Issue 16, 2021 - Preview

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WINTER ISSUET

2021

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Display until February 12, 2022 Display until November 29, 2020

Southern Hands ALONG THE GOOD ROAD Exploring sustainable oyster farming near Charleston, SC

DREAMS REALIZED One woman’s mission to save over-worn quilts by repurposing

ROBERT ST. JOHN The price of freedom for Walter Anderson

SCHOOLHOUSE WAYS One-room schoolhouses find new life near Fredericksburg, TX

“Fresh from the pond to your plate since 1982”

S I M M O N S C AT F I S H . C O M

Ginger hoisin seared catfish with sesame ponzu soba salad with Asian micro greens FAN AND JOHNNY’S • GREENWOOD, MS

40: BEAUTIFUL DREAMER

Sarah Durst’s renewed search for purpose brings new life to old quilts in AL

48: MAESTRO OF TONE

Lindy Fralin crafts pickups for the world’s best guitar players in Richmond, VA

STORIES 56: HISTORY BONES

Lee Harper’s history nerd self crashed into her artistic self in Oxford, MS

62: CELEBRATING HERITAGE

One young Cherokee’s desire to bead brought connection through intertribal arts in NC

Craig Martin and Earl Bridges travel south and learn about oyster farming at Mosquito Beach, SC

Photography by Leney Breedon

68: TAKING THE GOOD ROAD

CHAPTERS EDITORIAL

TO DINE SOUTHERN

PG 7: OUR CONTRIBUTORS

PG 28: SUGAREE’S BAKERY

The lure of family recipes and mile-high meringeue in New Albany, MS.

The people who make our stories come to life .

PG 8: EDITOR’S LETTER

PG 32: ON OUR PL ATE

The value of our Southern artisans.

Chef Matt Greene brings us Italy-Meets-the South Catfish Milanese at Common House in Chattanooga, TN

PG 10: MAKING A DIFFERENCE

Texas Lone Star Santa’s bring cheer to those in need.

PG 36: NOTEWORTHY

PG 34: ENTHUSIASTIC SOUTHERNER

Fall spices add a warm note to these Maple Bourbon Glazed Ribs from Chef Owen McGlynn of Asheville Proper in Asheville, NC.

Robert St. John muses about life in the South and the art of Walter Anderson.

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24 SOUTHERN COMFORTS

A ROAD LESS TRAVELED

PG 14: BUILT WITH FIRE

PG 92: WANDERING

PG 18: BY SOUTHERN HANDS

PG 98: WHERE WE WENT

Sandy and Steve Schoettle built relationships and memories around their fire kettles.

You’ll want these finds made by locals.

PG 22: PAGES

Karim Shamsi-Basha brings us a story of beautiful humanity.

PG 24: LISTEN UP

Paul Thorn proves it’s never too late to take it as far as you can.

Come for the laid-back vibe but stay for adventure in Bryson City, NC

78 SOUTHERN SNAPSHOTS PG 78: ALONG THE ROAD

Reid’s Fine Foods, Charlotte, NC

FRONT COVER

New life for old quilts.

Photograph by Leney Breedon

One-room schoolhouses of yesterday are finding new life in communities.

PG 84: L AY OF THE L AND

Our readers submit photos of their special Southern places and people

5

STAFF

Scott Speakes Publisher Genie Gaither Jones Editor-in-Chief Rebecca Cashwell Design Director Robert St. John J. M. McSpadden Liesel Schmidt Contributing Editors Richard L. Jones Copy Editor

Advertising Sales Specialists Brittany Sanders brmcdonald45@gmail.com Scott Speakes scott@okramagazine.com

CONNECT WITH US facebook.com/okramagazine @okramag contact@okramagazine.com

Published by Southbound Publishing, Inc.

okramagazine.com

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CONTRIBUTORS

SUSAN MARQUEZ is a lifelong learner who finds joy in the unexpected discoveries often found on the path less traveled. She began writing professionally in 2001 and 2,800 articles later, she is still telling the stories of the South. With one foot in suburban Mississippi and the other in New Orleans, she can pack a suitcase in record time. “Writing gives me an excuse to ask questions, and to learn more than what can be seen on the surface.”

ERIC J. WALLACE is a writer, avid lover of the outdoors, and devotee to the ongoing search for the Good Life. His work has appeared in many noteworthy publications, including Outside, Backpacker, Canoe & Kayak, WIRED, Atlas Obscura, Modern Farmer and more. He is presently a contributing editor for the internet’s greatest fount of culinary wonder, Gastro Obscura. drericjwallace@gmail.com

DEBORAH BURST is a New Orleans native, author, and award winning writer/photographer with a portfolio of more than a thousand articles and photos including national covers. She has written five travel/photo books featuring the South, its people, critters, landscapes, mystical legends and historic architecture. From hidden graveyards and sacred temples to the shrouded bayous and forests, Deb gives a voice to all the spirits. deborahburst.com

TYLER DARDEN is a food and lifestyle photographer and cinematographer based in Richmond, Virginia. After spending the first part of his career as a magazine art director, he followed the siren call to pursue photography full time in 2010. In his free time, he experiments with large format and ultra large format film photography, documentary and filmmaking. His photos have been published in Virginia Living Magazine, Wall Street Journal, LIDL Grocery Stores, Garden & Gun, Self, Men’s Health, and Colonial Williamsburg. tylerdarden.com

MARIANNE LEEK is a retired high school educator who continues to teach part-time at Tri-County Community College. She lives with her husband in western North Carolina, where she spends much of her free time enjoying the outdoors. Her work can be found in The Bitter Southerner.

J. M. MCSPADDEN is a freelance writer and music enthusiast whose work has appeared online at theflamestillburns.com, and at mbird.com, a journal that examines faith in the real world. His love for roots music led to a gig at nodepression.com, where he reported on live music from The Birchmere, the famed music hall in Washington, DC. He is fascinated with the way words and music impact our lives and can be used as a vehicle for healing. Host of The Village Night Owl podcast, an interview show featuring musical artists. He lives in Virginia with his wife Suzanne where he is at work on his first novel.

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EDITOR’S LETTER

Here in the South, we value things made by hand.

Anytime

you receive a gift made by hand, it evokes such emotion knowing it was made with love. These are some of our most treasured possessions.

On a visit to watch baskets made by a local artist, we hiked to the woods to find the perfect size white oak tree to cut, then home to make the strips for the basket to come. The time it takes to produce these treasures can vary immensely, from several hours to several days or longer. Materials and labor can define a cost, but what about the idea? Where did it come from? What spurred them to take the step? In the case of this craftsman, it was a way to keep busy when he could not sleep on his regular nights off from his job. His baskets have become heirlooms valued by friends and family.

And the imagination these artists have. It runs deep in the South and the artisans we feature in this issue are full of imagination and skill. From Sarah Durst and her creative repurposing of antique quilts crafted into beautiful

“ THAT’S THE THING WITH HANDMADE I T E M S . T H E Y S T I L L H AV E T H E P E R S O N ’ S MARK ON THEM, AND WHEN YOU HOLD THEM, YOU FEEL LESS AL ONE.”

coats, to Lee Harper and her very unique min-

Aimee Bender, The Color Master: Stories

of a specific need and Lindy Fralin is a prime

iatures for History Bones, the creativity displayed is endless.

Sometimes these special products arise out example of this. His specially produced guitar

pickups help musicians attain their unique sound and are used by some of the finest guitar players around.

Sea Island Forge found a special way to promote relationships and memories. Their hand forged firepits and accessories are used from simple backyard gatherings, to the beach, or in mountains with friends. Sitting around a fire telling stories with friends and family? Yes, that is special.

And let’s not forget baking. After all, who doesn’t love a cake or other baked good made from family recipes. Take a visit to Sugaree’s Bakery in Mississippi and you’ll see what we mean.

Memories. Love. Caring. Beauty. We think these are some of the things that make handcrafted goods so special. After all, when someone gives you something they made, you treasure it always and the memories it invokes? Well, to us, that is priceless.

Scott Speakes // Publisher

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Genie Gaither Jones // Editor-in-Chief

CELEBRATING SEASON 10! Vera Stewart is the host of the VeryVera Show, syndicated across the southeast in 34 markets. The show combines Vera’s natural teaching ability and etiquette insight with modern twists to your grandmother’s favorite recipes. Vera Stewart is also a nationally recognized cookbook author whose career in the food and hospitality industry spans nearly four decades.

MARKETS AL : Mobile • Huntsville • Dothan • FL : Tampa • Pensacola • GA : Albany • Augusta • Columbus • Cordele Macon • Savannah • IN : Evansville • Indianapolis • LA : Lake Charles • MD : Hagerstown • MN : Rochester • MS : Jackson Hattiesburg NC : Charlotte NY : Watertown • OK : Oklahoma City • SC : Myrtle Beach • Charleston • Columbia • Greenville TX : Austin • Dallas • Harlingen • Houston • Victoria • Waco • VA : Richmond • Roanoke • WI : Madison

veryvera.com

@veryverastewart

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MAKING A DIFFERENCE

“ LONE STAR SANTAS HAS GROWN TO MORE THAN 400 MEMBERS: SANTAS, MRS. CLAUSES, ELVES, AND EVEN A REINDEER HERDER. THEY ARE RECOGNIZED AS THE PREMIER SANTA ORGANIZATION

“

IN THE WORLD.

Above: The author, Deborah Burst, stands next to Santa Jim Fletcher and surrounded by Lone Star Santas Left: Santa’s traditional sleigh is replaced by Lone Star Santas Convoy of Toys trailer sleigh. Right: Santa Jim’s red sleigh. For more information on how you can donate or volunteer to help the Lone Star Santas in their mission of love by visiting them at lonestarsantas.org

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Santas to the Rescue T E X A S ’ LO N E S TA R SA N TA S B R I N G C H E E R TO THOSE IN NEED Written and Photographed by Deborah Burst Deborah Burst, still believes in the magic of Santa Claus and she walked into

Santa Jim still remembers a little boy at one of the distribution sites and

a dream come true while on assignment in Beaumont, Texas. “Stepping out

his reaction when handed a yellow Transformer toy. “He looked up at his dad

of my room at the Holiday Inn, what did I hear, but a crowded lobby buzzing

and said, ‘This is just like the one that was lost.’ That tugs your heart,” said

with Santas sipping bottles of cheer. The elevator flew open and much to my

Santa Jim.

delight was a mob of jolly men dressed in red and white.”

The Santa group and helpers gave out more than 3,500 toys that day to chil-

It was there Deborah found a Santa Claus convention. She was greeted with

dren that needed hope, and who better than Santa to hand deliver. Amid the

hugs, belly laughs, and a chat with the head Santa, Jim Fletcher, Co-founder

smiles and tears, hundreds of hugs, and saying goodbye to the downtrodden

and Executive Director of Lone Star Santas Charities, Inc.

families, the Lone Star Santas realized this was a new chapter for them. So

A jovial gent, Santa Jim is amazed at the growth of their group. “We started

they named it the Convoy of Toys.

out in 2007 with two of us and we have grown to over 400 members, Santas,

Now part of a larger nonprofit, Lone Star Santas Charities, Inc. has expanded

Mrs. Clauses, elves, and even a reindeer herder. Lone Star Santas is recog-

its reach to community centers, hospices and others in need. Fletcher ad-

nized as the premier Santa organization in the world.”

mits, “Hands down ... our Convoy of Toys® is our crowning achievement. This

If you live in Texas and always dreamed of being a Santa, listen up. Both men and women are welcome to join Lone Star Santas. All must follow the oath to spread love, hope, joy, and the Spirit of Christmas. And the gents must have a natural beard.

has blossomed into doing many Community Service events, especially serving children in conjunction with our Disaster Relief mission.”

Soon Convoy of Toys began visiting communities throughout Texas devastated by wildfire, flood and tornadoes. Eighteen convoys distributed toys to

The group came together to spread cheer year-round to those in need

children after natural disasters, including several shelters in Texas for Hur-

throughout Texas. That changed in 2011 when they saw the devastation of

ricane Harvey’s aftermath. Then a Santa visited Puerto Rico after Hurricane

Joplin, MO when a fierce tornado killed 158 people. It was a turning point

Maria in 2017.

for the jolly Santas and time for the Super Santas to break free from the tra-

Looking toward the future, Santa Glenn Westberry, the group’s new president

ditional holiday parties. They gathered their reindeer herders, super-powered

and executive director, has been a professional Santa for 25 years. One of his

elves, and slapped Lone Star Santa banners on their sleighs (trailers) and hit

favorite Santa jaunts is the annual trip to the Fourth of July Parade in Belton,

the highways.

TX. “We started doing this five years ago, and my thought was since we are go-

Fletcher admits it was a new adventure, just flying by the seat of their Santa

ing to have some fun, we need to bring some Love, Hope & Joy to the children

suit. That, and help with newfound elves en route to Joplin. With every stop for

of Temple/Belton,” Santa Glenn explained, adding that they go down a couple

gas and rest stops, people were in awe and donated money. After all, it’s not

of days early and take toys, gifts and Santa hugs to nonprofits dedicated to

every day you spot a Santa brigade on the highway with toys in tow.

both children and the elderly.

Driving in what was referred to as the war zone, they pulled up to what was

More recently, with the onset of the pandemic and long lines at Texas Food

once a gas station. “We stopped, got out of our vehicles and saw nothing but

Banks, 400 Santas began delivering food to those in need and made dona-

total devastation in all directions, shocking to the core of our souls,” said San-

tions to Food Banks all over Texas. With the Covid restrictions, Santa Glenn

ta Jim. He truly believes each and everyone had tears flowing down their faces.

admits activities are a bit more challenging. “We now work with schools and

Some may wonder, what do children think when they see Santa giving out

local churches after disasters and donate several thousand dollars to numer-

toys in June? True, they are delighted and most appreciative, but still plenty of

ous Food Banks in Texas. What we call our Virtual Convoy of Toys.”

unanswered questions. Santa Jim and others explain that the “real Santa” is

Santa Jim sees a bright future and reminds everyone that Santas never age.

among them, but they can’t divulge their secret. “We can’t tell you, because

The number of members continues to grow with ages from 30 year-olds to a

there’s an Elf who will come by and shave off our beard,” Santa Jim explains,

couple of 80 year-olds. “We have a wealth of new and old members who I

adding, “That seems to work ... Hohoho.”

know will take this organization well into the future...without a doubt!”

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Save the date for Art, Wine & Wheels May 6-8, 2022

CHAPTER 1

SOUTHERN COMFORTS

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Photo: AndrewHereford Shurtleff Photography by William

H O M E

BUILT WITH FIRE CREATING MEMORIES AND BUILDING RELATIONSHIPS HAPPEN EFFORTLESSLY AROUND A FIRE Written by Liesel Schmidt / Photography courtesy Sea Island Forge Since the discovery of fire, people have been using it for warmth, for light, for

“We came up with the idea of the fire kettle since that wouldn’t require knowledge that we didn’t already have, but also because of the ways that fire

cooking…and for gathering together.

“Together” is a word that is foundational to the couple behind Sea Island

brings people together,” explains Steve. “Fire kettles are all about spending

Forge, one of the very things that they view as a reason for everything they do.

time together, telling stories and just making memories. That has incredible

“Some of my more vivid and fond memories are of time spent around a fire

value.”

with friends and family,” says Steve Schoettle, who co-founded the company

“It’s all about relationships for us, deepening the ones we have and devel-

with his wife, Sandy. “Those memories seem more bright, more impactful and

oping new ones,” adds Sandy, who had been working as a property manager prior to the start of Sea Island Forge. “All of

vibrant in my mind.”

that happens effortlessly around the fire.”

Officially launched in 2014 with the first sales of their Sea Island Forge fire kettles

Legacy and longevity are also key to the

at the Sea Island Farmer’s Market, the

ideology of the company. “We try to do ev-

company had been in the idea phase for

erything with those two things in mind,” ex-

years, beginning when Steve and Sandy’s

plains Steve. “The fire kettles are designed

two children went off to college. “We want-

to last many generations. We like to tell

ed to find something that would be our exit

people that they need to put in their will

strategy from the contracting business that

who’s going to get the fire kettle, because

I owned,” explains Steve, who had been

the grandkids are going to fight over whose

self-employed basically since graduating

memories of it are more valuable.”

While he says so jokingly, there’s some-

college and was working as a general con-

thing to that: the memories tied to a phys-

tractor in construction after moving back to St. Simons Island, Georgia. “Ideally, we were looking for something that would

Sandy and Steve Schoettle Photography by Gavin Sellars

cast-iron frying pan that has been passed down through generations is seasoned with

allow us to travel and go to events, meet interesting people, and do interesting things together.”

ical object. And much like the heirloom

countless memories of meals made and eaten together, the Sea Island Forge

With Steve’s background in art as a Fine Arts major at Auburn University,

fire kettles are created to withstand generations of wear and use. That is where

he’d taken an interest in the art of welding and enrolled in classes to learn

Steve’s technical knowledge, combined with both his and Sandy’s artistic ex-

metalwork. That, combined with his technical skill as well as his artistic and

pertise, come into play. “One of our primary design ethos is that form follows

design talent, gained Steve a reputation for his custom metal work—and a

function,” says Steve.

perfect path to something other than general contracting. Sandy, meanwhile,

Function and safety, in fact, are paramount—which is why the kettles are

brought talent of her own as an accomplished artist and photographer. Togeth-

constructed in the way that they are. “We use different metals in different ar-

er, they had the vision to create a company that was all about togetherness—

eas of the kettle’s construction for different engineering and structural needs.

both for them, and their clients.

The bowl is cast ductal iron, and that’s the part that we can’t make ourselves

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SOUTHERN COMFORTS

because we’re a forge and not a foundry. We have the bowl poured to our design and specifications and then design and make every other aspect ourselves,” Steve says. “The stand is made out of steel, and we use stainless steel on the grill.”

Clearly, the design is well thought out and intentional—not to mention filled with structural ingenuity that keeps safety in mind. “If you look at the stand, there’s a band that goes around the stand called the boot rail,” Steve says.

“It’s twisted and looks like rope, but that’s not something we’ve done just Photography by William Hereford

for the look of it. That twisted band of metal maximizes the surface area to dissipate heat, so you can have a really hot fire and that boot rail will never burn you. It may be aesthetically pleasing, but it’s engineered for safety, and people don’t realize that.”

Along with the fire kettles, Sea Island Forge makes everything one could need or imagine for the perfect outdoor experience: domes to create an ovenor smoker-like effect with the kettle; grills that move on an X,Y, and Z axis; “Sidekicks” that hang over the lip of the kettle and provide a small heating surface; designer fire pokers; spark screens; and griddles, among other things can be found on their website. They even offer a line of professional grade products for chefs, as chefs are frequent users of their products.

And while the outdoor lifestyle aspect of their company is quickly overrunning the commissioned work that they have done since the launch of the business, Sea Island Forge’s seven metal workers still put their hands to creating staircases, railings, Juliet balconies, and chandeliers—all with the same dedication to form and function. “Whatever we do, we do it with the intention of it lasting,” says Steve.

Seven years after the sale of their first kettles, Sea Island Forge is gaining national brand recognition, and the Schoettles have been doing just what they set out to do: working together, traveling together as they market the kettles at various events around the country, and meeting new people. As they grow the company, Steve and Sandy give back in any way that they can, donating to various needs they see in their travels as well as to local causes and—especially—to organizations seeking a cure for diseases affecting memory, such as Alzheimer’s or dementia. The cause is one that strikes particularly close to home, as they have watched family members lose the memories they once held dear. “Some of the best memories—for both of us—are times spent around the fire,” says Steve. “Those are incredibly important treasures, and those are things that should never be lost. That’s why we are philanthropic towards memory care.”

As Sea Island Forge brings people together through their fire kettles, they also help create traditions, building memories that will last a lifetime.

For more information, call 912.580.0346 or visit seaislandforge.com

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Clockwise from upper left, 1: Fire kettles are about spending time together, telling stories and making memories no matter where you are. 2: With their combined talents, Steve and Sandy had the vision to create a company that was all about togetherness. 3: Sea Island Forge’s seven metal workers still create commissioned works beyond the fire kettles. 4: They make everything one could need or imagine for the perfect outdoor experience. 5: Steve took an interest in the art of welding and enrolled in classes to learn metalwork. Here he is making a roasting fork. 6: Some of their favorite memories are of time spent around a fire with friends and family.

Photography by Gavin Sellars

“IT’S ALL ABOUT RELATIONSHIPS FOR US, DEEPENING THE ONES WE HAVE AND DEVELOPING NEW ONES. ALL OF THAT HAPPENS EFFORTLESSLY AROUND THE FIRE.”

Photography by Kelli Boyd Photography by Gavin Sellars

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H O M E

M E R RY B Y J U L I E While Christmas stockings are a quintessential part of Christmas, they small workroom in North Carolina to sew the stockings and collars from aren’t usually terribly stylish or remotely sophisticated. Which is why, the patterns I designed for the stockings and removable collars. I also when interior designer Julie Terrell went in search of Christmas stockmake the porcelain charms in my home ceramic studio and sew them ings that would actually compliment the design aesthetic to the ribbons by hand.” for her clients’ homes, she came up short.

Ideal for those who want their holiday decor to be as Naturally, Terrell did what any forward-thinking designer sophisticated and thoughtful as the rest of their home, would do: She created them for herself—and made them “Merry has been a hit with fellow interior designers who exceptionally unique. “I was looking for a timeless style appreciate the custom nature of this gift for their clithat also offered flexibility because I personally enjoy ents,” Terrell notes. making small changes to my holiday decor each year,” Headquartered in Birmingham, Alabama, where Terrell she explains. “This led me to the idea of designing a operates her full-service interiors firm, Merry is enstocking that could be accessorized. I love the creative trenched in Southern tradition. “I have always lived in process and decided to put my design, sewing, and cethe South, and there is a great tradition and appreciaramics experience to work to craft my own unique solution for creativity, quality, and craftsmanship—all of the tion.” small things that make a home beautiful,” Terrell says.

And so was born Merry, a line of designer stockings and “We also place great value on family heirlooms, so it was Julie Terrell holiday decor that incorporates into any design aesthetic important for me to create timeless pieces that can be and style with ease. Inspired by art, fashion, beautiful passed down for generations.” textiles, timeless materials, and family heirlooms, Terrell creates piecQuality and craftsmanship is also something that makes the products es that are beautiful yet festive—solving the problem that so often arisso special. “There is an authenticity to handmade items,” says Terrell. es when decorating for the holidays. And like the stockings themselves, “That’s why it was important to me to offer customizable accessories as the process for making them is unique. “I source beautiful fabrics that well as a truly custom program where I can work directly with a client I would use in my clients’ homes or in my own home for the stockings to create a unique stocking using their own fabrics and materials.” and enjoy hunting for vintage fashion fabrics like wool plaids, ribbons, Merry products are available online @ merry.julieterrell.com trims, buttons, and cufflinks on my travels,” Terrell says. “I work with a Written by Liesel Schmidt

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F O O D

INAKA TEA COMPANY As a college student studying Japanese, Southern boy Chat Phillips, values of hospitality and hard work that are embedded in our Southern III, went abroad after his junior year of college to Japan and fell in roots,” Phillips says. “I tell people all the time the inspiration for Inaka love—not with a girl, but with tea. Unlike the iced tea he was used is equal parts Japan and Mississippi. The word ‘Inaka’ is a Japanese to drinking back home in Mississippi, however, the tea word that means countryside, hometown, rural, place he discovered on his travels was Mugicha, or barley tea. of origin, etc…It is a nod to not only where I first had “Since then, I haven’t stopped drinking it.” barley tea but also to my upbringing on a family farm in Over the next few years, seeds for the future were planted rural Mississippi. I would not have as much conviction and began to take root—even if Phillips couldn’t quite about using real, authentic ingredients if I didn’t grow see it yet. “I had a career that allowed me to travel to up in a farming community and around food production.

Japan frequently and would always bring back barley tea I moved away when I was in high school and eventually from my trips. It wasn’t frequent enough, and I couldn’t ended up coming back because I missed the authenticfind any in Mississippi; so I took matters into my own ity, hospitality, and the people here.” hands and started roasting grains in my kitchen and Authenticity is more than just a buzzword with Inaka, brewing the tea for myself,” he recalls. “My then-girland Phillips is committed to quality, from start to finish, friend, Stevie, who is now my wife, started drinking it to create a product that is perfect. “We only use real and liked it. Eventually, we started giving it to friends and ingredients—whole herbs, fresh ground ginger, organic Chat and Stevie Phillips family, and they liked it, as well. I was shocked to find grains,” he says. He also touts the health benefits. “Our that nobody in the U.S. was brewing and bottling barley teas have all the good stuff! Plus, they’re naturally caftea on a commercial scale. In 2019, I quit my consulting job to pursue feine-free and range from 5-30 calories, so you can enjoy them anyInaka full-time. It took a good year to get a product that we were happy time. Barley tea contains antioxidants, can help regulate blood sugar with and ready for store shelves.” and cholesterol, and contains melatonin and tryptophan, which can After launching in 2020, they successfully created a brand and suphelp you get better sleep. It can also support cardiovascular health ply chain, entering grocery stores and retailers regionally and shipping and has been associated with preventing tooth decay.” Products can nationally online. As Mississippi natives, however, they are deeply dedbe found in grocers and retailers throughout Mississippi and West Tenicated to keeping their manufacturing local. “Inaka is built upon the nessee as well as online @ inakatea.com Written by Liesel Schmidt

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F O O D

HATTIE JANE’S CREAMERY Happiness. It’s a word that you see a lot on the website for Hattie start making ice cream flavors, you begin to look at everything through Jane’s Creamery, one that is inescapable when it comes to the brand the lens of, ‘Could this be an ice cream flavor?’ I try and keep my eyes itself because of one undeniable truth: Ice cream does make people open to all possibilities.” happy.

Quality is paramount, so Hattie Jane’s sources milk Created in 2016 by Claire Crowell, Hattie Jane’s from a local, multigenerational dairy farm in Crossis a women-founded, women-led creamery and ville, Tennessee, called Sunrise Creamery. “Not only scoop shop serving small-batch craft ice cream, do they mix the base, they also supply 100 percent milkshakes, and baked goods—though it all startof the milk and cream for Hattie Jane’s Creamery’s ed with a joke. “The idea actually originated with products, which allows us to produce a scratchmy daughter’s name, which is Hattie Jane,” exmade product that is more consistent, creamy, plains Crowell, who runs the company with partand smooth and made with Tennessee cows,” says ners Rhonda Schmitz and Autumn Friese, who Crowell. “For our vegan flavors, we start with a serve as COO and manager, respectively. “When coconut-base that we make in house. If there are she was born in 2013, my dad always joked about baked items like cookies, brownies and hot fudge, it being a good name for an ice cream store. Then, we make those in house. Almost everything goes after a year or two, I got serious about the idea and into the machine, the machine does its magic, and Claire Crowell decided to go for it.” then out comes a beautiful, soft ice cream. We also Five years later, Hattie Jane’s has expanded past hand layer many ingredients, which is what makes its original location in Columbia, Tennessee, to include shops in our ice cream craft.”

Franklin, Murfreesboro, and Nashville. They also recently launched Hattie Jane’s is deeply committed to giving back, so the company nationwide shipping. holds Give Back Days at their scoop shops to benefit charities that Flavor is, of course, one of the keys to success in ice cream, and serve children and women in the community. They also partner with Hattie Jane’s is far more than just chocolate and vanilla. “I find inlocal public schools to recognize students for their achievements. spiration for flavors all over the place, from restaurant menus and Purchase online @ hattiejanescreamery.com and at all Hattie Jane’s cookbooks to farmers markets—everywhere,” Crowell says. “Once you locations, as well as local retailers throughout Middle Tennessee. LS

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