Maury County Living January/February 2023

Happy New Year! This is the time of year, we all make resolutions and put the past behind us as we look toward the future. As we begin the new year, Music City Publications, Inc., is giving away an exclusive night’s stay in a luxurious suite at the Westin Nashville. The suite night includes breakfast, dinner, and a relaxing massage for two to melt away any leftover stress from the holidays. One lucky winner will enjoy fabulous views of Music City and a suite night to remember!

In this issue, the cover feature shines the spotlight on the oldest family-owned car dealership in Maury County, Parks Motor Sales. Raise your glass this year and learn how to “toast with the most.” Meet the newest surgeons at Mid-Tennessee Bone & Joint Clinic and the talented trap and skeet champion, Cara Dobbs. Learn how to turn your workout resolutions into reality and if you are looking for something new to do in 2023, read why pickleball is the fastest-growing sport in America and give it a try. If sports are not your thing, then sign up for a Boards and Blooms class with Amy Montgomery and Aubree P., or shop at the new Shops at James Hill in Columbia.

In addition, we spotlight the husband-and-wife team behind TKC Architecture & Engineering and the owners of Circle and Stars Pizza. Learn about the benefits of functional medicine, how two sisters developed clean ingredient snack bars that taste great, and home improvement tips to make your home safe in 2023. Finally, discover how to achieve your body goals without surgery or toxins by utilizing the latest sculpting technology.

We proudly serve the community, and our mission at Maury County Living is to connect the community with local businesses so Maury County continues to prosper. If you have not followed us on Instagram and Facebook, please do and make sure to use #MAURYCOUNTYLIVING when posting. And don’t forget to enter to win the suite night at the Westin Nashville by January 31, 2023.

I thank you for the continued support of our business partners and shopping locally. The small business owners who made this issue possible thank you for your support too. And remember to mention you read about them in Maury County Living when you stop by!

Many blessings in the new year,

PARKS MOTOR SALES Keeps on Rolling

B y William Harwood

From left: Robert Rogers and Michael Parks Lawrence. PHOTO BY ROSS JAYNES VISUAL MEDIA CO.

AUTOMOTIVE EXCELLENCE DRIVEN BY COUSINS WHO CARE FOR THEIR COMMUNITY

Since 1958, a lot has changed under the hood of a GMC pickup truck. Back then, the only chips to be found anywhere in the vehicle may have been a big tin of Charles Chips riding shotgun next to the clutch. But, ever since that year, one thing is certain: if that truck were rolling off the lot of Parks Motor Sales in Maury County, then one quality would have remained consistent to this very day, regardless of the vehicle’s year, make or model, and that quality is service. Opened in 1958 by Bobby Parks, who remains the sole owner, Parks Motor Sales is now run by his grandsons, cousins Michael Parks Lawrence and Robert Rogers, making the family-driven car dealership the oldest in Maury County and a local landmark on Nashville Hwy since the dealership relocated there in 1968.

AS A FAMILY-OWNED BUSINESS, WE PRIDE OURSELVES IN HAVING A PLACE WHERE WE THINK PEOPLE CAN WORK HERE AND RETIRE. A LOT OF BUSINESSES ARE NOT LIKE THAT, IN MY OPINION. HERE, YOU CAN WORK AND MAKE A GOOD LIVING, AND HAVE A GOOD WORK-FAMILY LIFE BALANCE.

When the elder Parks first opened in 1958, the dealership sold and serviced AMC, Buick, GMC, Jeep, Pontiac, Opal, and Renault. These days, of course, not all those makes are even made. Now Parks Motor is all GMC and Buick, albeit with an extraordinarily diverse inventory backed by their decades-long track record of unmatched service, the well-oiled engine that keeps customer satisfaction with Parks Motor Sales firing on all cylinders. The key to generating that legacy of customer satisfaction, year after year, has to do with Parks Motor’s family-owned, family-friendly employees, and car-buying environment, which creates a fast, reliable, and transparent carbuying experience. This has kept their loyal customers coming back for generations.

“As a family-owned business, we pride ourselves in having a place where we think people can work here and retire,” says Rogers, the general manager. “A lot of businesses are not like that, in my opinion. Here, you can work and make a good living, and have a good work-family life balance.”

MANAGER

ROBERT ROGERS, GENERAL

JOSEPH CUMPSTON, SERVICE TECHNICIAN

While the family-friendly work culture has been a constant at Parks Motor Sales since its inception, the changes to the vehicles themselves have been nothing short of electrifying, literally. For example, Parks Motor recently sold a Hummer EV, the first of its kind in Maury County and definitely not the last. By 2030, Buick will go all-electric, and GMC will have a large portion of its vehicles electric as well. To keep current with these electric changes, Parks Motor is already plugged in, using electric vehicles for their service loaner and service runner needs.  “We want to help our customers get ready for the change and educate them,” says Rogers. “So we use electric as our company runner car, the vehicle that transports parts around, to get used to what it’s like to own an electric vehicle and what our customers are going to go through.”

Regardless of what drives a Parks Motor vehicle’s engine, the commitment to the expert servicing of that vehicle remains unchanged. The accolades that the dealership consistently earns attest to that commitment to excellence, most recently winning 2022’s Best of the Best from the Daily Herald:  Best Oil Change Service, Best Auto Dealer Service Department, Best New Car Dealership, and Best Used Car Dealership. The key to that decades-long road map of success is all about treating customers as family. “I'll tell you what I've said a million times around here,” says Marty Gulley, the Service Director at Parks Motors for the past nine years. “First, we are making the best and safest decision on the repair just like each customer was our mother, father, brother, or sister. Second, we ask our service department to do the job they were hired to do. It’s that simple. We give everyone the same answer we would give our family, the right answer.”

I'LL TELL YOU WHAT I'VE SAID A MILLION TIMES AROUND HERE. FIRST, WE ARE MAKING THE BEST AND SAFEST DECISION ON THE REPAIR JUST LIKE EACH CUSTOMER WAS OUR MOTHER, FATHER, BROTHER, OR SISTER. SECOND, WE ASK OUR SERVICE DEPARTMENT TO DO THE JOB THEY WERE HIRED TO DO. IT’S THAT SIMPLE. WE GIVE EVERYONE THE SAME ANSWER WE WOULD GIVE OUR FAMILY.

MARTY GULLEY, SERVICE DIRECTOR

MICHAEL CHRISTIAN, SALES MANAGER

But Parks Motor’s commitment to the community isn’t just confined to its own lot; the dealership gives back to others in multiple ways. “We can’t say yes to everything,” acknowledges Rogers, “but we try to say yes to any worthy causes that we can.” His cousin, Assistant General Manager Michael Parks Lawrence, agrees. “This community is just so special,” he observes. “It's helped my granddad; it's helped our parents; it's helped our business.” To give back and strengthen the community, Rogers sits on the board of the Columbia State Foundation and Lawrence is on the board of the Youth Education Foundation, Inc., an organization assisting with the costs of books and fees for Maury County students utilizing Tennessee Promise. “Our granddad was a veteran,” Lawrence says, “so that is important to our family to support veterans in the community as well as nationally. Recently we partnered with GM, who matched the donations, and donated to the Tunnel to Towers Foundation (T2T), which provides mortgage-free homes to Gold Star and fallen first responder families with young children. T2T is also committed to eradicating veteran homelessness and aiding victims of major U.S. disasters.”

Clearly, the cousins continue to steer Parks Motor Sales in the right direction, the one first laid out by their grandfather some 60-plus years ago. It’s hard to say what the next 60plus years will bring but if the past is prologue, folks in the future at Parks Motor will continue to find unparalleled expertise in service and an unwavering commitment to the community. It’s a family thing after all.

For additional information on Parks Motor Sales, visit parksmotorsales.com or call (931) 548-1361 for Sales and (931) 548-1373

for Service & Parts. Follow them on social media at @parksmotorsales n

Meet the Newest Surgeons

AT MID-TENNESSEE BONE & JOINT

Since 1975, Mid-Tennessee Bone & Joint Clinic has provided top-ranked orthopedic care to the people of middle Tennessee and beyond. Each doctor emphasizes a subspecialty focus including sports medicine, hip and knee replacement, shoulder replacement, foot and ankle reconstruction, hand injuries, minimally invasive spine surgery, and interventional pain management. With eleven orthopedic surgeons plus an interventional pain management specialist, MTBJ provides high-quality comprehensive care for your family’s orthopedic needs.

MTBJ would like to introduce the community to the three newest fellowship-trained orthopedic surgeons: Dr. Christopher Loftis, Dr. Carson Strickland, and Dr. Zachary Pharr. Each brings with them a wealth of knowledge and showcases their specialty to provide exceptional orthopedic care to Maury County and surrounding areas.

Dr. Christopher Loftis joined MTBJ in August 2022 as an orthopedic surgeon specializing in the shoulder and elbow with a special interest in arthroscopic shoulder surgery and shoulder replacement. He grew up in Nashville and earned his undergraduate degree in Biology from Harding University and was selected to the Alpha Chi Collegiate Honors Society. He received his medical degree from the University of Tennessee College of Medicine. His residency training was obtained at the University of Missouri Department of Orthopedic Surgery where he served as Chief Resident followed by a fellowship in shoulder and elbow surgery at the Texas Education and Research Foundation for Shoulder and Elbow Surgery. He helps provide team physician services to Marshall County schools.

In August 2022, Dr. Carson Strickland joined MTBJ as an orthopedic surgeon specializing in the foot and ankle with a focus on ankle replacement and ankle reconstruction. His undergraduate degrees in Biology and Psychology were obtained at the University of Georgia, and his medical degree from Mercer University School of Medicine, graduating in the top 1% of his class. He completed his orthopedic residency at UT-Campbell Clinic followed by an additional fellowship in foot and ankle surgery at the OrthoCarolina Foot and Ankle Institute in Charlotte, North Carolina.

Orthopedic surgeon Dr. Zachary Pharr joined MTBJ in July 2021 specializing in sports medicine with a focus on restoring active individuals with acute injuries through arthroscopic and minimally invasive techniques. As a Nashville native, he received his degree in Biology from Lipscomb University. His medical degree was obtained from the University of Tennessee College of Medicine, graduating top of his class with Alpha Omega Alpha honors and being selected to the Gold Humanism Honor Society for compassionate care. He completed residency training at UT-Campbell Clinic where he served as Chief Resident followed by fellowship training at the American Sports Medicine Institute with Andrews Sports Medicine and Orthopaedic Center, where he served as a team physician for the University of Alabama 2020-2021 National Champion football team. He has treated athletes at all levels from youth to professional including the athletic programs of the University of Alabama, the University of Memphis, Memphis Redbirds, Birmingham Barons, and Memphis Grizzlies. He currently provides team physician coverage for multiple schools at the high school and college levels.

Mid-Tennessee Bone & Joint is devoted to providing specialized, compassionate, and exceptional orthopedic care to the residents of Middle Tennessee. For the convenience of patients, Mid-Tennessee Bone & Joint has two locations in Maury and Marshall Counties, with the main office located in Columbia. The convenience of staying local for complete orthopedic care without having to travel to larger cities is paramount to our patients.

Additionally, Mid-Tennessee Bone & Joint offers onsite MRI and CT scan services, an outpatient surgery center, OrthoQuick, and a Physical Therapy department. OrthoQuick is MTBJ’s walk-in service that specializes in treating acute injuries such as sprains, strains, and fractures and accepts walk-ins daily.

For additional information about MTBJ, visit mtbj.net and follow them on social media at @MidTennesseeBoneJointClinic. n

CHRISTOPHER M. LOFTIS, MD Shoulder & Elbow Surgery

CARSON D. STRICKLAND, MD Foot & Ankle Surgery

ZACHARY K. PHARR, MD Sports Medicine Shoulder & Elbow Hip Arthroscopy

ORTHOPEDIC SURGEON DR. ZACHARY PHARR JOINED MTBJ IN JULY 2021 SPECIALIZING IN SPORTS MEDICINE WITH A FOCUS ON RESTORING ACTIVE INDIVIDUALS WITH ACUTE INJURIES THROUGH ARTHROSCOPIC AND MINIMALLY INVASIVE TECHNIQUES.

imagine ...

More than sixty years ago, the building hummed of sewing machines and production at one of the largest shirt factories in southern Tennessee.

Now fast forward to find this incredible 71,000 square foot industrial facility converted to its present-day grandeur with the original steel windows and doors, an outside deck for music and entertainment, food, gifts, specialty tea, a boutique resale shop, and so much more. There is ample parking, and you can expect the unexpected from music on Saturdays, to rare antiques and treasures of all kinds every day of the week. Plan your day at the Factory at Columbia and experience all these wonderful retail and dining establishments under one roof.

By Adam & Kathryn York

PHOTOS BY MAIDEN AND MOON PHOTO CO.

OUT WITH THE OLD AND IN WITH THE NEW

That’s a phrase we hear often at the start of a new year, and it can apply to everything from attitudes to careers to health patterns to relationships and so much more. So, as you raise your glass to new beginnings and fresh starts, here are some must-have barware tools that will help you “toast with the most.”

DECANTERS & SHAKERS

Not only are decanters beautiful and stylish conversation pieces for your bar cart or cabinet, but they can also contribute greatly to enhancing the aroma and flavors of a variety of spirits, including brandy, cognac, scotch, tequila, vodka, whiskey, and wine. A cocktail shaker can also add style to your barware display, while it acts as a closed vessel for thoroughly mixing a drink’s ingredients and simultaneously chilling the drink.

1GLASSWARE

Perhaps the most important element of a barware collection is glassware. Whether you’re into whiskey or wine, each type of glass is specifically designed to bring out certain aromas, colors, flavors, and temperatures for your beverages of choice. All in all, glassware can have a surprising impact on the taste of a beverage, so make sure to choose the right type of glass that is designed for your favorite drink.

3UTENSILS

Barware utensils are available in a variety of options and styles, with each serving specific, practical purposes. Whether you need bottle openers, cocktail spoons, ice tongs, jiggers, muddlers, strainers, and more—you can choose your utensils à la carte style to cater to your drinks of choice, or you can find a wide selection of barware utensil sets that are organized and beautifully styled on stands or bases.

ICE BUCKETS & WINE BOTTLE COOLERS

Two more practical barware items to have on hand are ice buckets and wine bottle coolers. For spirits that need to stay chilled, an ice bucket or wine bottle cooler can be a very convenient way to keep beverages at the perfect temperature while entertaining guests without making multiple trips to your kitchen freezer.

5WHISKEY STONES & ICE MOLDS

Whiskey stones and ice molds make ideal gifts and now come in a variety of designs, materials, and styles. Consider classic marble whiskey stones or even stainless steel ones to keep your drink cold without diluting its flavor. Ice molds are now available in almost any size or shape you can imagine, and larger pieces of ice will generally melt slower than multiple smaller pieces, which can also help keep your drink from being diluted while you sip.

6COCKTAIL MIXERS

Every person has unique flavor preferences, so cocktail mixers can save the day when you don’t have the capacity or time to find and prepare bitters, fresh fruits, or herbs. The options out there for cocktail mixers are endless, so have fun experimenting with unique flavor combinations or play it safe with a classic cocktail mixer of your choice.

BOOKS

In the same way that cookbooks in a kitchen or coffee table books in your living room offer practicality and style, cocktail books can make your bar cart or cabinet look beautiful, while also being a quick source of inspiration for whipping up new drinks or finding recipes for all the classics. There are books themed specifically for just about every drink of choice, as well as compilation books filled with a wide range of drink ideas and recipes.

READY TO SHAKE THINGS UP?

If you’re making changes or resolutions within your home this year, maybe it’s time to shake things up with your barware too. Cheers to the adventure! n

7ADAM & KATHRYN YORK are the owners and curators of Smith & York Company, a modern home boutique located on the square in downtown Columbia, Tennessee, and Lime & Loaf, a kitchen shop located at New South Marketplace in downtown Columbia. Open seven days a week at both shops, Smith & York Co. offers a diverse selection of home goods, including tabletop accessories, barware, lighting, textiles, planters, and gift items, while Lime & Loaf offers a wide selection of kitchen essentials for cooking and baking. Learn more at smithandyork.co and limeandloaf.com

TURNING RESOLUTIONS into Reality

With the new year beginning, resolutions are on everyone’s mind. However, the motivation to stick with a goal can quickly diminish as spring approaches. For many, January is a time to recommit to health and wellness goals, but exercise plans can be daunting. Dave Kempfert, Director of Rehabilitation Services at Bone and Joint Institute of Tennessee, offers his best practices to making fitness a priority all year long.

CHOOSE THE RIGHT WORKOUT

The key to creating a successful exercise plan is choosing the right type of exercise for your needs. This starts with identifying your goals such as losing weight, increasing strength or boosting mental health. “Make sure it’s your resolution, not someone else’s,” said Kempfert. “No one will follow through with something they are not personally motivated by.” Traditional gyms are not the only place to get in a workout, and there are lots of ways to stay in shape, so do your research. Still don’t know where to start? Kempfert suggests a baseline of 20-30 minutes of activity a day. A short walk or bike ride might not seem like a large commitment, but it can set you on a path for better health.

KNOW YOUR LIMITS

When starting a new exercise routine, you need to be aware of your experience level and limitations. “Failing to give your body time to adjust to new activity can result in sprains, strains and tendonitis, which can lead to potential loss of ability to continue with your plan, as well as lead to a loss of motivation,” Kempfert says. To successfully reach your goal, he advises being realistic about your limits such as the amount of time you have to exercise as well as physical limitations.

BEST PRACTICES FOR MAKING AND KEEPING NEW YEAR’S HEALTH RESOLUTIONS FROM DAVE KEMPFERT — PHYSICAL THERAPIST

PHOTOS COURTESY OF BONE AND JOINT INSTITUTE.

FINDING A TRAINER WHO CAN HELP YOU LEARN PROPER FORM AND TECHNIQUE IS CRITICAL TO AVOID OVER/UNDERTRAINING AND INJURY.

GIVE YOURSELF GRACE

People often lose motivation or give up on their fitness goals because they do not see results immediately. Being fit does not necessarily mean that you are at your ideal weight. “People say they are not losing weight but fail to see the other great results that come from working out,” says Kempfert. Exercise can increase strength, improve overall health and release endorphins to boost mental health, all of which are reason enough to redefine your idea of success.

START WITH THE BASICS

“People sometimes get focused on details before they have tackled basic movement patterns that are crucial for proper form and a successful workout,” says Kempfert. He advises starting your workout program with large dynamic movements that build strength in larger muscle groups.

SHARE YOUR EXPERIENCE

Another great way to stick to your resolution is to share your exercise journey with others. According to Kempfert, committing to a goal with a partner is a great way to boost motivation. “Gyms are a great way to socialize and meet like-minded people who encourage you to push yourself,” he says. If you need more structure and direction, try group classes like CrossFit or barre that you can enjoy with others. Whether it’s meeting new people at the gym, signing up for a yoga class with a family member or a little friendly competition on a run, being active with others can encourage you to achieve your goals.

UTILIZE YOUR RESOURCES

With all the programs and options available, it can be overwhelming to know how to get started toward your fitness goals. Kempfert suggests finding qualified professionals such as personal trainers or dieticians who can help you build a personalized plan. Finding a trainer who can help you learn proper form and technique is critical to avoid over/undertraining and injury, Kempfert warns. “Look for a trainer who listens to you and understands your goals,” he says. A dietician can ensure that you are fueling your body with the best nutrition along the way. There are many great online resources for at-home workouts and meal prepping that can help you achieve your goals but taking the time to research the best options for you is what really leads to success.

EXERCISE CAN INCREASE STRENGTH, IMPROVE OVERALL HEALTH AND RELEASE ENDORPHINS TO BOOST MENTAL HEALTH, ALL OF WHICH ARE REASON ENOUGH TO REDEFINE YOUR IDEA OF SUCCESS.

Above all else, listening to your body is crucial. Taking a rest day or icing sore muscles can be beneficial and ultimately lead to better long-term results. However, if the pain does not subside with time, you may need to see a specialist. The physical therapists at Bone and Joint Institute can see you under Direct Access laws, meaning that they do not require a doctor’s referral for a visit if you become injured. These professionals can access your injury and give you exercise and activity recommendations for your personal needs so that a small injury does not progress to a longstanding impairment. “When it comes to fitness, consistency is key,” says Kempfert. “But remember to always listen to your body and don’t be afraid to ask for help.” n

DAVE KEMPFERT, PT, serves as the Director of Rehabilitation Services for Bone and Joint Institute of Tennessee. A former collegiate All-American and NFL offensive lineman, he has spent 20 years as a physical therapist specializing in outpatient orthopaedics and sports medicine physical therapy.

TRAP AND SKEET SHOOTING

Trap and Skeet Shooting is a combination sport where the athlete uses a shotgun to shoot moving clay targets. The difference between trap and skeet shooting is in trap shooting the clay pigeon is flying away from the participant, and in skeet shooting the point is to hit two clay pigeons that are crossing one another. Trap shooting was created in the 1800s as a replacement for live pigeon shooting that simulates bird hunting; hence, the reason the clay targets are named clay pigeons. Skeet shooting was invented in the 1920s by a grouse hunter and there are two different kinds of skeet shooting: American and International. International skeet is also known as Olympic Skeet because it follows the Olympic format for the sport. The shooting sport is one that takes a lot of discipline and involves many moving parts including angles, height, distance, and speed, and also promotes the importance of safely handling firearms.

Maury County resident, Cara Dobbs, at 15 years old, is one of the top Trap and Skeet Shooters in Tennessee. At just four years old, she was gifted her first gun by her father, a pink rifle and the two would go shooting together. Dobbs being so small and young, would lay prone on the ground to shoot targets. Fast forward to age 10, when Dobbs entered her first competition on the Zion Christian Academy Trap Team. “I was small and super weak, and really didn’t know what I was doing,” she said. “It was freezing cold, and I was soaking wet from the rain. It was not a good experience at all and then I cut my finger on the chamber during the shooting, so I just quit.” Little did she know she was only just getting started.

B y Peri Gardner

Trap and Skeet Shooting is an individual and team sport made up of squads and teams. Cara explained, “For a trap squad there are five people, skeet squad it’s three people, and for a sporting clay squad there are three people. Altogether, the squads create the team.” Her father, Jimmy Dobbs, chimed in stating, “It’s a skill that is good to have in life because it’s a discipline that requires safety and technical abilities as well as concentration. But in terms of a sport, it’s a team sport and individual sport, plus an opportunity for college scholarships.”

In April 2022, Dobbs competed and won the women’s gold Medal in the Junior Olympics in a tense shoot-off.  “We were told that she is the first middle-school- aged girl in the state to win the Gold Medal in the Regional Junior Olympics, which includes high school and college-age competitors,” said Cara’s mom.  Her dad explained, “The other competitors dismissed her because she didn't do well the first day, but she totally came back from behind and won by quite a bit, so you know it wasn't a fluke. That was really exciting to watch.”

AT THE SCTP REGIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS HELD IN NASHVILLE IN JUNE 2022, DOBBS MEDALED IN ALL THREE DISCIPLINES: WINNING FIRST IN TRAP WITH AN ALMOST PERFECT SCORE — 98 OUT OF 100, SECOND IN SPORTING CLAYS, AND SECOND IN SKEET.

At the SCTP Regional Championships held in Nashville in June 2022, Dobbs medaled in all three disciplines: winning first in trap with an almost perfect 98 out of 100, second in sporting clays, and second in skeet. With these victories, she was set to compete in the 2022 Tennessee State Championships later in June, SCTP National Championships in Ohio in July, and National Junior Olympic Championships in Michigan in late July. However, Dobbs broke her shoulder playing soccer the weekend before State Championships and unfortunately was out for the rest of the season.

After many hours of physical therapy, Dobbs was finally given a doctor’s permission to compete again in late September 2022. And compete she did! After getting the green light, her first time to shoot in over 4 months, she handily won first place in the women's division and her team also took first place in the Shoot for the Cure event on October 15, 2022.

It’s safe to say that Dobbs is a brilliant shooter. Entering her 5th consecutive year of competing she is constantly leveling up and continuing to become one of the best shooters in the United States, even at such a young age. With her 12-gauge Beretta 694 shotgun, gifted by her grandfather, Dobbs sets her eyes on future competitions and even a possible Olympic journey. n

PERI GARDNER is a wife and a stay-at-home mom to two young girls. She enjoys writing, pop culture, and current events, and in another life would have been a famous food blogger.

IT’S A SKILL THAT IS GOOD TO HAVE IN LIFE BECAUSE IT’S A DISCIPLINE THAT REQUIRES SAFETY AND TECHNICAL ABILITIES AS WELL AS CONCENTRATION. BUT IN TERMS OF A SPORT, IT’S A TEAM SPORT AND INDIVIDUAL SPORT, PLUS AN OPPORTUNITY FOR COLLEGE SCHOLARSHIPS.

— JIMMY DOBBS

CARA AND HER FIRST COACH — COACH KERCE.

Circle and Stars Pizza — Midwestern Tavern Style Thin Crust Pizza

There are so many different kinds of pizza to entice the palate of a pizza connoisseur. It comes in many shapes and sizes and individuals can be quite picky as to what style they prefer.

Whether it is Chicago or New Yorkstyle pizza or Detroit or Californiastyle pizza, there is something about pizza everyone loves: let’s be real!

The deep dish pan with its thick crust, the stuffed pizza filled with your favorite meats and vegetables, or the tavern-style which is thin crust cut into squares all give the foodie hundreds of pizza options to choose from.

For Circle and Stars Pizza owners, Brian and Tonya Coil, it was all about the Midwest tavern-style thin-crust pizza. After Brian graduated from Bradley University in Illinois he moved to Georgia and quickly realized he couldn’t find any tavern-style pizza, like there was in Indiana and Illinois, so he started experimenting on the weekends to see what pizza he could create. It took Brian about five years to perfect his recipe, but his family and friends liked his pizza so much that they encouraged him to get a concessions trailer to sell his pizza.

After moving the family in 2015 to Spring Hill, Tennessee, Brian decided to explore the trailer concept and by 2017 he moved forward and ordered a concessions trailer. However, plans were put on hold due to manufacturing delays. Fast forward to 2021 when Tonya visited The Factory at Columbia in September and encouraged Brian to consider opening a pizzeria there. About a year later, Brian quit his job as a civil engineer project manager and opened Circle and Stars Pizza at The Factory on October 3, 2022. The tangy tomato sauce and a special mix of herbs and spices Brian had perfected made those thin-crust pizzas very popular at the soft opening. In fact, it was so popular that they ran out of pizza dough and had to close early.

The name Circle and Stars Pizza is a tribute to the Tennessee state flag and Coil’s love for pizza. As patrons walk into the pizzeria, they are greeted by a friendly staff and an old-school Pac-Man arcade game reminiscent of Midwest taverns. The delicious Midwestern tavern-style thin-crust pizza is available in 8” and 12” sizes and are similar to the pizzas found in taverns in Illinois and Indiana with the sauce and sausage flavors akin to the pizzas found in Southwest Chicago. There are also individual salads on the menu and in the spring, Coil hopes to add sub sandwiches to the menu.

Stop by Circle and Stars Pizza at The Factory at Columbia and experience an authentic Midwestern tavern-style thin-crust pizza. There’s plenty of parking and space to dine in, but if you are in a hurry, call (931) 548-2149 and order takeout. Either way, you won’t be disappointed! n

BRIAN COIL — CO-OWNER OF CIRCLE AND STARS PIZZA

BOARDS and Blooms

By Amy Montgomery and Aubree Phillips Parker

AMY MONTGOMERY

If you want to discover your creative side and enjoy a night out with friends, then Boards & Blooms classes are for you. Boards & Blooms is the culmination of two business owners, Aubree Phillips Parker and Amy Montgomery, working together to provide a wonderful place to learn, a private shopping experience, and an evening out all under one roof. At The 808 Walker House in Columbia, where Aubree P. Boutique and Amy Montgomery Home retail stores reside, class participants are warmly welcomed by the hosts, Aubree and Amy, and given an experiential evening, everyone is sure to enjoy.

Aubree P. Boutique joined Amy Montgomery Home at The 808 House in Columbia in May 2022. Aubree P. brought with her a passion for clothing, accessories, and all things fashion, but also has a true talent for making charcuterie boards a work of art. Amy Montgomery on the other hand, has a love for fabulous tablescapes, fresh flowers, and entertaining. This match made in heaven is what birthed the concept of Boards & Blooms giving Aubree and Amy a chance to share their talents with their customers.

Class participants are invited in after shop hours to enjoy hors d'oeuvres, a glass of wine, and peruse both shops before class begins. The shops are fully staffed those evenings with expert help with selections for the home at Amy Montgomery Home, and wardrobe consulting from Aubree P. Boutique. The best part about shopping after hours, before and after class, is the generous 20% discount offered at both stores (some exclusions may apply).

The class sizes are small and limited to around 15 students, which allows for plenty of demonstration and how-to time during class with the instructors. Amy starts the Boards & Blooms classes by offering her years of experience in flower arranging, and the value of entertaining in your home. She encourages purchasing flowers at your local grocery store and how it can be less expensive than using a florist, plus so much more enjoyable, and it gives entertaining that personal touch. Most classes start with simple wine glass arrangements for beginners and continue with a larger floral arrangement for those wanting to broaden their floral horizons.

AUBREE PHILLIPS PARKER

Aubree concludes the class with step-by-step instructions on how to shop for, prepare, and serve a charcuterie board.  Both Amy and Aubree encourage questions during their demonstrations, which generally leads to sharing of ideas and experiences between class guests. After class, attendees are invited to continue enjoying hors d'oeuvres, dine on Aubree’s freshly prepared charcuterie board, and continue their private shopping experience in both stores. Class attendees also leave with a swag bag filled with goodies.

The classes provide a wonderful opportunity for a girls’ night out or a birthday evening spent with friends and neighbors meeting neighbors. It is the perfect occasion for an evening out in historic Columbia, with attendees coming from Maury and Williamson Counties and beyond. And gentlemen, don't be afraid to sign up. Each class always has a few men in attendance and their motto is the more the merrier!

For additional information or to make a reservation for a Boards & Blooms class, call (931) 982-4988. Space is limited and classes do fill up quickly. Upcoming class dates are January 25th and 26th and February 22nd and 23rd. The class fee is $60 per person due and payable upon making a reservation. Refunds are not available. n

AMY MONTGOMERY has 25 years of design experience and owns Amy Montgomery Home located in Columbia, Tennessee. She is a lifestylist focused on home and flowers and delights in working one-on-one with customers. Visit amymontgomeryhome.com for additional information and follow on social media at @amymontgomeryhome

AUBREE PHILLIPS PARKER was born and raised in Franklin, Tennessee, and has always had a love for fashion. Upon college graduation from Belmont University, she opened her own women’s boutique, Aubree P. Boutique, in downtown Franklin and moved the shop to Columbia in 2022. Follow her on social media at @aubreepboutique or visit aubreep.com for additional information.

FIVE HOME IMPROVEMENT TIPS to Make Your Home Safe

By Hal Landers

With the beginning of the new year, many of us make some type of resolution. Most strive to get in better shape, vow to eat healthier, learn a new language, or travel more. And whether you want to admit it or not, most of these resolutions don’t come to fruition and barely make it a couple of months into the new year. However, there is one resolution you can keep that will provide safety for your family year-round as well as peace of mind make your house SAFE.

Below are five easy home improvement tips to make your home safer in 2023. Although it is impossible to prevent every accident or disaster, there are a few simple steps to take that can protect your biggest investments and also start the year off right.

KNOW YOUR SHUT-OFF VALVES

Few people know where the emergency shut-off valves are located for gas, water, and electricity. Take a moment to find them.

TIP: Give the water valve a practice twist. These shutoffs can get jammed from years of not being used.

PLAN AHEAD AND FIND A FRIEND

A monitored security system can be your best friend, but if you do not have one, the next best thing is to give the appearance that someone is home when you are away. While on vacation, install lamp timers, keep a background noise, such as a talk-radio station, turned on, and even have a neighbor or friend park their car in your driveway. And above all, keep lowerlevel windows and doors locked, as well as garage doors closed and locked.

CHECK YOUR WASHER AND DRYER

Washer and dryer insurance claims are very common and can be extremely damaging. Worn-out rubber hoses in the washing machine can burst, spilling hundreds of gallons of water on the floor. These hoses may need to be swapped out with steel-belted hoses. When it comes to the dryer, it is very important to simply clean the lint every time as lint build-up in the dryer vent can spark a fire.

TIP: Remember to also check the vent line leading outside. A clogged vent line is not only a fire hazard but increases drying time and decreases efficiency.

SMOKE DETECTION PROTECTION

Every home should have at least one smoke detector per floor and a good smoke detector should last up to ten years. Take the time to make sure the batteries are tested semi-annually. This simple measure could be a lifesaver!

TIP: Don’t forget to test your house yearly for gases like radon, which is an odorless gas that can be harmful at high levels and causes cancer.

No matter where you live, make sure your home and family are protected based on your specific needs. These five simple home improvement tips are an easy New Year’s resolution to keep and make your home safer at the same time.

For more information on protecting your home or business, give Landers Insurance Agency a call at (931) 380-2003 or visit landersinsuranceagency.com n

HAL LANDERS is the owner of Landers Insurance Agency, LLC and recently celebrated his agency’s 20 years in business here in Columbia, Tennessee. As a native of Maury County Hal always knew Columbia was where he wanted to have his agency.  The Landers Insurance Agency has been awarded numerous company production awards in personal, commercial, and life insurance including a finalist for Best Insurance Agency in Maury County.

LOOK AND FEEL YOUNGER — THE MODERN DAY

By Jonathan Bain

Fountain of Youth

Even before Ponce de Leon went searching for a magical elixir to restore youth to all that consumed it, people have been searching for a way to feel and look younger. Through the years many things have been labeled as quick fixes to obtain the fountain of youth again with most failing. One of the ideologies that is shifting today is the switch towards a more preventative-based medicine instead of a treatmentbased medicine approach. For example, a patient has compelling factors that put them at high risk for diabetes so the provider initiates a prevention strategy to help avoid or put off getting the actual condition, compared to a patient getting yearly checkups showing elevated glucose markers which result in the diagnosis of diabetes with medication used as the treatment.

The preventative medicine approach, also known as functional medicine, lends to ideas of a better understanding of what your body is doing, how it changes, and then how these changes affect you down the road. Through this, many things have been discovered regarding aging and why some people seem to age faster than others. One of the biggest reasons for weight gain, mood swings, tiredness, sexual dysfunction or disinterest, wrinkles, or decreased bone density as we age is related to our body’s decreased natural production of hormones. While many hormones are involved, the main ones affecting these common aging symptoms are estrogen, progesterone, testosterone, and DHEA in both men and women.

Once the connection was made to these specific hormones and the symptoms of aging, some ability to replace them was needed. In the beginning, many synthetic hormones were used as well as natural sources. The most common natural source was derived from the urine of pregnant horses. As one would expect, most people did not tolerate these natural sources or synthetic hormones very well. Even though they did help many men and women feel better, over time more cases of blood clots, thickening of the blood, and even cancer began to emerge.

It was around this time that a search for a better source of hormones led to something that was identical to what our body was naturally producing. This is where the term biologically identical or bioidentical was developed. Most commonly, sources for these bioidentical hormones are plant-based and more specifically yams. There is an old adage that as you aged if you began to have the common signs of menopause, hot flashes or night sweats, then you were told you needed more yams in your diet. It was not specifically known at that time, but yams are a fantastic natural source of hormones. More specifically, hormones that look identical to what your body is already naturally producing.

Medical literature now, regarding bio-identical hormones, demonstrates there is no harm in replacing our natural hormones to their optimal levels. Replacing these hormones our bodies naturally produce is always beneficial. Everyone should seize the opportunity to live a healthy and productive life. Bio-identical hormones now have been linked to better sleep, improves energy and metabolism, decreases osteoporosis, slows progression towards heart failure, improves the emotional state, improves brain fog, strengthens hair, nails, and skin, eliminates erectile dysfunction, and the list goes on.

Both men and women have specific needs with each person requiring adjustments to be made based on where they are and what they want to get out of their treatment. Rx Compound Centre has been working with natural hormones from the very beginning with one of the founding national experts on bio-identical hormone therapy. They have even worked to develop patented and proprietary treatments that aren’t made anywhere else in the world.

Even with this large amount of data it can still be difficult to find providers who are willing to start patients on these therapies and then even harder to find the medications themselves. That said, there are many providers who specialize in natural hormone therapy. The internet is a great resource as well as looking for medical practices that are more functional in how they approach their treatments with each patient. Also asking your friends can be a great resource. You might be surprised how many are already taking these therapies and just have not shared it.

As far as getting the hormones themselves, most people will go through a compounding pharmacy. Compound pharmacies have expertise in putting medications together from scratch. At Rx Compound Centre in Columbia, everything made is 100% custommade for each patient based on their specific needs. This level of expertise is especially important with hormone therapy as it is not a one pill fits all.

If the fountain of youth is something that intrigues you this new year, don’t be afraid to have a conversation with your provider. A custom program that is natural and tailored to your exact needs can offer you a healthy aging process. Rx Compound Centre is also available to assist you to get started on your healthy aging journey with ingredients your body has understood since its very conception hormones.

For more information on specific hormones that you might need or how to better talk with your provider, please feel free to call Rx Compound Centre at (931) 388-3999. Follow them on social media at @rxcompound or visit rxcompoundcentre.com for additional information. Nationwide shipping is also available. n

JONATHAN BAIN, PharmD, BCCCP, BCPS, is the owner of Rx Compound Centre in Columbia, Tennessee. With more than 100 years of combined experience, RX Compound Centre is a full-service compounding pharmacy using the highest quality and state-of-the-art technology to formulate customized medications for the entire family including your fur babies. Quality-driven service with affordable access to medications is their promise.

COMPOUND PHARMACIES HAVE EXPERTISE IN PUTTING MEDICATIONS TOGETHER FROM SCRATCH.

and Noteworthy

By Katie Baker

Columbia has become a destination shopping experience in Middle Tennessee. The eclectic options within the city limits have grown beyond the downtown square and into a variety of shopping districts including the Arts District, Walker & 8th, and a burgeoning area on the northwest side of Columbia that business owners are working to establish as the Bel Air District, where the Factory at Columbia and Shops at James Hill reside.

In 2018, Darrell Lynn purchased the old shirt factory at 100 North James Campbell Boulevard and began transforming the 70,000 square feet of space into, the aptly named, Factory at Columbia. Lynn’s vision was inspired by The Factory at Franklin and includes a wide variety of tenants and businesses in both the retail, restaurant, fitness and corporate space. Exactly one year ago, the Factory at Columbia gained a new neighbor and with that, a shopping district was born.

Lencauley Properties purchased a triangular property adjacent to the Factory at Columbia in 2021 and set about transforming the old metal and cinder block building into the Shops at James Hill. The 1940s building was originally home to a Columbia game supply store that supplied bar games and jukeboxes (along with a rumored bar). Marcia Lenci, Lencauley Properties partner, is a local interior designer who saw the potential in the building and with the help of her business partners was able to redesign the 7,466 square feet of space into a multi-tenant retail property.

“There are so many wonderful, new businesses that have opened on this corner, and every day we meet customers discovering us for the first time. As I learned about the history of the area an idea formed to try and brand our shopping destination the Bel Air District named after the original Bel Air house located nearby,” said Lenci.

THERE ARE SO MANY WONDERFUL, NEW BUSINESSES THAT HAVE OPENED ON THIS CORNER, AND EVERY DAY WE MEET CUSTOMERS DISCOVERING US FOR THE FIRST TIME.

— MARCIA LENCI

S + J HOUSE

JENNIFER BARNETT, S + J HOUSE OWNER

The Shops at James Hill first opened with Society Market, which is a sister business to the Cheesecake Society. Cheesecake Society creates gourmet personal-sized jars of cheesecake in a variety of flavors. After finding success with their food truck, they decided to create the Society Market shop to sell curated gifts and party goods along with their delicious cheesecakes.

Soon after Society Market opened, S + J House and Wild Roots Boutique moved into the Shops at James Hill as well. S + J House is a vibrant boutique with an eclectic mix of vintage and trendy pieces for the rhinestone cowgirl at heart. Wild Roots carries an array of house plants for the green thumb enthusiast and the newbie ready to dip their toe into the world of succulents and potted plants.

SOCIETY MARKET

Last fall, the Society Market, Wild Roots, and S + J House hosted in-house events and collaborated on events like their Pink Friday shopping extravaganza and Fall Festival. The property features a courtyard in the front that is perfect for live music and food truck events, and there are plans in the works to begin hosting outdoor cornhole tournaments. And during the holidays, Lenci had a pop-up Christmas shop called Holly-N-Pine that quickly sold out before the turkey even hit the table for Thanksgiving. Another holiday pop-up the Shops at James Hill hosted was MJ’s Gift Wrap, a fullservice gift-wrapping company adding that extra touch to presents under the Christmas tree.

MADI HUNT — MARKET SOCIETY CO-OWNER (OTHER CO-OWNERS BETHANY DAVIS & CINDY PALMERI)

At this time there are a few spaces left in the Shops at James Hill for retail tenants to consider. “We are hoping to find a recreational business that could offer residents something fun to do — miniature golf, bocce courts, or dance school,” explained Lenci. “The smaller space we have available is the original part of the building with old block walls that have a great, rustic texture while the new wood-look floors add a rustic vibe. This space would be great with any specialty retail or perhaps a salon/spa.”

WILD ROOTS BOUTIQUE

To learn more about the events at the Shops at James Hill you can follow the tenants’ Instagram accounts at @shopsocietymarket, @shopsandjhousellc, @wildrootstn, and @cheesecakesocietyofficial. For leasing inquiries for either location contact the Katie Baker Group, RE/MAX Encore at (901) 351-7235 or katie@katiebakergroup.com n

AT THIS TIME, THERE ARE A FEW SPACES LEFT IN THE SHOPS AT JAMES HILL FOR RETAIL TENANTS TO CONSIDER.

SHOPS AT JAMES HILL

97 N JAMES M CAMPBELL BLVD. COLUMBIA, TN 38401

FACTORY AT COLUMBIA 101 N JAMES M CAMPBELL BLVD. COLUMBIA, TN 38401

PHOTOS BY SOUTHERN SOCIAL MEDIA ANND KATHY FOX

WE ARE HOPING TO FIND A RECREATIONAL BUSINESS THAT COULD OFFER RESIDENTS SOMETHING FUN TO DO — MINIATURE GOLF, BOCCE COURTS, OR DANCE SCHOOL.

— LENCI

KOURTNEY GAYLOR — WILD ROOTS OWNER

PICKLEBALL

PHOTOS BY SHANA UPPERMANN AND KATHY FOX

PICKLEBALL IS EASY TO LEARN FOR BEGINNERS, THE RULES ARE SIMPLE AND IT’S SLOWER-PACED THAN TENNIS, BUT CAN DEVELOP INTO A FAST-PACED COMPETITIVE GAME FOR EXPERIENCED PLAYERS.

Pickleball is the fastest-growing sport in America. According to a 2022 report from the Sports & Fitness Industry Association, there are more than 4.8 million picklers or pickleball players in the United States. From 2019 and 2021 pickleball grew by almost 40 percent and continues to grow as it appeals to all ages and skill levels. If you are not familiar with the sport, it can be played indoors or outdoors on a badmintonsized court. Pickleball is a fun sport combining the elements of tennis, badminton, and ping-pong. It is played with a paddle and a plastic ball with holes and can be played as singles or doubles. It’s easy to learn for beginners, the rules are simple, and it’s slower-paced than tennis, but can develop into a fast-paced competitive game for experienced players.

In 1965, three dads invented the game to give their bored youngsters something to do during the summer. They started with a badminton court, some ping-pong paddles, and a plastic whiffle ball-like ball and this was literally the beginning of pickleball. Since that time, pickleball has evolved into a popular sport throughout North America with more than 53,000 USA Pickleball Memberships at the end of 2021, and pickleball has seen growth internationally with numerous courts being added in European and Asian countries.

Williamson County Parks & Recreation has also experienced the pickleball craze as the popularity of the sport continues to expand locally. Roy Wayne, Manager at Longview Recreation Center in Spring Hill, said, “It’s exciting to see how popular pickleball has become and it keeps growing. We have four indoor and eight outdoor courts and it’s becoming a challenge to balance the court times between basketball, volleyball, and badminton due to the popularity of pickleball.” Pickleball has such a following locally that Wayne has another instructor coming on board to cater to the more advanced players.

HISTORY OF THE NAME

If you are wondering how the name pickleball came to be, the National Governing Body for USA Pickleball, explains:

In the summer of 1965, pickleball was founded by Joel Pritchard, Bill Bell, and Barney McCallum on Bainbridge Island, Washington. Within days, Joan Pritchard had come up with the name “pickle ball” a reference to the thrown-together leftover non-starters in the “pickle boat” of crew races. Many years later, as the sport grew, a controversy ensued when a few neighbors said they were there when Joan named the game after the family dog, Pickles. Joan and the Pritchard family have held fast for decades and the dog came along a few years later and was named after the game.

It’s an undisputed fact that pickleball began, and was also named, in the summer of 1965 by Joan Pritchard. If Pickles was around then, the dog story could be true. If Pickles wasn’t born until after 1965, the dog story would be confirmed as just a funny newspaper interview hoax—later confessed by Joel Pritchard.

Proof of when Pickles was born could help resolve the twostory name debate. As the official magazine of pickleball, we decided to dig up the past and report the truth, regardless of the venerable feathers being ruffled. We looked for dog records, uncovered photos, and interviewed several people who were there from 1965-1970. Based on evidence, we learned that the dog was born in 1968 three years after pickleball was first played and named. In other words, the Pritchard family story stands true that pickleball was not named after the dog, but rather in reference to the local pickle boat races.

Shana Uppermann and Doug Keener are both pickleball instructors at Longview Recreation Center as well as enthusiastic players. Uppermann explains, “Pickleball started here in August 2015 at the rec center when Sharon and Joe Gibbs asked the management to start it, and then it was only offered once a week. Fast forward, now we have pickleball almost every day with 30-40 players showing up. There is open play four times per week and reserved court times twice a week. We also offer clinics for all skill levels, leagues, and tournaments throughout the year.” This past December there was a Dinking Pickleball Tournament at the rec center where picklers play in the kitchen dinking. Say what, please explain. The kitchen is the 7-foot area or non-volley zone by the net on the court. Dinking is a short drop shot that originates in the kitchen area. Players can only dink back and forth during the tournament. Hence a dinking tournament. Voila!

SHANA UPPERMANN AND DOUG KEENER — PICKLEBALL INSTRUCTORS AT LONGVIEW RECREATION CENTER

From 2019 and 2021 pickleball grew by almost 40 percent and continues to grow as it appeals to all ages and skill levels.

When Keener moved to Middle Tennessee he had already been playing pickleball in Florida and was a huge fan of the sport. “I've been playing pickleball for 10 years now. It is a sport for all ages and is absolutely perfect for seniors because it gets you off the couch and gets you moving again,” he said. “It’s good for your body and your brain because you're having to think about every shot, where it's going, and where you are going to return it. Pickleball is something I can have fun playing anywhere. That’s why there are so many people playing it. And it’s really easy to learn.”

If you are looking for a great exercise for your mind and body, then pickleball is for you. It’s something that’s fun to do with your friends and a good workout for all ages. Stop by the Longview Recreation Center in Spring Hill or one of the other centers nearby and give pickleball a try this winter. It’s a smashing good time! n

CLEAN

INGREDIENTS

SIMPLE BARS

Obviously, You Have Great Taste !

By Kathy Fox

Eating healthy and clean are ways to improve one’s overall health. By consuming minimally processed foods along with fresh vegetables and fruits, our bodies can receive the maximum nutritional benefits from the foods we eat. In addition, by reducing the intake of sugars several health risks, including obesity, type 2 diabetes, and coronary heart disease, can be lowered. The problem is sugar is delicious and cutting sugar from the diet can be quite difficult since it is added to many everyday foods we eat, such as bread, salad dressing, ketchup, cereal, snack bars, and beverages.

PHOTOS COURTESY OF SIMPLE

What started as a simple three-week challenge to eliminate sugar from the diet ended up blossoming into a full-fledged business. Amanda Ament, founder and owner of SIMPLE, explains, “I eliminated sugar from my diet completely and it was meant to be a challenge because I was overeating on sweets at breakfast, lunch, and dinner. After two weeks, I noticed I had more energy, was sleeping better, and my skin looked better. So I kept adding weeks to my challenge, then months, then years.”

During this time, Ament would snack on nuts and fruits and was continually on the hunt for snack bars made without sugar.

The search for a sugar-free snack bar is what triggered Ament to start the company, SIMPLE, in 2017 because she couldn't find a bar that didn't have sugar in it. Originally from Switzerland, Ament said, “I started making my own bars in my kitchen back home and would mix up different nuts and superfoods, like chia and matcha. I spent hours mixing different nuts and seeds to make the perfect bar.” Once Ament had perfected her recipe, she wanted to share the snack bars with everyone, and SIMPLE Bars was branded and went into production.

Ament, who focuses on production, found a company that could manufacture the bars in the United States and would make frequent trips between Zurich and the United States to oversee production at the Illinois facility and attend trade shows. However, due to COVID, the plant was unable to continue with production, which led Ament to find another facility in the Nashville area. Due to the recurrent trips between the United States and Switzerland, Ament and her sister, Melanie Ament, who handles marketing, public relations, and social media for SIMPLE, decided to move to Franklin, Tennessee, in February 2022.

AMANDA AND MELANIE AMENT

I STARTED MAKING MY OWN BARS IN MY KITCHEN BACK HOME AND WOULD MIX UP DIFFERENT NUTS AND SUPERFOODS, LIKE CHIA AND MATCHA. I SPENT HOURS MIXING DIFFERENT NUTS AND SEEDS TO MAKE THE PERFECT BAR.

AMANDA AMENT

What makes SIMPLE Bars distinctive is the sweetener ingredient Allulose, which is a naturally occurring sweetener found in fruits like figs. It does not affect blood sugar or insulin levels, is low in calories, and tastes like sugar. Sugarwise is an international authority on sugar-related claims with more than 500 products certified that are shipped in 70 countries around the world and has certified the SIMPLE Bars. Rend Plating, CEO of Sugarwise, says, “Sugarwise certifies products that are low in the kinds of sugars and sweeteners that need to be limited in the diet because they are contributors to obesity, type 2 diabetes, and tooth decay. SIMPLE Bars are a new range of products that have the potential to change the way people see and consume sweet snacks. In completely clean label innovation, it is extremely rare to see something that has a flavor profile that not only matches but surpasses a traditional sugar-coated experience. This SUGARWISE-certified product range does just that. Rather than just replacing sugar in a nutritionally poor product the bars include ingredients that are nutritionally rich and high in fiber. Products like this have the potential to improve the overall quality of our diets. Better bars. Better health. Better world. Simple, isn't it?"

SIMPLE

In addition to having no sugar added, SIMPLE Bars are 85.5% less sugar than KIND bars as certified by Sugarwise, they are gluten-free, nonGMO, all-natural, have a low glycemic index, and are keto. For those dealing with Hashimoto’s or diabetes, where a low-sugar diet is vital, the bars are an outstanding choice plus they are loaded with superfoods and are an explosion of flavor.

SIMPLE Bars were recently launched in August 2022 and are the first and only snack bar brand in the United States ‘Certified Free from Added Sugar’ by Sugarwise. SIMPLE Bars come in four exotic tasty flavors; Almond & Dragon Fruit, Almond Match Chia, Chocolate Sea Salt, and Walnut & Golden Spices, and can be purchased on Amazon, Chadwick’s Fitness & Performance Training in Franklin, or from simplebars.com. They are SIMPLE-Y delicious, so enjoy! n

BARS WERE RECENTLY LAUNCHED IN AUGUST 2022 AND ARE THE FIRST AND ONLY SNACK BAR BRAND IN THE UNITED STATES ‘CERTIFIED FREE FROM ADDED SUGAR’ BY SUGARWISE.

TKC — A One-Stop Shop for the Built World

TKC Architecture & Engineering is a boutique design firm established by husband-and-wife duo Cole and Kristen Newton. Cole is originally from Florence, Alabama, which is just about an hour south of Columbia, Tennessee. He is an Auburn University graduate with a bachelor’s in civil engineering and an Army veteran. Kristen is from Northeast Florida with her undergraduate degree from the University of Florida and master’s degree from the University of Texas at Austin, both in architecture.

Cole and Kristen met while working at an architecture and engineering firm in Florida in 2008 and married two years later. With the recession hitting hard in Florida, they moved to Austin, Texas, for several years where they saw immense growth within the urban fabric of the city and worked on many notable projects throughout the downtown and surrounding areas. They finally made their way back to the south landing in downtown Nashville in 2014. Both were managing members at reputable design firms in Nashville and Franklin, but at the beginning of 2020, the Newtons decided it was time to make their dream of having their own design firm a reality, and TKC was founded.

TKC is the result of an ever-evolving discussion between Cole and Kristen about how to re-imagine the development process and combine forces to provide a one-stop shop for the built world, and while doing so, have a lot of fun working together. Though TKC was officially established in 2020, they have been a team since the beginning when they met and that is how the acronym TKC came to life, standing for Team Kristen and Cole. It was an inside joke, but then it stuck, and they could not think of another name for their firm that would better embody who they are, a team, a team that will work for their clients from start to finish to provide an enjoyable design process and successful project.

In the summer of 2021, Kristen and Cole, along with their two sons, moved their office and residence to Columbia, Tennessee. They both had been doing work in the area for years and had fallen in love with the downtown square and beautiful countryside. TKC has designed many civil site and architectural projects throughout Maury County working with clients such as Muletown Coffee on their expansion and Tennessee Distilling Group.

Specializing in a wide range of project types, TKC on the architecture and interior design side offers design services for projects ranging from custom residential homes to boutique restaurants to hotels and high-end commercial projects. They also enjoy working with existing buildings that have a lot of character and have worked on several renovation projects in downtown Columbia. The civil engineering design side comprises both commercial and residential project types offering services for site design, land planning, project management, municipal water, and wastewater projects.

TKC was built because of a love for working and collaborating with others. It is important to Cole and Kristen to develop meaningful relationships with clients while bringing to fruition quality projects. The goal is to encapsulate the spirit of their clients and the site to provide a thought-evoking design while striving to create designs that meet clients’ needs and exceed expectations.

The Newtons would be delighted to have the opportunity to meet with you and help design your dream space! For additional information, visit tkc-ae.com and follow them on Instagram at @tkc_ae for their latest project and updates. n

CATCH

YOUR BODY GOALS WITHOUT SURGERY OR

By Shannon Dowden

TOXINS

The concept was designed and created by owner, Andrea Harbison. Catch Salon & Spa, located in Spring Hill, Tennessee, is a beautiful chic space with a modern salon and spa that creates a rejuvenating relaxing environment. Catch offers the ultimate anti-aging experience including facials, hair services, and body contouring services for their clients. One of their newer services helps tackle those New Year’s resolutions for healthier living. Weight loss and stubborn areas of fat can be difficult resolutions to tackle, but as technology has advanced, non-invasive and non-surgical options for body contouring are perfect options for losing inches to help keep that New Year’s resolution to slim down.

PHOTOS COURTESY OF CATCH SALON &

Body contouring is ideal for people who are within 20 pounds of their goal weight and are looking to break up cellulite and fat in specific areas, such as the mom pooch, arms, back, love handles, thighs, and even the neck. For those looking to lose inches, Catch Salon & Spa features Sculptor technology which combines vacuum therapy, infrared, and radiofrequency to give same-day results. This state-of-the-art technology allows clients to see immediate change and continues to develop for the 8-12 weeks following the treatment. Every person is different, but the sculptor is recommended in a series of 10 and can be performed up to twice a week.

BODY TREATMENTS OFFER CLIENTS CONFIDENCE, AND WE WANT OUR CLIENTS TO FEEL EMPOWERED IN THEIR OWN APPROACH TO WELLNESS.

Sculptor treatments are typically 20-30 minutes per area and are painless. The vacuum therapy is a gentle suction that can be adjusted based on the client’s comfort level. Once the device suctions, the infrared and radiofrequency will penetrate the skin and heat the tissue and fat. This combined technology works to reduce fat cells and is intended to diminish the appearance of cellulite and tighten the area. This treatment is typically combined with other types of technology in packages. Harbison said, “Body treatments offer clients confidence, and we want our clients to feel empowered in their own approach to wellness.” Specialists at Catch Salon & Spa will evaluate your results at each visit and help make the best decision to target specific problem areas.

Also available at Catch is Liposonix, another non-surgical fatreduction treatment. The Liposonix machine uses ultrasound energy to destroy fat cells in particular areas. This treatment is successful by focusing ultrasound energy 1-2 centimeters under the surface of the skin which disrupts the fat cells.

The Liposonix treatment is completed in about an hour and after one session. Harbison explains, “Clients generally see a loss of 1-2 inches in waist size, with maximum results in 8 to 12 weeks following the process. This is because the body must metabolize the destroyed fat, but this occurs naturally, and clients can resume regular activities following the treatment.” Clients are encouraged to get their heart rate up afterward to boost the lymphatic system.

Liposonix is suggested for someone close to their ideal body weight and with at least a 1-inch fat layer. Though the treatment targets fat cells, it is not a weight loss treatment. The Liposonix ultrasound technology targets fat cells in the problem area, but the fat is processed through the lymphatic system. It will help reduce size in the target area but will not ultimately lead to weight loss.

For someone who wants to lose one dress or pant size, Liposonix is the perfect solution. One recent client at Catch Salon & Spa said, “The treatment was painless, so I was surprised when I saw the measurements and had lost an inch and a half in my first treatment.” The treatment can show a same-day reduction in waist size, but the maximum results will be shown in 2-3 months following the treatment and are for those who are committed to a healthy lifestyle after the process.

THE TREATMENT WAS PAINLESS, SO I WAS SURPRISED WHEN I SAW THE MEASUREMENTS AND HAD LOST AN INCH AND A HALF IN MY FIRST TREATMENT.

Additionally, Liposonix is a perfect option for someone who cannot undergo surgery or simply does not want to go an invasive route. It gives clients the ability to continue their lifestyle following the treatment and allows their bodies to do the rest of the work for them. Liposonix and Sculptor treatments take less than an hour and will continue to produce results in the hours and days following. This is why the treatments have been given the nickname, “lunchtime fat removal procedures.”

Before After catchnashville.com @catch.nash

Liposonix and Sculptor treatments are both great to pair with regular exercise to see results quickly. These procedures are fast and painless but pack a powerful punch on the fat cells of a specific problem area. Non-invasive options are a fantastic approach, for men and women, to help reduce those extra inches put on during the holiday season. Catch Salon & Spa offers a range of noninvasive, non-surgical options for body and facial treatments. One size does not fit all when it comes to body contouring, but Catch skin specialists will make sure every client is set up with the best treatment plan to reach their personal body goals.

RESTORE AND PRESERVE YOUR YOUTH

THE PRODUCTS ELEVATING CATCH SALON & SPA

The unique anti-aging skincare line by ÉLÉVATIONE luxurious creations are inspired by the work of one of the greatest minds of our era, the Spanish artist Salvador Dali. Dali's belief, that "Time is not constant. It can be manipulated, stopped, stretched, and even reversed", is the heart and soul of ÉLÉVATIONE. This magnificent idea inspired our revolutionary approach; based on a powerful synergy between patented technology and supreme natural ingredients, ÉLÉVATIONE products effectively fight signs of aging, exposing a youthful, rejuvenated skin within weeks of application. ÉLÉVATIONE products dramatically slow down the aging process, repair your skin while restoring your youthful appearance, making time stop.

Take a well-deserved break from the stresses of your busy day to focus on you. Catch offers a full range of professional treatments and services.

For additional information on body contouring or any of the salon restorative and transforming spa services offered at Catch Salon & Spa, and to book an appointment online, visit catchnashville.com Connect with them on social media at @catch.nash. n

SHANNON DOWDEN is the Marketing Coordinator for Catch Salon & Spa. She works closely with Andrea Harbison, owner of Catch, and together they spread knowledge about non-invasive options in beauty. In her free time, Dowden stays active with her Australian Shepherd, Hazel Grace.

Suite Night

at THE WESTIN NASHVILLE

EXPERIENCE Music City

WIN A NIGHT IN A LUXURIOUS SUITE AT THE WESTIN IN DOWNTOWN NASHVILLE!

The holiday season has come and gone again, and it is now time to think about a relaxing night away to recuperate. Music City Publications and the Westin Nashville have partnered together to bring you a night to unplug and relax in downtown Nashville. Enjoy one of the Westin’s luxurious specialty suites with Nashville-inspired design touches, along with delightful amenities including the iconic Westin Heavenly® Bed. The views of downtown Nashville from the suites are spectacular and we know you will LOVE them!

The Westin Nashville has exactly what you are looking for from music and culture to food and shopping, there is plenty to do and see just steps from the sophisticated Westin Nashville. Nestled in the city's downtown district, the Westin is near Broadway and connects guests with iconic attractions like Music City Center and Music Row. For a soothing contrast to Nashville’s pulsing vibe, guests may choose to relax with a massage, facial, or other body treatments at the Rhapsody Spa. Guests who want to maintain their exercise routine can visit the hotel's 24-hour WestinWORKOUT® Fitness Studio. Stay energized in Nashville with Decker & Dyer, which serves up creative cuisine and live entertainment, or visit the L27 rooftop with some of the best views of Nashville, along with nourishing light bites and craft cocktails. And if you are planning a corporate function or wedding in Tennessee, the Westin Nashville has elegant event venues too.

HOW TO ENTER ...

To enter for a chance to win a Suite Night at the Westin Nashville, follow @maurycountyliving, @williamsoncoliving, and @westinnashville on Instagram, and tag a friend in the comments on the Jan. 1, 2023 post. The giveaway closes on Jan. 31, 2023. The stay at the Westin Nashville must be used by Dec. 31, 2023, and is based on availability, so book early. Must be 21 years of age or older to enter.