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Social magazine covering the Memphis/MIdsouth region
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CONT
ENTS
12U OF M LAW SCHOOL GALADJ Raiford, Paula Raifordand Marcus Grandberry
30 LIBERTY BOWL PRESIDENTS’ GALA
Shell and Kathleen Blakely
20STREETSEEN
Albert Sidney Witherington III
38 PLAYHOUSE ON THE SQUARE OPENINGTabatha Stephens and Michael Mobley
50GERMANTOWN ARTS ALLIANCE GALA
Aaron and Jaimee Cooley
48TOAST FOR TOYS GALALisa and Ken Bodmer
Cover PhotoCeleste and Mike Longo
at Liberty Bowl Presidents’ Gala
Photo by Don Perry
ContentsFebruary 2010
From the Editor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8
Signature Memphis . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10A questionnaire answered by Dr. Hershel P. Wall, one of UT Health Science Center’s greatestadvocates.
U of M Law School Gala . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .12The Cecil C. Humphreys School of Law opened its doors at its downtown location to a sold-out crowd.
StreetSeens . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .18 & 20As soon as the school bell rings, this high school history teacher turns into a relic hunter.She’s taking “green” to a whole new level, one glass bottle at a time. StreetSeens spotlightGuion Benkin and Albert Sidney Witherington III.
Onsites . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .22, 34 & 36Gatherings that have earned an honorable mention.
Vox Popular . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .24Q&A with Coach Kevin Kaminski of the Mississippi RiverKings.
Liberty Bowl Presidents’ Gala . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .30Arkansas and East Carolina fans united at The Peabody for a gala that salutes the LibertyBowl presidents.
Playhouse on the Square Opening . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .38Playhouse on the Square pulled up the curtain on its new theatre.
RSVPeople . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .42A trek across the city’s party landscape.
Toast for Toys Gala . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .48The Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Memphis requested that guests bring toys for admission toits gala at the Pink Palace Museum.
Germantown Arts Alliance Gala . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .50Germantown Arts Alliance members celebrated four Arts and Humanities Awards honorees.
RSVPhillippi . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .52We Are Not AmusedDennis Phillippi takes a trip down memory lane as he watches Libertyland fade into the dark-ness.
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Volume XV Number V
February 2010
P U B L I S H E R
Roy Haithcock
E D I T O R
Leah Fitzpatrick
C O N T R I B U T I N G W R I T E R S
Kelly CoxJonathan DevinDennis Phillippi Lesley Young
A R T D I R E C T O R
Patrick Akers
P H O T O G R A P H E R S
Nathan BerryRoy HaithcockDon Perry
Steve Roberts
S E N I O R A C C O U N T E X E C U T I V E
Libby Huff
A C C O U N T E X E C U T I V E
Chris Pugh
A C C O U N T I N G
Ruth Cassin
RSVP Memphis is published monthly byHaithcock 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 AvenueMemphis, TN 38104
For advertising information contactRoy Haithcock
Phone (901) 276-7787, ext. 101Fax (901) 276-7785
e-mail [email protected]
W E B
www.rsvpmagazine.comFor editorial information or to request
coverage of an event, pleasecontact RSVP Magazine
one month prior to the event. Call 901-276-7787, ext. 105 or fax to 901-276-7785.
e-mail [email protected]
Copyright 2010 Haithcock Communications, Inc.
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What gives? Starbucks hasraised its prices, ConanO’Brien is leaving “The
Tonight Show” and Haitihas undergone a devastatingearthquake. While the firsttwo points in the aforemen-tioned sentence might affectyour pocketbook and youropinion about a certain TVnetwork, the last of thethree makes the other incon-veniences seem inconsequen-tial. Proudly, I must com-mend several Memphians fororganizing impromptu dona-tion drives for the Haitianrelief effort, which is a startto helping the recoveryprocess for hundreds of thousands left injured, homeless andwithout loved ones.
Often times, it’s just as easy to turn our heads whenharsh realities arise. But, pretending the “ugly” things in lifedon’t exist won’t make them go away any faster. For instance,poverty stares us head on every day in this city, and just asmuch as we might ignore it, the problem will still remainunless something is done to fix it. I realize that almost noproblem can be solved overnight, but the light at the end ofthe tunnel grows brighter with each baby step (RememberWhat About Bob?) taken toward a resolution.
Personally, I made a decision last year to give back tothe city in a hands-on way. Thankfully, my job at RSVP hasput me in touch with so many nonprofits, enabling me to hearand sometimes see firsthand what various organizations do. Ieventually chose to volunteer for Literacy Mid-South, which isa place illiterate adults can go to learn how to read. Not onlyare the organization’s services free to its participants, but itsupplies private tutors and offers classes at all reading levels.Best of all, I have fun, and so do the students (most of thetime!).
Keep reading the rest of this issue because I promisethere’s some fun stuff. Oh, I almost forgot to answer every-one’s questions about how the new U of M Law School andPlayhouse on the Square buildings look inside. They’re fabu-lous, so go see for yourself.
Leah [email protected]
From the Editor
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Dr. Hershel P. WallAAssssiissttaanntt ttoo UUTT PPrreessiiddeenntt//FFoorrmmeerr CChhaanncceelllloorr,, UUTTHHSSCC MMeemmpphhiiss//CChhuurrcchh HHeeaalltthh CCeenntteerr aanndd UUrrbbaann CChhiilldd IInnssttiittuuttee BBooaarrdd MMeemmbbeerr
HHOOBBBBYY:: Trying to raise roses.
FFAAVVOORRIITTEE AALLBBUUMM:: ABBA Gold.
PPEERRSSOONNAALL HHEERROO:: Dr. Scott Morris.
FFAAVVOORRIITTEE AAUUTTHHOORR:: Joseph J. Ellis.
FFIIRRSSTT JJOOBB:: Working on the family farm.
CCHHIILLDDHHOOOODD AAMMBBIITTIIOONN:: To be a physician.
YYOOUURR GGRREEAATTEESSTT AACCHHIIEEVVEEMMEENNTT:: My children.
FFAAVVOORRIITTEE VVAACCAATTIIOONN SSPPOOTT:: France, where I
met my wife.
HHIISSTTOORRIICCAALL FFIIGGUURREE YYOOUU MMOOSSTT IIDDEENNTTIIFFYY
WWIITTHH:: George Washington.
WWOORRDDSS OORR PPHHRRAASSEESS YYOOUU OOVVEERRUUSSEE:: To make
a long story short (I usually fail!).
OONNEE TTHHIINNGG MMOOSSTT PPEEOOPPLLEE DDOONN’’TT KKNNOOWW
AABBOOUUTT YYOOUU:: I went to Desert Storm 1990-1991.
WWHHEERREE YYOOUU TTAAKKEE OOUUTT--OOFF--TTOOWWNN GGUUEESSTTSS::
Lunch at Charlie Smith’s Country Club (Wiles-Smith
Drug Store).
BBIIGGGGEESSTT CCHHAALLLLEENNGGEE:: Being a successful
cheerleader for the Memphis Medical Center and
the UT Health Science Center.
YYOOUURR MMAANNTTRRAA:: “We make a living by what we
get, we make a life by what we give.”—Winston
Churchill.
HHOOBBBBYY:: Trying to raise roses.
FFAAVVOORRIITTEE AALLBBUUMM:: ABBA Gold.
PPEERRSSOONNAALL HHEERROO:: Dr. Scott Morris.
FFAAVVOORRIITTEE AAUUTTHHOORR:: Joseph J. Ellis.
FFIIRRSSTT JJOOBB:: Working on the family farm.
CCHHIILLDDHHOOOODD AAMMBBIITTIIOONN:: To be a physician.
YYOOUURR GGRREEAATTEESSTT AACCHHIIEEVVEEMMEENNTT:: My children.
FFAAVVOORRIITTEE VVAACCAATTIIOONN SSPPOOTT:: France, where I
met my wife.
HHIISSTTOORRIICCAALL FFIIGGUURREE YYOOUU MMOOSSTT IIDDEENNTTIIFFYY
WWIITTHH:: George Washington.
WWOORRDDSS OORR PPHHRRAASSEESS YYOOUU OOVVEERRUUSSEE:: To make
a long story short (I usually fail!).
OONNEE TTHHIINNGG MMOOSSTT PPEEOOPPLLEE DDOONN’’TT KKNNOOWW
AABBOOUUTT YYOOUU:: I went to Desert Storm 1990-1991.
WWHHEERREE YYOOUU TTAAKKEE OOUUTT--OOFF--TTOOWWNN GGUUEESSTTSS::
Lunch at Charlie Smith’s Country Club (Wiles-Smith
Drug Store).
BBIIGGGGEESSTT CCHHAALLLLEENNGGEE:: Being a successful
cheerleader for the Memphis Medical Center and
the UT Health Science Center.
YYOOUURR MMAANNTTRRAA:: “We make a living by what we
get, we make a life by what we give.”—Winston
Churchill.
Dr. Hershel P. WallAAssssiissttaanntt ttoo UUTT PPrreessiiddeenntt//FFoorrmmeerr CChhaanncceelllloorr,, UUTTHHSSCC MMeemmpphhiiss//CChhuurrcchh HHeeaalltthh CCeenntteerr aanndd UUrrbbaann CChhiilldd IInnssttiittuuttee BBooaarrdd MMeemmbbeerr
SIGN
ATUR
E ME
MPHI
S
photo by Steve Roberts
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U of M Law School GalaThe Grand OpeningE
V E N
T
Michael McLaren and Courtney Clothier Justin and Bethany Ross
Mariann Rutherford and Nick Vescovo Jay and Julie Patterson
Lynn and Chancellor Arnold Goldin Ryan Pryor and Madeline Bertasi
U OF
M L
AW SCH
OOL
GALA
Dr. Bob Canady, Dr. Shirley Raines, Dr. Rosie Bingham and John DavisJim Shackleford and Nathan Shaver Vince and Renee DeGutis
See all the party photos atrsvpmagazine.com Password: RSVP
One North Front Street, the new location for the University ofMemphis Cecil C. Humphreys School of Law, went “blue,” Tigerblue that is, for the school’s once-in-a-lifetime opening gala. The
black-tie affair had been months in the making, and all the prepara-tions showed, from the number of attendees (in excess of 1,800 peo-ple) to the gorgeous flowers (from Holliday Flowers) at every turnthroughout the four-story building.
The Honorable Diane Vescovo and the Honorable Robert“Butch” Childers co-chaired the event that drew a who’s who list of Uof M Alumni Association members and area dignitaries. Lots of cur-rent students were also in the mix, with several students volunteeringtheir time at 16 stationary tour stations to provide historical and cur-rent facts about the law school. Students from the Rudi E. ScheidtSchool of Music contributed their musical talent to the occasion, asdid Kallen Esperian, Tom Bryant, the Gene Rush Trio, Chris Parker,Kelley Hurt, Knight Brass, Alexis Grace and Paula and Raiford’sDisco. Even Judge Childers entertained with an Elvis impersonation,complete with bodyguards.
Festivities were called to order at 6 o’clock, when VIP ticketholders ventured to the fourth floor for a reception sponsored bySunTrust Bank. Though it was rainy out, guests still made their wayto the glass windows for a view of the beautifully lit Hernando de SotoBridge. After an hour or so, partygoers trickled down to the lowerthree floors to join other ticket holders for tastings by 16 restaurantsand caterers. Lots of beverage stations were on hand between the foodstations, and needless to say, Champagne toasts were the order of thenight.
The formal program took place in Wade Auditorium, a spacefilled to the brim with those eager to hear Dr. Shirley Raines (the Uof M president), Dr. Kevin H. Smith (the U of M Law School dean),Charles Tuggle (the Capital Campaign chairman) and David Bronczek(president and CEO of FedEx Express) present the “Countdown toDowntown-Vision to Reality.” Dr. Raines admitted that convincingsomeone to give up the building that once served as a U.S. CustomsHouse, a court house and a post office was a Herculean task andthanked the project management team for meeting every Friday at 2p.m. to see the undertaking through.
“Universities don’t often meet on Fridays, but we certainlydid,” she said. “This was all about our students, who are the realdreamers and personify our ‘Dreamers. Thinkers. Doers.’ motto.”
Story by Leah FitzpatrickPhotos by Don Perry
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E V E N
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Hyatt Epley and Walker Pritchard
Mary Ann and Mike Carpenter Dani Hueff and Jennifer Sutch
Kelly and Sharon Truitt Jose and Marianne Leon Jessica Hackett and Jessica Wood
Eric Chamberlin and Emily Upchurch Bobbie Eoff and Annette Askew
Adam and Susannah DeNobriga
Mike and Sharon Goldstein
Jordan and Suzanne Russell
Steve and Susan Vescovo
Sarah Lawrence Allen and Adam Langley
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Lynda Biggs
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Ela Witmer
Laurie Stark
BarbaraCowles
Allen Hamblin
Ruth Morris
Michele Crump
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Patrick M.Crump
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E V E N
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Joe and Lisa Namie
Madelyn Gray and Stephanie Simpson
Kathryn Ward and Rob Sands
Andy and Jana Lamanna
Olin and Norma Atkins with Jenny and Bob Richardson Carson Hunter and Casey Winn with Darrell and Tammy Phillips
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Guion BenkinReduce, Reuse, Rehydrate
She’s not exactly an artist, at least in thetrained sense, but that hasn’t stopped GuionBenkin from putting her creative stamp on
the most unlikely canvas—glass bottles. A stick-ler for hydration, Benkin came up with the ideato repurpose landfill-bound bottles after she andher husband found themselves going through acase of plastic water bottles a week.
Out of the switch from plastic to glasscame the birth of the Re-Hy Bottle Co., an at-home operation specializing in engraved bottlesfor multiple liquid uses, like olive oil, infusedspirits, water and hand lotion. Why glass?Benkin loves the transparent quality, the fact itdoesn’t contain toxins found in some plasticsand because liquids seem to taste better insideit. Perhaps the biggest draw is that she’sreusing bottles, which is more sustainable thanrecycling, that are donated by participatingProject Green Fork restaurants, McEwen’s onMonroe and many individuals; Benkin notesthat Re-Hy’s 34 ounce and baby bottles are new.
“People love that we’re taking bottlesthat would have gone to a landfill for a millionyears and giving them a second life and makingthem useful,” she smiles. “It’s gotten to a pointnow where we come home and find that ourneighbors have left bottles on our doorstep.”
Starting Re-Hy (her husband is involvedwhenever time allows) hasn’t been without chal-lenges. Learning how to use an engravingmachine took about a year, and figuring outwhat kind of tops would fit various sized open-ings took some research. Once she worked outthe kinks and mastered her designs of city-scapes, flowers, houses, inspirational quotes,logos and monograms, Benkin tested Re-Hy’sproducts at the Memphis Farmers Market. Thatfirst trial run was in October 2008, and nearly ayear-and-a-half later, she’s still selling to marketpatrons, at Miss Cordelia’s and even to a yogastudio and Chi Omega’s national office.
She shares, “We were just searching forsomething meaningful to us, but these bottleshave become so meaningful to others because ofthe personalization involved.”
While Re-Hy can churn out a couple ofhundred bottles a week, Benkin knows thatquantity isn’t always feasible, especially with a5-month-old son. The next phase will be anonline presence and figuring out how to meetincreasing client demand.
“The local and regional outpouring ofsupport has been unexpected, which shows peo-ple do want to go green,” Benkin says.
Story by Leah FitzpatrickPhoto by Steve Roberts
STRE
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585 South Perkinsat Audubon Park
Office: (901) 766-9004
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Our East Memphis familySteveBearman
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FEBRUARY
2010
Albert Sidney Witherington IIIDigging Up History
People who run and lift weights usually do so toreach a fitness goal, but Albert Sidney (“Sid”)Witherington III engages in physical activity to
metal detect faster. “You’ve got to be able to movereal quick and dig a lot of holes, and it takessome skill,” he explains. “But, no one can outmetal detect me.”
Not your average detectorist, Witheringtonhas dug up nearly every Civil War campsite inGermantown, Collierville, Moscow, LaGrange andGrand Junction, Tennessee, amassing a collectionof Civil War artifacts and coins that caught theattention of WKNO, which recently filmed him for“Southern Routes.” His Germantown High Schoolhistory students, fellow enthusiasts at theMemphis Metal Detector Club and the numeroushistorical societies he’s involved in have beenimpressed for years, and for good reason. To date,he’s unearthed more than 7,000 bullets, morethan 1,000 Civil War buttons and 105 Civil Warbelt buckles, to name a few of his common finds.
He adds, “I do have several items of whichonly one has ever been dug, like a silver star anda Lincoln artifact. I also have the rarestConfederate spur and Union belt buckle, as wellas one of the rarest gold coins and Confederatebuttons.”
Named after Confederate General AlbertSidney Johnston, the highest ranking officer killedduring the Civil War, one could reason thatWitherington was destined to appreciate warmemorabilia. He even knows of 10 relatives thatfought for the Confederacy and has eight of theirletters from the battlefield in his possession.Though war relics are at the heart of the collec-tion, he’s just as happy to show off an oldPeabody hotel key or a William Henry Harrisonlog cabin token.
To keep track of previous hunts,Witherington charts his searched sites on home-drawn maps and records his excursions on a cal-endar. He also draws pictures of some of the arti-facts he uncovers and has amazingly kept recordslike these for 21 years.
“I can graph each year what I’ve done,”he says. “For example, I have found an average of30 bullets a month going back to 1989.”
Asked if he can still find that many bulletstoday, he says it’s getting more difficult, howeverhe’s always hoping to search new territory.Witherington admits that 99 percent of the timehe’s allowed on other’s property but jokes thereare still a few Germantown homeowners he’s try-ing to outlive to gain access to their land. Justdon’t ask him to give up his favorite spots.
“A good spot for metal detecting is kindof like a fishing hole—you don’t want to tell peo-ple,” Witherington says.
Story by Leah FitzpatrickPhoto by Steve Roberts
STRE
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FLEMING'S DINNER DIXON-HUGHES FLEMING'S PRIME STEAKHOUSE & WINE BAR 6245 POPLAR AVEFEATURING THE WINES OF SILVER OAK AND TWOMEY, A FIVE-COURSE DINNER BY CHEF WILLIAM KLOOS AND EXCITING LIVE AUCTION ITEMSHOSTED BY THE PARKER FAMILY, IN MEMORY OF TONY PARKER
SUN FEB 286 PM, $150
WINE DINNERPRESENTED BY
Reserved seats may be purchased online at www.theartofgoodtaste.org or by calling Lindsey, 901.544.6209.
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Peggy and Dr. LaVerne Lovell with Linley Schmidt at Toast with Tallulah
Kym Clark and Patrick Akers at Harbor Town Dog Show
ONSITE Onsite
Seth Keller, Jodi Rump and Dawn Goodat Harbor Town Dog Show
Dr. John Morris with Rip and Nicole Haney at Artists’ Showcase
Eva Lynn Bishop, Melodie Moore, Allyne Luciano and Dr. Sheryl Laneat Mother, Daughter/Family & Friendship Tea
Terry Lynn at Artists’ Showcase
Harbor Town Dog Show Le Bonheur Ornament DecorationToast with Tallulah Artists’ Showcase Mother, Daughter/Family & Friendship Tea
Muudd IIssllaanndd ccaanniinneess who couldn’t quite cut it forWestminster had the opportunity to strut their stuff
in the Sexiest Walk, Owner Look-Alike and Silly PetTricks contests during the eighth annual HHaarrbboorr TToowwnnDDoogg SShhooww at NNuurrsseerryy PPaarrkk. Held to raise funds for theHHuummaannee SSoocciieettyy ooff MMeemmpphhiiss aanndd SShheellbbyy CCoouunnttyy, thisyear’s festivities offered pet-related vendors, a children’sarea with drawing tables, a hot dog stand and a greenroom boasting VIP seating and gourmet food. KKyymmCCllaarrkk of WMC-TV 5 served as mistress of ceremonies,directing each of the 10 contests.
LLee BBoonnhheeuurr CChhiillddrreenn’’ss MMeeddiiccaall CCeenntteerr’s TTeeeennCCoouunncciill members, along with MMaaddiissoonn HHootteell represen-tatives, gathered at Le Bonheur to decorate close to 200glass ornaments with holiday and Memphis themes.The ornaments were then displayed on the Madison’sChristmas tree, where they were available for $25 spon-sorships, all funds benefiting Le Bonheur. Ornamentswere shipped to each sponsor at the beginning of theyear as a keepsake.
SSccootttt BBllaakkee hosted a VViiccttoorriiaann VViillllaaggee IInncc..FFrriieenndd--rraaiisseerr at his home that brought the group 42new memberships. Dubbed TTooaasstt wwiitthh TTaalllluullaahh, theevent had Tallulah Bankhead’s spirit in attendance,thanks to SSaavvaannnnaahh BBeeaarrddeenn, as well as guests outfittedin ‘40s attire. Martinis and hors d’oeuvres were theorder of the night, which included music by BBrreennnnaannaanndd tthhee BBooyyss.
CCrreeaattiivvee AAggiinngg MMiidd--SSoouutthh supporters invadedLLiicchhtteerrmmaann NNaattuurree CCeenntteerr for the second annualAArrttiissttss’’ SShhoowwccaassee. JJooyyccee CCoobbbb, MMiicchhaaeell JJeeffrryy SStteevveennss,DDiiaannaa SStteeiinn, NNoorraa TTuucckkeerr and many more filled the liveentertainment bill, and CCoorrkkyy’’ss barbecue and BBoossccooss’beer were also offered. MMoorrrriiss AAuuccttiioonn GGrroouupp wasresponsible for the silent and live auctions that raisedmoney for the nonprofit that helps improve the qualityof life for seniors by providing them arts experiences.
The TTiiaarraa TTeeaa SSoocciieettyy’s third MMootthheerr,,DDaauugghhtteerr//FFaammiillyy && FFrriieennddsshhiipp TTeeaa benefited SSaavvaannnnaaCChhaappppeell, who is visually impaired. The MMiidd--SSoouutthhYYoouunngg PPeeooppllee’’ss OOrrcchheessttrraa, directed by DDrr.. SShheerryyll LLaannee,and harpist MMeellooddiiee MMoooorree blessed the occasion withtheir talent. LLeess PPaasssseeeess’ blind puppet also performed,and St. Jude patient AAmmiinnaahh PPaatttteerrssoonn was made anhonorary angel princess.
Story and photos Submitted and by Lesley Young
Jordan and Marie Pizano Firtik at Mother, Daughter/Family & Friendship Tea
Michelle Stubbs, Aubrey Greer, Emily McElravey and Alexis Barganier (Front);Josh Spotts, Ian Fennessy and Jordan Greer (Back)
at Le Bonheur Ornament Decoration
Jocelyn Jones, Nora Tucker and Jewell Rosenberg at Toast with Tallulah
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Vox PopularQ&A with Kevin KaminskiVO
X PO
PULA
R
RRSSVVPP:: Is there a particular person or event in your life that got youinterested in hockey?
KKaammiinnsskkii:: I think it’s just a way of life in Canada. It’s a religion upthere. My mom and dad had skates on me when I was 21 months.Every community back in Saskatchewan, like Churchbridge, whichis a little less than a 1,000 people, has an indoor rink. If we weren’ton the ice, we were on a pond or playing street hockey. Minus 34 or40 below, it didn’t matter. Mom or Dad would have to get us tostop playing at 9 or 10 at night to get us in bed for school. That’sjust the way it was.
RRSSVVPP:: When did you start playing on a hockey team?
KKaammiinnsskkii:: We played on teams starting at age 5. As time went on, Iplayed in the Major Junior Leagues and moved away from homewhen I was 15. When Imoved away, the school wasbigger than my hometown,so that was a culture shock.What happens when youmove away from home is youmove into what’s called bil-lets, so you move in with afamily. The first year Imoved in with my uncle andaunt, and then the next year,I moved in with my trainerand his wife. It was manylonely nights of missing yourfriends and parents, but itpaid off because I got draft-ed to the Minnesota NorthStars (48th overall) after myfirst year of Major JuniorHockey.
RRSSVVPP:: Do you rememberyour first game as aprofessional player?
KKaammiinnsskkii:: My very first game was when I was 19 in the MontrealForum when I was with the Minnesota North Stars. To me, that wassuch a thrill because growing up in Saskatchewan, every Saturdaynight was Hockey Night in Canada. Who usually played were theToronto Maple Leafs and Montreal Canadiens at that forum. Youkind of grew up with that history in your living room. When I was19 and playing there, it was absolutely amazing and a dream cometrue.
RRSSVVPP:: How did you earn the nickname “Killer?”
KKaammiinnsskkii:: Kelly Chase, a former player, and the assistant coach
with the Blazers, called me that. I’ve always liked the physical styleof play, as you can tell by my face. There was this one time when Iwas playing, and the goalie went out to play the puck, and I ranhim right over. It wasn’t the last time I did that. You know, I wasalways told to take the body, so from there on in, I guess I got thenickname “Killer,” and it stuck. I went on to lead some leagues inpenalty minutes and still have some records in penalty minuteareas. It didn’t matter if someone was big or small, I fought them. Ialways made sure that I was involved in controversy. Loved it! Iguess I was a little intense.
RRSSVVPP:: You’re scaring me over here!
KKaammiinnsskkii:: [Laughs] I’m just like that on the ice. I’ve only been inone off-ice fight in my life, besides my brother. My brother and Ifought every day, so that doesn’t count.
RRSSVVPP:: Did you know thatone day you would become ahockey coach?
KKaammiinnsskkii:: I was told byBarry Trotz, who coachesthe Nashville Predators—that’s who we won theCalder Cup with—and someother people that I wouldmake a good coach. Youknow, I’ve run hockeyschools and just enjoy kidsand teaching. To tell you thetruth, I wish I was still play-ing, but unfortunately, I hadto retire due to concussionsat 30. So, I retired when adoctor told me on my birth-day, “You can’t play anymore because after the nextone, you might not be ableto remember your name oryour family.” I guess you
could say it wasn’t a good birthday.
RRSSVVPP:: How many concussions did you have?
KKaammiinnsskkii:: Lots, too many to add up. I once took a puck 75 milesdead on that shattered my whole face. I’ve got two plates, 12 screwsand lost a little bit of vision, and they said if it was another half aninch, I would have been done. I came back after that, but the nextyear, I took a bad elbow to the jaw, and that was kind of it. I was onmedication for over two years, and every time I tried to skate orride the bike and got my blood pressure up, my head wanted toexplode. That was tough when I was told I couldn’t play anymore
The Delta might be best known for its music, but the Mississippi RiverKings are slowing incorporating hockey into the regional fiber.Coach Kevin Kaminski, now in his second season with the team, feels blessed to be sharing his native sport with Southerners and hopesto guide the RiverKings to a championship trophy in the ultimate Central Hockey League (CHL) face-off, the Ray Miron President’s Cup.
RSVP editor Leah Fitzpatrick met with Kaminski after one of the team’s practices and saw his winning vision (he earned his 200th careercoaching victory last year and was named CHL Coach of the Year) put into practice, and let’s just say, the former professional hockey playercan still work his magic on the ice.
Photos by Don Perry
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2010
VOX
POPU
LAR because hockey’s what you grow up living for. But, things worked out
really good, and I got an assistant coaching job in the AmericanHockey League with the Cincinnati Mighty Ducks under MikeBabcock, who coaches the Detroit Red Wings now and is the coachof the upcoming Olympic team. I learned so much from Mike. Justhis teaching, developing, motivation and his absolutely relentlesswork ethic to get better every day was outstanding. Going frombeing a player to the other side, I know I learned from the best.
RRSSVVPP:: What initially attracted you to the head coach-ing job for the Mississippi RiverKings?
KKaammiinnsskkii:: Well, I was in Youngstown, Ohio two yearsbefore in the same league, the Central HockeyLeague, and the Youngstown team, the Steelhounds,got terminated from the league. Coach KevinMcClelland, who was here, got a job in Colorado, sothere was a couple of jobs that came open, one hereand one in Corpus Christie, but I had just acceptedthe job here before Corpus called me. I was obviouslyglad to get the job here. When I was in Youngstown,Mississippi was our closest game, and that was 14hours, so we played here all the time. That made mefamiliar with the area, and I got to know the generalmanager.
RRSSVVPP:: Were there any immediate changes you felt you needed tomake when you became the RiverKings coach?
KKaammiinnsskkii:: Well, I got two veteran players with Louis Dumont andDerek Landmesser, and last year, we only had three returning play-ers, Darrell Stoddard being one of the three, from the year before
because a lot of guys went overseas. So, I brought in a lot of my guysfrom Youngstown and others through my connections, and itworked. We had a very successful season last year, and now there’s alot more players with that foundation we built. We have 19 playersfor this season.
RRSSVVPP:: How would you define your style of coaching?
KKaammiinnsskkii:: I’m very demanding without being demeaning. I teachand develop with lots of video and a lot of chalktalk, and I don’t think I’m asking too much when Iask guys to compete like it’s their last shift. As theguys know, we want the grease and the grit. We wantwork ethic, hard hitting and just the toughness whenteams play against us. Obviously, you need the speedand the skill too, and when your skilled guys arecompeting and paying the price by putting their bod-ies on the line as well, that becomes contagious andrubs off on everybody. You get 19 players doing that,and you’re going to be successful.
RRSSVVPP:: How do you think the team has evolved sinceyou became coach?
KKaammiinnsskkii:: This year, we’ve been a little inconsistent with our play,yet the last Thursday, Friday and Saturday, I’ve felt we made somegood strides. It’s a mental toughness part of the game ‘cause we’vebeaten every top team in the league, then when we play teams belowus, we struggle. Why? I don’t know…not competing, not workinghard enough, thinking it’s going to be easy or whatever. I keeptelling the guys that the league is way better than it was last year,and you can’t afford to take a shift off. Any team can beat anybody
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VOX
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LARon any given night.
RRSSVVPP:: What are some of your team’s biggest goals for this season?
KKaammiinnsskkii:: Our goal is to finish the second half here really strong.We were Northern Conference champions last year, and we’d like tokeep that. The main goal is to win the Ray Miron President’s Cup. Ifyou get there, you give yourself a chance to get after the title,whether it’s hot goal tending or some guysgetting the confidence to go for it all. Let’snot hope…I want to know we’re going to getthere and know going into playoffs that we’reon a high.
RRSSVVPP:: What’s your proudest moment so faras a coach?
KKaammiinnsskkii:: It makes me proud when everyone,all 19 guys, are on the same page and havebought into the demand of the work ethic andthe demand of the winning ways we want toteach here. When you get everyone on that, you can get so muchaccomplished. Just like the last game in Tulsa, our goal was to nothave more than 25 shots a game, and in today’s game with all thepenalties now, that’s really good. We only allowed 21 shots, so guyswere paying the price by blocking shots and just working both endsof the ice. When you do that, you get results, and that’s what we’vegot to demand in the locker room on a consistent basis.
RRSSVVPP:: What was your reaction to finding out you’d been selected theCHL Coach of the Year last year?
KKaammiinnsskkii:: It was an honor to get voted amongst your peers [theCHL coaches], so I guess it was the feather in the cap. However, I’dtrade that award for the President’s Cup any day, but it was reallynice to get the award. Like I said, I had two really good years therein Youngstown, and last year was another great season here.
RRSSVVPP:: What are some ways you and the players promote the team inthe community?
KKaammiinnsskkii:: Every Monday, we have the Coach’sShow at O’Charley’s in Southaven, and it airsat 7 p.m. on Sports 56, WHBQ-AM. The guysalso go out and do meet-and-greets to chatwith the fans and go out to schools for thekids. I know with the Maddox Foundation wedo so much charity work and are alwaysinvolved in that. On February 10, we will be atthe Ronald McDonald House in Memphis, andwe’ll also be at T.G.I. Friday’s on the 10th inSouthaven. Then, we have the Booster ClubPoker Tournament on February 28 at
Southland Park, which was lots of fun last year.
RRSSVVPP:: If there’s any advice you could pass on to kids wanting tobecome hockey players, what would it be?
KKaammiinnsskkii:: Get out, have fun and play. Hockey provides great exerciseand is a good way to meet people, and I think hockey is a blast. OnMondays, two of the players teach clinics at Desoto Civic Centerfrom 6-7:15 p.m. and 7:30-8:45 p.m. Any ages can come, but youngerkids are usually in the first session and older ones are in the secondsession.
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Fontaine Taylor & Fontaine BrownBreathtaking views of Memphis & the Mississippi River! Enjoy thepeace & serenity of this magnificent one-of-a-kind, custom builtcondo designed by Jack Tucker. All rooms have glorious views &most have access to one of several private terraces facing the river.
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Jeanne ArthurUltimate year-round get-away, only 20 minutes from Memphis!
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RSVP
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FEBRUARY
2010
LIBE
RTY
BOWL
PRES
IDEN
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ALA
E V E N
T Liberty Bowl Presidents’ GalaA New Year’s Day Tradition
Tiffany Webb, Kim Pierce and Hayden Kane
Jaime Horne and Kirk Ehrhart
Leslie and Wayne Coleman
Debbie and Russ Wherry
Justin and Lindsey Martindale
Eddie Money and Kevin Kane
Becky Petrino and Jennifer Holtz
Chelsea Rose and Seth Jewell
Steve Conley and Jeanie Gundlach
It wasn’t Inauguration Day, but the presidents—the AutoZoneLiberty Bowl presidents, that is—were out in force on New Year’sDay in anticipation of this year’s bowl bout to benefit St. Jude
Children’s Research Hospital. Each year, Liberty Bowl presidentsoffer a gala dinner with dancing and music to precede the excite-ment of the Mid-South’s premiere football game.
The 2010 Presidents’ Gala, held at The Peabody, exceededexpectations as the group awaited kickoff between this year’s oppos-ing teams, the Arkansas Razorbacks and the East Carolina Pirates.Gala guests arrived in tuxedos and evening dresses wrapped up tightagainst the cold, windy evening. Most wore basic black, but subtlehints of Arkansas red and East Carolina purple and gold were notice-able in bow ties, cummerbunds and other accessories. Many strolledalong the mezzanine with cocktails in hand while a sea of red-cladRazorback fans mixed in the lobby below.
The evening began in the Continental Ballroom, where liba-tions were offered at several bars while guests listened and danced tothe dueling pianos and cover classics of Hudson and Saleeby. Acrossthe ballroom, circles of sports fans enjoyed a slide program high-lighting moments from past bowl games. The crowd moved to theMemphis Ballroom for a delectable dinner served on white linenwith music-themed centerpieces by Lynn Doyle gracing the tables.Dinner included steak and fried chicken breasts with mashed pota-toes and vegetables, Caesar salad and chocolate mousse cake. Newlyelected Memphis Mayor A C Wharton then charged the ballroomwith an energetic welcome speech and invocation, and emcee HaroldGraeter introduced a parade of dignitaries and their escorts beforeAndy Childs and his band flooded the room with dance music.
After dinner, headliner Eddie Money took the stage for aspirited performance before being awarded the 2009 OutstandingAchievement Award, which was presented by 2009 AutoZone LibertyBowl president Kevin Kane. Money, who has sold more than 28 mil-lion records, is best known for hits like “Take Me Home Tonight,”“Walk on Water” and “I Wanna Go Back.”
As the evening drew to a close, partygoers headed back outinto the cold, which was perhaps a foretaste of game weather the fol-lowing day, but the Razorback and Pirate fans alike had to agreethat the heat of a good football game is worth the chill.
Story by Jonathan DevinPhotos by Don Perry
See all the party photos at rsvpmagazine.comPassword: RSVP
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E V E N
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Y BO
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Stacey Conklin, Melinda Nixon and Sherry Stone
Afton and Alan WhiteAlan and Debbie Carey
Gena Wolbrecht and Dory SellersChad and Beth Horton
Lindy and Bruce SchratzAlexander and Latoya Wharton
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LIBE
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Kathy Simpson and Roger Price
Belinda and Calvin Anderson
John and Elizabeth Vines
Jack and Pam MichaelClifford and Lois Stockton
Lolita and Michael Horton
Barbara Pryor and Bruce Pontious
Ann and Mack Andrews
Frank and Gen Broyles
Deborah Brooks and Larry Howell
Brenda Berry and John Ciesliga
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2010
E V E N
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Doug and Annette Lawrence with Jim and Kim Webb
Dan and Denice Pugh with Melissa Harwood-Rom and Curt Rom
Todd Griffin and Carey CummingsJohn and Sharon Gaber
Lucy Blackmon and Courtney NealJanette and Bobby Krauch
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FEBRUARY
2010
Mary Jane Criss and Debra Powellat Four Seasons/Memory, Inc. Christmas Party
Frank Taylor, Herbie Krisle and Grace Barteeat Four Seasons/Memory, Inc. Christmas Party
ONSITE Onsite
Betty Cotton and Mary Louise Herzog at Josephine Circle Christmas Luncheon
Ann Newell and Wanda Barzizza at Josephine Circle Christmas Luncheon
Kathy Llewellyn and Justin Lohmanat “Rev’s” Dinner
Barbara Harris and Gretchen Reavesat Josephine Circle Christmas Luncheon
Josephine Circle Christmas LuncheonFour Seasons/Memory, Inc. Christmas Party “Rev’s” Dinner
Joosseepphhiinnee CCiirrccllee members and guests celebrated witha “CChhrriissttmmaass wwiitthh JJoosseepphhiinnee” LLuunncchheeoonn at the
RRaaccqquueett CClluubb ooff MMeemmpphhiiss. BBaarrbbaarraa HHaarrrriiss organized
the annual December gathering, which highlighted the
group’s 15 new members. The décor featured lots of
poinsettias and nutcrackers, and the singing group
TTaakkee NNoottee, with the Josephine Circle’s own MMaarryy
LLaawwrreennccee FFlliinnnn as the accompanist, performed. Raffle
tickets for a Christmas basket were also sold, with pro-
ceeds going toward several interest-free loans and schol-
arships that the club provides local college students.
JJuulliiaa and RRuusshh OO’’KKeeeeffee opened their home to a
good cause—those fighting Alzheimer’s—by hosting the
FFoouurr SSeeaassoonnss//MMeemmoorryy IInncc.. CChhrriissttmmaass PPaarrttyy. PPaarrttyy
TTeennddeerrss supplied the delectable goodies for an after-
noon that included entertainment by vocalist DDeebbbbiiee
KKiinneess and pianist BBeettttyy CCaarrooll GGeerrmmaannyy. “SSeerriioouussllyy
FFuunn” also brought its trendy fashion pieces to the
event for guests to Christmas shop. Ten percent of pro-
ceeds from shopping purchases went to Four
Seasons/Memory Inc.
The WWoommaann’’ss EExxcchhaannggee held its much-anticipat-
ed “RReevv’’ss” DDiinnnneerr to a group of 100 festively-attired
supporters at the EExxcchhaannggee TTeeaa RRoooomm. BBeecckkyy EEnnttrreekkiinn
served as the event chair and helped present a truly
memorable night. “RReevv” BBaaiilleeyy reprised his chef’s hat
for another year, preparing a menu of beef tenderloin,
asparagus with Hollandaise sauce, baked potatoes and
crème brûlée. This year, the group selected the HHeeaarrtt ooff
tthhee SSoouutthh GGiirrll SSccoouutt CCoouunncciill as its beneficiary.
Story and photos by Leah Fitzpatrick
Debbie Baker and Jane Lambertat “Rev’s” Dinner
Nell Ganier, Julia O’Keefe and Diane Grubbsat Four Seasons/Memory, Inc. Christmas Party
Lola Llewellyn, Becky Entrekin and Scottie Cobbat “Rev’s” Dinner
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FEBRUARY
2010
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2010
Andre Gibson and T’Challa Pollardat Leadership Memphis Holiday Party
Mayor A C Wharton and June Westat Leadership Memphis Holiday Party
ONSITE Onsite
Vita Zelikov and Julia Lenchikat Attorneys for Change Holiday Party
Terrance and Mitzi Turnageat Attorneys for Change Holiday Party
Susan Schadt, Joann Self Selvidge, Karen Spacek and Kim Williamsat The Music Interviews
Forrest and Layne Wilsonat Attorneys for Change Holiday Party
The Music Interviews Attorneys for Change Holiday PartyLeadership Memphis Holiday Party
Trruuee SSttoorryy PPiiccttuurreess and TThhee RReeccoorrddiinngg AAccaaddeemmyy®,MMeemmpphhiiss CChhaapptteerr presented TThhee MMuussiicc IInntteerrvviieewwss--SSeerriieess OOnnee to highlight the Bluff City’s musical contrib-utors. The release party held at MMeemmpphhiiss CCoolllleeggee ooffAArrtt’s Rust Hall featured a wine tasting with pairedfoods and three short documentaries about MMaarrgguueerriitteePPiiaazzzzaa, SSiidd SSeellvviiddggee and the late JJiimm DDiicckkiinnssoonn, whosememory was honored at the event. True Story Pictures’founder and executive director, JJooaannnn SSeellff SSeellvviiddggee,said of the evening, “The purpose is to preserve per-sonal histories for future generations and help peoplelearn more about Memphis.”
The AAttttoorrnneeyyss ffoorr CChhaannggee HHoolliiddaayy PPaarrttyy securedits place on legal eagles’ social calendars for a secondyear. A group of sponsoring attorneys and TThhee AAddaammssFFoouunnddaattiioonn hosted the party and charity auction at theCCllaarrkk OOppeerraa MMeemmpphhiiss CCeenntteerr, where the band YYeess NNooMMaayybbee performed alternative rock hits for foundationsupporters. A red carpet was also rolled out for theoccasion that offered eats ranging from a mashed pota-to bar to a giant dessert buffet. All proceeds help theSShheellbbyy CCoouunnttyy DDrruugg CCoouurrtt FFoouunnddaattiioonn provide a year-long program of therapy and treatment for nonviolentadult offenders with drug-related criminal charges.
LLeeaaddeerrsshhiipp MMeemmpphhiiss, a nonprofit that promotescommunity leadership, rounded out 2009 with aLLeeaaddeerrsshhiipp MMeemmpphhiiss HHoolliiddaayy PPaarrttyy at CCeennttrraall SSttaattiioonn.Alumni, current class members and guests gatheredinside Hudson Hall for lots of socializing, cocktails andappetizers by AA PPaarrttyy WWaaiittiinn’’ TToo HHaappppeenn. The organiza-tion’s annual corporate sponsors for 2009-2010 at theLeader level are FFeeddEExx, TTeeaamm TTrreekk and the UUrrbbaannCChhiilldd IInnssttiittuuttee.
Story by Leah FitzpatrickPhotos by Leah Fitzpatrick and Don Perry
Shirley Condon, Mia and Bill Condon and Marguerite Piazzaat The Music Interviews
Nika Jackson, Ekundayo Bandele, Tracey Zerwig Ford and Wendy Harnsat Leadership Memphis Holiday Party
Chloe O’Hearn and Sara Voyeat The Music Interviews
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FEBRUARY
2010
Playhouse on the Square OpeningBreaking New GroundE
V E N
T
Barbara Standing and Ken Hudson Bill and Susan Andrews
Lucia Gilliland and Buzzy Hussey Lynn and Thom Weller
Karen and Bill Clifton Warner Moore and Tina Fockler
PLAY
HOUS
E ON
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Debra Saharovich, Jackie Nichols and Julie KostenBob and Linda Cornish Renee Kemper and Leah Nichols
See all the party photos atrsvpmagazine.com Password: RSVP
Playhouse on the Square’s founder and executive producer, JackieNichols, first made his desire for a new theatre known about fiveyears ago, and he didn’t sit around hoping that some day his plans
would come to light. Instead, Nichols actively began campaigning forthe project, raising $12.5 million for the beautiful modern venue thatopened this January on the corner of Union and Cooper.
Whitney Jo, Playhouse’s managing director, applaudedNichols’ efforts, saying, “Jackie is a visionary. He dreams things upand makes them happen.”
To thank the community for giving Playhouse a new home,Nichols and his staff threw a four-night celebration: a Media Party, aConstruction Workers’ Party, a Major Donor Appreciation Party andthe grand finale, a Playhouse Alumni Party. Each festivity drew aunique mix of talented actors, musicians and theatre fans, which illus-trates just how embedded the arts are in Memphis.
Though the auditorium, a space Nichols called “personal andintimate” being that it seats only 350 people, wasn’t quite finished byparty time, no one seemed to mind. Instead, guests relished thechance to go on behind-the-scenes tours to view the work in progressbefore it was completed for the upcoming production of “Pippin.”While the original Playhouse theatre across the street will remain upand running, it is the new 38,000-square-foot facility that will not onlyhosts plays, but also performances by Ballet Memphis, OperaMemphis and the Memphis Symphony Orchestra.
Nichols added that Playhouse has been a real gem to this cityand gave numerous toasts to the organization’s staff, actors and sup-port system. After briefly mentioning his mission to continue raisingfunds for the endowment phase, he enthused, “Now it’s time toparty!”
Story by Leah FitzpatrickPhotos by Nathan Berry
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FEBRUARY
2010
E V E N
TPL
AYHO
USE
ON T
HE SQU
ARE
OPEN
ING
Donna Ware and son Zion with Albert Ware and Barbara Swearengen Ware
Dave Landis and Leigh McLean
Peggie Kaminsky, Dorothy Kirsch and Pat Davidson
Kathy and Kelly Fish
Kat and Dennis Donato with Katie Nichols Cook
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E V E N
TPL
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USE
ON T
HE SQU
ARE
OPEN
ING
Dr. Art and Barbara Jacobs
Jack Daniels and Lindsey Roberts Celeste Autry and Larin Culp Gretchen and Kojo McLennon
Nino Shipp and Charlie McCrary Phyllis and David Scruggs Bill Stegall and Margaret Metz
Joscelyn and Pete Shoptaw
Dr. LaVerne and Peggy Lovell
Christine Todd and K.C. Warren
Emily Burnette and June Burnette
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FEBRUARY
2010
E V E N
TPL
AYHO
USE
ON T
HE SQU
ARE
OPEN
ING
Whitney Jo with Rommy and Gay Hammond
Ray and Anita Pohlman
Steve Schadt with Joan and Jacob Biddle
Henry and Jeanne Varnell
Sue Guarino, Rebecca Powell and Karin Barile
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2010
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Salvation Army Women’s AuxiliaryChristmas Musical Brunch
It was beginning to feel a lot likeChristmas at the SSaallvvaattiioonn AArrmmyy WWoommeenn’’ssAAuuxxiilliiaarryy annual seasonal party. Held at theUU ooff MM HHoolliiddaayy IInnnn, the organization’sCChhrriissttmmaass MMuussiiccaall BBrruunncchh was a feast forthe senses with plenty of great friends,
good food, holiday tunes and shopping.As is tradition, the female member-
ship mingled in the foyer, catching up onChristmas plans and perusing the lovelyassortment of bazaar items set up by MMaajjoorrJJaanneeeenn MMccCCoonnnneellll. The action picked backup in the ballroom that had been decoratedwith wreaths and Christmas tree center-pieces, available for a $35 donation,adorned with miniature gifts and candycanes. Several much larger Christmas treeswith faux snow underneath adorned thestage area, providing a perfect backdrop for
the “DDiicckkeennss CChhrriissttmmaass” feel. The musical portion of the agenda
certainly lived up to its hype, and the proofcame when several standing ovations weregiven. Auxiliary member CChhaarrlloottttee NNeeaall andher husband, BBoobb, kicked off the set bysinging some beloved Christmas favorites,with Charlotte saying, “Lots of timesChristmas is just about Santa, but it’s morethan that.” The HHoouussttoonn HHiigghh CChhooiirr,
directed by DDrr.. BBiillllyy RRaayybbuurrnn, followed theNeals, who were accompanied by BBeettttyyCCaarrooll GGeerrmmaannyy. From classics like “SilentNight, Holy Night” to the beautiful “AvaMaria,” the award-winning groupimpressed.
CCaarrooll WWoollff, the outgoing auxiliarypresident, joked, “If the choir didn’t getyou in the Christmas spirit, then you haveno hope.”
The real reason for the afternoonthough was to remind everyone of the giv-ing season. Wolf announced that the auxil-iary had met its pledges and gave MMaajjoorrRRhheeaa DDaawwnn WWooooddccoocckk a check for $9,000 toput back into services for the SalvationArmy.
DDoorriiss HHiillll chaired the brunch, andTToommmmiiee PPaarrdduuee, who also led the group ina closing song, made all the arrangementsfor the music program. Others showingtheir support were HHiillddaa MMuulllleenn, MMaarryyNNeellssoonn, DDiiaannnnee CChhaammpplliinn, FFrraann JJaabbbboouurr,
A Trek Across the City’s Party Landscape
Mariangela Romano Schardt and Hilda Mullen
Arlene Southern and Anne West
Joan Alperin and Doris Hill
Betty Carol Germany and Tommie Pardue
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FEBRUARY
2010
AArrlleennee SSoouutthheerrnn, PPaatt MMaasssseennggiillll, FFrraanncceess GGiibbbbss,MMaarriiaannggeellaa RRoommaannoo SScchhaarrddtt, SSuuee DDrraakkee, AAggnneessTThhoommaass, JJuuddyy BBiillbbrreeyy, LLyynnnn SShheettttlleess, CCaarroollWWiinneellaanndd, CChheerryyll MMccCCoorrmmaacckk, JJooaann AAllppeerriinn,RRoosseemmaarryy BBaalllliinnggeerr, PPaatt WWiillssoonn TTrriipppp and AAnnnneeWWeesstt.
Story and photos by Leah Fitzpatrick
English-Speaking UnionChristmas Party
The Memphis branch of the EEnngglliisshh--SSppeeaakkiinngg UUnniioonn held its annual Christmas partyat the UUnniivveerrssiittyy CClluubb. The guests’ charming con-viviality brightened the wood-paneled ballroom asmuch as their sparkling holiday attire or the ele-
gant, 20-foot Christmas tree that anchored theroom.
Members gathered not only to celebratethe season but also to honor one of their own,LLeesstteerr GGiinnggoolldd, with the HHuuggoo DDiixxoonn AAwwaarrdd foroutstanding service to the ESU and the Memphiscommunity. The award’s namesake began theMemphis chapter of the ESU in 1954 and, alongwith his wife Margaret, permanently enriched cul-tural life in Memphis by making possible the
Dixon Gallery and Gardens. Honoree Lester Gingold is a past president
of the Memphis Cotton Carnival and the BetterBusiness Bureau, founder and publisher of TheBest Times and a board chairman of the MemphisCollege of Art and the American Cancer Society.During World War II, he served in the Combat
Engineers overseas, where he made the photo-graphs of General Patton’s fatal car wreck that aredisplayed in the Patton Museum. Attending theESU fete with his wife JJooyyccee, an artist, Lestershowed his own creative flair in a batik cummer-bund. He is currently working on a book.
The English-Speaking Union is an interna-tional, inclusive organization that was founded in1920 with the belief that when people who share a
Jon Thompson and Dr. Frank McGrew
Sue Drake, Anges Thomas, Judy Bilbrey, Carol Wineland and Cheryl McCormack
Mary Lawrence Allen and Mary Alice Quinn
Lester, David, and Joyce Gingold
Betty Hewitt with John and Marcia Dunlap
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FEBRUARY
2010
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common language come together, they quickly discover howmuch they have in common, regardless of nationality or back-ground. Today, the ESU continues to promote scholarship andglobal understanding through the effective use of English.
Among those present were SShhaarrrreell and DDrr.. FFrraannkkMMccGGrreeww, JJoonn TThhoommppssoonn, JJoohhnn RRoobbeerrttssoonn, DDrr.. AAnnddrreeww WWeellllss,TToommmmiiee PPaarrdduuee, CChhaarrlloottttee NNeeaall, DDaavviidd GGiinnggoolldd, NNaannccyy CCoollee,MMaarrgguueerriittee PPiiaazzzzaa, SShhiirrlleeyy CCoonnddoonn, MMaarryy JJoo and BBoo MMyyhhrr, AAnnnnHHuucckkaabbaa, LLeesslliiee HHaannnnaa, MMaarrtthhaa RRooppeerr, MMaarrcciiaa and JJoohhnn DDuunnllaapp,PPrreesshh GGiillll, BBeettttyy HHeewwiitttt, EEuullaa and RRoobb HHoorrrreellll, RRoosseemmaarryy andLLyynnnn BBaalllliinnggeerr, BBaarrbbaarraa WWrriigghhtt, MMaacckk PPeeppppeerr, MMaarryy LLaawwrreenncceeAAlllleenn and MMaarryy AAlliiccee QQuuiinnnn.
Story and photos by Kelly Cox
Duration ClubHoliday Luncheon
Throughout the year, members of the DDuurraattiioonn CClluubb vol-unteer their time, effort and funds to assist the mentally chal-lenged in their community. But, one day out of each year theytake time out to relax, socialize and celebrate their annual
Ann Huckaba, Leslie Hanna and Martha Roper
Becky Entrekin, Sonya Anderson, Dianne Ramsey and Dale Lusk
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45
FEBRUARY
2010
accomplishments at a special HHoolliiddaayy LLuunncchheeoonnheld for members and friends.
This year the club hosted the get-togetherat the GGeerrmmaannttoowwnn CCoouunnttrryy CClluubb for a special dayof wining, dining and jiving. To celebrate the sea-son, most of the ladies wore red, holiday-themedsweaters and yuletide brooches, while enjoying
lunch at their festively decorated tables completewith poinsettias and Christmas-colored bouquets.Members and their guests were treated to the soul-ful sounds of gospel singer JJaacckkiiee JJoohhnnssoonn, a for-mer cohort of the famed Rufus Thomas.
The Duration Club began in 1945 as a vol-unteer organization for veterans and their familiesduring WWII. Eventually it turned its focus
toward the mentally challenged population andnow works with the BBaaddddoouurr CCeenntteerr primarily, aswell as two other organizations chosen each year.It also has a fine arts arm, the DDuurr--AArrttss CClluubb,which focuses its efforts on the fine arts of theMid-South community.
Those in attendance included HHiillddaaMMuulllleenn, NNaannccyy CChhaammbblliinn, BBeecckkyy EEnnttrreekkiinn, SSoonnyyaa
AAnnddeerrssoonn,, DDiiaannnnee RRaammsseeyy, DDaallee LLuusskk, HHeelleennSSccootttt, FFrraanncceess DDeeaarr, SSaarraahh WWiittttee, RRuutthh FFaarrrriiss,DDoorrootthhyy SSmmiitthh, PPhhyylllliiss PPoollllaarrdd, JJoo OOrrmmaann, DDeeeeDDaavveennppoorrtt, RRuutthhiiee MMccCCaalllleenn, GGllaaddyyss HHaammiillttoonn,SSaannddrraa SSiimmaannkk, MMaauurreeeenn KKoollbb, DDoonnnnaa MMccMMaannuuss,IIssaabbeellllee SSttrroonngg, GGeerrrryy TThhoommaass, HHeelleenn BByyrrdd,AAnnnneemmaarriiee BBoobbaayy, LLiibbbbaa BByyrrdd, JJuuddyy FFrreeeemmaann,JJooaann MMoooorree and MMaarryy NNeellssoonn.
Story and photos by Lesley Young
Memphis Symphony LeagueChristmas Luncheon
“TTiiss tthhee SSeeaassoonn” marked the theme of theday at the MMeemmpphhiiss SSyymmpphhoonnyy LLeeaagguuee CChhrriissttmmaass
Phyllis Pollard, Jo Orman, Dee Davenport and Ruthie McCallen
Helen Byrd, Annemarie Bobay and Libba Byrd
Donna McManus, Isabelle Strong and Gerry Thomas
Judy Freeman, Joan Moore and Mary Nelson
Julia Williams and Gloria Nobles
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FEBRUARY
2010 6025 Primacy Parkway
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LLuunncchheeoonn. From the bell necklaces passed out to attendees at theentrance to the colorful ornaments that filled hurricane vases,the gathering remained true to the festive spirit.
Symphony league members and their guests ventured tothe MMeemmpphhiiss CCoouunnttrryy CClluubb for the occasion chaired by BBiilllliieeJJeeaann GGrraahhaamm and hosted by GGlloorriiaa NNoobblleess. Before lunch, vocalistDDeebbbbiiee KKiinneess, with the accompaniment of BBeettttyy CCaarrooll GGeerrmmaannyyon the piano, filled the reception room with joyful song. Orangeblush drinks were passed around during this time, and JJooyycceeHHuurrsstt sold symphony memberships at $50 for a couple and $40for a single.
NNaannccyy LLoouu JJoonneess, the league president, welcomed all tothe luncheon, declaring December a “season for merriment, funand celebration.” As guests savored a meal of chicken crepes,
mixed greens with prosciutto and mint chocolate bread pudding,Jones informed the audience that there are 190 league memberspresently, with 24 members at the President’s Circle level, andthat $2,400 has been added to the budget intake. RRyyaann FFlleeuurr, the
Linda Kaplan, Evonne Siemer, Ryan Fleur and Dr. Nancy Chase
Nancy Lou Jones, Bede Burr, Laurie Walthal and Sissy Long
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FEBRUARY
2010
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Memphis Symphony Orchestra president and CEO, took the floornext, thanking those at the luncheon for working hard to pro-mote the symphony.
The afternoon ended with LLaauurraa BBaanncchheerroo--FFlleeuurr playing“A Christmas Story” game and guest conductor AAllaassttaaiirr WWiilllliissleading the group in a Christmas sing-along, which was veryappropriate considering the number of music lovers in the room.Some of those singing along included NNaannccyy and RRooddggeerrssMMeennzziieess, CChhaarrlloottttee NNeeaall, LLiinnddaa KKaappllaann, EEvvoonnnnee SSiieemmeerr, DDrr..NNaannccyy CChhaassee, DDoonnnnaa MMccMMaannuuss, JJoo MMyyhhrr, FFrraannkkiiee SSttaahhll, BBeeddeeBBuurrrr, LLaauurriiee WWaalltthhaall, SSiissssyy LLoonngg, JJaakkaattaaee JJeessssuupp, SSuussaann MMoosskkoopp,
JJuulliiaa WWiilllliiaammss and MMaarriillyynn and RRaayy CCuurrllee.The Memphis Symphony League was formed to support
the Memphis Symphony Orchestra through fund-raising projects,music education and appreciation, concert ticket sales and con-cert enhancement.
Story and photos by Leah Fitzpatrick
Jo Myhr and Frankie Stahl
Ray and Marilyn Curle
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48
FEBRUARY
2010
TOAS
T FO
R TO
YS G
ALA
E V E N
T Toast for Toys Gala Benefiting the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Memphis
Duane Carter, Cassandra Thomas, Brian Bendersky and Hyun Cho
Donna and Jon Van Hoozer
Camilla and Matt Brinner
Shea and Dina Veazey
Chris and Ashley Mercer
Caroline Carver and Joey Kaegi
Traci and Chris Jones
Kyle and Andrea Wiggins
Jim Moton and Leigh Blanchard
When the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Memphis (BGCM) put
out a call for locals to help make children’s Christmas wishes
come true, Memphians responded by bringing 220 toys (each
valued at $25 or more) to the annual Toast for Toys Gala. Held at
the Pink Palace Museum, the festivities resembled Santa’s work-
shop, complete with a stocking stuffer and an ornament making sta-
tion.
Skateboards, dolls and stuffed animals in hand, 270 guests,
outfitted in business and cocktail attire, braved the winter chill to
support the cause. Other ways attendees showed their generosity
were by purchasing sponsorships in increments ranging from
“Chestnuts Roasting Over an Open Fire” ($1,000) to “It’s a
Wonderful Life” ($20,000) and by buying $15 raffle tickets for a
chance to win a Chanel gift basket or a cigar humidor courtesy of
Havana Mix Cigar Emporium. A Santa look-alike, played by BGCM
board member Fred C. Smith, made an appearance to help spread
the Christmas cheer and thank numerous donors.
In light of the holiday, organizers decorated tables with pres-
ent boxes and brought in lots of yummy edibles, including tacos
with all the fixings, meatballs, pasta, garlic rolls, mini shortcakes,
cookies and brownies. Buster’s Liquors & Wines served up a whiskey
and Scotch tasting station, while Havana Mix Cigar Emporium sup-
plied a cigar station. Tunes came compliments of Party Planet.
By night’s end, partygoers contributed more than $47,000,
which will benefit the nonprofit in providing more than 5,000 kids,
ranging from ages 6 to 18, a healthy and safe environment for after-
school education—the gift that keeps on giving.
Story and photos by Leah Fitzpatrick
See all the party photos at rsvpmagazine.comPassword: RSVP
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49
FEBRUARY
2010
E V E N
TTO
AST
FOR
TOYS
GAL
A
Debbie Short, Teresa Williams and Carmen Hopkins
Sean Hopkins, David Short and Steve Williams
Kim Moore and Ellen GrimesDottie and Parker Harness
John and Anne JonesLisa and Randy McKnight
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M E M B E R O F B E T T E R B U S I N E S S B U R E A U O F T H E M I D S O U T H
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Germantown Arts Alliance GalaArts and Humanities AwardsE
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Pat Smith and Dan McCleary Linda and George Stephenson
Tiffany Brimhall and Ursula Roman David Bryan and Linda Ash
Rick and Carol Marshall Aaron and Jaimee Cooley
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Adam, Amy and Diana FooteJeanne Miller and Blanche Deaderick Steve and Teresa Bernhardt
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There couldn’t have been a more fitting setting for the 17th annualGermantown Arts Alliance (GAA) Gala than the Clark OperaMemphis Center, which has had many arts patrons and perform-
ers grace its doors since opening in 2003. As is tradition, four Mid-Southerners who have displayed exemplary contributions to furtheringthe arts and humanities were honored with bronze medals.
Elaine Dudley chaired the affair that kicked off with a celebra-tory cocktail reception in the lobby. As guests mixed and mingled, theGermantown Symphony Orchestra delivered a repertoire of classicalfavorites, lending an air of elegance to the evening. An array of silentauction items were stationed nearby, and a beautiful spread of fruitand cheeses by Wade and Company tempted the hungry. Lilies andbells of Ireland accented the hors d’oeuvre table, providing a pop ofcolor to the décor.
The action soon moved to the event hall, where Tad Foote wel-comed everyone to the ceremony. Bill McGaughey gave the invocationbefore dinner, and harpist Bill Butner entertained the crowd. TerriWalker of Walker Auctions controlled the floor as the guest auction-eer, but the moment all had been waiting for came when the 2009Arts and Humanities medalists were announced. These individualswere Delores Kinsolving-Patron of the Arts; The Lugar Foundry-VisualArts; Dan McCleary-Performing Arts; and Perre Magness-Literary Arts.Cummins Mid-South, Fidelity Investments, Pat and Thane Smith andPegasus of Germantown served as the medal sponsors.
An advocacy and funding organization, the GAA has con-tributed more than $900,000 to arts projects and groups inGermantown since 1993. Linda Stephenson serves as the GAA’scurrent president.
Story and photos by Leah Fitzpatrick
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Ron and Ann Sebastian Bryan Simmons, Michael Ching and Barbara Simmons
Mark and Judy Long Larry and Colleen Capstick
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By Dennis PhillippiRSVP
HILL
IPPI
WE ARE NOT AMUSEDSeventeen or so years ago, my wife and I bought
our first house. As it turns out, it’s still ourhouse. From what I’ve read, a lot of people
trade up at some point, but we have a lot of rea-sons why we haven’t. We’re cowards. We’re allergicto debt. We’re too lazy to move all of our stuff. Ohyeah, and we love our neighborhood.
We live in beautiful, crime-free Cooper-Young. It’s a neighborhood of oddballs, kooks,charmers and refugees from neighborhoods wherethey don’t have those. We have people who drive atrailer crawling with monkeys around. We havehippies who should’ve retired from hippiedomdecades ago. We have true neighborhood pride.And until recently, we had Libertyland.
Our street dead-ended into Libertyland.Any time we headed east for any reason, there wasLibertyland. For the first 12 or 13 years, Liberty-land was a going concern. The lights were lit, therides were moving and the crowds were crowds.Okay, the crowds-being-crowds thing ended a longtime before Libertyland did, but there were stillpeople. Whenever we were getting gas, we wouldwatch kids riding the rickety vintage-looking carsthat they could’ve just as easily outrun. We couldsee the waterslide, the Pippin and the village thatgreeted every visitor to Libertyland since it openedin 1976.
The park closed back in the fall of 2005,beginning a process of sad decay that became akind of haunting for Midtowners in general, andCooper-Youngers in particular. Libertyland mayhave been a dinky amusement park by almost anymeasurement, but for many of us, it was part ofthe fabric of Memphis.
Every fall, the Mid-South Fair would rollinto town from wherever fairs go when they’re notin town, and Libertyland would become a vibrantliving thing. The rides at the fair were varyingdegrees of terrifying, mostly because of their oper-ators, and the rides at Libertyland seemed safeand reliable by comparison. The comparison beingthat the fair’s rides were run by guys who lookedlike they slept outside using a post hole digger fora pillow, and the rides in the park were operatedby kids who looked like they had learned to do thejob that afternoon in a training session that lastedas long as their attention span could bear, whichwas probably shorter than the ride itself. Nonethe-less, at least the rides in the park were always inthe same place and therefore had little risk of avitally important bolt falling out along Route 9
somewhere outside of Cape May, New Jersey. Wewould always go to Libertyland last at the fair,partly because it was our favorite part, and partlybecause we would do the waterslide last and likelyend up soaking wet. Half drunk, bloated with fairfood and soaking wet…that was the fair to us.
In another life, I hosted a kid’s TV show,and every summer we would do a couple ofappearances at Libertyland. The park would beoverflowing with kids, the weather would beMemphis-in-the-summer brutal, and tempers ranshort. Those were times we all remember fondly.We were rocking Libertyland, man.
A good friend of mine used to take hisdaughter to see the singing and dancing shows atLibertyland. They’re the only two people I knowwho ever went to those shows, but they lovedthem. They went over and over, summer aftersummer. They knew the kids’ names. They knewthe tunes. His daughter genuinely thought she wasgoing to be a Libertyland song and dance girl.Hell, I think he thought he might become one.
I didn’t grow up here, but my wife andfriends all remember going to Libertyland when
they were teenagers, doing typical teenage thingsat a small amusement park, often at night. Ifyou’re a native, or like me, you’ve been here longenough to be thought of as one, Libertyland is inyour memories.
Sadly, that’s where it will always have tobe. A few weeks ago, I was gassing up my wife’scar and across the street I saw backhoes tearingdown the village. I stood there watching as theymethodically obliterated the charming little areawhere you could get an air-brushed tee shirt or apiece of honest-to-God handmade fudge. I startedto jokingly text people, but then a feeling of truesadness came over me. We all knew the day wouldcome when they would finally bulldoze the place.It had become a sad ghost, a slowly witheringskeleton. But actually seeing it happen brought onall kinds of nostalgia.
A few days later, my wife and I turned offof East Parkway into the entrance to the fair-grounds that won’t be fairgrounds ever again.Looking to our right, we could see right throughwhere Libertyland used to be, all the way toSouthern. All that remained, and all that remainstoday, were the Pippin, the husk of the Carouseland trees. I never noticed that there were so manytrees in Libertyland. The Revolution, the loopingsteel roller coaster, is supposedly awaiting recon-struction at a park in Pennsylvania. The Rebellionwater slide is at Ghost Town in the Sky, whichseems appropriate. And the Pippin, from whatI’m told, belongs to the Save Libertyland people.Personally, I’m hoping they can work out some-thing to have that rickety death trap moved toGraceland. We all have fun Pippin memories, butthe fact that Elvis dug it is the only thing that hasprevented it from being blown to toothpicksbefore now.
Progress moves forward, and before youknow it, there will be things we like whereLibertyland used to be, but for now I encourageyou to swing by and have a look before all signs ofour own amusement park vanish as completely asMaywood.
Having never lived in Memphis during theLibertyland heyday, it’s hard for me to reminiscewith Dennis Phillippi, but who wouldn’t want toride a “rickety death trap” of a ride called thePippin? If Elvis liked the ride, I can too, so countme in for moving it to Graceland. After all, you’renever too old for cheesy fun.
Whenever wewere getting gas,we would watchkids riding therickety vintage-looking cars thatthey could’ve justas easily outrun.
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Fraternity SmilesRSVP
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1950-51
The Beta chapter of the Phi Kappa National Fraternity planted its roots in Memphis in 1922. Young men from ChristianBrothers High School, Central High School and East High School were actively involved in the fraternity whose foundingprinciples were brotherhood, faith in God and scholarship.
PHOTO COURTESY OF WALLACE WITMER JR.
If you have a past photo you would like to share with RSVP readers, please contact Leah Fitzpatrick at 276-7787 ext. 105or e-mail the photo and caption to [email protected]
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