Sharing The Power Of Music
CHRIS KIRKPATRICK
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11 Down, 1 To Go
It's hard to believe we are in the 11th month of 2024. It's true what they say - time flies as you get older. But one of the "scientific" explanations for this seeming reality, is that our perception of time greatly changes and adults tend to have more routines and fewer new experiences. I take issue with the "new experiences" part of this equation- in fact, we work hard every month to come up with a magazine filled with new ideas, breaking old habits and routines and embarking on new experiences!
So as quickly as time flew this year, our November issue is loaded with newness. From Friendsgiving to Diwali, to giving back to local charities, to Friday Night Out, to sharing community, we've got it all! And hopefully, all of the newness helps time not to pass too quickly.
One of my new experiences this month was getting to meet and talk with Chris Kirkpatrick from NSYNC. We got to talk about his rise to fame and all of the wonderful new musical opportunities he's bringing to youth with Notes for Notes, as well as his podcast, Name Drop.
As always, I hope you enjoy this issue. And as you embark on this holiday season, may time slow down.
With appreciation,
MARIA
DINOIA, EDITOR @THOMPSONSSTATIONLIFESTYLE
Thompson’s Station Lifestyle is available for pickup at the following locations:
• Grecian Family Restaurant and Bakery (Spring Hill)
• The Fainting Goat (Spring Hill)
• Spring Hill Public Library
• Sweet CeCe’s (The Crossings at Spring Hill)
• Parkway Wine and Spirits (The Crossings at Spring Hill)
• Local doctors and professional offices around the area
November 2024
PUBLISHER
Athena West | athena.west@citylifestyle.com
EDITOR
Maria Dinoia | maria.dinoia@citylifestyle.com
SOCIAL MEDIA COORDINATOR
Emily Smith | emily.smith@citylifestyle.com
PUBLICATION DIRECTOR
Karen Creason | karen.creason@citylifestyle.com
INTERNS
Lainey Green, Hailey Holloway
CONTRIBUTING WRITERS
Ed Atlas, Lauren Kelly, Kathleen Davis, Kellie Walton, Lisa Valentine
CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHER
Joseph Llanes
Corporate Team
CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER Steven Schowengerdt
CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER Matthew Perry
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF HR Janeane Thompson
AD DESIGNER Rachel Otto
LAYOUT DESIGNER Rhiannon Coffman
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Expir es 11/30/24. Of fer not v alid in all r e gions.
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Dolly Wines Available Nationwide In Time For The Holiday Season
Global superstar Dolly Parton’s newly launched Dolly Wines and its widely celebrated varietals, produced in collaboration with Parton Family Cellars and Accolade Wines, are now available on both sides of the Atlantic. The Dolly Wines full collection features three varietals including Chardonnay, Rosé and Prosecco. The Dolly Wines Chardonnay is now available at leading U.S. retailers including Kroger, Total Wine & More, Cost Plus World Market and at DollyWines.com for $14.99. Dolly Wines Prosecco and Rosé are available in the United Kingdom.
Photography by Emily Dorio
OneGenAway Launches Single Moms Fund In Middle Tennessee
A whopping 73 percent of single mothers in Tennessee are economically insecure, according to a Think Tennessee study. It’s a startling statistic that One Generation Away (OneGenAway) and Darrell Waltrip Subaru are committed to addressing through a new initiative known as the Single Moms Fund.
This new initiative, kickstarted with a $12,000 donation to OneGenAway by Darrell Waltrip Subaru, will provide not only nutritious food, but also access to resources that will help these women achieve stability and self-sufficiency. OneGenAway.com/donate
New Hardware Store Coming To Thompson's Station
Construction kicked off last month at 1900 Lewisburg Pike in Thompson's Station for a new hardware store, Do It Best. Do It Best sells not only hardware, but lawn and garden, lumber and supplies, tools, appliances and more. Set to open in the Spring of 2025, Mitchell Builders Group is one of the builders involved in the new construction. Mitchell Builders Group was the builder of the HGTV 2022 Urban Oasis home in Nashville. DoItBest.com
An Evening With Monty Criswell
As the hit songwriter behind some of country music’s biggest songs like George Strait’s “I Saw God Today,” Eric Church’s “Hell Of A View,” Trace Adkins’ “Just Fishin,’” Scotty McCreery’s “Five More Minutes,” Parker McCollum’s “Handle On You” and so many more, there’s no denying that Monty Criswell is a gifted storyteller. Surviving stage three colon cancer has inspired him to share both his life lessons and the stories behind his songs in his new live show, “An Evening with Monty Criswell” at the Franklin Theatre on November 16.
AS A SONGWRITER, WHAT WAS IT LIKE GETTING YOUR FIRST #1 SONG ON THE RADIO?
My first number one was “I Saw God Today” with George Strait, so it was a big one and we went to every award show - CMA, ACM, Dove, GRAMMYs. We won CMA Single of the Year and that kind of broke the dam for me and they just started coming after that. I have spent from 39-years-old on enjoying the fruits of a long, long, long wait.
WHAT IS THE QUICKEST SONG YOU'VE EVER WRITTEN?
I always joke songs are like babies. It doesn't matter how fast the baby comes out, it doesn't mean the child's going to be brilliant.
“I Saw God Today” took six months to write, but I've had two really big hits that were real quick. “Just Fishin’”
by Trace Adkins was one of them: that song was really fast and the only reason it took three hours is because we went to lunch. Then “Handle On You” with Parker McCollum, that was just about a verbatim, line for line, “boom, boom, boom” kind of thing. So both of those were very, very fast songs and both of them ended up being number ones.
DO YOU STILL HAVE AN ARTIST THAT YOU DREAM OF RECORDING ONE OF YOUR SONGS?
Jason Aldean is somebody I haven't had a cut on. I've known Jason for a long time. I met him before he ever had a single come out and he was always so nice and so gracious. Even to this day, if I see him anywhere, he'll come all the way over and say “Hey, man, how's it going? Just checking in.” He's the same guy right now that he was when I met him years ago, which speaks volumes about him. That would be a bucket list cut for me.
WHAT INSPIRED YOU TO CREATE YOUR SHOW “AN EVENING WITH MONTY CRISWELL”?
I had never thought of doing this. It was not on my radar. But when I was playing corporate shows, I kept having people come up to me saying. “You tell really great stories about these songs. Have you ever thought about doing like a life coach, keynote address about this stuff?” Then during my cancer treatment, I was assigned a case manager from my healthcare company and all summer last year we talked every two weeks. Halfway through the process, she goes “Have you ever thought about doing a life coach thing?” And I was like, “You’re the eighth person that said it to me.” I started thinking, Well, maybe that's my little wink, wink from above to focus on that. So I started writing a script and then it started coming together.
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“I always joke songs are like babies. It doesn't matter how fast the baby comes out, it doesn't mean the child's going to be brilliant.”
“It really doesn't take any time to pick up the phone and call or text or say a prayer for somebody or to be invested in them, to let them know that you love them and that you're thinking about them and praying for them.”
TELL ME ABOUT YOUR SHOW AND WHAT AUDIENCES CAN EXPECT.
You can basically break the show into three sections: how I grew up and became a songwriter, the stories behind the hits—what inspired the songs, how they were written, how some of the lines ended up being like they were—and then overcoming adversity.
They'll be fun to listen to because you'll get to hear them in a way that you normally haven't heard. It’ll make you cry. It'll make you laugh a lot. It'll break your heart and inspire you.
YOU RECENTLY BEAT YOUR BATTLE WITH CANCER. HOW HAS THAT CHANGED YOUR OUTLOOK ON BOTH LIFE AND SONGWRITING?
It was an edifying process. I always try to be a really good friend. I learned to be an even better friend. I learned to not worry about the little things. There are things now that I used to worry about that make me laugh because they just don’t matter. I decided to be pickier about the songs I wrote, to try to do something I'm really proud of,
and just try to be there for other people. I just don't worry about small stuff. If we're going to leave a legacy, go love somebody and love your kid, love your husband, your wife, whomever. Love your friends, because that will last long after you're gone. How you made them feel, they'll pass that down.
WHAT DO YOU HOPE PEOPLE TAKE AWAY FROM YOUR SHOW?
I hope they take away to take care of themselves, to be patient with everybody, to love each other a little more, to fight when you have to fight to, to be a better friend, to be a better family member. Trace [Adkins] was a great friend to me. He's cut 19 songs of mine throughout the years and I couldn't ask for a better friend. During my battle with cancer, he would call me every other day. I finally told him “Look, I know you're on the road. I know you don't have time to call and check on me all the time,” and he goes “Monty, it don't take no time to love somebody.” I thought that was one of the greatest things anybody ever said to me. That it really doesn't take any time to pick up the phone and call or text or say a prayer for somebody or to be invested in them, to let them know that you love them and that you're thinking about them and praying for them. The very top thing I want people to know is if you never had to be thankful for a second chance at life, promise me you won't waste the first one, because it really will make a difference.
WHAT IS THE BEST WAY FOR PEOPLE TO PURCHASE TICKETS TO THE SHOW AT
THE FRANKLIN THEATRE?
Tickets can be purchased by visiting FranklinTheatre.com. A portion of all ticket proceeds will benefit cancer patients at Vanderbilt.
Photo by Micah Kandros
Lighting Up Franklin
ARTICLE BY KATHLEEN DAVIS
DIWALI'S FESTIVAL OF LIGHTS
Renewal and fresh beginnings, good combatting evil, strengthening bonds with family, friends and the community, and reflecting on personal and spiritual growth - these are just a few of the focuses of Diwali.
Diwali, or Dipawali, is India's biggest and most important holiday of the year. The festival gets its name from the clay lamps that Indians light outside their homes to symbolize the inner light that protects from spiritual darkness. This festival is as important as the Christmas holiday is to Christians.
Adarsh Raveendran, President of the India Association of Nashville says that “Diwali is a universal festival that welcomes everyone, regardless of background or beliefs. It promotes values such as unity, harmony, joy and gratitude.” Raveendran continues, “The origins of Diwali can be traced back to ancient India, with mentions in Hindu scriptures like the Padma Purana and Skanda Purana. Over the centuries, it has evolved into a festival that blends regional and cultural traditions.”
Diwali is celebrated across Hinduism, Jainism, and Sikhism. In Hinduism, Diwali celebrates Lord Rama's return to Ayodhya after 14 years of exile. The people welcomed him with rows of lit lamps (diyas), symbolizing good triumphing over evil. In Jainism, Diwali marks
PHOTOGRAPHY PROVIDED BY INDIA ASSOCIATION OF NASHVILLE
the day Lord Mahavira, the last Jain Tirthankara (spiritual leader), attained enlightenment. In Sikhism, Diwali commemorates the release of Guru Hargobind Singh, the sixth Sikh Guru, from imprisonment.
Raveendran adds, “If you have never attended a Diwali celebration, you will find that Diwali is a vibrant and joyful festival that is often referred to as the 'Festival of Lights.' Diwali is all about celebrating the victory of light over darkness, good over evil, knowledge over ignorance, and hope over despair. Though traditions differ among religions, the core message is the same.”
Diwali is celebrated over five days. On day one, people typically clean their homes and shop for gold or kitchen utensils to help bring good fortune. Raveendran says, “Wearing new clothes and jewelry is common.” Lighting diyas and candles is another tradition, which is done on the second day. People decorate their homes and create design patterns called rangoli on the floor using colored powders or sand. Day three, the main day of the festival, is marked with “gathering for festive meals, fireworks and sparklers and worshipping deities, particularly Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth and prosperity,” says Raveendran. Day four is seen as the first day of the new year and is a time when friends and relatives visit and “exchange gifts and sweets with loved ones,” Raveendran says. The fifth and final day is the time when brothers visit their married sisters and have a meal together.
Raveendran says the entire five-day celebration is filled with “worshipping, enjoying music, dance and cultural performances.” Whether Diwali is a holiday that you observe every year, or is a festival that you have never had the opportunity to enjoy, visit Iantn.org/diwali for celebration opportunities.
“If you have never attended a Diwali celebration, you will find that Diwali is a vibrant and joyful festival that is often referred to as the ‘Festival of Lights.’ Diwali is all about celebrating the victory of light over darkness, good over evil, knowledge over ignorance, and hope over despair.”
ARTIST DANNY GOKEY IS
ARTICLE BY LISA VALENTINE PHOTOGRAPHY PROVIDED
While he may be best known for his music career — which was launched as a top three finalist on season eight of American Idol — K-LOVE and Dove Award winning artist, Danny Gokey, is doing acts of kindness across the country to leave the world better than he found it.
When he lost his first wife Sophia, he wanted to start an organization in her memory to help those in need. “We had health benefits through her job,” shares Gokey. “We had medical and dental, but I didn't realize attached to it was a $39,000 death benefit. And I took that little bit of money and when I got it, I felt compelled to start a legacy that would remember her.”
Living in Middle Tennessee, Gokey founded an organization that began helping with local needs, like creating a facility in an old Best Buy store to help distribute furniture, food, water, and cleaning supplies during the 2010 flooding in Nashville. When the organization had to relocate, they were gifted a hospital building in East Nashville that allowed them to house 200 families experiencing homelessness. “We did a lot of great work, but we were always in some kind of need of finances to keep the ministry going,” he says. After helping those families, Gokey made the hard decision to close his organization. They sold their building and used the money to start Better Than I Found it in 2022, a nonprofit organization with a unique model that works as a catalyst to help existing nonprofits and charities further their work. “We help people who were in my position, who are doing a great thing, who are meeting the needs of the community,” says Gokey. “We wanted to make sure that they would never have to shut the doors like we did and so now we find the good. We shine the light; we leave it better. We tell other people’s stories. We resource them, in other words, to make sure that they are hitting the bullseye of their vision, and we wrap our arms around them. We tell the stories and it's been really rewarding.”
In addition to helping people across the country and even internationally, Gokey and his team do a lot of work in Middle Tennessee with organizations such as People Loving Nashville, Cul2vate, and The Bridge Ministry. A few years ago, Better Than I Found It put over $100,000 into renovating a new facility and kitchen for People Loving Nashville, a nonprofit that helps provide food, clothing, and a sense of community every week for the unhoused in Nashville. Gokey and his team also purchased a 15-passenger van to help with transportation for local organization Cul2vate, which helps provide food and jobs to those in need of a second chance. In addition to helping nonprofits in Nashville, Better Than I Found It has also spread kindness across the country in a multitude of ways, such as by granting wishes for senior citizens and providing a box truck to a nonprofit in New Jersey that refurbishes furniture for those coming out of homelessness. “We started noticing that some of the big things are unsustainable, but yet we know our mission is to make sure that we get stories out there that are infiltrating the social media timelines and being a light on our social media feeds,” he says. Knowing that small deeds can have a big impact, Gokey and his team have also partnered with several Domino’s Pizza locations to be a bright light by covering customers’ meals or giving them a cash surprise with their pizzas. “We went out and said, ‘Let's go find people and let's just go make their day,’” he says. “‘Let's pay for their pizzas. Let’s surprise him with a cash gift.’ We just think it's such a nice touch to someone’s day and a nice story that's created to warm people's hearts.”
Nonprofits can apply to receive funding from Better Than I Found It, but Gokey and his team are also always on the lookout themselves to find needs to meet and to share stories of hope and positivity. “It's not just us getting behind an organization or a ministry or a nonprofit,” says Gokey. “It's us trying to tell the story and change the narrative.
There's such a negative news cycle in our culture that we are trying to bring some stories that will warm people's hearts. Stories that’ll encourage people, stories that’ll keep the faith alive and the love alive in our culture.”
The good work of the organization is funded by the initial seed money from selling the building and a small group of donors. Those looking to help can sign up to be monthly donors on its website. “We’re looking to build our monthly donor base,” Gokey says.“Instead of a few people doing all the heavy lifting, getting the army of donors and everyone coming together little by little and doing the lifting together."
Gokey has a line of eyewear out, Danny Gokey Eyewear, and released his most recent album, Sound of Heaven, this summer and is touring throughout the rest of the year. “I hope people can take a deep breath and feel refreshed when they listen to it,” he says of the album. “That they can feel, you know, the weight of this world, the anxieties, the oppressions of this world that want to creep up on us, go and get a new perspective. Get a new perspective that life is meant to be beautiful. Life is meant to be enjoyed and under all the pressures that when you put this album on that there's hope that rises up in your heart. Joy that rises up and kind of refocuses people to go after their dreams, go after what they were put on this earth for.”
BetterThanIFoundIt.org DannyGokey.com
How To Host A Fabulous Friendsgiving
ARTICLE BY KELLIE WALTON | PHOTOGRAPHY PROVIDED
The holiday season is synonymous with traditions: things like unearthing a time-honored turkey recipe, strategically placing meaningful decorations, and attending festive community events come to mind. But a new tradition has popped up in recent years rooted in gratitude for your chosen family.
Friendsgiving is, typically, a festive holiday meal shared amongst friends during the weeks leading up to Turkey Day itself. This has rapidly become a cherished tradition, and we’re connecting with veteran hosts to share tips and tricks for a successful gathering.
DIVIDE AND CONQUER
The holidays can be jam-packed and a bit stressful, so don’t feel pressured to put together a full Friendsgiving meal alone! If you’re gathering your gal pals or bringing families together, consider hosting your event potluck-style so each attendee is responsible for one item. And if kids are coming, guests should be responsible for accommodating their picky eaters.
Designate ownership over seasonal apps, cocktails or mocktails, and festive desserts, then turn your attention to decorations and making the perfect main.
PREPARE IN ADVANCE
Veteran host Megan Brady considers Friendsgiving the highlight of her year, and her overarching piece of advice is to prepare early. Once the date is set, pick a theme, make a menu, select your recipes, and start gathering ingredients to mitigate any of that last-minute scrambling we’ve all experienced during meal prep.
A few of Megan’s pro tips and considerations: plan your serving ware in advance so each item has a designated dish, and be mindful about cooking times and oven space (a lot of traditional dishes require ample baking time).
Our Friendsgiving quarterback also let us in on a secret – she outsources a few dishes instead of having everything scratch-made. “Last year, I did boxed mashed potatoes and didn’t tell anyone. Everyone raved about how good they were.” She also acquired a pre-made turkey from Whole Foods, which opened up significant space in the oven for more dynamic dishes.
REMEMBER: THERE ARE NO RULES
While the name and the timing may feel like the meal should default to a traditional turkey dinner, remember that Friendsgiving is all about connecting with dear friends. There are no rules when it comes to the menu, so when Fieldstone Farms resident Amy Phillips hosted a gathering for eight adults and 19 children, she made it easy.
“We picked up Costco pizzas and pies, and it was the most fun Friendsgiving ever,” she says. “Thanksgiving food becomes less special if you have it too many times, so we prioritize that for celebrating the holiday with family.”
HAVE FUN WITH IT
I consider hosting a personality trait, and my ultimate advice is to mitigate stress and focus on fun. For me, that means thoughtful decorations (pro tip: Trader Joe’s has affordable mini pumpkins and excellent fall flowers), a pretty presentation (see: prepare in advance), and experimenting in the kitchen (I’m a beginner, so this is a daily occurrence anyway). I thoroughly enjoy saving recipe and decor ideas from social media, connecting with friends and family to learn their favorite traditions, and creating a space meant to make a memory.
When I host, I focus on the senses: taste is obviously important, but is there a nice playlist audible in the background? Can we see ambient candles and fresh flowers? Is there comfortable seating? Is there a simmer pot or seasonal candle wafting through the air? These touches always help enhance a get-together.
Ultimately, your Friendsgiving celebration should be whatever you want it to be. With a little thoughtful preparation, be it placing that Costco order, delegating dishes, or whipping up a full spread on your own, remember the ultimate goal: connection, gratitude, and fellowship.
ARTICLE BY MARIA DINOIA | PHOTOGRAPHY BY JOSEPH LLANES
Of Music Sharing The Power
CHRIS KIRKPATRICK IS GIVING BACK WITH NOTES FOR NOTES
Chris Kirkpatrick grew up an underprivileged kid. Cheap motels, trailer parks, no electricity or telephone and living in his car when they had one, were all a part of his childhood. So when he was approached about the opportunity to partner with Notes for Notes (N4N), it was a no-brainer for him to jump on board. Notes for Notes is a nonprofit organization that provides youth with free access to music instruments, instruction and recording studio environments so that music may become a profoundly positive influence in their lives. Today, N4N has served over 8,500 youth in 23 studios across 11 states/14 cities. Located inside Boys & Girls Clubs/youth facilities (and soon public schools), N4N studios are gateways to exploring music, careers in the industry and producing original music that empowers young musicians. The Franklin studio opened earlier this year.
"I've been in studios doing production and vocals for the last 30 years of my life," say Kirkpatrick. "And more recently, doing more editing, finalizing, finishing type things, so it was the perfect opportunity. And I know what it's like to need this type of atmosphere, to need camaraderie and not just during school but after school."
"So when these kids go in, they get to work on equipment that they would normally otherwise not get to see," continues Kirkpatrick. “They get to learn all the aspects of recording. Some of them want to be singers, some of them want to be guitar players, or drummers, some want to be producers. And Notes for Notes is so good about giving those kids those opportunities And some want to learn, like me, the whole gamut of what goes on in the music business.”
In fact, Kirkpatrick and his family (wife Karly and son Nash) moved to the Nashville area a little over eight years ago to be near the music. "We came
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With Philip Gilley, N4N CEO/Co-founder (L) and Producer Ryan Venable (R)
because of the music," he says. “I always thought that I felt like a big fish in a small pond in Orlando, and I had a big studio set up there. The scene in Orlando had kind of died out and a friend of mine, one of my business partners, passed away and it was hard to get back into that studio and work again with his kind of aura around it. So we came here for a fresh new start. I had been up here writing since the 1990s. I told my wife this would be the place, if we ever moved out of Florida, that I'd want to go because of the music, because of the scene. And I think one of the greatest things is being a music fan as well, you get venues from Kimbro's to the stadium and everything in between, to where it's like if you want to go see somebody, it's like, 'oh, I'm playing this club, it seats about 200, 500, 700, 1,000, 15,000, 100,000.' It's just a great opportunity as a fan of music to be around the music too. And it gives me a lot of opportunities to rub elbows with producers and writers and do a lot more."
Doing more is in Kirkpatrick's blood. For one thing, he's been a staple on the Pop2000 tour for the last three years. "Every year, I feel like it gets bigger and we do more shows," he says. "The yearning is there for that old 2000s era to come back. And we change the show up and we have a bunch of bands from that era. We've had Mark McGrath from Sugar Ray, Smash Mouth, The Calling, BBMak, Ryan Cabrera, O-Town, Jeff Timmons from 98 Degrees, myself, LFO. And we just bring this fun little package to all these places. People hear the songs and it just brings them back." For another thing, he co-hosts the Name Drop podcast with buddy Brian McFayden, termed 'the VIP section of the airwaves, but without the velvet ropes and bouncers.'
So what's next for Kirkpatrick? Perhaps an NSYNC reunion tour? "It's not a definitive yes, it's not a definitive no, but it's definitely the most it's been discussed. And I feel like there's going to
NSYNC getting their star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 2018/Photo by: Kathy Hutchins/Shutterstock
“I came from a trailer park to superstardom, and that's a story you hear about a lot and you've seen, but it's major culture shock.”
be something." Fans will just have to sit tight on that one.
Whatever is next, Kirkpatrick will give it his all. "I knew the minute we moved here, I was like, this is my place," he says. "This is my home. I love the people. I love the town. I don't want to change anything about it. I just want to enjoy it and I want to feel like I'm part of everything. Being a dad is amazing. Being a husband is amazing. Being a musician is still amazing. I still get to do these tours. We get to do the podcast. And just see what comes out, whether it's going back in the studio and writing some more, getting back to the production side of it. No better place than here to do that. And mostly, just once the next step hits, taking it and running with it. Everything we do, we do 101 percent and put more than everything we got into it."
@iamckirkpatrick NotesForNotes.org
Performing on the Pop2000s tour/Photo by Chris Sayers
Name Drop show. Photo from Instagram
“I knew the minute we moved here, I was like, this is my place. This is my home. I love the people. I love the town.”
About the The 'Name Drop' Podcast
"Brian {McFayden} and I have been friends for 25 years. And we were sitting around one day at one of the Pop2000 shows we were playing, and he was co-hosting with me. We were talking afterwards, and he's like, 'Dude, we need to do a show together. We should do a podcast.' I liked the idea but everybody's got a podcast. What would it entail? We were trying to figure out ideas and who we could have on. I looked at him like, 'Dude, you're just sitting here name-dropping the whole time.' He says, 'Name Drop. That's it.' I was like, 'What are you talking about?'
And we start kicking it around. We all have stories with other celebrities like when you're doing The Tonight Show or you're doing interviews, you're doing magazines. You don't say, 'Well, let me tell you about this time I was with Michael Jackson' or whoever. So we like to get these stories out of people, and basically we tell the person when we start to interview, that we want you to name-drop. We throw out ideas, we go through their history. And if a story comes up like, 'Oh, and that was a time where I met this person, then we can go off on those tangents and talk about whoever that was. And we've gotten a lot of really cool stories and really, really random name-drops. Everyone from the Pope and Nelson Mandela to presidents to whoever, and it always feels like six degrees of separation, which is fun." @namedropshow Podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/name -drop-with-chris-kirkpatrick-and-brian -mcfayden/id1700562265
Faith-Based COLLEGE PREP
FOR MANY PARENTS, ENROLLING THEIR CHILDREN AT COLUMBIA ACADEMY IS AN EASY DECISION
ARTICLE BY ED ATLAS | PHOTOGRAPHY PROVIDED
Of all the choices parents have to make on behalf of their children, choosing a school is at, or near, the top of the list. Beyond academics, relevant concerns include facilities and technology, social and spiritual development, extracurricular activities, security and transportation.
Jenny and Tim Chase of Thompson’s Station share those concerns for their children as well but, in their case, the choice was an easy one: Columbia Academy (CA). “Jenny and I are always talking about the great experiences our children are having,” says Chase. “Columbia Academy does such a wonderful job of ensuring their healthy development, academically and socially. The facilities are great and the campus itself is steeped in history and beautiful to be on. We love it.”
Their advocacy comes naturally as both Jenny and Tim are Columbia Academy graduates. Tim’s family moved to Columbia from Michigan in 1991 and he entered CA in sixth grade. “I attended a private school in Michigan and my parents wanted the same for me here,” he says. “They wanted a smaller, Christian school and CA sets you on the right course. The curriculum, combined with chapel and Bible classes, prepare you for that next step in your life."
For Chase, that next step was taken at Tennessee Tech where he graduated in 2002 with a B.S. in computer information
systems. Today, he works in cyber security. “Cookeville is about the same size as Columbia, but Tennessee Tech was a change in culture,” he says. “It’s a much larger school, but CA gave me the academic tools I needed and taught me how to study so that I wasn’t totally overwhelmed by the newfound freedom I had. The adjustment for me was not as great as it was for many other students because I was on the right path academically.”
Now, it’s the Chase children who are traveling that same path. Their three youngest are on the Spring Hill campus in Pre-K, third and fifth grade. Their oldest daughter, Ansley, is in seventh grade and in her first year on the Upper School campus in Columbia. Last year she won two major awards: The Principal’s Award, which goes to the student who exemplifies leadership skills, and she was named Player of the Year by her soccer coaches.
“Ansley has had a great experience,” Chase says. “She started in kindergarten and continues to make great strides academically and has even had the option of skipping a couple of levels of math. Outside of class, she has played soccer and tennis and has appeared in two school plays. Theatre production is second-to-none and the experience the students get in terms of choreography and set design is advanced.
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The athletics programs are strong and continue to improve. They have a new gym, a great football field, beautiful soccer and baseball fields and they’re upgrading the track and field facilities. They do everything possible to create great experiences in all areas for every student.”
And if a prospective CA student happens to be reading this story, Tim Chase has the answer to the most important question of all: “How much homework should I expect to have?” “There’s a decent amount of homework but it’s not too bad. Ansley has about 30 to 90 minutes per night.”
Most students’ Columbia Academy experience will begin on the Spring Hill campus and the school goes to great lengths to ensure that the introduction is a positive one. "Columbia Academy at Spring Hill partners with parents by offering many ways to get involved, such as being a "room mom", volunteering to help with our elementary cross-country team, or joining the C.A.R.E. (Columbia Academy Reaching Everyone) Committee,” says CA President, Dr. James A. Thomas. “Parents are also encouraged to be active participants in their child's education, with open lines of communication between teachers and parents as an expectation."
Since 1979, Columbia Academy has been providing a challenging, yet Christ-centered college preparatory education for students from preschool to 12th grade. The Upper School campus covers 67 acres in the heart of Columbia and is home to students in grades 7-12. Preschool-sixth grade students attend classes on the CA campus at 756 Beechcroft Road in Spring Hill. CABulldogs.org
The Chase Family
Ansley Chase in action
Supportive
Organization Seeks To Foster Connections And Community For Families Of Diverse Abilities
ARTICLE BY LAUREN KELLY PHOTOGRAPHY PROVIDED
Spaces
Noralyn and Gilly at Martin's Barbecue Dance Night
One mother’s commitment to inclusivity has blossomed into a vital community resource in Spring Hill, Tennessee, Walnut Creek, California, and nationwide online. Noralyn Giles, co-founder and chair of Friday Night Out, created the 501(c)3 non-profit not only to foster meaningful connections for those with diverse abilities but also to support parents in their shared journeys.
“Friday Night Out is a social group for people with special abilities,” Noralyn says. “With our 25-year old daughter who has Down syndrome, we noticed that in elementary school
and middle school, there’s typically an environment of inclusion and acceptance. Around the high school years, and beyond, it becomes harder to stay connected with their typically developing peers. When we started seeing that shift in our daughter’s life, we wanted her to have a social network that she could participate in and create lifelong friendships."
Friday Night Out gives people with special abilities the chance to have a fun Friday night out just like everyone else. In February 2024, Rachel Schreiber started in-person events for Friday Night Out in Spring Hill. “Here in Spring Hill we dance, eat pizza, go to local events together, and build community. We make friends that we never would have met if there wasn’t a safe place that we could gather
DJ Anna, Noralyn, Rachel, and Gilly
Noralyn's Daughter, Gilly, and her friend Lucas
Gilly and Rachel Wearing Their Purple
“FRIDAY
NI G HT OUT GIVES PEOPLE WITH SPECIAL AB ILITIES THE CHANCETO HAVE A FUN FRIDAY NIG HT OUT JUST LIKE EVERYONE
and everybody’s welcome.” Friday Night Out serves 25 people at the Spring Hill event, more than 85 people at the Walnut Creek event, and between 70-90 people online every Friday.
The organization’s desire to bring the community together goes beyond the young adults with special abilities, though. Noralyn’s own story, as a mother, created a deeper drive to connect parents as well.
“Not only are we serving these young adults, we are serving their parents or caregivers who all walk a similar journey,” says Noralyn.
Friday Night Out is supported by many local businesses and generous individual donors. The City of Spring Hill gives the group a safe place to meet at Westchester Community Center, Marco’s Pizza donates pizza, and local businesses like the Genie Group and Honey Do Services of Franklin support our event. "Our theme song, ‘Everybody’s Welcome,’ was written by award-winning songwriter, Michael Farren and Friday Night Out volunteer, Mark Schreiber," says Noralyn. Friends of the community volunteer their talent and time to make the Friday Night Out happen in Spring Hill the first Friday of each month.
FridayNightOut.net
Dancing at Martin's BBQ in Spring Hill
NOVEMBER 2ND
Pumpkin Paradise
Satterwhite Farm, Columbia | 9:00 AM
Ring in the autumn season at Satterwhite Farms Fall Festival. For only $8 per person you get full access to the farm's attractions, games, and gardens. Activities include hayrides, a pedal track, a hay maze, flying pigs and more. PumpkinParadiseTN.com
NOVEMBER 9TH
Nashville Fall Craft & Vendor Market
Cool Springs Galleria Mall | 10:00 AM
Enjoy browsing a unique, autumn-themed collection of handmade and specialty items while supporting your local businesses and artisans. CoolSpringsGalleria.com
NOVEMBER 10TH
Fozzy's Chili Cook-off
Fozzy's Bar & Grill | 12:00 PM
Participate in Fozzy’s first annual cook-off to decide who has the best chili in town. Bring your best recipe to compete or pay $5 to sample each offering and cast your vote for the winner. FozzysSpringHill.net
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