By Vicki Stout

Leipers Fork, 10 minutes from Franklin, is an eclectic rural village without a traffic light…not even a stop sign. The historic village which boasts a French boutique, destination art gallery, antique shops and a trio of eateries will, as of Oct. 3, boast the finest rare and antique bookstore in the Southeast.

Yeoman’s in the Fork officially opens its doors at 11 a.m., and what great doors they are. They’re the entry into an historic home which has been outfitted with incredibly handsome handcrafted cherry shelves, cabinets and display cases which will house books and documents dating back to the founding of our nation.

The treasure-trove of books includes signed volumes by John Steinbeck, Ernest Hemmingway and other great American novelists. Framed documents in the handwriting, or with the signature of EVERY American President, with the exception of Present Obama, are available for purchase. You’ll thrill to see handwritten documents granting land, ambassadorships to foreign countries---even the founding of the first veterans’ group.

You don’t have to be a collector to savor seeing these fantastic pieces of history and great literature. In addition to the rare pieces are volumes which sell for as little as $40; there are also antique children’s books, even DVD’s relating to literature and history that sell at $20 or so.

This place is extraordinary….from the signed and numbered bronze in the front lawn of Benjamin Franklin to the volumes and documents within. Yeoman’s in the Fork alone is worth a visit to the Franklin area, not just on opening day, but for the future. The shop will be open Wednesday through Sunday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., except for Sundays – during which it will be open from noon to 5 p.m.

Contact: Mike Cotter, Director of Operations

Company: Yeoman's in the Fork

Phone: 615-983-6460

Website: www.yeomansinthefork.com
Email: info@yeomansinthefork.com

By Vicki Stout

If you’re in the Franklin area on Saturday, Oct. 17, don’t miss the Leipers Fork Chili Cook Off. Leipers Fork is an eclectic rural village 10 to 15 minutes from Franklin.

This eighth annual chili cook off awards cash prizes to contestants, but more than that, it’s so much fun for locals and visitors alike. The event starts at noon and concludes at 3 p.m.; in the interim, stroll, taste chili and vote for your fave. In addition, there’s GREAT live music. The chili contestants are out on the street and parking lots are in front of the merchants…the merchants themselves, of course, are reason enough to visit.

With everything from a destination art gallery to antique shops, a day in Leipers Fork is akin to a Norman Rockwell work of art. This is America as it was in the 50’s – so laid back, so welcoming. There’s not a traffic light…not even a stop sign…this is rural America at its best.

And the chili cook-off is primo. Admission to the event is $5 for ages eight and up. Where can you taste 30 different pots of chili for five bucks?

And the other eateries are welcoming as well, Twisted Fork Café, Puckett’s Grocery and The Country Boy.

It should be a beautiful fall day; the live music throughout the Village is equal to the chili. Don’t miss this event if you are in the area on this particularly beautiful autumn weekend. In fact, come just for this event. It is definitely one of my favorites.

For more info, visit www.leipersforkvillage.com.

By Vicki Stout

 

A 41-year-old restaurant recently changed hands. The new owners, Shannon and Charlie Martin, took a sow’s ear and turned it into a silk purse. Located in the heart of Leipers Fork Village, the venerable, down-home Country Boy has gone uptown.

The exterior has gone from concrete blocks to stucco; the roof to cedar shake, the gutters to copper. The doors are now rich mahogany, as are the benches out front.

The interior is now marvelous. Worn hardwood floors have been beautifully restored; the dining counter is now a 100-year-old feed store red counter; windows wear red and white gingham Roman shades; tables are rich and dark; chairs boast faux red leather seats.

But the crux of the place – the Southern food – is here in spades; the caliber is raised by light years. Everything is made from scratch, and it’s delicious. Whether you have an all-natural Angus beef burger, or a country fried steak with real mashed potatoes and gravy, it’s spot on.

The veggies range from turnip greens to pinto beans…….again, all cooked from scratch. The cornbread is GREAT. Breakfast is served all day (the restaurant opens early in the a.m. and closes at 2 p.m.). Breakfast offers terrific fried bacon, eggs cooked to order, homemade pancakes and syrup, real grits, homemade biscuits and even a fabulous French toast. I love breakfast and am always fond of places where I can get it any time of the day.

Country Boy is a Williamson County tradition, upgraded, but still priced sooooooo reasonably. There are plenty of reasons to visit Leipers Fork, but among the newest, is definitely Country Boy.

Watch for this place to be featured in Southern Living before you know I –and lots of other fine Southeast U.S. publications. Come be among the first to experience fine country cooking in a delightful atmosphere.

Country Boy Restaurant
4141 Old Hillsboro Road
(615) 591-4245
Hours: 6 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday – Friday; 7 a.m. – 2 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.

By Vicki Stout

One of my favorite new eateries in the Cool Springs area is Chef Paul’s, a burger, catfish and Cajun restaurant. An offbeat spot with great and inexpensive food.

Diners coming for dinner are served a basket of hot hushpuppies and “Comeback Sauce” -- the latter aptly named ‘cause it will bring you back. The catfish is lightly covered in a seasoned cornmeal mix; it’s not battered as most catfish are. The tartar sauce is homemade and fab. Actually everything is made from scratch here.

The burgers are half-pound Angus beef served on homemade buns. Shrimp, oyster and catfish poboys are served on homemade French bread. Their coleslaw has a unique twist with a witty addition of tomatoes to the mix. The hand cut and seasoned French fries are also finger-lickin’ good; while the baked potato salad is delightfully delicious.

The proprietor, (Chef) Paul Capps is on hand to greet diners both at lunch and dinner. Self-taught, everything in the restaurant is of his own creation. He says his culinary degree comes from the Food Network. He’s a very friendly guy, and one heck of a chef!

Chef Paul’s
4091 Mallory Lane, Suite 130
Phone (615) 791-1004
Hours: Sunday – Thursday, 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.; Friday and Saturday, 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.

By Vicki Stout

Thursday – Sunday, Sept. 10-13. offers a fabulous two for one opportunity. First off, you can tour a newly constructed private estate villa listed on the market for $12.9 million. The Italian villa, dubbed Bella Luce, sits atop a high hill with a commanding view just beyond its infinity pool. One could nearly be in Tuscany.

Add to that, the opportunity to experience a marvelous sculpture show, offering 23 posthumous original bronze sculptures from the Master’s Edition Collection of 72 sculptures by Auguste Rodin.

Since the villa is not furnished, of course, its spacious rooms and grounds should provide a fantastic backdrop for this collection. The exhibition includes some of Rodin’s most famous works such as The Age of Bronze and The Kiss.

This first generation bronze collection is cast from authenticated original plasters and molds executed by Rodin. They are foundered in the traditional method, using original patina and metallurgical information.

The exhibit (and the villa) will be open Sept. 10-13, from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.; tickets are $15 per person and proceeds benefit an area school which serves economically, racially and culturally diverse families.

I toured this villa recently; unbelievable – incredible, really. Both the structure and the grounds are impeccable. Even if you’re not into Rodin, the house tour is worth the $15.

For more info, visit www.jimmyfrankshomes.com and www.dragonfinearts.com.

By Vicki Stout

Labor Day Weekend in Franklin offers everything from marathons to live music. On Sunday, Sept. 6, Leiper’s Fork, an eclectic rural village 10 minutes from downtown Franklin (and one of my favorite places), has a free live jazz concert at Lawnchair Theater – named from needing to pack your own lawn chair or blanket. There’s no seating on the lush green lawn, and the stage is an aged cedar gazebo.

The event is free; plenty of food is available for purchase on site or at any of the three local eateries, Puckett’s Grocery, Twisted Fork (salads, soups, sandwiches) and Country Boy (good Southern food).

The concert starts at 6 p.m. with a warm up act, then at 7 p.m., acclaimed group Billy Adair and The Establishment takes the stage – they’ll be playing songs from the Big Band era.

This evening of entertainment is a slice of Norman Rockwell’s Americana. Come early and browse through a unique collection of shops – everything from antiques to fine art. For more information on this special place, Leiper’s Fork, visit www.LeipersForkVillage.com or www.LeipersForkLife.com.

Happy Labor Day!

By Vicki Stout

Want a chance to be up close and personal with alpacas without having to travel all the way to Peru? High Meadow Alpaca Farm, just a short drive from Franklin, hosts its annual FREE open house Saturday, Sept. 26, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. and on Sunday, Sept. 27, from noon to 3 p.m.

You can hug, pet and love on the sweet alpacas, enjoy knitting demonstrations and even shop a bit. Last year 800 people came to the two-day open house!

The quaint farm is beautiful, and houses 375 alpacas that are even more so. The Alpacas are extremely friendly and very intuitive. Which makes this attraction a great family activity.

High Meadow is in the Leiper’s Fork area, a rural, eclectic village offering antique shops, an art gallery and a trio of great eateries. Enjoy a burger at Puckett’s Grocery, a salad and sandwich at Twisted Fork Café or some good home cooking at Country Boy. Stroll the shops and meet the folks!

For more info on High Meadow, visit www.highmeadowalpacas.net; for more info on Leiper’s Fork, visit www.leipersforkvillage.

Experience the legendary Willie Nelson in concert, outdoors and surrounded by the hollows of Leiper’s Fork Saturday, Oct. 4. For more than 40 years, Willie Nelson has been a national treasure in the American songbook. You’ll love being in a Registered National Historic District as you listen to your Nelson favorites. Leiper's Fork is the area of choice for families wanting a to enjoy country life in Franklin.

For more information, please click here.

By Vicki Stout

One of my favorite eateries, Stoney River Legendary Steaks in Cool Springs, will host a fab St. Francis Wine Dinner Monday, Aug. 24 at 6:30 p.m. The event features a four-course gourmet meal and accompanying wines.

Not only are the food and wines fabulous, so is the price: $55 per person.

The meal begins with Coconut Chicken Curry Bisque with toasted coconut herb crouton paired with St. Francis Chardonnay. Next up is Crab Stuffed Jumbo Shrimp with New Orleans style dirty rice, paired with St. Francis Cabernet Sauvignon. The entrée is a char grilled filet with a green peppercorn demi-glaze served with Southern ratatouille, paired with St. Francis “Old Vines” Zinfandel. For dessert, hand-churned honey ice cream, poached pear wedges drizzled with a pretzel caramel sauce; this is paired with Chandon Brut Classic.

Stoney River pours nice size servings of a variety of wines with each course. The evening is elegant without being fussy. Casual attire is fine. Reservations for the wine dinner are required; seating is limited.

Stoney River Legendary Steaks, a classic American Steak House, is located at 1726 Galleria Boulevard in Cool Springs. For wine dinner inquiries or reservations, call (615) 778-0230 or visit www.StoneyRiver.com

Saturday, August 9, is Patriot Day at the Williamson County Fair. The culmination of this year’s fair is sure to be a day to remember. Veterans and active duty military will be provided free admission and receive recognition of a group of deployed military personnel from Ft. Campbell.

Numerous musical acts will perform all-American numbers throughout the day. The Williamson County Band of talented citizens will perform patriotic tributes at 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. Both the TuneTown Show Chorus and The Music City Chorus will perform at 7 p.m.

There are three specific events to make the extra effort to see Friday. Wherever you are at 1 p.m., look up in the sky and you’ll see the 118th Air Wing, Tennessee Air National Guard Fly Over. Hopefully, you’ll be at the Open Arm Wrestling Tournament watching men and women test their strength. All proceeds benefit veterans at the Ft. Campbell Fisher House. Be sure to catch the Nightly Fireworks at 9 p.m. It will be easy; the fireworks can bee seen from all of the fair locations.

When: August 1, 2008—August 9, 2008
Where: Williamson County Ag Expo Park

For more information, please click here.