Mount Juliet, TN October 2023

Aloha Fish Co:

How

FOOD + BEVERAGE EVERYBODY CRAVES GRAZE CRAZE

WHERE TO FIND THE BEST CINNAMON ROLLS IN TOWN

STYLE + BEAUTY

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT CREATING THE PERFECT FALL PORCH

INVISALIGN DAY! A ONCE A YEAR EVENT!

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 28TH

8AM - 2PM

We will be providing complimentary consultations to answer your questions about Invisalign treatment. Patients will receive a scan with our new iTero® digital impression scanner.

20% OFF ONE DAY ONLY LIMITED SPOTS AVAILABLE

COME JOIN US TO START YOUR JOURNEY TO A STRAIGHTER SMILE

• All attendees entered to win a raffle prize

• FREE whitening with treatment

• Payments as low as $99

We bring the beach to your backyard.

What does it mean to go the ordinary?

At Cumberland University

Our students are encouraged to look beyond the simple paths and search for something more. To explore above, beneath, around and between the surface of things to find a purpose beyond their self. At Cumberland, your experience goes beyond classroom lectures and final exams. It is where you discover who you are, who you want to become and how you want to leave your mark on the world.

Cumberland's personalized education prepares students for a meaningful career and an impactful life that reaches far beyond their time on campus. We pride ourselves in matching students' passions with careers that are fulfilling not just to them, but to the community around them.

Come for the Stories, Stay for the Food!

With fall comes a deep breath, a cooling, a break from the strains of the summer heat, a tint of yellow on the tall tulip poplars, a gust of wind kissing the skin. Fall is here and people all around are happily preparing for a new season of celebrations. This is the time of year when people remember to come together, to make plans, to bring gifts, and most importantly, to eat together.

Sharing food is the most powerful language on earth, whether it’s a dish prepared at home or splitting an appetizer at a local restaurant. When we sit down to eat together, it is not only our bodies that are nourished, but our minds and souls as well. Breaking bread with others carries with it an unexplainable connection, a divine satiety.

In the “Foodie” issue, we want to share stories with you that will feed the soul. Take time to learn about the story of a local business owner who began to miss the tastes of her hometown in Hawaii and discovered a way to bring fresh Hawaiian fish to Tennessee ultimately creating a uniquely successful business. Or share a cup of coffee with the women of Thistle Farms and be inspired by their stories of resilience. If nostalgia is what you’re searching for, check out some of our favorite spooky treats that will bring you right back to those tasty Halloween memories we all cherish.

Some of my favorite memories center around being with my mother while she showed me the ins and outs of cooking and the gift of feeding people. I've started to encourage my own daughter to explore her taste buds and discover new flavors. She calls herself the "saucier" of our family now that she has learned my recipe for marinara sauce by heart! I love watching her confidence grow each time she makes it.

I hope you feel encouraged to reflect on the foods and the memories that are a source of comfort to you and your family and friends. And I hope you enjoy this delicious issue. Be sure to mark your calendars and take part in events happening around town. There is always something for everyone in our wonderful community. We wish you all a lovely fall, complete with happy hearts and full bellies. Cheers, from our table to yours!

CASSIDY POLMAN, EDITORIAL COORDINATOR @MOUNTJULIETLIFESTYLE

October 2023

PUBLISHER

Kimberly Thomas | kimberly.thomas@citylifestyle.com

EDITORIAL COORDINATOR

Cassidy Polman | cassidy.polman@citylifestyle.com

PUBLISHER ASSISTANT

Kourtney McComb | kourtney.mccomb@citylifestyle.com

ACCOUNT MANAGER

Karianne Beasley | karianne.beasley@citylifestyle.com

STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER

Crystal Stephens | crystalstephensphotos@gmail.com

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS

Courtney Stockton, Staci Bishop, Cassidy Polman, Chasity Clagg, Maura Ammenheuser

CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS

Crystal Stephens Photography, Kimberlee Brooke Photography, McKenzie Lee Photography, Randall Coe, Chasity Clagg, Laura Schneider, Talor Slifko

Corporate Team

CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER Steven Schowengerdt

CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER Matthew Perry

VICE PRESIDENT OF SALES Tiffany Slowinski

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF HR Janeane Thompson

DIRECTOR OF FIRST IMPRESSIONS Jennifer Robinson

TECHNICAL DIRECTOR Josh Klein

CONTROLLER Gary Johnson

AD DESIGNER Josh Govero

LAYOUT DESIGNER Antanette Ray

Proverbs 3:5-6

Photography by Christy Wilson Photography

city scene

Where neighbors can see and be seen.

Want to be seen in the magazine? Tag your Instagram photos with @mountjulietlifestyle

1-4: Mt. Juliet Market Night Celebrations at Charlie Daniels Park. 5-7: Nashville celebrates the Tomato Art Festival in Five Points, East Nashville.

RANDALL COE

RANDALL COE

RANDALL COE

LISA VALENTINE

LISA VALENTINE

LISA VALENTINE

RANDALL COE

BRING YOUR VISION TO US

The experts at Ferguson Bath, Kitchen & Lighting Gallery are here to help create a home that’s as extraordinary as you are. Any project, any style, any dream—bring your inspiration to Ferguson Bath, Kitchen & Lighting Gallery. Visit build.com/ferguson to schedule your personalized showroom experience today.

4 Door Refrigerator

business monthly

A round-up of exciting news from local businesses.

John Zendrosky Earns New Title of Financial Advisor

John Zendrosky with Northwestern Mutual continues to serve Middle Tennessee and beyond by continually pursuing education and advancements, earning the title of financial advisor. Having these credentials will allow him to better serve our members of the community with increased professionalism and knowledge. johnzendrosky.nm.com

Gaylord Opryland's "A Country Christmas" Event

Gaylord Opryland’s 40th Annual  A Country Christmas event begins November 10, 2023. The event includes ICE! Featuring the Polar Express™ along with a variety of other indoor and outdoor holiday attractions. Visit  ChristmasAtGaylor dOpryland.com to purchase tickets.

Volunteer Network TN Ribbon Cutting Celebration

Friday, August 18th Volunteer Network TN celebrated a ribbon cutting event at 300 N. Maple St. Suite 4-100 Lebanon, Tn. 37087.

"By serving as the formalized volunteer mobilization space for ongoing needs and in times of natural disaster, we are able to meet the needs of our community at a much larger scale by connecting volunteers to immediate needs." volunteernetworktn.org

Photography Provided by John Zendrosky

Photography Provided by Gaylord Opryland

Photography Mt. Juliet Chamber of Commerce

Mark's Automotive Repair Center Voted Best of 2023

Mark's Automotive Repair Center is voted as the 2023 winner of the coveted Main Street Awards for Best Auto Service Center. Mark Fulks and his team have been serving Mount Juliet since 2005 as one of the most trusted auto repair centers in our city. Family-owned and operated, Mark's Auto remains highly rated and continues to meet the needs of the residents of Mount Juliet and beyond. marks-automotive.com

Scan to read more.

Want to be featured?

Get in touch by heading over to our landing page to connect: CityLifestyle.com/MountJuliet

Photography Provided by Mike DelaCruz, Overdryve Inc.

A practice set apart from the rest.

Special Needs Trusts | Comprehensive Guardianship Plans | Asset Protection

We are not your typical law firm. We’re here to help with special needs trusts when your elderly family member might have special medical care needs or is placed in hospice. In addition, we offer more specialized services to make sure children are protected in all situations not only when parents die but if they ever become incapacitated; ensuring children are completely and confidently taken care of should a tragedy occur. We truly care.

World Class Care Right Where You Live

Where a patient starts their cancer journey matters. And here, that means Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center Wilson County, where you will find the same world-renowned expertise and care of our Nashville campus without the drive. From screening and diagnosis, to treatment and recovery, patients receive all the care they need at one convenient location, close to home and family.

What’s more, we are the only cancer provider in the area that offers a full array of multi-disciplinary services, and the only National Cancer Institute-designated Comprehensive Cancer Center for both adults and children in Tennessee. So having the best care team and most advanced treatments is now closer than ever.

Visit VanderbiltIngramCancerCenter.com or call 615-936-8422.

Making Personal Cancer Care

OCTOBER 2023

local experiences

Our community is brimming with incredible food and drinks to indulge in and we’ve selected some of our picks that you must experience for yourself. Bon appetit and cheers!

Our Picks for Foods to Feast On

PROST & RIOT BEER HAUS: Prost & Riot Beer Haus offers a wide selection of craft brews and savory menu items, making this North Mount Juliet beer garden a fast favorite among locals. 12192 Lebanon Rd, Mt. Juliet, TN

BIG BAD WOLF SMOKEHOUSE GRILL: Specializing in various entrees ranging from barbeque, brisket, chicken, and ribs, the Big Bad Wolf menu has something for everyone. 189 N Mt. Juliet Rd, Mt. Juliet, TN

ALOHA FISH COMPANY: With more than 8 varieties of Pacific fresh fish and seafood, Aloha Fish Co. delivers directly to you at several central pick-up locations throughout the Greater Nashville area. 370 Herron Drive #5, Nashville, TN

JERSEY OVEN: Jersey Oven serves up a variety of authentic, hand-rolled bagels made fresh daily. Stop here to enjoy bagels, breakfast items, lunch items, and more. 300 Mount Pleasant Grove Rd Ste 460, Mt. Juliet, TN

BARREL HOUSE RESTAURANT & BAR: Barrel House in North Mount Juliet is quickly gaining popularity for its savory dishes, well-crafted cocktails, and a happy hour that's hard to beat. 3950 N Mt. Juliet Rd, Mt. Juliet, TN

Want to recommend a local experience?

Scan the QR code and message us on Instagram.

Aloha Fish Company

McKenzie Lee Photography for Bach Babes, Nashville

Rolling With the Punches

Kristin Huss, Owner of Rolls on Stable, Shares How She Made Her Dreams a Reality

Culinary legend Barbara Kafka once mused, “Baking is about transformation. Turning flour into cakes, eggs into custard, and ideas into something real.” For Kristin Huss of Rolls on Stable, this resonates in more ways than one. Not only does Huss transform flour (and a few other select ingredients) into her delectable, signature cinnamon rolls, but her business itself was born out of a personal transformation – to live her dreams. The catalyst, of all things, was Covid. Huss recalls, “Due to the pandemic, I became unemployed and had a lot of time to spare. With that hardship, I decided to do my dream job, and that was baking. I was nervous to put myself out there, but my husband has always encouraged me to do whatever makes me happy, and that is when Rolls on Stable was born.”

It takes a certain amount of grit to be faced with such uncertainty and to turn it into an opportunity for transformation. It doesn’t hurt that Huss has a solid support system in her family. She’s been married for nearly twenty-two years and has two wonderful children (son, Karson, and daughter, Kendyl). It also helps that she grew up in the kitchen, learning alongside both of her grandmothers; and along with teaching her everything they knew about baking, they taught her that there’s a certain patience and temperament that goes into it.

“Anything that involves yeast is a labor of love to make,” Huss explains. And this labor of love is well worth it when she sees the joy it brings to the community. Huss specializes in cinnamon rolls (though she also sells sourdough bread), and when asked why she chose that particular pastry as her specialty, it’s a

simple answer. They make people happy – and that makes her happy. “I do a lot of porch pickups, and it is always so cute to see the little kids’ excitement when they pick up their rolls.”

In turn, that happiness fuels her passion and creativity, as Huss continues to dazzle the community with different flavors and varieties of rolls. “I love to try different flavors, especially around the holidays. I just tried a few new pumpkin cinnamon roll recipes, and after some small changes I think I have perfected them.” In the spring, she has a bestselling lemon blueberry roll. And the mainstays are original, cookies and cream, and caramel pecan. It’s safe to say that she has elevated the Swedish pastry to an art form.

While cinnamon rolls can always be procured from grocery stores and big chain bakery establishments, nothing beats the taste of fresh pastries, made from scratch with quality ingredients by a member of your own community. “Shopping local adds so much character to small towns,” Huss says. “When you buy locally, you are investing in your town’s future, and to me that is important.” And when you’re a customer of Huss, you’re not just patronizing the local community. You’re patronizing an idea – the very American spirit of following one’s dreams.

Although the pandemic was a bleak point in time, it managed to strip away the certainties in life in a way that inspired some people to boldly pursue their dreams. Huss was one of those people. And that deserves to be celebrated. So, the next time you’re in the mood for a swirly sweet treat, pay Rolls on Stable a visit. When it comes to living her dream, she’s on a roll.

Due to the pandemic, I became unemployed and had a lot of time to spare. With that hardship, I decided to do my dream job, and that was baking.

B U I L D I N G A C O N C R E T E

L E G A C Y T O U S E O U R

B U S I N E S S A S A M I S S I O N .

S u m m i t C o n c r e t e i s a f a m i l y - o w n e d c o n c r e t e c o m p a n y t h a t p r o v i d e s a w i d e s e l e c t i o n o f r e s i d e n t i a l c o n c r e t e s e r v i c e s , i n c l u d i n g t r a d i t i o n a l a n d d e c o r a t i v e c o n c r e t e O u r c a p a b i l i t i e s i n c l u d e d r i v e w a y s , c o n c r e t e p a t i o s , p o o l d e c k s , w a l k w a y s , d e c o r a t i v e c o n c r e t e , o u t d o o r k i t c h e n s , p e r g o l a s , r e t a i n i n g w a l l s , f i r e p i t s , a n d e v e r y t h i n g i n b e t w e e n .

the Polzel Group Real Estate

“The Polzel Group is an absolute dream team! We were blindly referred to them & worked with them from out of state for several months. They always made us feel like we were right there with them at all times & their guidance was invaluable. They brought such ease navigating through the challenging time in the market for buyers. Thanks to the Polzel Group we now have our beautiful historic dream home in Nashville & we could not be happier!”

The Campbells

Learn About Who We Are

Aloha Spirit

MEETS SOUTHERN HOSPITALITY

LOCAL BUSINESS OWNER, JENNIFER CLINE, SHARES THE INSPIRING ORIGIN STORY OF ALOHA FISH CO.

WHAT DID YOU ENVISION YOURSELF PURSUING PROFESSIONALLY AS A CHILD/YOUNG ADULT?

I envisioned myself traveling and being able to see all parts of the world. I didn’t know what I was going to be, but always knew I’d figure something out. My parents owned a small Chinese restaurant where we all had to chip in to help at a young age. When I was going to college, I still went back between classes to help my parents with the lunch rush.

HOW DID YOU END UP IN NASHVILLE?

After living in Vegas for 20 years, I didn’t want to raise our 2 young kids there anymore, so I decided it was time for a change. I’ve always loved Nashville when I traveled for work, so I talked my husband into it. Luckily, after months of planning, I was able to transfer with my job to Nashville. My husband came up, spent a couple of days with our realtor, looked at over 40 homes, and picked Mount Juliet to be our home.

Photo credit: McKenzie Lee Photography for Bach Babes, Nashville

ARTICLE BY COURTNEY STOCKTON PHOTOGRAPHY BY MCKENZIE LEE PHOTOGRAPHY

TELL US ABOUT ALOHA FISH CO.’S ORIGIN STORY AND WHAT MADE YOU WANT TO START THIS BUSINESS.

It didn’t start off as a business. I was just wanting better Sashimi and Poké after living in Tennessee for a year. My cousin in Hawaii joked and said he could ship me fish, but I’d have to order 80 lbs of it. When the pandemic hit, I got furloughed from my job because no one was traveling or having meetings/events, so we decided that this could be something we could do since we didn’t know what was going to happen. So we started the business from the ground up and with the power of social media and word of mouth, we’re still shipping fish weekly from Hawaii to Tennessee. Since no one was traveling or eating out, I wanted families to have high-quality seafood in the comfort of their own homes.

WHAT MAKES THE FISH FROM HAWAII UNIQUE (COMPARED TO THE GULF COAST OR NEW ENGLAND, FOR EXAMPLE)?

We carry seafood from the Pacific, Northeast, and Northwest, so I’ll get oysters from Washington or Maine and Halibut from Nova Scotia, aside from the fish from Hawaii. Our best seller is the Ora King Salmon from New Zealand. It’s the best-tasting salmon you’ll have. You can eat these items raw since they are caught just days before shipping to Tennessee. The temperature of the water is a lot colder in the Pacific, Northeast, and Northwest, so the species taste a lot different. Popular varieties we carry from Hawaii are Ahi, Ono (Wahoo), Opah (Moonfish), Monchong (Sickle Pomfret), and Shutome (Hawaiian Swordfish).

Jennifer Cline, Center Photo credit: McKenzie Lee Photography for Bach Babes, Nashville

Photo credit: McKenzie Lee Photography for Bach Babes, Nashville

Photo credit: McKenzie Lee Photography for Bach Babes, Nashville

WHAT

HAS

BEEN YOUR

FAVORITE PART OF THE JOURNEY SO FAR? WHAT HAVE YOU LEARNED AND WHAT HAVE YOU FOUND TO BE THE MOST REWARDING?

My favorite part is working with my husband and creating this business together, seeing the business grow, having a vision, tweaking it, continuing dreaming, and seeing it unfold. The most rewarding thing is seeing people’s faces when they taste our food, texts/photos of dishes people made at home, and how happy they are to have this product.

WHAT DRIVES YOUR PASSION FOR BUSINESS?

Creating a business for our family and being able to bring joy to seafood lovers in a landlocked state. We also offer sushi classes because we want you to learn how to make it at home. My husband will teach you how to cook something if you’re unsure – we love empowering you in the kitchen. When it’s fresh, you’ll get a quick, healthy meal within minutes!

HOW HAS THE RECENT DISASTER IN HAWAII AFFECTED YOU?

My aunt lives on the other side of the island on Maui, so no immediate family was affected, but you can’t help but feel the sadness. We have customers who have families there, so through the business, we’ve been doing a few campaigns to help Maui. It’s going to be a long journey.

Jennifer is the daughter of hardworking Chinese refugees, who moved to Hawaii to give her and her two younger siblings a better life. Jennifer and her brothers were raised in a small, 800-square-foot apartment (where her parents still reside). Growing up in Hawaii, she was surrounded by many Asian cultures with a strong sense of community. After graduating from the University of Hawaii, Jennifer got an internship with the MGM Grand in Las Vegas and began her career. In 2019, she moved to the Nashville area and opened the Aloha Fish Co. with her husband, Jerry. Jennifer and Jerry currently reside in Mount Juliet, where they are simultaneously growing their business and raising their two children. Growing up in Hawaii, hospitality has always been a part of Jennifer’s story – and now, she carries that tradition to Nashville, where she’s expanded southern hospitality to include a little taste of Hawaii.

Image above: Jennifer and Jerry Cline with their two children, photo provided by Jennifer Cline

Self Care Saved Her Life

Breast cancer in your 30s is a shock. Then treatment can bring more surprises.

Nicole Grabovac confronted breast cancer in May 2020, at 34. Her story underscores the importance of prioritizing your health and working with an expert medical team.

Grabovac awoke one morning to find discharge from her left breast. Four months earlier she’d had an OB-GYN visit with a breast exam: nothing wrong. She called her doctor quickly anyway. Within days, she had a mammogram.

Early in the COVID-19 pandemic, “I had to go have that done alone,” Grabovac recalled – “a 34-year-old woman who has never had a mammogram done.” It was intimidating. The radiologist sent her down the hall for an ultrasound. Next came a biopsy. In mid-May, Grabovac was diagnosed with stage 2 breast cancer. Her OB-GYN referred her to Dr. Waleed Khalaf, an oncologist at VanderbiltIngram Cancer Center.

The choice of chemotherapy drug depended on whether Grabovac’s cancer was

ARTICLE BY MAURA AMMENHEUSER, COMMUNICATIONS SPECIALIST FOR VANDERBILT HEALTH | PHOTOGRAPHY PROVIDED

“THE BIGGEST THING IS MAKING SURE THAT YOU ARE GETTING CHECKED OUT.”

Nicole Grabovac Photo provided by Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center

HER-2 positive or negative. HER2 is a protein fueling breast cancer’s rapid growth. (HER2 stands for human epidermal growth factor receptor 2.) About 20% of breast tumors have high levels of this protein, making them “HER2-positive.” Tumors with normal levels of this protein are “HER2-negative.”

Grabovac’s tumor brought surprises that prompted changes in chemo drugs over the course of her treatment. The lab report from the biopsy was HER2- positive, but borderline, so Khalaf ordered more lab checks. Those results were HER2-negative. In September 2020 came surgery: a double mastectomy and hysterectomy. A larger tissue sample went to the lab. This test declared Grabovac’s cancer slightly HER2-positive.

Grabovac continued with chemo, expecting to finish in January 2021. Meanwhile, her oncologist had her case before Vanderbilt’s “tumor board.” That’s a group of doctors from many cancer specialties – chemo, surgery, radiology, pathology, and more – who offer expert opinions about a patient’s treatment.

The tumor board’s consensus: Grabovac’s best treatment would be a yearlong course of the chemo drug trastuzumab (also known as Herceptin).

“I was going in there all excited, ready to finish that last chemo treatment,” Grabovac said, only to be advised that she should continue for a year. It was another in a series of challenges for her.

Grabovac’s cancer occurred two years after losing her mother to lung cancer. And at the time of her diagnosis, she was also living apart from her three sons.

She and her husband divorced in 2019. He stayed in Michigan, but she moved with their sons to Tennessee, closer to extended family. The boys spent school breaks with their dad. At ages 11, 7, and nearly 4, they were with him for spring break in March 2020, when the pandemic halted normal routines. Grabovac’s ex was furloughed

from his job; the boys shifted to online school. Neither parent wanted to expose their sons to the coronavirus by traveling, so they agreed the boys would stay longer with their dad.

Then came Grabovac’s cancer news.

“It was an incredibly hard, hard decision to make,” she said, “but we agreed that it would be best for the kids to stay there for that whole next year while I was going through my treatments.” The boys didn’t return to live with her again until fall of 2021. “All I wanted to do was hug my kids, and I couldn't. I had to tell my kids over the phone that I had cancer, and that was so incredibly hard.” She reassured them that “I was going to fight with everything I had to beat it. They helped carry me, there's no doubt about it.”

After surgery, facing another year of treatment was demoralizing.

But today Grabovac emphasizes the power of positive thinking. “Attitude really is a big part of everything, and I really did keep a pretty positive attitude the whole time I was going through treatment.”

In February 2022, she finished chemo, with no signs of cancer.

She faces 10 years of follow-up care, from the Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center team at Vanderbilt Wilson County Hospital, in Lebanon, Tenn., near her home in Alexandria.

Vanderbilt-Ingram is the only cancer center in Tennessee designated as a comprehensive cancer care center for children and adults by the National Cancer Institute. The Wilson County Center brings that high level of expertise to outpatient care (appointments that do not require an overnight hospital stay) for local patients. They receive the same quality screenings, diagnostics, treatments, and follow-up care as those at the main downtown campus, without driving into Nashville.

“Everything we’ve done downtown can be done at Wilson County,” said oncologist Dr. Suneetha Amara, who sees patients at Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer

“Vanderbilt has been remarkable... I was very blessed to have been referred to such a wonderful oncologist and a wonderful department for my treatments. ”

Center at Wilson County. Providers there participate in the same tumor board that lent its wisdom to Grabovac’s treatment, Amara said. Because Vanderbilt is a leader in medical research, patients in Wilson County have opportunities to join clinical trials of up-and-coming cancer treatment being done at the downtown campus.

For people needing cancer care in Wilson County and eastward, “this is still Vanderbilt,” Amara said, “but closer to home.”

“Vanderbilt has been remarkable,” Grabovac said. “I was very blessed to have been referred to such a wonderful oncologist and a wonderful department for my treatments.”

Grabovac offers this wisdom to young women with unexpected symptoms despite a recent physical or wellwoman exam: “The biggest thing is making sure that you are getting checked out. ... You never know. Taking care of yourself is a huge priority.”

“All I wanted to do was hug my kids, and I couldn’t. I had to tell my kids over the phone that I had cancer, and that was so incredibly hard.”

PERFECT FALL PORCH VIBES

ARTICLE BY STACI BISHOP PHOTOGRAPHY BY CRYSTAL STEPHENS

Must Have Décor Items for a Versatile Front Porch

Summer in Tennessee can be brutal, but it definitely helps you appreciate the three other seasons. Fall is especially a crowd favorite. As soon as the weather has the slightest crisp to the air, Southerners start making the transition to fall décor. When working on your front porch aesthetic, Lauren of Moss’ Flower Shop recommends building a layered look, which will increase the longevity of your outdoor embellishments from the start of Autumn through Thanksgiving.

Moss suggests starting with staple items for the base. This would incorporate traditional items such as pumpkins and mums. Both come in a wide variety of colors which can really enhance your curb appeal. Changing out your planters can also add some vibrancy to the entrance of your home. To add volume, use other natural elements such as corn stalks and wheat. For even more depth, consider using dried pampas grass, sunflowers, and cattail stems. With the shorter days upon us, lanterns or fairy lights are also a fun touch that can bring some ambiance to your home!

DÉCOR FOR THE SEASON

Once you are happy with your base layer, it’s time to expand the look and mix in some novelty items. For a general fall theme, you can incorporate silk leaves and flowers as well as an autumn-themed garden flag. To decorate for Halloween, consider popular choices like cats, spiders, witch’s legs, or skeletons that can be easily swapped out with gourds, turkeys, or scarecrows for Thanksgiving. Additional front porch decor could include festive wooden or metal signs or maybe a small dinette with a cornucopia centerpiece, themed pillows, and ceramics.

Even if you have limited space, an entry mat and door wreath combo is a fantastic starter option that can be used year-round by swapping out the various elements. In addition to their fresh flower bouquets, Moss’ Flower Shop is known for their permanent botanicals collection which can help you keep your wreath looking fresh and new each season.

A STUDY BY RUTGERS UNIVERSITY

SHOWED THAT FLOWERS HAVE BOTH AN IMMEDIATE AND LONG-TERM EFFECT ON EMOTIONS, MOOD, SOCIAL BEHAVIORS, AND EVEN MEMORY FOR BOTH MEN AND WOMEN. IN FACT, THERE ARE POSITIVE HEALTH BENEFITS FOR BOTH GIVING AND RECEIVING A FLORAL BOUQUET. THIS MONTH, MOSS’ FLOWER SHOP WILL BE PARTICIPATING IN A NATIONWIDE GOODWILL INITIATIVE CALLED “PETAL IT FORWARD.” THE GOAL IS TO INCREASE AWARENESS OF THE POWERFUL EFFECTS OF FRESH FLOWERS BY SURPRISING 20+ LOCAL BUSINESSES WITH THE SIMPLE PURPOSE OF SPREADING JOY.

FAMILY-OWNED BUSINESS FOR OVER 70 YEARS

Whether you are just starting out with a seasonal wreath or need a full front porch makeover, Moss’s has several home displays for inspiration and many of the items mentioned above are available for purchase in their retail store. A loyal customer shares, “It’s one of my absolute favorite places to shop. Love the people who work there and the gift shop! It’s so tastefully done.” Moss’ Flower Shop is a third-generation, family-owned business that has been a valuable asset in the Mount Juliet community for over 70 years!

Satiety and Sanctuary

THE CAFÉ AT THISTLE FARMS IS A ONEOF-A-KIND SOCIAL ENTERPRISE THAT NOURISHES BOTH THE BODY AND SOUL

ARTICLE BY COURTNEY STOCKTON PHOTOGRAPHY PROVIDED

If you were to Google “best lunch in Nashville,” The Café at Thistle Farms would likely top the search results. And there’s good reason for this – the food is outstanding. But unless you were to investigate further you would have no idea that, in addition to being a gourmet food destination, it’s a major force for good within the community. Thistle Farms is a sanctuary, both physically and spiritually, for women to overcome and heal from systems of exploitation. To that end, there are a variety of social enterprises in connection with Thistle Farms, so one might wonder, what makes the café special? Dana Wronski, the Director of the Café and Hospitality, has a few ideas.

Wronski has a wealth of experience in the restaurant industry and was about to open her 20th career restaurant when she was tapped to join Thistle Farms. When asked about the mission and values of the café, she explains that it was designed to be a place for the women in the Thistle Farms program to receive on-the-job training and community. “Today, 10 years later, the café is thriving and bustling. 85% of the employees in the café are in recovery, either having been in our program or another in Nashville.” And facilitating recovery for these women is not something that Thistle Farms just pays lip service to. “We open

Photography by Laura Schneider

late on Mondays so we can hold a weekly ‘Circle’ to give the café team a time of reflection and support,” Wronski shares.

This compassion not only helps to facilitate the healing process, but it also manifests itself in the overall atmosphere of the café. Wronski explains, “The women of Thistle Farms understand hospitality at its very core because at one point in time, all their lives, someone showed them grace. Maybe it was an individual or a group, but someone’s hospitality rescued them.” Because of this, the café has an air of warmth and openness that is palpable. “This deep level of hospitality is unlike anything I have seen in my career. You can literally feel it when you walk in. This beautiful grace and hospitality is shared not only with each and every guest but also with each other.”

It’s not an overstatement to say that the café has changed the lives of the women of Thistle Farms for the better, and its impact extends far beyond the survivors. On the impact the café has made in the community, Wronski says, “When we explain why we are here and a bit about our history, inevitably there are tears and a guest offering a personal story of addiction, either personally or with a loved one. Instantly, a deep connection is made, and the experience is elevated beyond imagination. For other regular guests, the café serves as an oasis of healing. A place to recharge batteries and glean some of the spirit that is in this place while sipping tea or a latte. They are comforted by our food and bring friends to share in the experience. The café is an entry point for people to smell, touch, feel, hear, taste, and experience our very beautiful and unique community first-hand.” The Café at Thistle Farms is a standout for a variety of reasons. And though the food is spectacular, it’s the least exceptional thing about it.

“The café is an entry point for people to smell, touch, feel, hear, taste, and experience our very beautiful and unique community first-hand.”

Photography by Talor Slifko

Spooky Treats

Growing up, Halloween was a big deal at our house. The decorations, the costumes, the classic movies, it never disappointed and always delivered. Now that my sister and I are grown and have children of our own, we want Halloween to be just as exciting and special for our kiddos as it was for us. One of the Halloween traditions that always seems to stand out above the rest is making treats! Spooky, gooey, fizzy, silly treats that only come to our table once a year. I remember getting to help make some of the fun goodies and be a part of the mess and the laughter. And we encourage our kids to join in the fun now, too!

My sister and I grew up in a big and very busy family. So, if we were going to make a fun Halloween dessert- tasty,

simple, and “kid-friendly” was the name of the game. Like using apples, nut butter, and almonds to create “monster mouths”, or fudge-stripe cookies with kisses and icing to put together little “witch hats”. Of course, nothing seemed to beat a nice cup of “witch’s brew” made with sherbet, juice, and soda. It doesn’t take much to have fun with these treats and the best part is, you can make them your own with your favorite sweets! Now we want to take a page from our repertoire of spooky treats and share one of our favorite recipes that our mother always made sure to have available for us to devour during what I like to think is the best part of the year. Enjoy!

ARTICLE BY CASSIDY POLMAN AND CHASITY CLAGG | PHOTOGRAPHY BY CHASITY CLAGG

TWIN SISTERS SHARE A TASTE OF THEIR SWEETEST HALLOWEEN MEMORIES

Graveyard Cups  Treats to Try:

Serves 6-8. Refrigerate any leftovers.

Ingredients :

• 1 package of chocolate sandwich cookies

• 1 3.9 oz package of instant chocolate pudding mix

• 2 cups of cold milk

• 1 8 oz container of thawed whipped topping

• 6-8 small shortbread cookies

Monster Mouths

• Decorating gel

• Gummy worms, candy corn (or decorative candies of your choice)

Directions:

1. Place chocolate sandwich cookies in gallon-size storage bag and crush into “dirt” size pieces.

2. In a large bowl, mix milk and instant pudding powder and let stand (about 5 minutes or as pudding directions indicate).

Witch Hats

3. Stir whipped topping into pudding mixture.

4. In 6-8 cups or small bowls start with a layer of pudding mixture followed by a thick layer of “dirt.” Top with another layer of pudding mixture. *Feel free to sprinkle more dirt on top if you wish!

5. Use decorating gel to draw RIP on the back of each shortbread cookie and place cookie inside each cup as a “gravestone”. Use gummy worms, candy corn or other candies to decorate your graveyard cup and enjoy!

Witch’s Brew

Graveyard Cups

A sample of recently sold properties in Mount Juliet.

WELCOME TO MT. JULIET FAMILY VISION

Welcome to Mt. Juliet Family Vision, here we strive to deliver the ultimate customer service experience from the moment you walk in our door. We are devoted to creating high-quality eye wear you will fall in love with and be proud to wear. We take pride in using the latest technology to fully customize your visit. Everything is custom-tailored for you; from scheduling your appointment to designing your lenses!

events

A curated selection of the most intriguing upcoming events in our area.

OCTOBER 1ST - 31ST

Ghost Tours at The Hermitage

THE HERMITAGE, 4580 RACHEL'S LN, NASHVILLE, TN 37076 | 6:30 PM

Embark on a distinctly spooky voyage at Andrew Jackson’s Hermitage as you experience the mansion, grounds and cemetery by lantern light. Along the way, guides in period clothing will explore tragedies that befell the Jackson family, unusual experiences of Andrew Jackson and unexplained incidents at the site. Hours: 6:30PM - 10:30PM. Learn more at thehermitage.com.

OCTOBER 5TH, 12TH, & 21ST

Movie Night at the Capitol Theatre

110 W. MAIN ST, LEBANON | 6:00 PM

Head out to the Capitol Theatre to enjoy these Halloween classics! capitoltheatretn.com

• Thursday, October 5th at 6:30 PM Little Shop of Horrors

• Thursday, October 12th at 6:30 PM Ghost Busters II

• Saturday, October 21st- Halloween Trivia + Movie Night! The Adams Family at 6:00 PM

OCTOBER 6TH

Food & Flick by Mt. Juliet Parks and Recreation

CHARLIE DANIEL PARK, MT. JULIET | 6:30 PM

The Lost City will be shown at the Charlie Daniels Park amphitheater- Bring your own blanket and chairs for sitting. Concessions are available for purchase. Begins at 6:45 PM. mtjuliet-tn.gov

OCTOBER 7TH

Old Friends Senior Dog Sanctuary Hosts A DOGgone Good OLD Time

CHARLIE DANIELS PARK, MT. JULIET | 10:00 AM

Come have A DOGgone Good OLD Time with Old Friends Senior Dog Sanctuary! This annual festival features vendors, live music, food trucks, and special Old Friends appearances, along with a Dog Costume Parade and Silent Auction from which proceeds will directly benefit the senior dogs of OFSDS! Hours: 10:00AM-3:00PM ofsds.org

OCTOBER 20TH

Pinnacle Church Hosts Stars and Stripes Event Ahead of 2024 Launch

333 N LOWRY STREET, SMYRNA, TN 37167 | 6:00 PM

Join Pinnacle Church at Stars and Strikes Family Center in Smyrna. There will be pizza, and a chance to play in the arcade! Learn more about Pinnacle Church, meet the team and ask any questions you may have. "We exist to be a catalyst for God to do what only He can."- pinnaclechurch.us

OCTOBER 21ST- 22ND

The 35th Annual Southern Festival of Books

BICENTENNIAL MALL, TENNESSEE STATE MUSEUM, AND TENNESSEE STATE LIBRARY.

Humanities Tennessee presents The 35th annual Southern Festival of Books: A Celebration of the Written Word! The Festival is among the oldest literary festivals in the country. The Festival is free, and includes performance stages, food trucks, publishers and booksellers. sofestofbooks.org

OCTOBER 21ST

Tennessee Beer, Wine, & Shine Festival

TWO RIVERS MANSION, 3130

MCGAVOCK PIKE, NASHVILLE, TN 37214 | 12:00 PM

The Tennessee Beer Wine & Shine Festival is an event that enables avid beer and wine aficionados to enjoy sampling craft, seasonal and micro beers, and a variety of wines on the beautiful grounds of Two Rivers Mansion. Hours: 12:00PM- 5:00PM. Purchase tickets online at tnbeerfestival.com

OCTOBER 27TH

2023 "Mayor's Cup" Mount Juliet HS Vs. Green Hill HS

MOUNT JULIET HIGH SCHOOL, 1875 GOLDEN BEAR GATEWAY, MT. JULIET | 7:00 PM

Mount Juliet celebrates the last football game of the 2023 regular season when Mount Juliet High School hosts Green Hill High School in what has been coined the "Mayor's Cup".

OCTOBER 28TH

Wilson County Public Safety Trunk-or-Treat

BREEDEN'S ORCHARD, 631

BECKWITH RD, MOUNT JULIET, TN | 4:30 PM

Wilson County Firefighters Association hosts Wilson County Public Safety Trunk-or-Treat. Come out and enjoy a family-friendly trunk or treating experience with your local heroes! Fire, EMS, and Police will be handing out candy for a fun-filled, along with inflatables, food and a fun safe evening! We will post more details in the coming weeks! Hours: 4:30PM - 8:00PM breedensorchard.com

Want to be featured?

Get in touch by heading over to our landing page to connect: CityLifestyle.com/MountJuliet

Everybody Craves Graze Craze

WHY CHARCUTERIE BOARDS ARE GAINING POPULARITY AT HOME AND FOR EVENTS

ARTICLE BY CASSIDY POLMAN

PHOTOGRAPHY BY CRYSTAL STEPHENS

The popularity of charcuterie boards has skyrocketed in recent years. That has us wondering, what is it about charcuterie that makes it the perfect go-to for events, house parties, or even just a night-in dinner option for the family? We spoke with Brent Stephens, owner of Graze Craze Charcuterie Boards & Boxes in Mount Juliet to get the scoop on why people are serving up charcuterie and satisfying their cravings for the perfect board.

Charcuterie boards are multifunctional and have a seemingly effortless way of pleasing nearly every pallet. “Charcuterie boards are a crowd favorite because there is something for everybody. Whether you want meat, cheese, vegetables, bread, crackers, fruit, desserts, or hummus/ dips, everybody can find something they want… The boards give the “wow” that a lot of catering options do not. It creates an elegant look while still being functionally pleasing. It also creates an icebreaker and something for people to talk about.” Brent explains. He points out that charcuterie boards make for a quick and easy cleanup, always a plus when hosting an event!

The Graze Craze team works above and beyond to make sure their boards are aesthetically pleasing and made with only fresh ingredients. Hummus, dips, jams, and even bread are all made in-house to ensure that each board or cup they make for their clients is top-notch. Brent says, “I love being able to show up with boards for an event or charcuterie cups for a meeting and watch people get excited. We strive to make people’s day better and easier.”

Graze Craze is breathing life into the adage “You feast with your eyes first.” It’s no wonder why this style of dining has become so popular. Simply put, there’s something for everyone!

Learn more about what’s popular at Graze Craze Mount Juliet at grazecraze.com/mt-juliet-tn

Owner, Brent Stephens