River City, TN July 2023

GX REDESIGNED FROM THE GROUND UP

For 2024, the all-new Lexus GX includes standard Lexus Safety System+ 3 0 and Lexus Interface with a 14-inch multimedia touchscreen The GX will be offered in six grades: Premium, Premium+, Luxury, Luxury+, and all-new for Lexus, Overtrail, and Overtrail+

July 2023Summer Fun

As the days continue to grow longer and the weather gets even warmer, I hope you are enjoying the slower pace that this season brings and are planning to soak up some summer fun with family and friends, whatever that looks like for you.

As I wrap up this issue from the foothills of the Bighorn Mountains with my family of seven, I am reflecting on an ad I saw while flipping through the complimentary in-flight magazine on our way out west. The headline definitely got my attention: “You only have 18 summers with your kids. Make them count.”

We are busy making lots of memories this week being (almost) completely unplugged. When we return, rejuvenated and refreshed and a little bit dusty, I very much plan to be more intentional about seizing these fleeting summer days. Whether spent engaging in the simplest summer standards of lemonade stands, running through sprinklers and catching lightening bugs or exploring some of the wonderful things our city has to offer that we have included within this issue - carpe diem!

Our Business Monthly section highlights some of our favorite "field trips" beyond Memphis as well as in our own backyard. We take you to Tunica where we meet the man at the helm of the landmark Blue & White restaurant. Guest writer Jim Varner reminisces about the storied career of local golfer Loren Roberts which has me wanting to pick up a club or at least take a sunset cruise around the course in a cart. And speaking of cruising, we are thrilled to bring you the story of the Edge Motor Museum complete with breathtaking photographs of the comprehensive automotive collection housed within. We also have another fun peek inside three fridges of some recognizable Memphians that will inspire you to get grilling and embrace the bounty of the season...and embrace some local cheese dip. Some helpful packing tips round out the issue.

Just as this season has a way of bringing people together, we hope the pages inside this month’s issue will enrich and enliven your experience of Memphis this summer.

Giddy up, the clock is ticking!

July 2023

PUBLISHER

Christian Owen | christian.owen@citylifestyle.com

EDITOR

Lindsey Tonkin | lindsey.tonkin@citylifestyle.com

PUBLICATION DIRECTOR

Jeannie Tabor | jeannie.tabor@citylifestyle.com

PUBLICATION MANAGER

Kit Garrott | kit.garrott@citylifestyle.com

PHOTO EDITOR

Sarah Bell, Sélavie Photography

MARKET AREA COORDINATOR

Malise Culpepper | malise.culpepper@citylifestyle.com

STAFF WRITERS

Amy Birdsong Golden, Margaret Ledbetter

AREA ADMINISTRATOR

Kim Lowrance

INTERNS

Maude Burrow, Madison Meadows, Katherine Redd

Corporate Team

CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER Steven Schowengerdt

CHIEF SALES OFFICER Matthew Perry

CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER DeLand Shore

DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL MEDIA Mindy Hargesheimer

ART DIRECTOR Sara Minor

OPERATIONS DIRECTOR Janeane Thompson

WEB APPLICATIONS Michael O’Connell

AD DESIGNER Evan Deuvall

LAYOUT DESIGNER Andi Foster

LINDSEY TONKIN, EDITOR @RIVERCITYLIFESTYLEMAGAZINE

Proverbs

business monthly

A round-up of exciting news from local businesses.

Discovery Park of America

Located a little over two hours from Memphis in the beautiful Reelfoot Lake region of Northwest Tennessee, Discovery Park of America offers visitors state-of-the-art experiences unlike anything else in the world, seven days a week. From the 100,000-square-foot museum to the extensively-landscaped 50-acre heritage park, there is something for every member of the family to discover at Discovery Park of America. DiscoveryParkOfAmerica.com

Crystal Bridges

A world-class collection of American art, stunning architecture and 120 acres of Ozark forest lie about five hours due west in Bentonville, Arkansas. Plan to spend a full day or more and experience all that there is to offer. Catch Diego Rivera’s America which runs through the end of the month, surveying the prolific period from the 1920s to the early 1940s through 130 works, including drawings, easel paintings, frescoes and more. CrystalBridges.org

Chickasaw State Park

Chickasaw State Park was named for the Chickasaw Tribe who once inhabited the area. The 1,400 acres of land located along the border of Hardeman and Chester Counties was one of Tennessee’s 20 New Deal-era state parks and offers various activities including more than four miles of hiking trails and bicycle-friendly roads. Guests can utilize the rowboats and pedal boats available for rent on Lake Placid as well as the 13 rental cabins. TnStateParks.com/parks/chickasaw

Shelby Forest

Bordering the Mississippi River 13 miles north of Memphis lies MeemanShelby Forest State Park. With over 12,000 acres, this hardwood bottomland area features mature Bald Cypress and Tupelo Swamps, a variety of trees, as well as endangered and protected plants.  Meeman-Shelby Forest State Park offers a variety of camping opportunities including six two-bedroom vacation cabins surrounded by woods along the Shore of Poplar Tree Lake ideal for a family vacation or fishing party.  TnStateParks.com/parks/ meeman-shelby

Malco Summer Drive-In

Grab your folding chairs and set out at dusk for a double feature at the Malco Summer Drive-In with the family. The concession menu prices are also something of a bygone era! Malco.com

Splash at the Zoo

Visit the new splash park at the zoo to cool off this summer before or after exploring and visiting the animals. The Monogram Foods Loves Kids Foundation Splash Park offers a zerodepth water play area with slides, dump buckets, interactive water toys, and a toddler section. Sessions are from 9:30 am-1:00 pm and 2:00-5:30 pm every day until September 4. MemphisZoo.org

Chucalissa

Get taken back in time at the C.H. Nash Museum at the Prehistoric Chucalissa Archeological Site. Before Europeans set foot upon Mississippi Valley soil, American Indians flourished along the shores of the Mighty Mississippi River. The C.H. Nash Museum allows families, students, tourists and history buffs to celebrate and discover the vibrant and sophisticated culture of these ancient people. Operated by the University of Memphis, you'll find that there is so much to explore.  Memphis.edu/chucalissa/

Dixon Gallery and Gardens

Chinese-French artist Zao Wou-Ki's lyrical watercolors and designs for ceramics blend the dynamic energy of Abstract Expressionism with the formal qualities of Chinese calligraphy. The Zao Wou-Ki: Watercolors and Ceramics art exhibit offers Dixon visitors a rare opportunity to see these works drawn exclusively from European private collections publicly for the first time until July 16. Dixon.org/zao-wou-ki

Memphis Botanic Garden

Memphis Botanic Garden is pleased to announce the return of Twilight Thursdays. Every Thursday through October 26, from 5:00-8:00 pm, the Garden will be open for extended hours. Dogs are welcome during these special extended hours, and a cash bar will be available to grab a seasonal sip, beer or wine to enjoy during their visit. Membg.org

Want to be featured?

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

left to right

Matthew Heffington, Senior

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Madeline Studard, Executive Assistant to the CEO, Jonathan McAlister, CFP®, Financial Planner; Kevin D. Kimery, Founder / CEO, Ron Behymer, Senior Investment Advisor; Taylor Nobriga, Senior Investment Analyst; Rachel B. Kimery, Director of Social Media and Marketing; Ryan Dean, Junior Financial Analyst

CREATIVITY AND CUTTING-EDGE POOL TECHNOLOGY

building in the world to achieve ILFI (International Living Future Institute) certification. Located on Mud Island, the pool utilizes a geothermal heating system and a state-of-the-art phthalate-free surface, which reduces algae growth and minimizes maintenance.

With 39 years of knowledge and experience in the swimming pool industry, Eric Goode has built some of the Memphis area’s most unique pools, many boasting first-of-their-kind design technology. Eric was chosen as the pool builder for the Civitas Project, the first zero energy and zero carbon

In another recent project, Eric utilized all glass tiles to completely cover the entire pool. “The homeowners are big scuba divers who love the Galapagos Islands, where they were inspired by a resort pool,” says Eric. “I collaborated with a pool associate in Miami, who brought in a highly talented tile layer from South Florida to help complete the project.”

Eric recently embarked on a rooftop pool and recreational oasis in downtown Memphis overlooking Mud Island from the bluffs. The space will include fire and water elements, artificial turf, a lounge area and a cooking station.

“It’s really exciting to create a space that a family can enjoy together. The memories that are made last a lifetime and I like to think I have a little part in creating them.”

Eric Goode Pools

Photography by Sarah Bell, Sélavie Photography

Eric’s own backyard boasts the first 360-degree perimeter grass-edged pool in the area. Without a deck or hardscape surrounding the pool, the contrast between the green grass and the blue pool water is on full display.

Eric’s innovative techniques also extend to the maintenance realm. His infloor cleaning system provides significant benefits over the traditional unsightly hose or robotic cleaners and comes with a lifetime warranty. Nearly standard on all of Eric’s pools, the infloor cleaners are able to more thoroughly and consistently clean pool floors, steps, benches and spas.

Eric began his career in 1984 working in a pool warehouse, which progressed to spending thirty plus years in the swimming pool distribution industry. In 2018, he founded his local, family-owned business Eric Goode Pools, where he was able to combine creativity with cutting-edge technology. Eric loves the whole pool building process.

“From idea, to paper to dig. It’s really exciting to create a space that a family can enjoy together. The memories that are made last a lifetime and I like to think I have a little part in creating them. There is nothing better than getting a text from a client with photos of family parties around the pool. It feels like a job well done.”

Photography by Bob Bayne

Juan Villanueva: A Delta Story That Begins South of the Border

ARTICLE BY CHRISTIAN OWEN

PHOTOGRAPHY BY SARAH BELL, SÉLAVIE PHOTOGRAPHY

MANY MILES TRAVELED

Heading south on Mississippi Highway 61, about 30 minutes from the Tennessee state line, vast farmland and prominent landmarks signal the approaching town of Tunica and embody the area’s recent history: flashing signs pointing to casinos, an 18-hole golf course, a colossal arena and more. These venues can be quiet depending on the season, but the parking lots of three neighboring businesses owned by one of the Delta’s most popular restaurant entrepreneurs, Juan Villanueva, stay busy.

Juan routinely travels 95 miles through the Mississippi Delta from his home in Lake Cormorant, just north of Tunica, to manage five businesses located in Tunica, Cleveland and Ruleville—three Mexico Grills, the Blue & White diner,

and Tunica Wine & Spirits. Tunica Wine & Spirits is managed by his wife, Maria, and as of this summer he is adding the Mexico Grill’s fourth location. It is weeks from opening its doors to customers on DeSoto County’s Goodman Road just across the Memphis, Tennessee, stateline. The customer service and festive presentation Juan and his staff are known for will, of course, be carried over to the new restaurant. In this, his sixth business in the Midsouth, he plans to add even more to the experience, such as tableside preparation of fresh guacamole (the restaurant’s popular “Guacamole Live”) and an expanded menu.

Juan emigrated from Irapuato, Guanajuato, Mexico, in 1994 at age 14, leaving behind his mother and father, six brothers, three sisters, his girlfriend Maria, and an opportunity to train with a professional soccer league. He moved from a hilly, rural landscape colored with strawberry fields and corn to the flatlands of Mississippi known for acres of cotton, soybeans and rice. Juan did not speak English at all, but with the help of a brother-in-law living in Mississippi, he found a job working as a dishwasher at the Guadelajara Mexican restaurant in Cleveland, Mississippi.

Juan’s father was in the military and then worked as a security guard and next at a supermarket. Juan knew the financial strains on his parents, and in the U.S., he knew there would be a job where he could make much more money than he could ever make in Mexico because of the value of the American dollar compared to the Mexican peso. Three of Juan’s brothers also came to the U.S. at different times but chose to go back after about a year.

Green Card in hand, one of Juan’s first hurdles was learning the English language. He had an opportunity to take English in the seventh grade, but chose not to. “I was like, why should I? What do I need English for? And here I am,” he reflects. When he started working as a busboy—cleaning tables and delivering chips to the tables—he would listen to the customers talk. He meticulously wrote words related to the restaurant such as chair, salt, pepper shaker, glass, fork and knife. He would type words in Spanish, give

the lists to his bosses, and they would return it to him translated to English. The rest of his training included watching cartoons in English while living with his brother-in-law.

At 16, Juan briefly visited Guanajuato, then returned to work another year at the restaurant in Cleveland before going back to Mexico to marry Maria. Juan and his new bride lived in Cleveland, Mississippi. In 1999, their first child was on the way. Maria struggled with the challenges of pregnancy, minimal family close by and her husband’s unpredictable work schedule. In turn, she returned to her home in Mexico, where their daughter, Wendy, was born.

Juan worked at more than one restaurant within a 200-mile radius for six years, and at that point, Maria was expecting a second child, their son, Edwin. At the same juncture, his employers decided to revamp their business, which included construction of a new building, so Juan was without a job. It was an unsettling time for his family. “Then, I had to do something. I couldn’t just wait. That’s when I started looking to find something somewhere else,” he vividly remembers.

Somewhere else turned into 15 years of building a successful series of businesses. He made his way north from Cleveland to Tunica, where he spotted El Ranchito on 61 on the south side of town. Juan became the manager. After a year, his request for a raise was denied, so Juan visited a local bank to discuss getting a loan to start his own restaurant.

Juan’s first restaurant was launched in a lease agreement with another local entrepreneur, John Mohead. The first Mexico Grill opened in 2008 and was part of a short-lived but active strip of restaurants and shops just north of town. In 2012, when those small businesses scattered, Juan moved the Mexico Grill to its second and current location a bit further north in a building formerly occupied by the locally owned Catfish Grill.

Two of Juan’s friends who he worked with in Cleveland at the Guadalajara restaurant approached him in 2015 about becoming business partners. Juan agreed to the plan, which was to open another Mexico

“Juan emigrated from Irapuato, Guanajuato, Mexico, in 1994 at age 14, leaving behind his mother and father, six brothers, three sisters, his girlfriend Maria, and an opportunity to train with a professional soccer league.”

Grill in Cleveland, but first he talked to his former bosses at the Guadalajara. They had been kind to him in the past, so he was uncomfortable with the idea of opening a competing business nearby. But they encouraged Juan, saying, “Come on. It’s okay. Cleveland is big. It’s a college town. There’re a lot of people making it. We will make it.”

Ruleville, Mississippi, became the site of a third Mexico Grill in 2018, in collaboration with a friend from Irapuato who had worked as a cook at the Guadalajara in Cleveland. Two other businesses Juan has acquired include Tunica Wine & Spirits in 2017, and in 2019 he took over the longstanding Blue & White, a diner known for Southern comfort food that has been in operation since 1937.

FROM FURNITURE TO MICHELADAS, AN AUTHENTIC EXPERIENCE

Juan is especially proud of the furniture at Mexico Grill. In all locations, his restaurants are furnished with custom-made pieces from Guadalajara that he designed. Hand-carved tables, chairs, even the baby chairs, are painted with lively, romantic scenes from Mexico. The walls are equally vibrant with detailed murals. The theme is continued with festive light fixtures, strings of lights and Mexican music, sometimes live, in the background.

Juan was happy to share the source for his furniture with his former bosses at the Guadalajara restaurant. They were pleased to support an artisan in their former home of Guadalajara and ordered the same inventory Juan designed per his direction. Today, that small artisan who Juan happened upon in a one-room studio on the streets of Guadalajara now has a website and an international clientele stemming from his initial projects with Juan for multiple Mississippi restaurants. Juan says business is good for the Mexican craftsman. His fourth Mexico Grill in Desoto County will also be filled with furniture from this same craftsman.

Juan caters to non-Latino customers and, therefore, considers his customers like tourists. His customers appreciate Mexico Grill’s authentic activity

and culinary traditions. All of Juan’s restaurants are some of the most active businesses greeting visitors to Tunica.

Prior to his arrival in the U.S., Juan did not have a background in the restaurant business, but his mother did operate a food stand in Mexico. She’d set up a few tables in their garage, and people would stop by at night to enjoy her homemade meals. With 15 family members to care for, she operated the food stand for extra income.

Ironically, Juan learned to cook Tex-Mex food in Irapuato. Even though they are in Mexico, he says the food is called “Tex-Mex” because they are just south of the U.S., close to Texas. However, even at age 14, he was quick to realize the differences between Mexican food in Irapuato and Mississippi. “We don’t have fajitas in Mexico. We don’t eat fajitas,” Juan says. One of the few options on his menu resembling its counterpart in Mexico are the flautas, a preparation of soft corn tortillas with shredded chicken or shredded beef rolled up inside. This is Juan’s favorite item on the menu. Flautas are cooked in a deep fryer and served with a little bit of lettuce, sour cream, pico de gallo and rice.

At his Mexico Grill restaurants, Juan describes the menu as Tex-Mex and heavily Americanized. The food in his native city of Irapuato is much spicier, and he says they eat corn tortillas “every day, everywhere.” Juan explains that in southern Mexico, they use nothing but corn. On the north side, they primarily use wheat flour to make tortillas, typically for burritos, which are more common in northern Mexico as a result of European settlement in that area dating back to the 16th century. Another variation of the tortilla at Americanized Mexican restaurants is its place on the table. In Mexico, tortillas are treated more like the breadbasket. Wrapping food in a tortilla is an option, not a preplanned arrangement.

All three Mexico Grills have a full bar, and margaritas are another menu item that closely resembles its counterpart in Mexico with the same tequila and triple sec. Juan describes one drink that everybody

“At his Mexico Grill restaurants, Juan describes the menu as Tex-Mex and heavily Americanized.”

drinks in Mexico called Michelada. It is a spicy beer with tomato juice and tajin seasoning, a lot like a Bloody Mary, but with beer. He cannot prepare “authentic” Micheladas for his Mississippi customers. Instead, he says he has to change the beverage a bit “to make it better for everybody.” His Americanized version is made with less pepper and spice.

BIG SUCCESSES, SMALL TOWNS AND FAMILY

Juan says it is important to him that his children see the culture of Mexico. He wants them to know where he is from, so they visit often. Wendy and Edwin speak and write fluently in English and Spanish, and both have excelled in high school and college.

Juan’s friends and family in Mexico still ask him from time to time why he chooses to live in the U.S., to which he answers, “I’m working, doing my thing.” But with a hint of melancholy in his voice, he admits it’s not always easy, and he says he wants his children to be aware of how he used to live. They never go back to Mexico empty-handed. Juan, Maria, Wendy and Edwin enjoy sharing the clothes they have outgrown with the children in Juan’s childhood neighborhood.

The Villanueva family is well traveled. They have been many places in the U.S. Juan says he likes southern, small towns best, and he demonstrates his sense of community by saying yes to almost any requests for involvement in Tunica. From charitable fundraisers to donations for cheerleader uniforms, Juan is often in the background offering support: “I like it here. Life here is quiet. I’m not a city guy. I don’t like traffic. If we all go to Memphis, I like to drive on 240, go everywhere I want to, but just to go and come back. I’ve always been in a small town.”

However, Juan’s successes are anything but small. By the way, we know where the next Mexico Grill, number five, is going to be! Plans are already in the works but a bit premature to announce. Juan is still thinking big and growing, a testimony to his guiding principle of “putting your mind into what you want to do and doing it.”

“Prior to his arrival in the U.S., Juan did not have a background in the restaurant business, but his mother did operate a food stand in Mexico.”

FROM THE RIVER CITY KITCHEN

ICED LAVENDER AND PEACH TEA

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 15 minutes

Ready In: 1 hour 30 minutes

Serves: 4 Ingredients

INGREDIENTS

• 2 quarts filtered water, divided

• 4 tablespoons dried lavender buds

• 5 ripe organic peaches, pitted and cut into wedges

• Juice of 1 lemon

DIRECTIONS

1. Bring 1 quart filtered water to boil in medium saucepan over high heat. Remove from heat and add lavender flowers. Steep for five minutes. Strain through a fine mesh sieve.

2. While steeping, place peaches into serving pitcher. Pour lemon juice on top. Stir in strained lavender tea, mashing the peaches a little bit against the sides.

3. Allow to cool, about 1 hour. Add remaining filtered water. Refrigerate and serve over ice.

ARTICLE BY MARGARET LEDBETTER

PHOTOGRAPHY BY SARAH BELL, SÉLAVIE PHOTOGRAPHY

The Need for Speed

MEMPHIS’ ONLY AUTO MUSEUM

For a cool escape from the summer heat, look no further than the Edge District. Home to the world-famous Sun Studio and, more recently, to Memphis’ only auto museum, the Edge Motor Museum. In a converted 12 thousand square foot automobile manufacturing plant on Marshall Avenue lives a truly world-class collection of cars - each with a unique story to tell. Since the origins of the auto industry in the late 19th century, cars have provided a direct insight into economic times, social norms and cultural trends.

The current American Speed exhibition is a curated collection of over a dozen iconic cars from “post war ‘til ‘74,” says Executive Director Richard Vining. Vining, who began his career in finance followed by a decade with Streets Ministries in Memphis, turned his passion for cars into the groundbreaking museum. Vining had his own collection of historic cars but when he reached out to other auto enthusiasts in Memphis, he pieced together an exceptional collection to display for all to enjoy. From historic cars to roadsters, hot rods, race cars, sports cars and muscle cars, the Edge Motor Museum offers a deep dive into the evolution of the auto industry. Vining worked with local architecture firm designshop and Baby Grand Design to create a special space that would best showcase the cars and other rotating exhibitions for a self-guided tour, but knowledgeable docents are available as well.

“These are not props,” says Vining; “every car in here can actually be driven.”

Executive Director, Richard Vining

Informative exhibitions line the gallery walls.

While visitors can’t touch or drive the cars on display, there are a few interactive exhibits and a fully immersive experience for adults and kids of all ages.

1959 Cadillac Coupe de Ville

American Speed Exhibition

More historic cars in the gallery.

The chronological experience begins with an original 1913 Ford T Runabout right next to an original 2006 Tesla Roadster. Vining likes the juxtaposition of the two, as the Ford Model T helped America move away from the days of horse and buggy transportation and the Tesla is blazing a path for electric cars.

“These are not props,” says Vining; “every car in here can actually be driven.” While most of the cars are American made, there is one very special BMW Isetta that could fit in the trunk of most American cars. A reflection of post war Germany’s shortage of materials like steel, rubber and glass, it is a far cry from the behemoth automobiles the United States mass-produced in the 1950s and 60s.

A fan favorite is the 1950 Oldsmobile Rocket 88. The Rocket V8 engine was the inspiration for what many consider to be the first rock ‘n’ roll album, Rocket ’88, recorded the following year by Ike Turner and the Delta Cats at Memphis’ own Sun Studio. As the song says, “Let me introduce you to my Rocket ‘88. Yes, it’s great, just won’t wait, Everybody likes my Rocket ‘88.” The influential single reached number one on the Billboard chart in 1951. In many ways, the birth of rock ‘n’ roll and the explosion of the auto industry go hand in hand. The massive automobile even has taillights resembling microphones.

While visitors can’t touch or drive the cars on display, there are a few interactive exhibits and a fully immersive experience for adults and kids of all ages. The museum also offers memberships that allow access to their extensive library and venue space which would make for a beautiful backdrop for any event. “We really want to do positive work in the community,” says Vining. A world-class collection of Memphis-owned vehicles in an incredible museum setting is a great start.

Add the Edge Motor Museum to your summer mustsee list. Don’t miss the gift shop and the collection of beautiful, limited-run screen printed posters. While you’re down there, take a stroll to some of the other hot spots along Marshall Avenue and throughout the vibrant Edge District. The museum is open daily.

1967 Shelby GT500

A fan favorite is the 1950 Oldsmobile Rocket 88. The Rocket V8 engine was the inspiration for what many consider to be the first rock ‘n’ roll album, Rocket ’88, recorded the following year by Ike Turner and the Delta Cats at Memphis’ own Sun Studio.

1959 BMW Isetta 1913 Ford T Roundabout

1950 Oldsmobile Rocket 88

COOL FRIDGES

FAMILIAR FACES

ARTICLE BY AMY BIRDSONG GOLDEN PHOTOGRAPHY BY SARAH BELL, SÉLAVIE PHOTOGRAPHY

What’s more fun than standing in front of your fridge? The soft glow of someone else’s refrigerator light.

Former chef Alex Canale says his own kids are tougher clients than any customers from his restaurant days. To get it right, he makes his own sauces. A collection of mason jars holds a vinegar-heavy, tomato based bbq sauce, a yellow tomato caper sauce for fish and a peach and fresno chili jam for cheese plates. There are meats ready to go, vacuum sealed and prepped for sous vide cooking. “Pork might be my favorite four letter word,” he says. “Diced prosciutto, pancetta and salt pork are found on most plates – from fresh summer vegetables to slow cooked winter pots.”

Anna Vergos Blair is a third-generation operator of her family’s iconic Memphis restaurant, the Rendezvous. She is also the resident vegetarian of the business, though she confesses to having bacon at least a couple times a year. “I take spaghetti squash from home and put it on the pit,” she says. “It’s good with our seasoning and smoke.” For summer meals, Anna keeps ingredients on hand to make a Greek salad: tomato, cucumber, kalamata olives, bell peppers and red onion. She adds vegan feta, but no lettuce. For the dressing, she uses the recipe of her late yiayia- the matriarch of the Rendezvous, Tasia Vergos.

Jay Robinson works for Terminix as a “PR man for bugs.” He brunches instead of lunches when he works from home, often heating up leftovers. On Wednesdays, it’ll be beef tacos from the very regular Taco Tuesdays. Another meal in their weekly rotation is a simple Thai dish, larb, made by wife, Amy. She uses ground chicken, butter leaf lettuce and pickled onions. “My favorite way to eat at home is to scrounge,” Jay says. “Which usually results in some sort of grazing plate I have put together.” This typically includes a combination of tinned meat, fig spread with cheese, raw and pickled vegetables and a sleeve of table water crackers.

ALEX CANALE

FORMER CHEF, CURRENT WHISKEY PROPRIETOR

Staples at the ready include: Arbo’s cheese dips, quick pickled veggies for salads, Wright’s Texas bacon, fresh herbs and even fresher eggs from the mythical Goetze Farm & Nursery. He imports Cougar Gold cheese from Washington State University’s creamery. Alex rotates beers from every local brewery in the drink fridge. He experiments with cocktails from his family’s distillery, Old Dominick, with a bevy of fizzy mixers like Navy Hill.

ANNA VERGOS BLAIR

“We collect condiments, especially bbq sauces,” Anna notes. Some favorites in the fridge include sauces by Redneck Lipstick, Ogre and Bachan’s Japanese. Anna uses them with tofu for her and chicken on the grill for her family. The condiment collection spans from Momofuku Chili Crunch, Durkee Famous Sauce, Kelchner’s Horse-Radish to a healthy number of pickles. The best ones are sweet and spicy, homemade and pickled by her mother-in-law in a family sized jar.

JAY ROBINSON

Jay makes a gin martini, heavy on vermouth with anchovy stuffed olives. You’ll find wine from his subscription to Joe’s wine club. He uses a heavy arsenal of condiments for upgraded sandwiches at home: peppercorn mayo, horseradish pub sauce, chili peppers, pickles and almost a dozen types of mustard. The bread of late - King’s Hawaiian slider buns to complement the savory. His Saturday always starts with a sausage biscuit from Oh Grate, found at High Point Grocery.

What’s in My Carry-On?

How to Make the Most of a Small Suitcase

ARTICLE BY KIT GARROTT

Anyone who has flown the friendly skies lately knows that you must expect the unexpected. Staffing issues can mean long lines in the airport and flight delays can make tight connections even tighter. To minimize inconveniences, our best advice is to perfect the art of travelin’ light.

When packing in a compact carry-on, you are typically trying to accomplish many goals at once. You are striving for efficiency (making that connecting flight!) mixed with fun, especially when packing in a carry-on for a summer vacation.

Packing all of your necessities in a small bag for a big trip is indeed an art, and with the right formula, you can feel like you have everything you need and even some room to spare for any purchases you might make along the way. Start with your tried and true, foundational pieces that are easily interchangeable and build on them!

1. Pack pieces you have worn or tried on before to avoid surprises.

2. Ladies - always pack a scarf! You can wear it as a head scarf, in a ponytail, around your neck, as a belt, as a top, tied on your bag - the options are endless.

3. Gents - pack everyday shirts that work with athletic shorts and a pair of jeans. This tactic gives you flexibility and comfort.

4. Use packing cubes! Pack activewear separate from your pajamas and nicer clothes if you have different sections of your trips with varying activities.

5. Three pairs of shoes are almost always enough. Be sure you can wear each pair with at least three of your outfitsa comfortable, white sneaker is always good to have.

6. No matter the destination, pack layer-able pieces. Airports are cold, the weather is unpredictable and layers are a great way to make an outfit brand new.

Moss Master

In 1850, the editor of the New York Tribune, Horace Greeley, advised those seeking adventure and fortune to “Go West, young man.”  That might have been good advice in the 19th century, but it was Memphis in the 20th century that benefited from the advice given to a talented, young golfer from California, “Come East, young man.”

That admonition was issued by a group of established Memphis gentlemen, golfers themselves, who recognized talent when they saw it, or to borrow a phrase, a diamond in the rough. That young man was Loren Roberts, who took that seasoned advice, uprooted himself from the Golden State, and put down roots in Memphis.

ARTICLE BY JIM VARNER

This story has meager beginnings when one considers the maturation of today’s golf superstars. Those careers often began in early childhood, fostered thereafter by lessons from established teachers, structured fitness programs and tournaments from age group events all the way through college before moving on to the ultimate goal, the PGA Tour.

Loren grew up in the Central Coast area of California and it wasn’t until his junior year in high school that he went out for the golf team, where he experienced some limited success. He wasn’t recruited out of high school and went to Cal Poly, only to have the golf program dropped after his sophomore year. As a result, he worked at a local club on the range and in the bag room, subsequently earning a position as an assistant pro.

His first success came when he won the National Assistant Golf Championship. That was followed by his next major accomplishment, and perhaps the biggest hurdle of all, a PGA tour card earned following a third try at tour school. To cover projected travel costs associated with the PGA Tour, he sold shares in himself to ten club members, all of whom turned a profit that first year. Loren is quick to point out that any success he has enjoyed has been as a result of older mentors who offered encouragement, advice and access to quality courses.

All was not roses when, in 1981, he lost his tour card, requiring that he take a job at a local municipal golf facility. It was back to tour school and, having once again secured his card, he came to Memphis to play in the 1983 Memphis Open. Purely by chance, he stayed with Frank Brown who also became a mentor, a role which was shared with Frank’s golfing partners George Coors, Edgar Bailey, Hayward Smith and Ralph Levy. Loren was part of these golfers’ every Thursday game and benefited greatly from their sage advice.

As a result of those friendships and the resultant camaraderie, Loren bought a home in Memphis in 1992 and secured, at what is considered by today’s standards the advanced age of 39, his first PGA Tour win in 1994 at Arnold Palmer’s Bay Hill Classic. Remarkably, his second win on tour came exactly one year later, again at Bay Hill. Loren has 8 wins on the PGA Tour and 13 on the Champions Tour, including four majors, two of which were Senior British Open titles.

His best finish in a PGA Tour major was at the U.S. Open at Oakmont Country Club, where after an 18-hole playoff, he lost on the 20th hole in a sudden death playoff to Ernie Els. It was at that tournament, between the third and fourth rounds, that fellow golfer David Ogrin hung the moniker “The Boss of the Moss” on him as a result of Loren’s incredible talent with the putter. In spite of that ability, Loren admitted that he had trouble pulling the putter back out when faced with a six-foot putt on the 18th hole in regulation to win the tournament outright. Perhaps he is mortal after all.

Now a resident of Memphis for the past 30 plus years, Loren cites the people and their graciousness as the city’s greatest asset and the reason he calls it home. He admits that his wife, Kim, has been his greatest advocate, always supportive, especially during those many trials and tribulations that always attend a life in sport.

He is a proud father of two daughters and grandfather of two. He is very involved with the First Tee program, which brings the game of golf to disadvantaged youth, incorporating core values that promote a successful lifestyle. At the end of the day, in spite of his many successes on tour, Loren will tell you it is his faith and family that have sustained him.

Loren’s commitment to faith and family is what has sustained him.

The Boss on the Moss,  his favorite surface.

When asked about what comes next, Loren was evasive regarding his future in golf, but was quick to add that he was still exempt on the Champions Tour and that any talk of his retirement is “unofficial.” Perhaps one

day we will again get to witness his wizardry with the putter, and if not, it was a great run by a true gentleman and ambassador of the sport.  Loren, thanks for the memories.

DAVID LUSK GALLERY

FINE CONTEMPORARY ART

97 Tillman . Memphis

BETH EDWARDS

Microcosum VI , 2023, oil on canvas, 42” x 66”