RSVP Memphis Magazine April 2020

Heart and Stroke Ball

Bodine Bash

Let’s Rock the Houses

362 Grandview Street

1862 Old Towne Lane

24495 Highway 76

Memphis, TN 38111

Germantown, TN 38139

Somerville, TN 38068

$1,250,000

$679,900

$799,000 LD

SO

If you have been looking for a beautiful, gated east Memphis home to entertain and enjoy Southern evenings in, then this updated 4 bedroom, 3.5 bath home is for you. Relax on the huge screened in porch overlooking the private, well manicured backyard with a fountain, gunite pool with built-in hot tub and guest/pool house.

Check out the YouTube video!

Bill Maury

Nancy Huddleston

901.870.3771

901.484.9494

maury@ collins-maury.com

huddleston@ collins-maury.com

Certified Luxury Home Marketing Specialists ©

Beautiful and well-maintained home located in Enclave subdivision off of Wolf River Blvd. This home has an open floor plan on a low-maintenance corner lot. Features include new hardwood flooring in 2017, new carpet upstairs, & 2 new hot water heaters.

Six-burner gas cooktop in kitchen, SS double ovens plus warming drawer. Butler's pantry w/ beverage center, 2 pantries, plus separate office. Laundry room conveniently off master closet has a window and sink. Huge walk-in attic plus bonus craft/storage room upstairs.

Certified Luxury Home Marketing Specialist ©

Laura Clark 901.483.2117 Laura@LauraClarkRealtor.com

Incredible horse property on 28.5 acres just east of Somerville, TN. Southern living house plan built in ’05 with 4 bedrooms, 3 baths and 2 half baths. Separate den, dining room, office, library and 3 car garage. Library has hidden storm/safe room. Large laundry room and pantry. Morton 8 stall barn loaded with amenities, detached oversized 2 car garage, 2 separate out buildings for equipment and storage. 90% fenced. Whole house generator “for safety and security!”

Certified Luxury Home Marketing Specialist ©

Bill Maury 901.870.3771 maury@ collins-maury.com

4511 Minden Road Memphis, TN 38117

$1,389,000

Cathy Banks 901.606.2374

Jeanne Billings 901.493.0100

Lisa Carter 901.493.2612

Meredith Coughlin 901.443.0953

Jason Gaia 901.338.6677

Sally Isom 901.219.8882

Milleigh Pearson 901.550.1517

Diane Stribling 901.412.7489

Sissy Vaughan 901.870.6227

Mary Williams 901.283.7795

5 bedroom, 6.1 bath Estate Home with Classic Southern Charm.

Gunite pool and hot tub! So much new! 4 Carrier HVAC, 2 Tankless Hot water heaters! Marvin Windows! Fresh Paint, Concrete Cobblestone driveway and a Curb appeal that will keep bringing you home with a smile! Let me open the door for you!

Certified Luxury Home Marketing Specialist ©

Patty Everitt 901.487.7709 peveritt@ collins-maury.com

Ruben Lopez 901.497.5352

Janey Outlan 901.487.3292

Collins-Maury.com 5865 Ridgeway Center Pkwy Ste. 105 Memphis, TN 38120 901.259.8550

3276 Goodman Rd. Southaven,MS 38672 662.548.2000

968 Civic Center Drive Ste. 103 Collierville, TN 38017 901.259.8500

CONTENTS April 2020

Features

Signature Memphis • 9

StreetSeen • 10

Tom Jones

Suhair “Sue” Lauck

Principal at Smart City Consulting and columnist for Inside Memphis Business Magazine

Owner, The Little Tea Shop: “I’m the cook, the hostess and the cashier (but my best title is grandmother)."

RSVPhillippi • 25 Upstaged Watching my nephew's high school play reminded me of the joy of acting and the theatre from a time past.

Events

Scott and Amanda Vines

Memphis Moments • 16, 17, 20 &21

Tanya and Mark Hart

Heart and Stroke Ball • 12 The elegant evening benefited the Mid-South Chapter of the American Heart Association.

Katie and Teri Gulati

Let’s Rock the Houses • 18 FedEx Pilots’ Wives Association event serves families facing childhood illnesses.

Pierre and Gay Landaiche

Bodine Bash • 22 Derby-themed fundraiser celebrates organization’s positive impact on children and their families.

Cover Photo: Zach and Allegra Tatum at the Bodine Bash. Photo by Don Perry Contents Photo by Roy Haithcock

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April 2020

RSVP Staff Volume XXVI • Number IV

April 2020 Publisher Roy Haithcock

Chris Pugh

Account Executive Chris has been exercising his talent in the advertising world since 1999. He joined the RSVP team in 2009 and brought with him a love for laughter and creativity. Originally from New Albany, Mississippi, Chris has settled in Memphis and enjoys being active in the fashion community.

Editor Emily Adams Keplinger Copy Editor/Accounting Ruth Cassin Contributing Writers Bill Bannister Erin Ortasic Dennis Phillippi Gaye Swan Art Director Kim Coleman Photographers Don Perry Steve Roberts Account Executives Chris Pugh Carter Davis

Carter Davis

Account Executive

Carter is native Memphian and a veteran of the broadcast industry, and magazine publishing. He is also a freelance voiceover talent and can be heard on WKNO 91.1FM on Sundays.

Carter is an avid animal lover and likes to work with aquariums as a hobby. He enjoys his East Memphis home with his wife and 2 dogs, and 6 cats.

RSVP Memphis is published monthly by Haithcock Communications, Inc. First class subscriptions are available for $55.00 per year.

Send name and address with a check to:

Haithcock Communications, Inc. 2282 Central Avenue Memphis, TN 38104 For advertising information contact:

Roy Haithcock Phone: (901) 276-7787 publisher@rsvpmagazine.com Visit us online at:

www.rsvpmagazine.com For editorial information or to request coverage of an event, please contact RSVP Magazine one month prior to the event:

Call: 901-276-7787 editor@rsvpmagazine.com Follow us on:

Kim Coleman

RSVP Memphis Magazine

Art Director

Kim oversees all visual aspects of the magazine — advertising and editorial. Her career encompasses working with both print and digital media for magazines, newspapers and e-publications. Kim and her husband are raising their two children in the Cooper-Young area where their family enjoys the artistic atmosphere and entrepreneurial spirit of Midtown.

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April 2020

Copyright 2020 Haithcock Communications, Inc.

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CATHLEEN BLACK

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Visit our NEW website - www.marx-bensdorf.com 5860 Ridgeway Center Parkway, Suite 100 Memphis, Tennessee 38120 • 901-682-1868

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From the Editor

April

T

Let us help you build your dream wedding registry!

he annual “Greening of Memphis” is happening. Locally grown produce has been nurtured on area farms and is now making its way to a farmers market near you. Over the last few years, local farmers markets have sprouted up around town, so much so, that there’s an ample supply of vendors selling produce almost every day of the week. In addition to the various farmers markets, some local farms offer CSA (Community Supported Agriculture) memberships that are a win-win for the farmers and their customers. Folks can purchase weekly shares of foods and flowers from local farms like Bring It Food Hub, Rose Creek Farms, Tubby Creek Farm and Whitton Farms, then pick up their orders at prearranged locations.

Some of the markets scheduled to start their season in April and May include: Agricenter Farmers Market - (901) 757-7777: This market is open Monday – Saturday, 7:30 a.m. - 5:30 p.m., (on Saturdays, it opens 30 minutes early at 7 a.m.) from May through October at Agricenter International, 7777 Walnut Grove Road (Closed on Memorial Day, July 4 and Labor Day).

Made by Erich Emmenegger for Dixie Pottery

2110 MERCHANTS ROW • GERMANTOWN, TN 38138 MON-SAT 10-5 • 901.385.3115 TWODOORSDOWNGIFTS.COM

Bartlett Station Farmers Market - (901) 372-9457: This market is open Saturdays, 8 a.m. - noon, from May 16 through October at Freeman Park, 2629 Bartlett Boulevard.

Collierville Farmers Market - (901) 210-3883: This market is open Thursdays, 8 a.m. - 1 p.m., from May 28 through September 24, in the side parking lot of Collierville United Methodist Church, 454 W. Poplar.

Cooper-Young Community Farmers Market - (901) 488-1946: Starting in April, this market is open Saturdays, 8 a.m. - 1 p.m., in the south parking lot of First Congo, 1000 S. Cooper.

Memphis Farmers Market - (866) 348-2226: Back and better than ever, this market is open Saturdays, 8 a.m. - 1 p.m. (note the hour later starting time), from April through October at Central Station Pavilion, South Front at G. E. Patterson.

South Memphis Farmers Market - (901) 505-0221: Thursdays, 9 a.m. - 3 p.m., from May through September at 1400 Mississippi Boulevard And, the addition of food trucks to our culinary landscape has made “dining out” an altogether different experience. With Food Truck Parks that function like rolling food courts, you can go to a centralized place and have your pick from a variety of fare; comfort food, tacos, salads, wraps, Creole, Japanese, Asian fusion, vegetarian, vegan and more. To stay in the know about local food truck vendors and their schedules, download the app “Street Food Finders” or look them up online at https://streetfoodfinder.com/c/TN/Memphis#!vendors.

Emily Adams Keplinger editor@rsvpmagazine.com 8

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Signature Memphis

Tom Jones Principal at Smart City Consulting and columnist for Inside Memphis Business Magazine Hometown: Collierville Favorite Song: “Blind Willie McTell” by Bob Dylan Your Lucky Charm: Music Your Best Quality: Calmness A Nonliving Celebrity/Role Model You Would Invite to Dinner: Eleanor Roosevelt Your Favorite Memphis “Thang”: Walking the Riverfront Favorite Place

to

Travel: France

Best Memphis Hangout: Otherlands First Car You Owned: Pontiac Firebird Place You Go

to

Think: In front of a computer with my fingers on the keyboard

Favorite Southern Idiom: Even a blind hog finds an acorn once in awhile Best Advice You Ever Got: Only work on things you’re passionate about and with people you like.

Your Most Annoying Habit: Unable to walk by a computer without sitting down

The Highlight

of

Your Day: When our daughter Adrienne calls

Proudest Moment

of

Your Life: Days my daughters were born

Who Would Play You

in a

Movie: Tommy Lee Jones

Something You’ll Never Live Down: As a young reporter, I feel asleep in the middle of an interview of a state Supreme Court judge

April 2020

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Owner of The Little Tea Shop

SUHAIR “SUE” LAUCK Story by Emily Adams Keplinger • Photos by Steve Roberts

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“I let my style evolve and won people over with my healthy dishes that had great flavor. ”

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uhair “Sue” Lauck's path to her place in Downtown Memphis began on the western bank of Jordan in what is now known as Palestine. That is where her cooking experience began. Growing up, Sue said that her parents and her grandparents were all good cooks

“We lived to eat,” said Sue. “But I’m a cook, not a chef. I didn’t go to culinary school and earn that title. In fact, I went to school to be a fashion designer, but I always loved cooking.”

Sue came to Memphis, in 1967 when she married a man from the Bluff City.

“Hallelujah — In 1967 I became an American, and a Memphian,” exclaimed Sue. True to her training, Sue’s first job in Memphis was doing alterations for the Frances Wright dress shop on Union. Later Sue decided to go back to Palestine. When she returned to Memphis she was asked if she would help out a day or two a week at La Baguette. She did that for five years.

Along the way she divorced in the mid-1970s, then met James Lauck at La Baguette. He came in to purchase some pastries for a meeting. The couple married seven years after first meeting. When the building that housed the Little Tea shop went up for sale, James purchased it. James asked Sue if she had any interest in running it for him. In July 1982, and she became the cook and the manager.

“Since July 1, 1982, we have owned The Little

Tea Shop at 69 Monroe,” explained Sue. “I’m the cook, the hostess and the cashier (but my best title is grandmother). We’re open five days a week, Monday - Friday, for lunch. We do what we do best — healthy, home-style cooking, with special entrees every day, vegetables, salads and desserts.

Our top-selling dish is turnip greens, and we’re known for our peach and apple cobblers, and our frozen pecan balls.”

Something else that stands out about Sue’s cooking are the spices that she uses.

“When I started cooking at The Little Tea Shop, all they used were salt, pepper and paprika.

I changed the way they cooked, but I tried to be smart and not make changes immediately. I let my style evolve and won people over with my healthy dishes that had great flavor. I have so many spices in my kitchen and like to use them freshly ground. I use herbs like mint, parsley, basil, thyme, oregano, and spices like cumin and cardamon. Oddly enough, I love to use coriander, but can’t stand cilantro.”

As for her clientele, Sue’s restaurant is filled

daily with a “Who’s Who of Memphis.”

“This is the place for a power lunch in Downtown,” said Sue. “Bankers, lawyers, judges, and people from the cotton industry sit in the same room with well-known individuals from the Memphis music scene and sports icons. Some of those folks eat with me every day.”

“But, I have seen ‘The Good, The Bad and the Ugly,’ since opening in 1982. There was a time when we were the only restaurant on the block.

The next closest eatery was The Rendezvous, then Bon Ton moved in. Before that, it could be kind of scary opening in the early morning.”

Sue has not only worked Downtown for almost the last four decades, she has also been a resident since 1987, living above her restaurant.

“The best thing that has ever happened since I’ve been living Downtown is that young people are moving back into the area,” said Sue. “With the old Post Office converted to the University of Memphis Law School, there are people here all the time. It really is a case of ‘the more the merrier.’ I love living Downtown. I feel very safe and can walk to my doctor, my dentist and a pharmacy.

There’s also a park nearby, and a number of sports teams, as well as fabulous entertainment options at The Orpheum and The Cannon Center. Everything is so convenient that I sold my car last year and only leave Downtown once a week to shop at a large grocery store.”

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Heart and Stroke Ball

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April

Heart and Stroke Ball American Heart Association Fundraiser

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Emily and Tom Love

Paulo and Priscilla Teixeira

n elegantly dressed crowd of generous Memphians attended the Heart and Stroke Ball to benefit the Mid-South Chapter of the American Heart Association. The evening began with a social hour and silent auction in the beautifully decorated Venetian and Forest Ballrooms at The Peabody. Attendees sipped cocktails and bid on over 65 items in categories including sports, travel, wine, art, and health and wellness.

Guests were seated in the Grand Ballroom for a delicious three-course meal, beginning with a salad of chopped romaine, hearts of palm, fresh avocado, grilled corn, tomatoes and tortilla strips.

The heart-healthy main course featured petite filet mignon in a balsamic sauce and seared halibut in Limoncello sauce, roasted artichokes, lemon-scented asparagus, carrots, potatoes au gratin, and heirloom tomato. The mouthwatering desserts were a choice of a chocolate trio or a Southern sweets trio.

An entertaining and face-paced live auction followed dinner. Excited supporters bid on a five-course wine cellar dinner for 10 at Horseshoe Casino, a suite at the FedEx Forum for a Grizzlies or Tigers event, a fine art piece from Belle Roth in New York, a one-week See all the party photos at rsvpmagazine.com Password: RSVP

stay at Estate La Croix in the US Virgin Islands, a one-week stay in Colorado’s Mann-Hole West townhome, beautiful jewelry from Mednikow, and a pre-paid two-year lease on the bidder’s choice of one of six automobiles from Landers Auto Group. A highlight of the evening was a touching video documenting the stories of two very different survivors and their families. Both appeared after the showing to a standing ovation from the crowd. After the presentation, partygoers took to the dance floor to the lively sounds of Burning Las Vegas.

Kent Ritchey, President of Landers Auto Group, was the 2020 event chair.

“I am truly honored to be this year’s Heart and Stroke Ball Chair, but I did not do it alone,” Ritchey said. “I had the privilege of working alongside a dedicated group of volunteers on our Executive Leadership Team and my co-chair, Dr. Steven S. Gubin of Stern Cardiovascular Foundation. Tonight is about celebrating the gift of time—more time we can spend with our families and friends, thanks largely to the research, advocacy and resources of the American Heart Association. I’m proud to announce we surpassed our goal and raised nearly $770,000 for the Mid-South American Heart Association!”

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Nikki and Taylor Huffman

Story by Gaye Swan Photos by Don Perry

Deborah and Adrian Merrill

Lauren Hale and Josh Goff

Cynthia and Charles Thompson

Monica and Andre Wharton

Taylor and Max Wondries with Janice and Kent Ritchey

Margie and Michael Neal

Divorce is a bad choice, but it may be the best choice.

The more you know about divorce, the better decisions you will make about divorce.

More than thirty years ago, this philosophy led us to write our client guide to divorce. It was updated again this year and can be accessed on our website, aboutdivorce.com.

Divorce is a tragedy. It is the end of a relationship that the parties intended to last a lifetime. That tragedy is compounded when a party comes to the process with inaccurate information. A small amount of time spent reading the relevant portions of the guide can save a lot of time, anger and money. Whole books are written on some of the topics we treat with a few paragraphs.

Our hope is that neither you, nor anyone close to you, will need this information. The reality is that you probably know someone who needs this information so they can make a choice that is best for them.

Larry Rice

Nick Rice

aboutdivorce.com Rice Divorce Team 901.526.6701 divorce@ricelaw.com

Heart and Stroke Ball

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Mike and Tammy Noonan

Jeff and Colleen Lacroix

Anne Wulff and Brian Bendersky

Bob and Dianne Laster

Leslie and John Daniel

Randy and Vicki Fisher with Ben and Dianne Traylor

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Mallory and David Ruben

Kim and Gary Beasley

Dr. Michael and Rebecca Ugwueke

Gloria and Harold Fagan

Benjamin and Ashley McCall with Leanne Cozad and Nick Svitak

April

Andrew and Tina Douglas

Shelly and Jimmy Haley

Nina and Dr. Guy Teach

Melinda And Forrest Artz

Ginger Hauser and Mehri Ahmadzadegan

David and Bonnie Thornton with Lydia and Randy Bors-Koefoed

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Winfred and Florence Jones

Mike and Sharon Goldstein

Sridhar and Poornima Sunkara

Luka and Alana Perkovic

Dr. Tom and Nyla Throckmorton with Dr. Linda Kennard and Dr. Joel Johnson

April 2020

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Memphis Moment

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ICCS Mardi Gras Laissez Les Bon Temps Rouler

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he Mardi Gras silent auction fundraiser of Immaculate Conception Cathedral School (ICCS) took place amid a festive atmosphere in Heffernan Hall at Christian Brothers High School. The school’s chef, Anthony Terrell, catered a buffet filled with favorite New Orleans foods including shrimp and grits, gumbo, red beans and rice, and mini muffulettas. King Cake and bread pudding topped off the meal. Memphis Second Line Jazz Band let the good times roll with their brand of music, and brought people to their feet to join in a Mardi Gras-style procession.

Afterwards, the Risky Whiskey Boys band kept things lively as partygoers moved to the dance floor for the rest of the evening. Event sponsors included Midtown Eye Care, Vescovo’s Arlington Liquors, Coopertown Services, Sturla Canale, Christian Brothers High School, and anonymous friends of ICCS. Proceeds from the event will be used for the school’s general operating expenses.

Story and Photos by Emily Adams Keplinger Scott Borgert and Susan Whalen

Jaret Thomas and Annie Armstrong

Sarah Bowers, Emily Breckenridge and Julie Escobar

Steve Shully and Linda Armstrong

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Gregg Coats and Chris Short

Cathy and Guy Armstrong

Delila Garcias, Samantha Oswald and Jasmin Longoria

Carla Dennis and Sue Anne Duffy

Dnyana and Theeran Chinnioh

Fr. Robert Marshall, Fr. Ruben Villalon and Deacon Bill Pettit

Lesley and John Hartney

Jason and Katherine Paxton

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Military Masquerade Ball Alpha Omega Veterans Services

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Jan and Pat Dickey

Kimberly and Trevor Riley

he Military Masquerade Ball was a lively fundraiser designed to raise money to help veterans and spread awareness about Alpha Omega Veterans Services (AOVS). Memphis Second Line Jazz Band got things started with a spirited second line procession through the house and around the grounds of Annesdale Mansion. In keeping with the Mardi Gras theme, guests were encouraged to wear masks with their party attire. Dickson’s Custom Catering served up traditional creole dishes of red beans and rice, chicken and sausage gumbo, jambalaya with smoked sausage, as well as pulled beef po-boys, bread pudding and Bananas Foster. Jeremy Shrader and his brass band “let the good times roll,” adding their musical flavor to the evening. Live action artist Marlee Allison showed off her amazing talent, completing a painting at the event that was subsequently donated to the organization’s live auction.

Story and Photos by Emily Adams Keplinger

Dennis and Rachelle Hart

Steve and Theresa Bernhardt

General Jack and Sylvia Ramsaur

Kelly Ellington and Barbara Capocella

Silvana and Bob Piadade with Bill and Kathy Bradshaw

Taylor and Megan Earhart with Sara and Julian Mangrum

Betty Rome, Peggy Voeller and Peggy Larkin

Grayson Smith and Cordell Walker

Linda and Bill Robertson with Anne Truett

Marlee Allison and Vicki Azlin

April 2020

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Let’s Rock the Houses

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April

Let’s Rock the Houses

E Rocio and Nathan Havlik

Brent and Erin Dlugach

FedEx Pilots’ Wives Association

ach year, families and businesses from the Memphis area partner with FedEx Pilots’ Wives Association (FEPWA) in their decades-long mission of serving families facing childhood illnesses. Last year, the organization raised over $50,000 for Ronald McDonald House Memphis and FedExFamilyHouse. This year FEPWA held their fundraiser at the Carousel Pavilion of Children’s Museum of Memphis.

The “Let’s Rock the Houses” event was the group’s most impactful fundraiser to date, raising approximately $86,000.

Legacy Wealth Management was the event’s platinum sponsor. Proceeds benefit both the FedExFamilyHouse and the Ronald McDonald House Charities of Memphis.

Pink Flamingo Catering offered the crowd a tasty buffet with dishes like street tacos, shrimp & grits, smoked Gouda and pimento cheese dip, fried chicken sliders, raspberry chipotle meatballs, and a variety of salads. For entertainment, guests could try their hands at a wine pull, don zany props for a photo

by Phancy Photo Booth or take a spin on the restored 1909 Grand Carousel.

At Let’s Rock the Houses, over 250 guests competed with online bidders for auction items donated by hundreds of businesses from the Mid South and beyond. Items ranged from sky diving lessons to rounds of golf to scuba diving See all the party photos at rsvpmagazine.com Password: RSVP

lessons. Also up for bid were Redbirds box tickets, a Sun Studio tour for 4, Kendra Scott jewelry, salon and spa packages, sports memorabilia, original artwork, Malco movie passes, time in a FedEx Flight Simulator, and beautiful barware, as well as tickets and memberships supporting area attractions like Memphis Botanic Garden and performances at Germantown Community Theatre and Germantown Performing Arts Center. The live auction offered a variety of baked treats. Decadent desserts from Patty Cakes, Prima’s, La Baguette, Muddy’s, The Toffee, Pink Bakery and Smallcakes offered a very sweet way for bidders to show their support.

“The FedEx Pilots’ Wives Association is a group comprised of FedEx Express Pilots’ Wives, just like the name says, and Female FedEx Express Pilots,” explained Amber Abney, the group’s president. “The organization’s mission is to serve each other through charity, community and personal growth. We are a social and charitable organization that supports the Ronald McDonald House Charities of Memphis (RMH) at St. Jude’s and FedExFamilyHouse (FEFH) at LeBonheur Children’s Hospital. Though many of the organization’s members make the Memphis area their home, the overall membership includes 420 members, spanning the globe.”

Shelby Ramsey and Erin Mullis

Samantha and Jonathan Walker

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Michelle and Chris Clothier

Story by Emily Adams Keplinger Photos by Don Perry

Meryl and Bill Mosk

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Megan and Justin Dupuy

April 2020

Gaylann Hicks with Becky and Vernon Barton

Lauren and Eric Baker

April

Joan and Jeff Gunther

Linda Hudgins and Kevin Whearty

Malayne McGhee and Jill Crocker

Lauren and Josh Sanders

Heather and Stephen Short

Marcus Abney with Claudette and Gregory Mollere

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Erin and Colin Mullis

Arniecia Hines and Hailey Zuvers

Kenneth and Betsy McLean

Amber and Austin Orr

Megan Toms, Katie Diggs and Laura Tinsley

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Memphis Moment

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April

Works of Heart Benefiting the Memphis Child Advocacy Center

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or many art lovers, the 28th annual Works of Heart was a perfect way to wrap up their Valentine’s Day festivities. The main gallery of the iconic Memphis College of Art was filled with over 100 heart-themed works by leading regional artists. All of the artwork was related to the heart: love, romance, parenting, or sometimes heartbreak. This year was bittersweet since the Memphis College of Art (MCA), the longtime venue for the Works of Heart event, is closing its doors later this spring. Virginia Stallworth, executive director of the Memphis Child Advocacy Center (CAC), said, “We are so grateful for MCA’s hospitality and their contributions over the years.” And there was no doubt that the public was there to show the CAC some love as the event raised $98,000. And in the final tally, an anonymous donor added $2,000 to the coffers so the organization could reach its goal of $100,000.

Eldra White with JO Patterson, Cheryl Patterson and Susan Stern

Story and Photos by Emily Adams Keplinger Laura Alexander-Dodds, Tracie Burke and Maureen O’Brien

Jeff and KC Warren

Alison Letsos and Amanda Hoeksema

David and Jeanne Simmons with Annette Askew

Jason Hill and Doug Wright

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April 2020

Sharon Fewell and Rebecca Bush

Jana Travis, Lora Burke and Teresa Bullock

Bill and Laura Murphy

Steven Johnson and Gretchen Turley

Judi Gray and Shawn Hayden

Kris and Colby Crim with Beryl Wight

Jasmine Matthews and Gloria Dodds

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Whiskey, Wine, and Chocolates A Valentine’s Day Treat at Memphis Botanic Garden

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Kyle James and Hannah Vickers

Morgan Hughes and Jacob Brockman

uests to Memphis Botanic Garden’s annual Whiskey, Wine, and Chocolates were greeted with a signature cocktail from Old Dominick Distillery, aptly called Love Spell. The romantic theme was carried out in the soft red-tinted lighting and white and red roses on each table.

And what Valentine’s Day would be complete without chocolates? Gourmet designer chocolates from premier chocolatier Phillip Ashley were paired with select whiskeys from Blue Note Bourbon, Old Glory Distilling, and Chattanooga Whiskey, along with refreshing beer from Diamond Bear Brewing and red wine from Chateau St. Jean. Partygoers enjoyed the sounds of Nick Black and the magic feats of magician Grayson Smith. Catered buffet stations offered a wonderful array of hors d’oeuvres including assorted dips, phyllo puffs, asparagus pillows, bacon-wrapped quail, beef tenderloin, shrimp and grits, and a tempting array of fruit, cheese, and sausage.

Story and Photos by Gaye Swan

Taylor Herndon and Gina Harris

Sharon Snyder and Ruthann Pike

Meghan McKinney and Ankur Sharma

Aman and Avnisha Patel

Libby and Neil Hubbard with Cari and George Baird

Kandis and Mark Webb

Dr. Marlah Mardis with Ryan and Lucrecia Zuber

Becky and Brent Wilkins

Kelli Beard and Chris Tran

Doug Green and Rona Mogil with Margaret and Grayson Smith

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Bodine Bash

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Bodine Bash

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Amber and Erik Gott

Pam Unger and Chautara Franklin

Run for the Roses

he 2020 Bodine Bash took place at the Memphis Grand Carousel Pavilion and Ballroom at the Children’s Museum of Memphis. The event was a fundraiser celebrating the organization’s positive impact on numerous children and their families since the school’s founding in 1972.

With the theme of “Run for the Roses,” guests dressed in their “Derby best” with many women accentuating their outfits with broad-brimmed hats or fascinators. A large statue of a horse bedecked with a rose garland stood in the entry to the pavilion, as if waiting for guests to stop for a photo op. Many of the party-goers got into a race of their own as they selected their steeds and took a spin on the 1909 Dentzel Memphis Grand Carousel. Craft beer selections were provided by Memphis Filling Station (voted Best Brewery at the 2020 Pink Palace Science of Beer event), along with nonalcoholic sodas and bottled water. The signature cocktails were Kentucky Tea-Juleps (made with Four Roses Bourbon, mint simple syrup and a mixture of half sweet and half unsweetened tea), and Sprinting Spritzers (made from Ketel One Grapefruit and Rose Vodka, rose puree and grapefruit-flavored sparkling water).

Both concoctions were right on the money!

See all the party photos at rsvpmagazine.com Password: RSVP

Guests made their way through tables laden with one-of-a-kind auction items in categories like sporting event tickets, arts & photography, entertainment & travel, personal pampering items, purses, jewelry, tots & teens, home & garden and Memphis restaurant experiences. People used their mobile phones to place their bids on Bodine’s on-line auction site.

Attendees enjoyed a dinner on the pavilion catered by A Moveable Feast & Hog Wild Catering Co. Continuing the evening’s theme, blue prize ribbons decorated each place setting and centerpieces featured red roses and silver horseshoes. Trumpeter Will Palladino played the official “Call to the Post” at the start of the live auction. And a Silent Disco closed out the evening. This year’s fundraiser, chaired by Jason and Joanna Landrum and Lewis and Emilie Unglesby, was sponsored by FedEx as the lead presenter. Auctioneer was 97.7 Guess FM radio personality Steve Conley.

“For the third year in a row, ours was a sold out event,” said Gretchen Klobucar, Director of Institutional Advancement at Bodine. “Funds from this event will enable Bodine School to make enhancements to the excellent elementary school experience that it provides for students with dyslexia.”

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Sharon and Durant Fleming

Story by Emily Adams Keplinger Photos by Don Perry

Bob Wamack and Donna Marinelli

Caroline Landaiche and Christine Mahoney

Judge Ron and Sandra Lucchesi

Emily and Nancy Malloy

Judge Harry Wellford, Peggy Bodine, Lesley and Sherry Dacus with Shannon Taylor

Michelle Medlin and Julia Santos

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Emily and Lewis Unglesby

Liz and Lonnie Easterling

Allison and Matt Brinkmeyer

Byron and Estelle Winsett

Tanda Grisham-Williams and George Williams

Janna Hacker, JoAnna Landrum and Sai Karuhatty

Bodine Bash

Ben and Katie Cambell

Sheryl and James Moroschak

Libby and Nick Nabors

Sara and Terry Schmitt

David and Karen Kelly with Erin and Brian Borgmier

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Crossword

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RSVP Crossword Edited By Ruth Cassin

ACROSS 1 Jacket part 6 Women's magazine 10 Sham 14 Iranian's neighbor 15 Conceited 16 Pastel 17 Variety show

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18 Potato sprouts 19 Dry 20 Afloat 21 Unacknowledged 23 Kimono sash 24 Throw in the air 26 Listless, weak and pale 28 Strew (around) 31 Point 32 Court 33 Descended a cliff using ropes 36 Des Moines local 40 With "The," 1958 Sci-Fi film Starring Steve McQueen 42 Can metal 43 Bound (up) 44 Soft drink 45 Praying insect 48 Young boy 49 Pop! ____ the Weasel 51 Half men, half goats 53 Celestial radiation emitter 56 ____ Mater 57 Vase 58 Subject to limitations 61 Best magazine in Memphis 65 As previously cited 67 Dorothy's dog 68 Guide 69 Court suit 70 Eve's garden 71 Having wings

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72 Comprehended 73 Interbreeding population within a species 74 Greek sandwiches

DOWN 1 Italian money, once 2 Greek god of war 3 Surface of a road 4 To regard as equivalent 5 Fib 6 Smoothes 7 "You can't eat just one" brand 8 In ____ of 9 Draw into a tangle 10 Resort hotel 11 Certain Billiards shot 12 Where you were at a crime time 13 EMT, e.g.

21 Meat stamp 22 African antelope 25 Rowing device 27 Outlet 28 Compass point 29 Equestrian game 30 Crucifix 31 Penny 34 School support groups 35 Affix, as to a lapel 37 Greasy 38 Fray 39 Totals 41 Sacks 45 Deserved 46 Island

47 Surface to air missile 50 Lout 52 Sourly 53 Rapid 54 Inner city 55 Mediterranean plant in the parsley family 56 Repent 59 Protuberance 60 Detail 62 Cook quickly 63 Prohibit 64 Washington or Adams (abbr.)

66 Morning condensation 68 Droop

UPSTAGED

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few weeks ago my wife and I drove her 94-year-old mother to St. Louis to see our nephew, Sam Fink, perform

By Dennis Phillippi superbly in a high school production of the musical “Cabaret.” If you are unfamiliar with “Cabaret,” it is set in Berlin in the 1930s as the Nazis were coming into power. The show is largely set in a nightclub that features an emcee of indeterminate gender, and includes references to anti-Semitism, homosexuality, abortion, mass hysteria, and, of course, the holocaust. So, you know, a typical high school production. The show was actually terrifically done. The cast was so skilled and talented we had to often remind ourselves that we were watching a bunch of teenagers. Our nephew played the villain, a Nazi, as you would imagine.

This, by the way, took place at Charles Lindbergh High School. If you don’t recognize the irony of that I encourage you to spend a few seconds researching Lindbergh’s political leanings.

This was a particular treat for me because I spent pretty much every waking moment from the age of 11 in the theater. I started acting in a production of “Peter Pan,” playing the father of the Darling children. From the first instant I walked onstage in rehearsal I sensed that something had change in my life. I was right. Any chance of a normal life disappeared. It’s possible that before that I dreamed of being an astronaut or a politician or a doctor, but as soon as I realized that there was a world where everyone would be looking at me, the idea that I would ever knuckle down and become a serious student went right out the window. Any time that I may have spent studying, say, math, was gobbled up by acting in production after production, in school, in community theater, and in professional theater. From an early age, people were actually willing to give me money to be the center of attention. I probably had a healthy ego before I started theater, but from that first moment of performing I developed what most people would consider a decidedly unhealthy ego.

Theater really is a world of its own. Whatever clique you ran with in school, you didn’t have anywhere near the sheer volume of flamboyant, arrogant, witty, deranged, self-loathing, self-adoring lunatics found in any theater group. Athletes certainly get their share of attention, but they are competing to win games. Theater people subsist almost entirely on external validation. An athlete can lose a game and still hold their head up if they

This was a particular treat for me because I spent pretty much every waking moment from the age of 11 in the theater. I started acting in a production of “Peter Pan,” playing the father of the Darling children.

From the first instant I walked onstage in rehearsal I sensed that something had change in my life. I was right. did their best. An actor doesn’t have that luxury.

If a play fails, you are a failure. Performers are by nature an emotional bunch and the audiences’ approval becomes sustenance.

Because the theater attracts the more outsized characters in society, it tends to be inclusive.

That means, even over 40 years ago, theater was where you were likely to encounter people of all

RSVPhillippi

kinds of lifestyles and sexual orientation. In school some imbeciles took this to mean that every guy involved in theater must, by definition, be gay, and they were judgmental and even abusive out of sheer ignorance. Their behavior never bothered me and I can sum up why in one word, actresses.

Because there is undeniably a higher percentage of openly gay men in theater than on a baseball team, that meant less competition for the stunning amount of beautiful girls that were charming, exciting, and wildly insecure. I had inadvertently stumbled onto hunting a baited field. If you’ve never spent time around actresses then you have missed out on one of the great roller coasters of life.

Their emotions are always screwed to the sticking point. From joy to anger to despondence to lust, they are always running at a red line. Breaking up with a girl in high school always involved some drama, but breaking up with an actress almost invariably involved threats of suicide. Once exposed to that level of intensity, it was impossible to imagine going to college to become an actuary.

There is, of course, a downside to growing up in the theater. For instance I am incapable of doing the most basic arithmetic. At a time when my brain was a big sponge that could have absorbed Algebra or another language or Chemistry, I was filling it with Shakespeare and Thurber and Simon. From the first moment I discovered a teacher would accept “I have to be in the theater for rehearsal” whether it was true or not, any chance of getting me to attend any class outside of theater was doomed. People are often surprised when I say that most actors are pretty dim-witted. They ask how that’s possible when we can memorize dialogue? See, that’s the point — all we did in school was memorize dialogue. No actor would exchange being able to recite the periodic table over getting applause. No one is ever going to stop you in the hall to say how great you were in Art History.

I’m genuinely glad that my nephew discovered the joy of acting. I’m also genuinely glad that he didn’t discover it until he was a senior in high school. Had he, like me, wandered into acting at 11, chances are he wouldn’t be going to a good college in the fall to learn how to do something that involves a regular paycheck. Being bitten by the bug at this late stage, he is unlikely to veer off onto a life on stage. He can major in something sensible like Business or Accounting to do whatever those people do, and act on the side. At least that’s what we’re all hoping will happen. The last thing this family needs is another unemployable egomaniac.

We already have me.

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RSVPast Twins at Heart

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alter H. Murphy and Hubert L. Dellinger Jr. were best friends through school, college and adult life. Their high school yearbook describes them as twins. They joined the same fraternities and clubs at University of Memphis and University of Tennessee Medical School, played in bands, enjoyed hunting and fishing and playing cards together. Later, they both became physicians. This picture, made in 1951 in Court Square, shows that even their taste in clothes were similar.

PHOTO COURTESY OF HUBERT L. DELLINGER JR. If you have a past photo you would like to share with RSVP readers, please contact Emily Adams Keplinger at 276-7787 ext. 105 or e-mail the photo and caption to editor@rsvpmagazine. com All photos will be returned promptly.

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