Lost & Found: Is this tabby yours?

This beautiful tabby cat was found in the Meadowlake neighborhood. Might he (she?) be yours? If you're missing one, email me at brentword@comcast.net and I'll get you in touch with the rescuer.

'Exclusive' club a piece of city history

Iroquois Club still going strong 47 years later

Last year, Larry and I were invited to join the super-secret Iroquois Club. We'd apparently appeared calm, cool and collected enough despite 90-degree temperatures, high humidity and high pressure to pass muster at the annual luau and be voted in.
OK, it's not really super secret and yes, while not just anyone can join, this isn't a hoity-toity, must be in a certain tax-bracket or professional level group by any means.
What is it then? A real piece of Brentwood history, that's what.
In fact, just last weekend, the club celebrated its 47th year in the beautiful Iroquois Estates' backyard of Barbara and Bit Brown. I'm telling you, if my acre looked like theirs, I'd never talk about moving to a Town Center condo and giving it up again. Alas, it doesn't.
Let's get back to the club. Though the city is celebrating its 40th birthday this year, the Iroquois Club formed seven years earlier, in 1962, soon after the first Iroquois Estates' homes were built. In its early years, the neighborhood was home to several well-known country music stars, producers and musicians though I don't think they were club members. We live in the home that Stu Phillips built, right next door to the one Ralph Emery and Skeeter Davis lived in. The list goes on.
Ann and Bob McGowan, who moved to Williamsburg Road in 1963, now reign as the club's king and queen. Jenny and Pat Yokom and Barbara and Bit Brown joined in the late '60s.
Last week, Ann entertained us with a history of the neighborhood and the club. In 1963, when only 28 houses had been built, 13 couples belonged to the club. Better than the history were the tales of parties past.
Let's see. Seems there was a road rally that some members thought would never find a finish line. And a progressive dinner that opened with punch at the home of a liquor-store owner. Apparently the punch had a little more power than anyone except the host knew about. Needless to say, the group was a little late getting to the McGowens for the main course.
Luaus, Mardi Gras and Derby parties, fish fries, square dances, pig roasts and holiday parties have been par for the course over the years. And while some members have moved on to other houses over the years, if they've stayed in the area, all have remained in the club.
You know how I mentioned that the club really isn't so exclusive? I can prove it. The Iroquois Club membership now includes residents of Meadowlake, that "new" subdivision that now adjoins the original one.

Junk, jewels around town Saturday

Happy Friday. We made it. Now, if only the rain will hold off for all the neighborhood yard sales this weekend.

Did you see this listings in today's Tennessean classified section? If you're on the prowl for something, anything, chances are you can find it in Meadowlake, Chestnut Springs, Foxboro, Highland View, or Carondelet subdivisions tomorrow. All are hosting neighborhood-wide sales.
My carport alone is already stuffed with items for the United Methodist Women's Sale being held in conjunction with the Meadowlake one. All proceeds from our sale will go to missions, so come and make a huge donation to the cause and take home a carload of great stuff too.

• Meadowlake and adjoining Iroquois Estates are located directly behind BUMC and Otter Creek Church of Christ, and across Franklin Road from the Brentwood Place (Kroger) shopping center. Official sale hours are 7 a.m.-2 p.m.
• Foxboro's sale opens at 8 a.m. The neighborhood is located off Concord Road just east of Wilson Pike (on the left if heading east on Concord).
• Highland View, located across from Scales Elementary School off Murray Lane, starts at 2 p.m.
• Chestnut Springs is off Concord Road, five miles east of I-65. Turn right into the neighborhood from Concord.
• The residents in Carondelet must feel sleep deprived, as their sale doesn't start until 9 a.m. The good news is it does run until 3, so you might want to hit one or two of the others before heading here. The neighborhood is located off of Wilson Pike between Church Street and Concord Road.

For all of the sales, participating homes will have signs and balloons. And if you find any Picassos or other treasures, let me know so I can blog about it!

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Speaking of Carondelet, one of my favorite Brentwood neighborhoods, I haven't heard back from its infamous Fourth of July coordinator Michelle Lasley on my offer to be corporate sponsor of its annual parade.
Don't you agree "BrentWord presents the Carondelet July 4th Extravaganza" has a nice ring to it? Of course, it would only be fitting if they invited me back as grand marshal. My pearls and gloves are ready and waiting.

A night at the Theatre everyone?
Don't have plans this evening? How about a night at the theater?
Towne Centre Theatre opens Sabrina Fair tonight for a three-week run. This modern-day, well, minus 50 years or so, Cinderella tale has been a film and stage favorite for years. Now we can see it right here in Brentwood.
Curtain time for evening performances is 8 p.m., with matinees at 2:30 p.m.
You can find everything you need to know, including information on auditions this weekend for the theater's next show, Into The Woods, at http://www.townecentretheatre.com/.


Coming soon to BrentWord:

• Citizens for Brentwood Green Space make generous donation to the Brentwood Library in memory of Vance Little. And the library's one spot you can buy the late historian's new book. Details to come.
• An interesting meeting is being planned next Thursday, May 21. Architect Walter Kiskaddon has invited city and county officials, business leaders and owners, and an array of other interested and invested folks to an "introductory meeting" at the Brentwood Cool Springs Chamber's offices to discuss the city's future, specifically the Town Center area. Check back for details, links and more.
• I've heard through the grapevine that Vittles restaurant, the family-friendly restaurant in Merchant's Walk shopping center, may be planning something special for it's seventh anniversary. Always looking for an excuse to eat, I may have to head over for catfish today to get the scoop. Stay tuned for details!