Thompson's Station, TN July 2023

S heryl Crow ' s

HEADED TO THE ROCK & ROLL HALL OF FAME

TRAVEL

A GIRLS WEEKEND IN HISTORIC BANNING MILLS

ENTERTAINMENT

THE TENNESSEE

INDEPENDENT FILM FESTIVAL

Sweet Summertime

Welcome to our July issue! As the temperature rises and the sun shines brighter, we couldn't be more excited to share some ideas to help make this summer a pleasant one.

In this issue, we talk with Nashville resident Sheryl Crow about her recent nomination into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame as well as her remarkable and enduring career.

Warm weather deserves its own sweet treats, so stop into Sweet Cece's or Early's Honey Stand for delicious summer delectables. Get your tickets for the 7th Annual Tennessee International Film Festival and see some imaginative films put on by visionaries.

On the travel side, take a road trip to Historic Banning Mills in Georgia. That place will get your adrenaline pumping while soaring through the skies on a zip line!

Whatever you decide to do, grab your sunscreen, flip-flops, and a cool drink, and dive into the pages of this issue. Here's to a summer filled with laughter, adventure, and endless sunshine!

Warmly,

July 2023

PUBLISHER

Athena West | athena.west@citylifestyle.com

EDITOR

Maria Dinoia | maria.dinoia@citylifestyle.com

SOCIAL MEDIA COORDINATOR

Emily Smith | emily.smith@citylifestyle.com

ADMINISTRATIVE DIRECTOR

Karen Creason | karen.creason@citylifestyle.com

INTERN

Lauren Kelly

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS

Cortney Wilbanks, Sue Baldani, Jessica Wayman, Jennifer Bennhoff, Ashley Hutcheson

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 Mary Albers

LAYOUT DESIGNER Kirstan Lanier

Thompson’s Station Lifestyle is available for pickup at the following locations:

• RE/MAX Encore (100 W. 6th Street, Columbia)

• The Fainting Goat (Spring Hill)

• Spring Hill Public Library

• Sweet CeCe’s (The Crossings at Spring Hill)

• Parkway Wine and Spirits (Spring Hill)

• Vintage 615 Boutique Clothing & Decor

• Living615

• Grecian Family Restaurant and Bakery

• Local doctors and professional offices around the area

MARIA DINOIA, EDITOR @THOMPSONSSTATIONLIFESTYLE

Edley's BBQ Comes To Williamson County

The wait for the highly anticipated first Edley’s Bar-B-Que in Williamson County is over! The award-winning and locally-owned restaurant opened its doors at the new Berry Farms location in May. The free-standing restaurant at 501 Sallie Lane will feature low-and-slow smoked meats, scratch-made sides, a full-service bar with local craft beers, cocktails, and Bushwackers. In addition to dine-in seating and an outdoor patio with a fireplace, the Berry Farms location is the first Edley's with a drive-thru. EdleysBBQ.com

Photogaphy: Nathan Zucker

Williamson County Fair Accepting Nominations For "Hometown Heroes" Award

The Williamson County Fair is looking to recognize another group of veterans and current military members as Hometown Heroes as part of the Fair’s “Patriot Day” on Saturday, August 12. Williamson County residents are encouraged to nominate deserving men and women who have been an inspiration to the local community, while positively impacting the lives around them. Nominations will be accepted through July 7 and can be submitted online at WilliamsonCountyFair.org

Dr. Megan Girmscheid Caring for Franklin patients for 9 years

AN OPPORTUNITY TO INVEST IN FLOURISHING WILLIAMSON COUNTY, TENNESSEE

The Hills is well positioned to take advantage of all that Williamson County has to offer. 4.4 miles away, the mixed-use development June Lake features 3.9m square feet of commercial office space and 1.3m square feet of retail and restaurant space. Even closer is Roderick Place, comprising almost 80 acres of live, shop, work and retirement options, and slightly further afield at 9 miles lies The Berry Farms, a characterful, curated mixed-use community with commercial, residential and retail offerings. The cities of Franklin and Nashville are just 10 and 32 miles away, adding an extra layer of convenience for commuters.

Ina Garten To Keynote Antiques & Garden Show of Nashville

Antiques & Garden Show of Nashville announced that cookbook author and television host Ina Garten will be the keynote speaker of the 2024 show taking place at Nashville’s Music City Center Jan. 12-14. An in-depth conversation with the Barefoot Contessa herself will kick off the weekend’s esteemed lecture series which also includes educational lectures and panels from internationally renowned designers, gardeners and tastemakers. Tickets for the 2024 show will go on sale in September. AntiquesAndGardenShow.com

Photography: Matt Ball

BANNING MILLS: WHERE HISTORY AND ADVENTURE MEET

READY, SET, ADVENTURE!

ARTICLE BY MARIA DINOIA PHOTOGRAPHY BY HISTORIC BANNING MILLS

Located an hour west of Atlanta and a four-and-a-half-hour drive from Franklin, tucked away in the serene natural beauty of Whitesburg, Georgia is Historic Banning Mills. Owners Donna and Mike Holder set out to create a bed and breakfast when they bought the property in 1997 after finding a one-time “land for sale” ad in the Atlanta JournalConstitution. The property had been neglected for over 20 years and the grounds were severely overgrown, but they decided to take a chance. What they discovered along Snake Creek Gorge was a lesson about Georgia’s industrial era that dated back to the 1800s.

Along the tributary of the Chattahoochee River, mills harnessed the creek’s power and the men who owned these mills made a fortune. As sort of an ode to Georgia’s early history, the Holder’s Bed and Breakfast grew to become a non-profit conservation center, country retreat and adventure center. So Banning Mills was born.

Banning Mills holds the Guinness world record for the longest zip line canopy tour and tallest free-standing rock wall in the world. The endless adventure options include zip lining, aerial adventures, kayaking, Eco-Spider ATV tours, hiking trails with suspension bridges, horseback riding, summer camps, team building, meeting spaces, birds of prey nature show, and special events. Pool, volleyball, tennis and miniature golf are available seasonally.

Historic Banning Mills is family-owned and run with a mission to preserve the unique and pristine ecosystems of the Snake Creek Gorge and Chattahoochee watershed areas, as well as the extensive history of the Banning Mills township and gorge areas.

Grab your girlfriends and make it a girl’s weekend! HistoricBanningMills.com

Photo by Lisa Konicki

DAY 1

ADVENTURE 1:  ZIP LINES AND CANOPY TOURS

If you’re ready to soar through the treetops and experience an adrenaline rush like no other, then the zip lines and canopy tours are a must-try. With over 100 zip lines and multiple aerial adventure courses, you can navigate through the lush forest canopy, gliding from platform to platform.

ADVENTURE 2: HORSEBACK RIDING  Escape into the tranquility of the Georgia countryside on horseback and

explore the picturesque trails that wind through the area. Guided horseback rides are available for all ages and skill levels, allowing you to soak up the beauty of the surrounding landscapes at a leisurely pace.

ADVENTURE 3: SPEND THE NIGHT IN A TREEHOUSE  Extend your adventure and recharge for another day of thrills by staying overnight in one of their cozy accommodations. From comfortable treehouse rooms with all of the amenities to family cabins and secluded cottages, Banning Mills offers a variety of lodging options to suit different preferences.

Photo by Maria Dinoia

DAY 2

ADVENTURE 4: KAYAKING

Immerse yourself in the refreshing waters of Snake Creek Gorge and embark on a kayaking adventure. Glide along the gentle currents of the creek, surrounded by stunning rock formations and lush greenery. Take your time to explore the hidden coves and quiet corners of the gorge, connecting with nature in a unique and tranquil way.

ADVENTURE 5:  ECO-SPIDER ATV TOURS

The Eco-Spider by Swin Car is a powerful and rugged four-wheeled electric

vehicle with spider-like arms that move independently to tackle tough off-road terrain. An exciting way to explore the park!

ADVENTURE 6: CLIMBING WALL

Challenge yourself and conquer your fears as you scale the towering rock wall. Test your strength, agility, and determination while enjoying the guidance of experienced instructors. Once you’ve reached the summit, reward yourself with a thrilling rappel back down, taking in the awe-inspiring surroundings as you descend.

Photo by Lisa Konicki

THE

evolution sheryl crow OF

Sheryl Crow, a name synonymous with ageless music and incredible talent, has etched her mark in the annals of rock, pop, and folk music. With her distinctive voice and melodies, along with her introspective songwriting, Crow has captivated audiences worldwide for over three decades. Rising to fame in the 1990s with her debut album, “Tuesday Night Music Club,” she quickly became a prominent figure in the music industry, garnering not only critical acclaim but multiple Grammy Awards, including 1994’s Best New Artist and Record of the Year. Throughout her career, Crow has continued to evolve as an artist, leaving an indelible impact on the music landscape. Later this year, Crow will be inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, an honor reserved for  “ artists who, in their careers, have created music whose originality, impact, and influence has changed the course of rock & roll.”

TELL ME ABOUT THE ROCK & ROLL HALL OF FAME INDUCTION ANNOUNCEMENT. WHERE WERE YOU WHEN YOU HEARD, AND WHAT DOES BEING INDUCTED MEAN TO YOU?

Sheryl Crow : My manager called me and said that I was being inducted, and then suddenly I started getting texts from, oh my goodness, people from

FROM “TUESDAY NIGHT MUSIC CLUB”

TO THE ROCK & ROLL HALL OF FAME

all over, people I haven’t heard from for years, and I have to say it was an extremely sweet experience. I’ve said on numerous occasions that I feel like I’m being presented with an Oscar for a movie that I haven’t completely finished writing. So it’s very humbling and also super exciting. I feel like all the people that I’ve loved and who have inspired me to do what I’m doing are in the Rock Hall, so it’s such a huge honor to be even in the list of names.

WHEN YOUR CAREER TOOK OFF AFTER “ALL I WANNA DO,” DID YOU EXPECT IT TO LAST 25+ YEARS OR DID YOU EVER EVEN REALLY THINK THAT FAR AHEAD?

SC: I never thought that far ahead. The thing that happens is that when you have songs that make it onto the radio, the next time you go into the studio you feel this pressure to try not to, but at the same time, be aware of calculating what might get on the radio or what might sound good on the radio, and it can be really overwhelming and really daunting. But I’ve been really lucky. I’ve loved being in the studio. Part of what I love about it is I feel like I get to be a better producer every time I go in and I love songwriting and I still feel like my best work is ahead of me and so that’s always kept me going. I feel like there’s always so much to write about and right now it’s an

amazingly inspiring time to be a songwriter. It’s obviously different because I’m older so I can’t ever count on radio necessarily being interested in what I’m writing, but there are so many other avenues for music to get heard. So that’s what really keeps me going is that I love the craft and I love going into the studio and coming out with something that’s never been before, a song that’s never been written. So 25 years seems like a long time, but it really has been a fun journey.

WHAT WAS THE EXPERIENCE LIKE OF MAKING THE DOCUMENTARY, SHERYL

?

SC: Making the documentary for me was arduous. It was in the middle of Covid, and I don’t know that anybody ever sits down and thinks this is going to be really fun to talk about 30, 40 years of memories and to dig through the really hard stuff. So it was exhausting, but I think in the end it was really worth doing. Documentaries, for me, have been really inspiring, and it always helps, I think, all of us, to see that there are people who’ve lived lives behind what looks like a pretty fantastic career. It’s not like it’s all rainbows and lollipops. There’s a lot that goes into somebody wanting to pour their heart out into music. I certainly have had my ups, but I’ve certainly had my downs as well. And I think it was a story worth telling, and I thought that Amy Scott did a beautiful job with choosing what the story was. It’s always also really interesting when you think about how much of it winds up on the cutting floor that you feel like is important facets to your life, but in the end, it can only be 90 minutes. So yeah, it was difficult and it was really tiring to sit and remember so many memories, but in the end, really, I think a worthwhile thing to do.

DO YOU STILL STAND BEHIND YOUR 2019 STATEMENT THAT THREADS WOULD BE

YOUR LAST ALBUM?

SC: Okay, so that is a tricky question. Yes, I definitely felt like when I made the Threads record that there were so many things about making that record that made me feel like I could not follow it up with an album. That, for me, was a beautiful stepping off point and also because it was such a tribute to so many people that have brought me to where I am. I felt like it was a beautiful way to close the door on a chapter of making full albums and really embrace the idea of just putting

out songs, particularly since I feel like the listening public doesn’t listen to albums in their original configuration. We piecemeal music, we run playlists, we download a song here, a song there. And so it felt like sort of a futile and very expensive venture to spend the love and the time compiling a bunch of songs when, really, people would not hear it in that context. But, that being said, I’m working on a body of songs right now that may be an EP, maybe six, seven songs. It may wind up being a full-length album depending on what I feel like I can’t not put on it. So there you go. The moral of that story is never say never.

YOU SAID BEFORE THAT IT IS “UBER IMPORTANT TO SUPPORT OUR VETERANS.” CAN YOU EXPAND ON THAT SENTIMENT?

SC: There are a lot of important causes, but for me, I can’t overlook the fact that we enjoy a free life in this country because of a lot of people who’ve dedicated their lives to defending that idea and those ideals. It does grieve me that so many people who’ve dedicated their lives and who have come home changed people are not getting the services that they need, are not being lifted up and carried on all of our shoulders. When my now rising sophomore went on his eighth-grade trip to Arlington Cemetery and I got to be a chaperone, I could not believe how humbled I felt to learn all that we learned about people who have given their lives to defend our ability to speak our minds and our ability to live our lives freely. That doesn’t mean that we get to act like jerks. And I think in this particular day and age, it would be wonderful if everyone, but particularly those who are in public service, could go and take a tour of Arlington and hear the stories of the people that have not only defended our rights, but also given us the pleasure of being able to be wonderful citizens. And hopefully planted in our minds that that doesn’t give us the right to be jerks. And that is the end of my lecture on that. I live with a veteran. He is my old bus driver, he’s my security person, he served. I hear some of the stories about him just getting the healthcare that he needs, and it’s very exasperating to me. These people should be put first. So anything I can do, particularly with Wounded Warriors and other organizations that serve veterans, I’m in.

WHAT OTHER CAUSES DO YOU SUPPORT?

SC: I am a giant environmentalist. I do feel like that the environment should come first because without the health of our planet, none of us are going to wind up being healthy. I think we’re seeing now a ticking clock and we realize the urgency of it. However, there’s so much money that gets passed from hand to hand in our government and some of these things that really matter to the American people are put on the back burner. And that really grieves me when I consider I’m raising two kids. I also am very involved in cancer research. I’m a cancer survivor, so I’ve always been involved in breast cancer research specifically. And then other small foundations — Adopt a Teacher is very important to me, as is the Delta Children’s Home, which exists in my hometown. And Flint Global supports kids who are aging out of the foster system.

I READ AN ARCHITECTURAL DIGEST ARTICLE THAT YOU’RE SORT OF AN ANTIQUE AND JUNK COLLECTOR. WHAT’S SOMETHING ELSE ABOUT YOURSELF THAT MOST PEOPLE MIGHT NOT KNOW?

SC: Oh my goodness. Well, yeah, I do buy or I used to. I put a moratorium on my buying junk because at a certain point it’s a fine line between collecting and hoarding. But people might not know I am an avid, however, very novice, horticulturalist. We’ve just put in a greenhouse and we’ve been planting gardens and we are trying to go completely produce independent from grocery stores. We’re also trying to eat meat that is sourced, and thank the Lord that we have the means to do that. I feel very blessed, but also at the same time, extremely annoyed with the kind of food that Americans wind up eating when you compare what’s going on in other countries as far as what’s allowed and what’s not allowed in our diets, organically and chemically. So yes, people might not know that.

WHAT’S NEXT FOR YOU AND YOUR CAREER?

SC: Well, like I said, I am writing. I’m going to have a song coming out pretty soon that I’m really excited about but I can’t tell you much about it. But I’m really excited about what’s coming out next. We’re doing a whole bunch of festivals this summer, which already have been fun. I’m getting ready to do Bonnaroo. I’ve also completed

a one woman show, which hopefully we will get up and going in the next year.

WHAT IS SOMETHING MOTHERHOOD HAS TAUGHT YOU?

SC: Man, I’ll tell you what, motherhood has been the most amazing transformation for me. I mean, it really has simplified my life in so many ways. I mean, schedule-wise, not so much, but simplifying it in the context of what comes first and what my life centers around. It makes decision making very easy. My kids come first. Also, I don’t want to miss out. It goes really fast. I have a 16-year-old now, and I feel like literally a month ago he was a toddler. So I don’t want to miss out on any time left with my boys now that they’re teenagers. I only have so many summers. So I guess what it’s taught me is the absolute depth of love. And also it’s kept me, I feel like, really young and man, I do not sit down.

WHAT DO YOU LOVE ABOUT LIVING IN TENNESSEE? DO YOU HAVE ANY SPECIAL PLACES IN FRANKLIN YOU LOVE? I SAW YOU ONCE AT SWEET CECE’S!

SC: Oh, that is so funny. Yes, we love Sweet CeCe’s. I love Tennessee. I mean, I grew up three hours and 15 minutes right up the road in southeast Missouri. It feels very similar to Tennessee. The people that I’ve grown up with, the communities I’ve grown up in have all felt very grounding, very Puritan work ethic, good, solid, family-oriented, principled people. And I do feel that in Tennessee. I feel it in Nashville. I love the terrain here. I love that it’s rolling hills, that you can have land here but still be close to a grocery store. I love that you can be a well-known person and raise a family here and people not only respect it, but defend it and honor it. Nobody hassles you here. I think the community here enjoys having country and all kinds of musicians here and wants them to be at home here, and that’s a lovely thing.

I’ve always loved Franklin, love Leiper’s Fork. We used to live in College Grove, so we’re definitely Williamson County. We’ve been Williamson County people and my kids went to school at a great school there for their first years. I love the antique stores. I mean, what can I say? I love junking. I love collecting in Franklin. There are so many great spots. And I do love the old houses. I love the history there. It’s a really cool sort of stepping back in time feel.  SherylCrow.com

CUSTOMIZED ARTISTRY WITH A PERSONALIZED FLAIR

A TALENTED LOCAL COUPLE OFFERING THE BEST IN PRINTING AND FRAMING

ARTICLE BY SUE BALDANI | PHOTOGRAPHY PROVIDED

While many watercolor artists find the most joy in creating pieces of artwork from brush strokes, that wasn’t the case for Greg Ogden. His greatest happiness was in the building of the frames that went around them. In fact, he loved it so much, he found himself painting more just to have more artwork to frame.

That was back in the 80s. After working for and being the vice president of a wellknown California printing and framing business for over 30 years, he and his wife, Kathy, decided to move to Tennessee and open their own shop. Ogden Editions, first founded in Brentwood in 2020, has now moved to a much bigger location in Columbia. “We want to build our retail business, but we also want to stay intimate,” says Kathy. “Plus, we have heavy-duty quality control. If we see a little imperfection, it’s fixed, and we don’t skimp on any of the materials we use.”

Greg now focuses on fine art printing, recreating original works into incredible reproductions using state-of-the-art technology, while Kathy, an artist herself, is the talented frame designer. While many people focus, of course, on the colors and imagery of a painting, having the right frame showcasing it enhances the beauty of the piece and makes a statement of its own.

Although the shop is local, its clientele includes people from all over the country and even the world. “My husband knows color,” she says. “He’s a master printer and a perfectionist and artists appreciate that. And, since we ship all over the world, we don’t have to be where the artists are, which is cool for them.” Kathy’s brother-in-law, Bobby Kranc, builds custom crates for each piece of art before they’re shipped out.

The couple also really enjoys helping new artists. “We teach them how to manage their business and get started the right way,” says Kathy. “We will even do it for them if they want us to so they can just be artists and not business people. But we can teach them things like how to take care of their editions because artists have different ones including limited edition prints and the all-important originals. They should never let go of an original without capturing it because they might want to make those into reproductions later on.”

The shop will create a file for them and show them how to keep track of numbers since each edition is signed and numbered, unless

it’s an open edition, which Kathy says not many fine art artists do anymore. “We’ve helped so many artists and it makes us feel good,” she says. “So what we really specialize in is giving artists peace of mind.”

Right now, they’re busy assisting a new artist by the name of Emily Bagan. “When she first came to us, she was very new to the industry, but now she is doing album covers for bands like Greta Van Fleet.”

Ogden Editions also does prints for many professional photographers including Tracie Spence and Chris Egan. While they do a lot of work for many well-known people, they also welcome local walk-ins who may just have a special piece of art they want custom framed.

The Spring Hill couple, who relocated to Tennessee in 2019, are so happy they made the move – both in their professional and personal lives. “Neither one of us had been to Tennessee before, but a good friend had grown up here, so I knew from her how pretty it was,” says Kathy. “And everybody is so friendly. It’s a great place to live and own a business.” OgdenEditions.com

Left to right: Bobby Kranc, Kathy Ogden, Greg Ogden

ARTICLE BY CORTNEY WILBANKS | PHOTOGRAPHY PROVIDED

More Than A Craving

HOW SWEET CECE’S PROVIDES A COMMUNITY FEEL TO THEIR CUSTOMERS

In a world filled with new trends and companies that seek to only be appealing through the lens of Instagram, finding a place to enjoy something sweet that feels like home can be a rare gem. Sweet CeCe’s, a local frozen yogurt store in Spring Hill, not only serves up delectable treats but aims to foster a genuine sense of community. From their commitment to giving back to their customers’ unwavering support, this hidden gem has truly won the hearts of locals alike.

For the owner of the Spring Hill location, Alyson Sherwin, community and family go hand-in-hand. Understanding the importance of support and connection, she strives to make her store a welcoming space where customers can feel at ease. For Sherwin, it’s not about being the shiniest business in the dessert world; it’s about creating an experience that people choose to be a part of.

One of the ways Sweet CeCe’s shows dedication to the community is through the continued support of local charities, events, and schools. Whether it’s donating money, providing gift cards for fundraisers, or contributing free treats to community baskets, Sweet CeCe’s is always ready to lend a helping hand.

Even Little League teams and cheerleading squads can benefit from their generosity with gift certificates and spirit nights, where a portion of the proceeds goes back to these local organizations.

But it’s not just the community that Sweet CeCe’s supports—it’s their dedicated and passionate staff too. With gratitude, Sherwin acknowledges the hard work and commitment of her team. “Their intentionality, punctuality, and eagerness to go the extra mile make each visit a memorable one,” Sherwin shares. From the friendly greetings to the helpful suggestions, the staff at Sweet CeCe’s truly embodies the spirit of a welcoming family.

At Sweet CeCe’s, their ultimate goal is to bring joy to every customer that walks through their door. Whether you’re a frozen yogurt aficionado or simply seeking a place where you can feel a part of something greater, this local treasure is the perfect destination.

Indulge in their delectable frozen yogurt flavors, pile on your favorite toppings, and savor the sweet embrace of a community that treats you like family. SweetCeCes.com/ locations/spring-hill/

“Honey For Sale”

Down Highway 31 in Spring Hill sits a building, small and yellow, that is home to Early’s Honey Stand - a store that is brimming with history and sweet and savory items for the whole family to enjoy.

Ninety-eight years ago, just feet away from the store’s location today, the business was just as its name describes – a stand. “It was literally two barrels with a plank of wood across the top, honey in the summer, and smoked meats in the winter,” described Ally Losey, Marketing Coordinator for Early’s.

In the 1920s, before the Interstate Highway System, people took Route 31 from the top of Michigan all the way down to Florida, Ally explained. “There used to be a toll gate right here, and that’s what made this prime real estate. People had to stop.” The toll gate was removed in 1919, but Early’s Honey Stand remained a delightful roadside attraction.

In 1925, on Highway 31, under a mulberry tree, Erskine Early and his mother Mamie Elgate Kincaid Early began selling jars of raw, local honey, farmed on the very property the business still sits on today. Soon Early’s was selling honey and fruit during the summers and smoked sausages and country hams during the winters. Erskine incorporated Mamie’s recipes to include more items he knew would please his customers.

Since the early 1950s, Early’s has had an annual mail-order catalog. Today’s catalog is twenty-something pages of mouth-watering items for ordering and a couple of pages of amusing storytelling.

Early’s Honey Stand has grown from honey and sausage to an array of delicious products from jams, jellies and preserves to half slabs of bacon and whole smoked county hams. They offer jugs of maple syrup, cartons of cider spices, jars of chow chow relish and other pickled vegetables, barbeque sauces, hot sauces, mustards, and the list goes on and on. Many of these items and plenty more can be purchased in one of Early’s bountiful gift boxes to be ordered or be made on-site in the store.

Some of the items they pour their heart and soul into at Early’s are their smoked meats. Early’s spends nine months salt-curing and aging their country hams to perfection before placing them in the smokehouse to give them the same hickory smoked flavor they’ve been serving up since 1925. Early’s sausage is ground, seasoned and allowed to sit for 24-48 hours before being bagged and placed in the smokehouse for several days. This detailed process is what sets them apart from other sausages that simply don’t possess the same quality and flavor. As for their bacon, it has been called some of the best bacon sold in America. Early’s sells prime, lean-cut bacon, rubbed in their special seasonings and spices and smoked over hickory wood, that’s sure to get your feet on the floor in the morning at the smell of it.

About to turn the corner on a century of business, Early’s Honey Stand is developing a delightful exhibit of its history at the front of the store including a beekeeping feature and kitchen appliances and tools from the 1920s that the Early’s would have used around the time of the raising of their first, humble, honey stand. Earlys.com

Jill Arnold and Duwayne Matz of Southern Homes Collective serve buyers and sellers in Williamson County. We also own SHC Property Management, LLC and manage rental properties for investors in Middle Tennessee. Our office is located in Tollgate Village. We would LOVE the opportunity to help you with all your real estate needs!

The Southern Homes Collective Advantage:

◆ Professional Photography/Videography. We donate $250 to our clients’ favorite charity, when your property closes.

615-475-5616 | southernhomescollective.com

2015 Tollgate Blvd Thompson’s Station, Tennessee 37179

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TENNESSEE INTERNATIONAL INDIE FILM FESTIVAL COMING TO THE FRANKLIN THEATRE AUGUST 1 – 6

ARTICLE BY JENNIFER BENNHOFF

PHOTOGRAPHY PROVIDED

In 1923, Tennessee welcomed its first Hollywood feature film shoot. The film, produced by Metro Pictures (now MGM), was called “The Human Mill” and depicted the historic Battle of Franklin. It generated such excitement that schools and businesses closed, hundreds of townspeople showed up to play bit parts (some wearing authentic Civil War uniforms) and 12,000 people lined the roads leading to the location – a Franklin farm known as “the Old Fly Place” - to watch the filming. Sadly, the movie never made it to the big screen. “The director, Allen Holubar, who worked for D.W. Griffith, died before it was completed, and the footage no longer exists,” says Nancy Puetz, president of the Williamson County Cultural Arts Commission and founder/director of the Tennessee International Indie Film Festival (TIIFF).

Nancy Puetz (right) with Amy Redford at the Sundance Film Festival

This August, TIIFF will commemorate 100 years of film in Tennessee by hosting six days and nights of screenings, live music and Q&As at the downtown Franklin Theatre. This will be the seventh year for the festival, which began when Nancy organized screenings at a Nashville film school and then at Academy Park, the Mockingbird Theatre and Spring Hill’s Worldwide Stages.

“Now the festival will return downtown and create a ‘Sundance ambiance’ in Franklin,’” she says. “With so many film people and artists living here, we really needed a festival to celebrate with our local population.”

Nancy grew up in Los Angeles and moved to Franklin with her husband Jerry in 2006 when he was transferred by Nissan. They’ve been married 36 years and their four children work in the arts as a ballet répétiteur, a tattoo artist, a writer and a film industry professional.

Her film career began in the 1970s as a runner for the movie “The Life and Times of Grizzly Adams.” “I would bring huge film cans from the Utah set to Los Angeles, wait at Technicolor for them to be processed, then travel back to Utah with the finished product.” She continued working on features, studied at the University of Utah, met Jerry at a surf party in Huntington Beach, won $31,000 on a game show called “The Joker’s Wild,” and became a board member of Women in Film & Television International, which has 14,000 members from six continents. She volunteered with Tennessee Women in Film and with the Nashville Film Festival but learned that many people in Williamson County weren’t aware that Nashville even had a festival. “I founded TIIFF and now we can host a festival here too.”

The TIIFF runs August 1 – 6 and will showcase 81 films from various genres: comedy, drama, documentary, horror (“but not grisly,” she says), features and shorts. Half of the films are directed by women. Opening night will include a red carpet, live music by Sweepy Walker and Judy Paster, and the 2023 documentary “Facing the Laughter: Minnie Pearl,” about serious Shakespearean actress Sarah Cannon and how she became the happy country character Minnie Pearl with her signature ‘Howdee!’ greeting. The film is directed by Brentwood resident Barbara J. Hall.

Other films being shown include the 2023 Slamdance Film Festival winner “Starring Jerry as Himself,” directed by Law Chen and telling the true story of a Chinese immigrant who was taken for nearly a million dollars by telephone scam artists. “With Peter Bradley” is a documentary about the African-American abstract painter, and “Sold! An American Stockyards Story” is directed by Drew Ames, who grew up selling Angus cattle with his grandpa.

Actors and directors will be on hand for talkbacks after the screenings, including prolific actor Raul Torres and Emmy winner Vincent de Paul, who wrote, directed and stars in “The Genius of Gianni Versace.” “We have such a vibrant arts community here in Franklin,” says Nancy, who, when she’s not at film festivals in Cannes or Sundance, or speaking at international film symposiums, can be found organizing events such as Bluegrass Along the Harpeth, the Celebration of Nations and the Spring Kids Arts Fest. “We’re excited to grow the film festival and make Tennessee a place for filmmakers to gather and share ideas.”

Tickets to the festival can be purchased at the Franklin Theatre box office. For more information about TIIFF, its weekly art shows and free Wednesday movie screenings, visit TIIFF.org

CITY LIFESTYLE

Summer Bucket List

Welcome, summer! As a hyper-local publication, we thrive on helping our readers make connections with the cities they live in, the businesses that make up their communities and the inspiring individuals making a positive mark. Are you ready for your most adventurous, fun summer? Here are summer bucket list ideas for you to accomplish this year. We hope you’ll explore a new neighborhood, spend a lazy Saturday afternoon at a new winery or taste the flavors at a local ice cream shop. Let us know what you discover and enjoy! We’d love to hear.

KIDS

Make the most of this Summer! Check off these activities on our Kids Summer Bucket List as you complete them throughout the summer. P.S. You might need an adult’s help with some of these!

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Summer is finally here. Take advantage of the season with our Adult Summer Bucket List. Check off these activities as you complete them with your family and friends and congratulate yourself on a Summer well-spent!

events

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

JULY 9TH

Crusin' Co-op

UNITED FARM & HOME CO-OP, COLUMBIA | 5:00 PM

The first Cruisin’ the Co-op of 2023! Classic cars, food trucks, music and a whole lot of fun! SpringHillFresh.com

JULY 13TH

Dwight Yoakam with The Mavericks

FIRSTBANK AMPHITHEATER

7:00 PM

A dynamic set of musical acts promise to deliver an evening under the stars you won’t forget. FirstBank Amphitheater.com

JULY 16TH

Nashville Elvis Festival

Presents the Ultimate Elvis: Bill Cherry

FRANKLIN THEATRE | 3:00 PM

You’ve never seen an Elvis tribute quite like this. Bill specializes in the concert years, completely transforming himself on stage with precise vocals, movements, and an uncanny physical resemblance.  NashvilleElvisFestival.com

EVENTS CONTINUED

JULY 22ND

Splash Bash

LUCKY LADD FARMS, EAGLEVILLE | 10:00 AM

Celebrate Back-to-School. Kids can cool off on the inflatable water slides, splash pad and bubble blast. Water balloon toss, games and more! LuckyLaddFarms.com

JULY 22ND

Twilight Polo

TSC ARENA, FRANKLIN

7:00 PM

Angel Heart Farm Charity match featuring Tennessee vs Kentucky with MTSU as the opening match.  FranklinPolo.com

JULY 30TH

Harry Potter’s Market at Henry Horton

HENRY HORTON, CHAPEL HILL

7:00 AM

Another magical year of festivities for those wanting to celebrate Harry Potter. SpringHillFresh.com

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