Your Williamson Winter 2020 Issue

FRANKLIN KIWANIS CHRISTMAS PARADE

DICKENS OF A CHRISTMAS

YOUR WILLIAMSON HOLIDAY MIXER

A DISTINCTIVELY SOUTHERN PLACE WINTER 2020

TAKE IT TO HEART American Heart Association’s Heart Month

COME FLY WITH ME

Punxsutawney, PA: Home to the Famous Groundhog

POURS & PALATES Ellington’s Mid Way Bar & Grill

New Year, New You

BEACH TO BAY ACCOMMODATIONS | GOLF | EVENTS | FREE AMENITIES | SHOPPING | DINING OPTIONS | TENNIS | WATER SPORTS

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YOUR WILLIAMSON | WINTER 2020 . VOLUME VIII – ISSUE 85

FEATURES

11 Distinctively Southern Wedding Experience Inaugural Wedding Event to Be Held

24 Take it to Heart

American Heart Association’s Heart Month

28 Come Fly With Me Punxsutawney, PA: Home to the Famous Groundhog

46 Pours & Palates

Ellington’s Mid Way Bar & Grill

46 COVER Have a Heart - Happy Valentine’s Day

BUILDING A LUXURY HOME SHOULD BE A LUXURY EXPERIENCE

2019 Parade of Homes Winner: Best Floorplan •

Most Livable •

For more information visit:

livealegend.com Downtown Franklin/Everbright | The Grove | Hardeman Springs Stephens Valley | Troubadour | Valley View | Westhaven | Witherspoon

Best Front Elevation

TABLE OF CONTENTS 10 Letter from the Publisher

30

44

45

51

62

64

Southern Is Your Lifestyle with Laura Stockett Roberts A Southern Gentleman Is... with Tim Kearns A Spirited Conversation Pour Some Vino for Your Heart Read Between The Lines Vitamin B For Business The Lady Entertains with Krista Ehret Arts & Culture

26 14

Dickens of a Christmas

15

Franklin Kiwanis Christmas Parade

17

The Fountains’ Christmas Open House

COMMUNITY

Beautiful You with Sarah Hodrick 18 Beauty Junkie

with Julie Jorgensen 22 Eat Drink & Be Merry

Trendy & Trustworthy Diet Plans 26 Styling Your Everyday

with Jenna Ratliff

66 Did You Know?

16

SOCIAL

LIFESTYLE

13 Bone Vivant

12 Social Secretary

32 Parks Christmas Party 52 BrightStone Christmas Concert & Program

20

54 Women In Business

Holiday Mixer

6 WINTER 2020

BUSINESS

56 Your Williamson

Holiday Mixer

45

36 In Your Backyard Blue Bin Program 38 Your Community Partner BOFT Welcomes New Director 40 Days Gone By Williamson County Archives & Museum 58 Your Kids

Seasonal Affective Disorder 60 Your Education with Battle Ground Academy 61 News From the Schools

with WCS and BGA

25 Your Real Estate with Williamson County Association of Realtors 42 It’s Your Business Luxenhaus Day Spa 50 Scoop You In the News 55 Your Business Partner with Williamson Inc. 57 We’re in the Money with Franklin Synergy Bank

2020 Chevrolet Traverse and Tahoe

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2020 Tahoe: Tahoe features a 5.3L V8 engine offering an impressive maximum towing capability of up to 8,600 lbs along with a best-in-class V8 fuel efficiency offering 22 MPG highway — plenty of power to tow boats, ATVs and whatever else you’ll want to bring on your next trip. Need a little more power?

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YOUR STAFF

Johnny Birdsong

Shelly Robertson Birdsong

PRESIDENT SALES & DEVELOPMENT

CEO & PUBLISHER

Anna Robertson Ham VICE PRESIDENT MARKETING & COMMUNICATIONS

Your Williamson, and Distinctively Southern Wedding are publications of: Robertson Media Group, LLC P.O. Box 364 | Franklin, TN 37065 Office: 615.428.2595 yourwilliamson.com distinctivelysouthernwedding.com

Jennifer Franks

Ron Cheatham

CREATIVE SERVICES DIRECTOR

VICE PRESIDENT OF OPERATIONS

Annie Osteen MANAGING EDITOR

PHOTOGRAPHERS PAIGE ATWELL

A DISTINCTIVELY SOUTHERN PLACE

Please send all content & coverage requests to: info@robertsonmediagroup.com

DWIGHT OSTEEN

Your Williamson & Distinctively Southern Wedding are publications of Robertson Media Group, LLC. All rights reserved. Reproduction, in part or whole, without written permission from the publisher, is strictly prohibited. Opinions expressed herein are not necessarily those of Your Williamson, Distinctively Southern Wedding or Robertson Media Group, LLC, its employees, and/or it’s representatives. All information printed in this publication or online, is compiled in such a way as to insure accuracy. However, Your Williamson, Distinctively Southern Wedding and Robertson Media Group, LLC and its agents, assume no liability and/or responsibility for the accuracy of claims in advertisements, articles, photographs etc. published directly or submitted.

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WAITING IN THE WINGS IS PRESENTED BY SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT WITH SAMUEL FRENCH, INC.

MONTHLY | Publisher’s Letter

Happy New Year!

“When you judge others, you do not define them, you define yourself.”―Earl Nightingale

Babies & Puppies

Dear Readers, Happy New Year! I guess we are well into the new decade and those resolutions are going fabulously! A touch of sarcasm there no doubt in my tone and in your mind as you think to yourself…oh yeah…those resolutions…must get back to those resolutions…

Don’t beat yourself up. No doubt most of us who resolve to be or do something better in the new year, may well have fallen off the proverbial wagon. It’s almost expected. But never fear. Our annual New Year New You themed issue comes to the rescue with lots of inspiration to get you back on track! If you want to try or learn about the latest and greatest and newfangled trend on dieting, exercise, business, mental, spiritual and emotional growth - Williamson County has got you covered.

I guess if I were being honest, diet and exercise were and are at the forefront of my resolutions this year…aren’t they always? And I also resolved to be more engaged, mindful and organized so that I could more fully enjoy life.

Resolution Three? Well that’s one that I am hoping I can encourage not just in myself when it rears its ugly head but in others around me by example. What would that be? Judgmental behavior and talk. Maybe even more specifically - judgment in the public realm of social media. That area and that topic has really gotten under my skin lately. People are soooo judgmental and, let’s face it, downright mean and nasty on social media anymore. Forget about the partisan and political factions and how now that’s basically boiled down to two hateful sides of a coin, neither of which can ever admit or acknowledge being wrong or the other being right, or that people are entitled to their own set of opinions and creeds as an individual and an American… I digress… What I have really hated seeing so much of lately is more the personal judgment. Take Meghan and Harry for instance.

You know - the Duke and Duchess of Sussex? In case you have been in a hole the last month - they are retiring from royal duty and moving to North America. It’s been a thing in the news this last week. And people have been so engaged and opinionated about it, you would think that Meghan and Harry had deserted them and their family rather than the royal Windsor’s thousands of miles away - to which you are not related in any way… Again, until you walk a mile in someone’s shoes, how is it possible to critique their life choices and behavior in such a manner? How is it possible even on more of the home front - to belittle your fellow moms and parents, who may share a post about scary incidents at a local business in town, that gave them pause and fear for their safety and the safety of their children? I mean really. Can it not just be a moment to gain more awareness of your surroundings and be glad for it, even if the incidents in question turn out to be not what they appeared to be? Why do we have to make these people feel stupid because they were afraid? And why is everyone so defensive and feeling the need to defend - or fight for something that isn’t even related to them? Is this a new way to just be heard? Maybe so. But please… let’s keep the snarkiness and judgment to a minimum especially amidst the cute puppy and sweet baby pics on social media, that I for one, will have no judgment towards you about. Everyone just carry on and be sweet. Happy Valentine’s Day!

Shelly Robertson Birdsong Publisher | Editor In Chief shelly@robertsonmediagroup.com

| Title FEATURE | Distinctively Southern Wedding Experience

Robertson Media Group, LLC, Publishers of Distinctively Southern Wedding, to hold Inaugural Wedding Event for Williamson County The Distinctively Southern Wedding Experience is to be held on Saturday, February 22, 2020, from 1pm to 4pm at The Harpeth Hotel in downtown Franklin, Tennessee.

Robertson Media Group, LLC (RMG) is locally owned and operated by publishers Shelly Robertson Birdsong and Johnny edia Group, LLC, Birdsong. They are publishers of current Distinctively magazines Southern YOUR Williamson and hold Distinctively Southern Wedding. They are dding Event for the owners of publications and licensing for YOUR Sumner and Modern Babies County & Children. The business is located in Williamson County and has published since te Release ly Robertson 2011.

Birdsong,

020

This year, the newly established wedding sonmediagroup.com

publication Distinctively Southern Wedding (DSW) will publish its fourth edition in February, and will coincide that publication with the first ever Distinctively Southern Wedding Experience, a boutique type wedding/vendor event which will focus primarily on Williamson County wedding businesses and services.

“There isn’t another wedding event, to our knowledge, expressly focused on Williamson County bridal offerings,” explained Shelly Robertson Birdsong. “We felt like it was an event void we could certainly fill, based on our community based publication and bridal business advertisers already. The DSW product is continuing to grow and, although it is geared toward and represents a middle Tennessee demographic overall, our strongest representation is from the Williamson County market.”

The show will reflect other subtle differences to big box shows – featuring only twenty to twenty-five vendors, who will have an opportunity to creatively display and showcase their services in a much more intimate setting. “They will actually have a chance to have a real conversation with and meet prospective brides and grooms, rather than a cattle call expo mentality where hundreds of brides/grooms come through simply grabbing brochures and moving on,” says Robertson Birdsong. “We want both our

brides and our ‘Wedding Experience Experts’ to feel like they actually get to tell the story of their businesses, and brides can possibly learn about unique and special businesses they may not have had a chance to before.”

The Harpeth Hotel will play host to the event, and also is a local wedding venue.

Showcasing their facility and wedding services, the hotel will also be providing refreshments for the afternoon, allowing the hotel, opened in December, to provide guests their own unique wedding experience possibilities in this luxury hotel located in the heart of historic downtown Franklin.

“It’s important we build on what has always made our publications special – that feeling of unique and local. I am much more interested in a small select group of fabulous vendors and brides looking for a specially curated show, than a huge, massive show that doesn’t allow for anyone to stand out,” expresses Robertson Birdsong. “It’s our first time to do this and there is a lot to learn, but we are excited to grow into something very special for Williamson County. We hope the wedding business community here will be equally excited to get behind it and participate year after year. “ How can you be involved as a Wedding Experience Expert? Contact RMG at sales@distinctivelysouthernwedding.com for event information, pricing and other details.

If you are a bride or groom with a wedding coming up and wish to attend, the event is free and open to brides and grooms.

Reservations are preferred and will sign you up automatically for continued updates and prizes to be awarded both onsite and after the event. Enjoy refreshments, champagne and a tour of the hotel’s facilities, stay for dinner or even book a room for the night.

For more information on the hotel, go to harpethhotel.com. To make a reservation for the Distinctively Southern Wedding Experience, call 615.428.2595, go to distinctivelysouthernwedding.com or email info@distinctivelysouthernwedding.com for more information. Walk-in’s to the event are also most welcome.

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 Third edition on stands this Winter 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

MONTHLY | Social Secretary

YOUR SOCIAL SECRETARY JAN 31FEB 2

FEB 22

MAR 8

Here are a few events to add to your Social Calendar this month.

Visit yourwilliamson.com for more events.

GET CONNECTED Everyone wants to see Santa at the Kiwanis #FranklinChristmasParade!

Antiques & Garden Show Nashville Music City Center | antiquesandgardenshow.com

Celebrating their 30th year, the Antiques and Garden Show of Nashville is now the longest-running, largest and most respected event of its kind in the country. The show will have over 150 antiques, art and horticultural exhibitors, magnificent gardens and some of the most renowned design, landscape and architectural speakers in the world. The show has raised nearly $8 million for Cheekwood and charities supported by the Economic Club of Nashville (ECON). Get your tickets now for this inspiring event!

Distinctively Southern Wedding Experience

Front St. Tavern was festive for our #HolidayMixer!

The Harpeth Hotel | 1pm-4pm distinctivelysouthernwedding.com

Be a part of the first Distinctively Southern Wedding Experience for local and regional brides! This exclusive and elegant affair will be held at The Harpeth Hotel - the newly opened boutique hotel in historic Franklin. Enjoy an afternoon of elegance and sophistication, as you learn more about your local, Preferred Wedding Experience Experts and gather information and ideas for planning your distinctively southern wedding. Attendance is free, but registration is required for this exclusive and limited guest list event.

Register by February 20th at distinctivelysouthernwedding.com.

Farewell 2019 and welcome 2020! #HappyNewYear

Taste of Williamson CoolSprings Galleria | 7pm-9pm | tasteofwilliamson.com

Taste of Williamson is an all-inclusive food and social gathering and features the region’s best local restaurants, national eateries, caterers and chefs.

Each year, friends and families look forward to this after-hours mall event - where they stroll from station to station tasting delicious food samples.

This delicious event supports United Way of Williamson County. United Way is fighting for a community where every person has an equal chance at a bright future. Get your tickets at tasteofwilliamson.com.

Eat, Drink & Be Merry WHO BETTER TO FEATURE THE BEST OF DINING AND FOOD IN WILLIAMSON COUNTY THAN YOUR LIFESTYLE, COMMUNITY, SOCIAL AND BUSINESS PUBLICATION? SHOWCASE YOUR RESTAURANT, DINING MENU, CATERING SERVICES, RENTALS, FOODIE EVENTS AND MUCH MORE IN THIS SPECIAL ANNUAL EDITION DEDICATED TO EVERYTHING FOOD AND BEVERAGE! IT’S OUR ISSUE WITH THE BEST TASTE(S)!

ADVERTISING DEADLINE

February 20th | sales@yourwilliamson.com

MONTHLY | Your “Bone” Vivant

!

Be my Furry Valentine

Bone Vivant

Valentines come in all shapes and sizes - and breeds! With Valentine’s Day right around the corner... Cupid has shot his arrows right through the hearts of these pets’ owners! We love to see your four-legged loves, so keep sending us your Furry Valentine’s photos to share on social media as we celebrate the month of love!

Ro

ue

Cr ey Motl

fla ow n S Lu

Ge or g

Gracie

ly Hol

E l l ie

e

Asp en

ke

Alic e Cooper

Jol ly

Jing le

bel &

Marlie

Rowd y

Lacy

ie Minn

Re

Slobbery smooches to you and yours this Valentine’s Day! - Ollie Pup See more of Ollie and his adventures at facebook.com/OlliePupBoxer, on Twitter @OlliePupBoxer and follow OlliePupBoxer on Instagram.

l Tinse

Sponsored Event SOCIAL | Dickens of a Christmas Photography by Paige Atwell The 35th annual Dickens of a Christmas was held in December in downtown Franklin. Presented by First Citizens National Bank, this interactive holiday festival is a favorite for locals and tourists alike. This year’s event featured all the classic Charles Dickens characters including Jacob Marley, Ebenezer Scrooge and the three ghosts.

Carolers, dancers, plenty of food, drink, arts and craft vendors, a snow photo area on the steps of the historic Williamson County Courthouse, and the newly introduced downtown Franklin holiday window display contest all made for a festive and fun weekend to celebrate the holiday season! To learn more about Dickens of a Christmas and the Heritage Foundation of Williamson County’s events, visit williamsonheritage.org.

Jan & Sue Iliff

Trina McKleroy & Rebecca Thornton

Dana Meyer

John Kitson & Chelsie Parrish

14 WINTER 2020

Trey & Mary McCormick

Kit Jackson & Brenda Thompson

John Bernard & Bill Huffman

Thomas Ahles & Allison West

David & Penny Goldberg

Dianne Wauford & Melissa Wooten

Megan & Anthony McKee

Sophia Ingrim, Rachel & Emmey Anderson

Janie Hamilton & Nancy Cardwell

Dianna Taylor, Tammy Bresee & Sydney Taylor

Susan, Jim, Robin & Mike Campbell

Kirby & Sydney Leismann

Sponsored Event SOCIAL | Franklin Kiwanis Christmas Parade Photography by Jennifer Franks The annual Franklin Kiwanis Christmas Parade was held the first Saturday of December throughout downtown Franklin, along its historic route again this year. Santa greeted the crowd on his motorcycle then finished up the parade on his festive float, complete with snow! Military families were honored during the parade with a special luncheon hosted

by F&M Bank on the Square. Hundreds of children and adults alike lined the streets to catch a glimpse of Santa as well as many other local friends and dignitaries. Oh, and to grab some of that candy! Learn more about the parade at facebook.com/FranklinKiwanisChristmasParade.

Michael Janes, Kim Henderson, Danny Anderson, Linda & Ken Moore & Alan Henderson

Marnie Smith, Micki Gilberts & Melinda Stickley Kristen, Timothy & Trevor Powers

Ian Pitkin & Lois Henderson

Katherine & Ryan Scully

Mike Alexander, Mary Lankford, Robert Born & Orly Cohen

Jerry & Donna Bonds

Rachel Fabro, Hannah Adams & Sarah Fabro Rachel & Mark Morrell

Jennifer, Cora & Finn Sullivan

Jason Collins with Skylar

Carly, Cora & Melissa Douso

Sarah, Avery, Ellis & Bryant Miller

YOURWILLIAMSON.COM 15

LIFESTYLE | Beautiful You

Switching to Safer:

A Beginners' Guide

BY SARAH HODRICK

The holidays are over and the words “cleanse” and “detox” seem to be everywhere we turn. It’s that time of year when toxins are being eliminated from diets, bodies, homes, relationships, and more. For some people, that means spending less time on social media and more time with family. For others, it’s saying goodbye to clutter and hello to OrderRestored. (Check them out on Instagram @theorderrestored). But the detox trend of 2020? “Switching to Safer.”

Consumers are cleaning out their bathroom cabinets and cleaning up their personal care products.

Why? Awareness around the grossly outdated and unregulated personal care products industry is increasing. As a result, consumers are becoming more health-conscious when it comes to what they are putting on their bodies. The good news is that the clean beauty movement has gained momentum and gone mainstream. From Target to CVS, you can find everything from aluminum-free deodorant to paraben-free shampoo. The bad news? It’s hard to know where to start and who to trust.

Here are few tips if you’ve been thinking about transitioning to cleaner products:

Tip 1: Start small. It’s about progress,

not perfection. Trying to overhaul all of your personal care products at once can be overwhelming and extremely hard on the wallet. Instead, identify the products you use or purchase most often; for example, hand soap, laundry detergent, body wash; or start with a specific category of products such as baby supplies or bath products. Over time, as you run out of your other products, replace them with safer options.

Small changes in your everyday choices really can make a difference. Think about what committing to drinking eight glasses of water or walking one mile every day could do for your health over time. The same goes for switching to safer products. When we create small daily habits, we’re more likely to stick with them and ultimately experience the long term benefits. P.S. If you haven’t read the book Atomic Habits, you should.

16 WINTER 2020

Tip 2: Know what to look for. Sadly, looks

5.

The Five Most Common Toxic Ingredients to Avoid:

Tip 3: Do your own research. With the

can be deceiving when it comes to personal care products. Due to the lack of regulation in the U.S., words like clean, green, safe, and non-toxic really don’t mean anything. It’s called “greenwashing.” Here’s a place to start when looking at ingredient lists:

1. Formaldehyde: Used as a preservative

in cosmetics, formaldehyde is a known carcinogen that has been linked to asthma, neurotoxicity, and developmental toxicity.

2. Fragrance: Hiding behind the word

fragrance are dozens (sometimes hundreds), of potentially harmful ingredients, including allergens and hormone disruptors.

Fragrance formulas are currently protected under federal law as they are considered a trade secret, meaning companies do not have to disclose the ingredients. My advice?

Skip “fragrance” altogether.

3. Parabens (methyl-, isobutyl-, propyl- and

others): Parabens are commonly used as a preservative in cosmetics and personal care products. According to the Environmental Working Group (EWG), “Scientific studies suggest that parabens can disrupt hormones in the body and harm fertility and reproductive organs, affect birth outcomes, and increase the risk of cancer.”

Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS) or Sodium Laureth Sulfate (SLES): Used to make products “foam” (i.e., shampoo, body wash).

According to the EWG, SLS and SLES are surfactants that can trigger allergies, cause skin irritation, and have been linked to neurotoxicity and endocrine disruption. rapid growth of the clean beauty movement comes brands that may not be as clean as one might think. Here are a few tools I personally reference when searching for safer products:

1. The EWG’s Skin Deep Database

(ewg.org/skindeep): This is a free resource where you can search thousands of products and find their safety rating.

Ingredients are rated from one to ten...one being the safest, ten being the most harmful.

2. Beautycounter’s

Never List (beautycounter. com/the-never-list): This is a robust list of over 1,500+ harmful ingredients that will never be used in their products. Here’s a pocket-size Never List to keep in your wallet for reference.

Finally, a few of my personal clean favorites: Cleaning Products: Branch

Basics; Deodorant: Native; Face Wash: Beautycounter’s Countercontrol; Laundry Detergent: Seventh Generation; Natural Laundry Detergent, Free & Clear; Nail Polish: Côte and Zoya; Toothpaste: Dr. Bronner’s All-One Peppermint Toothpaste.

4.

Phthalates (DBP, DEHP, DEP, and others): Phthalates are used to make products more pliable, enabling them to stick to skin (i.e., hairspray, nail polish, and perfume).

They are known endocrine disruptors and have been linked to lower sperm count and birth defects.

SARAH HODRICK Managing Director, Beautycounter beautycounter.com/sarahhodrick You can find Sarah sharing safer products and other clean living tips on Instagram: @sarahhodrick

SOCIAL | The Fountains’ Christmas Open House Photography Submitted The Fountains Family Singers made up of staff and residents, directed by Laurie Evans Ross, Community Relations Director, presented a Christmas Concert at the Fountains of Franklin Christmas Open House in December. The “Singers” rehearsed for six weeks in preparation for the concert, which included such holiday favorites as, Do You Hear What I Hear, I’ll Be Home For Christmas and O Holy Night. Staff and residents enjoy sharing their love for music by participating in the Fountains Family Singers. 2020 plans are being confirmed for the group as they go “on the road,” to present concerts at various venues. For more information on The Fountains of Franklin Senior Living, go to fountainsfranklin.com.

PATRONS PARTY

MAIN EVENT

LIVE BAND | LIVE, SILENT & WINE AUCTIONS FOOD VENDORS | WINE VINTNERS | SPIRIT TASTINGS F OR MOR E I N F O : AV I N TAG E A F FA I R . OR G

Fountains Family Singers

Ricki & Gary Keckley

Santa & Mrs. Claus

Love Spans the Generations at

THE FOUNTAINS

Shirley Tomlinson & Denise Reid

INDEPENDENT VILLAS • ASSISTED LIVING • MEMORY CARE 3 0 0 C E L E B R AT I O N C I R C L E • F R A N K L I N 6 1 5 . 5 6 7 . 3 7 1 7 • W W W. F O U N T A I N S F R A N K L I N . C O M

LIFESTYLE | Beauty Junkie

“Dew” You

Love

to Workout

BY JULIE JORGENSEN

It’s new year and so it’s all about starting the year off with a new you! Dieting, working out, and all of the other ways we decide to start fresh in the new year are upon us and what gal can resist the lure of some fabulous duds to enhance our new workout experience? Afterall, just like wearing a suit makes doing business easier (or so they say), so too can wearing the perfect workout gear make for an even better exercise experience. Well, we are going to go with that plan ok?

Developing or maintaining a healthy exercise regimen can be one of the best ways possible to blow off a little steam in the midst of the hustle and bustle of a new year; it can also liven things up and give you some pep when skies are gloomy and the weather is challenging. Maybe you’re trying a new workout, or just setting foot in a gym for the first time. Regardless, you’ve got enough to think about besides what to wear when you’re breaking a sweat.

Fear not, we’ve got this.

Our options are all but unlimited when it comes to fun, challenging workouts in the area. One of the first things to consider when it comes to exercise clothing is the degree of impact a given workout entails. Yep, I’m talking about choosing the right sports bra. Running and aerobics are obviously on the high end of the impact spectrum, therefore it demands more support from a bra (especially if you’re, ahem, “blessed”). Look for options that have an underwire and are sized the same as regular bras.

I like ones with convertible straps for when I’m wearing a tank top in my workout. A good sports bra should make you feel very contained and not having to tug or constantly adjust during the course of your exercise. Never put sports bras in the dryer, and when you find one you like, buy several to keep them from wearing out too quickly.

Thinking of throwing on an old t-shirt for a workout? You might want to think again. Cotton doesn’t dry quickly and can feel very heavy once you really start to sweat. Additionally, stepping outside in cold weather in a sweaty cotton shirt will have you freezing in no time flat. Moisture-wicking

fabrics like nylon, polyester, and even spandex are a sweaty gal’s best bet. Look for a top with flat seams to minimize rubbing and chafing. I like to keep a clean, dry, long-sleeved top in my gym bag to change into once I’ve finished my workout. Outdoor exercise in the winter months demand thin layers that can be removed with minimal effort as the workout progresses. Avoid fabric softener when it’s laundry time, as it can leave a film on sweat-wicking fabric and the chemicals and artificial fragrances in fabric softener are generally yucky - opt for wool dryer balls instead.

Don’t skimp on shoes - well, ever, but especially when it comes to exercise footwear. Visit a store that specializes in helping you find the right shoe for your workout. Lifting weights typically demands a flatsoled shoe for better grounding and stability, while a running workout calls for more support and room around the toes. Consider arch supports if your feet tend to bother you during exercise, and don’t rely on just one pair of shoes to last very long if you work out regularly. I like to buy two pairs at a time and cycle between them.

Lastly, no gal’s workout wardrobe is complete without a super-cute functional gym bag. I carry a big ol’ tote that’s nylon, stain-resistant, and has a zippered compartment around the bottom for storing sweaty clothes. Some ladies prefer a bag with a strap for a yoga mat, others may choose a stylish backpack.

Aim for one in which you can stow a change of clothes, shower toiletries, a small towel or shammy, water bottle, your workout shoes, and any other accessories you typically need without struggling to fit everything. Sling that bag over your shoulder and walk into the gym like you own the place. Happy sweating!

Love, The Beauty Junkie JULIE JORGENSEN Beauty Junkie

Julie is our go-to gal for all things beauty - she scouts out the best deals and the best beauty tricks around.

She treats readers to some hilarious insight into the world of what it takes to be fabulous!

18 WINTER 2020

LOOK GOOD. FEEL GOOD. DO GOOD.

Our haircuts raised $19,000 for local and global charities in 2019….

Looking forward to that impact growing in 2020!

WALK IN • CALL AHEAD • CHECK IN ONLINE ANY DAY OF THE WEEK E. NASHVILLE – SYLVAN PARK – FRANKLIN – GULCH – GERMANTOWN – WEDGEWOOD SCOUTSBARBERSHOP.COM

A L A N

FEATURE | New Year, New You

A L A N W E L L N ESS C E N T E R

Wellness Center Unveils Brentwood Location Offering Anti-Aging Treatments and Med Spa

ALAN Wellness Center, Home of the FREE B12 Shot, is celebrating their new location, now taking appointments at 5111 Maryland Way, Suite 210, Brentwood, TN. The new location, next to YMCA, caters to those wanting to enjoy an exclusive atmosphere and experience while receiving anti-aging treatments and weight loss services.

Regarding the services, their mission is to provide private, relaxing, patient-focused medical spa treatments in an environment of friendly professionals.

ALAN Wellness Center offers services such as, IV Nutrient Hydration, Medical Weight Loss, Lipotropic and B12 injections, Hormone Therapy, Sound Vibration Therapy, Vitaeris 320 Hyperbaric Oxygen Treatments, Hydrafacial Treatments with Skin Care, LED Therapy, Hair Removal and more. Coming soon is the Scalp Treatment for Rejuvenation by Hydrafacial.

The staff at ALAN Wellness Center is thrilled to share the new location with community members who are seeking age management services.

The Center is very excited to serve those in the Brentwood and the surrounding area at their new facility!

Their cosmetic services and anti-aging treatments are available in Membership VIP packages and can be tailored to fit the needs of patients. The Nurse Practitioner, Aesthetician and Cosmetologist are looking forward to helping everyone meet their goals in Mind, Body and Spirit.

THIS MONTH IS A PERFECT TIME TO SCHEDULE A FREE CONSULTATION AND RECEIVE A FREE B12 SHOT! Specials on

premium packages are available now through March. Also, stop by the Center and enter to win one of two $500 Spa packages to be given away in February and March, including facials and anti-aging treatments. See the Center for details.

(615 ) 730-6831 5111 MARYLAND WAY SUITE 210 BRENTWOOD, TN 37027

FOR MORE INFORMATION OR TO VIEW A MENU OF SERVICE PACKAGES AND A LA CARTE OPTIONS, CALL 615-730-6831 OR EMAIL AT ADMIN@ALANWELLNESSCENTER.COM YOU MAY ALSO VISIT THE WEBSITE. WWW.ALANWELLNESSCENTER.COM

BY APPOINTMENT ONLY ALAN WELLNESS CENTER, LLC MEDICAL DIRECTOR DR. MORGAN KENSINGTON, MD

FEATURE | Eat, Drink & Be Merry

What’s Trendy and W

BY ANNIE OSTEEN

If you enjoy dieting (all four people out there), choosing a diet to begin in your daily life can be overwhelming, as simply just researching the many options online can discourage someone enough to make them quit before they even start!

Here are some of the more popular diets out there that all claim to work. However, we are all different. Finding the right diet for your body, lifestyle, and time commitment are definite factors to consider when finally investing in one.

Weight Watchers

Keto Diet

Paleo Diet

Founded in the early sixties, Weight Watchers has morphed into exactly what a dieter needs it to be - for them. Weight Watchers allows dieters to eat what foods they want, in moderation, with absolutely no type of food being off-limits.

The program allows flexibility for a busy dieter to shape their own diet, even if that means keeping track of their dieting via the WW app instead of attending a WW weekly meeting.

In 2019, WW rolled out a new plan in which Blue, Purple, and Green program colors were introduced, although many faithful Weight Watchers members still use SmartPoints and Freestyle options. The new color-based plan allows a dieter to get matched with the right type of food that allows for an easy weight loss experience. Regardless of how you choose to utilize WW, you won’t go hungry - daily points are always high enough to allow for three meals a day, plus at least two snacks. The cost of WW, depending upon the level of support that a dieter feels they need, will range from $20-$55 per month.

The goal of the Keto diet is to rapidly lose weight and feel fuller with less cravings, while improving your mood, mental focus, and energy through fat-burning. Fat-rich foods are significant, protein is adequate, and carbs are simply from the devil on the Keto diet.

Researching the Keto diet and becoming aware of how to begin the process is important. It is noted that during the first week, while removing carbs from your daily routine, you will more than likely experience symptoms such as muscle aches, headaches, fatigue and mental fogginess, but as you and the diet move past that week, you begin to feel better. By week four, weight loss is expected, especially if you are physically active. If you like your morning toast, oranges, or that slice of pizza, Keto will be tough to begin but it can be done. However, low-carb veggies, protein, fish, and fats (lots from the fats category), will hopefully get a dieter in the place they want to be, physically. The average cost to maintain a Keto diet ranges between $200-$300 per month. Meal prepping and planning helps.

Paleo diets are based on the straightforward concept that if cavemen didn’t eat it, you shouldn’t either. So say bye-bye to the dairy, refined sugar, grains, and legumes and give a big hello to meat, fish, poultry, fruits and veggies - and lots of it! A Paleo dieter can eat as much beef, chicken, pork, and bacon as their heart desires. However, eating too many burgers, which are often accompanied with non-Paleo fillings like bread crumbs, will work against them. Diets, such as Paleo, that limit entire food groups are tough to follow. Yet, someone doing Paleo can regulate how primal they want to be, working in some cheat meals every now and then. With such a substantial emphasis on meat, the Paleo diet isn't really vegetarian or vegan-friendly and to maintain a paleo diet for one person can range between $100-$150 but having more cost upfront generally occurs in order to ensure that having things in the pantry such as almond butter or coconut flour are there when you need them.

22 WINTER 2020

What’s Trustworthy?

Mediterranean Diet

Volumetrics Diet

Dash Diet

While this diet isn’t necessarily structured for all people in the same way, much like Weight Watchers, this diet is more of a lifestyle change.

The Mediterranean diet pyramid helps most dieters get started on their weight loss journey and it consists of eating fruits, veggies, whole grains, beans, nuts, legumes, olive oil, and various herbs and spices. Seafood is encouraged at least a few times a week, chicken, eggs, cheese, yogurt, and dairy are recommended in moderation, saving red meat and sweet treats for special occasions. A glass of red wine each day is allowed, and it’s always encouraged to be physically active to help with the healthynature of this particular diet. The cost to enjoy the Mediterranean diet depends on the dieters shopping habits. Keeping an eye out for veggies that are on sale and springing for the $12 bottle of wine rather than the $50 bottle will help keep costs down in the end as well.

When opting for the Volumetrics Diet, foods that are higher in water are preferred.

Since water increases the weight of food without packing in additional calories, these foods play a big part in the ideology behind Volumetrics. However, if you don't like fruits, veggies and soup, this diet won’t be for you.

A dieter on Volumetrics is encouraged to eat foods comparable to what they’re craving, for instance...instead of potato chips, reach for some crunchy carrots and hummus. Most individuals will experience weight loss when following the Volumetrics diet design mainly because diets that are heavy in low-energy-dense foods have been shown to encourage fullness on less calories and bring about weight loss. Since there are no expensive product(s) to buy to get started, someone on the Volumetrics diet can easily keep their grocery costs down each month.

The DASH diet is especially recommended for people with hypertension (high blood pressure), or pre-hypertension. The DASH diet eating plan has been proven to lower blood pressure in studies sponsored by the National Institutes of Health (Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension). In addition to being a low salt or low sodium plan, the DASH diet provides additional benefits to reduce blood pressure.

It is based on an eating plan rich in fruits and vegetables, and low-fat or non-fat dairy, with whole grains. It is a high fiber, low to moderate fat diet, rich in potassium, calcium, and magnesium. The full DASH diet plan is shown here. The DASH diet is a healthy plan, designed for the whole family. New research continues to show additional health benefits of the plan.

YOURWILLIAMSON.COM 23

FEATURE | New Year, New You

New Year, New HE RT-HEALTHY You WITH THE AMERICAN HEART ASSOCIATION

February is American Heart Month, a federally designated event, and is an ideal time to remind Americans to focus on their hearts and encourage them to get their families, friends and communities involved. The first American Heart Month, which took place in February 1964, was proclaimed by President Lyndon B. Johnson on December 30, 1963.

While American Heart Month is a federally designated month in the United States, it’s important to realize that cardiovascular disease knows no borders.

Cardiovascular disease, including heart disease and stroke, remains the leading global cause of death with more than 17.6 million deaths each year. That number is expected to rise to more than 23.6 million by 2030.

Cardiovascular disease (CVD), listed as the underlying cause of death, accounted for 840,678 deaths in the US in 2016, approximately 1 of every 3 deaths.

In 2016, Coronary Heart Disease was the leading cause (43.2%) of deaths attributable to cardiovascular disease in the US, followed by stroke (16.9%), High Blood Pressure (9.8%), Heart Failure (9.3%), diseases of the arteries (3.0%), and other cardiovascular diseases (17.7%).

Between 2013 and 2016, 121.5 million American adults had some form of cardiovascular disease.

Someone in the US has a stroke every 40 seconds on average.

The American Heart Association of Middle Tennessee works on education, community health, engagement and more and has had several accomplishments over the past year. Here are a few highlights. Go to their website for more information on the many programs of the American Heart Association at heart.org.

Distributed over 2,100 hand-knitted hats to 15 Middle TN hospitals who participated in Little Hats Big Hearts during Heart Month.

Partnered with 298 schools in Middle Tennessee with the AHA Kids Heart Challenge program engaging over 15,000 students with the program and taking a heart healthy challenge.

Fulfilled over 120 community requests for health fairs, BP screenings, lunch & learn events, and CPR trainings.

Celebrated National Wear Red Day with over twenty landmarks and buildings lit red to raise awareness for women’s heart health and February as Heart Month.

Partnered with 11 faith-based organizations on Go Red Sundays and Empowered To Serve.

As the largest not-for-profit funder of research related to cardiovascular disease and stroke outside of the federal government, the AHA is a leader in cutting-edge science with $16.6 million in active research grants in Middle Tennessee.

Partnered with metro government agencies on employee wellness through AHA Life’s Simple 7 Journey To Health.

24 WINTER 2020

BUSINESS | Your Real Estate

HOW TO MAKE THE BEST PURCHASE OFFER IN A SELLER’S MARKET

You’ve worked with a REALTOR® to search what feels like a million houses and finally found it! The next step is to make your purchase offer. How can you make sure that the offer you submit is the one that is accepted? In a seller’s market, home prices are a bit higher, and inventory is lower. This means you are more likely competing with multiple bidders.

In a competitive market like this, buyers need every advantage they can get, and working with a REALTOR® to make the best purchase offer is a smart move.

Sellers want to get the best price for their home but that isn’t always the deciding factor. Eliminating or reducing the number of contingencies with your bid, through things like pre-offer inspections, can also make your offer stronger. The bid that causes the least amount of hassle for the seller is the one that will probably win. For instance, sellers’ appreciate allcash offers as they usually mean a quick, streamlined purchase. If a seller can avoid a complicated process by choosing an all-cash buyer, they likely will.

For most, however, a cash offer isn’t possible, and qualifying for some variety of mortgage financing is needed. In this case, we at WCAR, recommend getting pre-approved for a mortgage before you begin your home search process. With a pre-approval, you’ll be able to make a solid commitment to buy, and your offer will be more appealing to the seller.

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REALTORS have real insights and unparalleled knowledge of your local market and can help navigate the home buying process, so finding one is important.

Find your REALTOR® today at realtor.com. For information on property values and inventory in your area, visit wcartn.org.

CARLEE L. AMMONS

WCAR Director of Communications wcartn.org Joined the WCAR team in January 2018, Carlee’s background in communications and public relations includes six-years of government affairs experience in various divisions from the Tennessee Supreme Court to the House of Representatives. Carlee is a graduate of Middle Tennessee State University and holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Communications with a focus in Public Relations and a Minor in Marketing and Political Science.

YOURWILLIAMSON.COM 25

LIFESTYLE | Styling Your Everyday

Organizing your way into a new decade

BY JENNA RATLIFF

At the beginning of each New Year, people typically set a resolution for themselves, whether it involves exercising, eating healthy, unplugging from social media more, or organizing your home. I admit, following through with those resolutions is hard. I feel like each time I start one, it only lasts a few months. Last year, however, my resolution was to keep my house organized and guess what? It’s still organized to this day and well, at least in the living space, I actually did organize successfully!

What’s my secret, you ask? Start small! Begin by going through your pantry, closet, or junk drawer and get rid of everything that hasn’t been used in the last year. For example, each new year we hang our clothes on the hanger in the opposite way you normally would hang them.

That means the open part of the hook would be facing you and not the wall. When you have worn something, you would hang it back up like normal. By the end of the year, you will be able to see the exact items that never made it off the rack in your closet. This makes “cleaning out your closet” so much easier!

What’s my other secret? Storage…storage…storage! It’s crazy what small storage bins and baskets can do. Not only can you buy them just about anywhere, but you can buy cute, decorative ones that won’t be an eyesore around your house. I don’t even want to count the number of bins and baskets that we have around our house. Just estimating off-hand, I’d conservatively say that we have at least thirty, but they don’t necessarily annoy us because they match our décor. For instance, in our pantry, we have wire baskets. Each of them is labeled by the food items that they contain. Now no one has an excuse for throwing the chips in the pasta basket.

One of the many things that comes with having kids is toys.

Unless you have a designated room for them, they generally end up everywhere. My husband and I ultimately ended up turning our formal dining room into my son’s playroom. Since that room is the first room you see when you walk in the house, I knew that I would have to hide all of his toys in a reasonable, yet fun way.

We ended up mixing four different baskets on an industrial-pipe bookshelf that we made ourselves. What I love most about them is that they all blend with our other décor around the house. If it wasn’t for the train table or teepee, you would think it was still just the formal living room.

26 WINTER 2020

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Finally - although we wait and do this in the summer months - my husband and I go through each of our bins and baskets and donate or get rid of the items that haven’t been used or played with. This certainly helps you to stay on top of your organization-game so that you don’t find that you have to tackle an exorbitant amount when the new year rolls around again. Just remember, keeping your home organized can be easy. It’s taking it one step at a time, and simply just have fun with it.

JENNA RATLIFF

Styling Your Everyday For more information on Jenna Ratliff and all of her amazing styling guides, please check out her Instagram at @athomewithjenna

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FEATURE | Come Fly With Me

PUNXSUTAWNEY, PA

G

roundhog Day… the awaited day, each year, for one special four-legged weather predictor to let the U.S. know if they will be blessed with an early spring or have more cold winter days ahead.

Groundhog Day falls on February 2nd every year and many tune in to view the prediction live, from Punxsutawney. But why not be there in person to witness that prognosticator of prognosticators? If you go - what do you know about the quintessential Pennsylvania town?

Punxsutawney is located about an hour and a half northeast of Pittsburgh, at the crossroads of PA Route 36 and US Route 119, in Jefferson County. With the Mahoning Creek running right through town and as the southwestern gateway into the PA Wilds and the Great Outdoors, Punxsutawney is surrounded by natural beauty and resources that make it the perfect spot for a visitor or resident to find an easy-going lifestyle.

Historic downtown Punxsutawney celebrates its late Victorian and Romanesque Revival architectural styles in local buildings and has a business district where generational businesses still thrive.

Punxsutawney comes alive when celebrating the arts, culture and heritage through communitywide events and activities.

The Groundhog Day tradition is the most well-known, for its long-standing celebration of Groundhog Day on February 2nd and even has a beloved comedy movie about the festivities. Punxsutawney’s most famous resident, Punxsutawney Phil, has been predicting an early spring or six 28 WINTER 2020

Home of the Famous Groundhog

more weeks of winter for the rest of the country, since the late 1880’s.

A little history lesson about how the holiday came about: The Christian religious holiday of Candlemas Day has become most commonly associated with the current celebration, but its roots are older than that.

The celebration started in Christianity as the day, (February 2nd), when Christians would take their candles to the church to have them blessed. This, they felt, would bring blessings to their household for the remaining winter. As time rolled on, the day evolved into another form. The following English folk song highlights the transition to weather prognostication.

If Candlemas be fair and bright, Come, Winter, have another flight; If Candlemas brings clouds and rain, Go Winter, and come not again.

This “interpretation” of Candlemas Day became the norm for most of Europe. As you can read, there is no mention of an animal

of any kind in the preceding song. It wasn't until this traditional belief was introduced to Germany that an animal was introduced into the lore, hence another evolution of February 2nd. If, according to German lore, the hedgehog saw his shadow on Candlemas Day there would be a “Second Winter” or six more weeks of bad weather. As German settlers came to what is now the United States, so too came their traditions and folklore. With the absence of hedgehogs in the United States, a similar hibernating animal was chosen. This leads us to yet another evolution in the legend and to present day Punxsutawney.

In Punxsutawney, 1886 marked the first time that Groundhog Day appeared in the local newspaper. The following year brought the first official trek to Gobbler's Knob. Each year since then has seen a steady increase in participation of the celebration from people all over the world. Today, Groundhog Day remains what it was when the tradition first came to our shores and found its way to Punxsutawney.

So, who is in charge of the annual day of festivities for Groundhog Day? Who are the gentlemen in the top hats? They would be members of the Punxsutawney Groundhog Club Inner Circle. The Punxsutawney Groundhog Club Inner Circle is comprised of fifteen members whose task it is to protect and perpetuate the legend of the great weatherpredicting groundhog Punxsutawney Phil. The club was formed in the 1880’s, and as the legend of Punxsutawney Phil grew, so too did the ceremony that honors him every February 2nd at Gobblers Knob. The Inner Circle manages and hosts the festivities of Groundhog Day that

Thinking about making the visit to Gobbler’s Knob for the fun-filled tradition? Groundhog Day brings thousands of people together from all over the world to celebrate the prediction of a furry forecaster. And with all of the festivities leading up to the event and throughout the day, it is a joyous time had by all of the locals and travelers alike! What would you rather be doing in the middle of the night, in the middle of the winter in western PA? How about enjoying the ambiance of the brisk night air with thousands of new friends by your side, waiting for the Seer of Seers, Punxsutawney Phil, to make his prognostication sounds like a great thing to experience!

Also, follow us on social media to enter contests, hear about special promos and upcoming events!

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Loca lJ e

Punxsutawney Phil’s prognostications have drawn the attention and praise of thousands of his faithful followers who now flock to Gobblers Knob each year from around the world. With so many of Phil’s fans now devoted to the celebration, the Inner Circle hosts additional events and gatherings throughout the week leading up to Groundhog Day, including the Groundhog Ball and the Groundhog Banquet.

Phil and the club also travel throughout the world, visiting people who wish to meet Phil and find out more about his amazing popularity and regal stature.

In the late summer, the club makes a Trek to Phil's Stump at Gobbler's Knob to feed him his “Elixir of Life.” The elixir is made from a secret recipe and provides Phil with the potion that has sustained his longevity and youthful good looks. While the Inner Circle acts as the keepers and protectors of Punxsutawney Phil, the Groundhog Club consists of many more wonderful members from around the world. Membership is available to anyone, and includes the benefits worthy of being a “Faithful Follower of Phil.”

yourwilliamson.com

Cus to m

culminate at 7:20am when they don their tuxedos and top hats to help bring Punxsutawney Phil from his stump so that he can tell the world if it will be an early spring, or if six more weeks of winter are ahead.

Stay in the know and signup for our weekly e-newsletters by visiting

Artist lry e w

Learn more about Punxsutawney and Groundhog Day at groundhog.org.

Full Design Services available!

Zula & Mac offers a variety of home furnishings and accent pieces. Bring in a photo of that trouble spot and let our in-house designers turn your vision of the perfect space into reality.

301 Lewisburg Ave. | Franklin, TN 37064 | 615.790.8908 | www.zulaandmachome.com YOURWILLIAMSON.COM 29

n i y u r e h t s t e f u S o L i y le

LIFESTYLE | Hospitable You

s o r

WITH LAURA STOCKETT ROBERTS

"WASH ON MONDAY" - A LITTLE HISTORY OF HOMEKEEPING

It seems like we are at our peak of organizing and home keeping as we enter 2020. The acme, the pinnacle, the culmination of knowledge from experts in the field; Martha Stewart, The FlyLady and Marie Kondo, just to name a few, are all here to offer advice and methods to help make our homes work more efficiently. However, they are hardly the first. Women have been organizing and home keeping from the beginning of recorded time. But starting several centuries back, in England, universal homekeeping regimes were adopted. These home keeping schedules were shared mother-to-daughter and sister-to-sister until they were widely accepted. Nursery rhymes even incorporated them.

Ivory Soap added a Mother Goose rhyme about washing on Monday to one of their ads (below). In Laura Ingalls Wilder’s book Winter Days in the Big Woods, the author notes the following schedule for homemakers:

Wash on Monday Iron on Tuesday Mend on Wednesday Churn on Thursday Clean on Friday Bake on Saturday Rest on Sunday

However, in Antiques from The Country Kitchen by Frances Thompson, a slightly different schedule is put forth:

Wash on Monday Iron on Tuesday Bake on Wednesday Brew on Thursday (later marketing/shopping) Churn on Friday (later housekeeping) Mend on Saturday Church on Sunday It’s worth noting that “brewing” was not so that early American homemakers could get tipsy. These were not early "desperate 30 WINTER 2020

housewives!" It was necessary because settlers were told not to trust the water and so they would brew and drink apple cider instead.

Thompson notes that once the water controversy was cleared up, “Thursday was designated as marketing day.” Another transition happened when farmers began providing dairy products and it became unnecessary to have a segregated day for churning. “This relieved the city dwellers of churning and making cheeses on Friday, and they began using this day for housecleaning.”

As a lover of history, I’m fascinated by these rituals in which our early sisters partook. I already knew about "wash on Monday" because in Louisiana, where I have roots, a cooked-all-day-long dish called Red Beans and Rice is served on Mondays in local restaurants. I'd always heard that it was because wash day was Monday and the women didn't have time to cook that day. The Cajun Coast, a convention and visitors' bureau web site for south Louisiana, offers more: "In the 19th century, Monday typically was laundry day. Without a washing machine, the lady of the house tended to every article of clothing by hand. That didn’t leave much time for cooking, so dinner had to be something that required little attention. Enter the red kidney bean, brought to South Louisiana by those fleeing Haiti’s slave rebellion.

After soaking the night before, the beans were set on the stove with the 'trinity,' the quintessential Cajun cooking base of onions, bell peppers and celery. It also was traditional to throw in the Sunday dinner’s ham bone for flavor. That’s now often replaced with sausage to complete a comfort food familiar to all South Louisiana dinner tables."

But what does that matter to us today and how does it apply to this column? Well, I was inspired by this schedule and will be writing along in a similar fashion. I will be sharing all the ins and outs of being a southern domestic goddess, as it were. Keeping a home but with fabulous style and always elegant and refined whenever possible. Hospitality is the trademark of the any southern hostess, but no great hostess and homemaker is without her trade secrets on how to make things ship shape.

We will talk about linens, tabletops, entertaining in general, baking, cooking and recipes, purchases and shopping, and of course housekeeping tips and tools.

What better way to kick off the new year and also this column than with my favorite start to the decade must have – the HOMEKEEPING ON Friday ANNUAL HOME MAINTENANCE CHECKLIST! New year. New resolutions. New outlook. It makes you motivated, doesn't it? You want to tidy and organize and tackle all of those home projects you've neglected.

You need to call the gutter cleaning guy, right? When did you do it last? And what about the windows... when was the last time they were glazed? Was it in 2014 or 2015? It's all running together. Enter the Annual Home Maintenance Checklist.

You might already have one of these. If so, read on anyway and let me know if I missed anything.

This is the one I created based on our needs. I started it because I had this tendency to let the display silver tarnish up. I'd forget when I did it last and I'd let it turn black before I'd address it. After I created it, I used a Word document that I printed out and laminated. I would keep in the laundry room. It was easy to glance at and see what was coming up that month.

However, I recently switched over to an Excel document because occasionally I shake things up. I realized it might make more sense to do one project or another at a different time of year... and I can do that best if it's kept digitally. Last year, I printed it out and re-laminated it twice and it was then that I decided to go solely electronic. Now, I just check it off of my iPad at the beginning of every month. It's also easy for me to keep more long term notes for things that aren't even annual.

Your list will be different from mine. Some of you live on acreage that has fences that require upkeep. Some of you have swimming pools. Not everyone has a CentralVac system. Not everyone has copper pots to polish. Just think about your home and your routines. Consider the things that you want to do and what you need to maintain.

You don't have to go digital, but I would strongly consider it. If you simply write it on a white board or calendar in your mudroom, it won't have the sense of permanence. You'll have to recreate it every year. Digital allows you to add and subtract easily, and Excel in particular makes it easy since the data in those cells is quickly manipulated. If you put in a pool at home, then you can add necessary line items for it. If you give away all your sterling to your grandchildren, you can strike its polishing off of your list.

It will take you some time thinking about it to create a list. I find myself still adding to mine but do please go ahead and use mine as inspiration. It's a mixture of true maintenance items, like having the HVAC serviced, and more of what I consider "home keeping" projects, like purging the freezer and fluffing my flower arranging closet. It's not that hard to do, but I know it needs regular annual attention and without a prompt, I'll never remember when I did it last...and

frankly, I'll probably never get to it all! There is something so gratifying about checking every one of those boxes off each month.

You will know what works for you and you'll know how to live with your list. For me, with the silver for instance, I know that I will polish it at least twice a year because it's on my checklist that way... but that doesn't mean I can't polish it more often than that if necessary. That's not written anywhere on my list, but I know it. You'll get into routines with your checklist as well once you get it going.

So start your list, loves! Walk around your house and consider every system, great or small, that touches your life and requires annual/semi-annual/ monthly attention and start writing them down to jump start your checklist. You might already have one of your own... then look mine over and see if you are inspired to add anything you had overlooked.

- Laura

2020 will be a great year!

POSTSCRIPT - I've already thought of one more to

add... purge the medicine cabinet! How had I never thought of that before now? I went to Walgreens and replaced some Neosporin and as soon as I looked at one expired bottle it hit me that I needed to add that to my checklist. This is why it's good to use an electronic version. I can always add.

I think I'll try to work this project in during August or September - before cold and flu season.

Cheers!

LAURA STOCKETT Hospitable You

Laura Stockett Roberts is the quintessential southern hostess and home maker. Raised in Louisiana and transplanted to middle Tennessee, she is an expert in all things home and hearth in the south. Join her every issue as she regales the tales of her home and entertainment adventures. Check out her blog at: portraitofthesouth.blogspot.com.

YOURWILLIAMSON.COM 31

SOCIAL | Parks Holiday Party Photography by Dwight Osteen On a festive December evening, Liberty Hall in the Factory at Franklin, was adorned with peppermint dĂŠcor and filled with hundreds of guests, all there to celebrate the holiday season with Parks Realty of Franklin. As one of the most anticipated holiday parties of the year, guests of the event were welcomed with an open bar and a buffet of an array of amazing food provided by the Parks agents themselves.

Along with Santa, the Franklin agents gathered on stage to entertain the crowd with some Christmas carols and to share information about their chosen charity, Wreaths Across America. Parks’ commits to ensure that fallen soldiers are remembered by placing a wreath on the grave of each veteran at the Middle Tennessee Veterans Cemetery.

Agents hope to place over 11,000 wreaths to show gratitude for every fallen hero. Learn more about Parks Realty at parksathome.com.

Alan & Brenda Owen

Doug Harris, Jen Nichols & Patrick Jackson

Jeremy & Katie Elliott

Diane & Don McKee

Red Terry, Harper Cietek & Jessica Cassalia

Stuart Tutler & Helen Olivares

Cliff Smith & Cody Cornett

Colyn & Ashley Self

Scott & Dee Hudson, Marie & Bob Parks

Pam & Joe Horne

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32 WINTER 2020

Ashley Garcia, Tiffany Vandermark & Vickie Freas

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COMMUNITY | In Your Backyard

FRA

NK

LIN

’S NEW VOLUNTAR Y

BLU

IN B E PRO

GRA

M

BLUE BIN DELIVERY PHASE ONE BEGAN JANUARY 6, 2020.

Start the new year off right by helping the environment through the City of Franklin’s upgraded and expanded Blue Bin program. The Sanitation and Environmental Services Department began delivering the blue bins beginning in January 2020. Citizens will be charged $4.00 a month for twelve months to cover the administration fee for the blue roll out container after it is delivered to your home. After the first year, there will not be an added fee. The sixty-four gallon blue roll-out container will remain the property of the City. The blue bin program is voluntary.

Residents who registered before December 15, 2019 received their cans during phase one, which goes through the end of February. They are delivering more than 8,000 bins. Sanitation began collecting Blue Bin recycling from your new bin the following week after your bin was delivered!

Residents who registered after December 15, 2019 will receive their container after phase one delivery is complete.

Blue Bags and Cardboard will no longer be collected off the ground after March 26, 2020.

Recycling will only be collected in City Provided Recycling Containers.

Excess Recycling can be taken to Williamson County Convenience Centers.

FOR MORE INFO ON THE BLUE BINS OR THE RECYCLING CENTERS, PLEASE VISIT THE CITY OF FRANKLIN WEBSITE AT FRANKLINTN.GOV OR CALL 615.794.1516.

36 WINTER 2020

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COMMUNITY | Your Community Partner

New Director to Lead Continued Research and Slavery and Enslaved Tour Program The Battle of Franklin Trust has recently named, Kristi Farrow, as the new Director of African and African American History.

Farrow, who has worked for the organization for several years, has been named director of African and African American history for the Battle of Franklin Trust. Farrow has been conducting extensive research into the people and their families who were enslaved at Carnton and Carter House and leads the organization’s Slavery and Enslaved Tours.

“We at the Battle of Franklin Trust are thrilled to welcome Kristi into this new role,” said CEO Eric A Jacobson. “Kristi will begin to broaden her research and the Battle of Franklin Trust will begin to teach people about how slavery impacted the founding of our country and why this area of study is so important to a better understanding of our civil war.”

Farrow has worked at the Battle of Franklin Trust since 2013, holding different positions such as staff genealogist, executive assistant and tour guide. Besides her time at the Battle of Franklin trust, she enjoys researching and finding lost stories of people forgotten in history.

“Families and their continuous experiences in history have always been my passion: how history impacted people, their lives and their choices,” said Farrow. “The African American journey has largely been ignored within the American experience, but we have learned so much information about the enslaved people at the Battle of Franklin Trust sites and really throughout Williamson County. There is still so much to find! I feel incredibly lucky I get to be a part of it.”

The ninety-minute Slavery and Enslaved Tours at Carter House and Carnton focuses on slavery as an institution and the specific people who were enslaved at each site. While this tour has been offered on Tuesdays and Thursdays only, The Battle of Franklin Trust will be expanding the tours to five days a week. This particular tour examines one of America’s largest paradoxes: a nation where “all men are created equal,” but millions were denied basic freedom. Anyone that takes this tour will learn about the men, women, and the children who were enslaved at Carter House or Carnton, and how emancipation changed their lives.

The Battle of Franklin Trust is a 501(c)3 management corporation acting on behalf of Franklin’s battlefield sites to contribute to a greater understanding and enrich the visitor experience of the November 30, 1864 battle. It is organized for the charitable and educational purposes of preserving, restoring, maintaining and interpreting the properties, artifacts and documents related to the battle so as to preserve an important part of the nation’s history.

For more information on the Slavery and Enslaved Tours, please visit the Battle of Franklin Trust website at boft.org.

38 WINTER 2020

(615) 794-7415 • TENNESSEEVALLEYHOMES.COM

YOURWILLIAMSON.COM 39

COMMUNITY | Days Gone By

Preserving the History of a very Historic Town

BY ANNIE OSTEEN

With tourists flocking to our area more and more each year, Williamson County has become a hub of fascinated inquirers either hoping to catch sight of a celebrity, view historic battlefields, or simply shop for local goodies on Main Street.

battle flag used during Lieutenant General Leonidas Polk’s command. Other attentiongrabbing items include three Confederate veteran uniforms along with the thirty-fourstar United States flag dating between 1861 and 1863.

Williamson County is loaded with treasures that are just waiting to be discovered by a newcomer and history buff. One of those treasures is the Williamson County Archives, located right in the heart of historic downtown Franklin.

The Williamson County Archives serves as residence for all official records of Williamson County, dating back close to the origin of the county in 1799. Beyond that, the priceless riches of our history are located in the museum within the same property. The collection houses items such as clothing, furniture, a moonshine still, farm equipment, and so much more. While the collection is impressive, it continues to grow, ensuring the preservation of the Williamson County culture existing long before the tourists started flooding Main Street.

“Anyone interested in conducting historical or genealogical research is invited to stop by our Reading Room where we can introduce you to our collection of historical resources. Our county record collection contains documents dating back to 1800. Historical county records provide some of the best evidence of what life was like in nineteenth century Williamson County,” says Bradley Boshers, Archives Director.

The Williamson County Archives and Museum was named in honor of Williamson County’s first Archivist, Louise G. Lynch, and was therefore aptly given the name The Louise G. Lynch Archives and Museum.

Any seasoned historian or even novice visitor can’t help but be awestruck at the treasures found in the museum. This includes artifacts used by both Confederate and Union soldiers during the Battle of Franklin, numerous pieces of ammunition, medical saddle bags, and even a Bible with Williamson County ties. Another collection located in the Archives, known as the Battle Ground Academy Collection, features cavalry swords, and canteens that were discovered on the Franklin battlefield, the Colonel James Welborn Starnes banner, and the First Corps 40 WINTER 2020

Williamson County Archives and Museum is generally open Monday through Friday from 8-4:30 p.m and from 9-5:30 p.m during the months of May through October. You can find the Archives located at 611 West Main Street at Five Points in Franklin, adjacent to the Williamson County Veterans Park.

“We invite anyone and everyone to come on by and visit us. We are open to the public,

and admission to the Archives and Museum is always free,” states Boshers. Furthermore, the Archives and Museum often opens its doors in conjunction with local events such as Main Street Festival, Pumpkinfest, and Dickens of a Christmas along with the Franklin Art Scene the first Friday of every month.

“We invite anyone and everyone to come on by and visit us. We are open to the public, and admission to the Archives and Museum is always free,”

BUSINESS | It’s Your Buisness

A N ew V isio n o f L uxur y Awai t s Your Williamson recently had the opportunity to sit and talk with Calina Burns – owner of Luxenhaus Day Spa. This new luxury day spa has opened in the Meridian Cool Springs and brings with it a new standard in a true spa experience.

TM

TM

“It ’s no t just a new year f or a new you - it ’s a new decade. This is going t o be my decade. The NEW roar ing 20’s - I can ’ t wait t o see what t he wor ld has in st ore f or me and t his venture. What an exciting time t o be in business.”

Calina was working in property management in Palm Desert, California where she was introduced to a resort world and what a real spa was. “I learned how important a spa was and what it would do to recharge my batteries and rejuvenate me after a seventy-hour work week.” She then moved to Del Mar, California “total paradise”- as she recalls and the mecca of Southern California and what spa means there.

Beyond a love of spa, Calina also has a strong love for music and came by it honestly, as her father was discovered by Little Jimmy Dickens, a staple of the Grand Ole Opry and brought to Nashville where he became Dickens’ opening act. Calina enjoyed singing as well and while singing in Del Mar, another lady heard her and said, “Oh my gosh…we should be in Nashville!”

So, the two singers made the trip together and Calina has never gone back. She got connected with those in the music industry and quickly started a new career here with her husband, opening a music distribution business. But when digital downloads took over and she knew changes were coming in the record distribution industry she looked into plan B. TM

Lucky for us - fast forward eleven years - and Plan B came to fruition in the newly re-branded Luxenhaus Day Spa. “The inspiration behind the name Luxenhaus, is based on my ancestry,” Calina says. “I was doing research of my family tree and found out that I have a lot of European ancestry and I am 5% Germanic. What was really fascinating is I was born in Germany. My father was in the Army at the time,” she says.

Calina Bur ns 42 WINTER 2020

Luxenhaus popped in her mind one day. “I don’t know if Luxen is even a word, I thought, but I can make up my own word if I like! I researched and found that Luxen means “in luxury,” and it comes from the Baske area of Europe including France and Spain. It blew my mind because my first ancestor to immigrate, my 4th great grandfather, was from Spain. The

reason for the German word Haus is that while going through the German side of my ancestry I discovered that my fifth great grandfather was one of the original founders of Nashville. One of the original settlers in Fort Nashboro. He was a colonel and his home still stands today. I feel like I was led here, and it was meant to be.”

“The Luxenhaus Day Spa re-brand is exciting.

I am going to put an emphasis on German skincare lines. The Germans have always been on the cutting edge of spa, skin care, equipment and treatments,” she says.

But that’s not all! Luxenhaus also provides a full line of skin care products and services; multiple massage options including a couple’s massage - currently featured as a wonderful Valentine’s option - book now! Other massage specialties, body and mindfulness treatments, nail treatments, services for men, gift and other specialty spa related items for sale too!

Luxenhaus Day Spa invites you to be taken away into a world of calm and relaxing rejuvenation with the ultimate transformational spa experience. Enjoy a selection of treatments which are uniquely customized to the needs of each guest by their award-winning team of specialists and of course, their local owner, Calina Burns.

Calina concludes: “It’s not just a new year for a new you - it’s a new decade. This is going to be my decade. The NEW roaring 20’s - I can’t wait to see what the world has in store for me and this venture. What an exciting time to be in business.”

A new vision of luxury awaits at Luxenhaus!

L uxenhaus Da y Spa 1175 Mer idian Boulevard Suit e 100 Franklin, Tennessee 37067 615.764.0004 luxenhaus.com

Luxury & Sport European Automobile Dealer in Brentwood Autobahn South. Inc 5648 Franklin Pike Circle | Brentwood, TN 37027 | (615) 376-3550 | www.autobahnsouth.com

LIFESTYLE | A Southern Gentleman Is...

adaptable to

change. ch nge. change. change. c hange. change. change. chan g e. a

BY TIM KEARNS

44 WINTER 2020

“New Year - New You,” 2020 is upon us already! How is it the older you get the faster time seems to move? We are at a point in the year where you reassess the previous year and establish some accomplishable goals for the new one. When I look back on 2019, I think about the things that happened, changes in my life, my family’s life, and how those things affected us. This year we lost my Father-in-law a month before I gave my daughter’s hand in marriage; two dramatic changes in the family dynamics, holidays, family get-togethers, and life in general, going forward. Also, in 2019, my grandson turned one and I turned sixty; two opposite ends of the life cycle.

A wise Southern Gentleman once told me, “One thing constant in life is change.” Truer words have never been spoken and it’s what you do with those changes that makes you a better man. I think life and relationships are ever-evolving and changing. For example, my relationship with my wife, which is going into its thirty-ninth year, has changed because we are much different as individuals today than we were in our twenties. When we first married, our focus was on establishing ourselves in the job market, buying a home, and starting a family. Jobs, transfers, promotions, children, illness, and everything in between, change the dynamics of your life. Then as your children grow and change, your focus and priorities also change. The way you handle those changes as a couple and as a family is what will keep you all on the same path; changes can also create a diversion that takes you into a totally different direction if you’re not careful.

Staying on the same path together is not always easy. In fact, there are times it’s downright tough! Being grounded and focused on love and the goals you have, as a couple, will help keep you both moving in the same positive direction together. January 2020 has this Southern Gentleman focused on grandchildren, moving towards retirement, and staying healthy.

Always the goal setter, I enjoy picking some annual athletic goals and races as a way of staying in top shape. With one of my annual goals as remaining continuously conscience of my health, it has helped to create a beneficial result when I also stay motivated to train!

Triathlons have been a part of my life since 1984, and I see no reason to change that. In fact, the racers who compete in the seventy years old and above age groups are great inspirations to me. At sixty years old, I’m not as fast or competitive as I once was, I don’t train as hard or as long as I once did, but I still dedicate hours of my day to my health and well-being. Even if our bodies aren’t what they once were, they still carry our souls, our courage, and our strength. These are such important components of our lives as we move into a new year.

I hope 2020 finds all the Southern Gentleman that read my column are in good spirits and living their lives to the fullest! Change is inevitable. Create goals, stick with those goals, and as life changes adapt to those changes!

TIM KEARNS A Southern Gentleman Is...

Tim is a Williamson County business owner who lives, works and plays all within the county limits. He has been a triathlete for thirtythree years and married to Bess Kearns for thirty-two years. All of his commitments are for the long haul!

LIFESTYLE | A Spirited Conversation

Pour Some Vino For Your Heart!

BROUGHT TO YOU BY HARVEST BEVERAGE COMPANY

February is known as heart health month and many jump into exercise and diet for the health benefits… but what about the spirits?

With so many diet promises out there, it is nice to think a small change in your regular sipping routine - like switching your beer or white wine to a glass of red wine - can have benefits to your health.

It’s not about being restrictive. It’s about a small change in your social, relaxing, or dining routine. If you are going to enjoy a drink with your dinner or 5 o’clock wind-down time, then make it one that could possibly benefit your heart health.

At Harvest Beverage C o m p a n y, w e a r e passionate about discovering new boutique wines and spirits and bringing them to Middle Te n n e s s e e ’ s table.

Did you know that wine, in moderation, is actually a heart healthy option? There are antioxidants in red wine such as resveratrol, which is found in the skin of grapes. Some studies have suggested that resveratrol can possibly reduce cholesterol, lower blood pressure, and potentially prevent coronary artery disease which is the condition that leads to heart attacks. Grapes also have high levels of polyphenols, which are antioxidants. Studies have shown them to reduce oxidative stress and inflammation.

We are not suggesting to start drinking only wine for the heart benefits! But, if you are already an avid wine drinker, then why not consider a good glass of red vino in place of white wine, for the health benefits! And, again, always in moderation!

Cheers!

Through strong relationships with our suppliers and retailers, our mission is to offer a portfolio of unique wines & spirits that will peak interest, evoke excitement and uphold our desire to provide variety and value for our customers and u l t i m a t e l y o u r c o m m u n i t y. h a r v e s t b e v e r a g e c o m p a n y. c o m

YOURWILLIAMSON.COM 45

FEATURE | Pours & Palates

Ellington’s Mid Way Bar & Grill

BY ANNA ROBERTSON HAM

T

here is no shortage of delicious dining options in middle Tennessee, but some stand out in their offerings, location and ambiance. Ellington’s Mid Way Bar & Grill, located on the fourth floor of the Fairlane Hotel in downtown Nashville, is one of those restaurants that stands out.

Their location is in the heart of the Nashville business and art district and has a unique and eclectic feel with retro-modern décor.

Ellington’s offers up a modern take on nostalgic mid-twentieth century staples. Executive Chef Kristin Beringson, who came to Ellington’s in October of 2019, says she draws inspiration from the hotel itself for her new dishes and that the innate vibe of the space speaks to her.

She creates with that vision of a mid-century, modern vibe but with an appreciation for very classic flavors. With over a decade of experience in the culinary world, Kristin enjoys working on new tastes and new experiences for the patrons of the eatery. She likes taking a throwback dish and giving it a modern twist.

4 th 46 WINTER 2020

E l l i n g t o n ’ s M i d Wa y B a r & G r i l l Floor of the Fairlane Hotel | 401 Union Street N a s h v i l l e, T N 3 7 2 1 9

Endive Waldorf

Executive Chef Kristin Beringson I visited Ellington’s and tried out some of the inspirational menu items that are to be rolled out this winter.

The first dish was the Endive Waldorf with Granny Smith apple, celery, walnuts, green grapes, grilled radicchio, grapefruit and greek yogurt dressing.

This salad was fresh, crisp and familiar but with a twist. I really enjoyed this dish- - the flavors, the textures - and think it would be a go-to for someone wanting a light bite or appetizer.

The Incidental

6 1 5 . 9 8 8 . 7 3 3 3 | e l l i n g t o n s. r e s t a u r a n t YOURWILLIAMSON.COM 47

LIFESTYLE | Pours & Palates

Smoked Trout Rillettes

Next, I had the Smoked Trout Rillettes with dill aioli, charred citrus oil, pickled fennel with apple slaw, grilled endive and toast. This was my favorite during my tasting! I loved the flavors of the smoked trout and the mix of crunch from the apple slaw and toast points. This is something you could have as your meal or could enjoy as an appetizer as well. The richness and flavor balance was delectable. It will be one hard to beat when I return and am deciding on what to order.

After that, I tasted the Norwegian Salmon with creamed spinach, lemon and herb cream, roasted fingerlings and pickled fennel vinaigrette. For salmon lovers, this dish was delightful. The salmon had a wonderful crust, was full of flavor, but also cooked to perfection. Mounded atop the roasted fingerlings, the combination was a wonderful change to the serving of salmon - as I enjoyed the heartiness to it.

4 th

Cheesecake

E l l i n g t o n ’ s M i d Wa y B a r & G r i l l Floor of the Fairlane Hotel | 401 Union Street N a s h v i l l e, T N 3 7 2 1 9 6 1 5 . 9 8 8 . 7 3 3 3 | e l l i n g t o n s. r e s t a u r a n t

Norwegian Salmon Lastly, I enjoyed - or should I say inhaled - the Cheesecake.

Made with spiced apple compote, salted caramel and pecan shortbread crust, this dessert was absolutely delicious. Even though I was rather full from the previous dishes, I did not leave any trace of this dessert on my plate before leaving. The traditional familiarity of the cheesecake paired with the spice of the apple compote and salted caramel‌simply amazing. I am a chocolate gal myself, so to be in love with a dessert that is non-chocolate speaks for itself.

I also had the opportunity to try one of their signature cocktails called The Incidental.

This can get the meal started or can easily be considered the perfect dessert drink. With Pimm's, Prichard's spiced rum, Amaro Cio Ciacaro and creme de banana, it had a richness to it with a subtle and smooth finish.

Ellington’s is a must whether you are a guest of the hotel or enjoying some time in Nashville. With indoor and outdoor seating areas along with a wraparound terrace, the eatery offers options for enjoying some sips and bites.

And the location is in the heart of Nashville, surrounded by history - making it the perfect experience for dinner, cocktails and celebrations.

YOURWILLIAMSON.COM 49

BUSINESS | The Scoop IF YOU OR YOUR COMPANY HAS COMMUNITY OR BUSINESS NEWS TO SHARE, SEND TO INFO@YOURWILLIAMSON.COM

LEADERSHIP FRANKLIN SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATION NOW OPEN High school seniors and current college students, who live in Williamson County, are encouraged to apply for a scholarship to be awarded by Leadership Franklin.

The nonprofit organization will award one $1,500 scholarship to a student who meets the scholarship criteria. Applications are due February 28, 2020 at 12pm. Applications may be obtained online at leadershipfranklin.com/apply. For more information, visit leadershipfranklin.com.

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WILLIAMSON MEDICAL CENTER NAMED BEST FOR BABIES Williamson Medical Center has received the Tennessee Department of Health’s (TDH) BEST for Babies Award, which celebrates hospital efforts to reduce infant deaths and to give babies and their families the best possible start to life. The TDH and the Tennessee Hospital Association have recognized eighteen of Tennessee’s birthing hospitals with the BEST for Babies Award.

In addition to receiving the BEST award, Williamson Medical Center has also been named as one of America’s Best Hospitals for Obstetrics by the Women’s Choice Award®, America’s trusted referral source for the best in healthcare. The award signifies that Williamson Medical Center is in the top seventeen percent of 4,982 U.S. hospitals offering obstetrics. For more information, visit williamsonmedicalcenter.org.

ALDAY CELEBRATES 25 YEARS WITH BRANDING UPDATE; FIRM ADDS NEW CLIENTS FOR 2020 In 1994, Mike and Tiffany Alday took a leap of faith and launched Alday Communications, Inc. in Franklin. Twentyfive years later, the firm is still going strong with a client list comprised of organizations with local, regional and national influence (and one that still includes Durango Boot and Georgia Boot). In celebration of twenty-five years in business, the firm is re-branding with a new name, Alday Public Relations, a new logo and a new website: AldayPR.com. Today, Alday PR has twelve employees and consistently has been in the top 10 of the Nashville Business Journal’s rankings of largest firms in Middle Tennessee (based on PR Fee Income). The company represents organizations located all over the country including the PGA of America, Rocky Brands (Rocky, Georgia Boot and Durango Boot), Operation FINALLY HOME, Sage Valley Junior Invitational and Spirit Golf Association. However, Alday PR has also leveraged Williamson County’s growth to build on its local client base. Alday PR’s Williamson County client roster includes Battle Ground Academy, National Seating & Mobility, Pilgrimage Festival, PrideSports, Storage Systems Unlimited, Southern Springs Capital Group and Tennessee Youth Sports (owner of the former A-Game facility). Over the past few months, Alday PR has also added Williamson Medical Center and Wesley Financial Group as clients. The firm also represents High Hopes Development Center on a pro bono basis. For more information on Alday PR, its clients and its services, visit AldayPR.com.

The Scoop continued GRANTS AWARDED BY THE COMMUNITY FOUNDATION OF MIDDLE TENNESSEE The Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee, a charitable organization dedicated to enriching the quality of life in forty middle Tennessee counties and beyond, announces $2,397,870 in grants to 365 local nonprofit organizations as part of the 2019 annual grant-making process. The grants will benefit nonprofits in twenty-eight area counties including Williamson. The Community Foundation awards discretionary grants annually from its unrestricted and field-of-interest funds to Middle Tennessee nonprofits. Grants are awarded through an open application process for organizations addressing community needs and benefiting the well-being of citizens through valuable programs and innovative services. For a complete list of 2019 grant recipients and the specific areas of programming the funding will benefit, go to CFMT.org.

LOCAL UNITED WAYS MERGE TO SERVE GROWING COMMUNITY United Way of Metropolitan Nashville (UWMN) and United Way of Williamson County (UWWC) have officially merged as of October 2019. The newly combined organization has re-branded, operating under the new name United Way of Greater Nashville for 2020. This change was driven by both organizations’ desire to expand services and reach more individuals and families in need throughout Greater Nashville. While many factors contributed to this decision, leadership from both sides acknowledged that with the growth of Nashville moving at an unprecedented pace, the lines between counties or cities are becoming less defined. Many local companies have a presence in multiple counties or cities across the region. Staff from both organizations will remain in place, and the combined organization will maintain a local office in Williamson County. The new parent organization, United Way of Greater Nashville, will serve Davidson, Williamson, Robertson, Cheatham, Hickman and Unicoi counties. For more information, visit unitedwaynashville.org.

LIFESTYLE | Read Between the Lines

Prominent Business Coach Andy Bailey Releases Second Business Book Entrepreneur, business coach, author, and public speaker, Andy Bailey, has released his second book: Vitamin B (For Business). Bailey, founder and CEO of Franklin, Tennessee.-based executive coaching firm Petra Coach, has over thirty years of experience as an entrepreneur, starting his first business when he was a high school teenager. While in college, he started NationLink Wireless, which he grew into one of the top 200 fastest-growing privately owned companies in the country. After selling NationLink in 2010, he quickly realized that his true calling was helping other entrepreneurs and businesses grow and thrive, and he started Petra Coach as a result.

He now travels all over the world helping organizations and business leaders reach their full potential.

Vitamin B (For Business) presents Bailey’s best business and leadership tips, tricks, and lessons that he has collected over the years in a thought-provoking, once-daily guide, including guest contributions from his coaching team and a foreword from fellow entrepreneur John Spence.

been the cornerstone of every one of my successes,” said Bailey. “You don't have to start on the first day of the year, but once you start, it's important to commit those few minutes every day toward growth and improvement.” As John Spence says in the book’s foreword, “Reading this book is the equivalent of having one of the premier business coaches in the world share his best ideas with you.”

Along with his new offering, Bailey’s first book, the bestseller No Try, Only Do is also available for purchase on Amazon.

Petra Coach was founded in 2011 by entrepreneur and author Andy Bailey, Petra Coach is a business coaching organization working with leaders, teams and corporations across the country. Through guidance based on Bailey's entrepreneurial experience and the book Mastering the Rockefeller Habits, Petra Coach helps companies align their leaders and team to meet clear goals and improve company culture.

The company was recently named to the Inc. 5000 list of the fastestgrowing companies in the U.S. for the third year in a row. For more information, visit petracoach.com and follow them on Twitter.

“The idea of taking a small, effective action every day toward a goal has YOURWILLIAMSON.COM 51

SOCIAL | BrightStone Christmas Concert & Program

Photography by Jennifer Franks BrightStone’s 20 Annual Christmas Concert and Program took place in December in Liberty Hall at the Factory at Franklin. The joyful program consisted of a blend of original holiday favorites like “All I Want for Christmas,” to an original written with love by BrightStone students and music director, J’Nae Fincannon, called “We Are Love.” While the Christmas concert and reception were not a fundraiser for BrightStone, guests showed their support by shopping the student-made goods at the BrightStone store and purchased the perfect holiday gift items, handmade by BrightStone students from the BrightStone wish tree at the event. For more information about BrightStone, please visit brightstone.com. th

Tina Majors & Sherry Lovett

Barbara Ledman, Brenda Hauk & Tim Ledman

Randy Elliot & Kevin Cockman

Robin Siren & Lisa Maki

Rachel Simons & Alyssa Ait Taleb

Sara & Cathey Jordan

David Seay, Gary Hauk & Jim Shulmm

Emmy Lou, Juliet, Calvin & Amanda Wallace

52 WINTER 2020

BUSINESS | The Scoop

The Scoop continued BRENTWOOD NAMES NEW FINANCE DIRECTOR Brentwood City Manager, Kirk Bednar, is pleased to announce the appointment of Karen Harper as the City’s new Finance Director. Harper replaces Richard Parker who retired last month. Harper began her career with the City in 1996 as an accounting clerk.

Four years later, she was promoted to City Treasurer which is the position she has held for the past twenty years. She also previously served as interim Finance Director in 2016. Harper is a graduate of Middle Tennessee State University with a Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration. Harper assumed her new job role on December 23, 2019.

BROCK HURTLE JOINS VISIT FRANKLIN AS SALES MANAGER Visit Franklin has expanded its sales department with the addition of Brock Hurtle as Sales Manager.

Hurtle will work within the Visit Franklin sales team in their efforts to recruit meetings, events and conventions to the county, with a specific focus on the motorcoach and group business industries. Prior to joining Visit Franklin, Hurtle was with the National Football League’s Tennessee Titans, where he served most recently as Senior Account Executive of Season Ticket Services. He spent the last six seasons with the Titans, where he advanced up the ranks to senior account executive while managing a personalized 3,500 season ticket member book of business. For information on Franklin and Williamson County, visit visitfranklin.com.

FRANKLIN TRANSIT AUTHORITY ANNOUNCES FOUR NEW APPOINTMENTS The Franklin Transit Authority is pleased to announce the appointments of: Chuck Barber with Middle Tennessee Electric Membership, Julian Bibb with Franklin Synergy Bank, Jill Burgin with Downtown Franklin Association, and Ashley Roberts with Roberts Appraisal Company, Inc. Additional members of the Franklin Transit Authority include: City of Franklin Alderman Pearl Bransford, Eric McElroy, and Kerry Perkinson. All members of the Franklin Transit Authority are nominated by the City of Franklin Mayor and appointed by the Franklin Board of Mayor and Aldermen. The TMA Group manages and operates Franklin’s public transportation service on behalf of the Franklin Transit Authority.

For more information, contact Debbie Henry, Executive Director at 615.790.4005 or visit franklintransit.org.

The Scoop continued MCBRIDE JOINS RENASANT AS SENIOR LENDING ASSISTANT Renasant (NASDAQ: RNST) is pleased to announce the hire of Nickie McBride as Senior Lending Assistant. She is based at the Cool Springs, 9135 Carothers Parkway, location in Franklin. McBride is a graduate of Middle Tennessee State University. She serves her community as a volunteer for Metro Davidson County Schools. Renasant Corporation, a 115-year-old financial services institution, is the parent of Renasant Bank. Renasant has assets of approximately $13.0 billion and operates more than 190 banking, mortgage, financial services and insurance offices throughout Mississippi, Tennessee, Alabama, Florida and Georgia. For more information, please visit renasantbank.com.

HIGH HOPES DEDICATES ELLIOTT GRACE (ELLIE G) CASTRO TREATMENT ROOM High Hopes Development Center recently dedicated an occupational therapy room on their campus to Elliott Grace (Ellie G) Castro with funds raised after her unexpected passing. Elliott was born with a very rare terminal genetic disorder, rhizomelic chondrodysplasia punctata (RCDP), and received physical, occupational, speech and feeding therapy from High Hopes. Following Elliott’s unexpected passing on September 13, 2019, at just four years old, more than 100 supporters donated to High Hopes in her memory. The Elliott Grace (Ellie G) Castro Treatment Room will be used by occupational therapist MaryBeth Cloud, who worked with Elliott since she was four weeks old. High Hopes Development Center is a thirtyfive year-old nonprofit organization that loves, nurtures and educates children with two integrated programs helping each child reach their maximum potential. To learn more, visit highhopesforkids.org.

SOCIAL | Women in Business Holiday Mixer Photography by Paige Atwell Business women of Williamson County wrapped up the year with their annual Women in Business Holiday Mixer.

Held this year at BMW of Nashville, guests enjoyed festive beverages and appetizers from Menu Maker Catering and, most importantly, networking with fellow women in business. A branch of Williamson, Inc., Women in Business consists of monthly educational and networking events that brings together women of all ages and career levels to foster leadership, mentoring, and a support network for community engagement. To learn more about Women in Business, Williamson Inc. and upcoming events, visit williamsonchamber.com.

Marissa Gurrister & Lauren Nelson

Jen Nichols, Gina Leavell & Lindsay Fontaine Kristen Crow & Susannah Medley

Angela Mills & Renee Shafer

Hollie Holt & Heather Doleshel

Abby Bass & Olivia Green

Robin Kotora, Lacie Simonton, Lynda Thompson & Jeanie Holder

Nicole Sibilski & Amanda Bledsoe

Stacy Wallace, Katherine Hillard & Tina Tackett

Pam & Joe Horne

Michele Barnes & Trish Styles

Janice Rodriguez & Andrea Frondorf

Misty Westebbe, Matt Largen & Mary Catherine Mousourakis

Christina Ryan & Claudia Zuazua

Mary Weary & Gena Ryan

Shelley Moeller & Leigh Bawcom

Elizabeth Merrill, Veronica Burns & Karen Williams

Kareiko Tate & Brandi Nash

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BUSINESS | Your Business Partner

Disney Institute

Disney’s Approach to Business Excellence

WITH WILLIAMSON, INC.

Williamson, Inc. will host the Disney Institute’s ‘Disney’s Approach to Business Excellence,’ in March at the Factory at Franklin’s Liberty Hall.

Why is Williamson, Inc. hosting this program?“This is a rare opportunity for local business professionals to participate in a Disney Institute experience in Williamson County. This full-day event will give area professionals an opportunity to think differently about how they do business. Our job is to serve our members through providing them access to world-class professional development,” explains Williamson, Inc.’s President and CEO Matt Largen.

“The Disney Institute brings unparalleled expertise to Williamson County and the entire Nashville region, which allows our members to better serve their customers. I am thrilled that we can play a supportive role in bringing this new program to our community and to our region,” says Largen. “Complimentary admission is available to working media covering the event. Should they wish to send members of its management team, special group rates are available.”

“It will take place right here in Williamson County. Disney Institute travels to select cities each year, and we’re fortunate that the course is here in our area,” says Largen.

“Participants get the same world-renowned Disney Institute content, taught by Disney leaders, but they don’t have to incur the expense of travel to the Walt Disney World® Resort in Florida or Disneyland® Resort in California.”

The ticket price for ‘Disney’s Approach to Business Excellence’ is $500. For more information and to reserve your space, visit williamsonchamber.com.

Learn more about Williamson, Inc.’s people, events and information about joining by calling 615.771.1912 or by visiting williamsonchamber.com.

YOURWILLIAMSON.COM 55

Sponsored Event SOCIAL | Your Williamson Holiday Mixer Photography by Jennifer Franks The Your Williamson team gathered to celebrate the holiday season at Front St. Tavern in December. Friends and partners came out to enjoy an evening of celebration, mingling, specialty cocktails, food from Front St. Tavern and, of course, included fabulous door prizes ! Some guests even arrived in their festive holiday attire, truly getting into the spirit of Christmas. It was a fun evening to celebrate the Holiday issue of Your Williamson! Stay up to date with other upcoming events by following us on social media, or by signing up for our e-newsletters at yourwilliamson.com.

Charles Westen & Olive Mayger

Tony & Kari Brandy

Trish Elam

Heather Branding & Tammi Polak

Frank Miller & Johnny Birdsong 56 WINTER 2020

Barbara Steiner & Monica Smiley

Bess & Tim Kearns

Olivia Haley & Chris Pamplin

Dick Shipley & Bradley Freeman

Lainie Stubblefield & Laura Beth Peters

Pam & Joe Horne

Miriam Wiggins

Meta McGuire & Sue Geisen

Alisha & Milt Erickson, Maria Osteen

Steve & Karen Anderson

Jeannette Myers & Lynda Fagan

Mike Alexander & Jeff Falvo

BUSINESS | We’re in the Money

NEW YEAR, NEW FINANCIALLY WELL YOU

FIVE WAYS TO IMPROVE YOUR FINANCIAL HEALTH IN 2020

BY TRAVIS DUMKE

Meal prep, gym memberships, giving up bad habits, the usual goals when starting a new year. But more and more, we’re realizing that financial wellness plays a big part in our overall well-being. Not sure where to start on your path to financial health? Here are a few tips to get started:

UNDERSTAND WHERE YOUR MONEY GOES

Before you can start setting short and long term goals, you must first understand where your money goes. Start by tracking your sources of income. Then to get a handle on your money, track your daily spending. If you have problems making ends meet some months, write your bill due dates on a calendar that you can reference as you plan for the weeks ahead.

COMMIT TO SMALL CHANGES

By committing to a few small changes, you can be well on your way to improving your current financial situation. This can be as simple as bringing your lunch a few times a week or setting up automatic transfers into your savings account each month.

ACTIVELY TALK ABOUT YOUR FINANCES

You don’t have to disclose personal details about your debt or savings to your friends, but meeting with a financial pro can put you on the track to success. Confused about all the different types of retirement funds, student loan repayment options or your credit score? The internet is full of free resources to help you learn the basics of financial literacy, and your bank can also be a great resource!

DEVELOP A SAVINGS PLAN

Just like setting your New Year’s resolutions, setting a goal for what comes next in your financial plan is important. Once you understand your current financial state, developing a savings plan can be the next step to improving your financial health. This can include building an emergency fund, setting up a 529 savings plan for your children, or kick starting your travel fund for that next family vacation.

CELEBRATE ALONG THE WAY

Working towards healthy finances can be hard. There will be changes, sacrifices, and most likely set-backs along the way. So as you see that extra money in your account after making some small changes, or pay off another personal debt, be sure to celebrate the milestones along the way!

TRAVIS DUMKE

Commercial Banking Officer Vice President - Franklin Synergy Bank Travis Dumke serves as Vice President, Commercial Banker for Franklin Synergy Bank in Downtown Franklin. He focuses on improving his client’s financial well-being by offering a variety of lending and deposit solutions. Travis will work with you, where you are, to help reach your financial goals.

COMMUNITY | Your Kids

Kids Can Get the Winter Blues, Too

BY ANNIE OSTEEN

Looking out of my front room windows, it’s currently dreary outside and even though it hasn’t been as frigid as our northern neighbors generally tend experience during this time of the year, it’s still dreary.

Depressing, actually.

The lack of sunshine is obvious and for many of us, we feel the effects of it.

Speaking first hand as a girl that grew up in the Sunshine State, it hits me each year, right on schedule, after the holidays are over and as the ‘blah’ month of January emerges, so does the Seasonal Affective Disorder along with it. However, it’s not just adults that feel it. Kids also feel it. I mean, how could they not? As adults, though, do we even recognize Seasonal Affective Disorder in our children, or are we quick to just diagnose it as something else?

Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) is often referred to as “winter depression” –a subtype of a depression that accompanies a season, the most common form occurring in the winter months. Daylight Savings, occurring in November, has been blamed for the onset of the SAD “season.” Our days are shorter, which means less light and more darkness, and when the sun is our biggest source of Vitamin D, it can take its toll on even the youngest bodies.

Oftentimes parents will dismiss their children’s SAD symptoms and label them as just a “typical, hormonal teen.” And while younger children aren’t immune to Seasonal Affective Disorder, it’s much more common in teenagers and young adults. These kids will often feel more irritable, have trouble concentrating, seem more tired, have 58 WINTER 2020

a change in their school performance, or even become disinterested in something that they were most recently enjoying.

Although there is no perfect way to treat SAD, there are definite ways to lessen the symptoms enough to get us all to the months where the birds are chirping, the skies are clearing, and the sun is warmer.

Light Therapy (which is my personal favorite and my go-to each winter), has been known to do wonders for both adults and kids.

There are medical facilities that can perform light therapy on an individual but most people, myself included, do very well by just purchasing a small, portable box and keeping it someplace that you frequent each day, such as a desk, table, or nightstand. For me, I keep it on my desk. In fact, my little box of portable sunshine is on as I write this and again, it’s a necessity in my world during the colder months. What’s nice is that I can set a timer for fifteen, thirty, or forty-five minutes of low, medium, or high “fake sunlight” to shine in my direction. Does it work? Yes! I have one teenager, in particular, that needs to feel the light on her face every once in a while, as well. She doesn’t use it as frequently as I do but it simply gives her that little boost that she feels she needs every once in awhile. With light therapy, the goal is to mimic the sun and extra daylight that we often need to feel during the height of winter months; light therapy is safe and has little side effects. Most people can get by with just the “basic” light therapy but other forms are certainly available.

Exercise of any kind is a surefire way to avoid Seasonal Affective Disorder. Allowing kids to remain active, even during the colder and more dreary months, can be a great solution. Indoor basketball, swimming, yoga classes, spin classes…all of these allow for the boost of serotonin, endorphins and other feel-good brain chemicals in all of us, kids, included.

Presented by

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For tickets and information visit

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A DISTINCTIVELY SOUTHERN PLACE

While the research isn’t complete on how SAD completely affects children, common sense will undoubtedly lead us to believe that kids and teenagers need the same, if not more, of what energizes us as adults.

The façade may be that kids and teens have an abundance amount of stamina and energy but what’s happening on the inside is what ultimately matters when it comes to Seasonal Affective Disorder. Discerning basic moods versus the real SAD symptoms in your children’s disposition during the dark, winter months is something to become more sensitive to as parents.

Little Sprouts Sale The South’s LARGEST Upscale Children’s Consignment Sale!

Ticketed Presales

MARCH 4 - 5 General Public

MARCH 6 - 7 Gateway Community Church 584 Franklin Road | Franklin, TN

*Across from Sopapilla’s & Herban Market

For more info: LittleSproutsSale.com

COMMUNITY | Your Education

HEALTHY STUDENTS ARE BETTER LEARNERS WITH FRED EAVES

With a new year there often comes renewed commitments for us, as adults, to be – and stay – healthy. But, as important as our health, is the health of our children.

According to the Center for Disease Control, students who are physically active “tend to have better grades, school attendance, cognitive performance (e.g., memory), and classroom behavior (e.g., on-task behavior).”

While it may seem like between school and organized sports you have your child’s physical activity covered, here are a few easy ways you can continue to create a culture of wellness at home: REMEMBER “WELLNESS” GOES BEYOND PHYSICAL ACTIVITY. When we talk with our students and families about “wellness,” we’re addressing the physical, mental and social health of our students because we know their long-term success requires not just academic preparation, but the skills required to make healthy life choices, self-regulate and exhibit appropriate social behavior.

TAKE A HIKE (OR A WALK, OR A BIKE RIDE), TOGETHER. Engaging in physical activity with our children – even just a game of hide and seek – reinforces the importance of being active and allows you to connect without the distractions that sometimes plague our togetherness inside our homes.

LIMIT SCREEN TIME. A recent study published in the journal Preventative Medicine, found that children who spend seven or more hours a day on screens (not including schoolwork), are more than TWICE as likely to be diagnosed with depression or anxiety as children whose screen time is limited to one hour a day (not including schoolwork).

Think seven hours seems like an impossibly high number? A 2018 Pew Research Center study found that 95% of teens ages thirteen to seventeen have access to a smartphone, and 45% of teens claimed to be online “almost constantly.”

SET A GOOD EXAMPLE. From our food choices to our physical activity, from our sleep habits and to time spent in front of a screen (eMarketer reports adults spend an average of more than twelve hours a day consuming media!), we’re our children’s No. 1 role model. Each day provides us with opportunities to be teaching our children healthy habits.

2020 is the year – and the decade – for us to be fully aware of the influence we have on our children and to help them develop lifelong healthy habits.

FRED EAVES

Director of Athletics and Wellness of Battle Ground Academy battlegroundacademy.org Battle Ground Academy is a K-12 college preparatory school whose mission is to ignite and nurture student curiosity, intellect and character.

60 WINTER 2020

COMMUNITY | News From the Schools

FOR MORE NEWS AND INFORMATION ON OUR LOCAL SCHOOL SYSTEMS - GO TO WCS.ORG, FSSD.ORG AND BATTLEGROUNDACADEMY.ORG CELEBRATING DISTRICT’S EMPLOYEES OF THE YEAR Williamson County Schools rolled out the red-carpet January 15th for the 2019-20 Employee of the Year Celebration. Each school selected a teacher to be recognized and, from there, the district selected a system-wide Teacher of the Year at the elementary, middle and high school levels. These teachers will now be in competition for regional and state honors: Elementary School Teacher of the Year - Jaimee Dresdner, Math Coach, Scales Elementary School; Middle School Teacher of the Year - Alex Young, Language Arts teacher, Fairview Middle School; High School Teacher of the Year - Tim Sawyer, Centennial High School. For a complete list of all honorees, go to wcs.edu.

WHAT TO DO WHEN SCHOOL DISMISSES EARLY With winter in full swing and the potential for inclement weather, it’s important to be aware of early dismissal procedures in the district. In the case of an early dismissal, the district will contact all phone numbers and emails on file. If it’s a district-wide closure, WCS will use the district mobile app and social media channels as well. To determine when students will be released, refer to the Start and End Times page on the WCS website. For example, if the district decides to release students two hours early, a school with a regular end time of 3:45pm will release at 1:45pm. Dismissal times will differ between schools due to a difference in regular schedules. Individual schools will communicate with parents regarding extracurricular activities. Learn more at wcs.org.

BGA FACULTY AND STUDENTS ATTEND DIVERSITY CONFERENCE Battle Ground Academy (BGA) sent four students and two faculty members to National Association of Independent Schools conferences in Seattle in December. The students attended the Student Diversity Leadership Conference and the faculty attended the People of Color Conference. The BGA group joined more than 7,000 educators and students, from nine different countries for leadership and professional development and networking for people of color and allies of all backgrounds in independent schools. The NAIS People of Color Conference is the flagship of the National Association of Independent Schools’ commitment to equity and justice in teaching and learning.

YOURWILLIAMSON.COM 61

LIFESTYLE | The Lady Entertains

Celebrating Cupid with a

Party for the Kids

Valentine's Day is such a fun holiday that often gets overlooked when it comes to entertaining. Short of a romantic dinner and some cute cards from school, it very rarely gets embraced in its full red, white, and sweet, all-over glory. While often unfairly dismissed by scorned adults, Valentine's Day is still enjoyable for most kids. Why not embrace the cute side of this day of love and host a “Young at Heart” party that embraces the holiday through your little ones' eyes?

The Prep. Since this is such a big day of card giving and receiving,

why not send out physical paper invitations? I won't recommend homemade as you will not likely see me showcasing my art skills to anyone outside of my two-year-old. Cute designs are in abundance online and it will be fun for the recipients to receive a festive piece of mail announcing the event. Plan to host on a weekend day around brunch or early afternoon so parents can still take part in evening plans if needed.

The Ambiance. Save the rose petals and candles for another

time and break out the cheesy, homemade, and store-bought cutesy items.

Use white table cloths (plastic for young children) and create a runner out of felt hearts. In lieu of flowers, incorporate cupids, mailboxes, or edible treats to complete the centerpiece. Set a spot for each kid with large paper hearts with their names on them to serve as place cards. Hang paper garlands (homemade or otherwise...I won't judge), inflate heart balloons, and use cheap but festive paper plates, napkins, and cups.

The Food. It's a tradition at my house to make homemade rice

krispy treats in the shape of hearts each Valentine's Day. They are super easy and usually a crowd-pleaser among kids of all ages. Plan to make these ahead of time so the main focus can be on your craft or the baked goods.

For toddlers, stick to PB&J and use cookie cutters to create heart shapes.

Elementary to tween ages may prefer pizza, chicken nuggets, or macaroni and cheese. Easy sides are fruit kabobs, a veggie tray, and some crackers.

Keep it simple and save your gourmet efforts on a more mature crowd.

Use seasonal platters and bowls to keep everything looking fun and festive.

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.

62 WINTER 2020

The Plan.

Gather tons of supplies: Glue, scissors, markers, crayons, stickers, and glitter (if your nerves can handle it), and let the kids make cards to swap. For a toddler party, you may want to do a cute store-bought foam craft in lieu of the homemade cards. For older kids, consider baking homemade treats that can be decorated and then gifted to family or friends.

Feed everyone first, then do the activity, and if possible, try to squeeze in a bit of outside play, if the weather cooperates, or free-play time inside.

This is a most important suggestion for the younger ones as parents will not be happy to take home a sugared-up three-yearold: Cute dessert tables are abundant on Pinterest for every holiday and birthday, but they're really not necessary. You can make a “real food” station just as Instagram-worthy with a little creativity.

Nashville Symphony Live at the Schermerhorn

World Class. Right Here.

Patti elle LaB Valentine's with

CE NTE NN IA L CE LE BRAT IO N

Star-Studded Tribute • february 13

Beethoven’s Birthday Bash

february 14

APPALACHIAN SPRING

february 20 to 23

march 6 & 7

CELTIC JOURNEY march 8*

march 12 to 14

BEETHOVEN’S PASTORAL SYMPHONY march 15*

march 19 to 21

*Presented without the Nashville Symphony.

615.687.6400 NashvilleSymphony.org

CONCERT PARTNERS

WITH SUPPORT FROM

YOURWILLIAMSON.COM 63

LIFESTYLE | Arts & Culture

ARTS & CULTURE

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!

WAITING IN THE WINGS

BY NOEL COWARD, DIRECTED BY MATT GRIMES PULL-TIGHT PLAYERS THEATRE JANUARY 31ST - FEBRUARY 15TH PULL-TIGHT.COM

Legendary playwright Noel Coward employed his 50th production to chronicle human life in its twilight years. Lotta Bainbridge, a onceacclaimed performer, moves into The Wings, a charity retirement home for aging actresses. When she rekindles an old feud with a former rival, May Davenport, the two dueling divas are forced to come face-to-face with past indiscretions and present indignities to see if they can salvage a happy ending for their final act.

The Battle of Franklin and the American Experiment The Battle of Franklin Trust has announced the release of a new seventy-two minute documentary about America’s history and the Battle of Franklin, which occurred on November 30, 1864. Entitled “The Battle of Franklin and the American Experiment,” the documentary traces the American experience from the Declaration of Independence through present day. Highlights include the battlefield reclamation work in Franklin and the Fuller Story project.

The documentary focuses heavily on politics and slavery and how America moved toward civil war. The war and various battles are revisited, such as the Battle of Franklin, and the viewer will experience a unique interpretation of the events that redefined America. Before bringing the story to our present day, the torturous path through Reconstruction is put on full display, including a sharp look at Jim Crow and the modern Civil Rights Era. The documentary stars Hewitt Sawyers, Shelia Mullican, Ethan Castelo, Brad Kinnison, Chris Williamson, Julian Bibb, Bobby Hargrove, and Battle of Franklin Trust CEO Eric A. Jacobson.

A STREETCAR NAMED DESIRE TPAC’S ANDREW JOHNSON THEATER FEBRUARY 6TH - 23RD | TPAC.ORG

One of the greatest works of American theatre, A Streetcar Named Desire brings southern belle Blanche DuBois to New Orleans to reunite with her sister, Stella, and to escape her past. Her affectations of refinement set her immediately at odds with Stella’s blue-collar husband, Stanley Kowalski. Blanche's sophisticated exterior crumbles as she intertwines with their simple life and Stanley’s fierce, unpredictable personality. The apartment becomes a pressure cooker of sensuality and class tensions, ultimately erupting in some of the most iconic dramatic moments seen on the modern stage. Join Nashville Rep as they present the classic that won Tennessee Williams his Pulitzer Prize.

64 WINTER 2020

“We are so pleased to release this new project,” said Eric. “We hope the documentary will have a lasting impact on Franklin and beyond.

Educating everyone on these topics, and what Americans have truly experienced, will hopefully lead to a better understanding of how critically important our civil war was and is.”

The Heritage Foundation of Williamson County has offered its division, The Franklin Theatre, as the host venue for the film’s premiere on February 13th. Doors will open at 5:30pm with a panel discussion beginning at 6pm, followed by the screening at 6:30pm.

Tickets are $15 and available for purchase at franklintheatre.com.

The Battle of Franklin Trust is a 501(c)3 management corporation acting on behalf of Franklin’s battlefield sites to contribute to a greater understanding and enrich the visitor experience of the November 30, 1864 battle. It is organized for the charitable and educational purposes of preserving, restoring, maintaining and interpreting the properties, artifacts and documents related to the battle so as to preserve an important part of the nation’s history. For more information about the Battle of Franklin Trust, please visit boft.org.

STUDIO TENN EDUC ATES THE COMMUNIT Y Studio Tenn Theatre Company is excited to build on their Education and Community Outreach Program by launching a series of classes for all ages. They aim to provide a safe and nurturing environment that allows students to be their most fearless, creative self and to create enlightened audiences and artists who will shape the future.

The Education Program includes:

CORE CL ASSES

SCHOOL TO STAGE

Rising Triple Threats with Everett Tarlton | February 15th and March 14th | Ages: 5th-8th Grade

February 13th, 14th, 18th, 19th & 20th Ages: Middle School - High School

In this monthly class for middle schoolers, students will have the opportunity to expand their musical theatre knowledge. Each class will be taught by a different industry professional, each of whom brings a unique and exciting perspective. The classes will be show-themed, covering choreography and character work from Mamma Mia, The Greatest Showman, Chicago and more!

Studio Tenn is excited to produce the Tennessee regional premiere of Kate Hamill’s new adaptation of Little Women. Running concurrent with Steel Magnolias, the show will be free for schools to attend with an additional two public performances as part of Studio Tenn’s continual efforts to widen theater education and literacy of classic texts. Studio Tenn is honored to have René D. Copeland directing this landmark production continuing to celebrate a season of unforgettable women.

NEXT UP Musical Theater Story Telling Through Dance with Everett Tarlton | February 15th

Class will be held at Millennium Dance Complex Nashville. Students will learn posing, body awareness and acting the dance!

ADVANCED TRAINING Monologue Coaching with René Copeland Ages: High School - Adult

Selecting, preparing and performing a monologue can be a daunting task for any actor. This threeday class intensive will demystify this process and help actors to become more confident and secure in auditions and on stage.

MASTER CLASS SERIES Ages: Middle School - Adult

Studio Tenn is proudly continuing this season with their master class series. With guest teachers who are currently performing with the National Tours of some of Broadway’s biggest hits, these classes are a not-to-miss opportunity to learn choreography featured in shows on stage today!

STUDIO TENN AT MTSU Ages: High School - College

As Studio Tenn continues its effort to expand its education reach and impact, they are thrilled to be partnering with Middle Tennessee State University (MTSU). This offering will be open to the Murfreesboro community as well as MTSU students. Studio Tenn will provide industry professionals to lead classes focused on dance and musical theatre skills. Students will learn dance combinations from national tours, local productions and more. The class will offer the opportunity for students to practice picking up style and steps in an audition-like environment before breaking down the combination and providing technical skills and training.

For more information on Studio Tenn’s Education series, contact their Education Coordinator at caseyhebbel@studiotenn. com or 615.541.8200.

STEEL MAGNOLIAS

BY ROBERT HARLING THE FACTORY AT FRANKLIN JAMISON THEATRE FEBRUARY 7TH - 16TH | STUDIOTENN.COM

Studio Tenn is bringing back the quintessentially southern classic, Steel Magnolias, to the Jamison Theatre in the Factory at Franklin. Robert Harling’s beloved play about the hope, healing and humor possible in the midst of heartache, is a classic. Surround yourself with this cast of Louisiana ladies in Truvey’s hair parlor as they bond through beauty shop gossip, laughter, loss and love. Steel Magnolia’s is a production that promises each delicate-but-strong character the close-up she deserves - and each audience member a fully immersive, emotional experience in the 2019/2020 season!

VALENTINE’S WITH PATTI LABELLE AND THE NASHVILLE SYMPHONY NASHVILLE SYMPHONY AND ENRICO LOPEZ-YAÑEZ, CONDUCTOR SCHERMERHORN SYMPHONY CENTER FEBRUARY 14TH | NASHVILLESYMPHONY.ORG

Treat your sweetheart to an unforgettable Valentine’s experience as the “Godmother of Soul,” Patti LaBelle, returns to the Schermerhorn.

Be there as this multi-GRAMMY® winner is joined by your Nashville Symphony to showcase her sultry soprano on hits from an iconic 50-plus year career, including: Somebody Loves You Baby, Feels Like Another One, If You Only Knew, Lady Marmalade, New Attitude, On My Own and more!

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MONTHLY | Did You Know?

Express your love this Valentine’s Day! From romantic roses to impressive modern bouquets, we can help you select beautiful and affordable flowers for Valentine’s Day and deliver them.

For a day filled with love and romance, look no further than Always In Bloom!

227 Franklin Road Franklin, TN 37064 615.591.7990 alwaysinbloominc.com

Research has shown over the years that the first Sunday of January - this year it is January 5th - is generally the busiest day for online dating. More people are also motivated to find love thanks to New Year’s resolutions - Oh, and the cold weather!

In 2019, 39 percent of American couples met online.

Top grossing dating apps overall: Tinder Bumble Match Zoosk Hilly Grindr POF OkCupid Tagged Hinge

Did You Know?

- TRIVIA When Cupid shoots his arrow through an App!

The first online dating site domain was registered in 1995

Over 50% of all singles said honesty is the most important attribute to consider when deciding who to date. Kindness at 44% came in second and a sense of humor at 34% was third.

Fourth, is attractiveness which men are 2X times more likely to prioritize.

TM

V A L E N T I N E S D AY SPECIALS AVAILABLE! C O U P L E S M A S S A G E , S PA D AY AND MUCH MORE!

A NEW VISION OF LUXURY A W A I T S AT L U X E N H A U S !

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