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OCTOBER 2026

INTO THE WOODS Unearthing Mother Nature’s hidden benefits

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10 Acres

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CONTENTS October 2026 | Vol. XXXIII, No. 10

parties

features 24

32 36

Walk It Off

Find the path to wellness by taking a hike 50

A Place to be A Kid

Seacrest Studios at Vanderbilt celebrates 10 years of helping kids heal through creativity

A new cafe nourishes the park we love 56

Life in the Woods

Robin Vuchnich’s ‘In Search of Thoreau’s Flowers’ is a call for environmental stewardship 58

ON THE COVER

Amy Atkinson on location at Radnor Lake Natural Area, photographed by Eric England. For more on Radnor Lake, turn to page 24.

In Harmony with Nature

Somewhere Over the Rainbow

A Stronger Nashville

The Most Powerful Women event celebrates those leading with generosity

Sing! Sing! Sing!

Nashville Opera’s Jukebox Live raises funds to support community outreach

Owl’s Hill Nature Sanctuary rallies supporters to restore a beloved trail Nashville Zoo’s Sunset Safari takes guests on a culinary tour through Emerald City

departments

Community-Based Care

Tennessee Oncology celebrates 50 years of innovative cancer treatment

Croquet Cafe

In Our Words

The Tiffany Circle Fall Luncheon highlights the real-world impact of philanthropy

Step Inside

Designing Dreams

Ndesign

Worth the Drive

Listen More

The Heritage Ball celebrates decades of preservation in Williamson County

Mission Moment

The American Brain Foundation foregrounds its mission with an unforgettable gala

Health and healing and joy and longevity Sally’s Stay Awhile Sprintz Furniture The Balladeer Hotel

Nretrospect

University School of Nashville’s Artclectic celebrates 30 years

65 58 32

nfocusmagazine.com | O C T O B E R 2026

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nfocusmagazine.com | O C T O B E R 2026

IN OUR WORDS

Editorial

founding editor

Herbert Fox Jr. editor-in-chief

Janet Kurtz

contributing editor

Lindsey Lanquist associate editor

Madeleine Bradford social correspondent

Gloria Houghland contributors

Julianne Akers, Jeanette Barker, Chris Chamberlain, Whitney Clay, Carrington Fox, Hannah Herner, Margaret Littman, Hamilton Matthew Masters, Nicolle Praino, D. Patrick Rodgers, Nancy Vienneau

Art

art director

Christie Passarello senior photographer

Eric England

staff photographer

Angelina Castillo

contributing photographers/videographers

Tausha Dickinson, Kristin Drum, Michael Scott Evans, Peyton Hoge, Hamilton Matthew Masters, Alan Poizner

Pure and Spontaneous Pleasures Health and healing and joy and longevity

graphic designers

Sandi Harrison, Tracey Starck

Advertising

advertising solutions consultants

Teresa Birdsong, Kathleen Chandler, Kailey Idziak, Michael Jezewski, Carla Mathis, Heather Cantrell Mullins, Allie Robbins, Niki Tyree sales operations manager

Chelon Hasty

advertising solutions associate

“ANY PATCH OF sunlight in a wood will show you something about the sun which you could never get from reading books on astronomy. These pure and spontaneous pleasures are ‘patches of Godlight’ in the woods of our experience.” –C.S. Lewis There’s something wonderfully uncomplicated about stepping outside. A walk through the woods, sunlight filtering through the trees, a view that makes us stop for a moment — these small pleasures offer more than a temporary escape from our daily routines. Increasingly, research points to what many of us instinctively know: Time spent in nature can benefit both our physical and mental health. With the arrival of a new season comes a renewed desire to get outside, whether with friends and family or on our own. And this month, we look at some of the many ways our surroundings can contribute to health, healing, joy and even longevity. We begin close to home at Radnor Lake State Natural Area, where I explore the health benefits of walking in the woods and the Japanese practice of forest bathing. Madeleine Bradford visits Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt to learn how the Ryan Seacrest Foundation brings moments of joy and connection to young patients and their families. She also takes readers inside Robin Vuchnich’s exhibition, In Search of Thoreau’s Flowers — The Memory of a Season, at the Frist Art Museum. Nashville’s seemingly endless parade of openings continues. Whitney Clay steps inside new neighborhood hot spot Sally’s Stay Awhile, while Nancy Vienneau shares details on Croquet Cafe at Centennial Park. And Margaret Littman takes our exploration of the great outdoors beyond Tennessee with a trip to The Balladeer Hotel in Mount Airy, N.C. Perhaps Lewis understood something that science continues to affirm: Some of life’s greatest gifts can be found in its simplest pleasures. A walk in the woods. A shared moment of joy. Art that makes us see the natural world differently. A meal enjoyed with friends. A journey somewhere new. This season, I hope you find a few “patches of Godlight” of your own — and take the time to stop and enjoy them.

Audry Houle

Marketing

events director

Robin Fomusa event manager

Tristan Maryanski

Circulation

circulation manager

Gary Minnis

Business

president and chief executive officer

Eddie Tyner

chief financial officer

Todd Patton

chief operating officer

Elizabeth Jones

chief revenue officer

Olivia Moye Britton IT director

John Schaeffer digital director

Caroline Prater

Owner

FW Publishing, LLC BY JANET KURTZ Janet moved to Nashville 28 years ago. She is an avid reader, traveler and collector of fountain pens, and she lives in downtown Nashville with her husband, Ron, and their dog, Julep. Email her at jkurtz@nfocusmagazine.com or follow her on Instagram @musiccitytraveler.

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Nfocus is published monthly by FW Publishing, LLC. Advertising deadline for the next issue is Friday, October 16, 2026. A limited number of free copies, one per reader, are available at select retail establishments, listed on the website: nfocusmagazine.com. Firstclass subscriptions are available for $100 per year. Send your name and address along with a check or credit card number and expiration date to: GARY MINNIS, FW PUBLISHING, 615 MAIN ST., Suite 102, Nashville, TN 37206 or call Gary at 615-844-9307. For advertising information, call OLIVIA MOYE BRITTON at 615-844-9261. Copyright ©2026 FW Publishing, LLC.

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STEP INSIDE

TRADITION WITH A TWIST The restaurant has given classic brunch menu items, like waffles, a new spin. After some serious brainstorming with Andy Little, director of culinary operations for Strategic Hospitality, the team created Sally’s signature croissant waffle — topped with vanilla glaze and peaches. Guests love the mozzarella schnitzel appetizer, a riff on classic mozzarella cheese sticks, served with tomato sauce for dipping. The dinner menu offers everything from a double cheeseburger to panroasted salmon. Desserts include rice pudding with pistachio crumble, dried cherries and caramel cream.

From Morning Till Night Sally’s Stay Awhile, Strategic Hospitality’s new concept, is open for breakfast through dinner in Wedgewood-Houston

AT THE NEWLY opened Sally’s Stay Awhile in Wedgewood-Houston, it’s not uncommon for patrons to drop by for a coffee and pastry in the morning, head back for a lunch meeting, and then stay until the restaurant’s happy hour starts at 3 p.m. And by the time the lights are dimmed and the candles lit, friends or family might even join them for dinner. “In a lot of restaurants, the conversation turns to the business side very quickly — how many covers, average check and table turn times,” says Benjamin Goldberg, who founded and co-owns the parent restaurant group, Strategic Hospitality, with his brother, Max. “We really try to create spaces where that’s not the topic of conversation

internally for us. We just want to have a fun, vibey restaurant that people feel great being in — even if they stay longer than they would in a traditional restaurant.” Sally’s Stay Awhile epitomizes this philosophy, serving classic American fare with a twist seven days a week. They serve brunch until 5 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays, and have a 3 to 6 p.m. happy hour daily. A free 30-space parking lot — a rarity in Nashville and practically unheard of in Wedgewood-Houston — makes frequent visits that much easier. “My friends come in all the time,” Benjamin says. “And they joke with me regularly that they can day drink here with no judgment.”

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The 1935 building at 611 Wedgewood Ave. was most recently a restaurant (Smokin Thighs), but it’s also been a grocery store and an auto shop. Embracing its industrial roots, the Strategic Hospitality team, working with Manuel Zeitlin Architects and Landy Gardner Interiors, pretty much gutted the space. But they left the cinderblock walls and raised the ceiling, revealing exposed beams and ductwork. In keeping with the goal to make the restaurant “casual, fun and quirky,” in the main room, they flanked turquoise painted-glass and wood tables with two-toned salmon and off-white banquettes. The dark-blue ceramic tile and concrete bar seats eight. They found many of the accent pieces at estate sales and vintage stores — think a metal auto shop rolling cart that now holds silverware and glasses, or a weathered pale-pink and dark-green sign that reads, “WE ARE RESTAURANT PEOPLE!!” The eatery, which accommodates 66, features two rooms — with an additional 34 seats on two dog-friendly patios. BY WHITNEY CLAY PHOTOGRAPHS BY ANGELINA CASTILLO

STEP INSIDE

THE ART OF THE MATTER Many of Sally’s walls are dotted with pencil drawings by Nashville-based artist Jeff Stamper, depicting people and places important to the Goldberg brothers. Subjects include Garth Brooks, Trisha Yearwood, the late restaurateur Randy Rayburn, sinceclosed Vandyland and the shuttered Paradise Park Trailer Resort, a Strategic Hospitality venture. “It’s very approachable and comfortable without this forced care around making sure the lighting is absolutely perfect to showcase some $100,000 piece of art,” says Benjamin. “I don’t really care about that when I go out to eat.”

FAIR PRICING It was important to the Goldbergs that customers could have a great time — and not break the bank. The most expensive item on the menu is a flat iron steak au poivre with fries, for $32. “I don’t think there’s anything that says something that’s less expensive, more approachable, and casual inherently means it’s not as delicious,” says Benjamin. And the cocktail menu, too, is accessible and fun. Offerings include the Pinkie Swear, with Proper gin lemon, grenadine, grapefruit and Angostura bitters.

HOME FURNISHINGS & DESIGN

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NDESIGN

Ndesign: Bruce Sprintz, Sprintz Furniture Leading a brand deep-seated in Nashville’s design history NEXT TIME YOU see Bruce Sprintz, CEO of Sprintz Furniture, strolling the showrooms of ottomans, dining tables, rugs, coffee tables and sectionals, try to guess his favorite piece of furniture. A familiar face on local television commercials, the second-generation leader of Sprintz has test-driven just about every item in stock. Likewise, after returning home from Texas 40 years ago to help in the furniture retailer his parents started in 1981, Bruce has worked in just about every role in the enterprise. “I recall a time when our small staff meant I did a bit of everything,” says Bruce, who started his sales career by working for Xerox, in Houston. “I would unlock the warehouse at 7:30 a.m., prepare the sales team, and then shift into buying, advertising and customer service — whatever it took to support our employees and deliver excellent service.” While Bruce doesn’t miss those often 10- to 12-hour days, “they built the foundation of our success,” he says. He attributes much of that success to his team of loyal, longtime employees, some of whom have worked with him for more than 35 years.

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He also recalls the early challenge his parents faced when, nine months after opening in a former Kroger building in the bygone Belle Meade Plaza shopping center, they learned that the construction of a bridge from Harding Road to White Bridge Road meant the demolition of their fledgling store. “Dad immediately began searching for a new location,” Bruce remembers. “Trusting Mom’s intuition, they settled on White Bridge Road.” First there was the zoning hurdle, to permit a business in the largely residential area. Then there was the financing. “When no bank would provide the necessary capital, Dad personally sold 40 industrial revenue bonds to individuals across Nashville,” Bruce says, adding that his dad made 450 calls and offered 21% tax-free interest on the bonds. “Those who took a gamble on him were well-rewarded,” he says. “True to his character, even when he could have paid off the bonds early, he left them in place so investors could continue earning that high interest until maturity.” Now, 45 years after Alyse and Charles Sprintz founded their first showroom, Sprintz is a multigenerational effort, encompassing two Sprintz stores — on White Bridge Road and in Cool Springs — and a Bassett Furniture store in Cool Springs. Bruce travels the markets to source furniture, while his sister Wendy buys accessories and artwork for the three stores and works with interior designers on projects ranging from individual rooms to whole houses. “My parents understood that many customers needed help bringing a vision to life, so we offered design assistance from the very beginning — free of charge with a furniture purchase,” Bruce says. “We continue that tradition today.” Now, Bruce’s son Scott oversees much of the day-to-day operations. “I know my mother is proud to see the third generation involved,” Bruce says. “I only wish my father had lived long enough to see his grandson take over his office — he would have been elated.” Over more than four decades, Bruce has seen the furniture business change, along with the design goals of homeowners. “Years ago, the trend was for everything to match perfectly. A dining set would feature a table, chairs and sideboard all in the exact same finish,” Bruce says. “Today, we see more curated, eclectic styles, where a client might pair a dining table from one manufacturer with chairs from another and a statement sideboard from a third to create a unique look.” While Sprintz showrooms previously provided floor samples for clients to view and then order, the company now stocks as many as 300 sofas and sectionals and 80 beds on site. And if you guessed sofa, you’re correct. “My favorite piece of furniture is undoubtedly a sofa or sectional,” Bruce says. “We dedicate significant time to sourcing the best possible products from all over the world, and my personal rule is that I will not stock a sofa or sectional in our stores that I haven’t personally sat on and tested for comfort. I truly believe in the value of a comfortable piece of furniture.” BY CARRINGTON FOX PHOTOGRAPH BY ANGELINA CASTILLO

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WORTH THE DRIVE

THE BASICS What: The Balladeer Hotel Where: Mount Airy, N.C. Distance from Nashville: 408 miles

Worth the Drive: The Balladeer Hotel A new boutique hotel in Mount Airy, N.C. helps tell the town’s full story I DON’T KNOW what I was expecting from my first trip to Mount Airy, N.C., Andy Griffith’s childhood home and a place that bills itself as the real-world Mayberry. I guess I envisioned a folksy, small town steeped in Americana and kitsch. Certainly, kitsch is easy to find here — particularly in the gift shops that line Main Street. And the pace is slow. And the people are as friendly as we’ve been made to believe they are in Mayberry. But what I wasn’t expecting was what I found at The Balladeer Hotel, a new boutique hotel built in an old textile mill in the heart of downtown Mount Airy. The Balladeer, which opened this year, is named in honor of Andy — in that he was considered a great storyteller, and a balladeer sings ballads rooted in place. The hotel leans into its moniker, encouraging guests to tell their own stories about the region. Case in point: My room had a pencil that read “wordsmith wonder,” an auspicious start to my exploration (and article writing). The 70 guest rooms feature subtle nods to the hotel’s history as a textile mill, with threads from the original mill pressed into glass. But even before that, it was a tobacco mill, and those roots are incorporated into the design as well. With a multi-level lobby offering plenty of nooks and

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crannies to cozy up in, The Balladeer helps you get acquainted with Mount Airy’s leisurely pace before you head out. The lobby also boasts dedicated spaces for live music, which is integral to this region of the country. The lobby houses a small gift shop stocked with thoughtful souvenirs worth taking home, ranging from well-designed apparel and jewelry to art, leather goods and other local artisan-made items. Even the branded hotel merch feels like art, particularly the scarves and pottery. But at some point on vacation, you need to leave the hotel and see what’s around you. Nestled in the Blue Ridge Mountains, Mount Airy offers a lot. It’s a central location for exploring the Yadkin Valley wine region, hiking nearby trails, tasting local desserts and exploring Mount Airy’s history — which, yes, includes Andy Griffith and Mayberry memorabilia. But it also offers so much more, including the stories of Chang and Eng Bunker, the famous conjoined brothers who inspired the term “Siamese twins.” Downtown Mount Airy, around the hotel, is filled with themed murals, restaurants and shops. It’s more activity than you can fit in a long-weekend getaway.

Why it stands out: The new boutique hotel leans into its history and shows off the region in a way that feels authentic without being overly twee.

WHAT’S NEARBY It takes just 15 miles to get from The Balladeer to Pilot Mountain State Park, a must for taking in scenic views, whether you’re driving or hiking. Mount Airy is surrounded by the Surry County Wine Trail, which includes 18 nearby wineries to visit. And Winston-Salem, N.C., is just a 30-minute drive away.

WHAT TO DO Before you leave the hotel, ask the staff to show you the secret conference room in the lower level, tucked behind a trick bookshelf door. Then set out to wander. Book a Mayberry Squad Car Tour, which takes you through town in a The Andy Griffith Showstyle police car, noting all the landmarks. The tours start and end at Wally’s Service Station, so there are photo opportunities in the jail, courtroom and other TV show classics. Though the show went off the air in 1968, tons of young people who were out touring knew many episodes by heart. The Andy Griffith Museum tells the story of the actor and his North Carolina roots. Combine admission to it and the Siamese Twins Museum, which thoughtfully tells the story of Chang and Eng, who immigrated from Thailand (then Siam) and fought to be more than curiosities. The museum tells a well-rounded story of their lives and families. Their burial site is nearby.

WHERE TO EAT Fablewood, the hotel’s restaurant, wasn’t open yet during my stay (I was one of its first guests). But the lobby wall tap, where you can pour yourself a locally made wine or craft beer, was already flowing. The plan is for Fablewood to offer a Southern menu, and the dining space is flooded with natural light. Food trucks are set up in the hotel’s large, landscaped parking lot until the restaurant opens. Just a block away on Main Street are many dining options, including Angry Troll Brewing and Snappy Lunch, a diner from The Andy Griffith Show known for its pork chop. A friend of mine is descended from people who grew up in Surry County, and for years he’s been baking sonkers, cobbler-like desserts from this area. There’s even a Surry Sonker Trail, where you can taste many interpretations of the seasonal baked goods. Miss Angel’s Heavenly Pies is a great place to grab a sonker within walking distance of the hotel.

HOW TO GET A GOOD NIGHT’S SLEEP The spacious rooms include a separate desk for writing (leaning into storytelling), a seating area for reading, and comfortable beds with headboards shaped like fabric coming off a bolt. My room faced west, so I had a view of the sunset going behind the mountains each night. BY MARGARET LITTMAN PHOTOGRAPHS COURTESY OF THE BALLADEER HOTEL AND VISIT MAYBERRY

nfocusmagazine.com | O C T O B E R 2026

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WALK IT OFF

Find the path to wellness by taking a hike EARLY MORNING on a hiking trail or wooded walking path is a magical time. Wildlife comes alive with the chorus of birdsong and the scurry of woodland creatures pushing through the brush in search of their morning meal. Graceful deer move deftly between the trees. And there’s an ethereal quality to the light as it filters through the canopy, soothing the soul in those fleeting moments when the leaves part and the sun breaks through to find you.

Such is the scene at Radnor Lake State Natural Area on sunny mornings when nature is at her most brilliant. Park staff welcome hundreds of visitors throughout the day, many finding solace along the 7.5 miles of trails winding through the 1,391-acre park. As a protected Class II State Natural Area, Radnor Lake is devoted first to preserving the ecosystem within its boundaries and creating a refuge for wildlife — and, perhaps inadvertently, for people as well. Those 7.5 miles have become a treasured place for Nashvillians to stretch their legs and escape the rhythms of the city just a few miles south of downtown. Steve Ward, park manager at Radnor Lake, says he and his staff regularly hear from visitors who cherish having a “safe, quiet place to hike with a well-maintained system of trails.” Those visitors may be getting more from their time on the trails than they realize. The benefits of walking are well established, but a growing body of research suggests that taking those steps through a natural environment may offer additional rewards, particularly for mental well-being. Studies of nature-based walking have associated the practice with reduced stress and anxiety, improved mood, and even a decrease in the repetitive negative thinking known as rumination.

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It seems there really is something to the idea of taking a walk to clear your head. In one Stanford University study, participants walked for 90 minutes, either through a natural setting or along a busy urban road. Those who took the nature walk reported spending less time dwelling on negative thoughts afterward — and brain scans showed a corresponding change in the area of the brain associated with that kind of thinking. The urban walkers didn’t experience the same results. The benefits aren’t limited to our mental health. Walking regularly can improve cardiovascular fitness, strengthen muscles and bones, and help maintain mobility and balance as we age. And a walk with a friend or family member adds another important ingredient: connection. Research on outdoor walking groups has found benefits ranging from lower blood pressure and resting heart rate to improved mood and physical functioning. Luckily, none of this requires setting a personal record on the Lake Trail. A leisurely walk counts, too. And there may be good reason to slow down even further. More research on the short-term cardiovascular and mental health effects of Shinrinyoku (forest bathing) suggests that simply spending intentional time among the trees — no mileage goal required — may offer benefits of its own, from reducing stress and anxiety to improving mood to lowering heart rate and blood pressure. Perhaps the best reason to head into the woods, though, is the simplest one: It feels good. Steve sees visitors naturally slow down during quieter moments at Radnor Lake — around sunrise or sunset, or when a first encounter with a bald eagle or river otter brings someone to a standstill. There is value, he says, in “the tranquility of just enjoying the outdoors.” There’s no step count required to appreciate those moments, no particular pace to keep and no finish line to cross. Sometimes the best thing for the body and mind may simply be to get outside, take a walk and pay attention to what’s around you. And at Radnor Lake, that opportunity waits just 8 miles from the State Capitol, 365 days a year. BY JANET KURTZ INTRO PHOTOGRAPH BY ERIC ENGLAND RADNOR LAKE PHOTOGRAPHS BY ROBIN CONOVER

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A PLACE TO BE A KID Seacrest Studios at Vanderbilt celebrates 10 years of helping kids heal through creativity

MIRACLES HAPPEN every day at Monroe Carrell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt — but many take place outside of recovery rooms and inside a broadcasting studio. Seacrest Studios makes it possible for a child to call down from his hospital room and exclaim to country singer Dierks Bentley that he just got a new heart. Or for a patient to form a band and put on a show with her cardiologist. “They don’t have to worry about being poked and prodded,” says Nicole Mead, Ryan Seacrest Foundation senior vice president of operations and communications. “They truly can just be a kid.”

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RSF builds state-of-the-art broadcast media centers in pediatric hospitals across the United States, giving children the chance to unlock their creativity and find their voice through radio, television and new media. This year, Nashville’s own Seacrest Studios is celebrating 10 years of impact, encouragement and healing. “My hope is that when people cross the threshold of Seacrest Studios, they can leave their worries at the door for just a minute and feel a normal piece of life,” says Mamie Shepherd, senior program manager for Seacrest Studios at Vanderbilt.

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CREATIVE HEALING ENTERTAINER extraordinaire Ryan Seacrest dreamt up RSF after visiting several pediatric hospitals, where he learned that many patients wanted more activities to keep them occupied during recovery. He decided to create a foundation that would provide such a distraction, using the two things he knew best: radio and television. In partnership with his parents and sister, Meredith Seacrest Leach, Ryan opened the first Seacrest Studios location in Atlanta in 2010. The foundation sought to create something that could be the heartbeat of a pediatric hospital — a place where kids could hang out, learn about broadcast journalism, have fun and be the stars of their own shows. Serving as executive director and CEO, Meredith moved RSF’s headquarters from Los Angeles to Nashville in 2018. While building the Nashville studio, she served on the board of ACM Lifting Lives, and she thought Music City would make a perfect home for the foundation. “Life was just taking me to Nashville all the time,” she says. It quickly became clear to Meredith and Ryan that Seacrest Studios’ creative activities weren’t just an escape from tests and procedures — they were essential for the healing process. “Hospitals are deeming this as a must-have — not a nice-to-have,” Meredith says. Mamie, who runs the Nashville studio, sees this every day. She remembers a child coming in and reporting a pain level around eight or nine. But after spending some time in the studio, their pain dropped to a two. “When you’re going through hard things, sometimes the voice that’s inside of you can get lost,” she says. “It’s a pretty magical thing to watch a child rediscover that again.” Meredith has also watched the studio help kids reach physical milestones. “We’ve seen the studio used in many ways, like for physical therapy, where a kid may … get motivated to walk to the studio, even if [they’re doing] it [in] a wheelchair,” she says.

Nicole Mead

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LSTING IMPCT THE STUDIO’S programming is geared toward children of all ages and abilities, giving patients the chance to create content, throw dance parties and play games (Bingo is a favorite nationwide). Those who can’t physically make it to the studio can still enjoy the feed from their hospital bed — and even call down if they’d like to be on air. Team members also bring the full experience up to a patient’s room so they can host a show from their bedside. “When we’re able to reach up into the rooms, it is less of an isolating feeling,” says Mamie. “It makes everybody feel included, and we learned a lot of great things during the pandemic about how to better that experience.” Interactive video calls were another such innovation spurred on by the COVID-19 pandemic. Every Wednesday, the Nashville studio plays a game with studios in Atlanta and Cincinnati. “It is fun for our patients to get to see kids in similar situations in another state,” Mamie says. Throughout her time in the studio, Mamie has experienced firsthand the positive power of celebrity. Seacrest Studios helps kids meet their heroes, who both inspire and are inspired by them. “In 10 years, we’ve done so much,” says Mamie. “Dolly Parton has been here — and so much of our music community and our sports community. We’ve taken kids to outer space and talked to astronauts on the International Space Station.” Special guests — which range from Tim McGraw to The Muffin Man — provide patients with joy and hope while they experience the highs and lows of recovery. “There was one patient who had been struggling from a mental and behavioral health perspective and gone through some really tough things,” says Nicole. “And I remember Halsey taking the time to be like, ‘I’ve gone through a lot of those things too, and you’re braver and stronger than you think you are.’”

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Mamie Shepherd

FUTUE INNOVTIONS WHILE CELEBRATING accomplishments from the past 10 years, Meredith and her team are also looking at the next decade — and how they’ll further impact children across Nashville and the nation. RSF is gearing up to open its 15th location in New Orleans. Meredith wants to keep expanding across the country while staying focused on sustainability and quality. Nicole oversees renovations, ensuring Seacrest Studios facilities are stocked with up-to-date equipment. Mamie has begun outreach at the Vanderbilt Psychiatric Hospital across the street, identifying

a more isolated patient population that deserves attention, too. She intends to bring Seacrest Studios programming to the facility to help its patients feel more connected. “It’s been a really special project [that] has touched my heart in ways I didn’t expect it to,” Mamie says. “We get to see how much entertainment and music can contribute to the healing process, and I’m certainly seeing it across the street as well.” BY MADELEINE BRADFORD PHOTOGRAPHS BY ANGELINA CASTILLO

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CROQUET CAFE A new café nourishes the park we love

NASHVILLE HAS EMBRACED Centennial Park as a beloved public haven since its opening in 1903. It offers 132 acres of green space replete with mature trees and lush gardens, sculptures and statuary, walkways and picnic grounds, a lake, an art center, a music venue, an events site, and its crown jewel, the Parthenon. A key element missing all these years has been the park’s own café — a place where visitors can gather for coffee, snacks, a leisurely lunch, an ice cream treat. Missing, no more. Welcome to Croquet Cafe. Housed on the revitalized north end of the park in a repurposed building, the full-service restaurant offers fresh, picnic-inspired food and drinks. Grilled citrus chicken wraps. Pressed paninis. All-beef hot dogs. Lattes. Smoothies. Soft serve. Sundaes. How this desirable amenity came into being is a testament to the vision and partnership of the Centennial Park Conservancy and Metro Parks.

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THE BACKSTORY IN THE 1950S, people used a large lawn near the Sunken Gardens for playing croquet. The game had become so popular that, in 1963, park stewards built a clubhouse on site for the players to use. But by the mid-’70s, croquet’s popularity had all but vanished. The lawn became a concrete pad for an event shelter, and the midcentury Space Age-style clubhouse shuttered. “For 40 years, it was basically a storage closet,” says John Tumminello, Centennial Park Conservancy president. Having a café in the park had long been on the agenda — even appearing in the park’s 2010 master plan. And after the Great Lawn’s completion in 2021, the Conservancy decided it was finally time to build an event pavilion and a café. That’s when John learned about the abandoned clubhouse from Tim Netsch, assistant director of the Metro Parks Division of Planning and Facilities Development. Like many other park structures, it was listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Distinguished by its steep, sharp-angled roof and its triangular bay of windows, the exceptional and near-forgotten midcentury brick building could easily become a cool café space. Paired with plans for a neighboring grand event pavilion overlooking Lake Watauga, it was a natural fit. With generous funding from the Frist Foundation, the Dettwiller Foundation, the Sandra Schatten Foundation and others — and bolstered by a strong partnership with Metro Parks — John was able to make the concept a reality.

A TEAM EFFORT THE MISSION WAS clear from the onset: Centennial Park Conservancy would manage the café, and its profits would go toward the park’s preservation and revitalization projects. But achieving this was no solo endeavor. Importantly, Metro Parks was aligned. “This project would never have come to life without the leadership of Parks Director Monique Odom Horton,” John says. “It’s a perfect example of how private and public entities can collaborate for the greater good.” The Conservancy and Metro Parks enlisted Nick Dryden of Dryden Studio to reconfigure the clubhouse

into an appealing, serviceable café that both honored its architecture and highlighted its history. Chris Barkley of Hodgson Douglas Landscape Architects came on board to integrate it into the park’s setting, in concert with the new northside entrance and event pavilion. Other key players, Colliers Engineering and R.C. Mathews Contractor, rounded out the team. But the critical piece was the café fare itself. After speaking with a number of local restaurateurs, John tapped Joseph Bogan and Crystal de Luna-Bogan of The Grilled Cheeserie as consultants to create a modern, approachable, picnic-inspired menu.

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SOMETHING FOR EVERYONE IT WAS NO small task for Crystal and Joseph to design a menu based on the park’s criteria. They needed food that could be freshly prepared in a small commercial kitchen and accommodate both adults and kids, while covering a range of dietary needs — vegan, vegetarian and gluten-free — at an affordable price point. The pair ably met that challenge, and now chef Kristian Morgan, the cafe’s general manager, is its guiding light. Croquet Cafe offers a roster of flavor-packed handhelds and salad bowls, picnic boards, snacks and sweets — plus an array of beverages. When you enter the café, you’ll even see a cold case filled with grab-and-go items. If you choose A Midsummer’s Cobb Salad, you’ll be pleased with the beautifully arranged grilled chicken breast strips and perfectly crunchy crumbled bacon. You don’t have to be vegan to enjoy the Sunken Garden Veggie Wrap, which boasts grilled vegetables and baby kale in a luscious elote crema. And don’t pass up the hot panini sandwiches — best enjoyed under the shade of a nearby mighty willow oak tree. The Pimento Park, the house pimento cheese sandwich, is layered with bacon jam and pickled green tomatoes and griddle-pressed into melty goodness. For a small upcharge, you can add a cup of tomato-basil soup. Little ones will relish Kidsville Combos, like the Little Owl Chicken Bites, Silly Goose Grilled Cheese or Park Pup Hot Dog. Each comes with fresh fruit and a juice box. While John readily admits he knows little about menu creation, he’s pretty clever at naming the dishes. Many, you’ll notice, take their cues from Centennial Park itself. Some are obvious: Parthenon Grain Bowl or the Great Lawn Veggie Dog. Others, perhaps less so. Park Bench Picnic Board and Invisible String Cheese Panini are Taylor Swift references. Yellow Rose smoothie? The Tennessee Woman Suffrage Monument. Identifying the different allusions could become a game in itself. In sourcing ingredients, the café team works with many local producers: 8th & Roast supplies beans for the coffee and espresso bar, Dozen Bakery offers goods for the pastry case, and Bobby John Henry Bakery provides breads and buns for sandwiches and hot dogs. And we’d be remiss not to mention the café’s soft serve. Available in vanilla, chocolate or a twist of the two, it’s dreamy on its own — or as the foundation for one of the sundaes. (The Banana Pudding Sundae is especially delightful.)

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A HOMEGROWN TREASURE IT’S BEEN REMARKABLE — this little-known clubhouse brought back from obscurity, transformed into a delightful café. While shining the light on a piece of Nashville history, it fills the longheld desire for a dedicated park eatery. As our city continues attracting hospitality groups from around the country, it’s heartening to see homegrown change, by and for Nashvillians. John says Croquet Cafe, the first of its kind in a Metro Nashville park, will eventually offer breakfast. They’re also working on a liquor license. The lawn is a lovely spot for gatherings. Picnics. Bocce ball. Tai chi. Yoga. Oh, and croquet. “This is an evolving vision, not stagnant,” John says. “People love Musicians Corner. Shakespeare in the Park has come back to the Bandshell. Families value our Kidsville programs and fall festival. Now, we have the northside revitalization.” He notes that the new café and event pavilion will raise funds for the park’s next phase. “Centennial Park is a gift to the city — a place to treasure nature, the arts and community,” he says. BY NANCY VIENNEAU PHOTOGRAPHS BY ANGELINA CASTILLO

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LIFE IN THE WOODS Robin Vuchnich’s ‘In Search of Thoreau’s Flowers’ is a call for environmental stewardship

ROBIN VUCHNICH’S new-media exhibit In Search of Thoreau’s Flowers — The Memory of a Season creates a serene scene of vibrant flora inside the Frist Art Museum. The artist’s projections mirror a deamy trek through the natural world, the kind philosopher and naturalist Henry David Thoreau described so eloquently in his 1854 classic Walden: “I went to the woods because I wished to live deliberately, to front only the essential facts of life, and see if I could not learn what it had to teach, and not, when I came to die, discover that I had not lived.” But as guests move through the exhibit, they’ll notice how the blossoming world around them shifts with every step, underscoring humankind’s inescapable impact on biodiversity. “It’s tricky to help people understand how biodiversity is impacted by climate by looking at spreadsheets and data,” says Robin. “The goal of this is to do it in a creative way.”

Robin Vuchnich, “The Memory of a Season” (detail), 2022.

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Robin Vuchnich, In Search of Thoreau’s Flowers — The Memory of a Season (installation view), 2025.

Robin Vuchnich, “The Memory of a Season” (detail), 2022.

Celebrated for his meditations on communing with nature and appreciating natural history, Thoreau avidly collected plant specimens from the region surrounding Walden Pond. His walks around the area didn’t just cultivate a relationship with nature, but also provided space to ponder cultural issues, like abolition and social justice. But if Thoreau walked those beloved woods today, he’d find a profoundly different landscape. “Of Thoreau’s 648 plant specimens preserved at [the Harvard University Herbaria], over half are now extinct or endangered in the Concord region because of climate change, pollution, overdevelopment and other human causes,” says Mark Scala, chief curator for the Frist. Ecologist and entomologist Emily Meineke wanted to tell this story, and she convened a group of scientists and artists, including Robin, to do it. “[Emily] was familiar with this digital archive and was championing collaborating with artists to find ways to bring that … into the view of the public,” Robin says. Drawing from Harvard’s collection of Thoreau’s pressed and dried specimens, In Search of Thoreau’s Flowers projects Walden Pond’s declining floral species on the walls. Using projection-mapped light, spatial augmented reality, generative art and animation (but never artificial intelligence), Robin created a visual index to represent what each specimen, now brown and shriveled, looked like in Thoreau’s time. To enhance this immersion, she made two trips to Walden Pond to capture video of the pond and create a soundscape, complete with insects chirping, birds singing and water lapping. “There is a lot of pleasure and a … sense of an embrace with this exhibition,” says Mark. “I think everybody can bring to it their own experiences [and] ideas.”

Outside of work, Robin runs a Clarksville-based microflower farm, often capturing photos and videos of her plants to use in immersive installations. “The endangered flowers shown in the interactive art, I, of course, could not locate at Walden Pond because they don’t exist there anymore,” she says. “But I was able to resource them from wildflower farms in the South … and by using free citizen science databases of plant imagery.” When Mark first experienced Robin’s work, it took his breath away. Intending to feature more artists using emerging technologies and new media, he landed on Robin’s exhibit as the perfect companion for Shimmer: Dreaming the Posthuman — a new media exhibit reimagining humankind’s relationship with nature. “I love art that hits people emotionally first,” says Mark. And entering In Search of Thoreau’s Flowers elicits just that reaction, as the exhibit instantly surrounds viewers with incredible beauty. “You hear birds singing and bugs bugging,” Mark adds. “And then you realize that as you move around the gallery, well, the flowers are moving with you.” While a feast for the eyes, the exhibit is also a clear call for environmental stewardship. Part of the installation uses color coding to showcase which species are extinct or in decline. “A scientist or a third grader can look at that image and say, ‘Oh my god, half of them are blacked out,’” Robin says. She hopes the exhibit will help build empathy with other living organisms — particularly those no longer present in the landscape — and encourage viewers to recognize their impact on the natural world. “In the end, it’s an expression of hope,” Mark says. “It’s a way of reminding ourselves that we can reverse this.” BY MADELEINE BRADFORD PHOTOGRAPHS COURTESY OF ROBIN VUCHNICH AND THE FRIST ART MUSEUM

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INSIDER’S GUIDE TO AESTHETICS

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INSIDER’S GUIDE TO AESTHETICS

Address: 3750 Hillsboro Pike, Nashville, TN 37215 Phone: 615.557.8869 (personal) Website: elanskinandlaser.com

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Elan Skin & Laser Medical Spa

n an industry that can make beauty feel complicated, Elan Skin has built its business around a decidedly simpler idea: Sometimes less really is more. The locally owned Nashville medical spa pairs highly personalized service with a team whose injectors and aestheticians bring more than 165 years of combined experience. Its size, the team says, is an advantage, allowing providers to tailor services and pricing to individual clients rather than relying on a one-size-fits-all approach. That philosophy extends to what happens in the treatment room. Providers at Elan take a conservative approach to aesthetics, favoring treatments and routines clients can maintain over time — rather than dramatic interventions. They don’t encourage clients to load up on products, schedule excessive appointments or pursue treatments simply because they’re available.

The result is an unusually broad menu delivered with a philosophy of restraint. Clients can come to Elan for something as simple as a brow wax or facial, and also have access to laser treatments, microneedling and injectables — all under one roof and often with providers they’ve known for years. Microneedling, in particular, has become a standout service for Elan’s clients — in part because they can see results without it becoming a constant fixture on their calendars. For many, three or four treatments a year is enough, making it a manageable addition to a long-term skin care routine. Elan applies the same restraint when considering what belongs on its treatment menu. Before investing in a new device or introducing a treatment, the team researches the market, talks with practices already using the technology and tests it themselves — often multiple times. It’s an approach designed to avoid chasing every trend in an industry that changes quickly. Elan tracks client retention and growth, along with sales of individual services and products, to identify changes in what clients want and where the practice may need to evolve. One shift has been particularly welcome: the return of a more natural aesthetic. The era of dramatically overfilled faces has receded, at least for now, and Elan’s providers say their goal isn’t to make clients look like different people. Success is when someone encounters an old friend — who immediately recognizes and tells them something like, “You’re glowing.” For some clients, however, aesthetics can be about far more than looking refreshed. Over the years, Elan’s team has worked with adults who have dealt with acne, scarring and the self-consciousness that can linger long after adolescence. Watching clients become more confident as their skin improves has reinforced the emotional component of the spa’s work. That connection also informs the atmosphere Elan wants to create. The aesthetics industry, its team believes, can too easily become intimidating — an endless stream of treatments, products and images suggesting there’s always something else to fix. Elan wants to offer an alternative: a place where someone can walk through the door knowing very little, ask questions and take things at a pace that feels comfortable to them. Each fall, that relationship becomes the focus of Elan’s customer appreciation day — this year’s is set for Friday, October 23, providing specialized drinks, scones to start the day, and small bites from a local chef from midday through close. Rather than centering the event on sales or promotions, the team describes it simply as a party — a day devoted to spending time with the clients who’ve helped build the business. It is, in many ways, an extension of the philosophy inside the treatment rooms: Do what is needed, resist what isn’t and make the person sitting in front of you the priority.

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Address: 6200 Highway 100, Suite 101, Nashville, TN 37205 Phone: 615.678.6273 Website: hatefaesthetics.com

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Hatef Aesthetics & Plastic Surgery

n aesthetic medicine, knowing how to perform a procedure is only part of the job. Sometimes, the more important decision is knowing when not to perform one. At Hatef Aesthetics & Plastic Surgery, Dr. Daniel Hatef sees patients who arrive seeking solutions — including some who are unhappy with procedures performed elsewhere. But a consultation doesn’t necessarily end with another treatment or surgery. That’s particularly true when a patient is still recovering from a recent operation. Swelling and shifting tissues can make results appear unusual during the early postoperative period, Hatef says, and patients may feel alarmed before their bodies have had time to heal. If the original procedure was well planned and performed by a board-certified plastic surgeon or facial plastic surgeon, he often recommends patience rather than immediate intervention. He might also encourage the patient to return to the original surgeon to discuss their concerns.

That measured approach is reflected in Hatef’s ongoing clinical research, where the practice is studying outcomes across facial, rhinoplasty and breast procedures. For facelift patients, Hatef is comparing smile recovery following a deep-plane facelift with recovery after liposuction and radiofrequency tightening. Although a face and neck lift might seem like the more invasive procedure, preliminary observations have produced an interesting result: Patients in the facelift group are returning to strong, symmetrical smiles sooner. His rhinoplasty research reflects another evolution in aesthetic surgery — the growing preference for results that retain some of a patient’s natural characteristics. Rather than completely eliminating a dorsal hump or creating a scooped profile, Hatef is studying rhinoplasty procedures that leave a softer version of the hump intact. The results, he says, can appear strikingly natural. Increasingly, patients are arriving at consultations specifically requesting that look. Another study focused on breast surgery. Hatef is examining “bottoming out” (when implants drop too low) and comparing how the complication relates to different implant types, surfaces and surgical planes. The goal is to better understand how those variables affect outcomes over time. Patients themselves are also coming to consultations better informed than they were just a few years ago. Social media has given prospective patients access to detailed information about procedures and surgical techniques, Hatef says. Facelift patients now ask intricate questions about the anatomical changes he plans to make. Rhinoplasty patients are asking for more subtle results. But greater access to aesthetic medicine also brings concerns. Hatef believes the rapid growth of the industry has outpaced appropriate safeguards. He points to the proliferation of medical spas across the country, arguing that standards governing some aesthetic practices and certain prescription medications are too lax. For patients, that makes credentials, training and long-term medical judgment increasingly important to consider when choosing a provider. Hatef sees the consequences when patients arrive at his office seeking help after treatments performed elsewhere. His concern is that financial incentives sometimes take precedence over a patient’s long-term outcomes — a dynamic he believes threatens both patient well-being and the reputation of the profession. Against that backdrop, his philosophy comes back to restraint: Understand the anatomy, study the outcomes and recognize that the right treatment is not always the most aggressive one. Sometimes, the best prescription is simply time.

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Address: 2415 Atrium Way, Nashville, TN 37214 Phone: 615.431.3710 Website: ingramcosmeticsurgery.com

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Ingram Cosmetic Surgery

or Dr. Alton Ingram, a consultation is a chance for connection and education. That belief shapes the philosophy at Ingram Cosmetic Surgery, where patients receive access to their surgeon and candid advice about what surgery can — and sometimes can’t — accomplish. Every patient receives Ingram’s cell phone number and is encouraged to use it. After nearly 30 years in practice and more than 20,000 surgeries, Ingram sees his role as giving patients the information they need to make their own decisions, even when his recommendation is to do less — or nothing at all. “The question I ask is never, ‘What could we do?’” Ingram says. “It’s ‘What does this patient actually want, and what’s the least invasive way to achieve it safely?’”

His practice focuses exclusively on surgery, rather than offering injectables or skin treatments. If a smaller operation can accomplish a patient’s goals, he recommends it. If expectations and anatomy don’t align with a result he believes he can safely deliver, he says so. That emphasis on restraint is informed by Ingram’s work as patient safety editor of The American Journal of Cosmetic Surgery. He believes surgeons are defined as much by the procedures they decline as those they perform. When considering new technology, Ingram begins with peer-reviewed research rather than marketing. He looks for independent studies, complication rates and long-term outcomes. “I’d rather be a year late to a good technology than a year early to a bad one,” he says. The practice tracks revision and complication rates along with patient-reported satisfaction. Ingram and his team also participate in research, including a recent study examining techniques intended to reduce bacterial contamination in breast augmentation. The data has reinforced his belief in consistency and a focused range of procedures. Among those procedures, breast surgery and abdominoplasty have led to some of his most lasting relationships with patients. Ingram describes tummy tucks as particularly transformative for mothers who have exercised, changed their diets and still can’t correct physical changes caused by pregnancy. Separated abdominal muscles and permanently stretched skin, he notes, are anatomical issues rather than failures of discipline. For some women, understanding that distinction can be as meaningful as the physical result. Ingram also sees an encouraging change in the patients entering his office: They’re asking more sophisticated questions. Access to medical information, social media and artificial intelligence tools has made it easier for prospective patients to research techniques, credentials and potential complications. They’re also increasingly interested in natural, proportional results and how those results will look years from now. Ingram welcomes the scrutiny. He believes the aesthetics industry falters when it blurs the boundary between medicine and retail, turning a patient into a customer to be persuaded rather than a person making a medical decision. For Ingram, transparency is the corrective: Who is performing the surgery? What is that physician’s training? How often has the surgeon performed the procedure? Where will the operation take place? Aesthetics may be elective, but surgery carries real stakes. Ingram believes patients should have both the information and the freedom to decide what’s right for them — including the freedom to decide that less is enough.

PROMOTIONAL

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 Stroner Nshville

The Most Powerful Women event celebrates those leading with generosity

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Ciona Rouse, Trish Munro, Julia Baker, Christiane Buggs, LaDonna Boyd, Jennifer Biefel, Caroline Cook, Alice Hudson Pell, Carrie Kitko

Julia Baker, Dalih Suchet

Loren Chumley, Pam Taylor, Carrie Kitko

common cause drew revelers to City Winery on a warm August day: honoring women making strides in philanthropy and leadership. This year’s Most Powerful Women event, hosted by Nashville Post and Nfocus, raised a glass to those generously giving their time, talent and treasure to create a stronger Nashville. The occasion served a dual purpose: heralding Nfocus’ Model Behavior issue — a tradition for more than 20 years — and celebrating Nashville Post’s Most Powerful Women honorees. The energy of the cocktail reception was nothing short of electric. A sold-out crowd filled the space and visited interactive stations, like live event drawings and the Nfocus Portrait Studio, where revelers could get headshots taken. Honorees and their guests eagerly flipped through copies of Nfocus’ September issue and posed with large-scale magazine covers. During the VIP reception, Nfocus editor-in-chief Janet Kurtz and Nashville Post editor-in-chief Nicolle Praino led a heartfelt toast, honoring the outstanding women in the room. But the true impact set in once guests found their seats for lunch. Janet took the stage to discuss Model Behavior’s legacy and recognize the late Martha Ingram, who embodied the spirit of the honor. Janet also introduced a video where each 2026 Model Behavior honoree shared their personal connection to the organization they represent. Then came the highly anticipated panel discussion. Moderator Deana Ivey, president and CEO of Nashville Convention & Visitors Corp, sat down for an insightful conversation with this year’s Most Powerful Women: Lindsey Cox, CEO of LaunchTN; Natalie Dickson, president and CEO of Tennessee Oncology; Kim James, executive director of Rotary Club of Nashville; and Ryan Wood, executive managing director of Colliers Nashville. Honorees discussed how their definitions of power have evolved, what balance means to them and their philosophies for being effective leaders. They also cited the late Dolly Parton — who embodied the very sentiment of Model Behavior — as a source of philanthropic inspiration. Conversation flooded City Winery long after the panel ended, as guests discussed the honorees’ wise words. BY MADELEINE BRADFORD PHOTOGRAPHS BY ERIC ENGLAND

Julie Crawford, Yvette Boyd, Amy Atkinson, Sharon Roberson, Karen Johnson

Ryan Wood, Natalie Dickson, Deana Ivey, Lindsey Cox, Kim James

nfocusmagazine.com | O C T O B E R 2026

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Nichole Hidalgo Jordan, John Noel

Patricia Malone Smith, Amy Atkinson, Holly Whaley

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Keri McInnis, Christiane Buggs, Holly Hoffman, Sue Spickard

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Melanie Penn, Caroline Cook

Char Ford, Ryan Wood, Briana Succop, Katrina Sellers, Ashley Compton

Aaron Raney and Natalie Dickson, Caroline Raney

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Sin! Sin! Sin! Nashville Opera’s Jukebox Live raises funds to support community outreach

ovial guests descended on the Noah Liff Opera Center for the second annual Nashville Opera Jukebox Live. The cabaret-style evening lets guests choose the playlist by bidding for performers to serenade them tableside. Since its founding in 1981, Nashville Opera has brought world-class opera to the city and supported local artists. It has also introduced more people to the art form through outreach programs like Opera on Wheels, which brings opera to schoolchildren and neighbors who might not otherwise have the opportunity to experience it. Guests dressed as their favorite music genres, bringing out besparkled ensembles and even a poodle skirt or two. As revelers settled in for dinner and a show, the first course — a late-summer salad and hot chicken sandwich from Hattie B’s Hot Chicken — kicked off the opening round of bidding and songs. Guests bid furiously on several performances — per course — by incredible local talent. Miles Aubrey opened with James Taylor’s “Fire and Rain,” the perfect way to start the evening. Ben Gulley followed with “Che gelida manina” from Giacomo Puccini’s La Bohème. Sarah Antell delivered an incredible rendition of “She Used to Be Mine” from the hit Broadway musical Waitress. Steven McCoy performed “Somewhere” from West Side Story, and Flora Hawk finished the round with “Deh, vieni, non tardar” from Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart’s Le nozze di Figaro. The delicious second and third courses followed the same pattern, with guests increasing their bids for tableside performances. Megan Murphy Chambers sang “Shallow” from A Star Is Born, while Ben received a standing ovation for his performance of “Nessun dorma” from Puccini’s Turandot. Megan also offered a great suggestion for next year’s auction: a seat at the performers’ table, which was full of energy and clearly having a great time. At the end of the evening, performers treated the room to a surprise tribute to arts patrons Dolly Parton and Martha Ingram.

Flora Hawk, Sarah Antell, Megan Murphy Chambers, Ben Gulley, Miles Aubrey, Stephen Kummer, Stephen Carey, Steven McCoy

Megan Murphy Chambers

BY JANET KURTZ PHOTOGRAPHS BY ERIC ENGLAND

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PA R T I E S

Sharon and Stuart Spigel

Nancy and Mark Peacock

Tony Greco and Margaret Click

CommunityBsed Cre Tennessee Oncology celebrates 50 years of innovative cancer treatment

Andy and Molly Camarata

or 50 years, Tennessee Oncology has operated under a simple truth: Caring for people with cancer is a privilege. Through community-based cancer care, cutting-edge therapy and clinical trials, the organization provides patients with the intentional and individualized care they deserve. TO celebrated this legacy — and its golden anniversary — during a glamorous black-tie gala at the Schermerhorn Symphony Center. The evening united colleagues and their supporters to reflect on 50 years of progress and what’s to come. Guests mingled in the lobby, sipped wine and admired a photo display highlighting the organization’s history. Covers of classic hits, from “What a Wonderful World” to “My Girl,” greeted revelers as they entered the Laura Turner Concert Hall for dinner. Natalie Dickson, president and CEO of TO, captured guests’ attention and provided a graceful welcome. “Tennessee Oncology has been shaped by generations of physicians willing to ask one simple question — ‘What should we do next for our patients?’ — and then having the courage to do it,” she said. She also thanked the spouses and partners in the room, noting that a 50-year story like TO’s is never built by physicians alone. It’s also shaped by families who support demanding careers, late-night calls, missed dinners and the tremendous responsibility of caring for people with cancer. Natalie then welcomed Dr. Tony Greco, Dr. Jeff Patton, Dr. Casey Chollet-Lipscomb, Dr. Ted Arrowsmith and Dr. John Boskind for an engaging panel exploring 50 years of progress and innovation in community-based cancer care. Tony, one of TO’s founders, spoke to the organization’s early years and its process for providing patients with clinical research. “I’m happy to say, in the 50 years I’ve been in Nashville, most of that has been in Tennessee Oncology,” he said. “Now we’re moving on [and] continuing to try to develop even better therapy for patients.” After an engrossing conversation and a Champagne toast, Natalie shifted the evening’s rhythm with two words: “Let’s dance.”

Phuong and An Tran

Natalie Dickson and Aaron Raney, Gregg and Amy Shepard

BY MADELEINE BRADFORD PHOTOGRAPHS BY ANGELINA CASTILLO

Patrick and Naomi Wolf

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PA R T I E S

Holly Judd, Michelle Calais, Conner Hampton, Scotty Reams

Naveen Chadalavada, Revathi Kollipara

David Slosky, John Boskind

Ruby and Greg Sutton

Lucie Calderon, Pranav Santapuram

Zachary and Chelsea Mayo

Jackson and Cayla Reynolds

Joni and Allen Lee

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Emily and James Peyton

Kamadi Camp, Vinay Bhupathy, Ranjani Vijayakumar

Wade and Brittany Iams

Davey Daniel, Mira Patel, Brooke Daniel, Bradley and Bennett Harrison

Scott Stevenson, Wendy Zupa

AND ARTISTIC DIRECTOR JEFF COFFIN PRESENT

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PA R T I E S

Kate Forbes, Chrissy Hagerty

Rita Spitz, Laura Linger, Becky Streifler

Laomi Harewood, Tammy Moore, Elena Luca

Listen More The Tiffany Circle Fall Luncheon highlights the real-world impact of philanthropy

Keri McInnis, Leigh Anne McWhorter, Kelly Crockett

Chris Chu, Joanne Sowell

Hostesses Tracy Wade, Maxine Majors, Barbara Bovender

n a sunny September day, Tiffany Circle members gathered at Richland Country Club for the organization’s annual fall luncheon. Since American Red Cross chair Bonnie McElveen-Hunter and board member Melanie Sabelhaus founded the Tiffany Circle in 2006, the organization has grown into a nationwide network — with chapters across the U.S. and in countries and regions around the world. Internationally, Tiffany Circle members have raised more than $300 million for the Red Cross and Red Crescent. Luncheon guests visited with event hostesses Barbara Bovender, Maxine Majors and Tracy Wade, enjoying hors d’oeuvres passed on silver trays. And when time came for the program, they eagerly found their seats. Featured speaker Kate Forbes promptly took the stage, sharing a crucial lesson on leadership she’s learned in her role as president of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies. “We come in thinking we know what’s best,” Kate said. “And we don’t. We need to listen more.” One of the afternoon’s most poignant moments came as Kate shared images and stories from her work in communities across the globe. Her role introduces her to humanitarian workers, refugees and people living in active war zones. And she spoke candidly about the impossible weight of making decisions with limited resources — knowing those choices can determine who receives lifesaving assistance. “Sometimes I feel like I’m living Sophie’s choice every day,” Kate said. “Because I know that where we send funding, people will live, and lots of places where we don’t have the funding, they’re not.” She then welcomed questions from women seated around the luncheon tables — opening up about everything from her personal safety while traveling to what drives her to continue her work. “Each and every one of us has the opportunity to make a difference,” Kate said. “I meet so many women around the world that don’t have that opportunity.” BY JANET KURTZ PHOTOGRAPHS BY ERIC ENGLAND

Marci Houff, Jill Hernandez

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Carol Rochford, Katie Crumbo

ACADEMY FOR WOMEN OF ACHIEVEMENT

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Cathy Bender Beth DeBauche Cherae Farmer-Dixon Tracey Henry Edie Carell Johnson Dee Patel Tara Scarlett CORPORATE HONOREE

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Desinin Drems

The Heritage Ball celebrates decades of preservation in Williamson County Mark and Laurie Sutton, Bo Segers

Brent Jones and Kathy Park

Hunter Jones, Allie McNamara

Co-chairs Tyler and Meg Borders



merican designer Ralph Lauren famously said, “I don’t design clothes. I design dreams.” The sentiment proved an apt analogy for the dreamlike atmosphere of the 53rd annual Heritage Ball. As the sold-out crowd of 800 made its way down the path to the newly restored barn at historic Harlinsdale Farm, guests passed two elegant, red-coated equestrians astride handsome foxhunters — a prelude to the equinethemed evening ahead. At the entrance, event co-chairs Meg and Tyler Borders and honorary chair Sondra Morris — all passionate preservationists — greeted revelers, many of whom enjoyed Champagne on the lawn before entering the barn. Inside, guests discovered stalls filled with elegantly curated auction items, including exquisite jewelry, sporting adventures and enticing excursions, all benefiting the Heritage Foundation of Williamson County. Luxury jeweler Diamond Cellar further tempted revelers with sparkling keepsakes from the special evening. After the reception, guests entered the dinner tent, where designer Amos Gott of AmosEvents continued the Ralph Lauren-inspired theme with plaid wall coverings adorned with classic equestrian paintings. Amos also created beautiful floral arrangements displayed in silver vessels along the tables. Bari Beasley, president and CEO of the Heritage Foundation of Williamson County, took the stage to thank supporters and highlight the foundation’s important work. “For nearly six decades, the Heritage Foundation of Williamson County has worked to preserve the character and culture that make this community worth calling home,” she said. “Every historic site we advocate for, every festival we host and every student we reach happens because of the people in this room.” Board chair Bo Segers presented the Patron Award to Laurie and Mark Sutton, who have demonstrated the true spirit of community. Tyler also delivered a heartfelt message about legacy and the importance of preservation, sharing that he often thinks about the Franklin he wants to leave his children. After dinner, Heritage Ball organizers did what they do best and orchestrated a surprise performance. This year, Grammy-nominated singer-songwriter Natalie Grant and her husband, Bernie Herms, provided the entertainment. Natalie, who would sing the national anthem at the following day’s Tennessee Titans game, performed the inspiring “You Will Be Found” from the Broadway musical Dear Evan Hansen. At the Late Party, co-chaired by Lauren Womack and Cole Horner, guests danced late into the evening to music from the Atlanta Allstars. It was the kind of night dreams are made of. BY JANET KURTZ PHOTOGRAPHS BY MICHAEL SCOTT EVANS, HAMILTON MATTHEW MASTERS

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PA R T I E S

Dasha Tikhomirova and Stephen Atkinson

Honorary chair Sondra Morris, Bari Beasley

Josephine VanDevender Ward and Giles Ward

Bernie Herms and Natalie Grant, Meg and Tyler Borders

Andrew and Jennifer Luther

Sarah Hill, Vicki and Michael McNamara

Keyna Rankin, Haidyn Carroll

Jim and Lisa Reddick

nfocusmagazine.com | O C T O B E R 2026

PA R T I E S

Honorary chair Sondra Morris, Austin Greer, Ralene DeBord

Melody and Morris Bowers, Doug Griffith with Diesel

Bari Beasley

Leah Kennedy, Sarah Beth Love, Emily Batty

Danae and Kevin Craig

Lauren Womack and Cole Horner

O C T O B E R 2 02 6 | nfocusmagazine.com

Christina Christiansen and Will Hewitt

Clay and Bridget Parkes

Thomas Barrett, Belinda Berry

Dan Murphy and Sara Antonio

nfocusmagazine.com | O C T O B E R 2026

PA R T I E S

Aaron and Sarah Wenzel

Emily Love and Lucas Mendonca Lynne and Henry Trost

Roseann Rogers

Natalie Grant

Co-chairs Tyler and Meg Borders, honorary chair Sondra Morris, Bari Beasley

Miller Garrett, Sarah Webb, Will Clark

Margaret Hiler, Julie Slater, Holly Picciurro

Steve Mitchell and Jeanine Lunardi, Cindy and Darrell Denson

O C T O B E R 2 02 6 | nfocusmagazine.com

Austin and Lauren Schutte

THE 40 TH ANNIVERSARY SPECTACLE This is our moment. This is our future. This is Dreamscape. For one magical evening, the Country Music Hall of Fame will be transformed into a luminous, surreal world all its own. Dreamers, visionaries, allies and influencers will gather for the culmination of Nashville CARES’ 40th anniversary year. The dazzling journey begins with a red-carpet arrival and winds through an exclusive cocktail reception, a seated dinner, and top-tier live entertainment — with plenty of memorable “wow” moments along the way. Food. Entertainment. Compassion. Connections old and new. For 40 years, Nashville CARES has led the fight to eliminate HIV through prevention, education, treatment, support and advocacy. Every ticket, every table and every gift helps us close our milestone year strong and carry that momentum into the next 40.

Welcome to Dreamscape The Nashville CARES 40th Anniversary Gala

DreamscapeGala.org thedreamscape2026 Tickets & Info Date & Time Saturday, 11/14/2026 6:00pm CDT - 11:00pm CDT

Location Country Music Hall of Fame 222 Rep. John Lewis Way S Nashville, 37203 PRESENTING SPONSOR

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Mission Moment

The American Brain Foundation foregrounds its mission with an unforgettable gala

he American Brain Foundation Gala returned to Nashville on a beautiful September evening , and it did not disappoint. As guests arrived at the Four Seasons Hotel Nashville, they entered the grand ballroom lobby to find stunning floor-to-ceiling views of the Cumberland River, passed wines and canapés — and something unexpected: the opportunity to experience ABF’s mission in action. The foundation had stationed 14 researchers from across the country throughout the lobby, inviting guests to meet the brilliant scientists whose research may lead to the next breakthrough in treating brain diseases and disorders. The room was abuzz with conversation, new connections and discovery, perfectly capturing the evening’s theme of “Brilliance and Breakthroughs.” Among the notable attendees was actress and advocate Selma Blair and her service dog, Scout — the latter quickly becoming one of the evening’s most talked-about guests. Inside the ballroom, guests enjoyed a three-course dinner expertly prepared by the Four Seasons’ culinary team. Co-chairs Adam and Sean Sansiveri welcomed the crowd and underscored why Nashville was the perfect home for this national foundation’s gala: As the healthcare capital of the world, Nashville is an industry hub and an engine of discovery. Emcee Christopher Hanke kept the evening moving with plenty of laughter, while executive director Michelle Heritage reinforced the foundation’s guiding philosophy: “Cure One, Cure Many.” Guests applauded the 2026 award recipients: Apple TV’s Shrinking, recognized for its powerful portrayal of Parkinson’s disease, accepted by cast members via video; ALS advocate and legendary running back Chris Johnson, presented by Selma Blair and accepted by his family; and the Wounded Warrior Project, a veterans service organization, accepted by John Eaton. Singer, songwriter, actor and author Leslie Odom Jr. captivated the room with a stirring vocal and guitar performance before a spirited live auction brought the evening to a close. Guests then gathered in the lobby for a final Champagne toast, celebrating a memorable evening — and its fundraising success. BY JEANETTE BARKER PHOTOGRAPHS BY KRISTEN DRUM

Co-chairs Adam Sansiveri, Sean Sansiveri

Christopher Hanke

Adrienne and Michael Johnson

Paul Cairns, Joanne Smikle

Selma Blair, co-chair Sean Sansiveri

Michelle Heritage

Nick and Kaitlin Copenhaver

nfocusmagazine.com | O C T O B E R 2026

PA R T I E S

Debra and Bruce Kahne, Paul Cairns, Ben Kahne

Co-chair Adam Sansiveri, Kendall Brown

Selma Blair

Brytni and co-chair Sean Sansiveri

Amy and Brannan Atkinson

O C T O B E R 2 02 6 | nfocusmagazine.com

Nelson Griswold, Russell Lott

Christina Arquette, Justin Jones

Madison and Blake Patterson

PA R T I E S

Where Nashville Style Meets Philanthropy

A video series spotlighting elegant events and conversations with the people shaping Nashville — and the causes making a difference across our community. Co-hosted by editor-in-chief Janet Kurtz and associate editor Madeleine Bradford.

Now streaming on YouTube. 72

O C T O B E R 2 02 6 | nfocusmagazine.com

PA R T I E S

Kim Hewell and Norm Scarborough

Annie

Kyle and Nancy Floyd, Melissa Schmidt, Hugh Howser

In Hrmony with Nture

Owl’s Hill Nature Sanctuary rallies supporters to restore a beloved trail Morel Enoch, Mark Winslow

n a sultry September evening, a line of cars wound along the gravel drive to Owl’s Hill Nature Sanctuary for the annual Dinner in the Forest. The evening celebrated conservation and natural beauty while raising funds to repair damage left by Winter Storm Fern. As guests made their way to the shelter, the scent of late-summer pollinator plants filled the dusk air while a three-piece string band played in the distance. During the reception, guests sipped refreshing cocktails and crisp white wine, and many took the opportunity to meet Annie, an Eastern screech-owl, who serves as the sanctuary’s resident wildlife ambassador, alongside her partner, Hoot. Owl’s Hill operates a 300-acre nature preserve dedicated to conservation, research and education. That educational mission includes Hoot and Annie, as well as their friend Shakespeare, a barred owl. (The jokes alone are a great reason to visit.) After the reception, guests made the short walk to a nearby tent, where nature-safe candelabras and votives adorned the tables. Co-chair Elisabeth Sandberg — co-chair Tracy Stadnick was unable to attend — offered brief words of thanks and teased a special announcement to come from Owl’s Hill executive director Sandy Obodzinski. Board members Mimi Heldman and Llew Ann King followed, before continuing a beloved Dinner in the Forest tradition: reading Mary Oliver’s “When I Am Among the Trees.” After guests enjoyed dinner by the Clean Plate Club, Sandy invited board member Russ Heldman to the stage. Russ delivered a fitting tribute to Shakespeare, weaving together lines from Richard II and All’s Well That Ends Well to illustrate the importance of Owl’s Hill. There is something magical — and oh-so-Nashville — about listening to a heartfelt profession of love for conservation, accompanied by a chorus of crickets and cicadas on nature’s green stage after dark. Then came Sandy’s announcement: The AWC Family Foundation had offered a matching grant to restore the South Ridge Trail after Winter Storm Fern caused extensive damage. The trail requires a complete redesign, and the grant will help make that work possible — if donors meet the match. The room immediately rose to the challenge, rallying to meet the goal and ensure the South Ridge Trail will once again welcome future generations into the forest. BY JANET KURTZ PHOTOGRAPHS BY ANGELINA CASTILLO

O C T O B E R 2 02 6 | nfocusmagazine.com

Dan and Jenny Oliver, Byron Fanning, Steve McGee, Rachel Fanning

John Noel, Claudia Gifford, Melinda Welton

Mimi Heldman, Llew Ann King, Caroline Dedeker, Susan King, Britta Campbell, Anna Birdwell

O C T O B E R 2 02 6 | nfocusmagazine.com

PA R T I E S

Somewhere Over the inbow Nashville Zoo’s Sunset Safari takes guests on a culinary tour through Emerald City

O Jamie Granbery, Kathryn Moore

Sherri Smith, Tasha Brennan, Faye Meluch

Holly and Tony Parker

n a beautiful September evening, epicureans and supporters of the Nashville Zoo arrived for a food-filled evening at Sunset Safari. The event raises crucial funds, supporting the zoo’s mission to inspire people to understand and discover the natural world. The Nashville Zoo is internationally recognized for its extensive work in assisted reproductive biotechnology and captive breeding. Of the approximately 350 species in its care, over one-third are in a species survival program, including the Amur and clouded leopards and the giant anteaters. Event patrons kicked things off with a VIP reception, before everyone headed out along the paths that wind through the zoo’s animal habitats. Guests spent a moment with Remy — a juvenile harpy eagle — who stood regally while the crowd asked his handler questions. Then, it was time to eat. This year’s theme, Somewhere Over the Rainbow, was on full display, as some guests wore their best Emerald City finery. Nashville restaurant pop-ups peppered the path, offering tasty bites of delicious cuisine and specialty cocktail samples. (And ample bars supplied those who were particularly thirsty.) Crowd favorites included STK, which brought back its famous beef tartare, Limo Peruvian Eatery, Puckett’s Restaurant with its filling Piggy Mac (a delightful combination of pulled pork and mac and cheese), Gus’s World Famous Fried Chicken and many more. Many guests paused at the African Field to observe a menagerie of species, including zebras and elands. A lone ostrich stood in the fading light of sunset, taking in the last moments of the day, surrounded by the safety and care of the Nashville Zoo team. After finishing a beautiful stroll and taking in animal habitats along the way, guests caught performances by The Music City Sound and Leah Marlene in Festival Field. BY JANET KURTZ PHOTOGRAPHS BY ANGELINA CASTILLO

Jasmine Dillon, Mikala Spinelli

O C T O B E R 2 02 6 | nfocusmagazine.com

PA R T I E S

Ellen and Andrew Frazer

Spence and Lauren Curry

Remy the harpy eagle

Lee Pratt and Neil Krugman

Jenny and Nigel Fontenot, Ann and Joseph Gilbert

Chip Wilkison and Tripp King

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NRETROSPECT

Genertion rt

University School of Nashville’s Artclectic celebrates 30 years SINCE 1997, University School of Nashville has brought artists from across the country to Artclectic, an annual art exhibit and sale that benefits student and faculty programming. The three-day celebration of creativity includes community events for adults and students. These snapshots from 2003 capture a festive Artclectic Patrons Party in Sperling Gymnasium and an Education Day event featuring printmaker Jim Sherraden, who will be on campus again this October, when Artclectic celebrates three decades. BY CARRINGTON FOX PHOTOGRAPHS COURTESY OF UNIVERSITY SCHOOL OF NASHVILLE

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