even some after twenty to thirty years of marriage. Why are we falling out of love and not staying in it? Can we recapture the lightheartedness we once knew in our relationship?
As a Jazz recording artist, Debbie Cunningham has entertained couples with songs of love and romance for more than a decade. Married to her high school sweetheart for more than thirty years and unwilling to sit idly by while divorce rates climb in today's society, she began writing songs about the journey and celebration of committed love. That writing led to her search for and glean wisdom from married couples who had gone through hard circumstances and stayed together, all to provide hope for other couples in their journey of making love last. With lighthearted candor, Williamson County resident, Debbie Cunningham, shares from her own marriage journey through difficult seasons of grief and her daughter’s unexpected health issue, while weaving in stories of other couples that have stayed together through infidelity, serious illness, depression, infertility, addiction and in an unusual twist- even the journey of an arranged marriage. She encourages you to not lose hope but to lean into your faith, revisit commitment, brush off your dancing shoes to learn some new steps and cultivate connection to get you dancing in the kitchen again.
Through her album, A Million Kisses and her book-Dancing in the Kitchen, Debbie Cunningham inspires and empowers you to grow lasting love and build deeper connection in your relationship even through adversity.
Debbie Cunningham is a recording artist, author and speaker. She has spent a more than a decade in the music business as a songwriter and entertainer. She has recorded two albums; the first, a jazz standards album entitled-The Rest of Your Life. The second, an all-original jazz album entitled- A Million Kisses. She is still married to her high school sweetheart, Derek, and delights in being the mother of two grown children. Debbie spends her time performing with her jazz quartet, speaking at women’s and marriage events, giving keynote concerts and offers performance coaching in her spare time. She loves the ritual of afternoon tea and frequently pauses for a sunset to enjoy God’s amazing artistry.
She and her husband are enjoying their newly emptied nest, still dancing in their kitchen and starting to cross off their bucket list. They reside in Franklin, Tennessee.
For more information, visit debbiecunningham.net.
BY JULIE JORGENSEN
Okay everyone, it’s that time of year. Time for the epic pilgrimages to Target, the establishing of activity calendars and the ubiquitous “first day of school” pictures on the front porch. Just because life is about to get back to a more structured routine as summer comes to a close, doesn’t mean that your beauty routine has to suffer!
When the mornings are all about brass tacks, breakfast prep and who’s brushed their respective teeth, it’s best to have a no-nonsense skincare routine that doesn’t involve eleven million steps. I like a simple regimen consisting of a serum or a face oil, a moisturizer, tinted sunscreen and eye cream. I don’t even wash my face in the morning, I just splash with water when I’m in the shower. I’ve started keeping a jade face roller in my refrigerator for a cooling, de-puffing boost with my morning coffee.
The evenings may allow for an extra step or two, but even then, it’s wise to choose products that work without needing excessive amounts of other products to maximize efficacy. Cleanser/makeup remover or a product that can do both without stripping your skin, antiaging serum, eye cream and night cream should cover your bases. I frequently stay in hotels, and on those nights, I’ll apply a shielding baby balm to keep my dry, sensitive skin from reacting to the bleach used in hotel linens. If you tend to wear more than minimal makeup, a cleansing oil works wonders for taking off everything without being harsh. Countertime Lipid Defense Cleansing Oil from the geniuses at Beautycounter is my current fave.
Should the notion of washing your face at night make you want to take a ride around on your proverbial “huffy” bike, makeup-removing wipes are for you. Look for a brand that doesn’t contain any alcohol or artificial fragrance. And please, at least put on some night cream after that. Sheet masks and under-eye patches have fab hydration-
boosting ingredients and work like a charm in two shakes of a lamb’s tail and they feel AMAZING!
The same pared-down approach when it comes to your morning makeup sitch can work wonders for your sanity (hey, you may even be able to hit the snooze button). The afore-mentioned tinted moisturizer with sunscreen, concealer, eyebrow gel or pencil and mascara can have you looking presentable in a matter of minutes. I dot my lipstick onto my cheeks and blend so I can skip applying powder blush with a brush. Matte, dry lipstick can take time to apply precisely and often need a complimentary lip liner to avoid bleeding around the lip line. As a wise woman once said, “ain’t nobody got time for that” when you’re a busy mom trying to get the kids to school. Swipe on a sheer, buttery lipstick or shimmery gloss and go. I like to keep a little cosmetic bag in my car with duplicates of my beauty essentials in case I need to touch up during the day - or, let’s be honest, apply brow gel at a stoplight. One product that is always in my car is a refreshing rosewater face mist. Another favorite is a simple Evian face atomizer — which is just a fancy word for “mist” — that I can usually find in local drugstores.
All of this running around certainly necessitates a trip to the spa or some “you” time. Schedule and prioritize time for yourself the same way you would your kids’ schedules, date night with the spouse and so forth. Make a date with yourself and keep it, even if it’s ten minutes on the front porch to read a magazine or take a walk around the block. Because before we know it, it’ll be Christmas! Cheers!
Photography by Weatherly Photography
2019 marked the fortieth annual l’Eté du Vin for The Nashville Wine Auction! This year’s event theme was “taste the history, savor the wine, find the cure.” Held at the JW Marriott, guests enjoyed a wine tasting reception, silent auction, dinner and live auction to end the evening.
L’Eté du Vin is the country’s longest-running charity wine auction and raises funds for the fight against cancer. To learn more about The Nashville Wine Auction, visit nashvillewineauction.com.
In the early 1800s, the United States became a leader in mechanical watchmaking. In 1854, Aaron Dennison established the Waltham Watch Company, which notably made the first ever watch with interchangeable parts, and the first entirely made in the US. The advanced machinery they designed gave America a celebrated name in watchmaking, and one that led to the now industry-leading Swiss adopting its same equipment. When the quartz watch rose to fame in the late 1960s, the art of American watchmaking slowly disappeared, yet there are a few incredible brands that have worked hard to bring this industry back to life. Following America's birthday, more than ever, we celebrate them and their contribution.
Ranging in price from $2,000 to upwards of $20,000 - these incredible, luxury brands have developed some of the most beautiful and high-quality time pieces in existence, right here in the United States. Below is a look at the distinguished brands and their most popular pieces.
For more information, please visit wpdiamonds.com
Topping the luxury watch market since their 2011 inception, Shinola continues to hand assemble every watch in their Detroit base at the historic Argonaut building.
Noted as one of the last independent, family-owned luxury goods manufacturers in the world, Kobold proudly makes its high-end watches in the heart of Pittsburg, PA. They were remarkably the first to introduce a US-assembled mechanical watch just over ten years ago in 2006.
From original sketch to final assembling, every DWC is entirely created in Detroit, Michigan.
Known for their durability (one of the go-to brands for military men), Hager merges Swiss technology with American manufacturing for top notch time pieces made in the US.
Born in the early 90s, RGM is a true nod to American culture, going as far as to make baseball players the backdrop of its most popular limitededition collection.
Established less than a decade ago, Vortic watches go back over 100 years, utilizing the most incredible vintage watch parts to build brand new American-made time pieces.
Utilizing a combination of US and Swiss components, Weiss focuses on building its watches here in the US with the still-relevant foundation developed by Waltham Watch Co. hundreds of years ago.
Our Health & Wellness issue is brought to you by Williamson Medical Center every year, and we are proud to have our community medical center provide incredible and informative content for this issue.
Williamson Medical Center has been a pillar of our region for over sixty years, with an impressive tradition and commitment to not only providing exceptional healthcare services to hundreds of thousands of patients, but also an overall dedication to the wellbeing of our community.
As our once rural community has grown and evolved into the burgeoning region it is today, so too has Williamson Medical Center developed and advanced its services to meet the needs of the area it serves.
Ranking in the top ten percent of hospitals nationwide for overall surgical care and patient safety, Williamson Medical Center is a sophisticated regional medical center that offers an array of specialized services with the ability to treat and heal the most complex medical conditions. Their medical providers consist of more than 750 highly skilled board-certified physicians who bring a wealth of knowledge, experience and expertise to our region, supported by a staff of 1,800 employees.
Their expansive medical campus now includes, among other things, twenty-two state-of-the-art operating rooms, including roboticassisted surgeries; an accredited breast health center; an award winning obstetrics and NICU; comprehensive emergency services for both adult and pediatric patients, a limited-stay children’s unit, outpatient imaging services and an orthopaedic center of excellence at the Bone and Joint Institute of Tennessee.
Receive exemplary care from compassionate staff and medical professionals, all in your hometown backyard at Williamson Medical Center. Explore their website at williamsonmedicalcenter.org for more information.
4321 Carothers Parkway Franklin, TN 37067 Phone: 615.435.5000
Scheduling a surgical procedure is an important decision and most people have a lot of questions. How much time will I need to recover? If I do nothing, will the problem get worse? Will insurance cover my procedure? Who is the best provider to call for treatment? Can I get the surgery performed close to my home?
Each person is different, and multiple factors should be considered when deciding if surgery is necessary and when and where to undergo surgery. Here are a few factors you or your loved ones should consider when making such decisions.
1. I am experiencing discomfort or pain, and at-home treatments are not making a difference.
Oftentimes, soreness or discomfort can be manageable at home with over-the-counter prescriptions and remedies. With situations dealing with pain, there are treatments your primary care physician or specialist can handle with medication, therapy or other treatment. However, for more complex ailments such as gallstones, hernias or thyroid issues, surgery might be necessary to help you heal and become your healthiest and best self.
2. The problem is continually affecting my enjoyment and overall quality of life.
Some chronic ailments can negatively impact your quality of life yet be fairly easily remedied by surgery. Having to compromise activities such as avoiding exercise and social events, taking numerous sick days from work, being unavailable for family time, etc., might be remedied with a procedure with relatively short recovery time.
3. My doctor has already referred me to surgery, but I have not followed through.
You know the problem, you’ve been given a potential solution, and yet – for a variety of reasons you’re worried about taking the next step. Don’t be shy about following up with your doctor and asking all the questions that are causing you to have concerns. Your provider will be glad to take the time to discuss anything that might be causing you anxiety.
You know your own body better than anyone else, and your health is in your hands. By understanding that, you will be able to improve your overall quality of life and help get yourself back to enjoying the things you love.
To schedule a consultation with a surgeon at Williamson Medical Center, go to williamsonmedicalcenter.org.
BY JANET DAILY, NP-C
Excluding skin cancers, colorectal cancer is the third most common cancer diagnosed in both men and women in the United States. Fortunately, colon cancer is preventable thanks to advances in early detection. Learning colon cancer symptoms and risk factors can play an important role in helping you lower your risk of developing colorectal cancer.
As a family nurse practitioner specializing in gastroenterology, I work with patients suffering from bowel disorders and those at risk for colon cancer.
When it comes to colon cancer, patients without family history or symptoms of the disease often believe they’re not at risk. Truth is, each of us face a one in twenty-four risk of developing colon cancer during our lifetimes. So, what exactly are the risk factors of colon cancer?
A traditional, highly inflammatory western diet seems to be one of the biggest risk factors facing Americans, as is smoking. Those with a family history of colon cancer or a personal history of GI problems like inflammatory bowel disease or Celiac disease are also are at increased risk.
Common symptoms of colon cancer are changes in bowel habits (either diarrhea or constipation), lasting more than a few days, rectal bleeding, cramping or belly pain, unexplained anemia and weight loss. Too often, patients dismiss symptoms as minor annoyances for months or even years.
Cancer typically develops from colorectal polyps over a long period of time. The good news is, polyps are now being found more often
and earlier through awareness of the importance of having routine colonoscopies.
During a colonoscopy, the doctor looks at the colon and rectum with a colonoscope — a thin, flexible, lighted tube with a small video camera on the end. Special instruments can be passed through the colonoscope to biopsy or remove any suspicious-looking areas such as polyps, if needed. The painless procedure typically lasts fifteen to thirty minutes and patients return to work the next day.
Thanks to screenings and improved treatments, there are now more than 1 million survivors of colorectal cancer in the United States. Although the overall death rate has continued to drop, the American Cancer Society reports deaths from colorectal cancer among people younger than age fifty-five have increased one percent per year from 2007 to 2016. In response, the ACS recently lowered the age of recommended annual screenings from fifty to forty-five for average risk individuals, although many insurance policies still don’t cover screenings until age fifty. More aggressive guidelines mean more cancers will be found in their earlier, more treatable stage. That’s because patients usually don’t experience symptoms until their cancer has developed to a later stage. If you or a loved one experience symptoms, don’t wait. Talk to your doctor and take the necessary measures to rule out the possibility of colon cancer.
About Janet Daily, NP-C
Janet Daily, NP-C, is a certified family nurse practitioner specializing in gastroenterology at Williamson Medical Group in Franklin. To reach her office, call 615.791.2330.
Taking care of your feet has the potential to improve how your entire body moves and feels. However, all too often, we do not place the same emphasis on looking after our feet as we do on other parts of our body.
Consider for a moment the important function of your feet. The feet alone make up a quarter of all the bones in the human body. They have fifty-six bones, sixty joints, and over 200 muscles, ligaments and tendons. Your feet must not only support your body as you stand, walk, run and jump, but also absorb damaging shock that enters your body every time your heel hits the ground.
Healthy feet are vital to mobility, and prevention is better than cure. Once foot trouble begins, it can affect how other body parts function in some most unexpected ways.
An orthopaedic surgeon, who specializes in the treatment of conditions related to the foot and ankle, can help you prevent foot imbalances and other conditions that can lead to more serious joint problems. Orthopaedic specialists are trained to fully diagnose and treat not only problems in your feet, but also to address how that is affecting the mechanics of other joints in your body.
If you are experiencing symptoms of malalignment in your feet, there are often some simple treatments to help reverse the condition. Waiting until you need surgical intervention can result in painful and lengthy recovery that significantly affects lifestyle and mobility.
Foot pain, unsteady ankles and conditions like plantar fasciitis or bunions are obvious signs of a problem, but there are more subtle signs that your feet need attention. Some other indicators that your feet may be starting to weaken are loss of balance or tripping easily or often. Symptoms of unhealthy feet may vary from swelling and bunions to hammertoes, calluses and corns. However, foot imbalance or dysfunction does not always cause pain just in your feet. Often the pain can transfer to your lower legs, knees, hips or spine. If your feet have imbalances or weaknesses, they travel all the way up your body. An estimated eighty percent of people develop some type of foot imbalance by the age of twenty, and virtually everyone has foot imbalances by the age of forty. Years of standing, walking and wearing shoes cause the arches of your feet to gradually weaken and become unable to provide the necessary support for your body.
BY RONALD DERR, D.O.
Foot imbalances include pronation (inward rolling of the foot, particularly the heel and arch, as the heel contacts the ground) and supination (the opposite of pronation — outward rolling of the foot as the heel hits the ground). These are normal foot movements that occur during walking and running, but when your foot excessively pronates or supinates, it puts the stability of your entire body at risk.
For example, when over-pronation of the foot occurs, the foot flattens and falls in, causing the entire leg to rotate and placing strain on the mechanics of the knee and hip. Any dysfunction or malalignment in the foot is going to affect joints further up the body. These conditions also can lead to other forms of an unstable posture, including uneven shoulder heights, one leg that is shorter than the other and tilting in your hips.
Prevention is simple and so much more effective than waiting until foot problems start affecting your quality of life or ability to do the things you want to do.
We often recommend a simple, but effective form of stretching the calf muscle to prevent or address problems in the feet. The calf muscle, which leads to the Achilles tendon, is the driving force for your foot. When the calf structure and Achilles tendon are too tight, it creates havoc in the foot that can lead to plantar fasciitis, bunions, hammertoes and neuromas.
It may seem way too simple, but easy preventative stretches can head off many problems. Maintaining a healthy weight can also reduce stress on the foot structure and often a good orthotic can provide the support your feet need to keep you moving.
About Ronald Derr, D.O.: Ronald Derr, D.O., is a board-certified orthopaedic surgeon specializing in foot and ankle surgery and sports medicine. He earned his medical degree from the Ohio University College of Osteopathic Medicine and completed residency training in orthopaedics at Ohio University-Doctors Hospital in Massillon, Ohio. He went on to complete a sports fellowship training at the American Sports Medicine Institute in Birmingham and a foot and ankle fellowship at Good Samaritan Hospital in Cincinnati. Ronald Derr, D.O., has been a valuable member of the Bone & Joint family since 1996 and currently serves as team physician for Ravenwood High School. He and his wife have four children and enjoy sports and family time.
BY BRIAN LONG, M.D.
Are you at risk for a heart attack? All too often, the number one killer of Americans strikes the least suspecting–those with few known risk factors. Such was the case for Scott Dannemiller, a forty-five-year old Franklin resident who was the picture of perfect health. The entrepreneur and father of two was a slim, avid runner with no history of smoking, high blood pressure or elevated cholesterol.
Following his father’s double bypass in June 2018, Dannemiller had a conversation with his dad about symptoms. “He’d had no indications, but felt like he’d pulled a muscle in his back,” Dannemiller explained. “That morning I went jogging and felt the same thing, but assumed it was all in my head.” Still, Dannemiller mentioned his concerns and change in family history during a follow-up visit to his family doctor. It was there that he learned of an affordable, non-invasive CT scan that measures calcified plaque buildup in his coronary arteries. Dannemiller paid the minimal out-of-pocket expense for his Cardiac Calcium Score at a local medical clinic. When calcium is present, the higher the score, the higher the risk of heart attacks in the long term. A score of 100 to 300 — moderate plaque deposition — is associated with a relatively high risk of heart attack or other heart disease over the next three to five years. Dannemiller’s score was 1,114.
“I went immediately and saw my dad’s cardiologist, who suggested we skip the stress test and go straight to the heart cath,” Dannemiller explained. The heart cath revealed several blockages, and Dannemiller underwent a quintuple bypass surgery in August. “It was only due to my family history that I was screened, and it was quick procedure and I was done,” said Dannemiller, who’s since become a vocal advocate for the low-cost heart scan. “That was a life saver, because at my age and in my health the first symptom is usually death.”
Brian Long, M.D., interventional cardiologist at Vanderbilt Heart at Williamson Medical Center, performed Dannemiller’s heart cath. He said the cardiac calcium score is an affordable, ideal test for someone who frequently worries about heart health, even if no symptoms are present. “For patients with a score other than zero, it’s empowering to learn they can take steps to fix their diagnosed heart disease,” Long said. “Otherwise they might not know until they’re having symptoms and it’s very serious.”
Long said the cardiac calcium score is typically a minimal out-of-
pocket cost, and is often available without a referral. It’s also lowrisk, with little radiation exposure and no contrasts or IVs. He also recommends adults have a resting EKG (electrocardiogram) every few years. The resting EKG provides more information by allowing physicians to see the heart rhythm, electrical system and estimate the size of the heart.
Another common diagnostic tool is the stress test, which shows how the heart works during physical stress (exercise) and how healthy it is. A standard exercise stress test uses an EKG to monitor changes in the heart’s electrical activity. Imaging stress tests take pictures of blood flow throughout the heart. Long said stress tests are designed to evaluate symptoms and typically only reveal significant blockages, which means they’re not ideal for general cardiac screening.
If blockages are suspected, patients typically undergo cardiac catheterization. During cardiac catheterization, a long, thin tube called a catheter is inserted in an artery or vein in the groin, neck or arm and threaded through blood vessels to the heart. It’s a common, low-risk way for cardiologists to perform diagnostic tests, place stents and check for coronary blockages.
Fighting heart disease head on Long encourages patients to adopt Dannemiller’s proactive approach to heart health: talk to someone. “If you’re concerned about anything, talk to your primary care provider,” he said. “Not everyone needs a specialist for screening or risk prevention. Just address it with someone.”
Dannemiller will undergo a stress test in March and yearly blood screenings thereafter, but maintains a positive outlook. “I’m fortunate they were able to detect and treat my heart disease so quickly,” said Dannemiller, who ran the five-mile Boulevard Bolt in Nashville alongside his wife at Thanksgiving. “I’m also glad I had something doctors know how to fix, because this was life threatening. I tell my friends to not put it off. Get scanned, because the more information you have, the better off you’ll be.”
About Dr. Long: Brian Long, M.D., is an interventional cardiologist at Vanderbilt Heart at Williamson Medical Center. His office can be reached by calling 615.875.5337.
Early treatment of injuries is key to keeping young athletes in the game. “Shaking it off” and “toughing it out” are all too synonymous with sports injuries. While sprains and breaks are nothing new for athletes, teens are especially likely to push through the pain for fear of missed practices, games and scholarships. “The fall sports season often brings to light injuries that have plagued athletes all summer long,” says Jay Moore, ATC/L, director of Williamson Medical Center’s Athletic Training Program. Through a partnership with orthopaedic surgeons at the Bone and Joint Institute of Tennessee, Williamson Medical Center’s program provides athletic trainers and medical personnel for all TSSAA-sanctioned practices and games at Williamson County Schools.
“There’s a misconception that athletic trainers are eager to take kids off the field, but we’re really there to get ahead of the injury, so they can get back on the field as quickly as possible,” Jay explains. Allowing injuries to snowball only increases the risk of long-term damage that can follow athletes well into adulthood. Athletic trainers work handin-hand with parents, coaches, physicians and physical therapists to provide early intervention. “Athletes who address their pain early on are going to recover much more quickly,” Jay says. “If you have a lingering injury, it’s better to go ahead and talk to your athletic trainer and see what it is. It doesn’t mean you will have to come out of the game, but we want to address injuries early. We want to get athletes back to 100 percent as opposed to pushing through an injury all season and risk having it follow them into their next phase of life.”
Students typically sustain two types of injuries while playing sports: acute and overuse. Acute injuries usually result from a single traumatic event and may include wrist fracture, ankle sprain or a shoulder dislocation. Overuse injuries are more difficult to diagnose and treat because they are usually subtle and occur over time. When repetitive trauma affects the tendons, bones and joints, an overuse injury develops. Common examples include tennis elbow, swimmer’s
shoulder, achilles tendinitis and stress fractures.
Heat injuries are another major concern for athletic trainers, especially during summer training camps. Painful muscle cramps are an early symptom of dehydration, and athletes who don’t receive body cooling and fluid replacement are likely to progress to a heat related illness. The first symptoms of heat illness should be immediately reported to medical staff.
A common injury in contact sports like football, a concussion is a traumatic injury to the brain that alters mental status or causes other symptoms. Many people assume they do not have a concussion if they have not lost consciousness, but significant injury can occur without losing consciousness at all. Symptoms include balance problems, difficulty communicating or concentrating, dizziness, drowsiness, fatigue, feeling emotional or mentally foggy, nausea, numbness or tingling, sensitivity to light or noise or unusual sleep changes.
Jay says following some simple steps can help keep athletes safer on and off the field. Drinking plenty of water throughout the day and eating well balanced meals can make a big difference in performance, while getting ample sleep can promote healing. Ice down minor aches and pains and begin rehab as soon as possible after a serious injury.
Parents can also watch for common signs of injury: A child appearing to be in pain when using a particular body part, inability to sleep, shortness of breath or trouble breathing during activity, headaches during or after activity, appearing to experience stiffness in the joints or muscles, dizziness or lightheadedness, difficulty sitting or climbing stairs or unusual weakness.
“You want to get ahead of the game in taking care of your body, especially at the start of the season,” says Jay. “Our job is to take care of athletes, and their health and safety are foremost to us.”
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BELLE MEADE
6021 TN-100 | NASHVILLE, TN 37025 (615)-928-8829
Winner of the Nashville Scene's "Best Of " awards, as well as a 2019 MINDBODY Visionary, Pure Sweat + Float Studio features the industry's top-of-the-line Infrared and Float therapy equipment. With locations conveniently in both Franklin’s Cool Springs and Belle Meade (coming to Brentwood Fall 2019), we are a community-focused retreat for those seeking enhanced health and well-being. Life is busy and often stressful. We take pride in providing a pristine environment where you can relax, reset and recharge. Just leave your worries at the door, and we’ll take care of the rest.
With a variety of options fit for every budget, schedule and need, allow us here at Pure Sweat + Float Studio to help you indulge in the ultimate experience of detoxification, physical rejuvenation and deep relaxation. From the moment you walk through the door, Pure Sweat + Float Studio offers a stylish and serene experience for enhanced health and healing. Whether you’re looking to drop a few of those stubborn pounds, improve circulation, reduce inflammation, better your skin, relieve physical pain or just escape the demands of everyday life for a while, we have the perfect treatment to help put you (and your body) right at ease.
Our six Infrared Sauna Cabins were made to help you unplug, unwind and heal. Each session is forty minutes and delivers the industry’s most advanced heat therapy that you can enjoy alone or with a spouse or friend. Near, mid and far infrared wavelengths warm your body at the cellular level, producing deep tissue sweat and advanced health. And if the silence doesn’t sit well with you? Don’t sweat it! We have complimentary Pandora Radio, Netflix and the Calm Meditation App that you can enjoy while you wait. And believe us, the wait is worth it! These sweat sessions can help you lose weight (anywhere from 400600 calories per session), detoxify, lower blood pressure, relieve pain, improve circulation, reduce inflammation, improve cell health, wound healing and help reduce common signs of aging.
Perfectly complimenting your sweat, we also have two Float Therapy Suites calling your name. You will feel effortlessly weightless within these comforting pods. Each one is filled with pristine, warm water mixed with nearly 1,000 pounds of therapeutic Epsom salt (magnesium sulfate), creating a gravity-free healing environment for deep physical recovery and mental relaxation. Keep the float lid open, dim the lights and play some music – or lower the lid for a womblike retreat. Either way, you will leave feeling blissful, cleansed and glowing. Whether it be for a forty-minute or sixty-minute session, benefits of this therapy include stress reduction, enhanced creativity, pain and joint relief, lower blood pressure, increased endorphins, hair and skin health and magnesium restoration in the body.
With state-of-the-art Infrared Sauna Cabins, Float Therapy Suites and a helpful, well-trained staff at the ready, we are always prepared for your visit! Come see us to experience true healing, rejuvenation and most of all, rest.
Saying the words “I’m sorry” is easy, but true forgiveness goes much deeper. What’s the difference between a true apology and just going through the motions?
Vinay Saranga M.D., says: “Authentic apologies come from the heart. They are an admittance of wrongdoing and a way to learn from our mistakes. Genuine apologies are compassionate and meaningful.” An authentic apology has a few fundamental components, including:
Reflection: Empty apologies don’t help with healing or learning. So, instead of trying to justify your actions defensively, work on taking an empathetic approach. Take a step back and put yourself in the other person’s shoes. Recognize your mistakes to help the other person feel understood and recognized.
Acknowledgment: Taking responsibility is another essential step. Acknowledge your faults. “I’m sorry that I broke my promise. That must make you feel _______.”
BY VINAY SARANGA M.D.
Expression: This goes back to not just saying “I’m sorry.” Words are just words and don’t mean anything unless backed by sympathy, compassion and remorse for your actions.
Eye Contact: If you want someone to sincerely believe that you feel bad for what you have done, you must look them straight in the eyes when apologizing. Looking off to the side or a loss of eye contact shows insincerity. Direct and constant eye contact equals authenticity.
Personal Contact: If the person you are apologizing to is a family member, spouse or very close friend, taking their hand, placing a hand on their shoulder or even a hug drives home the message that you are sorry and feel bad for the pain you have caused. This is not recommended when making an apology to someone you don’t know that well.
Resolution: Above all, a truly authentic apology provides a resolution and solution. Make a proposal on how you plan to move forward. Reiterate what you’ve learned and offer a clear path forward that includes healing for each of you.
Personal Gestures: To show you genuinely feel bad and are really thinking of the person you hurt, offer a personal gesture or something truly meaningful that shows you care. If they like coffee, perhaps a Starbucks gift card would do. Take them out to their favorite restaurant. Make a small donation to their favorite charity. It doesn’t need to cost much. It just needs to be personal.
Dr. Weikert recieved a B.S. from Indiana University and his medical degree from Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, where he completed his residency in Ophthalmology. Dr. Weikert is board certified in Ophthalmology and is an active member of the American Academy of Opthalmology and the American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery. His areas of expertise include cataract surgery, lens refraction cataract surgery, dropless cataract surgery, intraocular lens implantation and sports ophthalmology. He is currently the Team Ophthalmologist for the Tennessee Titans and has just completed over 20 years as the Team Ophthalmologist for the Nashville Predators.
Please call us to set up your appointment with Dr. Weikert at your earliest convenience!
SPRINGS SURGICAL ASSOCIATES
Dr. Aaron Porter, the director of Cool Spring Surgical Associates, welcomes Dr. Danny Weikert to the team. Both doctors are board-certified ophthalmologists and have over forty-five years of combined ocular and surgical experience. With the use of cutting-edge technology and years of experience, Dr. Porter and Dr. Weikert aim to serve Williamson County and its surrounding areas by providing top-notch care when it comes to your eye health. Dr. Porter has performed over 25,000 cataract surgeries and over 1,000 Lasik procedures, along with giving his time to provide eye exams and surgeries for patients who are unable to afford eye care. Dr. Weikert has also performed over 20,000 cataract surgeries and has just recently returned to the private sector after many years with Vanderbilt. He is returning to being the team ophthalmologist for the Tennessee Titans for the twenty-first year and has just completed being team ophthalmologist for the Nashville Predators. In addition to Cataract Surgery, he specializes in patients with glaucoma, diabetes, macular degeneration and caring for the general health of the eye. Dr. Porter and Dr. Weikert take pride in their work and believe in helping their patients achieve optimal ocular health.
Eyes have been called “the window to our soul,” and as it turns out, they also are often an essential window to our overall health. When looking at the eye on a yearly basis, the doctors can detect a number of things such as, blood vessels of the retina, which will give a clear picture at the blood vessels throughout the body, which in turn can indicate whether a person has hypertension, high blood pressure or diabetes.
Often times, patients think that a vision test is suitable for an eye exam, but research shows that it is not enough. Patients need to have a routine eye exam so doctors can evaluate the eyes and help prevent life-altering diseases such as glaucoma that can cause blindness. Our eyes allow us to watch our kids and grandchildren grow up, and our eyes give us the freedom to be independent humans and see the world for all that it has to offer.
Whether you need Cataract or Lasik correction, have diabetes, cataracts, glaucoma or macular degeneration, Dr. Porter and Dr. Weikert’s goal is to improve ocular outcomes while providing a warm and friendly environment for patients.
Why fight traffic and drive to Nashville when you can receive impeccable care right here in Williamson County using the latest I-Design System? Located off of Mallory Lane, Cool Springs Surgical Associates is ready to meet your eye care needs.
BY DANI WILLIAMSON MSN, FNP
In honor of this month’s Health and Wellness issue, I thought I would share with you the six steps to healing that we teach two times monthly at Integrative Family Medicine. As a functional medicine nurse practitioner, I focus on these six steps to healing daily in my own life and my patient’s lives. I spent twenty-four years seeing doctors before anyone ever addressed my diet and the stress in my life. Below are the six areas of healing that if you follow closely, you will begin to live the life you were intended to live.
Eat Well: The father of medicine Hippocrates is credited with saying “All Disease Begins in the Gut.” What you have at the end of your fork is way more powerful than what is in your pill bottle. Food will either heal you or kill you, it is as simple as that. The top seven inflammatory foods in the country are gluten, dairy, soy, corn, sugar, eggs and peanuts. If you are eating any or all of these foods, you are creating inflammation. Inflammation is the root of chronic disease. I ask my patients to immediately cut out the top seven foods and it is amazing how good they feel within a few weeks of eating real food. If you are eating packaged food with a label on it, you are eating FAKE food. It’s as simple as that.
Sleep Well: Most Americans do not sleep well at night and they sleep with phones in their room, a TV in their bedroom, computers plugged in and don’t practice good sleep hygiene at all. If you are drinking alcohol at night, you are disrupting your sleep. Go to bed early and get up early, your body will thank you. Our bodies heal when we sleep. When you are tired, get up and go to bed; it’s as simple as that.
Move Well: Our bodies are designed to move. We are designed to do more than sit at a desk in front of a computer or a TV most of the day. Do you feel better when you move your body? Most people do. I tell my patients at the very least, walk like you’re forty-five minutes late, four days a week. Sweat and get your heart rate up. I don’t care what exercise you do, just move your body! I love my new weighted hula hoop and I laugh every time I use it. Ballroom dancing is my next adventure. Did you know that research shows that of all the exercise out there, ballroom dancing is the best to help fight off dementia?
Poop Well: If you are not pooping at least two times a day, you are most likely constipated. A healthy gut will poop like your dog does. Your dog will eat and go poop not long afterwards. What you eat today should be 100% eliminated by tomorrow. Increase your water to half your body weight in ounces daily and more if you exercise or drink caffeine. Take a great probiotic and magnesium when you go to bed at night. Magnesium is a smoot muscle relaxer and it helps you sleep, decrease heart palpitations, decrease muscle twitches and helps you poop. 80% of the United States population is deficient in magnesium. Take a good magnesium glycinate chelate to help with regular BMs. Ask your health care provider before starting any supplements.
Decrease Stress: Stress will kill you. In 2014, 77% of Americans reported that they have physical symptoms associated with stress. Work, marriage, financial, physical, family etc. are top reasons for stress. We all have stress, but the way we handle stress is what determines how it affects us. I tell my patients every day to actively decrease the stress. Many stressors are out of our control, but most are controllable. We can set boundaries, stop over committing ourselves and begin to put ourselves first for a change. Do not feel guilty about saying no or setting boundaries. I am a firm believer we teach people how to treat us. Make some changes and begin to step away from the stress that you can step away from. You can thank me later.
Connect with Community: We are lonely. Facebook, Instagram and social media have created a fake world for us and it’s hard to live up to the perfect life that is being portrayed in front of us daily. I decided three years ago to intentionally cultivate my community. My friends and I are busy and do not keep in touch as much as I wanted, so I have a party at Arrington Vineyards every year and invite hundreds of people who have one thing in common: ME! I also began having a girl’s night at my house a few times a year to keep my girl connections strong. Being intentional to cultivate community is imperative. I challenge you to text, phone or email your friends to get together this week! You won’t regret it.
Eat well, sleep well, move well, poop well, decrease stress and connect with community. These are my six steps to healing that I believe are the foundations for health and wellness. I have thousands of patients who can attest to the healing power of following those six steps. You are worth it; start today and begin to live the life you were intended to live.
Find my health and wellness videos on my YouTube channel: Dani Williamson Wellness, or come by for a visit at my office located at 330 Mallory Station Road, Suite B3 in Franklin.
In Health,
Dani Williamson MSN, FNP
Integrative Family Medicine
DANI WILLIAMSON MSN, FNP
Integrative Family Medicine daniwilliamson.com
Dani is a graduate of Vanderbilt University School of Nursing’s Nurse Midwifery and Family Nurse Practitioner program. She incorporates the art of medicine by balancing traditional and integrative therapies, and practices common sense, practical medicine by encouraging her patients to step out of the realm of ‘normal” and reach “optimal” health.
COURTESY OF BECCA STANEK, CEPF®
The U.S. is the nineteenth-happiest country in the world, according to the 2019 World Happiness Report that the Sustainable Development Solutions Network for the UN released. Though this is a one-spot drop since last year, there are still plenty of places to find happiness in America. We looked within the U.S. to determine which counties are the happiest. Money, of course, doesn’t buy happiness, so those places gracing the top ten don’t necessarily have the residents with the largest savings accounts. Rather, these places stand out due to a number of factors related to physical and financial health as well as family stability.
To determine the happiest places in America, we compared 980 counties across the U.S. with populations of at least 50,000. We looked at eight different metrics, including unemployment rate, poverty rate, affordability ratio, marriage rate, divorce rate, bankruptcy rate, life expectancy and physical activity rate. The counties are ranked based on their performance in each of eight metrics. For more details, visit smartasset.com.
Williamson County, Tennessee jumped two spots from last year’s list to claim the third spot. And in 2017, it didn’t even crack the top ten. Its climb in the ranks as one of the happiest places in America is perhaps, in some part, due to its high income-to-cost-of-living ratio, which is the highest of any county in our top ten.
The county in Tennessee also stands out for its marriage rate. According to our data, 65.30% of residents in Williamson County are married, which is the highest marriage rate of any county in the top ten.
Less than two hours southwest of Franklin, tucked away at the picturesque and historic Natural Bridge, lies a hidden gem. Tennessee Fitness Spa, an affordable fitness, wellness and weight loss resort, is set amongst the scenic, wooded hills, bluffs, caves and 48 Creek outside the small town of Waynesboro.
Guests visit from across the United States, and even internationally, for a jump-start to a healthier way of life. Whether arriving with a significant other, corporate or hobby group, family members, a group of BFFs, or venturing out on your own, you’re sure to form bonds with both staff and guests from all walks of life. Surrounded by others who share common goals, you’ll work hard while having fun during your stay at Tennessee Fitness Spa.
You will be motivated throughout your stay by an unsurpassable team of employees. They are each eager to help guide you, our guest, to achieve positive results, while enjoying an unforgettable vacation focused on “you.” And if your goal is to just relax and rejuvenate, there is no pressure to participate in the fitness program. Nothing is mandatory, so feel free to personalize your vacation.
Most guests visit for a week or two, but three-night packages and extended stays of a month or longer are popular as well. There is a two-night minimum stay. The open season runs from the beginning of March through the beginning of December.
Fitness is not the only focus here. Equally important are good nutrition and emotional/mental wellness. Tennessee Fitness Spa offers an amazing, well-rounded program that can benefit anyone, no matter your size, gender, age (sixteen years and older) or fitness level. Water and land aerobics, meditation, weight training and toning, yoga and stretch, cooking, Pilates, nutrition, self-defense, dance, guided morning walks and evening entertainment are just a sampling of the abundant options in store for you.
You may even want to reward yourself for all your hard work. The amazing, certified massage therapists will allow you to relax, enjoy, and just “be.”
The affordable rates vary, depending on the time of year you visit, as well as the type of accommodation you prefer. Stay rates include all healthy, delicious meals and snacks; the full fitness program; educational workshops and activities; comfortable, no-frills chalet accommodations with daily housekeeping; and an InBody assessment (body composition test). Make sure you check out our events calendar on our website to see what upcoming specials and events might interest you.
The only additional charges you may encounter are the optional services, such as body treatments, personal training sessions, nutritional consultations or purchases in the general store.
Tennessee Fitness Spa exudes a nostalgic likeness to an adult summer camp with warm, southern hospitality at its core. If you or someone you know is seeking a scenic getaway that fires up your commitment to being the best “you” possible - without a high-end price tag, Tennessee Fitness Spa will not disappoint!
Feel free to contact us for more information, to request a brochure or to make your reservations. You deserve to treat yourself to good health!
Mention promo code TFSJUMPSTART to receive a 20% discount off your first one-week stay! Other discounts will not apply.
Here in Williamson County, roots run deep. And at Walker Chevrolet in Franklin, those roots began in 1926 in this community. As a local, family-owned dealership, Walker Chevrolet takes pride in putting our relationship with the customer first. Get a classic American brand from a local, family-owned dealership at Walker Chevrolet. Visit walkerchevrolet.com or call (615) 591-6000 to get started on buying your new Chevy Suburban.
The 2019 Chevrolet Suburban is the standard when it comes to full-sized SUVs. It gives you a smooth ride, refined good looks, luxurious refinements 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.
JASON COLLINS
BY ANNA ROBERTSON HAM
Start your day at Franklin Café… This is exactly what Jason Collins says about the new eatery that has opened up in historic, downtown Franklin. Jason is the owner of Franklin Juice Bar, which has been serving the community for five years, and the owner of the newly opened Franklin Café. He opened the Café to give more to his customers and community, providing a menu for those coming in looking for healthy, locally sourced meal options. “We decided to add a separate offering and dedicate a small, local menu to Franklin and the people of Franklin. John and Vui Hunt, founders of Juice Bar, are supportive of the entrepreneurial spirit and have been so gracious,” Jason says. “The love of high quality food is always welcome. Also, if all goes as planned, we will turn more guests onto the Franklin Juice Bar menu.”
The Franklin Café is not taking the place of Franklin Juice Bar but is an addition to the already established restaurant. The new cafe has changed its look on the inside, welcoming customers with a more open space as well a community table that encourages patrons to sit together, meet neighbors or have meetings. The one-of-a-kind table, known as the Harpeth River Table, was created by Jay from Edison McCarthy and is the heart of the dining area. The restaurant also showcases pictures of historical, must-see locations throughout the area, showing appreciation of the community’s roots and preservation, and captured by local photographer Debbie Smartt.
They will still have the Franklin Juice Bar menu of juices, smoothies, salads, spring rolls and more. And now, they’ll offer the full Franklin Café menu of gourmet coffee and espresso, lattes, cappuccinos along with a small range of breakfast, lunch and dinner options of sandwiches, soups, sides, daily specials and more. The majority of which, include locally sourced elements from the Farmers Market. I had the opportunity to sample several of the menu items before the Café officially opened, and it was a delightful experience!
One of the highlights of the tasting was Franklin Café’s spin on hot chicken: The “Mother Mary” sandwich, featuring gourmet jalapeño pimento and cheese on top of thin sliced chicken breast, that is flash fried in avocado oil, with lettuce, tomato and a sesame roll. It was inspired by Mary Pearce, a long-time Franklin resident, preservationist and philanthropist, who has dedicated her life and career to historic downtown Franklin. Mary told Jason that he needed to have something that was a true southern staple, like pimento cheese or hot chicken... So, Jason combined them both into a tasty sandwich.
Another highlight was the “Fountain” Chicken Bacon Ranch Casserole with free range chicken breast, broccoli, spinach, ranch dressing, bacon, garlic, mozzarella, cheddar cheese and spinach. This comfort food baked dish is keto-friendly, low carb and nut free. It was hearty, delicious and healthy!
A favorite during the tasting, that I must mention, is a very unique and fun offering on the menu: The “Chip” is a homemade pretzel bread with spinach, avocado and Parmesan cheese. YUM! I loved the spicy kick it had and it is definitely one I will order again and again.
As Jason says, the Franklin Café is “a must before you visit all that Franklin has to offer,” and I couldn’t agree more. Literally next door to Franklin's "Ground Zero of Preservation," Franklin Café has a very thoughtful curated menu of items named after key figures, history and places of Franklin. You must go try it out and, not only enjoy the great food and friendly staff, but also to be inspired about what to see next in our historic community.
Franklin Café
232 5 th Avenue North
Franklin, TN 37064
615.656.1144
franklintncafe@gmail.com
facebook.com/franklintncafe
Main Street - Corn Omelet – Named after our beloved Main Street - Two eggs, seasoned street corn, broccoli, queso blanco, spinach, topped with heirloom tomatoes and avocado. Side – Seasonal fresh fruit
Farmers Market Omelet – Locally sourced, made to order, two eggs, kale, spinach, quinoa, smokehouse cheddar, mushroom and tomato
The Factory - Breakfast Burrito – Street corn, scrambled egg, heirloom tomato, spinach, cheese, queso blanco, wrapped in romaine lettuce or tortilla wrap.
{ Sandwiches } *All Sandwiches come with salad, seasonal fruit or chips.
Mother Mary – A true southern favorite. Gourmet jalapeño pimento and cheese on top of flash fried chicken breast, lettuce, tomato and sesame roll.
The Mayor - Uncontested – Two great Mayors, one great sandwich – Roast beef, heirloom and seasonal garden tomato, cream cheese “Savory Spice” horseradish dill spread, shredded lettuce and sunflower sprouts.
Carrie "W.O.T.S." – Huge heart, huge flavor - Avocado egg salad, with thick cut bacon, sesame torta, lettuce, hardboiled egg, avocado, tomato, cayenne, pink salt.
Matilda – "A whole Lotz of creativity in Franklin then and now" - Toasted, black forest ham, queso blanco, avocado jalapeño spread, diced tomato and shredded lettuce.
Chip – The center of our square, facing towards the south, rich in history and rich in flavor… Homemade pretzel bread with spinach, avocado and parmesan cheese (daily limited availability).
Fountain - Chicken Bacon Ranch Casserole – Free range chicken breast, broccoli, spinach, ranch dressing, bacon, garlic, mozzarella, cheddar cheese and spinach. Keto, Low Carb, Nut Free. { 469 Calories, Fat 31g, Protein 38g, Total Carbs 7g, Net Carbs 5g, Fiber 2g, Sugar 1g. }
Volunteers – These dishes are inspired by and dedicated to the many wonderful volunteers that do so much for our wonderful city. Thank you!
*Cabbage, cashew, honey sesame, salad, white and red cabbage and carrot.
*Tuna Noodle Salad – served cold on bed of romaine with seasonal fruit.
*Daily and Seasonal specials, soups, salads and desserts. *Most ingredients are from local farms.
BY VINAY SARANGA M.D
We’re all stressed. Whether it’s stress from work or anticipation of a big event, stress is a normal part of life. But, for some people, stress is something more. The shortness of breath, sweaty palms, racing heart rate, and ‘butterflies in your stomach’ feeling never goes away.
On the surface, it can be hard to tell the difference between stress and anxiety. We often use the two words interchangeably or may even think that they mean the same thing. The truth is anxiety and stress are two different things. Though both are negative experiences, there are some big differences between the two.
Anxiety is one of the most common mental health issues in the U.S. An estimated forty million adults have an anxiety disorder at some point. One of the key symptoms of Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD) is lingering anxiousness. People who suffer from GAD don’t find relief or submission of symptoms even when the stressor is removed. In other words, anxiety tends to hand around even after the problem is solved. GAD can surface in many ways. People with GAD often have trouble overthinking things to the point where situations always turn into the ‘worst case scenario’. Anxious, racing thoughts can make it really difficult to focus. Anxiety can become physically and mentally debilitating making it difficult to relax and let go.
Of course, everyone worries a little in life, but when someone has anxiety, the worrying spirals out of control. It becomes relentless and consuming. You might start to feel ‘on edge’ and tense. Anxiety can also cause problems with sleep which only adds to the vicious cycle. If any of these symptoms sound familiar, it’s time to seek help.
On the other hand, stress is usually caused by an external stressor. Once the stressor is gone, worrying subsides. Our lives are full of external stressors from work deadlines to personal obligations and more! It’s no
wonder we all feel a little stressed from time to time and that’s OK! One of the major differences between stress and anxiety is stress is usually external where anxiety is more internal. For example, you can create a plan to tackle external stressors that will help reduce your stress levels.
If you’re stressed about an upcoming deadline, you can create a plan to complete it early which could help you feel less stressed. Anxiety is something that’s internalized and sometimes it’s hard to even identify the stressor. It’s that feeling of dread… indecisiveness…worry…and fear that just won’t go away.
Understanding the difference between stress and anxiety can help you figure out the next step. Whether it’s coming up with a plan to tackle stress or reaching out to a professional for health, it’s important to take action so you feel better.
Stress and anxiety can actually take a toll on your physical health so don’t ignore your symptoms! If you’re having trouble managing stress and anxiety in your life, give our office a call! We can help develop a holistic plan for healing for a better life.
For more information, visit sarangapsychiatry.com.
BY TIM KEARNS
Being a weekend warrior for the past forty years, I’ve had my share of bumps, bruises, aches and pains. But as I approach sixty, I find the pain happens more often and lasts longer than I care to admit. Certain exercises, like burpees and body weight squats, will have me limping around with sore legs for a good forty-eight hours. One area I haven’t had issues with (knock on wood), is my lower back. People of a certain age group may not get the type of stretching required to keep the muscles and joints limber for activity. I make it a point to spend at least fifteen minutes stretching before every workout. I incorporate every muscle and spend extra time on the lower back, legs and calves. I’ve accumulated stretching habits from the various physical therapy offices I’ve frequented with my number of given injuries. I incorporate back stretches learned from a friend of mine who had to stop running and biking because of his injuries. I have hip and leg stretches learned from a physical therapy clinic I went to for IT band and hip issues. In the past thirty-five years, I’ve competed in triathlons and I’ve had both knees scoped and repaired. I spent weeks afterwards in physical therapy being manipulated every which way in attempt to gain back the range of motion I had prior to surgery. Just last year, after a bout with plantar fasciitis, I’ve had to implement a good arch support orthotic in every shoe that I wear, bike or run in. Knee braces are now a must for the boot camp days, where it never fails, we end up doing 100 or more body weight squats.
As in the past when I had a nagging injury, I sought counsel from my friend, Dr. Dave Cox, a Physical Therapist with The Bone and Joint Institute of Tennessee for this article. I asked him some pointed questions about training and injury prevention for guys of a certain age, such as forty+; questions I thought might help some Your Williamson readers suffering from similar ailments as myself.
TK: What are the top injuries that you see happening to forty+ old males?
Dave: As men age, the biggest injuries aren’t the ones that happen in an instant but more commonly of the degenerative type. Low back pain is the number one complaint for people of all age groups and is the top reason outside of the common cold that people consult physicians. So, disc related, low back pain would be number one, followed by overuse injuries of the shoulder and knees (impingement and arthritic changes).
TK: What are the key things guys should be doing to prevent injury?
Dave: Tying into the first question, the biggest thing that the aging male lacks is mobility. Mobility is the main way joint surfaces receive nutrients and maintain cartilage health. So having a regular stretching routine for joint health is, in my mind, number one. Core strength and mechanics training would fall in a close second.
TK: How do you know whether to use heat or ice when you get an injury?
Dave: This one can vary a little. Ice by definition is a vasoconstrictor, which limits the flow of blood and fluid to an area. Heat is a vasodilator, which in turn increases blood flow to an area. For acute injuries such as ankle sprain, fall or anything that causes swelling/bruising, ice is the way to go. That’s really where the “firm rule” of ice versus heat ends. For degenerative changes such as degenerative disc disease and arthritis, heat is better and allows for increased joint nutrition and mobility. At the same time, if these conditions cause inflammation, then ice would also be indicated. At some point for more chronic conditions, it comes back to whatever makes the patient and that joint feel better as opposed to protocols in icing versus heating.
All these are words of wisdom to live by! So, this southern gentleman makes it a habit to stretch daily, even on my off days. I use a high density foam roller to work the kinks out of my hips and glutes, especially after a race. It helps work out the “day after” aches and pains, along with lots of hydration, especially this time of year. My training miles tend to be a little shorter and a little slower than they were twenty years ago. So be wise when it comes to your body, listen to it carefully, see a professional immediately when you get an injury and be safe out there!
According to the American Psychological Association, there is one element that is common to all six of these leading causes of death: heart disease, cancer, lung ailments, accidents, cirrhosis of the liver and suicide.
Americans are working more hours and taking less vacation time. Smartphones make it nearly impossible to unplug from the busy world around us. Simply put, most of us are too stressed out to take proper care of ourselves, and the results are becoming catastrophic to our health.
Thankfully, Ritz Med Spa in Franklin is fixing that. This incredible facility offers high-end, luxurious services that make male and female clients of all ages feel as good on the inside as they do on the outside. The exclusive and comprehensive suite of services covers a wide array of areas, including:
• Plastic Surgery • Facial Treatments • Body Treatments
• Skin Care • Women's Health and Wellness
• Men's Health and Wellness
From aesthetic skin treatments to vitamin infusions, every service is tailored specifically to each client’s unique needs—and they are as innovative as they are opulent. That’s because the Ritz Med Spa team is led by a medical pioneer.
In 2018, Dr. Ronald Gilmer joined Ritz Med Spa as its medical director and plastic surgeon. With more than 40 years of experience, Dr. Gilmer is a double board-certified trailblazer who was the first surgeon in Middle Tennessee to perform liposuction, and he was also the first surgeon to open an in-office surgical suite for his patients. Dr. Gilmer’s high standards for quality and care can be felt throughout Ritz Med Spa, as his hand-selected staff is skilled in delivering laser skin care treatments, laser hair removal, hormone replacement therapy and aesthetic surgeries that deliver a youthful exuberance that can be seen and felt.
Ritz Med Spa offers exclusive membership programs designed to provide you with maximum value and flexibility:
Premium Membership includes:
• Monthly HydraFacial
• 15% off Retail Skincare
• $150 off Botox (once during 12-month contract)
• 15% off vitamin and NAD Infusion Therapy
• Discounts on all laser, injection and surgery services
• Monthly discount on specials
Essential Membership includes:
• Monthly Spa Facial
• 10% off Retail Skincare
• $100 off Botox (once during 12-month period of contract)
• 10% off vitamin and NAD Infusion Therapy
• Discounts on all laser, injection and surgery services
• Monthly discount on specials
Memberships also have perks that can help you save even more. The Brilliant Distinctions plan allows you to collect points that can be used toward additional services. For every 100 reward points you earn, you save $10 toward a comprehensive list of great services.
Life is too short and precious to live with stress. In today’s fast-paced culture, going to the spa is no longer just a luxury… it’s a necessity.
With world class med spa service right in your own backyard, there’s no excuse not to dedicate time to your physical and mental wellbeing. Treat your body, mind and spirit to the luxurious experience they deserve. Visit ritzmedspa.com to schedule a complimentary consultation.
BY PAIGE ATWELL
If you were to consult the dictionary for the exact definition of a cheerleader, it would define them as “a person who is a member of a group (typically a group of young women), who shout out special songs or chants to encourage the team and entertain the crowd during a game in sports like American football and basketball.” Or, “a person who encourages other people to do or support something.” But if you were to ask us? There’s a lot more to it than that.
Hours of rigorous physical activity, risking injuries and balancing a strict practice schedule are all components that make cheerleading far from easy. In fact, the Olympics just officially began recognizing it as a sport in 2016. Not only is this a huge milestone for cheerleaders and coaches across the world, but it also will allow their national organization to receive more funding, just as other officially recognized sports do.
Having been a cheerleader for over twenty years, having a background in gymnastics and currently serving as the director of cheerleading at Battle Ground Academy, it’s safe to say that Molly Machleit knows a thing or two about the sport. We sat down with her to get the scoop on everything cheer!
YW: Why do you feel this is an important sport for youth to become involved in?
Molly: I think cheerleading is an important sport because it is an outlet for those who enjoy dance or gymnastics but want to bring those talents into more of a "team sport" at a school setting. Just like all team sports, cheerleading requires physical effort, team work and a lot of practice to be any good. These team skills are essential, I believe, for long-term success in life.
YW: What is it like to be on the squad? How much do these athletes practice in school and outside of school?
Molly: There are two main types/categories of cheerleading: Sideline cheerleading ; think football and basketball game cheering, and competition cheerleading. My focus has been on sideline cheerleading because that is my passion. To me, sideline cheerleading is the heart of cheerleading. Most sideline cheer squads practice anywhere between five to seven hours per week, plus cheering at all of the games. Competition cheerleading typically goes above and beyond those practice hours...and probably "out-practices" most other school sports when it comes to the amount of time spent on practicing for competition routines.
YW: What are the most common injuries you see? What are the routes taken to avoid injuries and how has it changed over the years?
Molly: In all my years of coaching, the most common injuries are usually bloody noses from catching girls in stunts. We talk at the beginning of the season about how to catch each other safely and how to speak up when you feel like you may be injured - especially if a cheerleader gets hit in the head.
YW: What does it take to be on the cheerleading squad? What do you look for? What makes a great cheerleader and what makes a great cheer captain?
Molly: Most cheerleaders go through some sort of tryout process. Mytryout process includes a fitness component of a timed half or full mile run, sit-ups and push-ups. We also teach a cheer and short dance that is scored. Our highest scoring category is "spirit" - because no matter how skilled a cheerleader may be...the crowd always wants to see excited faces. Great cheerleaders are those who love their school, and those who are ambassadors of their school. They encourage those around them, they are coachable, hard-working and overall fun people to be around.
YW: Are there any misconceptions about cheerleading you would like to clear up?
Molly: I believe that there is a tendency to think that cheerleading is an "easy" sport to pick up on. However, I've had many female athletes from other sports cheer for me and say that cheering is much harder than they had thought it would be. It takes a lot of guts to get in front of your peers to perform, especially when you have to stay on beat and smile, while your teammates are holding you on one foot in the air!
YW: What have you learned over the years from being a part of this sport?
Molly: I think one of the greatest takeaways for me has been to bring the skills of cheerleading into my every-day life: Stay positive, represent whoever you work for well by what you say and do, be prepared, encourage those around you and stay physically active.
Page High School’s Loren Smart (pictured), displays some of the typical tumbling and moves that many cheerleaders would perform.
Photography by K. York
The African American Heritage Society celebrated Juneteenth this year at the McLemore House Museum. Opening ceremonies began with the American Legion Post 215 raising the American and Juneteenth flag and Quintavious Johnson singing the national anthem. The annual cake walk, the beautiful gospel sounds of Charlene Harrison, storytelling, games, door prizes and great food made it a day of great fun and fellowship. Juneteenth is celebrated in remembrance of June 19, 1865, when the Union forces brought the news to Galveston, Texas that the Civil War was over and slaves were free. To learn more about the African American Heritage Society and future events, visit mclemorehouse.com.
There's no need to drink less — just drink better! Superfood Cocktails is your go-to guide for drinking well. Each delicious, healthy-ish recipe in this unique collection highlights a naturally delectable superfood. Kombuchas, turmeric, kale, matcha, blueberries, ginger, cinnamon, chia — these are just a few of the superfoods featured, easily located in your local grocery store or farmer's market. Whether you're craving fruity and refreshing, earthy and rich, or mild and
mellow, there's a flavor profile perfect for every palate. Showcasing ten recipes per season and a variety of spirits, this book encourages you to treat yourself to a frozen blueberry margarita or keep warm with a blood orange mulled wine. This year, say so long, ta ta, and sayonara to cocktail-related guilt. Keep your cocktails creative, nutritious and appetizing year-round with Superfood Cocktails.
Don’t let this blue-green algae scare you! Spirulina is a great natural source of energy, but it is best known as being extremely effective in reducing anemia (an iron deficiency in the body). Helpful hint: We promise this drink tastes good — just maybe don’t smell the spirulina before you add it in…
(Serves 4)
• 4 ounces white rum
• 1 (13.5-ounce) can coconut milk
• 1 tsp spirulina
• 2 cups ice
• 3½ cups pineapple chunks, frozen
• 6 ounces pineapple juice
• Pineapple wedges for garnish, optional
1. Combine rum, coconut milk, spirulina, ice, frozen pineapple chunks and pineapple juice in a blender. Purée on high until everything is combined, about one minute.
2. Pour into glasses and garnish with pineapple wedge.
Adapted from CaliGirlCooking.com
Not only is sage good for cleansing bad energy, it’s also good for cleansing the body. Sage contains high levels of magnesium, a mineral directly linked to improving the quality, duration and tranquility of sleep. Sage is also a great superfood for fighting or even delaying Alzheimer’s disease.
Ingredients
(Serves 1)
• 2 cups blueberries, fresh or frozen
• 2 ounces apple cider vinegar
• 1 cup raw sugar
• 2 tbsp sage, fresh
• 1½ ounce gin
• Club soda
SuperfoodCocktails.
Adapted from GlueandGlitter.com
1. In a blender or food processor, combine the blueberries and vinegar. Purée until it’s totally smooth.
2. Combine the blueberry purée with the sugar in a small saucepan over medium heat. Place the sage into a tea ball or wrap it up in some cheesecloth, then drop into the pot. Heat, stirring until the sugar is completely dissolved. Keep tasting the mixture and cook until the sage flavor reaches the strength that you want. This can take anywhere from five to ten minutes.
3. Remove the blueberry-vinegar syrup from the heat and take out the sage. Transfer the shrub syrup to a container and refrigerate until ready to use.
4. Fill glass with ice. Add two and a half ounces of blueberry-vinegar syrup and gin to glass and top off with club soda.
Skip the fillers and drink some goji berries instead. One of the more underrated superfood berries, goji berries are great for their anti-aging properties. They have been shown to prevent damage to collagen in the skin, which is the main cause of wrinkles. Goji berries are also known to help boost immunity to help fight against the flu. Fun fact: although less popular in the US, goji berries have been used in traditional Chinese medicine for over 2,000 years! Be careful though, it works so well that sometimes it can interfere with other medicines, so be sure to check online before adding too much to your diet.
Ingredients
(Serves 1)
• 1½ ounce vodka
• 1½ tsp goji berry powder
• ½ ounce agave syrup
• ¾ ounce fresh lime juice
• Sparkling water, to taste
• Lime wheels for garnish, optional
Directions
1. Whisk goji berry powder with vodka and let sit for fifteen minutes.
2. Combine the goji berry-vodka mixture, agave syrup and lime juice into a cocktail shaker.
3. Shake well for twenty to thirty seconds, then pour into a glass.
4. Top with sparkling water, and garnish with a lime slice, if desired.
Adapted from Mandatory.com
Photography by Melissa DelRossi
Here’s to another fantastic Blackberry Jam Festival! After sixteen years, Boyd Mill Farm continues to bring together a great celebration of grassroots entertainment and community involvement to benefit the Hard Bargain Association, a nonprofit aimed at creating affordable housing in historic African American neighborhoods. Franklin residents and friends enjoyed the many festivities and day of food truck fun. There was storytelling, face painting and crafts for the kids, a “bling your t-shirt” area as well as a variety of games for all ages to play. Guests brought their picnic baskets and blankets to sit back and enjoy this casual, family fun atmosphere. To learn more about Boyd Mill Farm and future events, visit them at boydmillfarm.com.
LIFT MY EYES WRITTEN BY MAGDALEN DUGAN
The historic Lotz House has announced the release of Lift My Eyes, an imaginative biography authored by Magdalen Dugan that chronicles the life of renowned artist Matilda Lotz, who grew up in the Lotz House on ground zero of the Battle of Franklin.
Lotz House Executive Director J.T. Thompson says, “About two and a half years ago, Magdalen took my guided tour of the Lotz House and learned about the family. She had particular interest in Matilda’s story and later came back and toured with our historian Thomas Y. Cartwright. Her intrigue led to more research and we’re thrilled to have someone help us preserve this compelling story we tell in order to keep the Lotz family story alive.”
Born to German immigrant parents, Matilda turned six-years-old the day before the November 30,1864 battle. When the Lotz family awakened on the morning of the battle, the Federal Line was established in their front yard. Mr. Lotz, fearing that his family would not survive the battle in their wooden house, they sought refuge in the brick basement of the Carter House. For seventeen hours while the battle raged all around them, the Lotz along with twenty other people remained safe and survived. When they exited the basement the next morning, they were horrified to see the bodies of dead soldiers six feet deep between The Carter House and their home across the street. It is said that Matilda was told to “lift her eyes” so as not to witness this carnage.
Dugan says her experience darkened her perspective of the world. “I do not trust any of them— the heads of state, the princes, the sons of men,” said the author, expressing Matilda’s bitterness toward the Civil War and the misery it wrought. “They have taken nearly everything of value, though they cannot completely take us from each other as long as we can remember.”
The majority of the book focuses on the artist’s life in her childhood home. Other places include the San Francisco School of Design, where Matilda trained after learning art from her brother, as well as different European countries. Her passion for learning and practicing art, as well as other circumstances and historical events, urged her to travel to places such as Algeria, Austria, Egypt, France, Hungary, and Switzerland. Author Magdalen Dugan gives readers a unique perspective into the painter’s life. In each chapter, readers get to experience a specific event in Matilda Lotz’s life through the writer’s words, allowing them to better understand who Matilda was as a daughter, sister, friend, wife and artist.
Lift My Eyes is available at The Lotz House. The Lotz House, which has been on the National Historic Register since 1976, is located in the heart of downtown historic Franklin, at the “epicenter” of the Battle of Franklin, which was a pivotal battle in the Civil War on November 30, 1864. The house is open Monday through Saturday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and on Sunday from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. Admission charged. The Lotz House is located in Franklin at 1111 Columbia Avenue. For more information, visit lotzhouse.com or call 615.790.7190.
If you were to ask Geoff Brewer, owner of United Real Estate Music City, he would tell you that he has two great passions in life; music and real estate (oh, and all things University of Kentucky).
A Kentucky native with a deep appreciation of music city, Brewer got his start in real estate in 2004. With a degree in business management with an emphasis in marketing, Geoff was ready to get to work. He spent his first few years as an agent slowly growing his clientele, gradually making anywhere from ten to twelve transactions a year, while also helping build and remodel homes. Seven years ago, he decided to look into an organization called United Real Estate; and that’s when things really took off.
Founded in Lexington, Kentucky was United Real Estate’s first franchise in the urban side of the market. You may have heard of their sister branch- United Country Real Estate. Similar in models but catering to different demographics, each branch offers agents unique franchising opportunities to grow their business to its fullest potential.
“This model enabled me to put a lot more money in my pocket since we’re 100% model,” explains Geoff. “I was able to grow my business and become one of the top agents for United across the country for a couple of years in a row.”
Shortly after, his success allowed him to do something even more exciting; make the move to music city. Recently, Geoff opened United Real Estate Music City, located on Meridian Boulevard in Franklin. While it’s perfect for meeting clients and brainstorming with his growing team, it’s certainly not your typical office space. Combining his two passions of real estate and music perfectly into one setting, Geoff built a stage for in-house shows in the office as well.
“I have a band, so Nashville was the perfect place for me to put my two loves together when it comes to real estate and music,” says Geoff. “It’s been fun, and we love being here; I love seeing our agents grow.”
And growing they are. In their short year and a half in business, they have grown to have twenty-seven agents total in office. Looking ahead, Geoff and the United Real Estate Music City team are excited to continue progressing, all while helping you and your family find your home here too.
Joining Geoff is Managing Broker Michelle Froedge. Having been an agent since 2004, she is the agents’ resource for day-to-day needs. She is heavily involved in the Greater Nashville Association of Realtors and values continuing education as the key to a successful agent.
“When I was looking to hire a managing broker, I interviewed several people, but felt that connection right away with Michelle,” explains Geoff. “She had a passion for the business and the integrity I was looking for.”
What makes United different from the rest is the sense of family that they cultivate not only within their office, but all across the country. They all want each other to succeed, making them truly united.
“One of the biggest things of why I did this was because I love helping other people, and it’s been a fantastic ride so far here in music city,” explains Geoff. “We look forward to growing United here.”
Photography by K. York
The African American Heritage Society of Williamson County held their 2019 Prom Night, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, at the Embassy Suites Cool Springs. The annual event benefits the Tom Murdic Educational Scholarship Fund. Tom was a former AAHS board president, civic leader, historian and an astronomer who believed one should follow their dreams, make the world a better place and always keep an open mind. Tom’s wife and son, Deborah and Nick Murdic and community leader Mary Bright Walker, recognized Joshua Lynch (Vanderbilt), Kara Kennedi Blue (University of Memphis) and Joshua Howard II (Morehouse College) as the 2019 scholarship recipients. The Prom Court was honored as Shelby and Lori Mitchell were crowned King and Queen. Over $13,000 was raised for future scholarships. Dinner, door prizes and dancing rounded out the evening’s fun. To learn more about the African American Heritage Society of Williamson County, visit mclemorehouse.com.
Photography by K. York
F&M Bank in downtown Franklin was the gracious host to the Your Williamson Summer Mixer, celebrating our summer issue! It was a great way to end the day as guests enjoyed delicious food provided by O’ Be Joyful, amazing networking opportunities, music by Michael Ricks and plenty of exciting giveaways. During the event, the featured Summer issue cover models and Distinctively Southern Gentlemen Bachelors of Williamson County were introduced. In addition, a check was presented to the Heritage Foundation of Williamson County, from the funds raised at the Your Williamson dunking booth this past spring at Main Street Festival. To learn more about Your Williamson and our upcoming events, visit yourwilliamson.com.
JENNY REIMOLD
With summer camps coming to an end and school supply lists circulating in mailboxes, back to school preparation is on the horizon! This time of year is often a bittersweet time for many parents as we look forward to a more routine schedule, yet prepare for the onslaught of homework and after school activities that follow. In an effort to encourage academic success and ease the afternoon chaos, this mother of seven, armed with a Master’s Degree in Education, suggests creating an organized and motivational homework station as part of your back to school planning.
Recently, I had the opportunity to co-design a functional learning and study space for one amazing Franklin family with Bloom Family Designs, a nonprofit that creates cost free, beautifully designed rooms for foster/adopted children and NEAT Method, a luxury home organization company. Kris and Breanne Hammons are the parents
of four children, including one special needs child requiring twentyfour-hour medical assistance, and one beautiful toddler in foster care. While the Hammons homeschool two older children in the heart of their home, the family room needed to be stylish and practical to serve as a gathering place for family and friends.
Bloom founder Melissa Whitlock shared, “The word ‘unity’ was the inspiration from mother Breanne, who teaches her children at home every day. They needed a place where the kids could fluidly do their school work, stay organized and inspired without losing the heart and comforts of home throughout the week. When thinking of the design for this space, I immediately thought of a low profile, round coffee table with ottomans that the children could gather around for lessons during the day. At night, it can easily be transformed into a family game table for everyone to enjoy. For more in depth studying time, we selected a small wall desk from IKEA with two chairs that could all be adjustable to accommodate each family member’s height and age group.” We then added two mint cork boards from HomeGoods as a stylish way to display important calendars or school information. Holly Trepka, owner of NEAT Method Nashville, created well organized shelving units from Ikea to hold each of the family’s books, games and learning activities. Holly states that, “Labels are the key to defining a homework space and staying organized. We made custom Cricut labels for the Hammons, but we often use chalkboard labels that can be personalized with a chalk pen as well.” Holly offers these organizational tips when designing a homework space for your family.
• Utilize clear shoe boxes. We were able to create categories for all homeschool and craft items. Clear, labeled boxes reinforce the concept of “environmental print” as children begin to recognize the spelling of the word on the labels. When they see the actual crayon, they can see the word on the label starts with a C, and therefore can begin to recognize the word "Crayon."
• Labels, like the custom vinyl ones used here, ensure that everything goes back into its “home” after use. It also helps to create order amongst supplies.
• Divided, acrylic Lazy Susans can help contain all of the shared homework essentials.
• Use a rolling cart to create a homework station if you don’t have the designated desk space. This allows your family to have one place for all of your craft and homework needs.
• If you don't have the space for a three tier cart, divided Lazy Susans help contain all of the shared homework essentials.
• Create a drop zone. Even if you don't have a mudroom, you can create a "drop zone" with kid friendly, multi colored hooks for backpacks, lunch boxes and jackets. Then use textured baskets for shoes or sports equipment you can easily grab before heading out the door.
“In combination with the functionality of this design, we wanted to ensure that the space reflected the joy and inspiration of the Hammons family,” said Melissa. “By keeping a cooler color palette with whimsical touches and focusing on a well-functioning and organized design, we were able to create a one of a kind family room that any child would be happy to study in.”
To learn more about Bloom Family Designs and the work they do for children being adopted or for those in foster care, please visit their website at bloomfamilydesigns.com. For more information on the organizational services provided by Holly Trepka of NEAT Method Nashville, visit neatmethod. com.
Jenny Reimold, Your Williamson writer, HGTV Contributing Writer and HomeGoods national “Style Expert” can be found at jennyreimold.com or @jennyreimold on Instagram.
BY KRISTA EHRET
We just celebrated my daughter's second birthday and it's definitely true how quickly they grow up. It's also crazy how quickly these parties seem to roll around each year. While planning her first birthday party was a very memorable and fun milestone, the second one was definitely toned down a bit. Hello bakery cupcakes versus made from scratch everything! Eyeballing you, grocery store chicken tenders versus my husband sweating over a grill for two hours. Whether you identify more with Martha Stewart or Amelia Bedelia, here are some ideas and themes that will help you get a head start for your kiddo's next birthday.
One and Two: Let's face it, the first two parties are basically for the parents, especially the first one. It's a blast to plan from start to finish and most of us have a Pinterest board designated specifically to this event. Guess what? That's ok! Enjoy your freedom while it's available. Once the little ones have big opinions, your preference of floral centerpieces and elaborate balloon displays are null and void. So, pick a theme or an elegant color palette and run with it. Common themes feature word play on “one” and “two.” Cute examples are “She's One-derful,” “Some Bunny is Turning One” “Time Two Party,” and “Oh Twodooles” (Mickey Mouse Clubhouse themed). You could also draw inspiration from their favorite book or song. The Very Hungry Caterpillar, Peter Rabbit, Cat and the Hat, Twinkle Twinkle Little Star, and Baby Shark all have lots of cute décor options.
Three to Six: This is arguably the most marketed-to demographic when it comes to party themes. Get ready for everything from the cake to the table cloth to be decked out in their favorite movie or TV show characters. If you're one of the lucky ones and your kiddo isn't demanding that Paw-Patrol party pack, there are lots of fun options for this age range. Tea parties, camping themed, carnival, all things sports and water parties are a few great options. You definitely need something to keep them entertained: jump houses, mobile petting zoos, slip and slides, etc. If a yard full of sugared-up kids isn't your idea of a good time, book an event space or party location. At many places, you show up with the guests, the gifts and the cake and the rest is all taken care of in-house. The cost is often worth the convenience.
Seven and Up: I feel that this is the age where parties start to favor quality over quantity. Unless it's a biggie like a sweet sixteen, offer options to the birthday boy/girl. Would you rather have a really nice gift, or a party? Would you rather take two friends to a movie and dinner, or have four friends spend the night? Activities with friends will often be preferred in lieu of a big party. Going to an amusement park, some cash to shop at the mall and have lunch with friends or taking one friend on a family vacation may appeal to your tween. Giving them an option lets them feel in control and, with parameters provided by you, will hopefully keep everyone happy. If the party must go on, ideas like pool parties, luaus, movie nights, sleepovers or game nights will be crowd pleasers.
At any age, it's fun to be celebrated once a year. Keep the stress levels low and the excitement high by compromising with the guest of honor to achieve an event that everyone will enjoy.
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.
BY KYLE SHULTS
As you know, home convenience is at an all-time high. This trend has spread to the fitness world, where consumers are tired of crosstown trips, crowded facilities and continual high costs. In fact, the average annual gym membership cost $517 per membership according to Wellness Creative Co.’s 2019 study, and another consumer study by The Guardian put gym dropout rate after the first eight weeks of signing up may be as high as 80%. Now, more than ever before, consumers are taking advantage of the convenience that comes with at-home fitness by turning that bonus room into a home gym. With todays modern advances in health technology the cost and look of these rooms can be practical and multi-functional, not to mention a stylish addition to any home.
Todays home gyms are no longer stuffed in a windowless room or in the corner of the garage. They are now moving to open areas and rooms with plenty of natural light and attractive views. A growing number of programs enabled by the internet are the primary driver of this change. These programs allow the ability to multi-task and the sleek design of new equipment is more visually appealing than early models.
In real estate, every livable square foot counts. So, if you are not sure what to do with that empty room, clear out the clutter and create a stylish functional use of the space. A space that adds value to your home and health.
If you have any questions about what to do with your bonus room, contact your local REALTOR® or go to realtor.com for more tips and trick on home improvement from the National Association of REALTORS®.
Photography by Melissa DelRossi
Continuing the Brentwood 50th anniversary celebrations, BrentFest took place at Crockett Park in Brentwood. With food trucks, live entertainment and a kid’s zone, there were plenty of ways to join in on the fun! Community members came out to enjoy the festivities and celebration. After all, you can’t go wrong enjoying the simple pleasures of local food and live music! Celebrating fifty years, the Brentwood community must be doing something right! To learn more about the city of Brentwood and their upcoming events, visit brentwoodtn50.com.
Howdy folks,
If you have been to the Williamson County Fair and visited the livestock area, then chances are you have met the “Gentle Giant” Texas Longhorn, BLL Hondo’s Warrior. The handsome, multi grand champion steer is one of the fair favorites! At a little over eighteen years old, Hondo’s Warrior weighs in at over 2,200 pounds and has 100 inches of horn. Gregg and Lori Beeson own the longhorn and say that he is especially kind natured.
Hondo’s Warrior was bred to show and has been shown by many children, including a nine-year-old! He just loves kids and attention from everyone. He has been exhibited at the Williamson County Fair for the past fifteen years, and Gregg and Lori say they enjoy interacting and educating fairgoers about ranching and Texas Longhorns. Hondo’s Warrior has traveled all over the south and as far west as Fort Worth, Texas.
When this talented Texas Longhorn isn’t showing, he is grazing with his herd of fellow longhorns. He enjoys special treats of apple wafer cookies and range cubes for cattle, and he waits every morning at his pen gate for breakfast and will moo at Gregg and Lori if they are running late! He also loves to be petted and scratched, as well as napping under the shade trees.
You can meet Hondo’s Warrior in the Children’s Barnyard at the Williamson County Fair, from August 2nd - 10th at the Williamson County Agriculture Expo Center. You can also follow him on Facebook at facebook.com/HondosWarrior. Visit williamsoncountyfair.org to learn more about the other animals exhibited at the Fair. Hope to see you there!
Wiggle bottom and slobbery smooches to you and yours!
Ollie Pup
See more of Ollie and his adventures at facebook.com/OlliePupBoxer, on Twitter @OlliePupBoxer and follow @OlliePupBoxer on
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If previous years are any indication, Friends of Franklin Parks’ eighth-annual Raise the Roofs fundraiser promises to be the best event of the summer – and the event chairs will be bringing some new twists and surprises to the Park at Harlinsdale Farm on Saturday, August 17. Ken and Ellie Westman Chin, along with Susan and Brian Smallwood, are combining their talents in event curation, design, marketing and production to create experiences that showcase Franklin’s diverse offerings across the entire parks and trails system, while demonstrating the range of enhancements that are continuously being implemented as a result of private-sector support. Each of the chairs brings unique expertise and perspectives to the event. The event on August 17 from 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. will incorporate more of the Harlinsdale Park campus and include a buffet dinner, along with traditional elements, such as the polo match held in the Tractor Supply Co. Arena. Patrons can expect plenty of great food, drink and cheer, live music and an after party beginning at 8:30 p.m. Tickets are available for $125 per person, and all proceeds benefit Friends of Franklin Parks and the organization’s efforts to continually enhance and connect the city’s incredible park system. Tickets are available online now at friendsoffranklinparks.org. A portion of the ticket price is tax-deductible. For sponsorship information and other details, please contact Friends of Franklin Parks Executive Director Torrey Barnhill at tbarnhill@friendsoffranklinparks.org or by phone at 615.674.5388.
Photography by Haley Anthony
Started in 1991, Bluegrass Along the Harpeth is always held the fourth weekend of July on the Square in downtown Franklin. This annual event brings together some of the best musicians and dancers in the country. The festival began as a way to honor Grand Ole Opry stars Sam and Kirk McGee. Proceeds from the event benefit the Williamson County Cultural Arts Commission. To learn more about this event, visit bluegrassalongtheharpeth.com.
WITH 2,200 BOXES OF CRAYONS FOR UNITED WAY’S STUFF THE BUS United Way of Williamson County’s Stuff the Bus school supply drive kicked into high gear in July. APCOM is a new Stuff the Bus partner, and their employees rallied together to donate the majority of the Stuff the Bus crayon supply, which is an essential item on kindergarten – eighth grade supply lists. On July 23rd, APCOM employees loaded thousands of boxes of crayons onto a truck and United Way delivered the supplies to backpack assembly volunteers. APCOM’s crayon collection was paired with folders, glue sticks, highlighters and other items collected from Stuff the Bus sponsors, corporate partners and community donors to provide thousands of free school supplies and backpacks to Williamson County students. Supplies were distributed to kindergarten – twelfth grade students at giveaway sites in Franklin, Thompson’s Station and Fairview on July 27. Stuff the Bus is an annual education initiative organized by the Patricia Hart Society – United Way’s women’s group – in conjunction with community partners. APCOM services original equipment manufacturers in a variety of industries.
Photography by Haley Anthony
Franklin Tomorrow celebrated their annual Exemplary Community Volunteer Awards at the Franklin Theatre. Each year, this event honors exemplary volunteers and individuals who have made a difference in the Franklin Tomorrow community. Awards included the Civic Group Award, Corporate Award, Youth Initiative Award, Emerging Leader Award and Volunteer Spirit Award. To top off the night, Mayor Roger Anderson received the Charles M. Sargent Legacy Award. To learn more about Franklin Tomorrow, visit franklintomorrow.org.
The Scoop continued
A record 1.72 million visitors were welcomed to Williamson County in 2018, a 13.6% increase from the 1.51 million visitors in 2017. This marks an increase of 500,000 additional annual visitors to Williamson County since 2014 and marks the fourth consecutive year that the county has outpaced the national average for tourism growth, which in 2018 was only 1.9% across the nation. Last year, the 244-room Hilton Franklin opened in Williamson County, bringing the total number of available hotel rooms to 5,198 in addition to the opening of several new tourism products across the county. Additional contributions to the visitation increase include several new events and festivals choosing to call Franklin and Williamson County home, along with a steady increase in meetings and conventions booked in the county and amateur sports tournaments. In 2018, Franklin and the communities of Williamson County gained notable, national attention when they were named among “The Twenty-Five Coolest Towns in America” by Matador Network, included in “The South’s Prettiest Towns” by Southern Living, and when Franklin’s Main Street was part of Architectural Digest’s “Thirty Most Beautiful Main Streets Across America.” Visit Franklin is the public brand name of the Williamson County Convention & Visitors Bureau. Visit Franklin is the official destination marketing organization for Franklin and the unique communities of Williamson County. Visit Franklin stimulates economic growth through the promotion of travel and tourism assets such as history, music, attractions, entertainment, the arts and events to visitors from around the world. For more information on Franklin and Williamson County, visit visitfranklin.com.
Pinnacle Financial Partners has been named presenting sponsor of the 46th annual Heritage Ball to take place at the Eastern Flank Battlefield Park on Saturday, October 5th. Pinnacle Financial Partners have been a supporter of the Heritage Foundation, specifically the Heritage Ball, since 2005. The Heritage Ball is the longest running black-tie affair in Williamson County. More than 800 guests will gather at Eastern Flank Battlefield Park on Saturday, October 5th to support and celebrate the work of the Heritage Foundation and to raise funds for future preservation projects. The ball serves as the greatest single fundraising event for the foundation each year. In addition to a seated dinner and dancing, the ball features a cocktail hour and other fundraising opportunities. The chairs for the 46th Annual Heritage Ball are Senator Bill and Tracy Frist. Heritage Foundation members will receive exclusive presale opportunities August 1-7, 2019. Other invitees can begin reserving seats August 8th. For more information about the Heritage Foundation and additional programs and preservation projects, visit williamsonheritage.org.
Congratulations to these new Williamson County businesses and Chamber members!
Photography by Anna Robertson Ham
First Citizens National Bank (FirstCNB) recently sponsored the Smart Women community event with a free luncheon and informative lecture at the Fifty Forward Martin Center. Both FirstCNB’s Vice President of Fraud Management, Chris Hamm, along with West Tennessee Drug Task Force Special Agent Brent Hill, discussed the importance of understanding financial fraud and what you need to know about protecting yourself from becoming a victim. The Smart Women Program is designed to empower women through education to feel confident making difficult financial decisions. Learn more about First Citizens National Bank and the Smart Women program at firstcnb.com/smartwomen.
After five years as District Athletic Director for Williamson County Schools (WCS), Dr. Jeremy Qualls has been named the system’s new Career and Technical Education (CTE) executive director. Learn more about WCS initiatives in CTE and other programs at the Williamson, Inc. Education Summit on September 17th. Register at williamsonchamber.com.
Your Williamson spoke this month with Dr. Qualls to learn a little bit more about him and his new role with WCS.
YW: Tell us a bit about your background in education and your path to Williamson County.
JQ: I started in education in order to coach basketball. After receiving my B.A. in Health and Human Performance and playing basketball at Austin Peay State University, I coached at Marshall County High School and Lexington High School. In Lexington, I eventually became assistant principal and athletic director. After that, I served as assistant principal at Milan Elementary School before becoming the principal at Hickman County Middle School. In 2014, I was named district athletic director for WCS and have spent five years in the system before becoming CTE executive director.
YW: Thus far, what is your favorite part of the new role?
JQ: The relationship building and the opportunity to create are my favorite parts of this job. Being able to cast a vision with stakeholders in the community and being able to work with a team to make those visions come true is appealing. The end goal is to give students opportunities that they’ve not had previously, and that aspect is exciting.
YW: What skills and experiences from your time as district athletic director do you see as most beneficial in the position of CTE executive director?
JQ: I believe the relationships that were formed with the partners and sponsors of WCS Athletics will be the most beneficial tool in my new role. These prior relationships could provide avenues for additional funding, internships and workbased learning opportunities for students within the CTE realm.
YW: What are you looking forward to accomplishing?
JQ: I look forward to adding a new CTE program to the WCS portfolio. I also look forward to being an advocate for the
students and their accomplishments, as well as our CTE community partners. Hopefully, together we can build something that is outside-the-box and trailblazing.
YW: Who do you look forward to working with?
JQ: I look forward to working with all the stakeholders. Williamson, Inc.; Columbia State; and all the businesses in Williamson County who share the same vision of building world-class educational opportunities that will give students a leg up in the job field. In turn, those stakeholders can continue cultivating WCS and Williamson County as a destination location for businesses and families.
YW: What are some your favorite aspects of being in Williamson County?
JQ: The opportunities and resources. If you dream it up, there will be someone in Williamson County that will help you make it a reality.
Learn more about Williamson, Inc.’s Education Summit by visiting williamsonchamber.com.
BY GARTH KILBURN
Few relationships are quite as important as the one you have with your financial institution. However, as your business grows, it’s important that they grow with you. Let’s explore some of the services you need to succeed.
You deserve a bank that gets to know you AND your business. If you feel as if you are simply another account number, it may be time to switch to a bank with a more personal approach.
Picture this: You come across an opportunity with the potential to expand your business with a quick turnaround deadline. Quick loan decisions, like those provided by Franklin Synergy Bank’s Express Loans, enable business owners to get approved for the funds they need in minutes.
With the world shifting toward paperless payments, you need a bank that can move at your speed. Whether ACH solutions, bill pay, card pay, lockbox, mobile and remote deposits or wire transfers, your financial institution should help you manage your payables and deposits efficiently.
Real-time treasury is becoming a trend that requires greater automation than many businesses have the capacity to manage alone. A bank with intuitive sweep services can help by maximizing your interest earned while minimizing interest paid.
Fraud has the potential to impact more than just your business and personal finances. Choose a bank that is actively working to keep all of your information secured with fraud controls such as Positive Pay and identity theft services to help protect all of your financial assets.
If you have outgrown your current banking relationship, talk to a trusted financial advisor today to discover a better side of commercial banking.
GARTH KILBURN
We’re in the Money
Garth Kilburn serves as Senior Vice President, Director of Treasury Management Sales at Franklin Synergy Bank.
At Franklin Synergy Bank, we understand that a bank is only as good as its ability to deliver the services you want at the speed you need.
- By Mike Morrison, Ph.D. -
There is simply nothing more powerful than the bedtime story –especially in this age of continuous screen time. As we go deeper into the discussion, we start to see how the bedtime story is the perfect ending to the day. So, let’s rethink and reclaim this special decompression time for both parent and child. It is not just something we are doing for our kids – the benefits accrue to us as well. We don’t read to, we read with.
Here are the five supporting reasons why the bedtime story is the most powerful family ritual:
1. End of day closure: The bedtime story can symbolically represent a closure point in our continuous, always-on and endless days. Even our kids, as they enter grade school, are starting to feel pressures of a 24/7 world. Together, we can start to wind down, letting go of the anxieties that can fill a day. For our kids, bathing, teeth brushing and pajamas starts the slow-down process. For us parents, it is also important that we fully shift our attention and presence to this special time – treating it as uninterrupted, sacred space (leaving our device outside the room!).
2. Feeling safe and secure: There is probably no safer or secure feeling than to be snuggled with a parent – listening to their comforting voice. Bonding is magnified as a special story transports us to a world of possibility. Also, stress levels start to lower for both parent and child as a softer energy starts to surround us. To have this loving ritual repeated night after night promotes an unconditional love that protects our little ones from the inevitable feelings of vulnerability that define the human experience
3. Healthy sleeping and better dreaming: Sleep specialists reveal how bedtime stories can help both child and parent get a good night sleep. It makes total sense. The loving voice tones of the parent can also create strong associations with sleep – slowing the brain down – and helping the child to let go of the day. As our young ones enter deeper sleep after storytelling, the brain continues to “play with” this new information -- imprinting the feelings, images and story patterns that have been heard. In other words, the powerful subconscious continues to do its magic as the child sleeps, setting the foundation to positively enter the next day.
4. Engaging the imagination: Bedtime stories are one of the best ways to stimulate a child’s imagination. Research reveals that reading a story is completely different than watching a TV show or movie.
Listening to a story requires a more active participation as they use their mind to visualize what is happening and to think about what choices they would make if they were the character. These new ideas inspire our kids to imagine new realities and identities for themselves. Their favorite stories start to positively shape their own life story.
5. Connecting and empathizing: Just as stories help our kids create their sense of self, they also help them to empathize with others.
Our young ones can find comfort in relating to a character in a story who is going through a similar challenge – whether it is a best friend moving away or the loss of a pet. Not surprisingly, stories can help our kids find the courage (and scripting) to deal with things that seemed too far out of their experience. For children in uncertain circumstances (like divorce or loss of a family member), a bedtime story can help them to start shaping a new reality. Still, the most precious forms of connection that bedtime stories facilitate is that between parent and child – one of the most powerful predictors of success and happiness in life for our kids.
Sweet dreams my little one!
MIKE MORRISON, PH.D.
Mike Morrison Ph.D.’s passion centers on developing leaders at all ages, from pre-schoolers to the corporate CEO leading a global enterprise. In today’s world, we all need to lead in some way and Mike has helped to illuminate that path through three books. His most recent book, Small Voice Says, a picture book for four to eight year-olds, is co-authored with his daughter Mackenzie.
SOCIAL | Kitty Hall
Photography by K. York
The Williamson County Animal Center held the first “Kitty Hall” event at City Hall in downtown Franklin this summer. The event allowed everyone to play and cuddle with fur babies brought from the center, including kittens and several adult cats that were up for adoption. Williamson County Animal Center proclaimed July as the season for kittens, so in order to find them forever homes- they offered two kittens for one adoption price. The event was a meow-valous success, with four adult cats and eighteen kittens finding a place to call home. For more information on Williamson County Animal Center, visit adoptwcac.org.
BY: BLAKE STEWART
In its 100th year, Junior Achievement (JA) has worked with thousands of young people across the nation by fostering knowledge in financial literacy, work readiness and entrepreneurship. The first JA program was offered to high school students on an after-school basis. Over the last thirty-nine years, JA has continued to grow, reaching more than 4.8 million students per year in 209,651 classrooms and after-school programs. Junior Achievement is a nonprofit, serving as the nation’s largest organization dedicated to giving young people the knowledge and skills needed to own their economic success, plan for their futures and make smart academic and economic choices.
“One of the biggest things I love is the value JA brings to the kids in finding out who they are,” said Trent Klingensmith, president of JA of Middle Tennessee. “We want every child to succeed and at JA they get to experience that they are capable.”
JA programs are taught by volunteers in neighborhoods throughout the United States, with 109 area offices reaching across all fifty states. Opening its doors to middle Tennessee in 1957, JA of Middle Tennessee now reaches more than 30,000 students annually. Over the last sixty years, JA has expanded on its model by adding experiential programs to the curriculum. In the simulated city of BizTown, students take on the roles of workers and consumers in a series of classroom lessons where the final step is a day-long experience at BizTown.
On a warm spring afternoon in the bustling, simulated city of BizTown, students learn what it’s like to have a job, earn a paycheck and invest into their business and community. Fully equipped with store fronts, a bank, city hall, newspaper and hospital, students are assigned jobs where they participate in the daily activities of a working adult. In BizTown, you can find a ten-year-old CEO or a fifth-grader working as a bank manager. Students interview for jobs, fill out applications, vote in local elections and spend their money on goods and services their business provides. The goal of BizTown is to equip students with working knowledge to learn entrepreneurial and personal skills while working, shopping and investing into their community. That goal is being met in classrooms across the middle Tennessee area, with school participation elevating each year.
“I think the appeal for the students and teachers is that BizTown brings some great real-world connections,” said Faith Johnson, BizTown manager and former school teacher. “It’s giving kids a chance to open their eyes to things that happen in the real world that’s in a safe learning environment.”
In Williamson County, every public school in the district participated in BizTown.
“The rigor of Junior Achievement's high-quality curriculum and relevance of the materials provided to our students have been instrumental in their growth,” said Dr. Mike Looney, former superintendent, Williamson County Schools.
With BizTown booming, kids across the mid-state are being introduced to life skills that will prepare them for adulthood.
“This program gives kids life skills for future success,” said Trent. “With the growth we’re seeing in Nashville and surrounding areas, we need kids ready for jobs and show them how to get there. BizTown does that.”
JA of Middle Tennessee is expanding on the BizTown model, announcing its next project: JA Financial Park, an interactive learning experience where students learn personal finance planning and look into the cost and reward of specific careers. JA Financial Park already exists in Atlanta, St. Louis, Louisville and other cities across the country. The organization recently announced its plans to come to Nashville in the spring of 2020 and will begin construction on the 8,000 square foot interactive space in June. The cost for the facility is estimated at $3 million to build and operate. Trent has raised over $2 million for the new facility, securing sponsorships from companies like Publix, HCA, Regions Bank and Ingram Industries. Trent describes the JA Finance Park experience as the game of life for kids.
“It’s getting them learning how to manage future wealth so they can grow up to be good citizens,” said Trent. “Giving kids experience in real life scenarios is so important in education.”
Similar to the BizTown model, students will begin learning in the classroom with curriculum focused on the complex financial demands of adulthood while developing money management skills that prepare them for financial decisions in their adult lives. Students will be given an iPad with a life scenario where they are given a job, education and a credit score. In the simulation, students will budget with the life assigned to them by utilizing banking services, pay for housing, car insurance, groceries and gas. JA of Middle Tennessee research shows that Finance Park is having an impact on students across the nation with one in five participants considering a career in finance.
“We need to engage more, and kids need a better education for success,” said Trent. “JA isn’t the whole solution, but we are part of the fix in helping solve that. Educators are seeing that we are part of that solution and the connection happens.”
For more information on the programs of JA go to juniorachievement.org.
FOR MORE NEWS AND INFORMATION ON OUR LOCAL SCHOOL SYSTEMS - GO TO WCS.ORG, FSSD.ORG AND BATTLEGROUNDACADEMY.ORG
Student lunch prices for the 2019-20 school year have remained the same at $2.90, but the district is now using MySchoolBucks for its online meal payment system. Parents will need to register for a new account using MySchoolBucks in order to pay for their child’s school meals online. Because student funds are held on WCS servers, any money on the student’s account from the previous school year will carry over. MySchoolBucks allows parents to deposit funds into their child’s account using a debit/credit card or electronic check. Parents are also able to view past purchases, check balances and set up an alert when the account’s balance is low. To enroll, visit MySchoolBucks.com or download the app and register for an account. Add students to the account using their school name and student ID. MySchoolBucks may also be accessed from the WCS Food Services page.
Natalie Porter was the first student from her school to earn a national championship at the National Speech and Debate Association (NSDA) Middle School National Tournament in June. Natalie placed first in the Dramatic Interpretation category for her rendition of Always… Patsy Cline. Woodland Middle was also named an NSDA School of Excellence, a title given to the top twenty schools in total debate points. Fallon O’Donnell placed third in the Storytelling category. Kathryn Porter placed fourth in the Storytelling category and sixth in the Humorous Interpretation category. More than 180 schools competed in the tournament, and Woodland Middle was one of just two middle schools from Tennessee to compete.
Keeping students healthy and in class is the WCS Health Services department’s goal and all county schools are staffed with a licensed registered nurse. All medications, both prescription and non-prescription, must be brought to the school nurse by a parent/guardian with a completed WCS Medication Authorization Form. Parents can print authorization forms by selecting Health Forms on the WCS Health Services page. Other than emergency medication, students are not permitted to carry their medications on-hand. If a child is not feeling well, refer to the WCS Illness Guidelines to determine if he or she should remain at home. A Tennessee Certificate of Immunization is required for each new student before the first day of attendance. Review the WCS Immunization and Physical Exam Letter or Tennessee Department of Health website for additional guidance. If a child has a medical need requiring accommodations or emergency care during the school day, a school nurse will work with the family and the health care provider to establish an Individual Health Care Plan addressing those needs.
Photography by Haley Anthony
Bethlehem United Methodist Church hosted its forty-fifth annual Fish Fry, bringing together around 4,000 friends, neighbors and family to enjoy food, music and more at one of the biggest backyard parties of the year! As one of the longest running events in Williamson County, the fish fry served over 1,800 pounds of farm-raised catfish, hush-puppies, white beans, coleslaw and ice cream from Pied Piper Creamery. Music was provided by the popular Bethlehem Bluegrass Band and 5 Point Swing. The silent auction and bake sale offered treasures and treats to take home as well. All proceeds from the event go to support the church’s missions abroad and locally, including Kathy’s Backpacks, which provides backpacks and supplies for area school children in need. To learn more about Bethlehem United Methodist Church, their work and their events, visit bethlehemumc.com.
There never seems to be a shortage of arts and culture events to attend in middle Tennessee! Here are just a handful of upcoming art exhibits, music events, plays and more that we can’t wait to see!
August 2nd - 17th | Pull-Tight Players | pull-tight.com
Pull-Tight Theatre opens its fifty-first season with William Gibson’s timeless play The Miracle Worker, depicting the story of Annie Sullivan’s first encounters with Helen Keller. This August’s talent features Megan Roberts assuming the part of Sullivan and Esther Jane Pope in the pivotal role of Helen Keller, an immense task that Pope is eager to tackle. “It’s a real challenge to me,” said Megan. “I’ve usually been a happy musical person, but this is fun for me to try and do.” Megan, whose own father plays her stage father, the stern Captain, noted that without the easygoing support of fellow castmates, the difficulty of playing Keller might not come so naturally. “Pull-Tight is more of a family. We know each other super well. It’s not like we just met each other, which we did. That definitely helps.” You can come see the work of all members of The Miracle Worker at Pull-Tight Theatre this August!
August 10th | Nashville Ballet | nashvilleballet.com
of Nashville Ballet
Curious about what it’s like to dance at School of Nashville Ballet? See it for yourself at their open house event on August 10th! Attendees will have the opportunity to meet the ballet’s children’s division instructors, tour the facility and learn about dance offerings for ages two through seven. Light refreshments will be provided as well!
August 16th | Schermerhorn Symphony Center nashvillesymphony.org
Two powerhouse vocalists come to the Schermerhorn for an evening of stunning ballads and sophisticated, soul-stirring hits. Stephanie Mills came to fame in The Wiz on Broadway, where she performed the memorable ballad Home and went on to have other likes like Never Knew Love Like This Before, I Feel Good All Over and has been wowing audiences ever since. With his rich baritone and versatile style, Will Downing puts his singular stamp on originals like A Million Ways and memorable interpretations of contemporary R&B classics like I Try. Don’t miss the dynamic duo when they take the Schermerhorn stage!
August 16th - September 8th
Jamison Theater in The Factory At Franklin | studiotenn.com
Are you ready for Studio Tenn’s tenth season? They are kicking off their 19/20 season with the ABBA filled hit musical, Mamma Mia! Mamma Mia! tells the hilarious story of a young woman’s search for her birth father through the story-telling magic of ABBA’s timeless songs, propelling this enchanting tale of love, laughter and friendship into an unforgettable show. Join the over 60 million people worldwide that have fallen in love with the characters, the story and the music that makes Mamma Mia! everyone’s favorite musical!
September 10th-15th | Tennessee Performing Arts Center tpac.org
A letter that was never meant to be seen, a lie that was never meant to be told, a life he never dreamed he could have. Evan Hansen is about to get the one thing he’s always wanted: a chance to finally fit in. Dear Evan Hansen has struck a remarkable chord with audiences and critics everywhere, including The Washington Post, who says Dear Evan Hansen is “one of the most remarkable shows in musical theatre history.” The New York Times calls it “a gut-punching, breathtaking knockout of a musical.” And NBC Nightly News declares the musical “an anthem resonating on Broadway and beyond.” Don’t miss your chance to experience the phenomenon for yourself at Tennessee Performing Arts Center!
BY William Gibson
Containing a similar makeup to antibiotics, garlic is perfect for boosting your immune system to fight off colds and flus.
The cool pressure of an ice compact has been known to help relieve headaches.
Not only does the citrusy taste aid with motion sickness, but it can also help with kidney stones by preventing the crystallization process that typically causes them.
Along with being a natural fat burner, apple cider vinegar is also said to help acne, hiccups, lower blood sugar and improve overall heart health.
Petroleum jelly is said to have properties that help heal skin wounds properly and prevent infection.
Mark your calendars for our August Mixer, sponsored by Cool Springs Surgical Associates and hosted by the Lewew Magid Big House for Historic Preservation and home to the Heritage Foundation of Williamson County!
LEHEW MAGID BIG HOUSE FOR HISTORIC PRESERVATION
AUGUST 20 th | 5PM-7PM 112 BRIDGE STREET | FRANKLIN, TN
RSVP TO OUR FACEBOOK EVENT OR TO: INFO@ROBERTSONMEDIAGROUP.COM
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