mor e With incoming or der, at time of pur c hase only Expir es 10/31/25 Of fer not v alid in all r e gions
October's Delicious Food And Drinks
Welcome, fall! As the leaves begin to change and the temperatures cool, our cravings shift toward comforting flavors that warm both body and soul. October is one of our most delectable magazines of the year, and this month we’re celebrating the food and drink that makes our city and surrounding area such a delight for the senses.
There’s an art to creating a dish that not only satisfies your taste buds but also stirs memories of home. Food has a unique way of connecting us to our past while bringing us together in the present. Whether you’re enjoying a meal out with friends or hosting a cozy dinner at home, these shared moments are what make life flavorful.
For me, my favorite fall food has got to be pumpkin pie. Pure enjoyment, down to every crumb.
Here’s to savoring every bite this fall, JON GREGORY, PUBLISHER
October 2025
PUBLISHER
Jon Gregory | jon.gregory@citylifestyle.com
PUBLICATION DIRECTOR
Stacie Gregory | stacie.gregory@citylifestyle.com
EDITOR
Julie Brown Patton | julie.patton@citylifestyle.com
STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER
Angela Lynn Duggar
CONTRIBUTING WRITERS
Lynn Caldwell/Parks & Recreation marketing supervisor, Mel Boban, Julie Brown Patton, Angela Broockerd
CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS
Vera Kuttelvaserova, Morgan Bush Smith, Janie Jones, Sarah Stewart, Kim Linville Photography
Corporate Team
CEO Steven Schowengerdt
COO Matthew Perry
CRO Jamie Pentz
VP OF OPERATIONS Janeane Thompson
VP OF SALES Andrew Leaders
AD DESIGNER Jenna Crawford
LAYOUT DESIGNER Antanette Ray
QUALITY CONTROL SPECIALIST Megan Cagle
3:5-6
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Life moves fast — and your dental care should too. At Sage Dental, we use advanced tools and modern techniques to deliver highquality care that fits your schedule.
Modern dentistry, built around real life:
• Online scheduling & remote care — on your time.
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• Gentle, drill-free cavity care.
• Clear aligners — discreet & convenient.
Falltime
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Catering At The View At Fountains Is Turnkey, Convenient
This upscale conference and event venue in Murfreesboro includes a catering kitchen that managers indicate is an ideal area for caterers to stage food and drink in preparation for events. This kitchen includes a refrigerator, dishwasher, warming ovens, ice machine and multiple prep tables. Additionally, Fountains at Gateway has several on-site restaurants, each with the ability to cater events at The View: Steakhouse Five, Burger Republic and Just Love Coffee. Call 615.295.6773 with questions.
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Toot's Restaurants In Murfreesboro Celebrate 40th Anniversary
A winning kids' menu awaits at Toot's three local restaurants, particuarly as "a Tennessee original" eatery. Youths receive a free kids' meal from downloading a Toot's coloring sheet, coloring it and taking it to one of the restaurant's. Kids' menu options span grilled or fried chicken fingers, popcorn shrimp, cheeseburgers, mini corn dogs, grilled cheese, apple sauce, curly fries, sweet potato wedges, tator tots, onion rings, fresh fruit, juice, Blue Powerade and vanilla ice cream.
Varin’s Sweet Shop Has Several Kinds Of Dubai Chocolate Treats
Looking for Dubai Chocolate Cheesecake, Dubai Chocolate Bubble Waffle, Dubai Chocolate Strawberries or Dubai Chocolate Croffle? Then look to Varin's Sweet Shop at 315 Robert Rose Drive, Ste. A, in Murfreesboro. Dubai chocolate is a viral chocolate bar from Dubai, UAE, that became a global phenomenon during late 2023. Varin's also offers bubble tea, bubble waffles, croffle and ice cream. They sometimes do Korean corn dog pop-ups, too.
Photography Courtesy of The View At Fountains
Photography by Morgan Bush Smith
Photography by Varin’s Sweet Shop
Falltime Food
Delicious Dining In Murfreesboro At Five Senses/Steakhouse Five/Five On Black
ARTICLE BY JULIE BROWN PATTON PHOTOGRAPHY BY SARAH STEWART AND KIM LINVILLE
LOCAL-PLUS-HEALTHY APPROACH
One community culinarian is ready for autumn-inspired menu additions. Chef Mitchell Murphree owns Five Senses Restaurant, Bar & Catering, as well as upscale spot Steakhouse Five. He also co-owns with Raul Espinosa cocktail bar Five On Black Kitchen and Spirit House. “Whatever culinary options
Five Senses Restaurant, Bar & Catering
Date Night every Monday at Five Senses enables guests to enjoy an appetizer, two entrees and a shared dessert for $80. A private dining room for up to 32 diners, and a private event space for 72 people, can be secured. Gift cards are available, too.
After graduating from the Culinary Institute of America in New York, which prepared Mitchell for perfectionism in the culinary world, he says he and the team sought to be unique dining destinations for the area, especially specializing in fresh seafood, local meats and regional produce.
5SENSESRESTAURANT@GMAIL.COM
Chef Mitchell Murphree
weren’t in Murfreesboro shaped and guided our creative offerings since launching Five Senses in 2004,” he says.
Seasonal menus that creatively blend global flavors with Chef Mitchell’s Southern roots, French instruction and classic techniques now drive this group’s offerings and diner experiences.
He says, “Dinner, cocktail and wine menus change four times a year, procuring many food items from local farmers, such as Haskell Evans, Simply Pure Sweets, Brass Horn and The Hammery. The ability to alter menus with the changing seasons is a great advantage of our restaurants.”
This team caters gatherings, from small intimate dinners, office lunches and large parties to fundraising events, wedding receptions and music festivals, such as the Bonnaroo VIP & Pilgrimage Festival for the artists and staff.
“Our goal in catering is the same as in our restaurants. We want to be the best, everyday!” assures this chef de cuisine, who credits their successful results with having a stable core team and great staff built over the years, one that’s progressed together.
Additionally, this team hosts donation nights to raise funding for local nonprofits, such as Junior League, cystic fibrosis research and Rutherford County Cat Rescue.
Steakhouse Five
The restaurant seats up to 100 guests inside, as well as 20 on the adjoining patio overlooking the main pocket park at Fountains at Gateway. Along with the main dining area, Steakhouse Five has a large private room (seating up to 28 guests) and mezzanine that seats a smaller sized group (up to 10 guests). Weekly specials are offered.
615.396.3225 | STEAKHOUSEFIVE.COM
Classy Sunday brunches in a beautiful courtyard can be enjoyed. Every Wednesday is Date Night, including one salad, one small plate, two entrees and one dessert. For late-night munchies, the kitchen is open until midnight every Friday and Saturday night. Private events and large parties can be arranged.
Barfield Barfield BASH BASH
Professionals at Serenity Smiles
Dental Care don't state that favorite candies or sugary desserts should never be eaten. However, they do recommend ways to counteract sugar and acids on teeth.
Murfreesboro City Lifestyle asked Serenity's founder, Kesha Burns, DDS, in Murfreesboro for specific advice about how to best handle dental health when it comes to daily food and drinks. She expertly obliged, indicating it's all about moderation:
1. Eating fresh fruits and vegetables can help keep teeth clean. If drinking soda, it's better to have it with a meal, then rinse with water afterward. Don't sip on a sugary or acidic beverage all day, such as soda, sports drinks and energy drinks. 2. When eating something sugary or highly acidic the plaque biofilm (bacteria) in mouths multiply rapidly. That’s why your mouth feels fuzzy after consuming candy or soda. It takes 20 minutes for your mouth to go back to a healthy neutral pH. If you sip on a giant soda all day, you cannot return to a healthy environment; this is when cavities develop.
T E ETHFRIENDLY FOODAPPROACH
ARTICLE BY JULIE BROWN PATTON
Kesha Burns, DDS
3. The best sugar substitute for dental health is Xylitol, which reduces bacteria, which reduces risk of dental decay. It also can be useful for patients with dry mouth. It’s very popular in gum, such as Trident or Spry. 4. Make sure to brush teeth twice a day.
To maintain optimal oral health for life, Dr. Burns states this dental team provides a wide array of dental services including general dentistry, cosmetic dentistry, orthodontics, oral surgery, sedation dentistry, as well as emergency dental services. Additional services include amalgam replacement; botox for cosmetic outcomes; dental anxiety solutions; dermal fillers for dental; and emface and exion facial esthetics treatment.
"At the core of our practice is the belief that building trust with our patients is paramount. This commitment to fostering long-term relationships is what sets Serenity Smiles apart. We take the time to understand each patient’s oral health history, concerns and goals, ensuring that they feel confident and informed every step of the way," she says.
More to note for patients are foods that are beneficial for dental health include: Fiber-rich fruits and vegetables, broccoli, celery, apples, raspberries, lentils, avocados and carrots. Additionally, some fruits and vegetables have natural fluoride, such as apples, bananas, strawberries, cherries, russet potatoes, walnuts, cashews and almonds.
Drinks helpful to teeth health include tea black/ green, which also contains natural fluoride. Milk is a good source of calcium, but contains sugars, so rinse with water after drinking it. Water is the top neutralizer, so Dr. Burns suggests checking bottled water pH content to get as close to neutral 7 as possible.
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More Tips For Occasionally Enjoying Drinks That Aren't The Best For Teeth:
• Drink them through a straw to minimize acids’ and sugars’ contact with teeth.
• Consume them in one sitting.
• Drink dark drinks with fibrous fruits and vegetables to minimize staining.
• Don’t brush teeth immediately after drinking acidic and sugary drinks; toothbrushes can damage tooth enamel while it’s vulnerable.
• Give saliva a half hour to mount a natural defense first.
Dr. Burns holds a Doctorate of Dental Surgery from the University of Tennessee Health Sciences Center and her early career was with the National Health Service Corps.
Serenity Smiles Dental Care offers a full range of dental treatments, from preventive care and routine check-ups to advanced cosmetic and restorative procedures. Their services are designed to meet the comprehensive needs of patients, encompassing everything from tooth decay treatment and deep cleanings to clear aligners and solutions for extensive cosmetic concerns and tooth loss.
"We’re equipped with cutting-edge technology to enhance diagnoses and achieve effective results, ensuring each patient receives the highest standard of care tailored to their specific needs," Br. Burns assures. "We take pride in creating a warm, professional environment where patients feel right at home."
629.217.0681
SerenitySmilesDentalCare.com
COMFORTING Child-Care Meals
METIME DROP-IN CHILD CARE HANDLES IMPORTANT FOOD NEEDS WITH FINESSE
ARTICLE BY JULIE BROWN PATTON
PHOTOGRAPHY BY VERA KUTTELVASEROVA
Contributing to youths' happiness while also avoiding the "hangrys" are prime objectives of the MeTime Drop-In Child Care team in Murfreesboro and Mount Juliet.
MeTime owner Sara Bullock says they maintain a menu board at the entries of their locations so parents and children can select which food items they'd like from among options for cooked or warmed-up breakfasts, lunches or dinners. "MeTime is fully licensed by Tennessee Health Department officials to offer meals for children. All families have to do is let us know if children need to eat when they drop off and we take care of the rest."
Charts with food concerns are kept for each child, with both locations being nut-free facilities, as well. However, Sara says team members doublecheck with incoming guests, asking if any new allergies or concerns were discovered since their last time at MeTime.
She adds that they post pictures of food options so younger children simply can point to the items they'd like. "Kids really like to participate in the process."
Sara says their French toast sticks are the very popular breakfast choice. Lunch favorites include chicken nuggets, pizza, corn dogs or mac 'n cheese. Cheese or pepperoni pizza is often selected for evening meals. Other options, such as animal crackers, applesauce and fruit cups, are available. Drinks are bottled water or juice, with milk being able to be brought in by individuals.
"We do our best to arrange seating to keep children safe, for example, by sitting any lactose-intolerant kids on the same side of the tables," she states. "And by law, we offer children something to eat once every 3 hours. Sometimes, parents let us know that children can have extra snack crackers, or if they're sad for some reason before coming in, they may have cheese sticks as a pick-me-up before having an entree."
She says with everyone's permission, they sometimes share brought-in cupcakes to celebrate children's birthdays.
MeTime is open seven days a week: Mondays through Thursdays 8 a.m. to 10 p.m.; Fridays through Saturdays 8 a.m. through midnight; and Sundays: noon to 9 p.m. This group is licensed to care for children ages 6 weeks through 12 years old.
615.603.7144
MeTimeChildCare.com
LUNCH ON THE PLAZA
ARTICLE BY LYNN CALDWELL PHOTOGRAPHY BY MURFREESBORO PARKS AND RECREATION
GRAB LAST FOOD TRUCK MEAL EVENT OF YEAR ON OCT. 17
Loaded up brisket nachos, Nashville-style hot chicken sandwiches, steaming steak bowls with jasmine rice and delightful, sweet treats. Once a month for eight months of the year, a tantalizing array of food trucks park at downtown Murfreesboro on Civic Plaza, and everyone is invited to dine.
During the spring of 2024, Murfreesboro Parks and Recreation team members created a new event called “Lunch on the Plaza." It's become a fast-favorite for many people who work downtown and those around the area. Food trucks are very popular and a fun way to try out different types of food, drinks and desserts.
“The city was looking for a way to utilize our event space at Civic Plaza more frequently and create something fun for the
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Roland Justice, local musician
downtown community,” recalls Cayce Neal, permits and event coordinator for Murfreesboro. “This has been a great way to bring people out in front of City Hall to enjoy great food, live music and socialize with friends on a Friday.”
Civic Plaza is located at 111 West Vine St., and is situated in front of City Hall and the Public Library.
The plaza houses a large, open-space brick area with amphitheater seating that will accommodate up to 400 people. The area also has a water feature, shaded walking path and gazebo. A free parking garage is directly below and makes for easy access in and out of the event.
Roland Justice, a local musician who has performed at Lunch on the Plaza, shares, “This is my second season of performing at Lunch on the Plaza for Murfreesboro Parks & Recreation. I set up in the shaded park area, and the local businesses, their patrons and families get to enjoy the fellowship of one another. People have told me that they heard the music and just followed it down to Civic Plaza, and that it turned out to be a wonderful break in their workday.”
“People have told me that they heard the music and just followed it down to Civic Plaza, and that it turned out to be a wonderful break in their workday.”
Roland plays originals, favorite covers and also does requests. Lunch on the Plaza is the third Friday of every month, March through October. The event is 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. and showcases four to five food trucks providing a wide variety of options, including vegetarian and something sweet. Tables and chairs are set up so people can sit and enjoy lunch, or preorder food and get back to work.
615.890.5333
MurfreesboroParks.com
SATURDAY
NOVEMBER 1ST
10 AM - 2 PM
Bombshells Hair Stud
FIRST 15 GUESTS RECEIVE A DOOR PRIZE GIFT
CELEBRATE 15 YEARS WITH OCKTAILS, HORS D’OEUVRES, AND LUXURY GIVEAWAYS!
ARTICLE BY JULIE BROWN PATTON
‘Official’ Foods Of THE VOLUNTEER STATE
When thinking of Tennessee drinks, whiskey often pops to mind. However, the official state beverage is actually milk, designated as a state symbol in 2009. As of 2024, more than 24,000 dairy cows call Tennessee home, producing 18,708 gallons per head annually.
Tomatoes became Tennessee’s official state fruit in 2003. While typically considered and commonly functioning as a vegetable, the tomato is botanically designated a fruit.
Tennessee also has an official “Here’s the Beef Festival” in Giles County, named the state’s official beef festival in 2018.
Additionally, major food brands, such as Goo Goo Cluster, Bush Beans, MoonPies and Little Debbie Snack Cakes grew out of Tennessee's deeply held traditions of agriculture, hospitality and craftsmanship.
Yes, Tennessee Is Known For More Than its Iconic Barbecue
WEDDINGS | GALAS | CORPORATE EVENTS | BANQUETS | PARTIES
Perhaps you’ve attended an event in the 4th floor Banquet Room, but did you know that The View has two smaller spaces sized for business events, corporate luncheons, and board meetings? And for a limited time, new users get our best o er ever · Onsite eateries o ering catered breakfast and lunch packages
A wrap-around terrace or a garden patio Full AV capabilities
www.theviewatfountains.com | 1500 Medical Center Parkway, Murfreesboro, TN 37129
Weekday meetings in our corporate venues can be reserved for four hours at the following rates: is discounted rate is for a 4-hour rental... no hourly charges, just one low price! Don’t forget to mention this ad
ARTICLE BY JULIE BROWN PATTON
Local Fare Favorites On The Go
10 FOOD AND BEVERAGE MOBILE TRUCKS TO TRY THIS FALL
Texas Twister Drink Of Tennessee
These drinks are crafted using a secret blend of refreshing, “fruity” ingredients with fresh-squeezed orange, lemons and limes. They also offer chocolate kabobs with straw.
The Fried Tater Café
This local, family-owned classic country restaurant has a catering/food truck seen around town to deliver items such as loaded fries, cheeseburgers, piggy mac, Philly sandwiches, pulled pork, chicken tenders and coleslaw.
Annie’s
Hawaiian-style, light and fluffy shaved ice in 45 flavors is available from this locally owned, family business. Find them at pop-up locations or during the week in back of Jim ‘N Nick’s BarB-Q, 436 N Thompson Lane in The Oaks Shopping Mall in Murfreesboro.
When hankering for barbecue, this team has pulled pork or chicken, grilled cheese, overloaded fries or nachos, mesquite coleslaw, baked beans, smokin’ street corn as well as Southern mac and cheese. Ask about their Gut Buster.
The staff likes to provide creative twists on American classic hotdogs as well as soul food. Plus, they serve catfish, whiting fish, Southern hush puppies, steak or chicken Philly baskets, crinkle fries and mac ‘n cheese.
Sno Biz
Krazee Dogg & Moree
Smokin’ Buttz BBQ
Bomb Mi
Vietnamese
Subs
Grilled pork, fried tofu, chicken, Korean BBQ or classic bahn mi sandwiches are available, in addition to veggie egg rolls, fresh spring rolls, crab rangoon, shrimp po boy and wicked wings. Sunnyside up eggs can be added.
KoKo’s Grilled Chicken Salad
Select from among crossiants, wraps, egg rolls, Brioche toast or bites, with either original or spicey chicken salad. The owners state that they spent 13 years perfecting their own special, chicken salad recipe.
Hungry Spot Jamaica
This chill eatery serves Jamaican classics, such as oxtail, jerk chicken, stew fish and curried goat.
A high-quality ice cream mix is used to create “the best soft-serve desserts” in Murfreesboro. They make handcrafted cones, floats, shakes, dipped cones, sundaes and mixers. Ask about the Sasquatch size.
This owner has more than 16 years in the specialty coffee industry, and is a Rutherford County native.
Twisted Kone
GDubb’s Brew Co.
ARTICLE BY MEL BOBAN
How To Stay Festive And Healthy? Sure Thing
Halloween is typically filled to the brim with salt, sugar and carbs. It can be hard to stay on the nutrition wagon during spooky season, but there are plenty of fun ways to add a festive spin to favorite healthy dishes.
pumpkin FRUIT BOWL
With luck finding a melon or watermelon at the store, simply carve it like a jack-o-lantern and make the mouth large enough to have other sliced fruit emerging, such as cut pineapple, sliced grapes and apple chunks. Along the side, peel mini oranges and add a green stem to mimic pumpkins.
spooky CHARCUTERIE
These fan favorite boards can easily be kept healthy with some additions. Make any treat spooky with edible eyeballs. Adding them to a small snack such as mini bell peppers or grapes and strawberries is a fun way to stay on theme without sacrificing a healthy streak. Eyeball salami rolls also can be added, starting first with a green olive in the center, surrounded by a roll of mozzarella cheese and then surrounded by salami or even prosciutto.
stuffed PEPPERS
This fall staple easily can be incorporated into a fall gathering or Halloween night by carving jacko-lantern faces in orange peppers, and resuming a favorite recipe from there. Serving bread on the side? Use a skull or pumpkin shaped cookie cutter to re-shape it.
ghostly DIP
Hummus and pitas can be made scary in no time. Use a ghost shaped cookie cutter to shape pita bread, lightly toast and serve with red pepper hummus, which is usually orange in color.
jack-o-lantern VEGGIE TRAY
The easiest bet for a quick and healthy Halloween treat? You can’t go wrong with a veggie tray shaped like a jack-o-lantern. Use baby carrots as the base, and cucumber or celery to shape the mouth and stem. The eyes? Two round bowls of veggie dip.
Jon turned a magazine into community.
City Lifestyle isn’t just a publication — it’s a pulse. A rhythm of voices, neighbors, and stories woven together by someone who believes in the power of connection. As we expand, we’re looking for people ready to turn care into community. Are you ready to be that spark?
Murfreesboro
City Lifestyle
Published by Jon Loved by Murfreesboro
85 YEARS OF COMMUNITY
For over 85 years, we’ve combined expert care with local pride to keep your home running smoothly. Our maintenance program is the easiest way to get ahead of problems before they start, with real service from real people who live where you do. We don’t just service homes, we show up like neighbors.
A SELECTION OF UPCOMING LOCAL EVENTS OCTOBER 2025
OCTOBER 3RD
The Madness Within:
The Raven and The Heart Mills-Pate Arts Center | 7:30 PM
Consider This Theatre Company invites everyone to their fifth production of the 2025 season, "The Madness Within: The Raven and The Heart." Two chilling one-act adaptations inspired by the works of Edgar Allan Poe: "The Raven and The Tell-Tale Heart." Join the group to explore the dark corners of the human mind and the thin line between reality and madness.
of
of
OCTOBER 6TH-10TH
Kids Fall Cooking Camp
The Curious Kitchen | 10:00 AM
A week of delicious fun and hands-on cooking is offered for young chefs 6 to 15 years old. Junior chefs are taught finer points of food preparation, keeping clean work spaces, recipes, measuring ingredients, plating and presentation; creativity encouraged. They'll also enjoy the food they make. Each daily class lasts for 3 hours; $345 per child for the entire week
OCTOBER 17TH-18TH
Cannonsburgh
Village After Dark
Cannonsburgh Village
Bring the family out to explore Cannonsburgh Village and its buildings in the dark. Costumes welcome! Be sure to bring flashlights to explore the corners of the log cabins. Enjoy sweet treats and hot drinks, fall crafts and games, music and bingo. Tickets are $5 and are available at the gate; 5 and younger admitted free. Call 615.890.0355.
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OCTOBER 18TH
2025 Walk To End Alzheimer's
Dean A. Hayes Track and Soccer Stadium/MTSU Hayes Soccer Complex | 8:00 AM
Participants raise funds and carry color-themed flowers to show their commitment to finding a cure. The local financial goal is to raise $250,000. The Promise Garden Ceremony is at 9 a.m., with the walk starting at 9:30 a.m. Register teams at ALZ.org/RuCoWalk. For questions, contact Kristina West at 615.622.4177 or rucowalk@alz.org.
OCTOBER 25TH
49th Annual Harvest Days
Cannonsburgh Village | 10:00 AM
See hands-on demonstrations, food trucks and handmade crafts until 4 p.m. Enjoy live music and clogging at the gazebo. The Murfreesboro Art League will have art on display and for sale. Don’t miss blacksmithing demonstrations with the Rutherford County Blacksmith Association and a Car Show by the Stones River Car Club. Contact 615.890.0355 or mbnevills@ murfreesborotn.gov for more details.
OCTOBER 25TH
14th Annual Wine Around The Square
Downtown Murfreesboro Square | 6:00 PM
Join this group from 6–9 p.m. for an evening of wine, music and community — all in support of the Power of Pink Fund and breast cancer awareness at Ascension Saint Thomas Rutherford. Phone 615.396.4100.
realty report
My goal is to make the buying and selling process easier for everyone in Middle TN. I love learning the stories of why people are moving. From the family that just added their third baby to the empty nesters who are looking to downsize their home. This is a life changing event and one of the most stressful times in someone’s life. My goal is to make it as easy as possible by educating you on the process and giving you the tools to be successful.
At MMC Pediatrics, we prioritize compassionate, personalized care that helps children feel at ease. Our goal is to create a supportive environment where families feel confident and kids feel comfortable because every visit should be more than just a check-up.
Dr. Jerrod Schrock
Now Accepting New Patients at our South Church Location
