Nfocus December 2019

december 2019 Our Annual Holiday Guide

Gifts for everyone on your list

+

Twelve Dates for Christmas Cover_DEC19.indd 1

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LOCA L RO C K S TAR S ETHICALLY SOURCED & HANDCRAFTED IN NASHVILLE

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NFocus

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are Trade Marks used under license from De Beers Group.

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Elegant and Stately 4433 Warner Place 4 Bedrooms | 5 Full, 2 Half Baths | 5300 SF Manicured 1.22 Acres in Belle Meade $3,500,000

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Richard Bryan OFFICE: 615-327-4800 DIRECT: 615-321-9531 RICHARDFBRYAN@GMAIL.COM | RICHARDFBRYAN.COM nfocusnashville.com

| DECEMBER 2019 <<

11

Contents December 2019 | Vol. xxvi, No. 12

parties

60

A Walk in the Park

64

Blessing of the Hounds

30

Happy Trails

32

Only Love Wynonna headlines at Rock the Cradle for Saint Thomas

features

34

Women of Wonder

Coming Home

38

Gracing the Stage

68

Studio Tenn wows the crowd at another One Night Only

71

Gift Guide 2019

42

Back to Class

82

Twelve Dates for Christmas

44

Justice for All

48

Brave and Bold

50

Looking Back

54

Hot, Hot, Hot

Greenways for Nashville toasts 25 years of progress and possibility at Dinner by the Bridge

Seven trailblazers honored at Joe Kraft Humanitarian Award Luncheon

Learning from history at The Hermitage Gala

Bestselling author John Grisham speaks at the inaugural Tennessee Innocence Project Gala

Hillsboro Hounds officially opens the season

Harmony Award winner Kelsea Ballerini talks about her music teacher, role models and holiday plans

Fabulous ideas for everyone on your list

Things to do, see and experience in Nashville this winter

departments 14

In Our Words Holiday surprises for everyone

YWCA honors six at Academy for Women of Achievement Awards

82

Sunday in the Park celebrates 30 spectacular years

The Land Trust marks 20 years at Once in a Blue Moon

A trip to Havana at the Conservancy Gala

68

60 ON THE COVER

Nashville Ballet’s Kayla Rowser as the Snow Queen (center) with Erin Williams, Jamie Kopit, Colette Tilinski, Kennedy Brown, Lily Saito and Imani Sailers as Snowflakes (left to right). Photographed by Daniel Meigs.

For more on Nashville’s Nutcracker, check out our Twelve Dates for Christmas on page 82.

18

Behind the Scenes Chocolatier Mackenzie Colt

23

Nsider

84

Local Flavor

85

Best Behavior

86

State of the Art

88

Discerning Reader

90

Localite

91

Pencil In

92

Nretrospect

Public Schools Hall of Fame, Artclectic, Symphony Ball Late Party Kick-Off, An Evening With Friends and more

What’s baking at Dozen Bakery and Dessert Designs

Expert etiquette advice from John Bridges

The ordinary is extraordinary in David Onri Anderson’s richly symbolic paintings

Merry Christmas! Happy Hanukkah!

Another glass of Champagne, dear?

When believing goes beyond truth

Calendar of December events

A look back at the Centennial Park nativity scene

12 >> december 2019 | nfocusnashville.com Contents.indd 12

11/19/19 4:53 PM

As a teenager, Ming fought valiantly to escape one of history's darkest eras - China's Cultural Revolution - during which millions of innocent youth were deported to remote areas to face a life sentence of poverty and hard labor. He eventually made his way to the U.S. with $50 in his pocket, where against all odds, he later earned a PhD in laser la physics and graduated with the highest honors from Harvard Medical School and MIT. To date, Dr. Wang has performed over 55,000 eye procedures including on over 4,000 physicians. He has published 9 textbooks, holds several U.S. patents, and performed the worldâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s rst laser arti cial cornea implantation. Dr. Wang is currently the only surgeon in the state who performs 3D SMILE and 3D LASIK (18+), 3D Implantable Contact Lens (21+), 3D Forever Im Young Lens (45+), and 3D Laser Cataract Surgery (60+). He established a non-pro t charity which to date has helped patients from over 40 states in the U.S. and 55 countries with all sight restoration surgeries performed free-of-charge.

With President Ronald Reagan at î ˘e White House (1984)

Major motion picture coming soon

Ming and his younger brother, Ming-yu (1968)

nfocusnashville.com

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Editorial

Herbert Fox, Jr. Nancy Floyd managing editor Lauren Langston Stewart staff writer Holly Hoffman social correspondent Gloria Houghland contributors Beth Alexander, John Bridges, Whitney Clay, Geert De Lombaerde, Carrington Fox, Laura Hutson Hunter, Sandy Nelson, Ellen Pryor, Jennifer Puryear, Megan Seling, Abby White, Varina Willse founding editor editor

Art

Heather Pierce Eric England staff photographer Daniel Meigs contributing photographers Michael W. Bunch, Steve Lowry, Jen McDonald art director

senior photographer

Production

HOLIDAY TRUNK SHOWS Explore expanded selections and special savings on the latest trends from top designers, just in time for the holiday season.

DEC. 05

Marketing Advertising

Matt Bach

Olivia Moye Ali Foley, Caleb Spencer

events and marketing director events managers

Daniel Williams Jennifer Trsinar senior account executives Maggie Bond, Debbie DeBoer, Robin Dillon, Michael Jezewski, Carla Mathis, Heather Cantrell Mullins, Brandi Nash, Mike Smith, Stevan Steinhart, Keith Wright sales operations manager Chelon Hasty account coordinator Emma Benjamin advertising director

director of market strategy

Circulation Business

ELIZABETH LOCKE

Mary Louise Meadors, Christie Passarello,

production coordinator

JB STAR DIAMOND JEWELRY

DEC. 06

graphic designers

Tracey Starck

Owners

circulation manager

Casey Sanders

president Frank Daniels III chief financial officer Todd Patton creative director Heather Pierce IT director John Schaeffer FW Publishing, LLC

Bill Freeman and Jimmy Webb

Nfocus is published monthly by FW Publishing, LLC. Advertising deadline for the next issue is Tuesday, Dec. 10, 2019. A limited number of free copies, one per reader, are available at select retail establishments, listed on the website: nfocusnashville.com. First-class subscriptions are available for $99 per year. Send your name and address along with a check or credit card number and expiration date to: GARy MINNIS, FW PUBLISHING, 210 12th Ave. S., Suite 100, Nashville, TN 37203 or call Gary at 615-844-9307. For advertising information, call DANIeL WILLIAMS at 615-744-3397. Copyright ©2019 FW Publishing, LLC.

DEC. 07

KWIAT & FRED LEIGHTON

DEC. 1 2

TEMPLE ST CLAIR

iN o ur wo rd s

That’s a Wrap!

Holiday surprises for everyone

DEC. 13

MARLI NEW YORK

DEC. 1 4

MARCO BICEGO IPPOLITA & MARCO BICEGO

DEC. 1 9

MIKIMOTO PEARLS

DEC. 20

SETHI & JOHN HARDY

CLEO BY MARLI

DEC. 21

HARRY WINSTON TIMEPIECES

4121 HILLSBORO PIKE, NASHVILLE KINGJEWELERS.COM | 615.724.5464

14 >> december 2019 | nfocusnashville.com

our annual holiday issue is packed with so many wonderful surprises, I don’t know where to begin. So let’s just start at the beginning, shall we? How about this spectacular cover? Our staff photographer Daniel Meigs and art director Heather Pierce worked alongside the always lovely and talented Nashville Ballet to capture the Snow Queen and her Snowflakes in one of the dreamiest holiday covers we’ve ever published.

It’s no secret to anyone who knows me that I love the holidays and I love our December issue. For years, it’s been a tradition to partner with a local performing arts company to produce a holiday-themed cover. These ballerinas have set the bar very high for next year’s issue!

To learn more about Nashville’s Nutcracker and 11 other fantastic

ways to spend the month, check out our Twelve Dates for Christmas story on page 82.

Speaking of Christmas, we’ve got wonderful gift ideas for everyone on your list in our annual Gift Guide (page 71). We worked with dozens of local boutiques to curate a list of items we think you’ll love.

Unrelated to the holidays but equally exciting, we chatted with Symphony Ball Harmony Award winner Kelsea Ballerini. The country music star was as charming as ever as she opened up about the honor, her career and her holiday plans.

Read the interview on page 68 (and check out even more with Kelsea at nfocusnashville.com).

We’ve still got a few more parties to end the year, but if I don’t see you, have a wonderful holiday season!

BY NaNcY FloYd

Nancy is a reader of books, rider of bikes and lover of all things local. She lives in East Nashville with her husband, Kyle, and beagle, Gus. Email her at nfloyd@nfocusmagazine.com.

nfocusnashville.com

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DONNA TISDALE

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Each RE/MAX office is independently owned and operated.

| december 2019 <<

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Each RE/MAX office is independently owned and operated.

Each RE/MAX office is independently owned and operated.

behind the scenes

Mackenzie Colt Hee Haw Honey Mackenzie Colt fell in love with Nashville after years of traveling from Los Angeles to film the show. In 1984, she moved here to pursue songwriting, but the masterpiece she ended up creating was even sweeter than she anticipated.

While pregnant with her firstborn, she spent her days reading cookbooks and playing around in the kitchen. “Of all my recipes, there were two that stood out to people: my Gooey Butter pie/bars and Colts Bolts. There was nothing quite like them that I had ever experienced.” And then one day, she decided — just like that — to become a chocolatier and Colts Chocolates was born. “I baked a Gooey Butter pie and took pieces around town, ‘cold calling.’ I went into the Honey Baked Ham store on West End, and they sampled one piece. ... They ordered 500 pies! I was in business.”

Lucky for us, Mackenzie untied her apron and took a few minutes to talk to us about all things Colts and what she loves most about the city she calls home.

Name: Mackenzie Colt

The Basics

Title/profession: Creator, founder, mother and brand ambassador of Colts Chocolates Hometown: Memphis Years in Nashville: 36 Current zip code: 37215 Number of years making chocolates: 56 Pounds of chocolate Colts sources each year: 100,000

by Lauren Langston Stewart photograph by Daniel Meigs

What was the hardest part about starting Colts?

Everything — and I mean everything — was made in tiny batches. My first order for 500 Gooey Butter pies was made in my little Cuisinart from 1978. I still have it and it works great! I was melting chocolate in a double boiler on the stove. I was hand cutting Reynolds Wrap in 6-inch squares to wrap my Colts Bolts.

What’s the hardest part of running Colts today?

Navigating social media language and learning different programs on computers. Ugh. Let me in the kitchen to make chocolate!

What has been your biggest moment at Colts? When my Colts Bolts won the international Sofi Award. In the specialty food business, that’s our Oscar!

What’s your favorite spot to have dinner in Nashville?

Loveless for my birthday: fried chicken, mashed potatoes, cucumber salad, biscuits and gravy. Once a year. My family says, “Not Loveless again.” I say, “Hey, it’s my birthday!”

What’s your favorite thing about being a Nashvillian?

When I started my company in 1984 and did not know what I was doing, I asked questions.

They were always answered.

Everyone was so kind and helpful and really rooting for me. I’ve never forgotten that.

I’m not sure if I would have been as successful in a different city.

What do you hope never changes about Nashville? Southern food, the music and my neighborhood

What was the biggest order you’ve ever received? Crate & Barrel, when I got a check for $128,000 for the first order! That would buy a small house back in the day. Then a 10-year project with Cracker Barrel for 6,000 of my peanut butter pies ... a week! Funny, my two biggest customers were Cracker Barrel and Crate & Barrel.

What was your most exciting order you’ve ever received? Toss up — putting Mickey Mouse on my Colts Bolts for Disney, Oprah ordering Colts Bolts to always have on her jet, Ethel Kennedy ordering my Marie McGhee’s Bumble Bees, Ellen DeGeneres ordering Colts Bolts [or] Robert Redford ordering Gooey Butter for a friend’s birthday.

What’s your favorite way to unwind? Snowy day, roaring fire, coffee and a good book after a hike with my dog.

Homemade soup on the stove.

>>

For the full interview with Mackenzie, visit nfocusnashville.com.

18 >> december 2019 | nfocusnashville.com BTS_DEC19.indd 18

11/19/19 4:55 PM

Guiding you home in Nashville and beyond.

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Compass RE is a licensed real estate broker and abides by Equal Housing Opportunity laws. All material presented herein is intended for informational purposes only. Information is compiled from sources deemed reliable but is subject to errors, omissions, changes in price, condition, sale, or withdrawal without notice. No statement is made as to the accuracy of any description. All measurements and square footages are approximate. This is not intended to solicit property already listed. Nothing herein shall be construed as legal, accounting or other professional advise outside of << the realm of real estate brokerage. To reach the Compass RE office, call 615.475.5616.

nfocusnashville.com

| december 2019

19

50 Years of Guiding You Home

Happy Holidays

MargaretTaylorRealty.com Margaret H. Taylor

Lifetime Member Million Dollar Sales Club, CRS, ABR, JD

615-300-0774 | mhtay@comcast.net

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Janice Lovvorn

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Nashville 615-327-4800 FridrichandClark.com 20 december 2019 | nfocusnashville.com >>

Jennie Garth Lovvorn

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Williamson Co. 615-263-4800

nfocusnashville.com

| december 2019 <<

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22 >> december 2019 | nfocusnashville.com

2205 Bandywood Drive | Nashville, TN 37215 | 615.463.3322 | www.margischair.com

NSIDER

Katie Cour, Jim Cooper, Carole Sergent

Mary Pat Teague, Tom Sherrard

Henry Hicks, Laquita Stribling

Brittany Irby, LoLita Toney, Michelle Gaskin Brown

Mike Turner, Beth Harwell, Bill Freeman, Steve Caldwell

Butch Eley, Cheryl and Rick Byrd

Marie Williams, Ginger Eley, Fran Clippard

Chad and Rebecca Ray, Mary Grace Smith

Public Schools Hall of Fame

Coach House Party

For the 15th annual Public Schools Hall of Fame, a group of incredibly talented individuals were honored for their positive impact on Nashville and education.

Richard Dinkins, a judge for the Tennessee Court of Appeals, was given the Nelson C. Andrews Distinguished Service Award, and the Distinguished Alumni Awards were given to Kasar Abdulla, chief diversity, equity and inclusion officer at Valor Collegiate Academies; Adrienne Battle, director of Metro Nashville Public Schools; and Jimmy Granbery, chairman and CEO of H.G. Hill Realty Company. Crystal Hicks and Mary Jane Manley were also honored with the Inspiring Educator Award.

In advance of the 32nd annual Golf Invitational for the Center for Living and Learning, Fran and Scooter Clippard, two of the organization’s founding members, hosted a cookout at their Coach House. More than 200 guests were on hand to kick off the invitational, including coaches Johnny Majors and Rick Byrd and country music’s Naomi Judd and Billy Dawson, and the evening and subsequent tournament raised $100,000 to support adult mental health.

BY LAUREN LANGSTON STEWART PHOTOGRAPHS BY ERIC ENGLAND

BY LAUREN LANGSTON STEWART PHOTOGRAPHS BY ERIC ENGLAND

Nancy Britt, Dawn Harper, Mayra Frias

Chair Kelly Holmes, Micki Yearwood

Geoff and Amber Hurdle, Chuck Guarneri

Jim Coley, Evan and Tera Coley, Paula Coley

Dancey Sanders, Charlotte Goldston, Patsy Weigel

Sarah and John Ingram

Jason Bradley, Andrea and Andy Willett

Elizabeth Jordan, Ethan Kreul, Kimberly Childs, Larry Cohen

Pearls & Pinstripes

Comedy for a Cause

For the seventh year, the Tennessee Coalition to End Domestic & Sexual Violence kicked off National Domestic Violence Awareness Month with Pearls & Pinstripes. Music City Center’s Davidson Ballroom was a hotbed of activity as guests took part in a silent auction, wine grab and Kendra Scott trunk show.

After Micki Yearwood was named Volunteer of the Year and Rep. Jim Coley received Legislator of the Year, attendees danced the night away to Burning Las Vegas while raising funds that enable the nonprofit to continue its lifesaving work.

At the ninth annual Comedy for a Cause, more than 500 people filled Rocketown for a fun(ny) time and to support the popular safe haven for youth. Things kicked off with everyone singing “Happy Birthday” to Christian music artist Michael W. Smith, the nonprofit’s founder. After dinner, the joy continued as Judith Bracken and her daughters, Jessica Boyd and Jacqueline Fisher, received the Betty Dickens Service Award. Within minutes of comedian Ryan Hamilton taking the stage, everyone was cracking up at his self-deprecating — and clean — humor.

BY HOLLY HOFFMAN PHOTOGRAPHS BY ERIC ENGLAND

BY HOLLY HOFFMAN PHOTOGRAPHS BY ERIC ENGLAND continued on page 24

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23 11/19/19 4:57 PM

NSIDER

Danielle Atkins, Owen Clark

Jennifer Justus, Cindy Wall, Jim Myers, Erin Murray

Kipp Krusa, Sawyer Krusa, Ashley Thompson, Tallahassee May

Robbie and Tallu Quinn, Sarah Imran

Lorie and Gavin Duke, Mamie Finch

Joy Huber, Hillary Smith, Stacey Downs

Kim Hewell and Norm Scarborough

Heather Looney, Lisa Shulman, Angela Robbins

Phila Awards

Show House Reveal

The second annual Phila Awards, celebrating the life of Phila Rawlings Hach and the individuals and organizations that carry on her legacy, featured an exhibit

by Dirty Pages and bites from a variety of local restaurants. This year, Tennessee Immigrant & Refugee Rights Coalition, Thistle Farms, Louisa Shafia and Tallahassee May were honored, and after the presentation, singer-songwriter Clark Beckham played a set for the lively crowd. All proceeds from the evening will go toward ensuring that food in Nashville is affordable and accessible to all.

When a lucky group of insiders were the first to see the Whole Home Concept House, they marveled at just how stunning living in a healthy environment could be. Built by Castle Homes in partnership with House Beautiful magazine and a national crew of talent including Nashville’s Kevin Coffey, Gavin Duke and Modern Remains, the Belle Meade show house featured the latest in technology, gorgeous furnishings and loads of inspiration. The home was open to the public for two weeks with proceeds going to the Nashville Symphony.

BY LAUREN LANGSTON STEWART PHOTOGRAPHS BY DANIEL MEIGS

Larry Papel, Karl Dean, Martin McNamara

Julie Boehm, Judy Barker, Frank Boehm

Elizabeth Papel, Anne Davis

Hope Stringer, Joe Barker, Angel Cropper

BY HOLLY HOFFMAN PHOTOGRAPHS BY DANIEL MEIGS

Co-chairs Sandy Cornelius and Shane Foshee

Christy Batts, Belle Johnson, Walker Batts

Rich and Angie Jones

Morgan Coyner, Lucy Kozak

Art and Arias

Rooted

Judy and Joe Barker welcomed fans of the Nashville Opera to their stunning Poplar Creek Farm for a creative new fundraiser, Art and Arias. Complementing the Barkers’ impressive collection of fine art were musical numbers performed by the Nashville Opera’s Adam Diegel and Cassandra Zoé Velasco. But the most exciting news of the night was the announcement of the Ruby and Silver Anniversary Dinner, honoring the Opera’s 40th season and Artistic Director John Hoomes’ 25th anniversary, to be chaired by Julie Boehm and Ellen Martin next October at TPAC.

The Next Door’s fall benefit luncheon was dedicated to increasing awareness about, and compassion for, those who face addiction in Tennessee, where the opioid death rate is 50 percent higher than the national average. The program focused on topics such as the root causes of addiction and served as an opportunity for The Next Door to raise funds that enable them to assist more than 8,200 women every year through programs such as medically monitored detox, residential treatment, aftercare and more.

BY NANCY FLOYD PHOTOGRAPHS BY ANTHONY POPOLO

BY LAUREN LANGSTON STEWART PHOTOGRAPHS BY ERIC ENGLAND continued on page 26

24 >> DECEMBER 2019 | nfocusnashville.com Nsider_DEC19.indd 24

11/19/19 4:57 PM

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SOLD | $860,000 ELAINE REED 615.294.0612

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nfocusnashville.com

| december 2019 <<

25

NSIDER

Co-chairs Caroline Shockley and Danielle Gilbert, Julie Gordon

Appy Frenchman and Viraj Parikh

Co-chair Ingrid and Galen Perdikis

Liz Washko, Michelle Rosen

Artclectic Preview Party The University School of Nashville once again held its annual — and much anticipated — Artclectic art show, kicking things off with a festive Preview Party.

Co-chairs Danielle Gilbert, Ingrid Perdikis and Caroline Shockley hosted the show, and as always, a wide range of pieces were available for purchase to raise funds for the school. This year’s curation included ceramics, drawings, graphics and prints, jewelry, mixed media, paintings, photography, sculptures, and works made of fiber, glass and wood.

BY LAUREN LANGSTON STEWART PHOTOGRAPHS BY PEYTON HOGE

Pramod and Geeta Wasudev, Nell Ann Crowe

Elizabeth Moss, James Vandiver

Geri Butts, Clara Elam

Lamont Turner, Angela Calhoun, Robert Hicks

Co-chairs Terah Kimbrell, Carly Rolfe and Connie Deidiker

Murray Benson, Sydney Solarek, Lizzie Hogan

Donnie and Kayla Counts, Hank Ingram

Co-chair Nick Deidiker, Crystal and Victor Evans

Symphony Ball Late Party Kick-Off Co-chairs Terah Kimbrell, Carly Rolfe, and Connie and Nick Deidiker knew Josephine would be the perfect place to hold a kick-off for the Symphony Ball Late Party. After all, it did win the Crescendo Club’s Spirits of Summer cocktail competition. The popular 12South eatery filled quickly with committee members excited to hear how young partygoers would celebrate at the upcoming white-tie gala. After a bit of business, everyone enjoyed Cope’s-style cornbread, charcuterie and specialty cocktails expertly crafted by Kelly Gable, the winning bartender.

BY HOLLY HOFFMAN PHOTOGRAPHS BY ERIC ENGLAND

Barbara Decker, Kasey Clymer, Terri McConnell, Mark Clymer, Donald Decker

Nancy Mullen, Jeff Palmucci, Derek Anderson, Meg Rush

Suzanne Tatum, Catherine and J.T. Martin

Sage Awards

An Evening With Friends

The Council on Aging, a longtime proponent for collaborative solutions and informed and positive aging, hosts the Sage Awards to honor older adults who are “wise through reflection and experience.” During a luncheon held at the Franklin Marriott Cool Springs, Julian Bibb, Thelma Harper, Gracie Porter, and Sallie and Bill Norton were recognized for their longtime commitment to improving our community. Two nonprofits received the Sage Organization Award: Nashville Public Television for Aging Matters and Mental Health America of the MidSouth for launching the Tennessee Coalition for Better Aging.

Co-chairs Lauren Dawkins and Christina Donelson welcomed a crowd of supporters of Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt to The Bell Tower for An Evening With Friends. The room was decked out with décor from Creekside Garden Center, and the Bob Rannells Trio serenaded the crowd with jazzy instrumentals. Funds from the evening went toward meeting the $1 million pledge from the Friends of Children’s Hospital that will support the palliative care program and a grant for Type 1 diabetes research.

BY HOLLY HOFFMAN PHOTOGRAPHS BY ERIC ENGLAND

BY LAUREN LANGSTON STEWART PHOTOGRAPHS BY ERIC ENGLAND

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27

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29

PA R T I E S

Jake Sobecki, Hailey and Richard Thompson

Benton Smothers, Gary Gaston Donna Nicely, Will Martin, Judy Wright

Cole and Kristen Newton

Amy Crownover, John Cooper

Happy Trails Greenways for Nashville toasts 25 years of progress and possibility at Dinner by the Bridge

T

he great thing about our city’s parks and greenways is that they can be enjoyed at any time of year and in nearly any weather, even record-breaking October heat waves. When friends and supporters of Greenways for Nashville gathered at Cumberland Park for this year’s Dinner by the Bridge, it may have been unseasonably warm, but that didn’t take away from any of the beauty or fun of the evening.

As guests funneled into the park’s amphitheater along the banks of the Cumberland River, they were greeted with bluegrass music and a refreshing signature cocktail of lemon, pear juice and tequila. Executive Director Amy Crownover was the first to greet the crowd, thanking all for “joining us on this night as we celebrate both progress and possibility.” Remarks followed from Board President Pete Wooten, event co-chair Mark Deutschmann and Nashville’s newly elected mayor, John Cooper. John, on just his fourth day in office, earned cheers from the crowd when he honored former mayors Bill Purcell and Karl Dean for adding many miles to the greenways while in office, saying, “I hope to do the same.”

This year being the 25th anniversary of Greenways for Nashville, it was fitting that the night included a video looking back on all the organization has accomplished. When it was founded in 1994, there were no greenways in Nashville.

Today, there are nearly 100 miles of greenways around the city, 75 trailhead access points and greenways within two miles of 90 percent of the city’s neighborhoods.

With so much growth and success, it’s easy to understand why the event required more than 60 tables winding alongside the river to accommodate the organization’s devotees.

As everyone enjoyed the warm evening and the spectacular skyline views, G Catering served a family-style autumn salad, chicken coq au vin with wild boar sausage and a chocolate tart for dessert. Friends new and old celebrated the work of Greenways for Nashville as they reflected on how far the organization has come and the exciting places it’s headed next.

Co-chairs Mark and Sherry Deutschmann

Connie and Berry Brooks, Jimmy and Shirley Stansell

BY NANCY FLOYD PHOTOGRAPHS BY ERIC ENGLAND

30 >> DECEMBER 2019 | nfocusnashville.com DinnerBridge.indd 30

Ron Gobbell, Dominique Arrieta

Phil Ponder, Jim McLean

11/19/19 5:00 PM

nfocusnashville.com

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31

PA R T I E S

Mary Carol Friddell, Mello Thompson, Anita Hogin, Alicia and Shaun Potter

Tom and Cordia Harrington

Chelsea and Brooks Parker

Michelle Heard, Lynne McCracken, Anjali Sood Dan Thompson, Maneet Chauhan, Fahad Tahir, Wynonna Judd, Candy Adams

Only Love Wynonna headlines at Rock the Cradle for Saint Thomas

F

or this year’s Rock the Cradle concert and dinner, co-chairs Connie Bradley and Troy Tomlinson planned an even bigger and better night than ever before. Since these two launched the event 10 years ago, they’ve recruited a remarkable roster of their superstar friends to perform an intimate concert at the Loveless Barn to raise valuable funds for the Saint Thomas Health Foundation and Beaman Neonatal Intensive Care Unit. This year’s entertainer, the incomparable Wynonna, joined the ranks of previous performers that included Trisha Yearwood, Ronnie Milsap, Faith Hill and Martina McBride.

During dinner, Executive Director Dan Thompson thanked the crowd for their generous support, reminding all that the money raised at the event goes “to improve our ability to care for newborns.” Saint Thomas delivers more babies than any other hospital in the state, with the Midtown facility accounting for 7,000 births per year. Dan was thrilled to share that the proceeds would contribute to the neonatal unit’s acquisition of Super Tory, the world’s most advanced newborn simulator. “Tonight, you’ve made an exceptional neonatal care unit even better,” Dan concluded.

WSM broadcaster Devon O’Day and auctioneer David Hudgins facilitated the live auction, which included a Vegas trip to see Reba McEntire and Brooks & Dunn, four tickets to Keith Urban’s All for the Hall concert, a seven-day WaterSound getaway, a private ASCAP songwriters night for 20 people and a guitar autographed

by Wynonna. Following the auction, the moment that everyone had been waiting for arrived when Wynonna took the stage for an hour-long set.

The crowd was elated, but perhaps no one more so than Raye Williams, an up-and-coming artist and huge Wynonna fan who was called onstage to sing with her idol. The pair dueted on “No One Else on Earth,” a moment the young singer later said she would “cherish [ for] the rest of my life.”

The evening was a dream come true for many in the crowd, but the funds raised — more than $150,000 — will ensure that Saint Thomas keeps making dreams come true for newborns and parents alike for years to come.

Lin and Bill Andrews, Debra Phelon

Linda Ervin, Elmie Ruck, Co-chair Connie Bradley, Herb Ruck

BY NANCY FLOYD PHOTOGRAPHS BY DANIEL MEIGS

32 >> DECEMBER 2019 | nfocusnashville.com Peter Depp and Jay Joyner

RocktheCradle.indd 32

Colleen James, Nicole Simmons

11/19/19 5:02 PM

nfocusnashville.com

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33

PA R T I E S

Robert Hardin, Veonie McKinnie, Rosetta Miller-Perry, Richard Manson

Carol Gentry Johnson, Carrie Gentry, Howard Gentry

Aubrey Harwell, Beth Crutchfield-White and Angelo White, Carlton Crutchfield

Kevin Roddey, Amy Albright, Jenny Hannon, Clare Armistead, Hunter Armistead, Eleanor Willis

Allie Bohannon, Martha Ingram, Hank Ingram

Women of Wonder Seven trailblazers honored at Joe Kraft Humanitarian Award Luncheon

Hershell Warren, Ellen Lehman, Steve Anderson

Demetria Kalodimos, Bernice Gordon, Leslie Sax

T

he Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee’s Joe Kraft Humanitarian Award Luncheon always draws a huge crowd to honor the person who — just as the late Joe Kraft did — makes our community a better place.

So when they chose seven women whose accomplishments have touched countless Nashvillians and helped move the city forward in many ways, enthusiasm ran much higher than usual, and the Music City Center was filled with well-wishers.

The remarkable women honored were Clare Armistead, style icon, philanthropist and fundraiser; Janet Ayers, philanthropist and arts and education patron; the late Colleen Conway-Welch, longtime dean of Vanderbilt’s School of Nursing; Inez Crutchfield, Tennessee State University educator, political insider and civil rights activist; Annette Eskind, champion of adoption and education and social reformer; Carrie Gentry, TSU educator and civil rights activist; and Rosetta MillerPerry, founder of The Tennessee Tribune and civil rights activist. Martha Ingram, who received the Kraft Award in 2006, served as this year’s honorary chair.

John Cooper told the room: “In making their mark, [the honorees] often had to ignore the way ‘things have always been done’ in favor of charting a new course.”

Indeed, the video tribute could have run as long as a feature-length film, considering the work done by these ladies spans more than 50 years. Instead, their significant stories were told through tender and sometimes humorous remarks from family and friends. When it was over, Janet accepted the Kraft Award on behalf of the recipients, saying, “All of us are deeply honored to continue our goals and our dreams as we follow in the footsteps of Joe Kraft.”

Not content with the status quo, these extraordinary ladies cared, served and made things happen. Fortunately for the city, they will continue to better the lives of current and future generations because their honor came with the privilege of making grants from the Joe Kraft Humanitarian Award Fund, and each selected a charity for their donation.

Janet and Jim Ayers

BY HOLLY HOFFMAN PHOTOGRAPHS BY ERIC ENGLAND

34 >> DECEMBER 2019 | nfocusnashville.com Jeff and Donna Eskind, Annette Eskind, Laurie and Steve Eskind

KraftLuncheon.indd 34

11/19/19 5:03 PM

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nfocusnashville.com

| december 2019 <<

35

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2217 Old Hickory Blvd. | SOLD Amy Jackson Smith

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203 Leonard Ave. | UNDER CONTRACT Amy Jackson Smith

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4114 Legend Hall Drive | $699,900 Sheila Reuther

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36 >> december 2019 | nfocusnashville.com

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2039 Elliott Ave. | $675,000 Grace Clayton

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642 Brook Hollow Rd. | $499,900 Sheila Reuther

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104 Keyway Dr. | $525,000 Grace Clayton

5814 Vine Ridge Dr. | SOLD Sheila Reuther

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6755 Pennywell Dr. | $510,000 Sheila Reuther

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817 45th Ave N. | UNDER CONTRACT Chip Wilkison

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105 Leake Ave. Apt. #66 | $340,000 Murray Clayton 4487 Post Pl. Apt. #76 | $350,000 Murray Clayton

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6399 Fischer Ct. | $450,000 Amy Jackson Smith

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Engel & Völkers Nashville 20 Burton Hills Blvd. Suite . Nashville . TN, 37215 . 615-297-8543 Learn more at nashville.evrealestate.com

©2019 Engel & Völkers. All rights reserved. Each brokerage independently owned and operated. Engel & Völkers and its independent License Partners are Equal Opportunity Employers and fully support the principles of the Fair Housing Act.

nfocusnashville.com

| december 2019 <<

37

PA R T I E S

Trish Munro, Eleanor Willis, Clare Armistead

Meggan Utech

John and Jillian Frist

Tim and Alison Turner, Janis and Stan Gunselman

Gracing the Stage Studio Tenn wows the crowd at another One Night Only

S

tudio Tenn welcomed an enthusiastic crowd of theater lovers to yet another fabulous One Night Only, the annual charity gala for the Franklin-based theater company. The beautiful fall fundraising dinner was held at The Factory at Franklin — home to Studio Tenn’s productions — and was a memorable evening of song and celebration.

During the cocktail hour, guests sipped on a custom cocktail from Gray’s on Main, aptly named The Storyteller, that was an updated twist on a classic Old-Fashioned. Franklin fave Puckett’s Grocery provided the party’s bites, including a hearty meal of whiskey-glazed pork chops, herb-roasted chicken, green beans almondine, garlic mashed potatoes, winter chopped salad and yeast rolls.

Dreamed up by Studio Tenn and Signature Events, the fall-inspired décor struck the perfect balance between rustic and modern, including a wooden Studio Tenn backdrop, where guests could pose for photos, and long wooden table runners topped with bunches of autumnal flowers.

As fabulous as the dinner and décor were, the real reason everyone rushes to this event is for the entertainment. Once again, soulful performances were given by an impressive roster of Studio Tenn alumni, like Laura Matula, John-Mark McGaha, Jaimee Paul and Patrick Thomas. Fans can see Patrick gracing the stage again soon at Studio Tenn’s Christmas With Patrick Thomas concert coming up in mid-December. One of the more memorable and moving moments of the night was when the theater group partnered with Backlight Productions, a nonprofit arts program for adults with special needs, on a song from Mary Poppins.

The night also carried a big surprise for attendees: the reveal of Studio Tenn’s 2020 Legacy Series artist. The show, which will run March 26-29, 2020, at The Franklin Theatre, will celebrate the life and work of Aretha Franklin. The powerhouse soul singer was the perfect choice for the annual production, especially given the strong female characters that have been at the center of Studio Tenn’s current season. Guests were no doubt marking the dates on their calendar before leaving One Night Only, counting down the weeks and months until this creative company wows them again.

Rod and Kay Heller

Laura Matula

Justin and Shannon Foster

BY NANCY FLOYD PHOTOGRAPHS BY JEN MCDONALD continued on page 40

38 >> DECEMBER 2019 | nfocusnashville.com Debbie and Larry Saunders, Marty Ligon, Harrison and Sandra Crabtree

OneNightOnly.indd 38

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O M A N 21 Luxury Lots

N O W

A V A I L A B L E

The finest gated community in Brentwood.

P R E S E N T E D B Y:

BRANDON JENKINS OWNER/MASTERBUILDER

www.groveparkconstruction.com (615) 642-9992

interst

murray lane

ate 65

roa klin fran

north

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Site Location 900 Franklin Rd.

concord road

Vicinity Map

nfocusnashville.com

| december 2019 <<

39

PA R T I E S

Danny Anderson, Michele and Joe Jensen

Benji Kern, Matthew Nevins, Lynn Hodges

John-Mark McGaha

6 0 3 3 H I G H way 1 0 0 nasHvIlle, tn 37205 (615) 457-2275

Rita Jorgensen, Jim Lattimore, Mallory Johnson

GG-InterIors.com

I nspIred In ter I or s & F Ine G I Fts nashville â&#x20AC;˘ Knoxville

40 >> december 2019 | nfocusnashville.com Patrick Thomas, Lauren Focht

GOVERNORS CLUB 79 Governors Way Brentwood, TN 37027 $774,900

Custom finishes | spacious one level living | Mother-in-law/ Nanny suite | Extensive millwork | Executive home office 3354 sq ft. | 3 car garage | Outdoor spaces Holiday Open House 12/11 - 11AM - 2PM

MUSiC LOVERS GEtaway

SWEET SURRENDER

105 N. Spring St. McMinnville, TN 37110 $549,900 Modern amenities with historic charm | exposed brick walls theatre and music room | indoor grill area with entertainment space less than 90 minutes outside of Nashville | 2 car garage | 3700 sq ft.

AN URBAN OASIS WITH YOU IN MIND

LArA K. KIrBy Broker | Partner KIrBy GrOUP | VILLAGE

2206 21st Avenue South Nashville, Tennessee 37212 MOBILE: 931 273 5510 | OFFICE: 615 383 6964

The Westin Nashville, Third Floor RhapsodySpaNashville.com Gift cards available for purchase online.

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Find your place.

GALE PARK

FOREST HILLS | BRENTWOOD

SANGO | CLARKSVILLE

328 WHITE SWANS XING 5 BD | 5 FULL 2 HALF BA | 8300+ SF | $3,309,000 Lara K. Kirby 931.273.5510

127 COPPERSTONE DRIVE 5 BD | 3.5 BA | 3313 SF | $549,000 Maggie Bond 615.481.9203

COMING SOON 101 GALE PARK LANE 2 BD | 2.5 BA | 1480 SF | $419,900 John Chambers 615.300.0547

HILLSBORO | WEST END

BELLE MEADE

BELLE MEADE

JUST SOLD 2115 W LINDEN 3 BD | 2 BA | 1904 SF | $589,000 Anna Greer 615.364.1063

JUST SOLD

412 JACKSON BLVD 4 BD | 4.5 BA | 6937 SF | $3,425,000 Barbara Moutenot 615.812.6526

4487 POST PLACE #16 2 BD | 2 BA | 1768 SF | $349,000 Maggie Bond 615.481.9203

FEATURED AGENTS

John Chambers

VILLAGE REAL ESTATE VILLAGE REAL ESTATE

Lara K. Kirby

Maggie Bond

21ST AVENUE 21ST AVENU E 615.383.6964 615.383.6964

Anna Greer FRANKLIN FR ANK LI N

615.790.3400 615.790.3400

Barbara Moutenot WEDGEWOOD-HOUSTON NASHVILLE EEAST AST N AS HVILLE 615.345.4611 615.369.3278 615.369.3278

nfocusnashville.com

| december 2019 <<

41

PA R T I E S

Laurel and Louie Buntin, Karin Adams Barro

Bob and Susan McDonald

George and Ophelia Paine, Rick and Mary Lea Bryant

Robert McDonald, Mallory Shults, Leanna Paley, Craig Dever

Co-chair Robin Puryear, Rick Atkinson, Co-chair Kim Holbrook

Back to Class Learning from history at The Hermitage Gala

T

he Hermitage Gala is one of the rare black-tie affairs where we leave knowing a bit more than when we arrived. The evening, which benefits programs and preservation at the home of President Andrew Jackson, typically features a well-known author, and this year, Pulitzer Prize-winning author Rick Atkinson, a leading voice in military history, was the featured speaker.

Starting with the scenic French wallpaper from The Hermitage used as artwork for the invitations, co-chairs Kim Holbrook and Robin Puryear set the tone for an elegant evening. They enlisted Amos Gott of AmosEvents to create a fitting atmosphere for the night, and he transformed the Omni Nashville Hotel ballroom into an intimate setting thanks to lots of draping and shades of blue and white found in the wallpaper.

Attendees first stopped at the bar to order the evening’s specialty cocktail, The General’s Sazerac, before perusing the silent auction. Competitive bidding for items only offered at The Hermitage, including a sunset wagon ride and cocktails in the garden for 10, continued long after people were seated for dinner.

When presenting the Lewis R. Donelson Award to Laurel and Louie Buntin, President and CEO Howard Kittell declared that they belonged “in the Mount Rushmore of The Hermitage.” In fact, the Buntin family sold Tulip Grove and surrounding acreage to the Andrew Jackson Foundation in the 1960s. Sen. Lamar Alexander received the Jackson Award in recognition of his work to protect states’ rights. “We were born bickering,” said Rick as he opened with insightful comments about the Revolutionary War (the subject of his most recent bestseller) and what we might learn from it.

The evening ended with a Champagne toast to the memory of President Jackson and to the future of his home. The future remains bright for The Hermitage because funds raised support the Foundation’s educational programming, conservation of collections and preservation of The Hermitage’s grounds and buildings, which comprise more than 30 structures on more than 1,120 acres.

Lamar Alexander, Howard Kittell

Greg and Yani Masucci

Harrison and Carlee Riggs

BY HOLLY HOFFMAN PHOTOGRAPHS BY DANIEL MEIGS

42 >> DECEMBER 2019 | nfocusnashville.com David and Lisa Manning, Sandy and Jay Sangervasi

HermitageGala.indd 42

11/20/19 2:06 PM

4106 SNEED ROAD GREEN HILLS HAL ROSSON 615-271-2705 BRENDA FREEMAN 615-330-5127

$3,200,000

3202 HWY. 431 SPRING HILL MINI FARM IN SPRING HILL NEAR THE WILLIAMSON COUNTY LINE AND I-840

3310 HILLSBORO PIKE RODERICK SQUARE

3500 GRANNY WHITE PIKE #B WOODMONT VILLAGE $529,500

$295,000

$569,500

RECENT SALES 798 COTTAGE PARK DR. $307,500 4337 BEEKMAN DR. $1,090,000 325 WALNUT DR. $925,000 4400 BELMONT PARK TERRACE $495,000

HAL ROSSON

615-271-2705 halrosson@freemanwebb.com www.halrosson.com

Representing Real Estate Buyers and Sellers Since 1971 Freeman Webb Companies 3810 Bedford Avenue, Nashville, TN 37215 | december 2019 << 43 615.271-2700: Office

nfocusnashville.com

PA R T I E S

Jason Strong, Randall Mills

Emily Linehan, Jonathan Tepe

John Grisham, Eddie George

Mike Cannata, Buddy Ortale, John Franck, Josh Easter, Terry Hemmings

John Grisham, Perian Strang

Adam Braseel, Alex Little, Emily Mack

Justice for All

Bestselling author John Grisham speaks at the inaugural Tennessee Innocence Project Gala

T

he Tennessee Innocence Project made its Nashville debut with a bang at its inaugural gala, a sold-out affair featuring bestselling author John Grisham. Held at Montgomery Bell Academy, the event was packed with supporters eager to learn more about the new organization, which works to exonerate the wrongfully convicted.

Officially launched in February 2019, the Tennessee Innocence Project dates back to a grassroots effort started in 2000 by attorneys, law students, professors and volunteers. With the formal founding of the nonprofit, the Tennessee Innocence Project is the first organization of its kind in the state and joins the 67 innocence projects that currently exist around the world.

“We work on cases involving eyewitness misidentification, scientific testing, DNA testing, debunked forensic science and false confessions — just to name a few,” says Executive Director Jessica Van Dyke. “There is no state funding for this type of work and no other organization located in Tennessee is performing this work.”

The inaugural gala served as a way to raise much-needed funds and awareness for the nonprofit, and the event sold out quickly. Having John Grisham as the keynote speaker certainly didn’t hurt. The bestselling author graciously signed copies of books for VIPs in a private reception during the cocktail hour and spoke following dinner. He chatted with us prior to the event about the importance of the cause.

“In this country, we have thousands of wrongful convictions and we do not have enough Innocence Projects to help to fight those convictions, and it’s great that Tennessee now has one,” he said. “There’s a direct correlation between the amount of money you have to spend and the number of innocent people you can exonerate. ... You have to have cash to hire the lawyers and investigators to get people out. So every dollar you get is crucial because there’s no government money involved. The government does not recognize the problem, so it’s crucial to be here to raise money.”

Thanks to John’s attendance and the hard work of the organization, Tennessee Innocence Project raised $135,000 in crucial funds to help further their cause and find freedom for the wrongfully accused.

Stephen Ross Johnson, Eddie George

Joey and Lacey Fuson

Anne Davis and Karl Dean

BY NANCY FLOYD PHOTOGRAPHS BY DANIEL MEIGS

44 >> DECEMBER 2019 | nfocusnashville.com Kim Dano, Jessica Van Dyke, Stephanie Ditenhafer

TNInnocence.indd 44

11/19/19 5:24 PM

As we celebrate 50 years, we are thankful for the clients, family, and friends who support us.

3640 BEAR CREEK LANE $3,950,000

Matt C. Ligon | 615.478.6355

1629 RAGSDALE ROAD $3,600,000

Donnie Stanley | 615.473.6619

2032 SUNSET HILLS TERRACE $2,600,000

2005 SUNSET HILLS TERRACE $2,195,000 Kim Anderson | 615.479.2146

Jim Terrell | 615.371.2474 Dana Griscom | 615.485.5360

1073 SINGING SPRINGS $1,495,000

2001 LOOMIS COURT $1,150,000

476 SANDCASTLE ROAD $1,149,000

5342 GREEN VALLEY COURT $985,000

9504 MIDLOTHIAN DRIVE $759,999

Kim Anderson | 615.479.2146

6016 HILLSBORO PIKE $1,595,000

Michael B. McKee | 615.300.0721

Anne Edmonds | 615.218.3842

Dana Griscom | 615.485.5360 Karen Pilkerton | 615.668.1578

Michael B. McKee | 615.300.0721

Dana Griscom | 615.485.5360 Karen Pilkerton | 615.668.1578

748 DARDEN PLACE $700,000

6002 CARGILE ROAD $679,000

910 WOODBURN DRIVE $659,000

128 WOODMONT BLVD $649,000

1134 BARRELL SPRINGS HOLLOW $539,900

304A VIVELLE AVENUE $438,900

Shannon Barton | 615.838.3193 Sissy Rogers | 615.496.1700

Jeanie Barrier | 615.423.8311

Donnie Stanley | 615.473.6619

Barbara Keith Payne | 615.300.7337

210 POLK PLACE DRIVE $515,000

4407 RIDGEFIELD WAY $485,500

304B VIVELLE AVENUE $469,000

4027 ELKINS ALLEY $459,900

Michael B. McKee | 615.300.0721

Betsy Peebles | 615.604.2101

Barbara Keith Payne | 615.300.7337

Betsy Peebles | 615.604.2101

Greta Springer | 615.415.8849 Andrew Terrell | 615.497.6488

Betsy Peebles | 615.604.2101

1336B STAINBACK AVENUE $399,000

4400 BELMONT PARK TER, #225 $389,000

835 BEAR CREEK TRAIL $385,000

120 MORTON MILL CIRCLE $378,000

3000 HILLSBORO PK, #64 $259,000

Betsy Peebles | 615.604.2101

Matt C. Ligon

Donnie Stanley

Kim Anderson

INTOWN 615.942.5830 1909 12th Ave S Nashville, TN 37203

Dana Griscom | 615.485.5360 Karen Pilkerton | 615.668.1578

Dana Griscom

Karen Pilkerton

Jeanie Barrier | 615.423.8311

Michael B. McKee

NASHVILLE 615.383.7914 2021 Richard Jones Rd, Ste. 210 Nashville, TN 37215

Anne Edmonds

Shannon Barton

Betsy Peebles | 615.604.2101

Sissy Rogers

BRENTWOOD 615.371.2474 2 Cadillac Drive Brentwood, TN 37027

Jeanie Barrier

Barbara Keith Payne

Betsy Peebles | 615.604.2101 Jane Jackson | 615.604.4342

Betsy Peebles

Greta Springer

Andrew Terrell

FRANKLIN 615.794.5575 284 Seaboard Ln, Ste. 110 Franklin, TN 37067

nfocusnashville.com

| december pilkerton.com 2019 << 45

Celebration of Serving 45 Years in Middle Tennessee

#1

$800K+

$2.72 Billion

98%

We maintain the highest agent productivity of the top 5 firms in our market.

Parks dominates the market with the most luxury listings and luxury buyers.

Parks hit another record-high annual sales volume.

Our average List Price to Sale Price keeps sellers happy.

ParksAtHome.com 46 >> december 2019 | nfocusnashville.com

Parks / Marketing; 215323.pdf

BRENTWOOD 615.370.8669 | FRANKLIN 615.790.7400 | GREEN HILLS 615.383.6600 | GULCH 615.522.5100 | CHARLOTTE AVE. 615.292.1006 | EAST NASHVILLE 615.622.7400

GREEN HILLS

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12 SOUTH/8TH AVE

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910 S Douglas Ave.

217 La Vista

309 Splitwood Ct

3 Beds, 2 Full Baths, 3162 SqSt $910,000

4 Beds, 3 Full Baths, 1 Half Bath, 2606 Sq Ft $364,900

4 Beds, 5 Full Baths, 1 Half Bath, 5395 SqFt $1,735,000

Merrill House + Key 615.669.0516 Mary Beth Thomas 615.714.7183

Allen DeCuyper 615.300.5971

Mary Beth Thomas 615.714.7183 John G. Brittle, Jr. 615.300.8649

HILLWOOD

GREEN HILLS

GREEN HILLS

NEW PRICE

217 Kensington 4 Beds, 4 Full Baths, 1 Half Bath, 4359 SqFt $979,900

4501 Granny White Pike

731 Summerly Drive

5 Beds, 2 Full Baths, 3655 SqFt $869,000

5 Beds, 6 Full Baths, 1 Half Bath, 6323 SqFt $2,999,000

Allen DeCuyper 615.300.5971

Allen DeCuyper 615.300.5971

Allen DeCuyper 615.300.5971

FRANKLIN

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THE NATIONS

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700 James â&#x20AC;&#x201C; The Rows at Annex 2 Beds, 2 Full Baths, 1 Half Bath, 1,175+ SqFt Starting at $305,900

904 Buford Pl

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4 Beds ,3 Full Baths, 1 Half Bath, 3447 Sq Ft $749,000

5 Beds, 4 Full Baths, 3835 SqFt $674,900

Allen DeCuyper 615.300.5971

Allen DeCuyper 615.300.5971

Nichole Holmes 615.364.1856

FEATURED AGENTS:

JOHN G. BRITTLE, JR. 615.300.8649

ALLEN DECUYPER 615.300.5971

JONNY GLEATON 770.876.5255

NICHOLE HOLMES 615.364.1856

MARY BETH THOMAS 615.714.7183 nfocusnashville.com

| december 2019 <<

47

PA R T I E S

Dorothy and Joe Scarlett, Co-chair Tara Scarlett

Monique and Michael Lewis with Tennyson James

Hershell Warren, Vanessa Lazon, Ana Escobar, Charles Starks

Alice Chapman, Gail Williams, Jeff and Tyler Yarbro

Co-chair Sara Finley, Leigh Walton, Wanda Lyle

Brave and Bold YWCA honors six at Academy for Women of Achievement Awards

E

ach year, the YWCA Nashville & Middle Tennessee, an organization dedicated to serving women and families for more than 120 years, recognizes exceptional women who are making significant contributions to our community. At the 28th annual Academy for Women of Achievement Awards, the organization celebrated six role models who are passionate about empowering women and improving our community.

Co-chairs Sara Finley and Tara Scarlett chose the theme Day of the Brave because these women have all taken risks, excelled in male-dominated fields, and stood for what is just and equitable. This class of honorees included Gail Williams, associate director of community relations at Vanderbilt University; Beth Chase, senior managing director at Ankura; Ana Escobar, general sessions judge in Davidson County; Mendy Mazzo, corporate senior vice president at Skanska; Consuelo Wilkins, vice president for Health Equity at Vanderbilt University Medical Center; and Vicki Yates, anchor at WTVF NewsChannel 5. Bank of America was named this year’s corporate honoree for its commitment to diversity and inclusion.

Five hundred past award recipients and leaders in commerce, medicine, law, communications and government enjoyed a lively cocktail hour before moving into the Music City Center’s Davidson Ballroom for dinner and a program emceed

by Lelan Statom. Candi Carpenter, one of Nashville’s Song Suffragettes, kicked off the night with her hit “Affirmation,” followed by words of welcome from YWCA President and CEO Sharon Roberson. After a delicious three-course meal, a short video showing the accomplishments of the honorees played before Sara and Tara presented each with a medallion. It was certainly a special moment when Lelan announced his longtime colleague Vicki.

The YWCA works to eliminate racism, empower women, and promote peace, justice, freedom and dignity for all. The lives and careers of this year’s class of risktakers serve as inspiration to the next generation of leaders and exemplify the nonprofit’s mission to help women create a better quality of life for themselves.

Rowena Cuffe, Michele Frazier, Consuelo Wilkins, Jacquelyn Favours

Hannah Cornfield, Janie Greenwood Harris, Hedy Weinberg

Pooh Vichidvongsa, Ashley Wallace, Jamee Marshall

BY HOLLY HOFFMAN PHOTOGRAPHS BY ERIC ENGLAND

48 >> DECEMBER 2019 | nfocusnashville.com Lydia Lenker, Vicki Yates, Deb Varallo

AWA.indd 48

11/19/19 5:27 PM

SISSY ROGERS ROGERS SISSY

DES IGN ˙ RE STORE ˙ RE PA IR ˙ RE S TY L E

Grateful to Pilkerton Realtors, clients, friends and family for SISSY ROGERS Grateful to Pilkerton Realtors, clients, friends and family for 35 years support selling Nashville Real Estate.

SISSY ROGERS Grateful Pilkerton Realtors, friends family for 35toyears support sellingclients, Nashville Real and Estate.

Grateful Pilkerton Realtors, clients, friends and family for SISSY ROGERS 35toyears support selling Nashville Real Estate.

2019 SALES 35toyears support selling Nashville Real and Estate.

Grateful Pilkerton Realtors, clients, friends family for 2019 SALES 35 years support selling Nashville Real Estate.

2019 SALES

2019 SALES 2019 SALES

Visit our Open House

Friday, December 20 from 12 - 5 Saturday, December 21 from 11 - 3 COMPLIMENTARY RING CLEANING RING SIZING • CUSTOM DESIGN • EXPERT WATCH REPAIR GIA INSURANCE APPRAISALS • PRONG REPAIR/RETIPPING HAND ENGRAVING • STONE REPLACEMENT • PEARL RESTRINGING

828 Belle Meade Blvd* 828 Belle Meade Blvd* $2,350,000 828 Belle Meade Blvd* $2,350,000 828 Belle Meade Blvd* $2,350,000 $2,350,000 828 Belle Meade Blvd* $2,350,000

4340 Beekman Drive 4340 Beekman Drive $1,775,000 4340$1,775,000 Beekman Drive 4340$1,775,000 Beekman Drive 4340$1,775,000 Beekman Drive $1,775,000

4307 Franklin Pike 4307 Franklin Pike $1,075,000 4307 Franklin Pike $1,075,000 4307 Franklin Pike $1,075,000 $1,075,000 4307 Franklin Pike $1,075,000

6128 Stonehaven Drive 6128 Stonehaven Drive $775,000 6128 Stonehaven $775,000 Drive 6128 Stonehaven $775,000 Drive $775,000 Drive 6128 Stonehaven $775,000

748 Darden Place* 748 Darden Place* $700,000 748 Darden Place* $700,000 748 Darden Place* $700,000 748 $700,000 Darden Place* $700,000

6009 Hickory Valley Road 6009 Hickory Valley Road $670,000 6009 Hickory Valley Road $670,000 6009 Hickory Valley $670,000 Road $670,000 6009 Hickory Valley Road $670,000

3914 Abbott Martin Road 3914 Abbott Martin Road $661,000 3914 Abbott Martin Road $661,000 3914 Abbott Martin Road $661,000 $661,000 3914 Abbott Martin Road $661,000

3612 Chalmette Court 3612 Chalmette Court $652,500 3612 Chalmette $652,500 Court 3612 Chalmette $652,500 Court $652,500 Court 3612 Chalmette $652,500

1600 Tynewood Drive* 1600 Tynewood Drive* $600,000 1600 Tynewood $600,000 Drive* 1600 Tynewood $600,000Drive* $600,000 Drive* 1600 Tynewood $600,000

708 Wilson Pike* 708 Wilson Pike* $499,900 708$499,900 Wilson Pike* 708$499,900 Wilson Pike* 708$499,900 Wilson Pike* $499,900

6666 Brookmont Terr, #1012* 6666 Brookmont Terr, #1012* $365,500 6666 Brookmont Terr, #1012* $365,500 6666 Brookmont Terr, #1012* $365,500 $365,500 6666 Brookmont Terr,Rogers #1012* Sissy Sissy Rogers REALTOR® $365,500 REALTOR® Sissy Rogers Sissy Rogers REALTOR® M 615.496.1700 REALTOR® M 615.496.1700 Sissy Rogers O 615.383.7914

5870 Old Hwy 96* 5870 Old Hwy 96* $290,000 5870$290,000 Old Hwy 96* 5870$290,000 Old Hwy 96* $290,000 5870 Old Hwy 96* $290,000

SAME DAY JEWELRY REPAIR BY APPOINTMENT

Belle Meade Plaza • 4548 Harding Road • 615.269.3288

B E L L E ME A DE J E W E L RY. C OM

Anne Sportun Trunk Show Dec 19-20

JEWELRY

GIF TS

Bandywood in Green Hills

FURNISHINGS

615.383.4882

O 615.383.7914 M 615.496.1700 REALTOR® sissystonerogers@gmail.com M 615.496.1700 sissystonerogers@gmail.com O 615.383.7914 O 615.383.7914 sissystonerogers@gmail.com M 615.496.1700 sissystonerogers@gmail.com O 615.383.7914 sissystonerogers@gmail.com

AshBlue.com nfocusnashville.com

| december 2019 <<

49

PA R T I E S

Burney and Mary Craven Dawkins

Sara and Richard Bovender

Scott Pohlman, Lynda and Hiram Cox, Mimi Pohlman, Dee Patel

Mary and Hank Brockman

Tomaz and Beth Fernandes, Kate and Matt Chinn

Looking Back The Land Trust marks 20 years at Once in a Blue Moon

I

n 1999, The Land Trust for Tennessee had its first success with the conservation of land in Leiper’s Fork, and since that time, it has worked with individuals and communities to protect almost 127,000 acres across the state.

Needless to say, there was a lot to celebrate at this year’s Once in a Blue Moon, the organization’s signature fundraiser.

The evening was a thoughtful look back on 20 years, reminding all about the importance of protecting the land. One touching tribute to The Land Trust’s story was the selection of co-chairs — aka “chair moons” — Bonnie Cross and Caroline Smith. Bonnie’s parents, Mary and Hank Brockman, hosted the very first Blue Moon, and Caroline’s godmother is Jeanie Nelson, the founding president of the organization.

The day’s rain and wind cleared before the first guests arrived at historic Glen Leven Farm. Entering through the barn, they took in “A Warm Welcome,” a wonderful pictorial history with early maps and photos of landowners and land saved throughout the years. Under the tent, the Whiskey Wolves of the West played during the lively cocktail hour, which was so animated it took multiple announcements to get the crowd of 700 to their seats.

In a new take on an old Blue Moon tradition, Kix Brooks led everyone in singing “God Bless America” before the fall feast from Catering & Events by Suzette, which began with charcuterie served on one-of-a-kind boards milled from a fallen pecan tree on the farm. Susannah Scott-Barnes delivered a moving speech about her father, Martin Brown Sr., a founding co-chair of the event and an avid proponent for land conservation, and closed with a toast to the legacy of the original “chair moons.”

The party moved to the roaring bonfire where guests enjoyed s’mores, coffee and cider before heading home. Martin said that we aren’t conserving land for ourselves but for our grandchildren, and The Land Trust of Tennessee is undoubtedly making that happen.

Trevor and co-chair Bonnie Cross

Effie and Chad Phillips

David Darst, Greg Vital, Amy Collett

BY HOLLY HOFFMAN PHOTOGRAPHS BY DANIEL MEIGS continued on page 52

50 >> DECEMBER 2019 | nfocusnashville.com Co-chair Caroline Smith, Jeanie Nelson, Mary Jane Smith

BlueMoon.indd 50

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a curated collection of modern menswear Edwin Denim Banks Journal sorensen double eleven retro brand craig hill electric eyewear And NEW to Glenn Nash!

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Nashvilleâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Favorite Lifestyle Boutique is now your Favorite Holiday Shopping Experience

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nfocusnashville.com

| december 2019 <<

51

PA R T I E S

Jett Williams, Dick Reese, Michelle Haynes, Kelly Zumwalt

Jed King, Chad and Rebecca Wykle, Sharayah Winkler, Nick White

Amanda and Tony Liartis

Judy Hubbard, Brad Hamilton, Cathy and Mike Woods

Joe and Sally Huston, Brooks Huston Matty Alger, Leroy Powell, Tim Jones, Chase McGillis

Kitty Ganier, Logan Oâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Connor

Matt and Louise Beasley, Nancy and Bill McKnight

Pat Johnston, Fran Hardcastle

Liz McLaurin, Dwight Haygood

Karin Jones, Leslie Bass

Ryan and Janey Manners, Katie Archer, Bucky Ingram

52 >> DECEMBER 2019 | nfocusnashville.com BlueMoon.indd 52

Nelson Andrews, John Cooper, Trish Andrews

11/19/19 5:28 PM

Happy Holidays!

MELANIE SHADOW BAKER 615.300.8155 melanie.baker@zeitlin.com follow me on Instagram @LIVE.Nashville

INCLUDES A TESLA! 6321 EAST VALLEY ROAD Co-Lister: Jackson Zeitlin

3 BR | 3.5 BA | $2,345,000

UNDER CONTRACT

6 1 5 . 7 9 4 . 74 1 5

T E N N E S S E E VA L L E Y H O M E S . C O M

6001/6005 HILLSBORO PIKE 6.29 Acre Estate Lot | $2,200,000

UNDER CONTRACT 434 LYNNWOOD BOULEVARD 6 BR | 6 BA | $2,200,000 buyer representation

SYLVAN PARK 4015 ELKINS ALY 3 BR | 2.1 BA | $510,000

CORNER FLAT 3901 WEST END AVENUE #803 2 BR | 2.1 BA | $399,000 4357 CHICKERING LANE 2.68 Acre Lot | $1,300,000

309 SYLVAN PARK LANE SOLD | $383,000

zeitlin.com | 615.383.0183 Each Office is Independently Owned and Operated

nfocusnashville.com

| december 2019 <<

53

PA R T I E S

Lee Pratt, Caroline Pratt

Jay Jones, Nancy Hearn, Rob Turner

Lizzie Zuckerman Weisman and Daniel Weisman

Co-chairs Josephine VanDevender and Trish Munro

Hot, Hot, Hot A trip to Havana at the Conservancy Gala

I

f mega-watt lights shining on the Parthenon didn’t give a clue something special was going on, dramatic fire dancers at the historic landmark’s western entrance assured guests that they were in for more surprises at Havana Nights, the theme of Centennial Park Conservancy’s beloved gala.

Continuing the “Then and Now” tradition, co-chairs Trish Munro and Josephine VanDevender looked at the 1897 Tennessee Centennial Exposition — specifically the Cuban exhibit — for inspiration and dreamed up a night full of brilliant colors, fantastic florals and, of course, lively music. They called on Big Events to carry out their vision of celebrating the old and modern in the Caribbean city.

Upon entering the Parthenon, guests “checked in” at a bar that resembled an old Cuban hotel registration desk so authentically replicated it even had a hotel key cubby built especially for the event. After picking up a beverage — the featured Cuban mojito was extremely popular — everyone enjoyed a spirited cocktail hour as Athena watched approvingly from above. Drumbeats, rather than a bell, announced dinner, and attendees quickly fell in a conga line behind the drummer and danced their way into the tent.

The clear tent held a delight for the senses with glowing crystal chandeliers and dazzling arrangements of large tropical leaves, brightly colored orchids, and fresh-cut citrus and papaya. The aroma from the fruit filled the air, adding to the feel of a sultry Caribbean adventure. On stage, Yosvany Y Su Son Tropical, one of the city’s premier salsa bands, played traditional and contemporary Latin music.

G Catering’s exquisite menu included squash panna cotta with an autumn salad, grilled beef tenderloin, seared scallops and a chocolate ganache tart with puréed mango and coconut “snow.”

After words from Centennial Park Conservancy Executive Director John Tumminello, Founding President Sylvia Rapoport and Metro Parks Board Chair Michelle Steele, there was one final treat: a performance of Michael Bearden’s Alegría by two members of Nashville Ballet’s NB2. It was a perfect ending to an evening of surprise and sophistication, perennial trademarks of the Conservancy Gala.

Sylvia Rapoport, Max Goldberg, Alice Farquhar

A.J. and Tiffany Simmons, Tiffany and Luther Wright Jr.

BY HOLLY HOFFMAN PHOTOGRAPHS BY ERIC ENGLAND continued on page 56

54 >> DECEMBER 2019 | nfocusnashville.com Mimi and Sokrates Pantelides

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11/19/19 5:30 PM

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Jacob Machmer, Emily Ireland-Buczek continued on page 58

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58 >> DECEMBER 2019 | nfocusnashville.com Willie and Joi Jude, Natasha and Kenny Anderson

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PA R T I E S

Don and Kristin Taylor, Gloria and Paul Sternberg

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A Walk in the Park Sunday in the Park celebrates 30 spectacular years

T

here was a perfectly timed break in the frigid “Arctic blast” powering through Nashville for one gloriously breathtaking afternoon just in time for Sunday in the Park. The beloved fall fundraiser for Friends of Warner Parks celebrated its 30th anniversary under picturesque cerulean skies at Edwin Warner Park’s Ridge Field, the site that has played home to this afternoon luncheon since the very first in 1990.

Co-chairs (and cousins) Jay Joyner, Trisi Larish and Tori Wimberly planned a sophisticated shindig inspired by “a British members-only club” for more than 650 guests. The 30th anniversary was on full display, first with a massive “30” made from coral flowers in the entry of the tent and later with a wall of greenery accented with flutes of Champagne that said “Cheers to 30 years” behind the bar.

Guests got the party started with mimosas and bloody marys while catching up with friends new and old — or at least the ones they could find in the packed tent.

Jay, Trisi and Tori worked with The Tulip Tree to set the tables in serene natural hues that hinted at the bucolic landscape of the park. Tables draped in mossy green cloths were topped with bundles of green-hued arrangements with the occasional pop of fall colors. The Clean Plate Club prepared the three-course meal that included an autumn salad as a starter, an entrée of Hereford filet with smoked cheddar grits and roasted fall vegetables, and a hazelnut dacquoise with malt anglaise and caramel sauce for dessert.

Clare Armistead, looking fabulous in blue, served as honorary chair and was recognized by Executive Director Jenny Hannon for co-chairing the inaugural Sunday in the Park. The spark that she and Trudy Byrd ignited three decades ago continues to burn bright at this annual luncheon that has raised $6.65 million to preserve the Warner Parks. Thanks to the generosity of these two, and so many others, this natural refuge will be protected for future generations of Nashvillians to enjoy for years to come.

Clare Armistead, Eleanor Willis, Kaaren May, Lynn May, Lillias Johnston

Dianne Neal, Nancy Hearn, Sandy Chase, Linda Norman

BY NANCY FLOYD PHOTOGRAPHS BY ERIC ENGLAND continued on page 62

60 >> DECEMBER 2019 | nfocusnashville.com Katie Crumbo, Tracy and Bill Wade, Kevin Crumbo

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f e at u r e

Photograph by Piper Ferguson

Coming Home Harmony Award winner Kelsea Ballerini talks about her music teacher, role models and holiday plans

by Holly Hoffman

W

ith a string of history-making hits, vocalist, songwriter and performer Kelsea Ballerini has certainly experienced a meteoric rise. She is the only female country artist to send three consecutive songs from a debut album to No. 1, and the platinum “Miss Me More” brings the total to five. As if opening for Kelly Clarkson and headlining her own Miss Me More Tour didn’t keep her busy enough this year, she’s also been working on a third album and has already released two singles from it.

The industry has taken notice of this talented woman who calls Nashville home. Kelsea has received two Grammy Award nominations, won two Academy of Country Music Awards and taken home Best New Artist at the iHeartRadio Music Awards. In April, she was inducted into the Grand Ole Opry as its youngest current member. On Dec. 14, she will add another accolade to the list when she receives the Nashville Symphony Harmony Award at the Symphony Ball. We recently caught up with the singer to chat about this new honor, her music teacher, role models and holiday plans.

Congratulations on being named the Harmony Award winner for the Symphony Ball this year. You’ve already received awards and nominations. Does this award from the Nashville Symphony differ in any way?

Yeah, absolutely. I think every award has a different weight because some are fan-voted, some are peer-voted and then some are just really all about the industry around you. And ever since I moved to Nashville when I was 15, I just wanted that community to see me and to hear me and to embrace me. I think that’s everyone’s dream in Nashville, to really feel embraced by that community that has the reputation of being a family. And to me, this recognition really feels like being part of that community and it feels really encouraging and exciting.

You’re in the company of some pretty big names, like Dolly Parton, Carrie Underwood, Keith Urban, Trisha Yearwood, Vince Gill and Taylor Swift. You’re still pretty new in the industry compared to these other

people. How does it feel being in their company?

It’s the same way I feel about getting inducted at the Grand Ole Opry this year.

Essentially as an artist, I’m 5 years old, you know what I mean? I’ve been doing this for five years. And so compared to these legends that have been a part of the Opry or [have] received this honor, I am new, but I feel like I’ve tried to really show my respect and my love and my roots of country music the last five years and have tried to show that I’m not going anywhere and that I’ll always work as hard as I can to make sure that I represent country as well as I can. I think hopefully that’s what they see.

Have you had a chance to think about what you’re going to perform at the Symphony Ball or any idea what we might expect?

I’m not going to lie to you. I haven’t gotten that far yet. It’s almost CMA week and that is consuming my whole brain. But I will make sure that whatever it is is thought through and great when it happens.

68 >> december 2019 | nfocusnashville.com Kelsea.indd 68

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f e at u r e

So I guess in that case, you haven’t thought about what you’re wearing either.

I haven’t, but it’s a ball, so I’m just going to go there. I’m such a girly girl, so any chance I have to do music and dress up simultaneously, it’s a really good day.

And then with Kelly, I think that she’s just the realest artist I’ve ever gotten to be around. She’s so authentic. She’s not scared to say something silly or be self-deprecating in a way that makes her relatable. And that [is something] I think the world needs a lot more of in female artists. So those are my four.

Speaking of that, a lot of us had the pleasure of hearing you perform at the 2017 Symphony Fashion Show. Do you have any special memories from that night or that experience?

Absolutely. Well, I love fashion. I think that it’s just another way that you can express yourself and kind of show how you’re feeling. One’s with words, one’s with clothing. And I’ve always been a fan of Zac Posen, who was the featured designer that year, and that allowed me to get to know him. He actually had known my song “Peter Pan,” and it was one of his favorite songs at the time, which was crazy because I’m like, “You’re New York-based, and you’re so in that fashion culture.” I never would’ve thought that he would’ve been listening to “Peter Pan,” and he did, and so I remember wearing one of his gorgeous, gorgeous dresses standing onstage in this gorgeous room and looking down and seeing Zac Posen singing along to “Peter Pan” and just thinking, “Oh wow, this is something I’m not going to forget.” Since then, we’ve gone on to be friends and he custom-made my CMA dress last year. He’s wonderful. We got to meet and start that friendship because of that event.

You’ve spent some time with Kelly recently. You were an opening act on her tour, but now you’ve been headlining your own. What’s the difference?

One is a learning experience and a challenge. I think with being an opener — which I’ve gotten to open for a lot of incredible artists — you have the opportunity to go out and introduce yourself, which is a challenge sometimes.

People are there to see Keith Urban. People are there to see Kelly Clarkson. So you have to make them want to come back and see you next time. And so me and my band always huddle up before and we’re like, “OK, let’s go get ’em.” We really lean into the challenge of that, and you learn a lot. On every tour, at least once a weekend, we’ll go out and watch the entire show front of house, take notes, take photos of lighting that I like, take notice of when they strip it down for the first acoustic song, take notice of how they use the hydraulic lifts. I’m such a student when it [comes] to opening tours.

And then headlining, man, it’s a room full of connective energy. It’s a room full of people that know the album cuts. They know the story behind why I wrote the album cuts. They’re invested in not only the songs that they hear on the radio but all of it. And that’s a different kind of energy, and it’s doing the Miss Me More Tour this year, [which] I would say is the highlight of my career so far.

Both the Fashion Show and the Symphony Ball support the Nashville Symphony and the role that it plays in bringing music to the community, especially through its youth education programs. In what way is that important to you?

I’m super involved in music education, whether it’s through CMA or just offhand. I mean, I wouldn’t have the opportunities and really the confidence that I have as an artist if I didn’t have specifically my high school music teacher. I really believe that just like you have classes like math and science and all of that where you can discover what you’re good at, you should absolutely have the ability to have all the arts to see what you’re good at.

Music education in school, that’s the age where you’re trying to figure out who you are and what you want to be, and music ... helps you express yourself.

Those are all really healthy things to have as tools. I think it’s so important.

Becky Thomas, my high school music teacher, was the one who taught me about work ethic and how that has to be paired with talent to even have any kind of opportunity and to win at those. So I’ve always tried to really highlight the importance of that.

You said you’re just 5 years old as an artist. Are there ever moments when you just want to pinch yourself and say, “I can’t believe this is happening to me”?

Every day. Every single day. I mean, I work really hard. Me and my whole team, we work really, really hard and we keep our heads down and we try to just show up and do the best we can. And personally, I’m always challenging myself to be a better songwriter, be a better musician, be a better artist. And so whenever stuff happens, we always celebrate every little victory because we’re like, “We did this. We’ve earned this. We’ve done this together.” And whether it’s when a song hits top 20 [or] getting a performance slot on an awards show, we celebrate every win because we work really hard for it. And I believe in every baby step being a step towards a dream, which is a big deal.

Along the way, what women have been an inspiration and role model for you?

I always say I learned the most from four women, and I’ll tell you why. So it would be Shania Twain, Kelly Clarkson, Taylor Swift, Britney Spears, and I learned something different from each of them. With Shania, I think that she was just the first person for me growing up that I remember being absolutely fearless and not staying in any kind of box or boundaries. She wrote her own songs and was such a businesswoman, but also in her music videos and her performances and her fashion, she just pushed boundaries. She thought outside the box. I’ve always wanted to follow in those footsteps from her.

With Britney, she has my first concert. I was a giant Britney Spears fan.

My dad always jokes that I used to go around the house and we called it the Britney growl. It’s [lowers voice] “Oh baby, baby.” He jokes that I just used to go around the house just doing the Britney growl, sounding like The Grudge.

But I think with her, I learned the value of a brand. I thought she was such an airtight brand. When you saw any image or certain outfits, you knew it was Britney.

With Taylor, I think the way that she keeps her songwriting and her oneon-one connection with her fans at the forefront of her career, she does it better than anyone else. And that to me, getting to watch her so closely, has been like a master class on how to do that, how to keep both of those things in check and in priority.

“Homecoming Queen” is wonderful, and it’s going to be on the new album. Is there anything you can share with us about that?

I’m all up in it right now. I’m in the mixing process, and it’s so much fun. This album has been so much fun to make. I think that with every album, obviously it’s kind of like the snapshot of my life, the two years that I write it. And this one’s been interesting because I’ve never been busier. I have these contradicting feelings on this album of, “Oh my gosh, I’m so happy to be doing this.” Also, “I really miss my friends.” Also, “I can’t believe that I am doing a headlining tour.” Also, “my friends are going out tonight and I can’t go and I have FOMO.” It covers so many real feelings of being 26 and what that looks like for me. So yeah, we’ll get to release a couple more [songs] before the record comes out.

I’m very much looking forward to it.

You’ve called Nashville home for a while. What do you love about living here?

I’ve lived in Nashville for 11 years. It’s definitely home. I think wherever you learn to drive is where home is because that’s kind of where you learn where everything is. I love it for a couple of different reasons. I love it because there’s the buzz of downtown and Music Row, and there’s always something going on. There’s always live music. There’s so much energy, and then I love that you can drive 25 minutes and be in the middle of nowhere. I think it’s one of those special places that offers both. And I think for any creative, you need both to really have a balanced life and a balanced mind.

What are some of your favorite places to go or things to do when you are here?

When I moved to Nashville, I was 15, and me and my mom lived in Franklin, near downtown Franklin. Whenever I need to clear my head, I just head out that way and either walk around that cute little downtown area or maybe go out further to Leiper’s Fork. It’s so beautiful and it feels like you’re just really far away.

Other than singing for us at the Symphony Ball, do you have any special holiday plans?

Honestly, this is the first holiday that I can remember where we are just going to lock our door and stay home, and I’m so excited about it. Since we’ve been married, Morgan’s family lives in Australia, my dad in Knoxville, my mom in Nashville, so we just do a lot of traveling for the holidays, but we also do a lot of traveling for our real life. So this is the first year where we’ve already done all the family stuff and we’re just going to see mom, see dad — we’ve already seen his family — and put up a Christmas tree, burn some sugar cookies and stay in.

Thanks so much for talking to us and we can’t wait to see you at the Symphony Ball.

Thank you. Me too. Now you have me thinking about it.

>>

For the full interview with Kelsea, visit nfocusnashville.com.

nfocusnashville.com

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h o l i da y Gift Guide

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76 >> december 2019 | nfocusnashville.com GIFTGUIDE.indd 76

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| december 2019 <<

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Twelve Dates for Christmas

1

Patrick Barlow’s A Christmas Carol

by Nancy Floyd, Holly Hoffman ANd Lauren Langston Stewart

Classic Christmas Flicks

4

Nashville Rep may have retired its longtime production of A Christmas Story last year, but the company is launching a new holiday tradition with the debut of Patrick Barlow’s A Christmas Carol. Inspired

by Charles Dickens’ uplifting classic, this imaginative stage production tells the tale of Ebenezer Scrooge and the Ghosts of Christmas Past, Present and Future using only five actors and clever props.

Through Dec. 22. Tickets $25-64. TPAC Andrew Johnson Theater, 505 Deaderick St., 615-782-4040, nashvillerep.org/a-christmas-carol.

The only thing better than rewatching your favorite holiday film for the hundredth time is watching it on the big screen in the company of fellow diehard fans. The charming Franklin Theatre has a month-long lineup of new and old Christmas classics, including White Christmas, A Christmas Story, Elf, The Polar Express and It’s a Wonderful Life. Buy tickets early because these shows are known to sell out! Through Dec. 31. Tickets $5-7. The Franklin Theatre, 419 Main St., Franklin, 615-583-2076, franklintheatre.com.

Auntie Claus

Bobby Hotel

2

This world premiere holiday musical follows Sophie Kringle as she investigates the mysterious ways of Auntie Claus, who serves Christmas cookies even in July and takes a super-secret business trip every holiday season. Kids and adults alike are sure to be captivated by the Nashville Children’s Theatre’s brilliant performance that takes the audience on an adventure glittering with holiday magic. Through Dec. 29.

Tickets $17-23. The Martin Center, 25 Middleton St., 615-252-4675, nashvillechildrenstheatre.org.

Glow Nashville

3

The Sounds stadium is aglow with holiday cheer in an unprecedented winter display that’s quickly gained the city’s attention.

Complete with Nashville’s tallest Christmas tree, Santa’s workshop, more than four million lights, the 32-foot-tall, 170-foot-long Reindeer Run Tube Park, a three-story skating rink, winter market, VIP lounge and so much more, Glow Nashville is sure to become a mainstay for many years to come. Through Dec. 31. Tickets $15.9979.99. First Tennessee Park, 19 Junior Gilliam Way, 615-690-4487, glowholiday.com.

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Toast the holiday season in a cozy Scandinavian setting at the Bobby Hotel’s Winter Nordic Village. The rooftop bar has been transformed into a winter wonderland with heated igloos and cabins for you and your friends to warm up with toasty specialty cocktails, served in thermoses. Outfitted with birchwood, antlers, sheepskin throws, vintage skis and snuggly blankets, the igloos and cabins are available on a first-come, first-served basis or can be reserved for groups. Through Dec. 31.

Gratis. Bobby Hotel Rooftop, 230 Fourth Ave. N., 615-782-7100, bobbyhotel.com.

6

Glacier Glide Indoor Ice Skating

While we can’t always count on Mother Nature to deliver a winter wonderland, Gaylord Opryland Resort always does with its annual holiday transformation. After taking in all the sights, sounds and shows of A Country Christmas, delight in the timeless holiday tradition of ice skating. The hotel’s 8,000-square-foot indoor rink is perfect for families, friends and couples. Put down your devices and skate right into the season. Through Jan. 1, 2020. Tickets $18.99. Gaylord Opryland, 2800 Opryland Drive, 615-889-1000, christmas.gaylordopryland.com.

nfocusnashville.com

11/19/19 5:37 PM

holiday happenings

7

Holiday Lights

A nighttime stroll through Cheekwood makes everything merry and bright thanks to more than one million twinkling bulbs, captivating light displays and dozens of photo ops along a one-mile path that weaves through the gardens. After checking out the mansion’s classic holiday décor and 20-foot-tall poinsettia tree, a visit with Santa and his reindeer, songs from carolers, and hot chocolate and hot toddies complete this seasonal must-see. Through Jan. 5, 2020. Tickets $14-22. Cheekwood, 1200 Forrest Park Drive, 615-353-6965, cheekwood.org.

8

Nashville’s Nutcracker

10

Set to Tchaikovsky’s timeless score, this beloved yuletide tradition continually enchants the child in all of us. Follow Clara as Artistic Director Paul Vasterling’s clever take on the classic ballet drops her into 1897 Nashville for a magical journey that includes stops at Belle Meade Mansion and the Parthenon. As visually magnificent as it is beautifully performed, the all-local production should be on your list every year. Dec. 7-23. Tickets $35-98. TPAC Andrew Jackson Hall, 505 Deaderick St., 615-782-4040, nashvilleballet.com.

11

Monell’s Victorian Christmas Dinner

Walk Thru Bethlehem

It doesn’t get more classically Southern than Monell’s, and their annual Victorian Christmas Dinner only adds a layer of charm to the hearty meals they’re famous for.

Join them for their 25th annual feast and enjoy dinner on their finest china and crystal, be serenaded by carolers dressed in Victorian attire, and join in the fun by singing Christmas carols by candlelight. Reservations are required. Dec. 6-7, 13-24. Tickets $49. Monell’s Germantown, 1235 Sixth Ave. N., 615-726-4938, monellstn.com/victorian-christmas.

Sheep and goats and camels, oh my! Ancient Bethlehem comes to life in Green Hills for one afternoon when costumed characters join live animals in a engaging recreation of the village at the time of Jesus’ birth. Along the walk, there’s plenty to do (basket weaving, bread baking) and see (a synagogue, the crowded inn) before finding the animals surrounding Mary and Joseph in the stable. Dec. 8. Gratis. Woodmont Christian Church, 3601 Hillsboro Pike, 615-297-8563, woodmontchristian.org.

Holiday Spectacular & Sing-Along

Dickens of a Christmas

9

Kids of all ages can join in the Christmas spirit and sing along to holiday favorites accompanied by the highly acclaimed Nashville Symphony. Make sure to show up before the concert for an instrument petting zoo, crafts, a book nook and more. Plus, the entire performance is sensory-friendly, meaning it’s designed to accomodate those with sensory sensitivities as well as those on the autism spectrum. Dec. 7. Tickets $15-83. Schermerhorn Symphony Center, One Symphony Place, 615-687-6400, nashvillesymphony.org.

12

The Heritage Foundation of Williamson County celebrates the 35th anniversary of one of Franklin’s most beloved holiday traditions, Dickens of a Christmas. Join more than 200 costumed characters, dancers, musicians and entertainers for a true Victorian holiday celebration at the two-day street festival, complete with caroling, clogging, roasted chestnuts, and loads of arts and crafts vendors. And, as always, Franklin delivers a wondrous white Christmas for all with a fake snowfall. Dec. 14-15.

Gratis. Main Street Franklin, 615-591-8500, williamsonheritage.org.

Photographs courtesy of Lisa Diederich, Michael Scott Evans, Steve Lowry, Karyn Photography, Cheekwood, The Franklin Theatre, Gaylord Opryland, Glow Nashville, Heritage Foundation of Williamson County, Nashville Children’s Theatre and Nashville Symphony

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l o c a l f l av o r

Something Sweet What’s baking at Dozen Bakery and Dessert Designs

by Carrington Fox

Dessert Designs 850 Hillwood Blvd., Suite 1 615-354-9555 dessertdesignsbyleland.com

Dozen Bakery

photographs by Eric England

516 Hagan St., Suite 103 615-712-8150 dozen-nashville.com

In the 12th month of the year, near the 12 days of Christmas, we can think of at least 12 reasons to shop at Claire Meneely’s charming bakery, where a clever repertoire of flourforward delicacies served in a gleaming room of marble, wood and glass brings a hint of European patisserie to a district that is quintessentially Nashville. Originally started as a temporary seasonal pop-up shop, Dozen has helped breathe new energy (and the scent of fresh-baked sourdough) into the Wedgewood-Houston neighborhood. Among our top reasons for dropping by Dozen is lemon-lavender pie, a perfectly puckery expression of fruit and flowers that makes seasonal appearances in the pastry showcase and can be special-ordered in advance year-round. Meanwhile, croissants are always in season — impossibly flaky and embellished with chocolate, almond, ham and cheese and other indulgences.

Need a few more reasons to swing by WeHo? How about scones and madeleines and a hot breakfast? Dozen serves baguettes with butter, eggs, bacon, oatmeal and pastries. The best homemade pastries deserve coffee of equal caliber. Dozen brews coffee from Crema, a worthy companion for sipping and dunking.

When lunch rolls around, leverage the fresh loaves with spreads and combos such as trout salad, bacon and sweet potato, and salami and shallot butter. Pair a sandwich with a soup, panzanella or kale salad, and, of course, save room dessert — pies, galettes, brownies and cookies, cookies, cookies! With ginger, chocolate chip, peanut butter and snickerdoodles piled in the display case, it’s easy to lose count of all the reasons to make Dozen a stop on your holiday shopping circuit.

First things first: Before all this talk of the chocolate, red velvet and caramel confections at Dessert Designs gets us whipped into a sugary frenzy, let’s take a second to circle the date Dec. 23 with a red magic marker. That’s the last day to pick up specialorder cakes before Christmas, which means you need to back up about a week to make sure you’ve got plenty of time to order from the full roster of Leland Riggan’s exquisite cakes. After all, it can take five days to crack enough eggs to get the inimitable custardy crumb of a Dessert Designs cake, whether it’s carrot, almond amaretto or Kahlua chocolate chip. Or at least it can take that long until your custom order makes it to the front of the line in a bakery that has been a cornerstone of Nashville celebrations for decades.

Before Leland hung up a sweet shingle in the strip mall on the edge of Hillwood Boulevard, where you can browse cakes — and if your timing is impeccable, grab some shortbread cookies on the fly — she used to host wedding cake tastings in her living room. Brides-to-be, accompanied by their mothers and the luckiest of bridesmaids, gathered to taste-test the varieties, to make a decision that was almost as important as selecting a mate. How many Nashville marriages have been launched by a towering sour cream pound cake and a chocolate truffle groom’s cake? How many anniversaries have been celebrated with a replica of the wedding day original?

But there’s no need to wait for wedding bells to indulge in Dessert Designs. While it’s important to plan ahead to get in the baker’s queue, several varieties of the most popular cakes require only a two-day advance notice. Caramel cake, strawberry cake with cream cheese and white icing, chocolate truffle cake, and Firefly cake — a perfect layered equilibrium of chocolate truffle and caramel — are all available with a two-day heads-up. So mark your calendars and choose a cake. With a little planning, you can be dessert MVP of the holidays.

84 >> december 2019 | nfocusnashville.com LocalFlavor_DEC19.indd 84

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best b e h av i o r

Complicating Holiday Tradition Expert etiquette advice from John Bridges

Boughing out Our only son is bringing his fiancée home for Christmas. They’ve been living together for a year, but we’ve never met her. I’m sure we’ll like her, except that he’s told us she “just doesn’t” celebrate Christmas — whatever that means. He says it’s not about religion. Christmas is a major celebration in our household. We go to midnight mass on Christmas Eve and open gifts in the morning. Our son knows that. We don’t know what to expect. We have no interest in changing our traditions, but I have no idea how to make her welcome. I think I need to have a talk with our son. Where do I begin?

— Anonymous, Nashville Your son has been keeping a lot under wraps. Holidays can be every bit as awkward as weddings or funerals. They’re not the time to spring surprises on anyone.

This young man has a lot of explaining to do to everyone involved — including the two of you and his fiancée. Getting ready for the future, it’s time for him to start clearing the air.

The daughter-in-law-to-be obviously knows that people celebrate Christmas, so let’s hope she arrives ready to pitch in. There’s no reason for you to expect her to trail along with you to midnight mass, since it’s time everybody stopped pretending. You’ll have to rehab your tradition in that regard. She and your son can start a new one of their own, on their own.

On Christmas morning, while she’s in your home, she can open her gifts and perhaps bring along a package or two for you. Your son’s been bringing presents, and picking them up, for years. He knows how it works around your house. He can show her so she can learn. Everybody can.

ill SeaSoned I’ve put together the plans for a dinner party I always throw on Christmas night. I love doing it. This year, I’ve included a woman, who accepted, so I asked her to bring along a date. She got back to me and told me that the man she’s bringing is lactose intolerant and was recently diagnosed with a nut allergy. (I’m not kidding.) My menu is already set, and it includes mashed sweet potatoes with toasted nuts and a spectacular chocolate mousse for dessert. I’m not likely to adjust it, but I told her to bring her friend along.

Should I have? — Anonymous, Gallatin It’s a big meal, but let’s not make a big deal out of it. She chose her date; he doesn’t need to be the main course for the evening.

You’ll want to preempt her showing up at the door with her own heat-up bag of food for him. Call her and tell her not to worry. You can prepare a serving of nut-free potatoes and come up with something sweet for him at the end. But go ahead and serve the plates in the kitchen. There’s no reason to put anybody through the embarrassment of passing dishes and him having to take a pass.

No apologies are necessary from anybody. He’s probably been through this procedure before. She can prep her date for the operation.

by John bridges

John is the author of How To Be a Gentleman and the co-author, with Bryan Curtis, of other books in the GentlemannersTM series. Send your Best Behavior questions to jbridges@nfocusmagazine.com, and check out his up-to-theminute advice on life’s puzzling problems every Friday at nfocusnashville.com.

nfocusnashville.com

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85

s tat e o f the art

The Basics Name: David Onri Anderson Represented by: David Lusk Gallery in Nashville and Memphis; Patrick Painter Gallery in Los Angeles Education: BFA from Watkins See his work: In the Symbols and Archetypes exhibition at Vanderbilt Fine Arts Gallery through Dec. 14 Website: davidonrianderson.com

The Art

Seeing Anew The ordinary is extraordinary in David Onri Anderson’s richly symbolic paintings Certain artists have a shamanistic temperament that shows up in everything they create. David Onri Anderson is that kind of artist. It’s not that he’s an oddball — though he does make the cut as an eccentric figure with his flowing hair and wire-rimmed glasses — but David has all the earnestness of a young artist transfixed with the ordinary. His work isn’t overly concerned with form or even color — he once told me that he had a habit of selecting color palettes based on what was available. The resulting paintings are intuitive and effortlessly symbolic. A similar dynamism colors everything David creates. Even the basement of his home, which he’s converted into a subterranean studio, feels surprisingly airy and full of light. Regardless of his esoteric ambitions, David remains firmly grounded in his practice — a rare and covetable combination.

“Most of my paintings are made because I have a question, and that question recurs in other things day by day,” he says. “This accumulation of awareness builds up images in my mind, and after a while, something has to be done.” That big-picture thoughtfulness covers each of David’s paintings and makes even the most simple idea seem as tended to as a gemstone.

His recent paintings incorporate fruit as a metaphor for this kind of deeply rooted thinking. “I think of them as having dynamic personalities, an afterlife with a history and mythology.”

Depending on your perspective, an apple might symbolize original sin, New York City or the advent of the Information Age. Likewise, bananas could represent the gag in a comedy routine or a Velvet Underground album cover. Start analyzing the remnants of fruits — the apple cores and the banana peels — and you’re likely to sink even deeper into David’s ordinary-extraordinary mindset.

It’s that attraction to the comfortable and the familiar that causes David to want to keep his roots firmly planted. “In Nashville I have friends and family, good conversations, some spaciousness, nature — all things I’ve come to appreciate and cherish over the hustle and bustle of bigger cities,” he says.

That stability and pace has helped him maintain a steady art practice.

“All this stuff is, of course, changing rapidly. But I want to continue to cultivate and grow these relationships, while adapting and changing as well.”

by Laura Hutson Hunter photograph by Daniel Meigs

“Who Cannot Forget,” 2019, 18 x 18 inches, Acrylic and graphite on raw canvas While many of David’s paintings represent big ideas on a micro scale, “Who Cannot Forget” exemplifies the artist’s macro approach. He describes its symbolism with a series of questions: “What do we do with this earth and with our ideas of good and evil? Who do we think we are in the midst of plants and animals? What do we think of ourselves as humans?”

“Life After Life,” 2019, 28 x 22 inches, Acrylic and graphite on raw canvas For David, a banana peel is symbolic of the afterlife. “There’s a continuation of energy and being through eating the banana. The banana can be a symbol for jokes and humor. It’s so loaded already that I want to transform them into something new and shift all that weight over.”

86 >> december 2019 | nfocusnashville.com SOTA_DEC19.indd 86

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87

discerning reader

A Hand to Hold Merry Christmas! Happy Hanukkah! Another glass of Champagne, dear?

There’s a brand new year right around the corner, with January’s hopes in tender places inside us. But before we kiss 2019 goodbye, let’s reflect on the blessings and heartaches of the year.

My heartache read this year — the good kind of heartache — was Sula by Toni Morrison (originally published in 1973). I hadn’t read anything

by Toni in years, but her death in August prompted me to pick it up.

Sula tells the story of the dear friendship between Nel Wright and Sula Peace, two little girls who live on opposite sides of the track, m e t a p h o r i c a l l y.

Really they both live in The Bottom, the black part of town, in Medallion, Ohio.

They’re growing up in the 1920s, in and out of each other’s houses, overhearing the grown-ups, starting to figure out boys — and themselves — just like you and your best girlfriend growing up in the ’50s or ’90s or ’70s, like me.

There’s a quality of female friendship that is distinctive over time and place, generation and race, and it is endlessly fascinating. What draws us together, what links us, what binds us tighter than blood? And why do we — slowly or wrenchingly — grow apart sometimes?

Sula is also my heart-stretching read of 2019, in no small part because of the history Toni chronicles. The book begins with Shadrack, a young man recently back from World War I: “A young man of hardly twenty, his head full of nothing and his mouth recalling the taste of lipstick, Shadrack

had found himself in December 1917, running with his comrades across a field in France.” He comes home, damaged in mind, and haunts the pages of the book.

Equally haunting are some of the daily privations faced by African Americans living in our country at that time. Nel and her mother travel by train to New Orleans to visit her mother’s sick grandmother, and the only place they can relieve themselves for much of a threeday trip is in fields by the various train stops — with eyes upon them.

But nothing is simple, in Toni’s telling. Years later, Nel’s husband Jude comes home from work in a foul mood, complaining of the “same old stuff,” an insult from a presumably white customer and also his boss, “a whiney tale that peaked somewhere between anger and a lapping desire for comfort. He ended it with the observation that a Negro man had a hard row to hoe in this world. He expected his story to dovetail into milkwarm commiseration, but before Nel could excrete it, Sula said she didn’t know about that — it looked like a pretty good life to her.”

Ends up she’s being sarcastic. But not entirely.

This has been a good year for me.

But not entirely. How about for you?

Happy New Year, dear friend! Out with the old, and in with the new!

Hold my hand, and I’ll hold yours.

NASHVILLE

Holiday

by Jennifer Puryear

Jennifer writes book columns for Nfocus and blogs about current savory reads at BaconOnTheBookshelf.com. She can often be found with a book or BLT in hand.

88 >> december 2019 | nfocusnashville.com

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localite

Christmas Spirit When believing goes beyond truth

My Christmas wardrobe consists primarily of a red faux-vintage T-shirt I got from Target a few Decembers ago. It has a Santa face on it with the words “I Believe” written in bold cursive. I wear it Christmas morning, when we decorate our tree and at various festive gatherings throughout the season where children decorate cookies or adults steal presents from one another. The fit is too slim and the message cheesy, but it’s the message that I cherish the most. It’s the message that I want to remember and live by.

I believe.

Years and years ago when I taught high school English, I invited my students to explore the varying natures of truth. When studying author Tim O’Brien, we discussed — and grappled with — “story truth” versus “happening truth.” At that time, happening truth included the fact that Hurricane Katrina had displaced more than a million people from the Gulf Coast region. Story truth proved a different beast altogether.

Nonplussed by fact-checkers, story truth allows itself to be expressed by what is perceived, felt and imagined rather than by what has actually transpired. A young girl, separated from her family, survived the storm by clinging to a barrel in the swamp she called home — story truth. Our heart goes out to her rather than the nameless millions. That’s because we humans are experts at story truth.

We tell ourselves dreams while we sleep and relive memories. We watch movies about superheroes and eat up Instagram feeds that fabricate perfect lives. We read Us Weekly and watch “reality” TV that has nothing to do with reality. And yet, when it comes to believing, all of a sudden we want proof. As Mary Oliver writes, “Why do people keep asking to see God’s identity papers?” The darkness opening into morning is more than

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enough, she argues. Tim’s argument is that story truth is more true than happening truth. I tend to agree.

My husband has asked me on more than one occasion whether we’re going to come clean about Santa to our girls. These daughters of mine have often asked me the same question themselves: Mom, is Santa real? What do I say in response?

There is an obvious answer, one that some would argue I owe my kids now that they’ve reached a certain age.

Uttering the words they want me to say feels like a confession of guilt for supposedly lying all these years or the awful bursting of a bubble in order to come clean about the way life “really is.” Neither feels right or true to me. There’s another answer, though. It is a response rooted in the possibility that things don’t have to have happened explicitly to be real — on a soul level.

My own parents never told me outright that Santa isn’t real. (In fact, I still get tags signed by the jolly giftgiver, and I know him pretty well by now: he’s as wondrous and as generous as they say he is.) I don’t much want to tell my daughters he isn’t real either, though it would make my life easier (and cheaper) to do so. That’s because, in vital ways for me, Santa is real. The story of him embodies the mirth and generosity of the season, a mirth and generosity that is alive in us and that extends out from us in the way we live and in the gifts we bring to the world. Good is possible; the unexpected is possible. There is cause for hope and putting out stockings.

When the happening world is too much, as it so often tends to be, the best thing we can do is believe. And when my children ask me tough questions about Santa, as they no doubt will continue to do, the best thing I can do is point to my bright red T-shirt and answer them honestly: I believe.

by Varina Willse

Varina Willse is the president of Willse Ink, which offers content creation and custom books for families and organizations, and she is the founder of Ponder Effect, a media platform that inspires intentional living.

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December 2019 02 What: Christmas at Belmont Mansion Patrons Party For: Belmont Mansion When: Mon., Dec. 2, 6 p.m.

Where: Home of Eleanor Menefee Parkes Tariff: $200 per person Info: belmontmansion.com

03

What: Merry Mercy For: Mercy Multiplied When: Tues., Dec. 3, 6 p.m.

Where: Music City Center Tariff: $135 per person Info: mercymultiplied.com

05 What: Red Ribbon Breakfast

For: Nashville Cares When: Thurs., Dec. 5, 7:30 a.m.

Where: Cal Turner Family Center Tariff: $1,000 per table for 10, $500 per half table for five, $125 per person Info: redribbonbreakfast.org

05

What: Ballet Ball Late Party Kick-Off For: Nashville Ballet When: Thurs., Dec. 5, 6 p.m.

Where: Home of Camille and Aaron Barrett Co-chairs: Camille and Aaron Barrett, Ann Ralls and Jerrod Brown and Hank Ingram Info: nashvilleballet.com

05 What: Cider Carols For: Hope Clinic for Women When: Thurs., Dec. 5, 6:30 p.m.

Where: Rocketown Tariff: $75 per group of four, $25 per person Info: hopeclinicforwomen.org 06

06

What: Christmas Dinner at Belmont Mansion For: Belmont Mansion When: Fri., Dec. 6, 6 p.m.

Where: Belmont Mansion Chair: Deborah Lovett Party note: Cocktails at 6 p.m. at the home of Mary Frances Rudy; dinner at 8 p.m. in the Grand Salon Tariff: $175 per person Info: belmontmansion.com What: Martinis & Mistletoe For: Horticultural Society of Middle Tennessee When: Fri., Dec. 6, 8 p.m.

Where: Cheekwood Tariff: $75 per person Info: hsmtn.org

07 What: It’s a Wonderful Life

Holiday Fundraiser For: Wonderful Life Foundation When: Sat., Dec. 7, 5 p.m.

Where: War Memorial Auditorium Tariff: $25 per person Info: wonderfullifefoundation.org

What: Sparkling Settings 09 For: Horticultural Society of Middle Tennessee When: Mon., Dec. 9, 10 a.m.

Where: Cheekwood Tariff: $60 per person Info: hsmtn.org

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14

What: Symphony Ball Patrons Party For: Nashville Symphony When: Wed., Dec. 11, 7 p.m.

Where: Home of Vicki and Kerry McCluggage Info: nashvillesymphony.org

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What: Dickens of a Christmas For: Heritage Foundation When: Dec. 14-15 Where: Main Street Franklin Tariff: Gratis Info: williamsonheritage.org

14 What: Symphony Ball

For: Nashville Symphony When: Sat., Dec. 14, 6 p.m.

Where: Schermerhorn Symphony Center Co-chairs: Laura Kimbrell and Amy Jackson Smith Party note: Honoring Kelsea Ballerini and Alan Valentine with the Harmony Award; white tie Tariff: $900 per person Info: nashvillesymphony.org

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What: Symphony Ball Late Party For: Nashville Symphony When: Sat., Dec. 14, 8 p.m.

Where: Schermerhorn Symphony Center Co-chairs: Connie and Nick Deidiker, Terah Kimbrell and Carly Rolfe Party note: Cocktails and Harmony Award presentation; white tie Tariff: $150 per person Info: nashvillesymphony.org

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| DECEMBER 2019 <<

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NRETROSPECT

PHOTOGRA

PHS COUR TESY OF C

ENTENNIA

L PARK CO

NSERVANCY

Shine On 1956

Long before people hopped in cars, limos and buses for tours of holiday lights, they went to Centennial Park to walk past this amazing nativity scene. The 1953 gift to the city from Fred Harvey Sr. â&#x20AC;&#x201D; whose eponymous department store was renowned for its fabulous displays â&#x20AC;&#x201D; had 123 sculptures that filled a space 280 feet long and 75 feet deep in front of the Parthenon and attracted thousands of people for 15 years, until it was too badly damaged to repair. Fortunately, the same fate should never befall the park because the city and the Centennial Park Conservancy are following a Master Plan which preserves, enhances and sustains the iconic urban space for future generations.

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Happy Holidays

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