Lebanon, TN May 2023

TIME TO FIND NEW ROADS

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This one’s for the girls!

Happy May! This month we celebrate the ladies! May is very special to me, as we feature so many beautiful and incredible women in the area that will inspire you all. For years, I have been blessed to work with many amazing women who have lead me to this very issue. When women support each other, incredible things can happen. The ladies you will read about this month are showstoppers, powerhouses and leaders within our community. Women who shine. Who sacrifice. Who love this town hard. Who give back. Who you all should know. I am honored to share their stories and services with you.

I recently attended the She Will Conference held at the Capitol Theatre and was moved beyond words. Their main message this year was to Anchor Deep. When you feel a drift...Anchor Deep. When uncertainties arise... Anchor Deep. When storms of life come...Anchor Deep.  This resonated with me incredibly. It made me think of so many women I know who are always there for me when the tide turns. Women who lend a hand to those in need or have shared their testimony to help others. I am so privileged to serve a community such as Lebanon. I have witnessed the gratitude, local love and overwhelming generosity, firsthand, from so many here.

And of course with Mother’s Day this month, all eyes are on mom. However, it’s not just the biological mothers, but the mother figures in our lives who have made an indelible impact on us. It’s the family members, teachers, friends and neighbors doing awesome things in our communities, pouring into our lives, making themselves unforgettable and irreplaceable. I hope you’ll take a few minutes to send a text, make a phone call or get your kids on a video call with the women in your life who deserve recognition. It only takes a minute to brighten someone’s day and remind them how grateful for them you are.

Ladies, this one is for you! I hope you find joy and inspiration inside! Stay tuned for June fellas...we have the Men's Issue up next month!

XoXo

May 2023

PUBLISHER

January Alexander

january.alexander@citylifestyle.com

PUBLICATION DIRECTOR

Scott Coffin | scott.coffin@citylifestyle.com

EDITORIAL COORDINATOR

Lindsey Hickman | lindsey.hickman@citylifestyle.com

CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS

Jared Dean, Kelsi Carter, The Glasshouse

Photography Studio, Marc Munoz

Corporate Team

CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER Steven Schowengerdt

CHIEF SALES OFFICER Matthew Perry

CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER DeLand Shore

DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL MEDIA Mindy Hargesheimer

ART DIRECTOR Sara Minor

OPERATIONS DIRECTOR Janeane Thompson

WEB APPLICATIONS Michael O’Connell

AD DESIGNER Matthew Endersbe

LAYOUT DESIGNER Kathy Nguyen

city scene

Where neighbors can see and be seen.

Want to be seen in the magazine? Tag your Instagram photos with @lebanoncitylifestyle

We are looking at orthopaedic care from a new perspective - YOURS.

business monthly

A round-up of exciting news from local businesses.

New modern eatery now open on the square

Internet entrepreneurs, Instagram's @TwoTallMoms, Jess & Mags launched their fresh-focused, trendy new cafe Basic. in the square last month! They say the “why” behind Basic. is twofold. It started with a void that they wanted to fill in the community, but it became something that they as two moms could pour themselves into. And we love what they're pouring! Basic. is basic food, basic ingredients, for basically everybody. -122 Public Square, Lebanon

Lester Farms Reports First Strawberry of the Year

Weather may have been wild this spring, but one thing we can always count on is Lester Farms to roll in the summer for us. This local favorite is a hotspot for berries, produce, vendor fairs and more. Make sure to follow their social media to stay up to date on whats being harvested, operating hours and events.

Spring Fest in the Grove

Fiddlers Grove Historical Village in partnership with the Wilson County Master Gardeners presents Spring Fest in the Grove on May 6 for a free one day event. If you enjoy to shop, this is the place to be. Fiddlers Grove is a historic village containing over 55 buildings furnished with items collected that fit the period of the building.

Want

Get

local experiences

The best places and things to do in our area.

Ready, Set, Girl’s Day!

Our Picks for The Gal Pals

SLOW HANDS BAKEHOUSE: As you head out, grab coffee and a pastry or a daily breakfast burrito at Slow Hands Bakehouse.

111 S Greenwood St, Lebanon, TN

DREAMS BOUTIQUE: First! Pick your outfit. When I need an outfit I am headed straight to Dreams Boutique for the perfect going out sundress.

124 Public Sq, Lebanon, TN

LIBELLE BEECH SALON: Next, it's hair time! Pamper yourself with a blowout at Libelle Beech Salon. Make sure to make an appointment ahead of time.

320 W Main St, Lebanon, TN

SAMMY B'S RESTAURANT: Finally, meet the girls for the best happy hour menu in town, Sammy B's of course. 705 Cadet Court, Lebanon, TN

TOWN SQUARE SOCIAL: After drinks, head out for live music in the square at Town Square Social. 145 Public, Square Lebanon, TN

Scan

MEET THIS MONTH’S CURATOR

Lindsey Hickman | @lindseydawnhickman

As the editor of Lebanon City Lifestyle and owner of BYH Kitchen + Bar in Gallatin, Lindsey prides herself on knowing how to GNO like a pro. Whether it’s seeking out a trendy restaurant with top-shelf cocktails, or shopping for all things local, embracing all that middle Tennessee has to offer is always on her to do list. Make sure to tag @lebaboncitylifestyle on Instagram so she can come check out your business on her adventures.

CHOOSE YOUR Adventure

CHICKEN SALAD

LOCO COCO SMOOTHIE BOWL

COCONUT KEY LIME SMOOTHIE

STRAWBERRY SOUTHERN SALAD

Joining

WWW.PICTURETHISTRAVEL.COM

sheri@picturethistravel.com

615-800-7239

Sheri Clarke is an award-winning travel agent who leads an agency of 15 agents that specialize in river cruising, Customized Individual Travel, and group land vacations. Over the past 20 years, Sheri has led 85 groups to 65 different countries, with those groups ranging in size from eight to 1,500 people. Sheri has been recognized as a top producing agent multiple years in a row, received five sales achievement awards, and is a six-time member of the exclusive President’s Club, which honors the industry’s top performing agencies.

Sheri’s wealth of travel experiences make her uniquely qualified to plan trips to all corners of the globe, with particular expertise in ITALY | FRANCE SPAIN | UNITED KINGDOM GREECE AFRICA

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Meet Wilson County’s Women of Influence

FROM PERSONAL LIFE TO BUSINESS, THESE LADIES ARE COMMITTED TO GREATER GOOD IN THE REGION

A Women in Wilson County magazine issue wouldn’t be complete without a tribute to movers and shakers in the region.

Topping that list would be eight-year Lebanon Wilson Co. Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Melanie Minter.

“I believe that I have the most rewarding job in our county. I love people. I love connecting people to their passion. I love watching businesses and individuals thrive in our community,” Minter says, “A handshake with a smile makes my day. Henry Ford said, “Coming together is a beginning; keeping together is a progress; working together is success.”

The Lebanon County Chamber of Commerce is active, strong and excited about the growing future of our county, she says, “All great moments, events, history and people are the proud foundation upon which our community is built. The [chamber] is the glue that holds this framework together and strengthens them. Every day is a new beginning in both our personal lives and our professional lives. We can sit quietly and watch the day unfold with its familiar events, or we can stand up, seize the moment and take a gigantic step forward to create a new horizon that will make our lives and those lives around us better. Working together, the vision for Lebanon and Wilson County is limitless and our possibilities are endless.”

In 2022, The Lebanon Wilson County Chamber of Commerce introduced a new Explore Wilson app that holds the keys to opening the doors of Wilson County treasures. Join them in celebrating the extensive outlook of our beautiful county. To learn how your business can be added to the app, contact marketing@lebanowilsonchamber.com.

“I believe that I have the most rewarding job in our county. I love people. I love connecting people to their passion. I love watching businesses and individuals thrive in our community. A handshake with a smile makes my day.” -Melanie

Owner and photographer at The Glasshouse

Photo Studio

Next up, Erin Smagala , owner and photographer at The Glasshouse Photography Studio, a stunning greenhouse built on her six-acre property in Lebanon. As a newer Lebanon resident, Erin offers the ultimate in photographer packages including senior portraits, as well as branding shoots, boutiques, and headshots for businesswomen. Erin’s passion project is called Pretty With Purpose, where she campaigns to collect toiletries for local teens in foster care. Smagala says “Lebanon is a giving community, and I’m proud to be a part of it!”

Visit erinsmagala.com to view her galleries and for more information.

“Lebanon is a giving community, and I’m proud to be a part of it!”

-Erin Smagala

Erin Smagala

Owner of Iddy & Oscar’s A Give Back Boutique

Joy Pine is passionate about historic preservation in Lebanon and thankful to call Lebanon’s beautiful Main Street district home to her business, Iddy & Oscar’s, a give back boutique whose core mission is to give back to the community and to the world. Married to David Pine with 3 beautiful daughters Ella Kate, CeCe and Eden, their family business is proud to donate 10% of their profits to local charities and to educating Kenyan street orphans. Iddy’s has sponsored 30 kids in schools across the country of Kenya including boarding schools, colleges, universities and trade schools.

Pine says, “By opening a give back boutique, it has allowed the community to be involved in a greater good! To date, Iddy’s has educated over 30 orphans in Kenya offering them the chance to self sustain!”

Iddy’s currently has a Give Back to Women project that is giving back to local charities including Our Sister’s Keeper and Rest Stop Ministries, as well as international charity, Freedom’s Promise.

“Women Empowering Women!” she boasts, “I love that Lebanon has a Main Street district adding to the charm of the area, the location is everything. Close to the city but far enough away, close to beautiful lakes and day hikes, but most importantly it’s the people that make up our sweet community.”

“By opening a give back boutique, it has allowed the community to be involved in a greater good!”

- Joy Pine

Joy Pine

Realtor

Amanda Polzel

Next up is Amanda Polzel , a prominent, top-producing Realtor® in the Greater Nashville area. She and her husband, Jeremy own The Polzel Group, of Benchmark Realty. They have four daughters, and love being involved in the community. Amanda says she values building strong relationships with her clients, which she feels is key to feeling comfortable and confident throughout the buying or selling process.

“We love Jesus, and we try to bring Him into all that we do,” says Polzel, “I love that Lebanon has retained its small-town feel even as it grows because that faith runs deep and is part of the culture.”

Giving back to the community comes naturally to The Polzel Group, sponsoring and serving on the planning committee of the annual Phoenix Ball.

“We love partnering with Cumberland University, and especially with the Phoenix Ball as the proceeds go to fund scholarships for students who might not otherwise have an opportunity to go there,” she explained, “We also proudly partner with the Tri-Star Volleyball league, so that girls from Mt. Juliet Academy for Girls to have the opportunity to be a part of the league and have the same volleyball gear as the rest of the team.”

The Polzel motto is we are blessed to be a blessing, and their service to the Lebanon community is proof.

Director of Clinical Informatics

Tonya Sizemore Freeman , Director of Clinical

Informatics at Summit Medical Center HCA says her background in nursing drives her compassion for the community. Her contributions support and provide services to improve and maintain a healthy lifestyle, heading up community events such as the county fair, fundraisers, career day, blood drives and more.

“I always want to feel like I’ve ended my work day supporting a healthy community as if my loved one depended on it,” she explained.

Tonya says the Lebanon Square is her favorite part of town, “I love the historic small town feel, filled with small business owners, seeing how the community supports one another through business and personal growth. We all have a gift, helping others pursue and see their gifts and dreams fills a town like ours.”

There’s no place like hope

REST STOP MINISTRIES PROVIDES A SPACE FOR WOMEN TO BE RESTORED

As a pastor counseling women for 14 years, Rondy Smith recognized the connection between mistreatment as youth in sex trafficking victims and knew there was a service gap to fill. Since founding Rest Stop Ministries (RSM) in 2011, Smith and her team have housed, counseled, loved and led thousands of women to healing and restoration.

“As I began to see that connection, my heart broke for these women. My research showed that it required intensive long term residential restoration to heal, and that women healed best within communities of support with other victim-survivors who shared their lived experience,” explained Smith.

With more than 1,100 victims throughout the state annually, Smith says there was no program in Tennessee designed solely and uniquely for this population. In 2015 they set out to fill that need and opened their doors to the first 24-hour, longterm residential treatment home for survivors.

“This is the church’s business, to establish a place for the church to be in action, for Jesus to tell these women I want to restore you and love you lavishly.”

“As I began to see that connection, my heart broke for these women. My research showed that it required intensive long term residential restoration to heal, and that women healed best within communities of support with other victim-survivors who shared their lived experience,”

As a “housing-first” model, RSM provides holistic survivor-centered, trauma-informed care in a long-term residential community with a mission to comprehensively restore survivors and stop the oppression of human trafficking. Women are welcomed into a beautifully curated place to call home, where they are supported through their healing journey by professionals and other victims who understand their story.

RSM connects victims to medical and mental health providers, legal council, employers and hundreds of volunteers to provide transportation, life skills coaching, mentoring, and workforce readiness skills.

But Smith says, the women who come to them are the real heroes, “It is the most courageous, difficult work to choose to move from survivor to thriver.”

“It takes a comprehensive continuum of holistic care to heal from complex trauma and be equipped to live a different life. We are very proud to have accomplished our strategic plan of adding a workforce development and economic empowerment program through our social enterprise, Good Hope Farms,” she explains, “The way to

end cycles of abuse and exploitation is through economic independence and our mission says we are not only about restoring survivors, but also stopping oppression!”

Every Good Hope Farms purchase supports the economic empowerment of local survivors and the Rest Stop Ministries residential restoration program. Partnered with many anti-trafficking organizations worldwide to globally empower trafficking survivors and those in at-risk communities, RSM is proud to offer the beautiful things created by survivors and highlighting the good work being done by others as passionate about freedom as they are.

HOW CAN YOU HELP?

• Donate A list of current needs is available at www.reststopministries.org/current-needs

• Attend Mark your calendar for September 15, 2023 for RSM’s annual gala, hosted at the Hermitage Church of the Nazarene where local survivor Cyntoia Brown-Long will be the keynote speaker.

• Buy Purchase gifts, apparel, housewares and more at goodhopefarms.org

Spring brunch on the farm

Visit the historic Watermelon Moon Farm for Mother’s Day

After making a pilgrimage home to Tennessee, Emily Steinberg-Cash, felt her 1835 home in Lebanon would make the perfect restoration project for her fresh start. Although you won’t find melons growing at Watermelon Moon Farm, you will enjoy the picturesque sunrise and sunsets, goats, chickens, dogs, and cats, alongside history, inspiration and relaxation. Whether visiting the bed and breakfast for a long

weekend, shopping the gift shop or attending a farm event such as the upcoming Mother’s Day Luncheon, guests can all agree the ambiance and architectural features are something to admire.

“I love to show and tell all about it to visitors,” Emily says, “Since it is listed on the National Historic Register, keeping the home as original as possible makes it truly interesting. Relics found under the building such

as a whale rib bone and harpoon suggest they were brought back from the original owner's visits to New Orleans when going by riverboat to sell tobacco grown on the plantation. There are wonderful views of the rolling hills and even the cemetery of the Wm Washington Seay family.”

Enjoy brunch with the women in your life May 11-13th, $25 per person. Call 615-444-2356 or email emily@watermelonmoonfarm.com

“Creativity in your life makes it fun! Whether collecting antiques or junking, I was digging in dumpsters long before it was a sport!”

Burns Bluff designer brings dreams to reality

Fairytale

Glenn and Karen Tillery prayed for years to bring their vision of the most magical getaway to life in northeastern Alabama; a place for celebration, restoration, retreat, beginnings and renewals. Six years ago their prayers were answered and Karen is now making that dream a reality for others too.

“We had the idea of purchasing some additional land on the mountain next to our home, starting a small community of log cabins,” they explain, but the timing was not right until December 2017, when the owner of an adjacent 43 acres offered them first dibs. However, it wasn’t until they sought God's direction for this new property that they knew they would be a place to support

marriage from day one to 18,250 (50 years).

Whether you’re looking for a fairytale wedding weekend, complete with lodging on-site for your wedding party of up to 28, plus cabins about the property for up to 90 guests, a corporate retreat for your staff, or a weekend getaway for you and your love, you will find the magic at Burns Bluff.

It was through their journey of building, that Karen deepened her passion for design, now offering a variety of services from log home building coordination to interior design.

Tillery says she approaches design and decor for each of their cabins with an open mind and not a preconceived idea of exactly what she wants.  CONTINUED >

“For every one of our rental cabins, there are three big goals:

• I want it to feel like a home away from home so comfort is always in my thoughts.

• I want to honor the beauty and history of the structure and highlight its unique and amazing features.

• I want to make sure that each property has its own personality.

I almost always seek out something that gives each property a wow factor. Sometimes it's the structure itself, sometimes it is a cool architectural feature, sometimes it is a crazy cool design element within our hard finishes in the property and sometimes it's as simple as an amazing one-of-a-kind light fixture that sets the style for the entire project.”

Do you love the design and style of the Restoration Log Cabin Rentals at Burns Bluff? Well, they can help you design your very own reclaimed log or timber home. Design services available vary from totally inclusive design packages to custom design of structures and interior or exterior spaces and renovations on existing homes.

“I have been working with Mark Bowe and Barnwood Builders for almost eight years. What started out as a one-time building project where I hired Mark and his crew to bring me a cabin and stack it has turned into an amazing collaboration on too many projects to count over the years. We have designed and built projects for clients all over the United States. This collaboration has really exploded over the last year after Barnwood Builder's big move from the DIY Network to the Magnolia Network. We are currently working together on 10 different projects for clients across West Virginia, Virginia, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Mississippi and Alabama! Designing, history and recycling the past are all my passions, getting to work with all that I love with amazing people everyday has been one of the biggest joys of my life. I am so thankful for the path that God has led me down in the pursuit of my dreams,” she says.

Visit burnsbluffweddings.com and restorationlogcabinrentals.com for more information.

Small donations add up big

CASA RECEIVES $21K FROM NEW

A new and unique giving circle now calls Wilson County home, and it’s proving that a few people can make a huge impact working collectively.

100 Women Who Care Greater Wilson County had their first meeting on January 17, where they raised $16,947 for Wilson County CASA in a matter of an hour.

HERE’S HOW IT WORKS.

In order to form a chapter, a group of 100 or more women must agree to donate a minimum of $100 at each quarterly meeting. Then, the steering committee vets the non-profit nominees to ensure they serve the greater Wilson County area, that they are listed as a charity with the state of TN, and have audited financial statements, along with a few other qualifiers. The charity of the quarter is voted on and the one with the most votes wins the purse.

And for an added bonus, the founding family of Best Buy, the Schulze Family Foundation, will donate matching funds of up to $5,000 each meeting. This brought their first quarter donation total for CASA to $21,947.

Currently, this social club boasts 176 members, nearly all local women.

Meeting dates are the 3rd Tuesday of January, April, July and October. So, the remaining dates are 4/18, 7/18 and 10/17. Networking and socializing begin at 5:00pm with the meeting starting at 5:30pm at Cumberland University’s Alumni Hall. Members do not need to be in attendance but are expected to honor the $100 commitment quarterly. The more women who join, the bigger the financial impact.

For more information about joining, visit www.grapevine.org and search Wilson County to find 100+ Women Who Care Greater Wilson County.

A curated selection of the most intriguing upcoming events in our area.

MAY 11TH-13TH

Watermelon Moon Farm Mother’s Day Lunch

10575 TROUSDALE FERRY PIKE, LEBANON, TN, UNITED STATES, TENNESSEE

Watermelon Moon Farm invites you to enjoy their historical home this Mother’s Day weekend. After dining, visit the farm pets and gift shop adorn with home décor and food pantry items. Seats available May 11-13th for $25 per person. Reservations are required by calling 615-444-2356 or email emily@watermelonmoonfarm.com

MAY 19TH

The Everly Brothers Experience

CAPITOL THEATRE: 110 W MAIN ST, LEBANON, TN 37087 | 7:00 PM Brothers Zachary and Dylan Zmed along with their partner and drummer Burleigh Drummond, have celebrated the pivotal music and history of The Everly Brothers legacy with enthusiastic crowds all across the US and overseas in prestigious venues. Join them this month at our very own Capital Theatre! Visit  ticketsnashville.com to snag a seat.

JUNE 2ND

Tracy Byrd Concert

CAHOOTS DANCE HALL AND HONKYTONK | 8:00 PM

Legendary Multi Number #1/Chart Topping Country Music recording artist Tracy Byrd brings his “True Country” hits to Cahoots June 2, 2023. Tickets available at www.eventbrite.com

• Doors open at 6:00pm, Music begins at 8:00pm

• General Admission Tickets $23, Reserved Table Seat $52 (Limited Availability)

• Reserved Table Seat w/Meet and Greet Pkg $79 (Limited to 30)

Want to be featured?

Get in touch by heading over to our landing page to connect: CityLifestyle.com/LebanonTN

realty report

A sample of recently sold properties in Lebanon.

Women of Wellness

Hot Yoga Lebanon: Sports and Fitness Coach, Sammi Ke-a offers private yoga and group movement classes for all ages, including kids and seniors. Beka Gaskin, Life Coach: Finding beauty in the broken, Beka specializes in trauma-informed healing and recovery, offering several coaching programs for women navigating trauma wounds and those seeking peace and purpose. Cumberland Skin and Dermatology: Our skin protects our body in many ways and dermatologist Dr. Lauren Joines is an expert in skin wellness. Protecting our skin is an investment of utmost importance for all ages. The Beaumont Med Spa: Dr. Rachel Deffendall has spent nearly two decades in nursing and is now offering Bioidentical Hormone Replacement Therapy, IV Hydration and Weight Management in downtown Lebanon.