2020 Issue 3 May/Jun - Focus Mid-South

Serving the Mid-South LGBT+ Community and its Allies | MAY+JUN 2020 

PURE 

MEMPHIS

Exclusive eyecare experiences 

and one-of-a-kind eyewear. 

Make an appointment today to receive a 

comprehensive eye exam and work with our 

accomplished eyewear engineers to find 

the perfect frames to compliment your 

personal style. 

Schedule 

We are temporarily 

your 

closed 

appointment 

to practice safe 

today! 

social 

distancing. Browe our exclusive eyewear online. 

901-252-3670 focalpointcrosstown.com 

901-252-3670 | focalpointcrosstown.com 

FocalPoint is a Southern College of Optometry Patient Care and Educational Facility 

FocalPoint is a Southern College of Optometry Patient Care and Educational Facility

KEEP IT LOCAL 

TAKE IT OUT 

& STAY AT HOME 

featuring our 

30 Tap Growler Station 

with convenient growler only checkout 

SELECT 6...MAKE YOUR OWN 6-PACK 

The perfect combination of low price and big selection on 

domestic beer, craft beer, specialty beer, import beer, and wine. 

All our beer is priced at the lowest everyday retail in the city of 

Memphis, regardless of brand or size or package. 

MIDTOWN 

1620 Madison Ave. 

WHITEHAVEN 

4049 Elvis Presley Blvd. 

SOUTH MEMPHIS 

1977 S. Third Street 

OAKHAVEN 

3237 Winchester Rd. 

Please Drink Responsibly 

See daily list of beer offerings: 

madisongrowler 

@MadisonGrowler 

Hours: M-SA, 12 N-7p | SU, CLOSED

PUBLISHER 

Ray Rico 

MANAGING EDITOR 

Joan Allison 

ADVERTISING 

Ray Rico 

FINANCE 

Leila Hinkle 

DESIGNERS 

Joan Allison 

Daphne Butler 

INTERACTIVE 

+ SOCIAL MEDIA 

Chellie Bowman 

Tracy Love 

DISTRIBUTION 

+ SUBSCRIPTIONS 

Randall Sloan 

Leila Hinkle 

RE:FOCUS 

PODCAST 


Goldie Dee 

Allysun Wunderland 

Joan Allison 

Vincent Astor 


Jennifer Clay 

contributors 

Tricia Dewey 

Sarah Rutledge Fischer 

Nevaeh Gathje 

Peter Gathje 

Lindsey Jenkins 

Ray Rico 

Ben Smith 

Chris Reeder-Young 

Focus ® Mid-South is all about LGBT + people and their allies…their work, play, families, creativity, style, health and 

wealth, bodies and souls. Our focus is on you. 

Focus ® Mid-South is published bi-monthly and distributed free throughout the greater Mid-South area. Focus 

reserves the right to refuse to sell space for any advertisement the staff deems inappropriate for the publication. 

Press releases must be received by the first of the month for the following issue. All content of this magazine, 

including and without limitation to the design, advertisements, art, photos and editorial content, as well as the 

selection, coordination and arrangement thereof, is Copyright ©2020, Focus ® Mid-South. All Rights Reserved. No 

portion of this magazine may be copied or reprinted without the express written permission of the publisher. For 

a full list of our editorial and advertising policies, please visit focusmidsouth.com/policies. 

Magazines will resume distribution in stands and by mail when we feel it’s safe to resume standard 

activities. Thank you for your patience. 

Focus ® Mid-South Magazine is published by 

Ray Rico Freelance, LLC 

2294 Young Avenue 

Memphis, TN, 38104 

focusmidsouth.com 

Proud 

Member 

Certifying LGBT Businesses. 

Connecting Our Communities. 

Let’s be friends. Tag us! 

Twitter: @focusmidsouth, #focusmidsouth 

#focusmemphis 

Instagram: @focusmidsouth, 

#focusmidsouth #focusmemphis 

Facebook: focusmidsouth 

EXTRA ONLINE CONTENT 

If you see this icon, you will find additional 

online resources related to the article. 

Page 4 / focusmidsouth.com / MAY+JUN 2020 / Pure Memphis

publisher’s message 

A Special 

Message From 

Our Publisher 

Greetings friends, family, advertisers and 

community partners, 

Over the past five years, Focus Mid-South has captured the 

soul of the LGBT+ community in Memphis and beyond. We’ve 

laughed, we’ve cried, we’ve learned, we’ve grown. Our brand has 

solidified our community, and that gives me a great sense of 

pride and joy. 

Like many businesses over the past few weeks, we have been 

monitoring situations and making adjustments to our 

operations. We started with safety by making sure our staff 

could work remotely from home. Next, we made the difficult 

decision to publish a digital-only version of this issue, “Pure 

Memphis.” We also have paused production of our re:focus 

podcast until July 2020 to protect our hosts and guests. 

We also added more to our digital footprint. We have been 

sharing more content on our website, social media, and through 

our newsletter. We feel that as we adjust to what is happening 

around us, we will safeguard our publication. We are committed 

to educating, informing, and featuring folks in our 

community. Our focus is on our readers and how we serve our 

community now and in the future. 

We love you, Memphis. Without your continued support, we 

would not be here. This is why we have a simple ask of 

you. Support us now, more than ever. But how do you support 

us? Well, we have lots of ways and most of them do not cost you 

a single cent. 

Here are ways you can support: 

• Read and Post About Our Publication – Select restaurants 

will be including a copy of Focus in their pick up and 

delivery orders. See the restaurant list on our Facebook page. 

Drop us a selfie of you reading Focus and use the hashtag 

#focusmidsouth 

• Visit Our Website – We have a great site that is full of 

YOUR stories. Rediscover a favorite today. 

Visit focusmidsouth.com. 

• Read Our Virtual Issues – We have nearly 5 years of 

content visible digitally online. Visit focusmidsouth.com/ 

virtual-issue. 

• Share Our Content on Social Media – Like us 

on Facebook. Follow us on Instagram (@focusmidsouth) 

and Twitter. Comment on our posts. Share them. Engage 

with us. Tell us what you think! 

• Patronize Our Advertisers – These businesses are ones that 

support you. Support them! 

• Sign Up for our E-Newsletter – Be in-the-know and get our 

news delivered directly to your inbox! Sign up on our website. 

(It’s at the very bottom of the main page) 

• Become a Contributor – Write for us. Send us photos. Share 

your stories with us. We want to show Memphis and 

everyone else what we’re made of. Email editor@ 

focusmidsouth.com. 

• Donate to Our Cause – Our awards ceremony, Focus 

Awards 2020, is an annual fundraising event in August 

(TBD). Make plans to attend and support. Visit awards. 

focusmidsouth.com. 

• Buy a Subscription – For only $25 per year, you’ll receive 6 

print issues, delivered right to your mailbox. You’ll stay 

informed about the Memphis LGBT+ community, and you’ll 

support local journalism. 

• Purchase a Focus-Branded T-shirt – Go to 

https://forms.focusmidsouth.com/focus-t-shirts/. 

Thanks for being a friend of Focus. We’re proud to be the 

premier source of LGBT+ stories in the Mid-South. With your 

support, we will get through this crisis together, and stronger 

than ever. Be well. 

With love, 

Ray Rico, Publisher | Focus Mid-South Magazine 

Pure Memphis / MAY+JUN 2020 / focusmidsouth.com / Page 5

14 

CONTENTS 

7 THEME: PURE MEMPHIS 

MAY + JUN 2020 

8 ASK ALLIE 

COVID-19 is forcing some living situations 

that are less than ideal. Think, living with 

homophobe. 

8 

44 

20 

23 

10 FOCUS SOCIAL MEDIA 

12 ARTS+ENTERTAINMENT 

It’s our new feature page, Pop Culture, filled 

with our staff picks for the best in movies, 

books, podcasts and personalities. 

14 PET FOCUS 

It’s time again to be on the lookout for fleas 

and ticks, and a good time to reasses your 

pet’s heartworm preventive. Understand the 

products out there with ratings for each from 

our favorite veterinarian, Dr. Jen Clay. 

16 FAITH+SPIRITUALITY 

Read how Peter Gathje lives the idea of ‘radical 

hospitality’ through his work at Manna House. 

20 LIFE 

Bill Kendall was an unabashedly gay man. 

His legacy includes bringing edgy and gaythemed 

films to Memphis, and starting the 

Miss Memphis pageant. 

23 COMMUNITY 

Whether a native or transplant, what makes 

someone ‘Pure Memphis’? Meet 13 of Memphis’ 

most authentic citizens in our 14-page feature. 

40 MUSIC 

In the wake of George Floyd’s death, we look 

to music to express our feelings. “Glory,” from 

the movie “Selma” rises to the occasion. We 

give you the lyrics and a live performace link. 

46 

BE PART OF OUR NEXT PUBLICATION 

‘YOUR HEALTH’ ISSUE 

JUL + AUG 2020 

Submit story ideas: editor@focusmidsouth.com 

Editorial submission deadline: June 10, 2020 

Advertising inquiries: sales@focusmidsouth.com 

Ad space reservation due: June 1, 2020 

42 ORIGINAL MEMPHIS 

Businesses are adapting to the new market 

conditions. Burke’s Bookstore has been around 

since the 1800s and is no exception to the new 

rules. See how their pages are still turning. 

44 FOOD+DRINK 

Chef Ben Smith has traveled the world, honing 

his culinary skills to an art. In his own words, 

he tells us what it’s like to be in the restaurant 

business in the time of COVID-19. 

46 TRAVEL 

Highly contagious viruses don’t make good 

travel partners. That’s why we’re featuring 

Shelby Farms Park. With its acres of meadows 

and miles of trails, it’s the perfect local 

destination to practice social distancing. 


theme 

Illustration ©2020 Lindsey Jenkins. Find her work at instagram.com/artoflindseyjenks/ 


life 

DEAR 

LESBO 

Dear Allie, 

I’m a 28-year-old lesbian, and up until a 

few weeks ago, I was a grad student living in 

university housing and working towards my 

PhD. It wasn’t glamorous, but I was out and 

independent. In March, my university closed 

down all housing to help prevent the spread 

of COVID-19. With no other options, I went 

back to my hometown to ride this out with my 

mother and her boyfriend, Craig. 

Mom and Craig are fundamentalist 

evangelicals and believe that being gay is 

immoral. Ugh. They know I’m gay, but both 

pretend they don’t know, ignore any mention 

of my sexuality, and make loud homophobic 

jokes in my presence. 

I know I’m lucky to have a roof over my head, 

but I think if this goes on much longer, I’m 

going to lose it. How do I come out the other 

side with my identity and my sanity intact? 

Yours, 

Lesbo in Homophobic-Lockdown-Land 

Dear Lesbo in H.E.L.L., 

This pandemic has turned life on its head, 

even for the luckiest among us. Right now you 

are suffering loss of independence and identity, 

on top of having to confront daily alienation 

by the very people who are supposed to love 

and support you. None of us know for sure how 

soon the pandemic situation will end, so let’s 

make a plan for your survival while you do your 

part by staying home. 

QUARANTINED 

WITH 

HOMOPHOBES 

by Sarah Rutledge Fischer 

SHUTTERSTOCK 

First, if you’ve read my column before, you won’t 

be surprised that I urge you to take care of the only 

thing you can truly control here—yourself. Focus on 

the basics: a regular bedtime and 7-8 hours of 

sleep; wholesome food that includes some fruit 

and vegetables; and some physical movement (out 

in the sunshine, if possible). And, of course, don’t 

neglect your mental health. If you can, make a 

regular phone or video appointment with an 

LGBTQ+ affirming therapist. (To find one, reach 

out to your local LGBTQ+ community 

organization for a referral or try an online 

counseling platform like Pride Counseling, 

pridecounseling.com). If that isn’t in your 

budget, then try at least to add a mindfulness 

practice to your daily routine to increase your 

resilience and calm. 

Second, when you are by yourself, be 

aggressive about staying connected to your 

queer identity. Lean into lesbian culture like 

you never have before. Read LGBTQ+ fiction, 


listen to queer music, watch lesbian comedians 

and films. And you don’t have to connect to 

your identity in isolation. Reach out to people 

you know or people you don’t know who are in 

similar situations. If you are single, consider 

some virtual online dating. Whatever your 

comfort zone, the point is to root your identity 

strongly within yourself, so that its negation by 

your mother and Craig doesn’t leave you 

feeling invisible. 

When you are with your mother and Craig, 

set firm boundaries, refusing to engage with 

any of their aggressive or passive aggressive 

behavior. And give yourself permission to be a 

bit in the closet while you are stuck in the 

house with them. Think about the advice often 

given to young teens living with homophobic 

parents—not to come out if doing so will 

threaten their physical or emotional security. 

You aren’t a teenager, and you are already out, 

but your emotional security is under threat by 

the people who control your living space. Now 

may be a time to retreat and detach instead of 

spending your energy on a full out attack. 

Finally, if you feel up to it, take a few steps 

towards extricating yourself from your 

situation. It may feel impossible in this time of 

uncertainty, and if so, that’s okay. But if 

planning an escape fills you with a sense of 

hope and control, take some practical steps— 

get a sense of your financial resources and 

obligations; contact your university about any 

plans they have to reopen graduate student 

housing. 

No one knows if or when things will return to 

normal, but things will change, and if you take 

care of yourself and keep your heart focused 

on the future, when that time comes, you will 

be ready. That should get you started. 

Your friend, 

Allie 

C 

M 

Y 

CM 

MY 

CY 

CMY 

K 

TEP IS COORDINATING 

TRAINING FOR THOSE 

WHO ARE INTERESTED 

IN LEARNING HOW TO 

WORK ON A CANDIDATE'S 

ELECTION CAMPAIGN 

Free is sexy. 

Good times don’t have to 

come with a price. Get your 

free condoms from any of our 

partners all over Memphis. 

STAY TUNED FOR DETAILS 

THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT. 

Sign up for our newsletter and action email list. 

Keep up with what’s going on near you. 

TNEP.org PPM-Focus-QuarterPgAd.pdf /TEPShelbyCounty 1 6/7/18 9:31 AM /tnequality 

To submit your own question, email Allie at 

Allie@focusmidsouth.com. 

Focus Mid-South reserves the right 

to edit letters for length and clarity. 

Pick it up. Put it on. 

Do it right. 

FreeCondomsMemphis.org

life 

Thanks for 

sharing your 

Focus with 

others on 

instagram... 

GET IN 

FOCUS 

Want to be featured on 

our social media page? 

Tag us #focusmidsouth 

...now this 

from Twitter 

Follow us on twitter 

@focusmidsouth 

#focusmidsouth 

Sign up for 

our newsletters 

Go to the bottom of our 

homepage, focusmidsouth.com 

to fill out the online form 

Listen to our podcast 

Where you can glean tips like, “It’s so hot 

outside – how are y’all staying fresh?..”. 

“We don’t drink, we lubricate.” 

We read what you say about us. 

Visit our website focusmidsouth.com 


CRS,GRI,SRS 

901-240-3912 

Office: 901-766-9004 

585 S. Perkins Memphis, Tennessee 38117 

THAT’S WHO WE 

www.HelenAkin.Crye-Leike.com 

Protect your family. 

Prepare for their future. 

Steve Womack 

STATE FARM SELECT AGENT TM 

848 South Cooper St. 

Memphis, TN 38014 

– 3 doors down from Soul Fish Café – 

901-725-1919 

I can help with both. 

Stop by for your free State Farm Insurance 

and Financial Review ® . 

Like a good neighbor, State Farm is there ® . 

CALL ME TODAY FOR MORE INFORMATION. 

1001386.2 

State Farm, Home Office, Bloomington, IL

arts+entertainment 

Staff Picks 

by Ray Rico and Chellie Bowman 

QUIBI TV 

Gayme Show 

is an LGBTQ competition series on the 

new short-form streaming platform 

Quibi. Queer comedians Matt Rogers 

and Dave Mizzoni host the show, where 

straight contestants are paired with 

celebrity life partners and battle each 

round to be “Queen of the Straights”! 

INSTAGRAM ACCOUNT 

Leslie Jordan 

The hilarious antics of quarantined actor, 

Leslie Jordan (@thelesliejordan), 

have been keeping me in stitches 

and laughing on the daily. 

TV/STREAMING 

Killing Eve 

The chemistry between Sandra Oh and Jodie Comer 

in this thrilling spy drama is electric. Season Three 

just premiered. Tune in and find out why these two 

are obsessed with each other. 


YOUNG ADULT 

BOOK SELECTIONS 

CURBSIDE 

PICKUP 

MON thru FRI 11A – 2P a 4 – 9P 

SAT 1 – 9P | SUN 11A – 9P 

MENUS 

CELTICCROSSINGMEMPHIS.COM 

CALL 901-274- 5151 TO ORDER 

DELIVERY VIA DOORDASH 

BYOGROWLER TO TAKE 

HOME BEER! GUINNESS CANS 

ALSO AVAILABLE. 

IRISH PUB a RESTAURANT | 903 S. COOPER 

WANT MORE BOOK SUGGESTIONS? 

CLICK HERE TO SEE A CURATED 

LIST OF YOUNG ADULT BOOKS 

ON THE PRISM YOUTH GROUP 

‘Thank You 

Frontline Workers’ 

Yard Signs 

Support local small businesses and show your 

thanks for frontline workers with your purchase. 

• 18” x 24” 

• Corrugated plastic 

• H-Stake 

$ 

20 00 

+ tax 

BUY NOW 

supportlocalcreativity.com 

* Weekly curbside pick-up only. A portion 

of sales is donated to local Memphis charities. 

WHEN YOU SHOP WITH US, YOU SUPPORT LOCAL

pet focus 

KEEP YOUR 

It’s that time again. Disease-bearing 

pests are ramping up their attack 

on your pet as we speak. 

With help from Dr. Jennifer Clay 

of Utopia Animal Hospital, we’ve 

compiled a chart of the most 

popular preventives so that 

you can work with your own vet 

to find the best flea, tick 

or heartworm med 

for your fur baby. 

DOGS 

Brand 

Fleas 

Kills 

Ticks 

Heart 

Worms 

Action 

Begins 

Advantix Yes Yes No 2-4 Hours 

Frontline Plus Yes Yes No 2-4 Hours 

Duration Of 

Effectiveness 

2-4 Weeks 

(Usually In 2) 

2-4 Weeks 


Efficacy 

1-10 

(10=Best) 

How 

Administered 

3 Fleas, 7 Ticks Topically 

3 Fleas, 7 Ticks Topically 

Revolution 

Yes 

Only One 

Species. 

*Memphis 

Has Several 

Yes 

*Also hookworms, 

roundworms, & 

ear mites 

Within A Few Hours 4 Weeks 5 Topically 

Comfortis 

Yes 

Not Labeled 

For Ticks No Within 30 Minutes 30 Days 10 Orally With Food 

Bravecto Yes Yes No Within 2 Hours 

2-3 Months 

Depending On 

Type Of Ticks 

10 Oral, Flavored Chew 

Nexgard Yes Yes No 4 Hours 30 Days 10 Oral, Flavored Chew 

Simparica Yes Yes No 3 Hours 30 Days 10 Oral, Flavored Chew 

Credelio Yes Yes No 4 Hours 30 Days 10 Oral, Flavored Chew 

Simparica Trio Yes Yes Yes 4 Hours 30 Days 

10 

(Based On It Being 

The Same Med As 

Simparica) 

Flavored Chewable 

Seresto Yes Yes No 

24 Hours Fleas, 

48 Hours Ticks 

7 Months 3 Fleas, 7 Ticks Collar 

Trifexis 

Yes 

Yes 

(3 Weeks 

Out Of 4) 

Yes 

30 Min 

30 Days Fleas, 

Not Labeled For Ticks, 

But Works Pretty Well 

10 Fleas, 7 Ticks Tablet 


PET HEALTHY 

CATS 

Brand 

Advantage 

(note: Advantix is toxic 

to cats!) 

Fleas 

Kills 

Ticks 

Heart 

Worms 

Action 

Begins 

Yes No No 2-4 Hours 

Although more rare than in dogs, cats can get 

heartworms. Talk to the vet about your pet’s risk. 

Duration Of 

Effectiveness 

2-4 Weeks 


Efficacy 

1-10 

(10=Best) 

How 

Administered 

3 Topically 

Frontline Plus Yes Yes No 2-4 Hours 

2-4 Weeks 


3 Topically 

Revolution Plus Yes Yes 

Yes 

*Also intestinal 

worms, & 

ear mites 

Within A Few Hours 4 Weeks 10 Topically 

Cheristan 

Yes 

Not Labeled 

For Ticks No Within 30 Minutes 30 Days 10 Topically 

Bravecto Yes Yes No Within 2 Hours 

2-3 Months 

Depending On 

Type Of Ticks 

10 Topically 

Need your pet fixed? 

Spay Memphis offers high quality, affordable 

spay/neuter services to the public. 

Call for more information 901-324-3202 spaymemphis.org

faith+spirituality 

PETER 

GATHJE 

by Chris Reeder-Young 

Peter Gathje. Pronounced 

‘GET-key.’ Professor, activist, 

Manna House partner, family 

guy and a lighthouse of sanity 

on social media. His messages 

are always relevant, but I think 

now is the time to share as 

many super-Memphian 

messages as possible. 

Gathje was born and raised 

in Rochester, Minn. He went to 

Catholic grade school, high 

school, and college where he 

was taught by Franciscan 

sisters and Benedictine monks. 

Since then, his journey has 

taken him through many 

wonderful communities in the 

US. Thankfully, he calls 

Memphis “home.” 

He first came here by way of 

Christian Brothers University as 

a professor in their Religion 

and Philosophy department. 

Gathje was there for ten years 

before joining Memphis 

Theological Seminary (MTS), 

first as a professor of Christian 

ethics and then the Vice 

President/Dean of Academic 

Affairs. 

Gathje says his ministry has 

two parts: education and 

radical hospitality. With 

education, he feels that great 

teachers love their students 

and are passionate about what 

they are teaching. He learned a 

deep appreciation for why 

asking questions and searching 

for meaning are “worthwhile 

tasks if we’re going to live 

good human lives with one 

another.” 

Second is radical hospitality 

which he says recognizes that 

we all need places where we 

are welcomed simply for who 

we are. Manna House, opened 

and run by volunteers since 

2005, “creates a place of 

sanctuary, where people are 

able to relax, engage in 

conversation, and not be 

threatened; the guests, some 

of whom are homeless, all of 

whom are living the best they 

can under poverty and the 

violence of our economic and 

political and cultural systems.” 

While a grad school at 

Emory, he connected to the 

Open Door Community in 

Atlanta (now in Baltimore). This 

was a Presbyterian Catholic 

Worker Community, living and 

working with people on the 

streets and in prisons, 

especially death row. The 

community also agitated for 

justice through civil 

disobedience, street protests 

etc. He said, “my eyes were 

really opened to racism, 

poverty, and the violence of 

the system in imprisonment 

and executions. The spiritual 

disciplines of being a monk 

worked well with the activism 

of this community, prayer, 

worship, bible study focused 

on Jesus as liberator, combined 

with the experiences with 

people on the streets and in 

prison...are crucial for what I 

do today, both at Manna House 

and MTS.” 

He met his partner, Kathleen, 

when they were both 

volunteering at Manna House; 

photo by Naveah Gathje 

both remain activists and 

engaged with organizations 

such as the Mid-South Peace 

and Justice Center, Workers 

Interfaith Network, Homeless 

Organizing for Power and 

Equality, Tennesseans for 

Alternatives to the Death 

Penalty, and OUTMemphis, 

which houses homeless 

LGBTQ+ youth through the 

Metamorphosis Project. 

“From the very beginning,” 

he said, “and to the present 

there have always been 

unsheltered LGBT people who 

have come to Manna House. 

We were committed from the 

beginning to be welcoming of 

all, affirming of each person 

who arrived at the door. We 

take seriously Matthew 25:31- 

46, where Jesus says, 

‘whatever you do unto the least 

of these you do unto me’. This 

means the person on the 

streets is the very presence of 

Christ. This means the 

excluded, marginalized, 

denigrated, despised, are the 

very presence of Christ. This 

applies to LGBT people as well; 

they are made in the image of 

God; we are to love others as 

God loves us. 

“I have seen too many guests 

who were kicked out of their 

family homes and their 

churches because of their 

sexuality. And I have learned 

about Christian love from those 

guests, as they care for their 

brothers and sisters on the 

streets. They want what we all 

want—to be loved, respected, 

treated with dignity. I think 

God is big enough to love 

people of different sexualities. 

And we are all called to engage 

in our sexualities with love and 

respect and faithfulness to 

each other.” 

Gathje reminds us to ask 

questions and to dig deep into 

how to show and exchange 

love. “When I teach Christian 

ethics, I encourage students to 

dig into the various arguments 

around the morality of 

homosexuality, but not as an 

abstract moral issue, but as 

with all moral issues, to take 

seriously that human lives are 

at stake. I do not require 

students to take a particular 

position on this issue, or any of 

the issues which we may cover 

in a semester. What I do urge is 

that they all remember that at 

a minimum, love does no harm, 

and that every single person, 

including our enemies, are who 

Jesus calls us—commands 

us—to love. And love requires 

treating people with respect... 

Love requires seeking to 

understand people, taking their 

experience seriously. Love 

sometimes also means 

disagreeing and engaging in 

hard discussions where we 

have significant conflicts...Love 

is pretty much the opposite of 

what is happening in churches 

today that are dividing over 

this issue.” 

I was curious to learn more 

about who inspires Gathje. His 

list included Dorothy Day, 

Martin Luther King, Jr., Malcolm 

X., Cesar Chavez, Dietrich 

Bonhoeffer, his parents, Friar 

Rene McGraw, Ed Loring, 

Murphy Davis, Room in the Inn 

guests and volunteers, Brad 

Watkins, Paul Garner, Andre 

Johnson, Earle Fisher, guests 

and volunteers at Manna 

House, just to name a few. 

And what is his one magical 

wish? His answer is at the 

center for so many things 

Memphians fight for: “housing 

and health care for every 

human being.” 

During the coronavirus crisis, services are online only at www.churchoftheriver.org

Be 

PrEPared. 

Learn more about 

HIV prevention at 

Planned Parenthood. 

866.711.1717 

PlannedParenthood.org/Tennessee 

MENUS 

change 

WEEKLY 

CALL or or CHECK 

BEAUTYSHOPRESTAURANT 

on on INSTAGRAM or or FACEBOOK 

FAMILY Style 

FOR 2 OR 4 

Dinner 

TUES THRU SAT ·· PRE-ORDER STARTS 2PM · PICK UP FROM 5-8PM 

TWO WAYS 

TO ORDER! 

DINNER MENU 

A LA CARTE 

Brunch 

DO SUNDAYS RIGHT! 

11:30AM TO TO 1:30PM 

BREAKFAST AND AND A A BLOODY MARY MARY

CHOOSE THE 

NATURAL 

SOLUTION 

TO THE OPIOID CRISIS 

Chiropractic care is an effective non-drug 

alternative because it addresses the 

underlying mechanical cause. 

Lower Cost than opioids, surgery, and 

physical therapy. 

“Evidence suggests that manual therapy and 

exercise are more effective than alternative 

strategies for patients with neck pain.” 

Bone & Joint Decade Task Force* 

Safer alternatives to opioid use 

• Exercise • Therapy Modalities 

• Massage • Lifestyle Advice 

• Acupuncture 

WE ARE OPEN AND 

HERE FOR ALL YOUR 

MUSCULOSKELETAL ISSUES 

DR. BRITNEY HATTAMER MS, DC 

DR. CHARLES HOGAN MS, DC, CCSP 

1740 N. GERMANTOWN PKWY #6 | CORDOVA, TN 38016 

901-752-4300 | MEMPHISSPINEANDSPORT.COM 

1 

Hurwitz EL et al. Treatment of neck pain: noninvasive interventions: results of the Bone and Joint Decade 2000-2010 Task Force on Neck Pain and Its Associated Disorders. Spine 2008 Feb 15;33(4 Suppl):S123-52.

Kathy Thurmond-Edwards, Agent 

680 West Brookhaven Circle 


Bus: 901-767-7744 Cell: 901-550-5852 

www.teamkte.com 

1801077 

It’s our 

differences 

that make 

us great. 

No matter what you value, I’m 

here to help protect it with 

respect and professionalism. 

Here to help life go right. ® 

CALL ME TODAY. 

State Farm, Bloomington, IL 

BOOK YOUR NEXT 

EVENT WITH US! 

WE CATER! 

We can bring the best Central BBQ has to offer to any location, 

or we have several rooms available for private parties. 

Call 901-527-9990 

or make a request online @ 

CBQMEMPHIS.COM 

STRONG 

REPRESENTATIVE 

FOR THE LEGAL 

RIGHTS OF THE 

LGBTQ COMMUNITY 

SINCE 1986 

Experienced in estate planning, family law, adoption, personal injury, automobile accidents, and more. 

Susan 

Mackenzie 

attorney at law 

collaborative law 

2157 Madison Avenue | 901-272-2729 

susanmackenzielaw.com

life 

BILL 

KENDALL 

by Vincent Astor | photos from the Memphis Public Library Collection 

edited by Joan Allison and Chris Reeder-Young 

The late William ‘Bill’ Kendall 

was no stranger to 

controversy. In the 1960s, he 

ran the Guild Theatre (now the 

known as Evergreen Theatre). 

The Guild had opened in 1927 

at 1705 Poplar Avenue as the 

Ritz Theater. Until the 1950s, it 

showed mainstream movies 

and foreign films. In 1955, it 

changed hands and names, 

becoming The Guild Theatre. 

The Guild showed foreign films 

with little to no problem. But 

as the grittier and edgier 

1960s emerged, so did the 

films that The Guild presented. 

By the time Kendall took the 

theater’s reins, the Guild was 

specializing in foreign and art 

films. By the late 1960s, both 

categories were considered 

risqué. 

Kendall, an unabashedly gay 

man, became known for 

fighting the censor board to 

show edgier movies at The 

Guild, and at his art film 

theater, The Studio (Newby’s 

on the Highland strip occupies 

the site now). Kendall began 

two midnight film series, the 

Underground Cinema 12 and 

the Lavender Cinema (known 

to many as the Purple Picture 

Show) for the most 

controversial films. The 

Lavender Cinema was 


targeted toward gays and 

marked the first showings of 

several gay films. 

Among other tactics, 

Kendall was able to dodge the 

grip of the vice squad by 

shipping the films elsewhere 

right after they had screened. 

In fact, one of his favorite 

stories to tell was how one 

night after a screening, the 

vice squad rushed the theater. 

He had not had time yet to 

pack the film off for shipping. 

Forced to act quickly, Kendall 

hung the reel out of his 

upstairs office window. When 

the cops demanded he turn it 

over, he politely exclaimed, 

“It’s not in the building.” 

Kendall’s abilities to move 

forward while dodging censor 

boards and bigoted law were 

both significant for gay pride, 

and important conduits for 

expanding art and film in 

Memphis. He was lifelong film 

fanatic and brought acclaimed, 

controversial and unusual 

movies to Memphians. These 

included titles such as “La 

Dolce Vita,” “I Spit on Your 

Grave (1959),” “The Bicycle 

Thief,” Truffaut’s “Mississippi 

Mermaid,” “Promises! 

Promises!,” and as assortment 

of slapstick, good-time flicks 

like “Flash Gordon” and “Carry 

on Nurse.” He also produced a 

documentary about his 

experiences and the art-film 

era titled “Return to the Ritz: A 

History of Foreign Films in 

Memphis.” A 1964 story in The 

Commercial Appeal about the 

controversial movie, “I Spit on 

Your Grave,” a French film 

about a light-skinned black 

man as the lead looking for 

revenge, described it as “one 

of the most hotly contested 

obscenity cases in Memphis 

history.” Ironically, the case 

ended with the Tennessee 

Supreme Court declaring 

the state’s 106-year-old 

obscenity law 

unconstitutional. 

In 1969, Kendall, along 

with Ric Morgan and 

others, dared to hold a 

drag pageant in public at 

the Guild. Folks in drag, 

in street clothes and 

women in flamboyant 

costumes and makeup (also 

called ‘Real Girls’) were in 

attendance although terrified 

of arrests and possible 

violence. Because the event 

was held on Halloween, the 

only day of the year where 

men could legally dress as 

women, there were no arrests. 

Jimmy “Candace” Cagle won 

the pageant. 

This event was considered a 

major turning point in 

Memphis when gay and 

lesbian people were able to 

gather, celebrate and connect 

without fear. The pageant was 

held under different 

leaderships and, with a few 

gaps through the years, it goes 

on to this day. 

In 2019, Memphis film maker 

Mark Jones wanted to honor 

the 50-year anniversary of the 

first pageant with an historic 

marker. Last year was also the 

50th anniversary of the 

Stonewall Rebellion in New 

York City. This writer, being a 

friend of Jones and having 

experience with historic 

markers, approached the 

Shelby County Historical 

Commission and 

Theatreworks, the managing 

body of the Evergreen. There 

was nothing but enthusiastic 

support. The procedure went 

smoothly, the project was 

funded privately, and the 

unveiling was held inside the 

theatre on October 31. 

Footage, photographs, a 

program, the trophy, and a 

plaque of winners exists and 

much memorabilia was 

displayed at the marker 

unveiling. Before his death, 

Kendall had the documentary 

reel of the 1969 pageant 

transferred to VHS, and it was 

later transferred to DVD. These 

mementos have spent many 

years in closets themselves in 

various places, but are now 

preserved in Special 

Collections at the McWhirter 

Library at the U of M. 

The unveiling was filmed by 

the University of Memphis. 

Three of those who were 

present at the pageant (Ric 

Morgan, John Parrott and 

Richard Montalvo) attended 

the unveiling. In attendance 

were also the sponsors, board 

members from Theatreworks 

and OUTMemphis, Dabney 

Ring representing city/county 

government and Shelby 

County Historian Jimmy Rout 

III. A joint proclamation from 

the mayors was read. A sense 

of awe and appreciation 

pervaded. 

Kendall left operating 

theatres after the company 

who booked for the Guild 

ceased booking (and a time 

trying to run it himself). His 

later years in Memphis were 

spent taking tickets at the 

Plaza Theatre at Poplar and 

Highland before it closed in 

1987. Sometime after, he 

moved to Atlanta where he 

died in 2013. The fact that he 

was a Navy veteran somehow 

did not get mentioned, and he 

was buried in an Atlanta 

potter’s field for indigents. 

When word got around to 

the Memphis community, the 

tributes started to flow. A 

fellow Memphis cinephile, 

newspaper columnist John 

Beifuss wrote a full story 

about Kendall’s life in a 2013 

issue of The Commercial 

Appeal. Kendall’s friends 

staged a tribute in his memory 

at the Evergreen, and the 

documentary he had made 

about his years in the business 

was shown. So that friends and 

loved ones would have a place 

to pay their respects to 

Kendall, funds were raised for 

the purchase of a cenotaph. It 

was placed in Elmwood 

Cemetery a couple of years 

ago (on my personal plot). His 

epitaph reads, “A passionate 

lover of the movies.” Later the 

same year, the OUTflix film 

festival was dedicated to him, 

and a revised version of the 

documentary was shown at 

the festival. 

“Any cinephile in Memphis, 

Tennessee, who saw a movie 

with subtitles during the ‘60s 

or ‘70s has one person to 

thank: Bill Kendall,” said Chris 

Ellis, a native Memphian and 

Los Angeles-based actor. 

Besides the sponsor names, 

Kendall’s is the only name that 

appears on the historic marker 

dedicated to the Miss Memphis 

Review, a fitting final tribute to 

his legacy both in the film and 

drag communities that 

continues to inspire. 

“Any cinephile in Memphis who saw a 

movie with subtitles during the ‘60s 

or ‘70s has one person to thank: 

Bill Kendall,” said Chris Ellis, 

a native Memphian and 

Los Angeles-based actor. 

Kendall’s cenotaph at Elmwood Cemetery. 


RATED TOP 100 CHINESE 

RESTAURANT IN THE US 

VOTED BEST CHINESE IN MEMPHIS 

FOR OVER 5 YEARS 

OPEN 7 DAYS A WEEK! 

MIDTOWN 

901.347.3965 

2149 Young Ave. 

Memphis 38104 

COLLIERVILLE 

901.850.5288 

2059 S. Houston Levee 

Collierville 38017 

EAST MEMPHIS 

901.609.8680 

4698 Spottswood Ave., Memphis 38117 

ORDER ONLINE 

mulanbistro.net 

PROOF PROOF 

REACH 

85,000+ 

AN AUDIENCE 

OF 

PER MO. 

IN TARGET AREAS 

You NEED us to KNEAD you! 

PROOF PROOF 

PROOF PROOF PRO 

H PREMIERE H 

LGBT SOURCE FOR NEWS 

AND INFORMATION 

CALL NOW FOR RATES 

901.800.1172 

PROOF PROOF 

PROOF PROOF PR 

PROOF PROO 

Therapeutic Massage • Deep Tissue 

Thai • Prenatal • Cupping • Ashiatsu 

Hot Stones • Bamboo-Fusion 

CBD Herbal Massage 

PROOF PROOF 

Gift Certificates • Schedule Online 

PROOF PRO 

885 S. Cooper • 901.596.3838 

midtown-massage.com

community 

Some are natives, 

Some moved here later in life. 

But they all have that 

special something that makes them 

PURE 

MEMPHIS 


JOHNATHAN 

UNDERWOOD 

he/him 

retail manager 

luxury eyewear 

photo by Kev MK Management 

28 years a memphian — a native 

we believe johnathan is pure memphis 

because on social media, he connects 

folks with inspiration 

WHY DO YOU FEEL THAT YOU ARE PURE 

MEMPHIS? 

Being ‘Pure Memphis’ means being able to 

wear my imperfections on my sleeve and not 

being afraid to color outside the lines. These 

traits allow me to express myself genuinely, 

see without prejudice, and connect effortlessly. 

My love of people and bringing them together 

stems from being born in such a raw and 

expressive community. 

WHO IS THE KINDEST PERSON YOU KNOW? 

This is such a tough question... I could sit here 

and create a list of 30 people without even 

trying! However, one person in particular comes 

to mind, and that is my friend Floyd Brummett. 

We have been friends for about 14 years now 

and I can’t imagine life without him. He’s my 

drag mother minus the drag, although we will 

throw on some heels every now and then! 

It’s hard for everyone to navigate youth and 

adding the gay aspect in there makes it a bit 

challenging no matter how good you have it. 

When I navigated my 20s, he always supported 

me, guided me, and never judged even my 

most outlandish choices. To my mom, if you’re 

reading this, I love you and you were a strong 

runner up! LOL! 

WHAT FICTIONAL CHARACTER DO YOU WISH 

YOU COULD MEET? 

Hands down, Shonda Rhimes’ character, Olivia 

Pope, from the ABC series Scandal. She’s a 

smart, decisive, and fiercely fashionable black 

woman. I’m personally too Bohemian to ever 

present myself as eloquently as Olivia Pope, 

but I would love to sit down over a few glasses 

of Merlot to get her advice on handling life. 

Definitely a good binge if you’ve never seen it! 


LISA 

MICHAELS 

stage name: purple haired tramazon 

she/her, and of course ‘your highness’ works 

quite well, too 

singer-songwriter/ musician, stand-up 

comic, show promoter and host 

photo by Joan Allison 

entertainment 

7.5 years a memphian 


MEMPHIS? 

Ever since I lived here the first time when I was 

18, I have had a love for Memphis. I only moved 

back to California after being in a serious car 

wreck. I’ve had four plastic surgeries on my 

nose, two while living in Memphis. The second 

put me out of work for six weeks. No work, 

no money, no food. I went back to SoCal, but 

I never lost my love for this city. I visited a 

few times over the years, but in 2012 I visited 

Memphis for the first time in 15 years and of 

course I fell in love with Memphis all over again. 

I visited in the spring of 2013. I stayed two 

months playing music at open mics all over 

the city to see what the reaction would be to 

transwoman playing music in Memphis. Well 

let’s just say the response was positive and I 

moved here in the fall of 2013. 

MOVIES OR NOVELS? 

Novel because you can envision what the writer 

is trying to convey with your own imagination. 

WHAT ARE YOU PASSIONATE ABOUT DOING? 

I love hosting and producing shows, especially 

when they are LGBTQ and or woman rights 

centric. I used to host the OutLoud Comedy 

Show at OUTMemphis, Group Therapy at 

Midtown Crossing Grill and until the pandemic 

Memphis Queer AF at BLack Lodge. I’ve 

been involved with Choices and hosted their 

Condomonium annual fundraiser for several 

years. I am very grateful that I have become 

a part of both the LGBTQ and entertainment 

communities here in Memphis. Memphis, it 

seems, loves me as much as I love her. 

IF YOU COULD HAVE A SUPER POWER, 

WHAT WOULD YOU CHOOSE? 

I would love to fly. When I was a child I used to 

have vivid dreams about flying over my town. It 

made me so happy. That’s probably why I enjoy 

swimming so much. Close as us land based 

creatures will get to flying on our own. 


BREEZY 

LUCIA 

she/her 

filmmaker 

9 years a memphian 

photo by Keith Montgomery 

we believe breezy is pure memphis 

because of her ubiquitous involvement 

in and promotion of the local film 

community 


MEMPHIS? 

I’ve lived here almost a decade, during my 20s 

when I was figuring out how to be an adult and 

be my authentic self. 

WHAT GAME ARE YOU REALLY GOOD AT? 

I like to think I’m good at Bananagrams, which 

is a speed-based Scrabble type game with 

letter blocks. My family usually plays it when we 

all get together. Things get competitive. 

WHAT TERRIBLE MOVIE DO YOU LOVE? 

I can’t in good conscience call a movie that I 

love “terrible” because then what does that 

mean about my movie taste? Everyone is 

entitled to their own opinions about movies, 

even if they’re wrong. Some movies that I’ve 

enjoyed in the past are usually from the 90s 

and early 2000s that just don’t hold up very 

well when you re-watch them, but the nostalgia 

supersedes the quality. 

WHAT’S YOUR FAVORITE THING ABOUT 

MEMPHIS THAT’S UNDERRATED? 

My favorite underrated thing about Memphis 

is the amount of opportunities available. With 

the size of Memphis being what it is, you get 

a lot of the amenities of a bigger city without 

the hassle that comes with it. Memphis is also a 

cheap place to live and that’s great! 


JOHN 

GILMORE 

he/him 

coordinator in the anthropology department 

u of m, pastor/spiritual director of open 

heart spiritual center 



we believe john is pure memphis 

because he is a warrior in life, an esteemed 

professor, and a spiritual leader 


MEMPHIS? 

The grit (yeah, that cliché for here) and charm of 

this place resonates through me and keeps me 

determined to help this place become its best. 

IF YOU COULD TIME TRAVEL, TO WHAT ERA 

WOULD YOU GO? 

I have a fascination with ancient Egyptian/Nubian 

culture, so I would go back to the time around 

750 B.C.E. when the Kushites ruled Egypt and it 

is acknowledged as a time of renaissance. There 

were the famed archers of Kush and a number 

of innovations that this culture brought into one 

that already had many advances in science, 

medicine, architecture, the arts and more. 

WHAT’S YOUR BEST CHILDHOOD MEMORY? 

I recall the beginning of summer when my 

mother would take my sister and me to the 

library to decide on what books we would check 

out for our daily reading time. I would get so 

excited about the chance to immerse myself in 

books. I started out having difficulties reading in 

school but once I learned, I began a lifelong habit 

of reading. 

WHAT IS THE BEST PIECE OF ADVICE YOU’VE 

RECEIVED? 

My father told me that if I didn’t like something, 

I ought to know why. In other words, rather than 

base my thoughts, opinions, and attitudes on 

those of someone else, explore things for myself. 

This led me to a life of inquiry and discovery. It’s 

allowed me to meet people where they are and 

maintain a fairly open mind to new experiences. 

It is a great way to live life. 


KAREN 

CAPPS 

art name: Karen Bottle Capps 

she/her 

artist/painting contractor 

art/screen printing/painting 

photo by Steve Roberts 


we believe karen is pure memphis 

because of her fun and clever art depicts 

the grit of memphis 


MEMPHIS? 

My art is all about Memphis, from funky chickens 

to the car drivin’ blues folks. My business is called 

Real Memphis Trash (realmemphistrash.com), 

and with my partner, we make 16 tiny art pieces 

that are xmas ornaments, magnets, or you can 

hang them on the wall. We have seven different 

Elvises, BBQ Pigs, the Antenna Club, the Levitt 

Shell, guitars, Mississippi River catfish, and more. 

We produce seven famous Memphis and Delta 

musicians driving cool cars (Rufus Thomas in 

a yellow caddy and Memphis Minnie in an old 

truck). We have 10 T-shirt designs, all Memphis 

inspired and printed in my studio with waterbased, 

eco-friendly dyes on soft cotton Tees. I 

also make a lot of larger scale art, all with found 

objects and lots of bottle caps. And let me say 

this right here, it takes a lot of time picking up 

“treasures” washed up on the riverbanks at the 

high water line, outside of juke joints, and dug 

up from 1890s to 1950s dumps uncovered by 

construction or water erosion. Not to mention 

drinking all that beer just for the bottle caps! 

My second job as a painting contractor is 

focused on Midtown homes and businesses. We 

specialize in hand-pulled oil trim work, plaster 

repair and painting. No job is too big or small, 

just as long as it’s inside the loop. 

WHAT’S SOMETHING THAT PEOPLE THINK 

MAKES THEM LOOK COOL BUT ACTUALLY 

HAS THE OPPOSITE EFFECT? 

Arrogance, tough guy attitude, someone who 

lacks empathy. I’ve had enough, really. I don’t 

even have to say the name. My hope is after this 

pandemic people will be kinder. 

WHAT’S THE MOST BEAUTIFUL PLACE IN 

MEMPHIS YOU’VE EVER BEEN? 

Memphis in the spring, March through May. The 

new leaves and grass create an intense green, 

blooming trees and plants, gorgeous homes, the 

Parkways, the parks, Dixon Gardens, Overton 

Park, Shelby Farms, Shelby Forest. This is the 

time of year to just drive, walk or bike around 

and soak it all up. 


THEO 

DAVIES 

he/him/his 

urban farmer 



we believe theo is pure memphis 

because his passion and involvement in 

local “green” movements educate and 

support Memphis in being sustainable and 

environmentally friendly 


MEMPHIS? 

I feel like Memphis is home to oddballs and 

misfits. The people who live here cannot be 

defined by one thing or another because 

each of Memphis’s residents are this weird 

amalgamation of characteristics with one 

important thing in common: we belong here. 

We’re here because some weird happenstance 

brought us to this city but the city is what has 

kept us here. 

IF YOU COULD ONLY GROW ONE PLANT FOR 

THE REST OF YOUR LIFE WHAT WOULD IT BE? 

Tomatoes. I take pictures of my tomato plants. I 

beam with pride when I have perfectly straight, 

hedge-like rows of tomato plants. I love hunting 

through the dense foliage for clusters of black 

cherry tomatoes or digging around in the vines 

to find that perfect Cherokee purple just hiding 

in the shade. I grew tomatoes in 2017 only to 

watch as a fungus consumed my plants. But I 

was determined to save them. I clipped vines 

and leaves every day, rain or shine. Some of 

the plants had nothing left to speak of when it 

was all said and done. But out of one hundred 

plants I only lost five. 

WHAT TERRIBLE MOVIE DO YOU LOVE? 

Some of the lines are cheesy and it’s absurd to 

think that the plot could ever happen in real life, 

but I love Starship Troopers. The giant bugs, 

the gruff teacher played by Michael Ironside 

who is really a battle hardened lieutenant, the 

love tango between Casper Van Dien, Denise 

Richards, and Dina Meyer, and, of course, Jake 

Busey playing a translucent green electric 

fiddle. I could watch that movie over and over. 


ELIZABETH 

BLONDIS 

she/her 

catering director central bbq & 

southern table catering 



we believe elizabeth is pure memphis 

because her homemade brand 

is memphis-proud 


MEMPHIS? 

“Pure Memphis” can mean so many different 

things. 

Multiple side hustles – check; community Pride 

– check; unwavering support of U of M athletics 

– check; way too many Growel Towels & 901 FC 

promo stuff – check. More than anything, our 

friends and family make Memphis home. 

WHAT IS THE BEST THING ABOUT MEMPHIS? 

The people of Memphis are what make this 

city special. I love the ‘real-ness’ of Memphis. 

We have a long way to go to overcome some 

old problems, but there is real progress as well. 

Memphians are so kind and generous with their 

support when community members are 

in need. 

WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE MEMPHIS MEMORY? 

My favorite Memphis memory is meeting Craig. 

I know it sounds corny, but I was working my 

“side hustle” bartending at the Poplar Lounge 

when he came in. I was still fairly new to the 

city and learning about real Memphis with Craig 

was very special. 

IF YOU COULD CHOOSE YOUR OWN 

NICKNAME, WHAT WOULD IT BE? 

At work everyone calls me “EB”. I’m sure 

many people don’t even know my real name. 

Until the shipping department of CBQ was 

sold to Kemmons Wilson Companies, I was 

Director of Shipping as well as Catering. With 

all the packages going out the door, I became 

the “Trap Queen” – had my own song and 

everything. 


CRAIG 

BLONDIS 

he/him 

co-founder/owner & ceo central bbq, 

co-owner across the board restaurant group 



we believe craig is pure memphis 

because his homemade brand 

is memphis-proud 


MEMPHIS? 

I feel the same as my wife, Elizabeth, when she 

said that “Pure Memphis” can mean so many 

things, but especially that our friends and 

family make Memphis home. 

WHAT IS THE BEST THING ABOUT MEMPHIS? 

I always say Memphis is the world’s biggest 

small town. If you don’t know someone, you 

usually know someone who does. 


Having grown up in Memphis it is hard for me 

to choose just one special memory. I love that 

I have been able to meet incredible people and 

grow as a member of the community. Although 

I have so many fond memories, going to the 

first Memphis barbecue festival has to be one 

of my favorites. Going to the festival allowed 

me to start many traditions and businesses. 

IF YOU COULD CHOOSE YOUR OWN 

NICKNAME, WHAT WOULD IT BE? 

Back when CBQ first opened, a very nice 

woman at the old Bank of America in Cooper 

Young used to call me “Big Boss with the Hot 

Sauce” every day when I came in to make the 

deposit. One day we were out shopping for a 

Christmas tree and ran into the woman from 

the bank who called me out – which is when 

Elizabeth learned of the nickname. She hasn’t 

let me forget it. 


Purchase a Ray Rico Freelance T-Shirt 

$ 

20 00 

+ tax 

free shipping 

• Black with white print 

• Soft-style 100% pre-shrunk cotton 

• Made in Memphis, TN 

• Variety of sizes Available 

BUY NOW 

supportlocalcreativity.com 

WHEN YOU SHOP WITH US, YOU SUPPORT LOCAL 

We can’t wait to nurture you! 

www.pavosalon.com

AMY 

GOODE 

she/her 

photo by Philip Murphy Photography 

publisher, memphis health and fitness 

magazine 


we believe amy is pure memphis 

because of her promotion of health 

and fitness to the mid-south 


MEMPHIS? 

I’m a Memphian who chose to make my living 

focusing on the local health and wellbeing of this 

city and its inhabitants. What’s more Memphiscentric 

than that! 

DO YOU FEEL LIKE A LEADER OR A 

FOLLOWER? 

I definitely feel like I’m a leader. I’m a single 

mother leading a household every day, I lead 

the staff of my magazine and maybe most 

importantly I lead the way in local, free, print and 

web content promoting health and fitness in a 

community known for struggling in this arena. 

WHAT’S THE FIRST THING YOU DO WHEN YOU 

GET HOME FROM A TRIP? 

I usually go for a run in Overton Park. It’s my way 

to reconnect with the city. I always miss the trees 

and how green Memphis is. 

IF YOU COULD ASK YOUR PET 3 QUESTIONS, 

WHAT WOULD THEY BE? 

•How do you eat the same food every day? 

•What are you dreaming about when you are 

kicking? 

•Why do you think it’s a good idea to bark at the 

neighbor’s dog who is 17x your size? 

BIGGEST DAILY TIME WASTER? 

I spend way too much time driving from place 

to place. In a city as geographically large as 

Memphis there are many vendors, clients, 

associates, friends and family that I need to 

connect with daily. Memphis is a car-centric 

city—not very good for our health and fitness, 

I’d love to see that continue to change. I’d love 

to see even more people biking, running and 

walking. Ironically it seems that COVID-19 has 

afforded more time to work remotely, connect 

digitally, prepare meals and exercise regularly. 


ELIJAH 

TOWNSEND 

chef eli 

he/him 

photo courtesy of Eli Townsend 

executive chef/restaurateur 

food and hospitality 

native memphian 

we believe chef eli is pure memphis 

because of his culinary skills and 

dedication to his craft and peers 


MEMPHIS? 

I am pure Memphis because I love and 

promote everything that’s happening in my 

beautiful city. Grit and Grind is definitely in 

the water and I’m proud to represent our 

belovedf city of good abode. 

WHAT WOULD YOUR PERFECT SATURDAY BE 

LIKE? 

Waking up to calls and texts from my friends 

to connect and go have brunch. We eat 

delicious food and have mimosas until we 

have had enough. I’d finish this day with a 

stroll on the Mighty Mississippi before resting 

to enjoy the downtown night life. 

WHICH MOVIE SEQUEL DO YOU WISH YOU COULD 

ERASE FROM HISTORY? 

OMG! Is Jeepers Creepers even a movie? It 

just never made any sense. 

WHAT’S THE ONE FOOD YOU COULD NEVER 

BRING YOURSELF TO EAT? 

Calf liver. Oh how I hate it. I remember being 

a child and my mother would make it with 

onions, rice and gravy. I was forced to sit at 

the table until it was all gone. Most times I 

never left the table until it was time to get 

ready for school. To this day won’t touch it. 

WHAT WOULD YOUR PERFECT VACATION ENTAIL? 

A drive down to Florida by way of Savannah, 

Ga., in a little red Corvette with my closest 

friend and companion (KJ) . We would stop 

on Tybee Island and take an historic home 

tour. We’d spend days in a beach cottage 

and nights enjoying scenic views and night 

life. Oh, and eat tons of seafood. 

CAKE OR PIE? 

Cake. Pound cake to be exact. All day. 

everyday! 


BRUCE 

BUI 

he/his 

bianca bruchette (when I want to be extra) 

wardrobe directer, costume designer 

at ballet memphis 


19 years a memphian — “I’m not a native, but 

I’m close enough” 

we believe bruce is pure memphis 

because of his sense of fashion, style, 

and his fashion creations 


MEMPHIS? 

I am pure memphis because there is no other 

city that I feel more connected to, and proud 

to call my home. Memphis inspires me in the 

way I view the world, its inhabitants, and my 

approach towards design and style. 

WHICH WOULD BE HARDER FOR YOU TO 

GIVE UP: COFFEE OR ALCOHOL? 

Bye coffee. Nothing memorable starts with a 

coffee toast. 

HOW MANY DAYS DO YOU WEAR THE SAME 

PANTS IN A ROW BEFORE IT BECOMES A 

PROBLEM? 

Even in a pandemic lock down, I haven’t 

had reason to wear the same pants in a row. 

What’s the fun in that? I tend to rotate what 

I wear, and I probably have enough clothes 

to last a few months if there was a laundry 

detergent shortage. And I won’t even mention 

my costume stock in the back house... Is it 

considered hoarding if it’s your career? 

WHAT IS THE FUNNIEST THING YOU HAVE 

EVER SEEN A MEMPHIAN DO? 

Backstage at any drag show. Too many things 

to mention, but always full of funny moments. 


I have a lot of favorite memories. I loved getting 

married at city hall during lunch time to my 

husband, then heading back to my show. I love 

taking bows at the end of every show with my 

Friends of George’s family, I loved walking into 

the new ballet building for the first time. I love 

the memory of the old bars like Backstreet and 

J-Wags. 


MELISA 

VALDEZ 

she/her/ella 

ux/web designer 

web design 

photo by Melisa Valdez 


we believe melisa is pure memphis 

because she’s a social justice fighter, and 

a latino advocate and educator 


MEMPHIS? 

I feel deep responsibility for my city, 

especially underprivileged and underrepresented 

communities like my own. That 

sense of responsibility has pushed me to 

volunteer with amazing organizations like 

Mid-South Immigration Advocates and 

Community Legal Center. It’s also my fuel, 

after a long day of work, when I need to 

follow a story for Memphis Noticias, a news 

project for Spanish-speakers that I run 

along with my partner, Manuel Duran. 

IN A MOVIE OF YOUR LIFE, WHO PLAYS YOU? 

I find it extremely important that whoever 

plays me speaks both Spanish and English, 

but the Spanish has to be perfect and the 

English has to have an accent. I just finished 

watching the 4th season of Money Heist on 

Netflix, so the actress at the top of my head 

right now is Alba Flores. 

IF YOU COULD SHOP FOR FREE AT ONE 

MEMPHIS STORE, WHICH ONE WOULD YOU 

CHOOSE? 

I’m obsessed with national and international 

home decor and furniture stores. Give me a 

few hours of free shopping at Ikea or Home 

Goods and you will make me the happiest 

woman in the world. 

FAVORITE MEMPHIS MEMORY? 

Summer of 2004. We had just arrived in 

Memphis. My parents were worried because 

we were running out of money and living 

in a hotel off Summer and Sycamore View. 

My dad looked through the phone book 

and started making calls at random to local 

churches. Long story short, the person 

my dad reached had a contact who was 

a Quaker, and they drove us to a house in 

Midtown, filled the house with food, toys, 

beds, and a few TVs. It was an amazing 

welcome to the city that became our home. 


TAMAR 

LOVE 

pronouns: I am a-gender, so no preference 

teacher/musician 

education/entertainment 



we believe tamar is pure memphis 

because she’s an inspiring educator 

with a true love for music 


MEMPHIS? 

I feel a deep connection to the blues, the 

ancestors who created this place, the people 

who grit and grind to sustain the rich heritage of 

this city. 

High School and played the cello in the school 

orchestra. I was also in the Memphis Youth 

Symphony. I also remember writing a song for 

the Memphis in May song writing contest, and 

won. I was convinced I was the only person who 

entered the contest. 


Some of my favorite memories are being a part 

of the Memphis music scene. Whether it’s playing 

classical cello, or in my rock band, Mama Honey, 

I feel as if I belong and am welcomed in the 

Memphis music community. Finding your way in 

a world that doesn’t readily accept black, queer 

women hasn’t been easy. Music...has been a 

respite, a bubble, from the outside world. 

WHAT EXTRACURRICULAR ACTIVITIES WERE 

YOU INVOLVED IN DURING HIGH SCHOOL? 

I was definitely a music nerd. I was in the Creative 

and Performing Arts program at Overton 

WHAT INSPIRES YOU TO TEACH? 

Music opened my world up to people, 

places, and opportunities I would have never 

experienced. I grew up poor and exposed to 

violent situations, I could have easily become 

another statistic. Music changed the trajectory 

of my life. I’m not sure where I would be, or what 

I would have become without it. (I love) sharing 

my love (of music) with my students. I want to 

nurture their gifts, show them the world that 

saved me, and hopefully open the door to a lifechanging 

experience. 


CALL US FOR 

A FRESH 

START! 

DETERMINE IF BANKRUPTCY 

IS RIGHT FOR YOU 

Discuss your overall financial picture with a debt relief attorney. 

Practicing criminal, bankruptcy and family law in Memphis since 1992 

212 Adams Avenue Memphis, TN 38103 901-525-4357 

PHONE IS ANSWERED 24/7 

JOSEPH S. OZMENT 

www.josephozmentlaw.com

Utopia proudly 

supports the 

Focus Community 

in all seasons 

1157 Madison Ave. • 901-746-8758 

UtopiaAnimalHospital.com 

MENTION THIS AD FOR 25 

% 

OFFYOUR FIRST VISIT

music 

“Glory” 

by John Legend, Common 

from the motion picture, “Selma” 

Click to listen to the live performance: 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HUZOKvYcx_o 

One day when the glory comes 

It will be ours, it will be ours 

Oh one day when the war is won 

We will be sure, we will be sure 

Oh glory (Glory, glory) 

Oh (Glory, glory) 

Hands to the Heavens, no man, no weapon 

Formed against, yes glory is destined 

Every day women and men become legends 

Sins that go against our skin become blessings 

The movement is a rhythm to us 

Freedom is like religion to us 

Justice is juxtapositionin’ us 

Justice for all just ain’t specific enough 

One son died, his spirit is revisitin’ us 

Truant livin’ livin’ in us, resistance is us 

That’s why Rosa sat on the bus 

That’s why we walk through Ferguson with our hands up 

When it go down we woman and man up 

They say, “Stay down”, and we stand up 

Shots, we on the ground, the camera panned up 

King pointed to the mountain top and we ran up 







Selma’s now for every man, woman and child 

Even Jesus got his crown in front of a crowd 

They marched with the torch, we gon’ run with it now 

Never look back, we done gone hundreds of miles 

From dark roads he rose, to become a hero 

Facin’ the league of justice, his power was the people 

Enemy is lethal, a king became regal 

Saw the face of Jim Crow under a bald eagle 

The biggest weapon is to stay peaceful 

We sing, our music is the cuts that we bleed through 

Somewhere in the dream we had an epiphany 

Now we right the wrongs in history 

No one can win the war individually 

It takes the wisdom of the elders and young people’s 

energy 

Welcome to the story we call victory 

The comin’ of the Lord, my eyes have seen the glory 








Hey (Glory, glory) 

When the war is won, when it’s all said and done 

We’ll cry glory (Glory, glory) 


Now the war is not over, victory isn’t won 

And we’ll fight on to the finish, then when it’s all done 

We’ll cry glory, oh glory (Glory, glory) 


We’ll cry glory, oh glory (Glory, glory) 



Buying or 

Selling a Home 

shouldn’t be a 

DRAG! 

BYRNE 

& ASSOCIATES, PLLC 

RYAN E. BYRNE, ESQ. 

Attorney at Law 

Let Greg treat you like a Queen or King 

when buying or selling your home! 

Greg Renfrow 

901-466-4000 office 

901-283-2899 cell 

7990 Trinity Rd, Suite 202 


Let us help guide you 

through buying or 

selling a home and 

planning your estate. 

• Residential Real 

Estate Closings 

• Commercial 

Real Estate 

Closings 

• Estate Planning 

• Foreclosures 

• Short Sales 

• Deed Transfers 

• Title Insurance 

• Title Abstracts/ 

Searches 

• Business 

Formations 

1326 Hardwood Trail 

Cordova, TN 38016 

901.737.2911 

Fax: 901.737.2989 

51 N. Cooper St. 


901.572.1419 

Fax: 901.672.8541 

404 Galleria Lane, Ste. 1 

Oxford, MS 38655 

662.238.7773 

Fax: 662.238.2774 

www.GregSellsMemphis.com 

Byrne-Firm.com 

ryanbyrne@byrne-firm.com 


travel 

Original Memphis 

BURKE’S BOOK STORE 

936 South Cooper Street 


901.278.7484 | www.burkesbooks.com 

story and photos by Tricia Dewey 


Burke’s Book Store, founded 

in 1875, has been nothing if not 

resilient over the course of its 

145-year history. As one of the 

oldest small businesses in 

Memphis and one of the oldest 

used bookstores in the country 

it has endured good times and 

bad, surviving the end of 

Reconstruction, the Yellow 

Fever epidemic of 1878, the 

Great Depression, and two 

world wars. The COVID-19 

pandemic is yet another 

chapter of adaptation in its 

long history. 

From the beginning, Burke’s 

Bookstore was a family 

business. It began in a twostory 

brick building at 180 N. 

Main Street in downtown 

Memphis where the Burkes 

lived upstairs and sold books, 

newspapers, slates, and tin 

toys downstairs. Three 

generations of Burkes 

eventually owned the business, 

each adding an idea to the 

bookstore business. Walter 

Burke Jr. added textbook sales 

in 1946 and William Burke 

added used and antiquarian 

books in 1958. In the 1940s 

and ‘50s they sold textbooks 

for many of the parochial 

schools in Memphis out of 

their tiny store. 

The store moved several 

times. In the 1960s the 

downtown location 

neighborhood was razed as 

part of Urban Renewal and the 

store moved east to 634 

Poplar. Then in 1988 owner 

Harriette Beeson moved the 

store to 1719 Poplar, which 

many long-time Memphians 

remember fondly with books 

piled everywhere and lots of 

corners and nooks. At that 

time, Harriette Beeson grew 

the new book side of the 

business. Corey and Cheryl 

Mesler who met and married 

while employees bought the 

store from Harriette Beeson 

when she retired in 2000. 

From 2000 to 2006 the 

survival of small independent 

bookstores experienced an 

existential threat from 

Amazon, on-line sales, and big 

box bookstores like Borders 

and Barnes & Noble. With the 

additional economic squeeze 

after 9/11, it seemed like an 

impossible time. Business was 

so bad that the Meslers tried 

the gofundme idea before it 

was a thing, putting out a plea 

to customers and benefactors 

and holding fundraisers. In 

addition, suddenly they 

realized that the location at 

1719 Poplar was not good. 

Cheryl says it was like the 

store was on a hard-to-reach 

island. 

Enter commercial real estate 

friends James Rasberry and 

Jimmy Lewis who encouraged 

the Meslers to look at a space 

in Cooper Young. At the time 

Cheryl Mesler thought moving 

the store sounded like a 

nightmare, but seeing the 

space and “both of us said, oh 

my god, this is it.” It was a 

perfect old and crumbly 

building that they pictured 

with a “center aisle down the 

middle, shelves off to the side, 

skylight, with kind of a great 

history. It was a Piggly Wiggly 

in the ‘20s.” The Meslers have 

lived in Cooper Young since 

1993 and watched the 

neighborhood grow. 

“Everything came together, it 

was really energizing, and it 

totally saved us. I feel lucky 

every day to work in this 

neighborhood.” 

The current store at 935 

South Cooper in the middle of 

Cooper Young is a boon to the 

neighborhood. Cheryl says 

that at first in 2007 they were 

a little lonely. Cooper Young 

had not yet become the lively 

area it is now. But eventually 

more businesses and 

restaurants opened and 

Burke’s evolved into what the 

Meslers envisioned: a browsing 

bookstore, with walk-in traffic. 

Cheryl says, “I feel like all we 

have to do is open the doors 

and get the overflow from 

everybody and oh my gosh we 

miss it so much. It’s very, very 

strange to work without a 

customer in the store, really 

odd. We are looking forward 

to the day when that comes 

back. It will be like a mini 

Cooper Young Festival when 

things get reopened.” 

After the initial turmoil of 

the first weeks after COVID-19 

and the Safer-at-Home order 

issued in Memphis on March 

24, Cheryl got to work figuring 

out how to adjust this wellloved 

Cooper Young small 

business. She applied for a 

Paycheck Protection Program 

loan and prioritized the cash 

flow so that Burke’s could 

continue to operate. So far 

they have been able to keep all 

of their employees and 

condense their hours to the 

needs of the store. They 

Burkes owner, Cheryl Mesler, is working through the pandemic, 

taking old-fashioned phone orders for mail, pick-up, and delivery. 

quickly shifted to on-line, 

email, Facebook and 

Instagram, messages, and 

old-fashioned phone orders 

for mail, pick-up, and delivery. 

Cheryl says even carrier 

pigeon would work. During the 

day they ready orders while 

social distancing and wearing 

masks and in the afternoon 

deliver packages. They 

stopped accepting used books 

over a month ago so that new 

books are the only items 

coming in. 

The quality of Burke’s used 

book inventory makes it 

special. Cheryl Mesler says 

that “Since moving to this 

location we get such better 

books and I cannot explain it…. 

We never have to go scouting 

for used books.” Years ago 

they developed a database 

with Bibliopolis for their used 

book inventory, which is 

especially coming in handy 

now. The database is 

searchable and describes the 

quality of the used book. 

Cheryl says adding new books 

to the database was a project 

for this year so they jumped 

into it on the fly. “When all of 

this happened we were just 

thinking this is what we’re 

going to do to keep our 

employees busy and paid. 

We’ve just been doing a 

massive store inventory, going 

through all the sections. 

Listing all the new books, 

Corey’s uploading them. We’re 

adding stuff every day. 

Working on getting images 

too.” Browsing the list is a bit 

like browsing the store--the 

Burke’s Books personality 

comes through. Highlighted 

categories are literary fiction, 

Southern literature, southern 

history, African American 

literature, history, and 

philosophy. 

A month or so into the 

coronavirus economy, Cheryl 

says she’s feeling better. “The 

first weeks were hideous. I was 

in a total state of anxiety, but 

people have been really great, 

people have been nice about 

ordering things. If they don’t 

have something they want 

right now they’ll get a gift 

certificate to use later. And 

that’s the kind of stuff that’s 

really helpful….You know, we’re 

ok for now.” She knows people 

are focused on helping out 

small businesses.”I think 

[people are] really trying to 

support the restaurants by 

doing takeout, support the 

small businesses where they 

can, you know the ones that 

are able to stay open and 

process orders….That has been 

kind of a silver lining. When we 

get to the other side of this I 

hope that we will have added 

some customers that we didn’t 

have before ….Everyone is 

learning new skills through all 

this. There are a lot of 

restaurants where it never 

occurred to them to do 

takeout. I think the ones who 

are succeeding are the ones 

who have been able to... sort 

of pivot and think of a new 

model.” Although the 

economic landscape has 

changed from the original 

Burke’s, adaptation has always 

been a part of the bookselling 

story. Like everyone else 

enduring in this new reality, 

Burke’s is taking it one day at a 

time. 


food+drink 

He found a glimmer of hope in the ruins of disaster. 

—Gabriel Garcia Marquez, Love in the Time of Cholera 

L VE 

in the 

Time of Corona 

by Chef Ben Smith, Owner, Tsunami Restaurant 

photos by Joan Allison 

Ben Smith is the owner and executive chef of the award-winning restaurant, Tsunami. Born and raised in Memphis, Chef Smith 

is well known for an innovative culinary style influenced by his extensive travels in the Pacific Rim. 

Running a restaurant, even 

under the best of 

circumstances, is a daily 

exercise in crisis management. 

As a long-time restaurant 

owner, I have learned to 

anticipate the frequent bumps 

in the road and formulate a 

game plan to navigate around 

them. Well we just hit a very 

large, unavoidable bump.There 

was no getting around this 

one. The mandate to close all 

restaurants in Memphis was an 

unprecedented event. But 

every obstacle in this, or any 

other business, offers us the 

opportunity to learn 

something about ourselves 

and each other. Here are some 

things that I have learned from 

this event that have really 

resonated with me: 

My staff is the lifeblood of my 

business. 

I made the questionable 

decision more than 22 years 

ago to open a restaurant. The 

smartest thing that I have 

done since then is to hire 

people that are smarter than 

me to help run this place. I am 

never the smartest guy in the 

room when I am at work, and I 

am fine with that. Several days 

before Mayor Strickland 

mandated the closure of all 

Memphis restaurants and bars 

I met with my management 

team. We made the decision to 

close our dining rooms based 

on the information we had on 

hand. We put together a plan 

of action and shifted our focus 

onto takeout, delivery, and 

curbside service. My team 

stepped up without hesitation. 

And they have been showing 

up every day and doing 

everything I ask of them, and 

more. I don’t have the words 

to describe how much love, 

respect, and gratitude I have 

for my Tsunami family. And if I 

think about it any more right 

now I will legit start crying. 

People are dealing with this 

in different ways. 

Restaurant people, for the 

most part, are particularly 

adept at repressing their 

emotions and focusing on the 

task at hand. I know this about 

myself and I know this about 

my staff. But this next-level 

anxiety that all of us are 

feeling right now is difficult to 

compartmentalize. I have seen 

the stress manifest itself in 

various ways. Some people 

withdraw and become quieter 

than normal. Some people 

become more animated. Some 

have turned to alcohol, or 

other substances to help them 

cope. Some find relief in 

meditation or yoga or exercise. 

But sometimes the best relief 

from our collective angst is a 

personal outreach from 

someone else. The simple act 

of acknowledging that a 

person is hurting can have a 

big impact. And sometimes 

that outreach can help lift you 

above the fog of your own 

anxiety. If we allow ourselves 

to reach the point where we 

are too focused on our own 

emotions during this event, 

then we will have failed each 

other. 

The Memphis restaurant 

community has been 

extremely supportive in the 

face of this event. 

I have heard from so many 

of my fellow restaurateurs 

these past few weeks. We are 

a pretty supportive group of 

people anyway. But the 

outpouring of concern and 

support and encouragement 

that I have heard from every 

corner of this city has really 

been overwhelming. We are all 

uncertain about what is going 

to happen. None of us know 

how long this will last. Or how 

long our customers will 

continue to support us as this 

shutdown continues. We all 

say the same things to each 


other “We’re gonna get 

through this” or “How’s the 

takeout thing working for 

you?’ or simply “How are you 

holding up?” It absolutely 

crushes me to think that some 

Memphis restaurants may not 

survive this event. And yet the 

concern that restaurant people 

have shown for each other has 

been staggering. 

The Memphis community has 

been very concerned and 

supportive of restaurant 

workers. 

We have felt the love. We 

are so blessed to have such 

loyal, thoughtful, and 

dedicated customers. I am so 

thankful that I have a job to 

show up to every day. I am so 

thankful that I have been able 

to keep my entire staff on the 

payroll. I am so happy to have 

something to engage my 

hands and my mind right now. 

I am grateful for anyone 

showing up at my restaurant 

under normal circumstances. 

But it means even more right 

now. The love and genuine 

concern that our customers 

are showing us has been 

tremendously uplifting and 

encouraging to my staff and 

myself. 

This event will reshape our 

industry forever. 

We will see a new business 

model in the aftermath of this 

event. All of us are now 

working outside of the normal 

parameters of our business. 

We are moving outside of our 

comfort zones, straying from 

our concepts, responding to 

demands from our customers 

that we would have never even 

considered before. We are 

learning from this. And 

growing. And I think that we 

will be better off for it. Being 

sequestered at home is 

challenging people to really 

examine their dining habits. 

Many people may be 

discovering a newfound talent 

for creating meals out of what 

they have on hand. People are 

getting creative. And a lot of 

them are probably thinking to 

themselves “Why do I spend 

so much money dining out 

when I can cook at home for 

so much less?” This could have 

a serious impact on the 

restaurant business. It will 

create new challenges for 

restaurants to continue to 

entice and engage people to 

Rather than dine-in service, I now practice social distancing. I 

always wear a mask and gloves, and we now deliver orders to 

customers in their cars, and to their homes. 

dine out. I think restaurants 

will always have the “dirty 

dishes” advantage. You could 

cook at home, but then you 

have to wash the dishes. Or 

you could just eat out. 

Family is important. 

Reach out to them. I have 

siblings on both coasts and 

elderly parents 50 miles north 

of Memphis. They are all in 

various states of sequester or 

isolation. And they are all 

dealing with it the best way 

they can. I try to check in with 

them every day. I’m not the 

best at it. But I know how 

much it means to me to hear 

my sister’s “How ya doin’?” or 

my brother’s “Yo” or my 

parent’s “When are you 

coming to visit?’ (My parents 

don’t really get the whole 

social distancing thing.) So I 

try to talk to my distant family 

regularly to maintain a sense 

of normalcy. If you are 

sequestered at home with 

family, I think it’s somehow 

even more important to check 

in with each other. I know this 

is taking a toll on relationships 

right now. I’ve seen the 

memes. But we all have to do 

what we have to do to 

maintain our love and respect 

for each other. Even if it means 

sleeping on the couch. Or 

going on a long walk by 

yourself. Or doing yard work. 

Or watching the same movie 

on two different devices in 

separate rooms. Whatever it 

takes. 

This event will define us all, 

for good or bad. 

We will all be judged on how 

we behave during this crisis. 

We’ve seen the toilet paper 

hoarders. We’ve seen the 

fights in the grocery stores 

over sanitizing wipes. We’ve 

seen people scalping hand 

sanitizer online at exorbitant 

prices. I’ve talked to many of 

my fellow restaurateurs who 

are in negotiations with 

landlords who refuse to 

consider any sort of rent 

deferment or abatement. 

There are people that are 

making every attempt to 

monetize or politicize this 

event. They will be 

remembered when this is all 

over. But there are people, 

many more people, who are 

navigating this pandemic with 

empathy, outreach, patience, 

and love. Those people need 

to be remembered as well. 

We will get through this. 

We will. We will be forever 

changed by this experience. It 

is an opportunity for us all to 

learn and grow. This has been 

a tremendously humbling 

experience for me. I am 

extremely blessed to have a 

strong support group. My 

family has been a pillar of 

strength for me. My friends 

have been generous with their 

outreach and support and 

concern. My fellow 

restaurateurs have been 

encouraging and amazingly 

optimistic. And again, my staff, 

my amazing Tsunami staff, 

have stepped up to the task at 

hand with such fervor and 

selflessness that it has literally 

brought me to tears. All of 

these people that I loved 

before this madness started I 

now, somehow, love even 

more. And that, more than 

anything, is what is motivating 

me and carrying me through 

this time. Love. 


health+wellness 

photo courtesy of ©Shelby Farms Park Conservancy 

A RIVER RUNS THROUGH IT—SO DO BUFFALO, PEOPLE, KIDS, AND PETS 

SHELBY FARMS PARK 

story and photos by Tricia Dewey 

Every great city has its great 

park and for Memphis that 

park is Shelby Farms. More 

than five times larger than 

New York’s Central Park with 

4500 acres, and one of the 

few urban parks that is home 

to a herd of buffalo, Shelby 

Farms contains more than 40 

miles of multi use trails. Park 

visitors can still walk, run, hike, 

fish, bike, frisbee golf, and 

generally play (as long as they 

are six feet away from one 

another). The current times 

serve as a reminder of just 

how important this public 

open space is, even essential. 

How did this forestland 

become a protected 

recreational and 

environmental resource? 

Originally this land, which 

contains a variety of habitats 

including Wolf River 

watershed and hardwood 

forest, was deforested for 

agricultural use. From 1928 to 

the 1960s the land was used as 

a model penal farm where 

Shelby Farms Penitentiary 

prisoners worked the land and 

sold the surplus produce. The 

penal farm eventually closed, 

and the land was open for 

public use but not legally 

protected in any way. The 

Friends of Shelby Farms 

championed the idea of 

protecting the land and 

worked to prevent pieces of 

the park from being sold to 

developers. 

The Shelby Farms Park 

Conservancy (SFPC) was 

formed in 2007 as a 501(c)(3) 

nonprofit primarily to care for 

the property on behalf of the 

community. As its first order of 

business the conservancy 

helped establish a 

conservation easement to 

legally protect the park land 

from development. The park is 

a public-private partnership. 

Shelby County government 

owns the property and the 

SFPC manages daily 

operations, conducts long 

range planning, and fundraises. 

After SFPC staff secured the 

conservation easement they 

started to work on a master 

plan. At community meetings 

they invited everyone to 

participate in the future of 

Shelby Farms Park to share 

their hopes and dreams about 

what the park could be. 

World-renowned landscape 

architects James Corner Field 

created a master plan with a 

centralized hub for activity 

within the park while allowing 

the vast majority of the park to 

remain as a retreat and escape 

from urban life. 

Successful completion of 

three key demonstration 

projects, Woodland Discovery 


Playground, Wolf River 

pedestrian bridge, and Shelby 

Farms Greenline, kicked off the 

park improvements. With the 

addition of the Wolf River 

pedestrian bridge and the 

Greenline, park users could 

now for the first time enter the 

park on foot and bike. In 2016 

after two years of construction 

the park reopened as a world 

class public green space. The 

improvements were world 

class--the central Heart of the 

Park plan expanded Patriot 

Lake now known as Hyde Lake, 

and made it more ecologically 

sustainable, and created a new 

visitors’ center and event 

center, both LEED-certified 

buildings. The project was on 

time, on budget, and paid for 

by SFPC fundraising efforts. 

Since then, the average 

number of yearly park visitors 

has jumped from 1 million to 3 

million. 

According to Rebecca 

Dailey, SFPC Communications 

and Creative Specialist, “Our 

goal is for people to say this 

feels like Memphis. It was an 

incredible interpretation of 

what we heard people say in 

those public meetings…. In the 

next couple of years we’ll be 

looking at revisiting [the 

master plan] to see what we 

can still accomplish from our 

original plan, what we need to 

change, and where we go from 

there.” 

Dailey says, “We’re working 

right now on materials for our 

website that anyone could 

access from home or 

eventually mobile phone from 

the park to help them learn 

about the park life around 

them…. It’s called Learn and 

Play and it’s a section on our 

website.” They have also 

worked in the last few years to 

reconnect some of the 

ecosystems within the park 

that were separated over the 

years. 

According to Governor Lee’s 

Stay-at-Home order, 

“engaging in outdoor activity” 

is considered “essential” as 

long as it is not conducive to 

congregating. Dailey says that 

“getting out and getting 

moving is something that can 

benefit your health not only in 

the short term but in the long 

term…. [But] right now that 

looks a little different at the 

park.” The park has taken 

measures to discourage 

people from gathering, like 

removing or roping off 

benches, and shutting down 

the pavilion, playground, 

restrooms, and some parking 

areas. Since early April when 

the weather warmed up 

adjustments have been made. 

“We are keeping a close eye 

on our visitor counts. We do 

have a counting system within 

the park and we try to set the 

stage for visitors to make the 

best decisions for themselves.” 

With small adjustments people 

can spread out into less 

populated trails and corners of 

the park and use the park at 

off-peak hours. 

Like other nonprofits, Shelby 

Farms Park Conservancy is 

currently taking a hit to its 

revenue streams. Tax dollars 

provide 17 percent of the 

park’s budget but SFPC raises 

$5 million a year to care for 

the park and the Greenline. 

SFPC raises funds through 

donations, rentals--facility, 

boat, bike, and park-produced 

events. That funding goes 

back into caring for the trails, 

creating conservation lawns, 

keeping the buffalo fed, and 

caring for the landscapes. This 

year they have even had to 

postpone what would have 

been the 50th anniversary of 

Earth Day, one of the largest 

events in the park celebrating 

itself. Even though they are 

facing large monetary losses 

Dailey says, “It’s a little 

uncomfortable for us to ask for 

donations in a time of 

uncertainty for so many of our 

visitors. But we have been able 

to ask, and we have been so 

moved by the people who 

have stepped up to donate 

because the park is and always 

will be a free community 

resource but it really is 

powered by donations…. We 

encourage anyone who loves 

the park, who visits the park to 

think about supporting it if 

they are able. We have onetime 

donations available, 

monthly, and no gift is too 

small. Small gifts have a really 

big impact over time.” 

Although fundraising is 

tough right now Dailey sees a 

sunrise peeking over the 

horizon in this changed 

economic environment. “In the 

past few weeks the number of 

visitors that we’ve seen is 

really a testament to how 

important parks and public 

spaces can be to the 

community. We’re seeing more 

and more people turn to 

spending time outdoors as a 

means to bettering themselves 

and I think that really speaks 

to the work that we do to keep 

this space open and accessible 

when they need it the most.” 

It’s the people that power this 

park she says. “We hope that 

more and more people are 

falling in love with the park in 

ways that will keep them 

connected to the park and to 

each other. We hope that at 

least some of those people will 

be able to become supporters 

of the park to help care for the 

spaces they love so much.” 

With any luck, Shelby Farms 

rescheduled Earth Day “Down 

to Earth Festival” on August 

29, 2020, will be an event to 

remember and will remind us 

that as Henry David Thoreau 

said, “We need this tonic of 

wildness.” 

Shelby Farms Park has 

something for everyone: 100 

off-leash acres for dogs, miles 

of walking and biking trails, 

several ponds, a lake with 

boat rental, playgrounds, a 

restaurant, and a splash park. 



IT’S 

EASY TO 

Be A 

Cash 

Saver! 

HERE’S HOW IT WORKS: 

1. ALL PRICES IN OUR STORE ARE COST* 

2. 10% WILL BE ADDED TO YOU TOTAL 

ORDER AT CHECKOUT. 

3. THE 10% WILL BE SHOWN 

SEPARATELY ON YOUR RECEIPT. 

YOUR 

TOTAL 

ORDER: 

$1.00 

$3.00 

$5.00 

$8.00 

$10.00 

Cash 

Saver 

Math! 

10% 

ADDED AT 

REGISTER: 

$0.10 

$0.30 

$0.50 

$0.80 

$1.00 

YOUR “OUT 

THE DOOR” 

PRICE: 

$1.10 

$3.30 

$5.50 

$8.80 

$11.00 

* Product cost is determined by the expense 

it takes to buy and get our merchandise from 

our suppliers to the shelf. 

CHECK OUT OUR CIRCULAR FOR 

CASH SAVING SPECIALS 

MEMPHISCASHSAVER.COM 

MIDTOWN 

1620 Madison Ave. 

WHITEHAVEN 

4049 Elvis Presley Blvd. 

SOUTH MEMPHIS 

1977 S. Third Street 

OAKHAVEN 

3237 Winchester Rd. 

With a 30 Tap 

Growler Station 

See daily list of beer offerings: 

madisongrowler 

@MadisonGrowler 

Hours: M-SA, 12 N-7p | SU, CLOSED

2020 Issue 3 May/Jun - Focus Mid-South

You also want an ePaper? Increase the reach of your titles

Delete template?

Save as template?