Bellevue, TN May 2026

One For The Ladies

Mother’s Day is May 10, so whether you’re reading this Lifestyle Letter before or after that date, we hope the Second Sunday in May is a meaningful one for you and your family. It’s difficult to imagine life without the unforgettable impact and influence of the remarkable ladies we admire so much.

This year is a little different for me because it’s been a trying few months for a few of the women who are closest to me. In fact, this is my first Mother’s Day without my mom. I’m sure many of you can relate to what it’s like to not be able to stop by for a visit or make that phone call.

But something surprising has happened. I’m not dreading the day or wallowing in misery. Quite the opposite. I’m drawing strength, happiness and positive energy from my relationships with these incredible women.

If you’re in a situation like mine, my wish is that you find it to be a source of inspiration. So, enjoy a moment this month to recognize the women in your life. Send a text, make a phone call, or arrange a video call with the women who have made a difference for you. It’s a simple but powerful way to brighten someone’s day and remind them how much they’re loved.

Likewise, May is the month of Bellevue City Lifestyle’s annual Ladies issue (one guess as to what June’s theme will be!). This is the issue where we do our best to call attention to some of the ladies in our area who make Bellevue a great place to live, work and raise a family.

The Bellevue-Harpeth Chamber of Commerce appears on these pages frequently. And that’s due primarily to the many “Women of The Vue” who are advocates for the community and work tirelessly to promote Bellevue’s business sector. We also spent an afternoon at Carousel Farm. The property, which dates back more than half a century, has been transformed into a stunning private home that leans into its Southern heritage with guest houses, riverfront vistas, a mahjong room and even an active chicken coop.

We hope you enjoy reading about them this month.

ED ATLAS, PUBLISHER

May 2026

PUBLISHER

Doug Waterman | doug.waterman@citylifestyle.com

EDITOR

Ed Atlas | ed.atlas@citylifestyle.com

STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER

Lindsey Baydoun | hello@lindseybaydoun.com

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS

Ed Atlas, Kali Kasorzyk, Kellie Walton

CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS

Ed Atlas, Lindsey Baydoun

Corporate Team

CEO Steven Schowengerdt

President Matthew Perry

COO David Stetler

CRO Jamie Pentz

CoS Janeane Thompson

AD DESIGNER Zach Miller

LAYOUT DESIGNER Antanette Ray

QUALITY CONTROL SPECIALIST Brandy Thomas

inside the issue

Bellevue’s business community is

The

The women

Tradition Spins On at Carousel Farm

A Bellevue

Carousel Farm.

by the ladies of the BellevueHarpeth Chamber of Commerce.

(L-R): Tami Terrell, Leigh Ann Portale, Miranda Telford, Hattie DeWalt, Diana Cook, Karen Whelan, Mylissa Lemos, Heather Sisemore Warmbrod.

Lindsey Baydoun

WHERE NEIGHBORS CAN SEE AND BE SEEN

1-7: New Day Church of Bellevue hosted an Easter Egg Hunt for neighborhood children on April 4 at Red Caboose Park. Photography by Ed Atlas

business monthly

Liz Zipperer Named Vice President of YWCA Nashville's Junior Board

Bellevue Realtor and business leader Liz Zipperer has been named Vice President of the YWCA Nashville's Junior Board. This appointment is in addition to her current two-year term as a Junior Board Committee member. A fierce advocate and champion for the empowerment of young women, Zipperer's priorities and values align directly with the YWCA's mission that is, “dedicated to eliminating racism, empowering women and promoting peace, justice, freedom and dignity for all." Lzandco.com

Scan to read more

Dominion Door Systems Opens on Charlotte Pike

The Bellevue-Harpeth Chamber of Commerce recently held a ribbon-cutting ceremony to welcome locally-owned Dominion Door Systems to the Bellevue and West Nashville communities. Located at 7107 Charlotte Pike, Dominion Door Systems installs, maintains and repairs garage doors for residential and commercial properties. Quick Quotes are available by calling 931.740.1680. Additional information is available online at DominionDoorSystems.com.

West Precinct Commander Proctor Speaks at NCS' Breakfast Before Business

Commander Jason Proctor shared valuable insights on how the West Precinct is supporting Bellevue—from addressing key community concerns to using HUB for non-emergency requests. Proctor was joined by Community Coordinator Sgt. Amanda Kozen at Nashville Christian School for Breakfast Before Business, a Bellevue-Harpeth Chamber of Commerce event. NashvilleChristian.orgNashville. gov/departments/police/community-services/precincts/west-precinct

Scan to read more

ARTICLE BY KALI KASORZYK

PHOTOGRAPHY PROVIDED

BECKY HILLYARD

From Side Hustle to Style Empire

The power of taste, trust, and the courage to “just start.”

She didn’t have a business plan, a media budget, or even a name anyone could pronounce. What Becky Hillyard had was taste, a young family, and the instinct to just start. Today, her lifestyle brand Cella Jane commands an audience the size of Vogue’s , she’s nine collections strong with Splendid, and she’s built it all while raising three kids — refusing to sacrifice one for the other. In an exclusive conversation for the Share the Lifestyle podcast, Becky shares what it really takes to build a brand, a career, and a life you love. Read the highlights below, then scan the QR code for the full conversation.

Q: WHEN DID YOU KNOW CELLA JANE WAS MORE THAN A HOBBY?

A: Two moments. Women started emailing me saying they bought something I recommended and felt amazing — asking me to help them find a dress for a wedding. That felt incredible. Then I looked at my affiliate numbers for one month and realized I could cover our mortgage. I thought, I can actually do this. I never set out to build a business. I started it because I genuinely loved it.

Q: WHAT WAS THE BIGGEST RISK YOU EVER TOOK WITH THE BRAND?

A: Designing my own collection. It’s easy to point at items on a website and say I love these. But to create something from scratch, put your name on it, and wait to see if people connect with it — that’s terrifying. I had an incredible partner in Splendid, and women loved the pieces. It was the biggest risk and the biggest accomplishment.

Q: HOW HAS INFLUENCER MARKETING CHANGED SINCE YOU STARTED?

A: When I started, brands didn’t know whether to take it seriously. Now it’s a legitimate line item in their marketing budgets — sometimes bigger than TV. Because what we’ve built is trust. People trust a real recommendation from someone they follow far more than a commercial. There’s no question about it now.

Q: YOU’RE A MOM OF THREE RUNNING A FULL BRAND. WHAT DOES YOUR DAY ACTUALLY LOOK LIKE?

A: I try to get up at five and not hit snooze — that first hour before the house wakes up is the most productive, most peaceful hour of my day. Then it’s all hands on deck with the kids and school drop-off. After that I work — planning content, connecting with my team, editing. After pickup, the day shifts completely and it’s all about them. I’ve learned to protect both halves fiercely, because both matter.

Q: WHAT WOULD YOU TELL SOMEONE WHO WANTS TO BUILD SOMETHING OF THEIR OWN BUT KEEPS WAITING?

A: Don’t wait. Don’t wait for the perfect camera, the right strategy, or enough followers. We find every excuse to stay comfortable. Just start, be consistent, and be authentically yourself. The right people will find you — and they’ll stay.

This conversation is just the beginning. Becky goes deeper on the risks that almost stopped her, the design process behind her latest Splendid collection, and what she’d tell her 2012 self today. Scan the QR code for the full, exclusive City Lifestyle interview on the Share the Lifestyle podcast.

“Trust is the only metric that actually compounds.”

— Becky Hillyard

LEADING LADIES

ARTICLE BY KELLIE WALTON | PHOTOGRAPHY BY LINDSEY BAYDOUN

THE WOMEN OF THE BELLEVUE-HARPETH CHAMBER OF COMMERCE SUPPORTING LOCAL BUSINESSES

Hattie DeWalt ran down to City Limits Cafe one morning because it was Coffee with a Cop day. She loves the police offers on the Bellevue beat… they're entrenched in the community the same way she is. Later that week, she learned the guy who owns City Limits had been invited to speak at Harpeth Valley Elementary School about his journey as an immigrant. He was honored to do it.

That's Bellevue, she thought, and that's exactly why she loves her job as executive director of the Bellevue-Harpeth Chamber of Commerce.

"I've had more fun doing this job than anything in my entire life," she says.

DeWalt spent most of her career at a Fortune 500 company, then transferred to Nashville in 1990. She walked into the building with zero staff and zero furniture, but she soon fell in love with Bellevue and insisted on staying.

"I was that entrenched with Bellevue from the start," she says.

When the chamber’s executive director resigned unexpectedly, DeWalt said she'd fill in, and she remains at the helm today.

WHAT DOES THE CHAMBER DO?

Bellevue is a small business community. The town, as we know, isn’t filled with corporate headquarters or major manufacturing. The tallest building is probably the Fairfield Inn. And as a result, most businesses are locally owned small businesses that rely on lifting each other up to succeed.

Her focus when she started was growing the chamber and getting businesses engaged. This year, she's moved toward collaboration— creating networking environments, brand enhancement strategy, and keeping pace with members' business plans.

"We provide a forum where people can come together, exchange ideas, exchange contact info, share resources," DeWalt says.

And while there are many members that contribute to the chamber’s success, there are a plethora of leading ladies that keep the ship not only afloat but sailing down the metaphorical river.

THE LEADING LADIES

The chamber not only has a female president, but also women throughout the board who have demonstrated leadership skills and willingness to step up when needed. A committee needs volunteers? A board needs a leader? They step up.

“I don’t know that the chamber is attracting them, but rather creating an environment where they can flourish,” DeWalt says. She thinks it's like being drawn to light. People who are committed are drawn to other people who are committed, and the chamber is the fortunate recipient of that passion in Bellevue.

"If the chamber is perceived as just a board or organization, that's a misnomer," DeWalt says. She refers to members as constituents. "We have to listen to what they need to know and want. We try to stay current and relevant on their behalf."

The chamber also hosts Women of the Vue, a quarterly gathering focused on the business environment.

"These ladies do it like no other," DeWalt says. "If I have a wine tasting in a dinner setting, it’s constant conversation—there's never a lull.”

They're connecting with each other in ways that go beyond networking. If someone needs a videographer or drone operator, they'll get a response immediately. A reciprocity program has developed organically.

"I want to give them resources, push their brand out into the community," DeWalt says. Speaking of, the chamber's marketing director, Miranda Telford, handles the weekly newsletter and socials.

THE BELLEVUE CULTURE

When DeWalt had over 400 people relying on her corporate office, she told them all the time that if you live here, you owe something to the community.

"I don't have to tell people in the chamber that; they know that," she says. "You'll see the same people volunteering, engaging. It's one of the reasons I love Bellevue."

She hopes this story shines a light on who really needs to be recognized: every person who came to Women of the Vue, every woman who volunteered to clean up the side of the road, every woman who helped with the Holidays in the Vue Parade, which was founded by four women. And, of course, the many men who also show up in droves to support Bellevue’s business community.

"Bellevue is blessed with women who are willing to step up and carry the load," DeWalt says.

WHAT'S COMING NEXT

The chamber hosts a number of annual events. Up next is the 47th annual Bellevue Community Picnic on May 16, there’s the Glow on the Green night golf tournament on October 6, and plenty more throughout the year like breakfasts with speakers, Women of the Vue gatherings, ribbon cuttings, and that Coffee with a Cop.

Special thanks to  Another Broken Egg Cafe  in One Bellevue Place for hosting the Women of The Vue photoshoot.

BellevueHarpethChamber.com

“WE PROVIDE A FORUM WHERE PEOPLE CAN COME TOGETHER, EXCHANGE IDEAS, EXCHANGE CONTACT INFO, SHARE RESOURCES.”

•

615-908-2615

mhayati@freshcoatpainters.com www.freshcoatpainters.com •

Thank

Our unique approach to Memory Care provides a breakthrough approach to compassionate communication with our residents and their

You can trust that your loved one will be cared for with memory care-focused senior living, personalized for their needs, in a beautiful and supportive community.

If you’re looking for a safe and peaceful neighborhood your loved one will be happy to call home, you’ve found it at Barton House.

TRADITION SPINS ON AT CAROUSEL FARM

ARTICLE BY KELLIE WALTON | PHOTOGRAPHY BY ED ATLAS

CAROUSEL FARM

Although the name appeared on property records more than a half century ago, nobody remembers why it’s called Carousel Farm.

“We didn’t name it that, and the previous owners before us didn’t either,” Brittany Pride says. “It’s been on the paperwork since the late ‘50s, early ‘60s. If you’re standing on the front porch and Google it, it does say you’re at Carousel Farm. It recognizes that it’s an actual place.”

Brittany and her husband Bart purchased the first 15 acres and two houses in 2011. Five and a half years later, they acquired the remaining 37 acres and two additional houses. The 53-acre estate sits along the Harpeth River, a legacy property they plan to pass down for generations.

The land was an Indian fishing camp at one point, and arrowheads still surface on the ridge and down by the river basin. Today, the estate is a combination of natural beauty (winding river, wide open spaces, and waterfalls) and touches the family has slowly added over time… a mahjong room among them.

THE INTERIOR

The house itself is classic Southern style with white exteriors and charming touches: greenery, colorful landscaping, waving American flags. Blues and whites dominate the color scheme, warmed up by natural wood tones. But step inside and let the whimsy unfold into an expertly curated haven nodding to the land’s moniker and the family’s personality, like a gallery wall filled with meaningful art to greet guests.

“All of the photos are landscapes and river photography, Monteagle photos, pastels, oil paintings,” Brittany says. Every piece came from somewhere local. “Everything is significant to us. All my Sewanee pieces came from Monteagle. I like to hunt, dig, and find.”

When they bought the property, carousel-themed touches were scattered throughout the main house. Brittany kept them and added more, making the theme an intentional nod to the property’s history.

Brittany, a mahjong instructor and owner of The Mahjong Miss, added a room entirely dedicated to the game. But the room isn’t about kitsch—Brittany collects vintage ivory, wood, and hand-painted mahjong sets. Of course, there’s a carousel pony sprinkled in.

“It’s a neat place, it’s special to us, and it’s always felt like home,” she says. “We knew this would be a lifelong project; it would be home forever, so we can do little things as we go.”

The name Carousel Farm might predate them by decades, but the Prides have made it theirs for generations to come.

THE EXTERIOR

When the Prides started property shopping, they had specific requirements: some water, multiple homes, natural barriers.

“We wanted a legacy property that we could leave to our children and so on,” Brittany adds. Carousel Farm checked every box and then some.

The compound now includes four structures, with the primary residence a 5,000-square-foot home where the Prides live with their two kids.

There’s also a pool house and two cottages built in 1969 that serve as guest quarters, offering plenty of space for visiting

guests and in-laws. As for the terrain? It’s showstopping all its own. There’s a pickleball court, a chicken coop, a treehouse tucked into the woods, a hot tub, and a screened-in porch, so whether you’re in the mood for exercise or relaxation, chances are you’ll find what you’re looking for.

“The river is special to a lot of people for kayaking, fishing,” Brittany notes, adding that there’s a pavilion near the banks offering a great gathering area. In fact, thousands of people once descended for an extra-special occasion: a 7,200-person baptism. “My whole family got baptized right in front of the waterfall.”

APRIL SHOWERS BRING MAY FLOWERS

ARTICLE BY SARAH KNIEFF

Supplies:

• Flowers of your choice

• Scissors

• Twine or floral tape

• Ribbon (optional)

Decorate Your Space With a DIY Floral Design

Spring: the days grow longer, weather turns warmer, and the earth’s greenery starts to make its reappearance. During this time, flowers shoot up from the ground in a ballet of colors and movement. Walking outside becomes a cherished moment to breathe the fresh air and immerse yourself in lush surroundings. Being inside your home turns dreary and dull, everything that thrives is now outside, but this can easily be remedied. Why not bring some life inside? Make a spring floral bouquet to lighten up your space. Flowers add color and character to any room that needs a little lift, and our step-by-step guide will inspire you to create something grand.

• Decorative paper (optional)

• Bouquet sleeve (optional)

“Just remember, whatever way you choose to decorate your bouquet, you will end with a personalized piece made with love and care.”

Directions:

Step 1: When creating a beautiful floral arrangement, the first thing to do is decide on a color scheme and prepare the flowers.  Have fun deciding what colors you want to play with. Perhaps go pastel for spring or match the hues to other decor items in your house. Once you have picked your flowers, you need to do a little prep work. First, remove extra leaves and damaged petals from the stems. Then make a fresh diagonal cut to the bottom of all the flowers. This allows each bloom to soak up as much water as they need.

Step 2: Now it’s arranging time — think focal and filler. The best way to start the arranging process is by choosing your most interesting or favorite flowers — this will be your focal point. Hold the focal flower(s) upright and add your supporting blooms around it. Make sure to turn the bouquet as you build so that the design is as desired. Once this is complete, add your filler flowers to finalize the look. Filler options include baby’s breath, ivy, fern, eucalyptus and more.

Step 3: Let’s get ready to tie. Once you’ve arranged your bouquet, tie all the stems together using twine or floral tape. If using twine, we recommend securing it in a small bow in case you would like to rearrange at any given time. Floral tape is easy to move on and off for this purpose as well.

Step 4: Add the finishing touches. At this point, you are almost done with your bouquet and all that’s left is embellishments. There are so many ways to further adorn your creation: one way we love is to wrap it in fun decorative paper or put it in a special sleeve made just for flowers. If this idea isn’t for you, we recommend going to Pinterest for inspiration. Just remember, whatever way you choose to decorate your bouquet, you will end with a personalized piece made with love and care.

Bellevue's Mo Pa 5 Years

•

•

•

•

•

A SELECTION OF UPCOMING LOCAL EVENTS

MAY 1ST

Nashville Sounds Baseball

FIRST HORIZON PARK, 19 JUNIOR GILLIAM WAY

First Horizon Park will be the site for 15 homes games in May for the Nashville Sounds, AAA affiliate of the Milwaukee Brewers. Friday 1-Sunday 3 vs. Norfolk Tides (Baltimore Orioles);  Tuesday 12-Sunday 17 vs. Iowa Cubs (Chicago Cubs); Tuesday 26-Sunday, May 31 vs. Gwinnett Stripers (Atlanta Braves). Game Times: Tuesday-Saturday, 6:35 p.m.; Sunday, 1:05 p.m.  MILB.com/nashville

MAY 4TH

Nashville Symphony

SCHERMERHORN SYMPHONY CENTER, DOWNTOWN NASHVILLE

Monday 4: Tennessee Youth Symphony;  Wednesday 6: Steep Canyon Rangers;  Thursday 7-Saturday 9:  Michael Feinstein's Tribute to Tony Bennett; Friday 15-Saturday 16: Beethoven's Eroica Symphony; Wednesday 20: The Brightness of Light with Renée Fleming; Friday 22-Sunday 24: How To Train Your Dragon in Concert; Friday 29-Saturday 30: Time For Three. NashvilleSymphony.org

MAY 6TH

Concerts Around Town

VENUES THROUGHOUT NASHVILLE

RYMAN AUDITORIUM: Wednesday 6: David Lee Roth; Friday 8: Amy Grant; Wednesday 13: Herbie Hancock; Friday 22-Saturday 23: Trace Adkins; Thursday 28: America;  Friday 29:  Cinderella's Tom Keifer.  MARATHON MUSIC WORKS: Friday 8:  Sleeping With Sirens; Tuesday 19: Tech N9ne. BRIDGESTONE ARENA: Thursday 7: Bring Me The Horizon; Thursday 21: The Black Crowes. FIRSTBANK AMPHITHEATER: Tuesday 12: Earth, Wind & Fire; Friday 15: Bush.

MAY 8TH

Warner Parks Nature Center

7311 HIGHWAY 100 Friday 8: The Wonder of Wood Warblers, 9 a.m.; Evening Cave Tour, 6 p.m. Friday 15: Gardening for Butterflies, Bees and Birds, 9:30 a.m.; An Evening Paint Date, 6 p.m. Saturday 16: Old Time Jam, 10 a.m. Saturday 23: Ask A Master Gardner; Fire Building 101, 10 a.m.;  Spring Star Party, 8:30 p.m. Saturday 30: Spring Butterfly Bonanza, 1 p.m. WarnerParks.org/upcoming-events/

MAY 9TH, 17TH, 23RD

Nashville SC

GEODIS PARK, 501 BENTON AVENUE

The Nashville Soccer Club has a stacked slate in May, including three games on the Geodis Park pitch. Saturday 9 vs. D.C. United, 8 p.m.; Sunday 17 vs. Los Angeles FC, 7 p.m.; Saturday 23 vs. New York City FC, 7:30 p.m. NashvilleSC.com

MAY 9TH

Iroquois Steeplechase

PERCY WARNER PARK, 2500 OLD HICKORY BLVD. | 8:00 AM

The Iroquois Steeplechase is a full day of racing at Percy Warner Park. The mission of the Iroquois Steeplechase is to manage and produce a world-class horse race that benefits Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt and other local community nonprofits, as well as promote the sport of steeplechasing. For additional information and to purchase tickets, visit IroquoisSteeplechase.org.

MAY 16TH

47th Annual Bellevue Community Picnic presented by Nashville Christian School

665 COLICE JEANNE ROAD BEHIND BELLEVUE MIDDLE SCHOOL | 9:00 AM

The annual event produced by the Bellevue-Harpeth Chamber of Commerce features mechanical rides, pony rides, inflatables, live music, arts and crafts, a Kidz Zone and an amazing variety of food trucks and vendors, all capped off with a fireworks display. Located directly behind Bellevue Middle School. Sponsorship and volunteer opportunities, as well as vendor applications, are available online at BellevueHarpethChamber.com

MAY 25TH

Memorial Day at Middle Tennessee State Veterans Cemetery

7931 McCRORY LANE | 8:00 AM

Stop by for a self-guided tour of one of only five military cemeteries maintained by The Tennessee Department of Veterans Services. Whether it's for a few minutes, an hour or more, a walk through the bucolic and sacred grounds of this Bellevue landmark makes for a meaningful Memorial Day experience.

MAY 29TH

Full Moon Pickin' Party

PERCY WARNER PARK, 2500 OLD HICKORY BOULEVARD | 6:00 PM

The Full Moon Pickin’ Party in Percy Warner Park opens for its 28th season on May 29. Patrons enjoy live bluegrass music, local food trucks, cold brews, and more. Bring an acoustic instrument for discounted admission and join a pickin' circle. Dogs on leashes welcome. Lawn chairs encouraged. Admission includes complimentary soda, water and up to three beers (21+). WarnerParks.org

Mariner advisors have access to an in-house team of wealth management professionals. Because when advisors have access to a more collaborative approach, you get access to more sophisticated solutions. Welcome to Wealth On Your Level™. Access our team at mariner.com

Mariner, LLC offers its services through the brand names Mariner, Mariner Wealth, Mariner Independent, Mariner Institutional, Mariner Ultra, and Mariner Workplace. For additional information about Mariner, including fees and services, please contact Mariner or refer to Form ADV Part 2A which is available on the Investment Adviser Public Disclosure website (www.adviserinfo.sec.gov). Registration of an investment adviser does not imply a certain level of skill or training.

realty report

BERRY BRUSCHETTA

A RECIPE FROM A CUP FULL OF SASS

ARTICLE AND PHOTOGRAPHY BY AMY TINNIN

This Berry Bruschetta is a delightful twist on the classic bruschetta that we all love. This version uses fruit, bringing a sweet element to the traditionally savory dish. With the use of fresh berries, cream cheese, delicious fruit spread, crumbled cheese, and fresh rosemary, it is the perfect addition to your next spring event. This simple, yet beautiful appetizer could be enjoyed at your next brunch, shower or Mother’s Day celebration. But let’s be honest—you don’t need an excuse to enjoy this delectable dish!

INGREDIENTS:

• 12 baguette slices

• Extra virgin olive oil (for brushing)

• 4 oz cream cheese

• 1/4 cup Fruit and Honey Triple Berry Spread (or any fruit spread of your choice)

• 1/3 cup fresh strawberries, sliced

• 1/3 cup fresh blueberries

• 2 oz fruit cheese (such as Wensleydale with Autumn Fruit), crumbled

• Fresh rosemary for garnish

DIRECTIONS:

1. Preheat oven to 350°F.

2. Lightly brush the front and back of the baguette slices with Extra Virgin Olive Oil.

3. Toast baguette slices in the oven for 3-5 minutes or until lightly toasted.

4. Once the baguette slices are cool, spread a generous layer of cream cheese over each slice.

5. Add the fruit spread on top of the cream cheese.

6. Add sliced strawberries and a few blueberries, allowing the vibrant colors to pop. (A great place to find fresh fruit is our local staple, Crystal & Rich’s Produce.)

7. Crumble the fruit cheese over the top for an added layer of richness and depth.

8. Garnish with fresh Rosemary if desired.

9. Serve and enjoy!