It’s more than where we work, it’s where we live. It’s where we raise families. Where we show up for one another – in the everyday and in the unexpected. It’s where names are neighbors, and care is connection. It’s about the people. SCAN FOR MORE INFO
1. Durable Power of Attorney for Health Care
At age 18, a parent’s decision-making role is significantly diminished, especially in regard to making healthcare decisions. Without a durable power of attorney naming the parents as health care agents for the child, the parents cannot make medical decisions on their child’s behalf.
2. HIPAA Authorization
Without HIPPA authorization, parents are unable to communicate with healthcare professionals and insurance companies, as well as access their child’s health records and previous treatment information.
3. Durable Power of Attorney (Finances and Property)
The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act is designed to protect a college student’s privacy, but it can also leave parents locked out in an emergency. A properly worded release can allow parents to talk to school officials and release pertinent educational records and information should they need it.
5. Last Will and Testament
A financial power of attorney gives parents the ability to make financial decisions on their child’s behalf, should they be unable to do so themselves.
While many parents don’t want to think about this topic, especially as their child leaves home, it’s an important one to add to the list. A will allows parents to honor their child’s wishes on what should be done with their social media accounts, bank accounts, and personal assets. It also allows the child to specify any funeral arrangements they would like to have.
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Looking for something different? Schedule your Functional Wellness Consultation.
Tucked away on a private cul-de-sac, this exceptional Brentwood residence offers refined luxury, timeless design, and a breathtaking park-like backyard designed for effortless entertaining and everyday tranquility. Extensively reimagined with more than $400,000 in premium updates, the home showcases a new roof, new HVAC systems, a stunning spa-inspired primary bath, beautifully renovated secondary baths, new flooring, and designer lighting throughout. Every detail has been thoughtfully curated to create a home that feels both elegant and inviting.
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41.5 Acre Estate in the Heart of Leipers Fork LEIPERS FORK, $10,000,000, 3,693 SF, 3 BD, 3 BA, 2 PERC SITES, POOL + GYM, PRIVATE WELLNESS RETREAT, MUSIC ROOM, 2 PONDS, RESTORED BARN/GH Where Land, Luxury, and Legacy Converge
For years, August meant shopping for school supplies, filling out paperwork, and savoring the last days of summer before life shifted into a new routine. As a mother, I experienced more backto-school seasons than I can count, and while every child was different, one thing remained the same: each new school year brought excitement, possibility, and a little uncertainty.
Now that my children are grown and living independent lives, I look back on those years differently. The backpacks, lunchboxes, and busy schedules mattered, but what mattered most wasn't what I packed, it was what my children carried within themselves.
PUBLISHER
Athena West | athena.west@citylifestyle.com
EDITOR
Maria Dinoia | maria.dinoia@citylifestyle.com
PUBLICATION DIRECTOR
Karen Creason | karen.creason@citylifestyle.com
SOCIAL MEDIA COORDINATOR
Stephanie Krejci | stephanie.krejci@citylifestyle.com
COPY EDITOR
Audrey West
As we put together this month's Family issue, I noticed that same theme running through many of the stories.
You'll meet talented local teens whose artwork is earning recognition beyond Middle Tennessee, along with organizations that help children build confidence, creativity, and connection. From Grassland Dance Academy, where students find encouragement and belonging, to programs that pair young readers with animals, these stories highlight how our community invests in our children.
We're also introducing you to Let's Roll Games, a new Franklin shop built around something many of us are craving more of these days: genuine connection. In a world filled with screens, it's refreshing to see a place dedicated to gathering around a table and creating memories together.
As you prepare for the start of school, you'll find practical advice on organizing your home and navigating the unwelcome reality of head lice. And in our feature with Dr. Ashley Roark, you'll discover why helping children feel seen and supported matters just as much as providing exceptional care.
Now, as I watch my grandchildren experience some of those same milestones, I'm reminded how quickly these years pass, and how deeply the people who invest in our children can shape the adults they become.
Whether you're sending a child off to kindergarten, helping a teenager through another busy school year, or watching grown children build lives of their own, I hope this issue reminds you that we never outgrow the need for connection, encouragement, and community.
KAREN CREASON, PUBLICATION DIRECTOR
@FRANKLINTNLIFESTYLE
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1-7: Hundreds of fans, travelers, community members, and road-trippers gathered in Cornersville as Dolly’s Tennessean Travel Stop officially opened its doors. Dolly surprised fans at the travel stop to celebrate the grand opening.
15-21: The Jordan Thomas Foundation (JTF) hosted its 6th annual Family Reunion Weekend, bringing together families and children with limb loss from across the country for a weekend of connection, encouragement, and support. Thomas is one of the nation’s top adaptive golfers, a double amputee athlete, and founder of the Nashville-based foundation. Photography courtesy of JTF
22-24:Franklin Mayor Ken Moore announced the launch of Franklin Connects, a new community initiative, focused on reducing loneliness and increasing belonging, at the Carousel of Dreams at The Factory at Franklin. He was joined by Amy Alexander, CEO of The Refuge Center for Counseling, who shared insights on the growing loneliness epidemic and its impact on communities across the country.
If you don’t have a plan and the unexpected happens, Tennessee has a plan for you. And the state’s default plan is usually a mess for families like yours. That’s why we help families put a family safety net in place, protecting you from the Tennessee default and a probate process that can take months or years and cost thousands of dollars. It protects your kids and everything you’ve worked for. So you decide what happens, not a court.
Run Nash is bringing a Dollyinspired twist to Downtown Nashville this fall with the launch of the inaugural 9to5K Run & Walk on Saturday, September 5. Benefiting both United Way of Greater Nashville and Imagination Library of Middle Tennessee, the 9to5K will feature a brand-new 5K course through downtown, a 1-mile option for all ages, the Dolly Dash kids run, the Stiletto Dash, costume contest, and themed photo opportunities. Participants are encouraged to come dressed in rhinestones, big hair, business suits or full Dolly-inspired glam. RunNash.com/events/9-to-5k/
In its first year of operation, the nonprofit arm of The Factory at Franklin, The Circle of Giving, has seeded $100,000 back into the community through direct support to four Williamson County charities. The four organizations—the Hard Bargain Association, Franktown Open Hearts, NOOK (Needs of Our Kids), and the Friends of Franklin Parks inclusive playground initiative, Ellie G’s Dream World, respectively—were each presented with $25,000 checks.
CarouselOfDreams.com
The sister restaurant of authentic Italian restaurant, Culaccino, Culamar is now its Mediterranean counterpart, with a new menu by Executive Chef and Owner Frank Pullara.
Inspired by the diverse coastal cultures from Italy, Spain, and Greece, new menu items include Chicken Valdostana with smoked pancetta cream, Arancini with English pea and basil pesto and Arca Salmon with miso and local honey, among other specialty dishes. The refreshed menu will be available in both the dining room and the rooftop patio and bar. @culamar.tn
Photography by Mayter Scott Creative
Dr. Christina Rahm has built her career around developing science-backed wellness products with the same attention to quality she’d expect for her own family.
Their love for animals inspired Dr. Christina Rahm and Clayton Thomas to create Bill & Coo, bringing the same science backed standards to pet wellness that have guided their work for years.
Every formula is developed by Dr. Rahm using human-grade ingredients and manufactured in our own U.S. facility.
The Factory Hotel is expected to break ground late 2026, with doors slated to open Spring 2028. Designed to complement the site's historic architecture, the project will thoughtfully incorporate Building 10 into the hotel's main lobby experience. Building 9 will be reimagined as a vibrant pool courtyard, with additional amenities that include an event and meeting space, full-service restaurant and bar, private dining room and fitness center. The new parking garage and expanded lots will bring the campus total to almost 1100 spaces. FactoryAtFranklin.com
Photography by Nathan Zucker
The City of Franklin was recognized June 28 as one of 10 All-America City Award winners by the National Civic League, which presented this honor to recognize Franklin for its work to create a thriving and welcoming community.
Franklin previously won the AllAmerica City Award in 2020 in collaboration with Franklin Tomorrow, but the team competed remotely that year. FranklinTomorrow.com
The Heritage Foundation of Williamson County, TN announced the 53rd Annual Heritage Ball is returning to Harlinsdale Farm on Saturday, September 12. Atmos Energy and Tractor Supply Company Foundation are announced as Presenting Sponsors of Williamson County’s longest-running black-tie affair.
Each year, approximately 800 guests gather at the Heritage Ball to support and celebrate the Heritage Foundation's work and raise funds for future preservation projects. Tickets and tables will go on sale in this month. WilliamsonHeritage.com
At 2:00 a.m., a mother quietly peeked into her six-year-old son’s bedroom. She smiled as she watched him sleep— until she noticed his mouth hanging open. He tossed from one side of the bed to the other, ground his teeth, and then suddenly became still. A few seconds later, he took a deep gasp before settling back into restless sleep.
The next morning, he was difficult to wake up. His teacher had recently mentioned trouble focusing in class, and at home, he seemed constantly on the go. His parents wondered if he had ADHD.
What they didn’t realize was that many of his symptoms were actually signs that he wasn’t breathing well while he slept.
As an airway-focused dentist, I hear stories like this every week. Parents often assume their child will “grow out of it,” but healthy children should breathe quietly through their noses and sleep peacefully. Snoring, mouth breathing, restless sleep, and teeth grinding are never considered normal.
What
A child’s airway is the passage that allows air to move freely through the nose and throat. When that airway
Dr. Kellye Rice is a Fellow of the Academy of General Dentistry, a Diplomate of the Academy of Dental Sleep Medicine, and a graduate of Airway Health Solutions, dedicated to the ongoing care of children and adults with airway and breathing problems.
becomes narrowed—because of narrow, underdeveloped jaws, enlarged tonsils or adenoids, chronic allergies or tongue-tie—the brain and body must work harder to breathe. Even brief interruptions in breathing can reduce the quality of sleep during the years when children need it most for healthy growth and brain development.
Many children don’t tell us they’re tired because they don’t know what “well-rested” feels like. Instead, they show us through their behavior.
Common signs include:
- Snoring or noisy breathing during sleep
- Sleeping with the mouth open
- Restless sleep or frequent position changes
- Teeth grinding
- Night sweats or bedwetting
- Pauses in breathing or gasping
- Difficulty waking in the morning
- Hyperactivity or difficulty concentrating
- Frequent headaches
- Chronic mouth breathing during the day
- Crowded teeth or a narrow palate
Dentists see children regularly throughout the years when their jaws and faces are developing. During those visits, we can often identify early clues such as crowded teeth, a narrow palate, worn teeth from grinding, tongue posture issues, or mouth breathing.
These findings don’t automatically mean a child has a sleep disorder, but they can signal that a closer look is warranted.
When appropriate, we work closely with pediatricians, ENT physicians, myofunctional therapists, and sleep physicians to determine the best path forward.
The goal isn’t simply to straighten teeth. It’s to help children develop healthy jaws, healthy breathing, and healthy sleep.
Depending on the child, treatment may include expanding narrow jaws while growth is still occurring, myofunctional therapy, evaluation of enlarged tonsils or adenoids, or a sleep study when indicated.
Children grow only once. Recognizing an airway problem early can positively influence facial development, learning, behavior, sleep quality, and overall health for years to come.
If your child snores, sleeps with an open mouth, grinds their teeth, or always seems tired despite spending enough hours in bed, don’t assume it’s just a phase. It may be your child’s way of telling you they aren’t getting the healthy, restorative sleep they need.
Sometimes the smallest signs lead to the biggest improvements—and a simple conversation could change the course of your child’s health. Find a dentist who has experience in this area or care—it could change your child’s and your family’s lives.
Your comfort. Your health. Your peace of mind. You deserve them all!
615.373.4488 | kellyerice.com | 1800 Mallory Lane ·Brentwood,
The first time Jamie Parsons visited Leiper's Fork in 2008, she had no idea how much her life would change. “I was on a house-hunting trip with a friend. We stopped for lunch in the Village, then looked at two homes,” Parsons recalled. “After the second home, I told her, ‘I’m going to live here one day.’”
At the time, Parsons had already built a successful real estate career in some of California’s most iconic luxury markets. She spent years navigating high-stakes deals, celebrity clientele, and some of the country’s most prestigious neighborhoods. But beneath the glamour and momentum of Southern California life, she found herself drawn to something quieter. “It was an intangible feeling, something just clicked and that was it,” she said of her first experience in Leiper's Fork. “I loved Malibu, I still do. But I felt a peace and belonging in Leiper's Fork that was unshakable.”
Parsons’ journey from the fast-paced luxury markets of Los Angeles to the rolling hills of Williamson County reflects what many people are searching for when they decide to relocate: connection, balance, and a stronger sense of home. Looking back on her early career in California, Parsons describes the experience as both demanding and formative. “That season of life, I’m talking mid-90’s, was truly the school of hard knocks, in the best possible way,” she said. “I learned I couldn’t fake experience, nor rush it.”
Working in elite markets at a young age forced her to develop discipline quickly. She immersed herself in neighborhoods, architecture, and building client
relationships - learning that success required consistency and preparation more than charisma. “The biggest lesson I learned about success is that there is no substitute for consistency, preparation, and hard work,” Parsons said, “Instinct and natural ability help, but experience and relationships are earned.”
She realized homes are rarely just about square footage or amenities. They are about identity, priorities, and the season of life someone is in. “The more I listened, the more I realized my role wasn't simply to find a 4 bedroom house with a pool, it was to understand what mattered most to them,” she said.
Ironically, Parsons says moving to Tennessee did not feel like becoming someone new. Instead, it felt like rediscovering who she had always been. “When I was eight years old, my family visited a farm in South Dakota, and I felt like ‘I’d arrived,’” she said. “I loved everything about it.” Although she grew up in a suburb of Los Angeles, much of her childhood revolved around nature, horseback riding, hiking, and time spent at the beach. As her professional life accelerated in the city, so did the pressure that came with it. “I felt a constant pressure to keep up or be left behind,” Parsons said. “The city definitely sharpened me; but the country and nature grounded me.”
Today, life in Franklin and Leiper's Fork offers a rhythm that feels intentionally slower, even amid a busy career. “One of my favorite parts of the day is the early morning, when the house is quiet and I'm the only one awake,” she said. “I spend that time doing a devotional, drinking a cup of coffee, and simply being still before the day begins. That feels like a luxury to me.” For Parsons, the phrase “quiet luxury” has little to do with labels or excess. Instead, it is rooted in simplicity, space, and meaningful connection. “It’s the ability to live life on your own terms, surrounded by beauty, with room to breathe, a beautiful garden, and a strong sense of community,” she said.
“My ultimate luxury is to have enough space to have all our children and family stay with us on holidays and occasions, watching them slow down, relax on the porch, pet the horses and enjoy connecting with one another,” she said. It is a sentiment she increasingly hears from clients relocating to Tennessee. While every move is different, Parsons believes most people are ultimately seeking the same thing. For young families, that may mean community, good schools, and space for children to grow. For empty nesters, it may mean slowing down without sacrificing beauty, culture, or connection. “They have worked hard and CONTINUED >
have enjoyed success, but no amount of money can buy peace,” Parsons said. “For me, success has never been about the number of transactions, but about the relationships I've built, the trust I've earned, and the impact I've had on the people I've had the privilege of serving.”
For those considering a major lifestyle transition, Parsons encourages them to think beyond the home itself. “Don't just shop for a house,” she said. “Shop for the life you want to live. But stay open-minded; often what you think you want is simply the path that leads you where you need to be.” In many ways, that philosophy reflects the journey that brought her from the coastlines of Malibu to the quiet back roads of Leiper's Fork, where luxury is no longer defined by spectacle but by the profound feeling of finally being home.
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ARTICLE BY MARIA DINOIA | PHOTOGRAPHY PROVIDED
Franklin's dining scene continues to evolve with the arrival of Truce, a "fine food fast" concept that uses clean, organic, and non-GMO ingredients. We sat down with owner and local resident, Matt Frauenshuh, to talk about the vision behind the restaurant, the story behind the name, and why Franklin turned out to be exactly the right place to plant his flag.
Truce is really about what happens around the table. In our home, and in so many families we know, meal time can turn into compromise or even conflict. Everyone wants something different, and no one feels fully satisfied. We wanted a name that captured the idea of bringing peace back to that moment. "Truce" represents that simple goal, where no one has to compromise on quality, ingredients or experience.
WHERE DID YOUR PASSION FOR FOOD AND THE RESTAURANT INDUSTRY BEGIN?
I’ve spent much of my career in the restaurant industry, beginning with the early days of Fourteen Foods and growing it from a small group of restaurants into what it is today. That journey gave me a deep respect for both the operational side of the business and the people behind it. Over time, I’ve stayed focused on building strong teams, serving guests well and staying grounded in family and faith
WHAT DREW YOU TO FRANKLIN SPECIFICALLY AS THE HOME FOR TRUCE?
Franklin is home for us, so this location is very personal. Williamson County has a strong sense of community, is growing quickly and is full of families and professionals who are looking for exactly what we’re offering -- something that’s high-quality but still fits into a busy lifestyle. The early response has honestly exceeded expectations, and it’s been incredibly rewarding to see how quickly the community has embraced the concept.
WALK US THROUGH THE MENU PHILOSOPHY. IS THERE A CULINARY POINT OF VIEW THAT RUNS THROUGH EVERYTHING YOU'RE SERVING?
The menu is built on real, scratch-made food that people can feel good about eating. We start with thoughtfully sourced ingredients and keep everything as clean and intentional as possible, with no artificial additives or seed oils. From there, it’s about balance – bold, unique flavors, comfort and enough variety that there’s truly something for everyone at the table.
IS THERE A DISH ON THE MENU RIGHT NOW THAT YOU'RE MOST PROUD OF OR MOST EXCITED FOR GUESTS TO TRY?
It’s hard to narrow it down, but I’m really proud of the Herb-Crusted Lemon Dill Salmon, the Glazed Pork Belly Bites and the Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Cake. The Truce Latte and Truce Toast are especially meaningful because they directly give back to our partner, Love One International. Each of these dishes reflects the intention behind the menu, familiar favorites elevated through clean ingredients and thoughtful execution. I’m also excited for guests to experience the new summer menu, which reflects our commitment to keeping the dishes fresh and giving guests new reasons to come back and explore the menu.
“It’s been incredibly rewarding to see how quickly the community has embraced the concept.”
“We start with thoughtfully sourced ingredients and keep everything as clean and intentional as possible, with no artificial additives or seed oils.”
WHAT DOES SUCCESS LOOK LIKE FOR YOU IN THIS FIRST YEAR?
Success in year one is really about becoming part of people’s routines. If Truce is a place families and friends return to regularly, whether that’s a quick lunch, a weeknight dinner or a weekend meal together, then we’re doing our job. Beyond that, it’s about consistency: delivering great food, exceptional service and being the place where people feel taken care of every time they walk in. If we can build that in the first year, everything else will follow.
WHAT'S NEXT FOR YOU? MORE TRUCE RESTAURANTS OR OTHER CONCEPTS?
Right now, the focus is on doing it right. We’re still in the early days of Truce, and our priority is making sure this location is everything we want it to be for the community. There’s a lot of opportunity to learn from guest feedback, evolve the menu and experience and keep improving the day-to-day execution. Whatever comes after that will be shaped by how well we serve this community right now.
EatTruce.com
ARTICLE PROVIDED | PHOTOGRAPHY BY KAILEE RICHES PHOTOGRAPHY
Somewhere between the school pickup line, soccer practice, and answering emails in the carpool lane, modern parents are doing their best to keep it all moving. Life is busy, schedules are full and time feels increasingly precious. That’s exactly why families today are drawn to healthcare providers who offer more than expertise. They want care that feels personal, thoughtful and genuinely connected.
For Dr. Ashley Roark, founder of Roark Orthodontics, creating a practice centered on relationships has always been as important as creating beautiful smiles. As both an orthodontist and a mother, she understands firsthand the pressures families face and has built her practice with those realities in mind.
"I get it!" Dr. Roark says. "Sometimes it feels like you can’t possibly add one more thing to the schedule. We try to make treatment as straightforward and efficient as possible. We really focus on communication and try to make it as easy as possible for parents if they need to book an appointment or reschedule."
That commitment to making life easier extends far beyond scheduling. Every aspect of the patient experience is designed with families in mind, from the office atmosphere to the way treatment plans are communicated.
"Being a Mom shapes how I see everything," Dr Roark notes. "I always think about how I would want to be treated myself, and how I’d want my own kids to be treated. This applies to my treatment planning and to how we communicate with families day to day."
While orthodontics is often associated with straight teeth and healthy bites, Dr. Roark believes the emotional transformation that occurs during treatment is equally significant. Over the years, she has witnessed countless patients gain confidence as their smiles change. "It’s a huge part of it! While I really enjoy the technical, problem-solving side of orthodontics, what I love most is seeing the change in people when their braces come off."
She added, "I’ve had kids who’ve been bullied for their teeth or who won’t smile because they’re self-conscious, and I’ve had adults who have lived their entire lives not loving their smile. Being part of that moment when someone finally feels confident in their smile is the most fulfilling part of my career."
That focus on people rather than procedures is evident throughout the practice. Dr. Roark and her team intentionally create an environment where families feel known, valued, and comfortable. "I want families to feel like we know them, and not like they are just another appointment on the schedule. We take time to talk, explain things clearly, and make sure people feel comfortable asking questions. We also intentionally don’t overbook our schedule, which helps us stay present with each family and keep the appointment calm and unhurried."
The office itself reflects that philosophy. Rather than creating a traditional clinical environment, Dr. Roark designed the space to feel welcoming and relaxed. "As an orthodontist, I’m very familiar with small details," she said. "I wanted the space to feel warm and welcoming to patients and families. I intentionally
designed the waiting room to feel more like a living room than a traditional clinic."
Parents are invited to remain involved throughout the process, whether accompanying their children during appointments or relaxing with complimentary refreshments while receiving treatment updates from the team.
Dr. Roark's approach also reflects the values of the Williamson County community she serves. "This community really values relationships, and I love that! It’s one of the big reasons I chose this location for the office. It’s not just about quick visits; it’s about trust and knowing the people you’re caring for." She credits a lesson from one of her earliest mentors for helping shape her philosophy. "One of my mentors told me, before I even applied to dental school, that if you treat people well, you will be successful. I try to live by that every day."
For Dr. Roark, exceptional family care ultimately comes down to something simple. "For me it’s really about honesty, consistency, and communication," she said. "Parents want to feel like they are in the loop and that their child is genuinely being cared for, not just treated." When treatment comes to an end, the goal is about far more than a perfect smile. "I hope they feel proud and a little bit emotional, in the best way. I know orthodontic treatment can be a long process, and I want them to feel like it was worth it." RoarkOrtho.com
Ruby and Karis are two best friends who started baking cupcakes together when they were just eight years old. They spent their childhood dreaming up homemade flavors and drawing floor plans for their perfect bakeshop. Over the years, they started taking orders solely via Instagram DMs, refining their craft, and even catering a wedding when they were just 12 years old.
Today, they are the co-owners of Sweet Stars Cupcakes, an online-based bakery specializing in handcrafted cupcakes for weddings, showers, birthdays and special events. What began with two little girls imagining a brick and mortar cupcake shop in Hawaii has become a business built on friendship, faith and plenty of frosting.
Their business is guided by three core values: cupcakes, community and Christ. "I feel like creativity could be thrown in there as a fourth C," says Karis. Those values influence everything from community events and decorating nights to partnerships with local businesses.
And after baking together all of these years, they've created their own well-balanced partnership. "Throughout this whole process, we've really, really learned, and we know now
ARTICLE BY MARIA DINOIA | PHOTOGRAPHY
that it really is a team effort and we both bring a lot of different skills to the table," says Karis. "Ruby is definitely more business-minded. I'm a little bit more creative, so I just have the big dreams and Ruby helps bring them into reality."
While Karis focuses on marketing, branding and creativity, Ruby oversees finances, recipe development and operations, but they intentionally share responsibilities."We feel like it's super important for us to learn from each other, especially when things pick up and get busy," says Karis. "It's important for us to be able to take over each other's tasks and pull up each other when the other person can't handle as much."
Ruby has enjoyed watching those roles evolve. "With baking, I am definitely the, 'How do I make this flavor taste like this?' Or 'What do we need to add?' Or 'This oven is different.' Just figuring out how to make it all work. And then Karis makes the most fluffy frosting ever."
Their love of baking has always been part of who they are. "I think it's always just been inside of us and deep down," says Karis. "I think we always knew that was what we really wanted to do out of life. And our parents really did teach us to, 'Do what you love and you won't work a day in your life.'"
Many of Sweet Stars' flavors can trace their roots back to childhood notebooks filled with recipes and ideas. "A lot of what we do, especially flavor and recipe-wise, we actually took those from when we were kids," Karis says. "We have hundreds of papers of our little kid handwritings with flavor ideas and little recipes that magic Ruby was coming up with when we were just eight years old." Now those childhood ideas are paired with customer feedback to create new seasonal cupcake collections. When it comes to customer favorites, fresh ingredients set Sweet Stars apart. "I feel like we are definitely known for our fruit cupcakes," Ruby says. "We very much pride ourselves on using organic ingredients."
Growing up gluten- and dairy-free also inspired Ruby to make sure everyone could enjoy dessert. "Karis brought the idea of, 'Hey, we should make cupcakes you can eat too,'" Ruby says. Alongside favorites like strawberry, red velvet and chocolate peanut butter, Sweet Stars continues expanding its gluten- and dairy-free offerings. "Everyone deserves to have a treat," Karis says. "And so we want to make that accessible for everybody."
Although birthdays helped launch the business, weddings have quickly become one of their specialties. Karis experienced a particularly meaningful full-circle moment when she served Sweet Stars cupcakes at her own wedding.
"I got married in May and that was one of my very favorite things that we got to do," she says. "It was super cool for me to go down into my dessert room and just see our up-to-standard bridal-approved cupcakes. And it's just so cool to see that now there's brides out there that are using us for their cake."
For Ruby, helping create those cupcakes for her lifelong friend made the experience even more meaningful. "My very best friend, I don't have a sister, but I do because we're the closest thing to sisters," says Ruby. "It was just cool to see your best friend who's dreamed of her husband her whole life and then getting to put our childhood dream in that."
The name Sweet Stars also came straight from childhood. "We have drawings from when we were little of our dream store that we were going to open in Hawaii," says Karis. "For some reason the thought of us being stars in our parents' eyes just really stuck. And then obviously cupcakes are sweet."
As they considered other names before launching, they ultimately couldn't part with the original. "Having the old drawings and the pictures that just give it so much of a story, we were like, 'We can't change this,'" says Ruby.
Since launching, Sweet Stars has cel ebrated several milestones, from large corporate orders to community mar kets at The Factory. "I think honestly just launching the website too," says Ruby. "It just made it so official. And just seeing customer faces, people we don't even know that find us and we get to make cupcakes for them."
They currently bake from Ruby's Franklin home while planning for future growth. "We're working on get ting a little central location," says Karis. "A storefront is obviously the goal."
Before opening a retail bakery, how ever, they hope to move into a commer cial kitchen to better accommodate larger wedding and event orders. They also hope to make shipping cupcakes a reality. "We've had so many requests for that," says Karis. "We really want to figure out how we can market that in the best way."
For two friends who started with a dream, a notebook full of flavor ideas, and a conviction that cupcakes could be something more than dessert, Sweet Stars is quickly becoming exactly what they had always imagined.
SweetStarsCupcakes.com @sweetstarscupcakes
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Let's Roll Games Is Bringing The Joy Of Tabletop Gaming To Franklin
ARTICLE AND PHOTOGRAPHY BY MARIA DINOIA
In a world where most entertainment fits in the palm of your hand and screens compete for every spare moment of attention, Kent & Laura Coughlin are betting on something refreshingly not digital. Let's Roll Games, his newly opened specialty game store in Franklin, is a love letter to the kind of fun that requires a table, a group of people, and a willingness to put the phone down. We sat down with Kent to talk about what inspired the store, what's on the shelves, and why he believes there has never been a better time to roll the dice on a passion project like this one.
Other than the obvious play on words, I graduated from Wheaton College, from where Todd Beamer also graduated. He was one of the several passengers who attempted to regain control of one of the planes hijacked on 9/11. While I did not know him personally, I hope the name is a nod to the sacrifice he and his fellow passengers made.
CONTINUED >
BOARD GAMES AND TABLETOP GAMING HAVE HAD A REMARKABLE RESURGENCE IN RECENT YEARS AND NOT JUST FOR KIDS. WHAT DO YOU THINK IS DRIVING THAT, AND HOW DOES LET'S ROLL GAMES FIT INTO THAT?
The growth in this industry is forecasted to explode. While I could go on for days about the reasons why, I think a few of those reasons include people’s desire to take a more active role in entertainment activities. Rather than being a passive consumer, tabletop gamers are involved in the creation of their own entertainment. I also think that people are more interested in accumulating experiences rather than things and games are a means to that end. Meeting new people, learning something new, winning a game just hits different than getting a new high score. And finally, I think folks are looking for a more tactile experience. Instead of swiping across a phone’s screen, dealing cards, rolling dice and moving pieces provide a much more satisfying experience.
TELL ME A LITTLE ABOUT YOURSELF. DID YOU ALWAYS HAVE A PASSION FOR GAMING?
I grew up in Chicago and Miami. After college, I worked as a disc jockey for a couple of years and went back to school for a degree in marketing, and then spent about 20 years in the financial services industry. The idea of opening a game store is an idea that had been germinating over the years. So when I got let go from my marketing gig of 21 years, I began to investigate what it would take to get started. Eventually, my wife said that if I did not give it a try, it would be wrong. And here we are.
Games were always a big part of my life: Monopoly with the neighbors, playing Rumikub with my mom and my grandmother at the kitchen table (that table now sits in the front of the store). We played all the classics with my own kids. My brother introduced us to Rail Baron and other games that have become family favorites. We played LCR while we waited in restaurants. As important as games are, they are really just a means to an end. I have seen how my family has connected through game play and I really want to provide others with the tools to do the same.
“I have seen how my family has connected through game play and I really want to provide others with the tools to do the same.”
We carry four primary categories of games; board games (Monopoly, Clue), miniatures (Warhammer), role playing games (Dungeons & Dragons), and trading card games (Magic the Gathering). There are a number of factors that affect what I have in the store at any given time (supply, popularity, etc.) but I know that I am not going to be everything to everyone. I really want the store to be a place of discovery, a place where players can find either something new to excite them or a group of people as dedicated as they are about their favorite game.
BEYOND JUST SELLING GAMES, DO YOU HOST EVENTS, TOURNAMENTS, OR GAME NIGHTS IN THE STORE?
Absolutely. We’re just about ready to announce our organized play programs. We’ll have sessions devoted to a particular game while others will just be open times where folks can come in, buy something off the shelf and play it right away, play something off our demo shelves, or I may just decide that I want to play something and folks can come join in.
DO YOU HAVE A PROCESS FOR MATCHING THE RIGHT GAME TO THE RIGHT PERSON OR FAMILY?
It’s funny that you would ask. I was just reading an article about the use of games in a variety to therapeutical settings and the authors were proposing a system of classifying games to see if they could identify similarities between games that might produce the same benefits as other games. That got me thinking about what it would take to do the same for suggesting games to customers. I do have a set of questions I typically ask folks to help me identify preferences and suggest new games, but nothing formal.
WHAT HAS THE RESPONSE FROM THE COMMUNITY BEEN LIKE SINCE YOU OPENED YOUR DOORS IN APRIL?
I am overwhelmed by the support I have received from the community. It seems that they are just as happy to help me as I am to help them. The consistent theme I hear from folks that come into the store is their appreciation for having someplace local to visit and talk about games. As convenient as online shopping is, it just does not scratch that itch.
ARE YOU WANTING TO BUILD A DESTINATION STORE, GROW A GAMING COMMUNITY, ALL OF THE ABOVE, OR SOMETHING ELSE?
I want to create a welcoming place where people can come and enjoy this hobby. Anything I can do to help them enjoy it is what I am aiming for.
LetsRollGames.com /@letsrollgames
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For many Middle TN parents, few words create instant anxiety quite like “Your child has lice.” It tends to arrive at the worst possible time. What follows is often a blur of online searches, drugstore treatments, endless laundry cycles, and growing frustration.
Local families are finding something different in the middle of that stress: calm, clarity, and a faster path forward. Located in Cool Springs, Lice Clinics of America-Nashville has become a trusted resource for Middle Tennessee families looking for a more efficient and compassionate approach to head lice treatment.
Led by owner Joe West, the clinic is focused not only on solving the problem, but also on removing the embarrassment and emotional weight that often comes with it. “Getting lice is not a moral failing; it’s a mathematical probability,” West says. “Especially if you have kids who are in school, sports, camps, or constantly around other children.”
That perspective sets the tone for everything the clinic does. Rather than treating families with judgment or urgency, the team emphasizes reassurance, empathy, and education from the moment they walk in. “We get it,” West says. “Nobody wants to be here. But once they are, they usually don’t want to leave.”
ARTICLE BY JOE WEST
PHOTOGRAPHY PROVIDED
The clinic uses the FDA-cleared AirAllé® device, a heated-air treatment designed to eliminate lice and eggs without pesticides or harsh chemicals. "The technology has been around for over 11 years and we are the only ones in the state of TN authorized to use the process.
“Our first job is to assess the situation, calmly, kindly, and quickly,” West says. For parents, that calm approach can be just as important as the treatment itself. Instead of a long, drawn-out process at home, families are guided through a structured visit designed to restore normalcy as soon as possible. “We tell every patient: the problem stops today,” West says. “Our goal is to make sure people walk out feeling relieved, confident, and maybe even a little entertained.”
West’s path into the business began with a simple realization: families needed a faster, more supportive option when dealing with lice. What stood out most was not just the inconvenience, but the emotional toll it takes on parents and children alike.
Today, the clinic serves families across Franklin, Brentwood, Spring Hill, Nolensville, and the greater Nashville area. Same-day appointments are often available, something parents deeply appreciate when school notices or exposure alerts start circulating.
The emotional side of lice is something the clinic sees every day. Children often feel embarrassed. Parents may feel frustrated or even guilty, despite having done nothing wrong. Households can quickly become overwhelmed by cleaning routines and fear of reinfestation. “Lice cause stress. Lots of it,” the clinic explains. “They can turn your world upside down.”
That understanding shapes the experience from start to finish. The environment is intentionally designed to feel welcoming rather than clinical. Children are reassured, parents are informed, and the focus remains on moving forward rather than dwelling on the problem.
Education is also a key part of the clinic’s approach. Families are taught that lice are not connected to cleanliness or hygiene, but instead spread through close head-to-head contact, something common in school-aged children.
For West, the mission goes beyond simply treating a condition. “It’s about helping people feel better,” he says. “When families walk out the door relaxed again, that’s the best part of what we do.”
LiceClinicsOfAmerica.com/Nashville
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ARTICLE BY KAREN CREASON | PHOTOGRAPHY PROVIDED
Three local student artists are earning recognition far beyond Middle Tennessee, but their work begins with something much closer to home. Through paintings, drawings, photography and film, Lucy Maris, Jimin Lee and Teague Kindred explore relationships, identity, and the stories hidden in everyday life. Their award-winning portfolios reveal not only remarkable talent, but also the perspective, resilience, and curiosity shaping their futures.
How many times have you told your child to clean their room? Well, you may want to reconsider, because Lucy Maris turned hers into an award-winning painting.
Clean Your Room , her oil painting of her own bedroom, won a Silver Key in the Scholastic Art & Writing Awards and was named "Best of the Best" in the Painting category at the Middle Tennessee Regional Student Art Exhibition (MTRSAE). The painting will also hang in the Frist Art Museum as part of the 11th Biennial Young Tennessee Artists Exhibition, on display from August 2026 through March 2027. Experimenting with perspective, Lucy used the vantage point of her own bedroom to draw the viewer into a space that is ordinary yet deeply personal.
"My bedroom is my space, and there's a bit of vulnerability that I was forcing myself, in a good way, to share," she says, "because I think vulnerability is really important in art."
Some of her most meaningful work begins with her siblings. Many of Lucy's pieces explore the ways they influence one another, shape each other's identities, and offer new perspectives on who she is. Like Sister, Like Brother, a mixed-media piece, was also
“THERE’S A BIT OF VULNERABILITY THAT I WAS FORCING MYSELF, IN A GOOD WAY, TO SHARE.”
recognized at MTRSAE. Lucy enjoys mixed-media for how it combines materials in unexpected ways, much like the layered relationships it portrays. Her gouache-on-wood piece, Back Float, is featured on our cover.
"I want my portfolio to be very joyful and show this sense of play that my siblings inspire," she says.
That focus has also led her to reflect on her own role in their lives. "I'm thinking about how I'm influencing them and in what ways they're looking up to me," she says. "It forced me to look at the ways they're influencing me and changing who I am."
Lucy carries with her the vulnerability her art and siblings helped shape, hoping to bring it into the new friendships and experiences ahead as she leaves Franklin to attend Bowdoin College this month.
@Lucy-Maris_art
One of Jimin Lee's artworks now resides on the Moon. Yes, the Moon. The honor places her among a remarkably small group of artists, of any age, whose work has traveled beyond Earth, after her pencil drawing Grandfather was selected for the Lunar Codex "Polaris Collection."
While that achievement may be the most extraordinary on her growing list of accolades, it represents only one chapter in an artistic journey rooted in identity, curiosity, and connection. Through her work, Jimin explores her Korean-American heritage, family, and the experiences that have shaped her understanding of herself and the world around her.
Her talent has earned recognition in some of the most prestigious competitions. Jimin was named a National YoungArts Winner in Visual Arts, placing among the top five percent of more than 13,000 applicants nationwide. Her work has been displayed at the U.S. Capitol after earning first place in the Congressional Art Competition, and it was exhibited at Sotheby's New York through the International Art Renewal Center Salon Competition.
“THIS IS SOMETHING I WOULD HAVE NEVER DREAMED OF AS A LITTLE KID.”
Despite her résumé, Jimin remains grounded in what she loves: playing cello, spending time with family, and volunteering. She founded Artistry Explorers (artistryexplorers. org), which provides art instruction and art history education for underserved children, and Thousand Heart Portraits (thousandheartportraits.org), which provides complimentary hand-drawn portraits honoring local heroes.
"Volunteering and doing something for my community fills me with a lot of gratitude," she says.
Art's impact extends far beyond technique. It has taught her resilience, patience, and the confidence to persevere through mistakes.
"Through art, I can better articulate myself," she says. "It has given me confidence to express who I am. It has helped me see humanity differently and recognize the value in every person."
Looking ahead, Jimin hopes to explore the intersection of art, science and healthcare, combining creativity with service to others.
@jiminlee.art
@artistryexplorers
Most high school students are still discovering their passions. Teague Kindred is already earning recognition from the same organization behind the Emmy Awards and placing in global competitions for young filmmakers.
The student filmmaker and photographer received a Student Production Award from the National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences for his documentary Fish Market. His film Lily was later named a Third Place Winner in the Film category of the Undergraduate SCAD Challenge, a global art and design competition that attracted more than 3,700 submissions from around the world.
"I like taking things at a slower pace and checking things out that most people miss," he says. "I notice things people overlook."
That ability to slow down and pay attention has become the foundation of his work. Whether he's filming a documentary, photographing a family, or capturing a landscape, Teague is drawn to the stories hidden in everyday moments, capturing emotion and authenticity rather than posed or manufactured moments. That instinct earned a Gold Key in the Scholastic Art & Writing Awards for his photo entitled Sheltered in the Rush Teague photographs landscapes, architecture, families, weddings, and senior portraits. While each project is different, he is most fulfilled when working directly with people. "I love getting to meet new people and make a memory for them," he says.
Despite his growing list of accolades, Teague stays grounded in the routines he loves: taking walks around his neighborhood and managing the lawn-care business he's worked hard to build. He describes himself as surprisingly organized, a trait that carries over into how he approaches his work behind the camera.
For Teague, the goal is not just to capture images, but to slow down enough to see what others miss. That passion is one he hopes to carry into a career in film and photography, turning moments into stories that last.
YouTube: @TeagueKindredStudios teaguekindred.com
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All features, amenities or other representations shown are based upon current development plans, which are subject to change without notice. There is no guarantee that any of the features, amenities or other representations depicted or described will be built or performed at all. No warranty or representation, expressed or implied, is made to the accuracy of the information contained herein. This does not constitute an offer to sell or solicitation of an offer to buy real estate in any jurisdiction where prohibited by law or in any jurisdiction where registration or other legal requirements have not been fulfilled. Equal
ANNA SKATES AND HER DEPARTMENT OF CURIOUS THINGS ARE GIVING KIDS THE FREEDOM TO CREATE
ARTICLE BY MARIA DINOIA | PHOTOGRAPHY PROVIDED
There is a little bus parked near the carousel at The Factory at Franklin on Tuesday afternoons, and if you look through the windows you will see something inspiring: children completely absorbed in their own imaginations.
This is the Department of Curious Things, the brainchild of Franklin's Anna Skates — preschool teacher, children's librarian, former children's pastor, and lifelong creative who has spent most of her adult life working with kids in one form or another. The bus, which she spent the month of May converting into a rolling open-air studio, is stocked with what she describes as a "normal" cabinet and a "weird" cabinet — paper, scissors, pencils,
fabric scraps, random game pieces, and materials sourced largely from Turnip Greens Creative Reuse in Nashville, a organization dedicated to keeping usable materials out of landfills.
The philosophy is simple. "Everything's there for you," Skates tells kids when they board. "You're welcome to do whatever you'd like." Then she steps back and watches what happens next. What happens, it turns out, is magic. Kids have written entire joke books on the bus. One child fashioned an elaborate egg carton and Easter egg game with handwritten questions to help her get to know a new babysitter. "I could have never facilitated that," Skates says.
“Kids can rise to the occasion and meet you in spaces and make some really beautiful things that you could never, never imagine in a million years.”
Her vision extends well beyond the bus. The ultimate goal is a brick and mortar creative hub, a hidden-door, secret-passcode kind of place with rooms for photography, pottery, visual art, and a gallery to display what kids make. For now, though, the bus is a starting point.
"I think kids don't need us to instruct them as much as we may think that we need to," she says. "They have really amazing ideas. They're incredibly thoughtful, incredibly creative naturally, instinctually. And I think something that they need that they don't get a lot of is the space to explore their own ideas."
Tuesday open studio sessions are $12 for 20 minutes, with drop-off available for kids five and older. Parties and book clubs are also available. Find the Department of Curious Things at The Factory at Franklin on Tuesdays to see the bus for yourself.
TheDepartmentOfCuriousThings.com
To learn more, reserve a time, or book a party: thedepartmentofcuriousthings.com/bus
Sponsorship (for other businesses who might be interested in adding their name to the back window of the bus): thedepartmentofcuriousthings.com/sponsorship
• Carpenter Bus (title sponsor)
• Daybird Creative (founding sponsor)
• Thrive Education
• Robinson Immigration Law
• Apple & Anchor
Donations (always looking for community support! Taxdeductible donations are available at the link on the bottom of this page): thedepartmentofcuriousthings.com/tdoct-donation
More about Anna and her work: annaskates.co
HOW MODERN HOMES ARE EVOLVING TO BRING ORDER, FUNCTION AND CALM TO BUSY FAMILY LIFE
PHOTOGRAPHY
Behind every beautiful home is a closet working overtime.
No matter how stunning the kitchen is or how perfectly styled the living room looks, real life usually happens somewhere between the mudroom, the pantry and the frantic search for a missing soccer cleat five minutes before school drop-off. For today’s families, luxury is no longer just about beautiful finishes or square footage. Increasingly, it is about function, organization and creating a home that supports everyday life.
Increasingly, the most valuable rooms in the home are not always the grand kitchens or formal living spaces. They are the hardworking spaces quietly keeping life
“THE ORGANIZATION OF THESE SPACES HELPS TO KEEP HOMES OF BUSY FAMILIES MUCH LESS CHAOTIC.”
on track. Sandra Sokol, owner of Closets by Design, has seen this shift firsthand. “Homeowners are definitely compartmentalizing their spaces,” Sokol said. “Homes are all open-concept now, but consumers are looking for ways to create specific areas for each specific need.”
That shift has led to growing demand for intentional spaces designed around modern family life. Mudrooms, drop zones and customized storage are helping families better manage daily routines. “Mud Rooms or ‘Drop’ areas for shoes, bags, etc, when they get home,” Sokol said. “Clients want storage for sporting equipment to keep it from ending up all over the home and garage. We all want ‘a place’ for everything.”
Spaces once considered secondary, such as closets, pantries and laundry rooms, are now central to keeping a household running smoothly. “Today's Moms and Dads are working and have kids with full schedules,” Sokol said. “The organization of these spaces helps to keep homes of busy families much less chaotic.”
Thoughtful design helps eliminate daily stressors that many families know well. A missing shoe can derail a morning. A cluttered pantry can turn snack time into a scavenger hunt. Laundry piles can quickly become overwhelming.
“If you give a Mom an organized closet, you may be saving her those 15 minutes that she needs to be able to have
breakfast with her children before she leaves for work,” Sokol said. “Those minutes add up and allow for more calm in a person’s daily life.”
For local families balancing elevated living with packed schedules, that balance between beauty and practicality matters more than ever. “Once we have planned a very functional space that meets the client’s needs, we then have the fun of layering on the customization with accessories, colors, collections and other upgraded options,” says Sokol.
The rise of remote and hybrid work has also changed what families need from their homes. Home offices now serve multiple purposes, functioning as workspaces, guest rooms and flexible family spaces. “Remote work really skyrocketed during Covid,” Sokol said. “Since then, we have seen a continued rise in our clients needing home offices that can also serve other needs.”
At the core of every successful design is one simple principle: everything needs a home. “Finding a specific place for items solves the endless searching for these needed items when you are trying to get out the door for work, play or any activity,” Sokol said. The impact goes far beyond organization. A thoughtfully organized home creates calmer mornings, smoother routines and less daily stress. For many families, the greatest luxury is a home that makes everyday life feel easier, calmer and more connected. After all, a beautifully organized home may not solve every problem, but it can at least help you find the missing cleat!
ClosetsByDesign.com
From
Looking to get the young readers in your house to practice their skills in a way that doesn’t feel like school? Or maybe you want to find a way for you and your pet to give back to the community? Whatever your desire, check out some of the ways therapy animals are helping students become more confident readers while bringing smiles to faces all across Middle Tennessee.
Visit Williamson County Library’s Fairview Branch for their “Reading with Reggie” program every Tuesday in August from 4 – 5 pm. Reggie is the certified therapy dog of a local Fairview resident and loves to help kids with their reading. Kids 12 years old and under are invited to come practice their skills by reading to him. The Fairview branch is located at 2240 Fairview Boulevard, Fairview. For more information, visit Wcpltn.org and see what other libraries in Williamson
ARTICLE BY LISA VALENTINE
"This is the perfect way to help improve your child’s reading confidence and keep their skills sharp."
County also offer the reading with dogs program.
Another great place for young readers to practice their reading while also learning to give back is at Williamson County Animal Center’s “Book Buddies” program. Children ages 5 – 12 (accompanied by an adult) can read to the cats and dogs at the facility. This provides them with companionship and social
interaction to make them more acclimated to people and, in turn, become more adoptable. They can read to cats in a more open environment where the cats can wander, or for dogs, they can read to them from outside their cages. This is the perfect way to help improve your child’s reading confidence and keep their skills sharp as they transition into the next school year. All children and an accompanying adult must attend a short class to receive training on how to interact with the cats and dogs in this
program before beginning. For more information, visit Adoptwcac.org
Music City Pet Partners is an organization that takes animals for visits to hospitals, schools, libraries, and senior living facilities, as a way to improve people’s health and well-being through bonding with animals. To learn more about signing yourself and your animal up to
become a therapy team or to request a visit with a therapy animal at your organization, visit MusicCityPetPartners.org
READing Paws is a national program that puts together teams of literacy mentors and qualified therapy animals to visit libraries, schools, etc., to help children with their reading. For more information on getting your dog involved and becoming a therapy team, visit ReadingPaws.org
Leveraging real estate resources with a creative and tenacious spirit, the LCT Team of Onward Real Estate are experts in delivering a synergy of success for each client with long-time REALTOR® Lisa Culp Taylor as team leader. We are ready to help you buy or sell a home in the Franklin, Brentwood, or Nashville areas - and we have the experience and knowledge to make the whole process easier for you. View listings at LCTTeam.com.
HOW GRASSLAND DANCE ACADEMY IS BUILDING CONFIDENCE, CONNECTION AND COMMUNITY IN WILLIAMSON COUNTY
ARTICLE BY MAUREEN SHARP PHOTOGRAPHY PROVIDED
“WE HAVEN’T JUST BUILT A BIGGER STUDIO; WE’VE BUILT A BIGGER LIVING ROOM FOR OUR COMMUNITY.”
In a fast-growing county where change feels constant, some places still offer something increasingly rare: a true sense of home. For families at Grassland Dance Academy, that feeling begins the moment they walk through the doors. What started as a single studio in 2013 has grown into a thriving dance academy with three full studios and a spacious lobby, yet the heart of the studio remains unchanged. “Since opening our doors in September 2013, our physical space has grown tremendously, but our core mission of remaining a tight-knit, hometown dance family has never changed,” said owner Maureen Sharp.
That sense of family is intentional. The expanded lobby is designed as more than a waiting area. It serves as a place where dancers stretch, eat dinner, finish homework and spend time together between classes. “We haven't just built a bigger studio; we've built a bigger living room for our community,” Sharp said. For Sharp, the theme of home is deeply personal. Raised in Franklin’s Grassland community, she sees the studio as both a business and a homecoming. “The theme ‘There’s No Place Like Home’ could not be more literal for me,” Sharp said. “Growing up right here in Franklin, specifically in the Grassland community, means that running this business is truly a homecoming every single day.”
“SINCE OPENING OUR DOORS IN SEPTEMBER 2013, OUR PHYSICAL SPACE HAS GROWN TREMENDOUSLY, BUT OUR CORE MISSION OF REMAINING A TIGHT-KNIT, HOMETOWN DANCE FAMILY HAS NEVER CHANGED.”
That lifelong connection shapes everything about Grassland Dance Academy. Sharp intentionally rooted the studio’s identity in the community that shaped her, preserving the values that have long defined the area. “Our studio values are built on the same foundations I grew up with here: loyalty, neighborly support, and a deep sense of belonging,” Sharp said.
In today’s digital world, those values matter more than ever. Children are navigating constant change, social pressure and endless online distractions. At Grassland Dance Academy, dancers are encouraged to step away from screens and reconnect with something real. “At GDA, we ask our dancers to put their phones
down and step away from the digital noise,” Sharp said. “Inside the studio, they can truly unplug and focus on the art of dance.”
But the impact goes far beyond technique. Over the years, the studio has become a place where confidence grows, friendships deepen and emotional support flourishes. “We are 100% more than just a place to learn technique,” Sharp said. “At GDA, our dancers are truly more like family than just friends.” That family atmosphere is built through daily mentorship and meaningful traditions. From Daddy Daughter Dance Week around Valentine’s Day to Mother’s Day Dance Week and the beloved Senior Scrapbook tradition, Grassland Dance creates moments families carry with them long after graduation.
Many dancers begin at age 3 and stay through their senior year of high school. Along the way, instructors become more than teachers. They become trusted mentors during some of life’s most formative years. “By creating a safe space where dancers can voice their feelings without judgment, we teach them how to navigate difficult moments with grace and resilience,” Sharp said.
That commitment to nurturing both skill and character is what makes Grassland Dance Academy so special. In many ways, Grassland Dance Academy reflects the best of what the community can offer: consistency, encouragement and a place to belong.
And perhaps… that is what “home” really means. Not just where you live, but where you are known, supported and free to grow.
GDADance.com
Owner: Maureen Sharp
ENJOY ONE LAST TRIP BEFORE SCHOOL STARTS
The Midwest is stepping into the spotlight in a major way. With Michelin’s long-anticipated expansion drawing new attention to the dining scene, record-breaking airfares continuing to shift demand toward drive-market travel, and a full lineup of major sporting events attracting national audiences, the region is gaining fresh momentum as an unexpected late summer destination. Add in easy access to Great Lakes shorelines and vibrant urban energy, and there’s never been a better time to rediscover America’s heartland.
Here’s a route worth mapping out. Four dynamic cities, all drivable from Nashville/ Franklin, each offering a distinct take on a high-impact summer getaway.
STARTING PLACE: FRANKLIN
FRANKLIN TO CINCINNATI, OH (DRIVE TIME: ~4 HOURS):
An ideal starting point, Cincinnati blends historic charm with a fast-evolving food scene now gaining national recognition. Set along the Ohio River, the city comes alive in summer with riverfront festivals, Reds games, and a walkable downtown core that feels both relaxed and energized.
Where to stay: Cincinnati’s Fidelity Hotel — Opened in late July. This thoughtfully restored, 165-room property brings boutique sensibility to downtown, pairing the historic grandeur of the 1913 Beaux-Arts Gwynne Building with modern, Parisian-inspired design and a layered, art-driven aesthetic. Guests can expect apartment-style accommodations, a trio of distinct dining concepts, and more than 7,700 square feet of flexible event space, all contributing to an intimate, lifestyle-driven guest experience that aligns with the city’s creative resurgence.
Enjoy some downtime in the lobby of Cleveland's Fidelity Hotel/ Photo by Ali Harper
CINCINNATI, OH TO CLEVELAND, OH (DRIVE TIME: ~4–4.5 HOURS)
Just a few hours north, Cleveland offers one of the Midwest’s most underrated summer experiences, thanks to its prime positioning on Lake Erie. Think waterfront parks, beach access, and a cultural scene anchored by institutions like the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. Plus a growing culinary profile that dovetails with Michelin’s regional debut.
Where to stay: Cleveland’s Fidelity Hotel — Ohio’s first hotel to receive a Michelin Guide distinction, this boutique property channels the city’s industrial past through a refined, design-forward lens, blending historic architecture with warm, contemporary interiors and a strong sense of place. Thoughtful details, from locally inspired art and richly layered materials to inviting social spaces and chef-driven dining, create a polished yet approachable atmosphere, offering travelers a stylish, culture-forward home base in the heart of downtown.
CLEVELAND TO CHICAGO, IL (DRIVE TIME: ~5–5.5 HOURS)
A natural next stop, Chicago is the Midwest’s heavyweight— especially in summer, when the city buzzes with lakefront activity, major league sports, and one of the country’s most decorated dining scenes, now further amplified by Michelin’s regional expansion. From rooftop bars to beaches along Lake Michigan, it’s urban summer at its best. Where to stay: Pendry Chicago — Set in the iconic 1920sera Carbide & Carbon Building, the hotel offers a fantastic starting point for exploring Chicago or venturing out on Route 66 during its 100th anniversary. Enjoy seasonal spritz and DJ sounds at the rooftop restaurant, Chateau Carbide and Bar Pendry.
→ CHICAGO, IL (DRIVE TIME: ~5–5.5 HOURS)
OKLAHOMA CITY → FRANKLIN (DRIVE TIME: ~10–11HOURS)
CHICAGO TO OKLAHOMA CITY, OK (DRIVE TIME: ~11–12 HOURS)
Oklahoma City is fast emerging as a destination in its own right, with a summer packed full of headline events and new attractions. Sports fans can visit the home of the 2025 NBA Champions, OKC Thunder. The 2028 Summer Olympic canoe slalom events will also be held here. This year also marks the centennial of Route 66, and Oklahoma—home to the longest drivable stretch of the Mother Road—is celebrating with road-trip–themed festivities all year long. On the riverfront, the OKANA Resort
& Indoor Waterpark, which opened in 2025, is now in its second season, while the First Americans Museum (FAM) ferry landing just debuted this spring and connects OKANA and FAM to downtown via the river. Inside the museum, the new FAMily Discovery Center offers families a deeper dive into cultural experiences just steps from the waterpark / resort.
Where to stay: OKANA Resort & Indoor Waterpark — For the first time since opening, every restaurant, venue, and attraction, from the much-anticipated Boardwalk to all 14 dining outlets, will be open and operating for the entire summer season. OKANA offers something for every traveler: an award-winning indoor waterpark, OKANA Beach (home to the fourth-largest pool in the nation), and The Boardwalk — a newly debuted entertainment and dining district with a BBQ smokehouse, baseball simulator eatery, axe-throwing speakeasy, and full-service spa. Plus, find a packed calendar of events that include weekly fire shows and salsa nights.
OKLAHOMA CITY → FRANKLIN (DRIVE TIME: ~10–11 HOURS)
ARTICLE BY ALLEN TROUTT | PHOTOGRAPHY PROVIDED
WHY PERSONAL SAFETY BEGINS LONG BEFORE DANGER
Personal safety isn’t just about knowing how to defend yourself—it starts with awareness, confidence, and preparation. We spoke with Fortis Self Defense about how practical self-defense and Krav Maga training help individuals and families build confidence, improve fitness, and develop real-world safety skills.
1. HOW DO CONFIDENCE, BODY LANGUAGE, AND SITUATIONAL AWARENESS INFLUENCE PERSONAL SAFETY BEFORE A DANGEROUS SITUATION EVEN BEGINS?
Numerous studies and interviews with convicted criminals show that people who walk with confidence, exude strong body language, and have good situational awareness are much less likely to be chosen as victims by attackers. Bad guys pick victims who move like victims.
Situational awareness means that you need to have a baseline of what is normal for the places you frequent so you can recognize when something is off and then have the confidence to act on that awareness. Don’t get out of the car yet. Take an extra lap around the block. Make the phone call because the situation just doesn’t feel right. Intuition is one of the strongest psychological tools we have. Use it!
2. WHAT ARE SOME OF THE MOST COMMON EVERYDAY SITUATIONS WHERE PEOPLE UNKNOWINGLY MAKE THEMSELVES VULNERABLE, AND WHAT SIMPLE HABITS CAN HELP IMPROVE PERSONAL SAFETY?
Transitional spaces, such as walking to and from your vehicle, are the most common situations for people to be vulnerable. Have your keys in hand, your phone put away, get in your vehicle, and lock the doors. Do the reverse at your destination. If you are looking at your phone, you aren’t noticing what’s going on around you which means you don’t have much situational awareness.
CAN
CHILDREN AND TEENS ABOUT PERSONAL SAFETY, BOUNDARIES, AND AWARENESS IN A WAY THAT EMPOWERS THEM WITHOUT CREATING FEAR OR ANXIETY?
It’s a sad reality of the world we live in that parents have to do this, but you must teach children appropriate levels of truth at appropriate ages.
Make sure the child knows things such as who can pick them up from school, important phone numbers, and safe people to call. Code words are a great idea. Pick a word that only the family and safe friends know and make them ask it of anyone who isn’t normally responsible for them.
The best way to teach young people is to make it a game. Remember playing “I spy with my little eye?”
That’s a great start to get kids to notice things. Martial arts training is a great way to help kids and teens with their confidence. Confident kids are more likely to stand up for themselves. And training means they’ll know when to use words and when more is required.
Teenagers spend a lot of their time in the social media world. Make sure you’re checking your child’s social media accounts. It’s very easy for teenagers to forget that anyone can be behind the screen. No one needs to know where you are when you post the picture so keeping locations turned off is a great idea.
Build trust and safety with your child so that they know they can come to you first if something is wrong. You want their first thought if they have a problem to be “I can go to mom and dad.” CONTINUED
“PERSONAL SAFETY ISN’T JUST ABOUT KNOWING HOW TO DEFEND YOURSELF—IT STARTS WITH AWARENESS, CONFIDENCE, AND PREPARATION.”
4. MANY PEOPLE ASSUME SELF-DEFENSE IS ONLY NECESSARY IN EXTREME SITUATIONS. HOW DOES SELF-DEFENSE TRAINING IMPROVE CONFIDENCE, DECISION-MAKING, AND OVERALL QUALITY OF LIFE IN EVERYDAY SITUATIONS?
Training helps you assess situations faster, meaning you make decisions faster, and it helps you to perform under pressure and stress. Learning to stay calm when defending your partner bearhugging you helps you to stay calm with someone who is arguing with you. You learn to realize that most things aren’t worth fighting (physically) over.
Martial arts is also a great way to trick yourself into exercising. Weight loss, muscle tone, increased cardio and aerobic capacity are just a few of the tangible health benefits of martial arts training.
In a city where every third person has a guitar pick in their pocket and a publishing deal on their mind, The Velvet Dogs are something of an anomaly. No original songs. No country. No Skynyrd, no Seger.
Just a group of middle-aged guys from Bellevue who get together to play hard rock because it's what they love. And because, as band co-founder and bassist Ed Atlas puts it, somebody has to.
"There's a law in Nashville that every middle-aged guy or older has to be in a band," he says. "We're the most un-Nashville band, I think, that's out there. We take a little bit of pride in that."
The origin story of the Velvet Dogs is, depending on how you look at it, either a cautionary tale or an origin myth. It begins with a Guitar Center bulletin board, a forgotten flyer, and a co-founding member getting kicked out of his own band.
"I got kicked out of it because I was such a terrible player," Atlas says. But that was nearly 20 years ago.
What followed was a long and winding road through roughly 50 or 60 potential bandmates before the core Velvet Dogs lineup finally took shape about 13 years ago. That lineup held together for over a decade before naturally evolving into its current incarnation. Leaner, harder rocking, and built around a handful of players who share a specific vision of what a night out should sound like.
The band's name traces back to a small, unpretentious bar in New Orleans, right across the street from Preservation Hall. "It was the most inconspicuous bar you would find," Atlas says. “No neon. It was just a little shotgun bar with a real neighborhood vibe.” The Velvet Dog didn't survive Hurricane Katrina in 2005 but the spirit of that place lives on in what the band is trying to do.
As for the sound, Atlas describes it simply. "We're the ‘but rock’ band," he says. "Nothing but rock."
The Velvet Dogs play harder, more modern rock — Staind, Breaking Benjamin, Shinedown, Linkin Park, music that is, as Atlas says, about "20, 25, 30 years old." They take pride in playing material that most bands don't or won't attempt.
"We take our playing very seriously," he says. "We try to be the best we can possibly be, but we don't take ourselves seriously at all."
One of the most compelling recent additions to the band is Atlas' son, Sam, a rising sophomore at Belmont's Curb School of Music. Sam has been around the band his entire life. In fact, there's a photo of him at six or seven years old playing a djembe (drum) in the middle of a practice session. When the band needed a bass player about a year and a half ago, they asked Sam to learn six songs and come to practice.
"He came in and sounded really good," Atlas says. "Then we're like, 'Hey, learn these six more for next week.' He came back and it sounded like a band. So we just said, ‘Congratulations. You made the team.’”
Sam has since switched to guitar. Which means Atlas, who had never played bass before in his life, is now holding down the low end. He says, "I have no idea what I'm doing," But watching his son play from across the stage has made every fumbled note worth it.
"He plays with this joy and fearlessness that I hope he never loses," Atlas says.
Bandmate Kevin Murakami, a guitarist and owner of Kevin's Rock and Roll Emporium in Fairview who is the band’s other co-founding member, noticed it too. During a recent practice, he leaned over to Atlas and said, "This has got to be a proud papa moment for you." Atlas agreed, but with one caveat. “I can’t really pay any attention to him because it’s all I can do to keep from train-wrecking everything on bass right now.”
The other bandmates include lead vocalist Vivak "V" Bhatt and drummer Andy Byrn.
Ask Atlas what The Velvet Dogs are really about and he'll tell you it has nothing to do with fame, fortune, or even tips — though they've eventually made peace with the Venmo tip jar that Nashville's bar culture seems to require.
"A lot of guys play golf and a lot of guys are starting to maybe play pickleball," he says. "None of us do any of that. This is what we do and this is our recreation."
The goal is simple. Play 10 to 12 quality shows a year. Play music that challenges them. Give the people in the room a good time.
"My advice to all," Atlas says, "Get out and play. It's so much fun and you’re not going to get hurt.”
The Velvet Dogs are currently booking upcoming dates around Nashville. Follow them for show announcements at VelvetDogsBand.com
Whether you’re planning an intimate dinner, a milestone celebration, a corporate event, or simply hoping to make weeknight meals a little more beautiful, Rose & Plum Living creates experiences that feel effortless, welcoming, and unforgettable. From chef-prepared family meals and handcrafted charcuterie to full-service catering, event design, cooking classes, and private celebrations, we believe every table has the power to bring people together.
THERAPEUTIC
ARTICLE BY BRYAN SEBRING | PHOTOGRAPHY PROVIDED
Family life is a beautiful mix of routines, milestones, celebrations, and, let's be honest, a little bit of chaos.
Between school schedules, sports practices, work commitments, family gatherings, and the occasional muddy paw print, today's homes are asked to do more than ever before. And while beautiful finishes certainly matter, the homes that families love most aren't necessarily the biggest or the trendiest—they're the ones designed to support the way people actually live.
As a design-build professional working with homeowners throughout Franklin, I've found that the most successful remodeling projects often have one thing in common: they're focused on improving daily life. Here are seven remodeling features that consistently make family life easier, more organized, and a lot more enjoyable.
1. WHERE LIFE LANDS: THE MODERN MUDROOM
Every family has a place where backpacks, shoes, jackets, sports equipment, and dog leashes seem to gather naturally. The question is whether your home was designed for it.
Today's mudrooms have evolved far beyond a simple entryway. Built-in lockers, custom storage, charging stations, benches, and concealed cabinetry help create a designated space for the items that tend to follow us home each day.
A thoughtfully designed mudroom acts as a transition zone between the outside world and the rest of the home. It's one of those spaces homeowners rarely prioritize at first—but once they have it, they can't imagine living without it.
Some remodeling features make a dramatic first impression. Others quietly improve your life every single day.
A well-designed walk-in pantry falls firmly into the second category.
Beyond providing storage for food and small appliances, today's pantries often accommodate everything from pet supplies and bulk purchases to lunch-making stations and entertaining essentials. By keeping everyday items organized and out of sight, the kitchen feels calmer, cleaner, and more enjoyable to use.
It's a luxury that doesn't always get photographed—but homeowners appreciate it every day.
Kitchen islands have officially become the center of attention—and they’re earning it.
The kitchen remains the heart of the home, but the island has become its command center.
It's where homework gets finished, conversations unfold, snacks disappear, and guests inevitably gather during every holiday and celebration. In many homes, the kitchen island serves as dining table, workspace, entertainment hub, and social gathering spot all at once.
Larger islands with ample seating, integrated storage, and durable surfaces create a natural place for families to connect throughout the day. It's one of the most impactful investments homeowners can make because it enhances both functionality and togetherness.
The needs of a family rarely stay the same for very long.
The playroom that works beautifully for young children may eventually become a study space, media room, exercise area, or guest suite. That's why flexible spaces have become one of the smartest investments homeowners can make.
Designing rooms with adaptability in mind allows a home to evolve naturally alongside the family that lives there. Rather than remodeling every few years, homeowners can enjoy spaces that continue to serve new purposes as life changes.
The best homes aren't designed only for today—they're designed for what's next.
CONTINUED >
Luxury and durability are no longer mutually exclusive.
Today's homeowners are choosing materials that offer both beauty and resilience, from scratch-resistant flooring and performance fabrics to durable countertops and easy-to-maintain finishes. These selections allow families to enjoy their homes without constantly worrying about spills, scratches, or everyday wear and tear.
Children, pets, and active households will always leave their mark on a home. Thoughtful material selections simply make sure those memories don't leave permanent damage behind.
Formal living rooms are disappearing in favor of comfortable spaces designed for everyday life.
Today's families want rooms where everyone can gather— whether that's movie night, game night, hosting friends, or simply spending time together after a busy day. Comfortable seating, built-in media features, flexible furniture arrangements, and thoughtful lighting help create spaces that encourage connection.
The most successful family rooms aren't designed to impress visitors—they're designed to be used.
If there's one feature homeowners consistently wish they had included in their remodel, it's more storage.
From seasonal decorations and sporting equipment to pet supplies and household essentials, families accumulate a surprising amount over time. Thoughtful storage solutions help keep those items accessible without allowing them to take over the home.
Built-in cabinetry, custom closets, understair storage, window seats, and well-designed laundry rooms can dramatically improve how a home functions while maintaining a clean, uncluttered appearance.
The best storage solutions are often the ones you barely notice—until you realize how much easier they make everyday life.
The most successful remodeling projects aren't defined by square footage or luxury finishes alone. They're defined by how well they support the people who live there.
Whether it's a hardworking mudroom, a flexible family space, or simply better storage, thoughtful design has the power to reduce stress, improve organization, and create a home that feels more comfortable and connected.
Because at the end of the day, great design isn't just about creating a beautiful house— it's about creating a better way to live.
Bryan & Jenny Sebring are the owners of Sebring Design Build, a luxury designbuild remodeling firm based in Franklin, Tennessee. With over 30 years of experience designing and renovating high-end homes, they specialize in creating kitchens, bathrooms & whole home interiors that are as functional as they are beautiful.
As parents, we spend weeks preparing our children for a new school year. We shop for backpacks, sharpen pencils, label lunchboxes, and organize schedules. But after more than a decade as an elementary school teacher, I've learned there's one thing children need that can't be purchased in the school supply aisle: confidence.
Every year, I watched children walk into my classroom wondering if they were smart enough, athletic enough, popular enough, or simply enough. Those quiet questions often shaped their school experience long before the first lesson began.
The good news is that confidence can be nurtured at home.
Before school starts, remind your child that their value isn't determined by grades, achievements, friendships, or comparison. Celebrate their unique gifts, encourage effort over perfection, and let them know they are loved, not because of what they accomplish, but because of who they are.
One of the greatest gifts we can give our children is the confidence to walk into a classroom believing they already have everything they need to become the person they were created to be.
Kathleen Davis is a former elementary school teacher, mother of three, and the author of faith-based children's books that encourage confidence, kindness, and meaningful family conversations. Her newest picture book, Gorgeous, will be released this fall and inspires children to embrace who they are and recognize that they are enough. Kathleen lives in Franklin. Follow her on Instagram @kathleendavisbooks or visit KathleenDavisBooks.com
ARTICLE BY KATHLEEN DAVIS PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY OF KATHLEEN DAVIS
We’re unveiling our beautiful new model home
Come immerse yourself in sophisticated style at the grand opening of our fully decorated Liora Transitional home design at Franklin Ridge. Be among the first to tour the stunning new model home while you enjoy light bites, refreshments, and live music.
Thursday, August 20 | 6 pm–8 pm
FRANKLIN RIDGE 237 Berryhunter Ln | Franklin, TN 37067
Luxury homes priced from the mid $1,500,000s Speak with our Online Sales Consultant: 855-949-8655 | LiveAtFranklinRidge.com
RSVP to attend:
HOW TWO FAMILIES (AND A PRIVATE-CLIENT RISK MANAGEMENT FIRM) CHOSE WILLIAMSON COUNTY, AND DECIDED TO BUILD SOMETHING HERE FOR THE LONG HAUL.
ASaturday afternoon in downtown Franklin. Strollers on the sidewalk. Coffee at a table outside. A toddler with a bow in her hair laughs at a dog walking past. Two couples chat about kindergarten. It's an ordinary scene and it's the reason AXG Advisors moved its headquarters here.
Adam was in Dallas with his wife, Czarina, and their six-month-old daughter when they found out they were expecting again. The business was thriving. Life was full. But something felt unfinished. "We looked at each other and asked... are we really going to raise two kids here without any family roots?"
They booked a trip to Franklin. Adam had never been. "The moment we arrived, it reminded me of where I grew up. The pace, the neighborhoods. The feeling that families actually live here." They walked downtown, drove through neighborhoods, imagined strollers on sidewalks instead of high-rises. Within days, the decision felt obvious. They didn't overanalyze it.
At the same time, on the opposite coast, Max and his wife Tori were seven months pregnant with their first child when wildfires broke out near their home in the Pacific Palisades. Adam called him from Tennessee. "I told him, you need to come see this place. I may have oversold it a little, but not by much." Max and Tori visited soon after. Like Adam and Czarina, they felt it immediately. Their daughter would be born in Williamson County.
One move became two. Two became four. Today, four AXG families live in Franklin. All of their children are under two. Three were born here.
What began as a family decision became a business one. AXG Advisors, a private-client risk management firm Adam founded after twenty-five years in the industry, relocated its headquarters with them. Not because the firm needed a new market, but because it needed the right home.
"Cost of living was part of it. Quality of life was bigger. But the ability to attract great people who actually want to raise families here? That was the whole thing." "What we found in Franklin wasn't a gap. It was acceleration."
The work AXG does is exactly the kind of capability that used to require a relationship in New York or Los Angeles. They design and manage bespoke insurance portfolios for entrepreneurs, family offices, and accomplished families structured, contract-grade coverage that performs precisely as written when something goes wrong.
"Franklin is filled with serious entrepreneurs and accomplished families," Adam says. "We've advised in major financial centers for years. There's no reason that level of strategic guidance shouldn't live here too."
BUILT FOR THE LONG HAUL
It's intentionally relational. When your kids are in strollers together, when you run into clients at the park, when your reputation travels through school pickup lines instead of billboards, the work becomes personal. "We don't get to disappear after placing a policy," Adam says. "We live here."
The long-term plan is to build AXG's flagship presence in Franklin offering something durable, sophisticated, rooted. "We're thinking in decades. We want to build something strong enough that one day, if our kids want it, they can step into it."
For now, the kids are still focused on crawling.
When AXG had clients in the Pacific Palisades, the wildfires became a stress test for the contract language behind their policies. Where retail insurance depreciates values, caps settlements, and offers little or no temporary housing, true private-client policies pay full replacement cost, even when labor and materials triple after a disaster, and cover unlimited loss-of-use, relocating the family to a comparable home until reconstruction completes. The difference doesn't appear on a declarations page. It appears the day a claim is filed.
By DHN Writers - July 6,2026
For those who dream of owning a lake house, the appeal is simple: wake up, walk outside, and you’re on the water. But that dream carries a price tag. Across the country, waterfront properties in lake and river communities are listed at a significant premium over homes just a short walk or drive from the same shoreline. the team at lakehouse.com set out to answer the question every Lake house buyer eventually asks: How much more am I really paying just to be on the water? The findings might change how you shop.
For the past nine years, the first Saturday of August has filled Franklin with good whiskey and even better conversation. The Southern Whiskey Society’s (SWS) Southern Food & Whiskey Experience returns to The Factory this year on August 8th. But before we get into this year’s event, let’s pour one out for how it all began.
Joseph Dulaney has lived in Bellevue since 1998. By day, he works in educational tech, but his other job centers around his after-hours hobby. Dulaney fatefully met Tiny Irwin while gathered with fellow whiskey buffs in a Brentwood liquor store.
"Whiskey is the great equalizer," Irwin says. "There would be a half dozen to a dozen of us just talking in the liquor store. Nobody knew what anybody did, nobody cared."
A group of people who liked good whiskey kept showing up in the same place, and kept the conversation flowing as much as the spirits. Irwin grew up in the beer business, ran national sales teams, and eventually became president and COO of a 90-yearold regional distributor. Irwin moved to Franklin from the West Coast in 2020 and will tell you that one of his family's core values is creating community wherever they land.
A few years ago, an Instagram post crossed his feed: Southern Whiskey Society was looking for new ownership. He showed it to his wife. She said, "Why wouldn't you do it?"
He bought it and formed a board. Dulaney, who'd been drawn into the bourbon world years earlier, was invited to the board as a result of those liquor store sessions. He’s the unofficial “crazy ideas guy,” helping the event become something truly not to be missed.
“YOU SEE A LOT OF ‘AHA’ MOMENTS WITH BOURBON WHISKEY CONNOISSEURS.”
“The vision is to help battle the epidemic of isolation and loneliness,” Irwin says. “We do that through changing the social landscape, creating spaces, and curating intentional communities.”
The event brings more than 40 craft distillers into a room, mostly founders, master distillers, or master blenders who are experts in their craft. The goal is to have the person who made the thing talking about why they made it.
But it doesn’t stop at whiskey; intentional tastings are key. A collection of Middle Tennessee chefs round out the room, each producing 1,000 small bites of a single dish built to either pair with a particular pour or incorporate a specific distillery's spirit.
"You see a lot of 'aha' moments with bourbon whiskey connoisseurs," Dulaney says. "It opens up a whole new world for them."
The food has become popular enough to warrant its own ticket tier: a Designated Driver option that includes unlimited bites and non-alcoholic drinks.
This year, 10 tequila distillers join the lineup, as well as a charity barrel with bottles signed by a visiting master distiller. Proceeds go to OneGenAway, with whom SWS has worked for several years. (OneGenAway rescues high-quality, surplus food from grocery stores, restaurants, farms, and caterers and redistributes that food to individuals and families experiencing food insecurity.)
Surprise and delight show up in different ways each year, and while this year’s secrets will remain corked, previous moments include an air-conditioned cigar lounge and a hidden speakeasy.
Irwin’s background in the alcohol industry brought him to many tradeshows and events, so he had a pretty good idea of what would make one stand out. SWS pays special attention to things like drinkware (crystal Riedel glasses over plastic sippers), capacity (tickets are capped, so there's plenty of room to engage in conversation), and inclusion (last year, Dulaney personally introduced every out-of-state attendee to someone, so they immediately felt part of the community).
Tickets are available at four tiers: the Designated Driver ticket ($99) covers unlimited food and non-alcoholic beverages; General Admission ($199) adds full access to the whiskey and tequila tastings; VIP ($299) includes early entry and additional perks; and for those who want the full experience, the Early Entry Cigar Lounge VIP ($399) gets you in ahead of the crowd with access to the cigar lounge.
Tickets and additional information at SouthernWhiskeySociety.com
by Kris Rae
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615-721-5121 | 1025 Westhaven Blvd Ste 150, Franklin, TN
Trey Kennedy makes a living finding comedy in regular life. Marriage. Toddlers. Yoga pants. The Thursday-night scramble between school dropoffs, soccer practice, and whatever has to be done by morning. Twelve years in, it shows: millions of followers across every platform, three stand-up specials, a sold-out Relatable Tour, and a style of humor fans send each other captioned, “Are you watching me?” He delivers the kind of comedy that travels because everyone’s living some version of it.
Katie, his wife of six years, is a former biomedical engineer who also built a modeling career. She’s now raising their kids and co-hosting Correct Opinions alongside Trey — the show where the two of them swap takes on marriage, parenting, and whatever came up that week.
Trey has been at this longer than people realize. An Edmond, Oklahoma kid who grew up playing basketball described himself as a “shy kid who never thought he’d be an entertainer.” He started making videos while attending Oklahoma State University. After building millions of followers on Vine before the platform shut down, he gave himself six months on Instagram and Facebook to see whether he could rebuild from zero. He did. Stand-up soon followed. His first special, Are You For Real?, streams on YouTube; the second, Grow Up, on Amazon Prime; the third, built around the Relatable Tour, wrapped earlier this year. “I’ve been trying to be funny every week for like twelve years now,” he says. A slow climb, made one bit at a time.
ARTICLE BY KALI KASPRZYK PHOTOGRAPHY BY JANIE JONES
“I’ve been trying to be funny every week for like twelve years now.”
Most of what Trey writes lately starts in his own kitchen. Thomas is three and a half, and he is, in his father’s words, “a movie.” He narrates his own life from the moment his eyes open and mispronounces words in ways his parents now repeat to each other because no one else would believe them. His younger sister, Eva, is what Katie calls “the calm one.” With a third now in the mix, the Kennedys are officially outnumbered.
After six years of marriage, Trey and Katie have learned that the partnership runs best when it gets its own time on the calendar. So once a week, they leave the kids with a sitter and go out for coffee. “You need a system,” Katie says. “It’s about taking time to look each other in the eye. Not the kids. Not the cameras. Just each other.”
The same instinct shapes the work. Most of Trey’s trial and error happens onstage or on Instagram, but the first read is always Katie’s. “There’s only been one time ever I’ve had to be like, ‘you’re not doing that,’” she says. The rest of the time, she just laughs first.
FEATURING TREY & KATIE KENNEDY
Trey and Katie talk about marriage, parenting, and the moments that don’t make the Instagram feed.
Watch or listen to the full conversation wherever you get your podcasts.
Paradigm Health welcomes Dr. Meg and Dr. Kylie to our physician team. They bring a wealth of experience in delivering proactive, preventive care. Both Kylie and Meg have particular interest and expertise in Women’s Health. Whether you are navigating how to optimize your health for weight loss, pregnancy, or walking through perimenopause and menopause, they can be your expert trail guides each step of the way. At Paradigm Health, we believe health is your greatest asset - and it deserves time, attention, and a trusted relationship with your physician.
Scan the QR code below to learn more about Dr. Meg and Dr. Kylie and set up your introductory visit today. Space is limited.
AUGUST 7TH
Williamson County Fair
Williamson County Ag Expo Park | 6:00 PM
The Williamson County Fair is the single largest event in the county, attracting over 200,000 people each year. The 2026 fair takes place August 7-15, featuring family-friendly acts, vendors, rides and attractions. WilliamsonCountyFair.org
AUGUST 7TH
Williamson County Public Library | 9:00 AM
Add to your media collection. Browse the huge selection of books, DVDs, Blu-rays, CDs, jigsaw puzzles, vintage, and more, at bargain prices. All proceeds benefit the main library. Runs through Sunday, August 9. WCPLTN.org
AUGUST 8TH
FSD Performing Arts Center | 7:00 PM
Hosted by Jesse James of 103.3 Country’s “Jesse James Morning Show,” guests will enjoy a classic Nashville songwriter night which also includes a silent auction and an exclusive VIP event from 6:00 to 6:45 PM, featuring a catered meet and greet with the featured songwriters. Live music will be performed in the lobby by members of The Franklin Band. TheFranklinBand.org
AUGUST 14TH
Grand Hyatt Poolside Dinner
Grand Hyatt Nashville Pool Deck | 7:00 PM
Each evening features a thoughtfully curated five-course menu highlighting seasonal ingredients, expertly paired with wines from Wente Vineyards and created in collaboration with Rosewood Wagyu and Émeraude Bakery. With only 40 seats available per event, guests will dine at beautifully styled communal tables, creating an intimate and shared dining experience with the Nashville skyline as a backdrop. HyattExperiences.com/grand-hyatt
AUGUST 15TH
Williamson County Animal Center | 1:00 PM
Gentle yoga meets adorable kittens. Second class offered at 2:30 p.m. If possible, please bring your own yoga mat. A limited number of mats will be available if needed. $25. To register: WCParksAndRec.com/fitness_and_wellness/specialty_group_training.php
AUGUST 21ST
2721 8th Avenue South (Franklin Rd), Nashville | 10:00 AM
Runs through Saturday, August 29. One large sale that includes both children and adult clothing, toys, baby equipment, home décor, furniture and more. EncoresConsignmentSouth.com
AUGUST 22ND
15th Annual Raise The Roofs
The Park At Harlinsdale Farm | 6:00 PM
Hosted by Friends of Franklin Parks, guests will enjoy live music, delicious food and drinks, and a lively atmosphere while celebrating the impact parks have on our community. Raise the Roofs has helped fund meaningful projects that enhance Franklin’s parks, trails and historic landscapes. Proceeds from this year’s event will continue to support these initiatives. FriendsOfFranklinParks.org
AUGUST 22ND
Lifehouse: Best of Acoustic Concert
Southall Farm & Inn | 6:00 PM
A rare, stripped-back evening singing along to the band’s iconic alternative-rock hits with lead singer, Jason Wade. Wade brings the best of Lifehouse's greatest hits, fan favorites, and selections from his solo work to the stage in a stripped-back format that puts the songwriting front and center. SouthallTN.com
AUGUST 29TH
The Legacy of Buddy Holly
Williamson County Performing Arts Center | 7:00 PM
A high-energy journey through the life and music of one of rock and roll’s true pioneers. Nashville-based singer-songwriter Aaron Tessis channels the voice, style, and unmistakable energy that made Buddy Holly so unforgettable to watch. WCPACTN.com
ARTICLE BY KRISTY BELLEY PHOTOGRAPHY PROVIDED
TRANSFORM YOUR HUMBLE PEANUT BUTTER AND JELLY SANDWICH FROM LUNCH BOX BASIC TO GOURMET GREATNESS
Ready to give this childhood classic the upgrade it deserves? Whether you’re packing your kid’s lunch or treating yourself to something special, these elevated PB&J creations will make anyone excited for lunchtime.
The secret to an elevated PB&J isn’t complicated—it’s all about premium ingredients and creative combinations. Swap that white bread for artisanal sourdough, brioche, or even croissants. Trade processed jelly for fresh fruit compotes, gourmet preserves, or actual fresh berries that burst with flavor.
Quality nut butters make all the difference. Think creamy almond butter, rich cashew spread, or that perfectly salted natural peanut butter from the farmer’s market. These simple swaps instantly elevate your sandwich from ordinary to extraordinary.
Bread Options
• Artisanal sourdough
• Brioche
• Croissants
• Multigrain bread
• Cinnamon raisin bread
• Hawaiian sweet bread
• Whole wheat bread
• Thick-cut bread (for open-face)
Nut & Seed Butters
• Natural peanut butter
• Almond butter
• Dark chocolate almond butter
• Cashew butter
• Coconut butter
• Nutella
Fresh Fruits
• Strawberries
• Fresh blueberries
• Fresh raspberries
• Fresh peaches
• Kiwi
• Mixed berries
• Bananas
• Pears
Preserves & Sweet Spreads
• Honey
• Fig jam
• Mango preserves
• Raspberry preserves
• Grape jelly
• Marshmallow cream
Toppings & Add-ins
• Fresh mint leaves
• Granola
• Toasted coconut flakes
• Cream cheese
• Everything bagel seasoning
• Dark Chocolate Syrup
CREATIVE COMBINATIONS THAT HIT DIFFERENT
The Sophisticated Sweet: Nutella, sliced strawberries, and a drizzle of honey on brioche bread
The Panini Perfection: Peanut butter, fresh blueberries, and marshmallow cream pressed between sourdough slices
The Beautiful Mess: Your favorite nut butter topped with sliced fresh peaches, kiwi, or berries, then drizzled with golden honey or sprinkled with toasted coconut on thickcut bread
The Grown-Up Classic: Almond butter, fig jam, and thinly sliced pears on multigrain bread
The Breakfast Crossover: Cashew butter, sliced bananas, and a sprinkle of granola on cinnamon raisin bread
The Tropical Twist: Coconut butter, mango preserves, and toasted coconut flakes on Hawaiian sweet bread
The Chocolate Dream: Dark chocolate almond butter, raspberry preserves, and fresh mint leaves on whole wheat
The Savory Surprise: Natural peanut butter, grape jelly, and a thin layer of cream cheese with everything bagel seasoning
PRO TIPS FOR LUNCHBOX SUCCESS
Toast your bread lightly for extra texture, even if you’re making it ahead. Create a barrier with your spread to prevent soggy sandwiches—apply nut butter to both sides, then add your sweet elements in the middle. Pack fresh elements separately and assemble just before eating when possible. Cut into fun shapes with cookie cutters, wrap in parchment paper tied with twine, or pack in a bento box with complementary sides like apple slices, fancy crackers, or dark chocolate squares.
THE BOTTOM LINE
An elevated PB&J proves that sometimes the best meals come from taking something familiar and making it special. These upgraded versions will have everyone asking for the recipe—and maybe even offering to trade lunches.
Wellness is about caring for your whole health—and that includes your hearing. Hearing health is closely connected to your overall well-being, making it an important part of a healthy lifestyle.
This National Wellness Month, make hearing health part of your wellness routine. Protecting your hearing isn’t just about hearing better—it’s about living better, staying connected, and supporting your long-term health.
Because hearing health isn’t just a quality-of-life issue—it’s healthcare. Take the next step. Visit www.HearTN.com to learn more.
info@HearTN.com www.HearTN.com Untreated Hearing Loss Is Linked To: - Cognitive Decline & Dementia - Social Isolation & Loneliness - Depression & Anxiety - Balance Issues - Lower Quality of Life Stay connected to the people and moments you love.
For our Franklin, Spring Hill, Nolensville, and Dickson Offices: (615) 591-6410 For our Tullahoma Office: (931) 393-2051
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