HAM CHAMPS

Decorating Outside the Box

The Twelve Days of Christmas
OurHome
Holidays
2012 EDITION
Published by THE LEBANON DEMOCRAT
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OURHOME
Holidays
2012
3rd Edition
Published by
The Lebanon Democrat
402 N. Cumberland Street
Lebanon, Tennessee
Publisher
Joseph H. Adams
Director of Content
Jared Felkins
Advertising Director
Roger Wells
Marketing Specialists
Jackie Brown
Blair Churchman
Traci Walker
Art Director
Mark Rodgers
Assistant Graphic Designer
Pam Wingett
Contributing Writers
Laurie Everett
Mary Hinds
Kimberly Jordan
Photography
George Page
PUBLISHED LOCALLY
Our Home Wilson County, published annually by The
Lebanon Democrat, is distributed through the circu-
lation of The Lebanon Democrat, a newspaper with a
readership of more than 39,000 daily, the Lebanon-
Wilson County Chamber of Commerce, the Wilson
County Joint Economic and Community Development
Board, and Middle Tennessee Electric Membership
Cooperative. The magazine is also provided to partic-
ipating advertisers and is placed in local businesses
and professional offices.
Cover Photo by George Page
Scott Dabbs took over Ed Rice, Jr's. ham
store a few years back. In addition to selling
thousands of hams during the holiday
season, the little country store offers up
jams, jellies, biscuit mixes and cured bacon.
Ed Rices
Christmas
Morning
Red Eye Gravy
Use the juices left in the skillet
after frying the ham.
Heat until the juices smoke.
Add about 3 ounces of water for
every three slices of ham.
Before liquid boils, remove to a
serving bowl.
A good "Tennessee country ham"
will make red eye gravy without
adding coffee.
To order a country ham,
email tnhamman@aol.com
or call 615-758-2362.
Rice's Country Ham store is at
12217 Lebanon Road in Mt. Juliet.
O U R H O M E H O L I D AY S 2 0 1 2 3
There's a comfortable silence between the two
men as they stand shoulder to shoulder in the crick-
ety smokehouse filled with thousands of hams
hanging heavy at the end of the "summer
sweat." The sweet, smoky smell of the aged hams
pervades the building as Ed Rice, Jr. and his son-in-
law Scott Dabbs check the progress of the 10-month
curing process. In a few short weeks, Scott will start
to haul the hams out of the smokehouse and into
Rice's Ham Store situated just a lot away.
And, by Dec. 31, all 5,000 hams now hanging
eight deep from the rafters to shoulder level will
be sold.
Curing champion hams is a generational thing
Story by
LAURIE EVERETT
Photos by
GEORGE PAGE
Ham
CHAMPS
A tradition of excellence
comes full circle
(above) Scott Dabbs, on the right,
and his father-in-law Ed Rice, Jr.
showcase their award winning
hams. The two have swept the
county and state for years in
smoked ham competitions. Rices
Hams Smokehouse has been in
Wilson County since 1933. (right)
Back in the day Ed Rice Sr. shows
off his award winning country ham.
4 O U R H O M E H O L I D AY S 2 0 1 2
with the Rice family, and
the tradition of excellence
met a milestone late sum-
mer when Ed's grand-
daughter Brice won grand
champion ham at the Wil-
son County Fair. She's just
13 years old and the fourth
generation to learn the art
of slow curing hams and
bacon. This award-winning
ham now hangs from a peg
on a cross beam in the
ancient store, alongside
other hams that were cured
exactly the same way.
Last year, two top
hams cured by this family
team snagged awards as
well. Ed is considered a top
expert in the dying art of
slow-cured hams, made
perfect by "Mother Nature
and Father Time."
"My father started cur-
ing country hams in his
backyard smokehouse," said
Ed. "I've been carrying on
the tradition since 1981.
Our country hams can be
bought online and at my
dad's country store."
The Rices have been
curing hams for more than
half a century. Ed's great-
grandfather bought the
little country store in 1910,
and it still showcases the
hams. It's situated at the
corner of Nonaville and
Lebanon roads in Mt. Juli-
et. Built in 1886, it looks
today much like it did back
then with its creaky wood
floors and tin roof. The
store is a local landmark
and point of destination for
folks from all over the U.S.
Ed's father began cur-
ing hams out of necessity in
the early 1950s when his
grocery business faltered.
Ed carried the tradition on
with pride. When he hand-
ed the business over to his
daughter Ginny and Scott
nine years ago. They vowed
they would not change a thing.
And because Ed spent close to 15
years teaching his son-in-law how to
cure award-winning hams, there's no
rivalry when it comes to whose entry
captured best in the state. In fact, Ed
just grins when he reveals one of his
hams competed against Dabbs' at the
state fair two years ago, and he was
beat out. His ham was in the final
three, up against Dabbs' the man
Rice trusted to hand his business over
to in 2003.
"He beat me," Ed said with a
smile. "It was the first time I got beat
by my son-in-law. But, it makes me
feel good being beat by someone who's
carrying on our family tradition."
And besides, Ed has captured the
state fair's grand champion ham rib-
bon countless times before, as well as
hundreds of other first-place distinc-
tions throughout the years. He figures
this is the way it should be, and he
could not have planned it any better.
"Scott and Brice make me
proud," he said while looking at the
Just like it looks today, back in 1933 the Ham Store supplied the community with hams cured the
old fashioned way.
Ed Rice Jr. stands in front of the store his father founded in 1933. Now the fourth generation is curing
award-winning country hams.
blue ribbon wrapped around Brice's
ham."It's a tradition we've had for
years, carried forward. It's about the way
Scott has taken over with such quality
and great customer relationships. The
way they do business is first class."
Ed said if Scott and Brice had never
won a blue ribbon at a ham competition,
he'd be just as proud, because of the way
Scott and Ginny treat their customers.
"That makes me feel as good as it
does himgetting best at the state fair," Ed
said.
Though humble, Dabbs said he's
"extremely" proud he and Brice have
cured award winning hams just like Ed.
He laughed when he explained, yes, he
does feel a bit of of pressure to continue
the award winning tradition of curing
hams.
"Yep," he said. "The pressure's
on. I'mnot going to be the one who loses.
No way."
Ed said curing hams is a dying art.
"Most hams are quick cured and pro-
duced in 77 days. Ours cure for more
than 10 months."
Scott said he's learned everything he
knows fromEd and is still learning some-
thing new about the process each day.
"It's all about carrying the tradition
forward,'" he said. "We haven't changed
a thing. I've been doing this 15 years
now. I don't think you are a real ham
curer until you place in a competition. I'm doing
things Ed's dad taught him years ago. I finally feel
like I'm catching on to what we do. I feel like I'm a
real ham curer now."
While they've always sold bacon, this year there
are several new types thrown in the mix.
"We have hickory, pepper, maplewood smoked
and sun-dried tomato," said Ginny.
There's no secret to this family's award-winning
success. It's simply done the old-fashioned way with
no shortcuts. Long-cured hams have the most fla-
vor, with a richer texture.
"It's an art," Ed said. "Not too many people take
the time these days.
According to the two gentleman, the prize-win-
ning hams won't be put under lock and key, but
rather sold along with the others and, not to any-
one in particular. They said all the hams out of the
smokehouse are "champion" hams.
"It's just that they were pulled out and shined
up," Ed said. "It's like making a show horse out of a
regular horse. Clean them up and make 'em pretty."
So, they said, all their customers will get their
hands on a champion ham.
"The reason people come here and order from
all over the county is because we do it the old-fash-
ioned way," said Scott. "We sell out every year."
And while Scott and his wife have taken over
the reins of the family business, no doubt Ed will be
at the store more often this season.
"Yeah, Scott now smokes the hams," Ed said.
"And I blow the smoke." A
Thank you
for voting us
#1 dentist in
Wilson County!
Dr. Teresa Larkins & Staff
1037 W. Main St. Suite E
Lebanon, TN 444-3932
Brice Dabbs won first place at the Wilson County Fair for her cured country ham this summer. Her
father, Scott, taught her the process.
O U R H O M E H O L I D AY S 2 0 1 2 5
6 O U R H O M E H O L I D AY S 2 0 1 2
It's never too soon to start preparing for
Christmas, especially if you are one of those
people who pull out all the stops to decorate
for the season. Locally and nationally there
are new trends in decorating, and some old
favorites that never go out of style.
Artificial trees
In a time when more and more people,
especially children, are allergic to real
Christmas trees, one item that is a big seller
every Christmas is artificial trees. These
trees have come a long way and their new,
better appearance has made themmore pop-
ular than ever. When buying a real, cut tree
becomes more expensive each year, invest-
ing in an artificial tree that will last for years
is a sound investment. Not to mention the
new LED lights that are on pre-lit trees that
are much safer. They also have the advan-
tage of easy clean up assuring holiday
revelers they won't be finding pine needles
in their carpets in July.
"We got a full selection of artificial trees
and we already have them decorated," said
K-Mart Manager Neal Crowell. "Some trees
are pre-lit and some not."
He agreed artificial trees aren't what they
used to be.
"The manufacturers have been able to
make them more life-like," he said. "It's
not the typical old-time artificial tree.
They look good."
At Home Depot, the store has coordinat-
ed decor for your tree and your home that
take the guess work out of decorating.
"We have the Martha Stewart line that
has logos on the boxes so you can match the
icons," said Assistant Store Manager Wes
Muncil.
He said the artificial trees come in a
wide price range and are more big sellers
each year.
"Artificial trees are very popular,"
Muncil confirmed.
Inflatables and more
Another popular item for full on decora-
tors are inflatable decorations. They range in
size from somethings small to put on the
front lawn, to ones big enough to awe the
neighbors. Decorators can find Santa,
Rudolph, elves or even the Grinch to make
their yards unique. You can even find inflat-
able Santas, complete with a sleigh and
reindeer to go on the roof. When combined
with Christmas lights your lawn can look
like Santa's workshop.
"We have Santa, Mickey Mouse and all
the typical lawn ornaments and decorations.
We even have reindeer whose heads move,"
Crowell said.
Crowell noted that his store is nearly
ready for Christmas for all those early
shoppers.
"All the decorations are out except the
For Christmas
Decorations
Think Outside
the Box
Story by
MARY HINDS
O U R H O M E H O L I D AY S 2 0 1 2 7
Christmas candles which will be done right after Hal-
loween," he said. "Some people see decorations and
they have a theme in mind and won't wait till the last
minute."
Unique color schemes
Everyone thinks of Christmas as a time when red,
green and gold are the colors of the season. But it's
time to think outside the box and use your imagina-
tion to let other color schemes and decoration ideas
brighten the season.
Experts suggest that if you want to give your
Christmas decorations a jump start this year, skip red
and green and explore newcolor schemes when dress-
ing up your table, decorating your tree, or putting up
other holiday decorations. The choices are endless to
create a holiday look that is unique.
One way to liven up your holiday decor is to think
pink. That's rightpink for Christmas. Pink com-
bined with gold, along with touches of lavender, white,
and silver make a striking color palette that will catch
the eye. You can use these colors when creating your
tablescape, wrapping gifts, and even decorating your Christ-
mas tree.
Another choice is silver and blue. This holiday dcor has
a wintry appeal that is understated and beautiful. The tree is
decorated with soft white, cool blue, and shiny silver. White
furniture, and artwork sets off this holiday look. Of course,
the packages are wrapped to match the color scheme as well,
allowing you to save your Santa wrap for next year.
Not an obvious choice, violet and green gives a newtwist
on the traditional red and green color scheme. It's a little
more regal and sophisticated. To make a unique wreath,
head to your local craft store for ball ornaments, silk flowers,
and green faux foliage. You can easily attach the items to a
foam wreath with floral picks. Also, use violet tablecloths
and napkins, create a centerpiece for your table with violet
flowers and add touches of silver to finish off the look.
Are you dreaming of a white Christmas? White and
turquoise can make those dreams come true with this cool,
wintery color scheme. This combo can look a little too cool,
so it's a good idea to add an accent color that really pops
like turquoise or fuchsia. This modern color palette will
certainly brighten up your home this holiday season.
It's hard to believe, but neutrals can also make your hol-
iday home stand out in the crowd. Sounds boring right? This
holiday palette features brown, beige, cream, grey-green, and
silver.
Change more than color
Unique decorating for Santa's big day can mean more
than just changing your color scheme. Using vintage pieces
can spice up your decor as well.
Ablending of old and newis always preferred when dec-
orating your home for the holidays. This season, add vintage
pieces that have been handed down in your family for gen-
erationsor fake it by purchasing items from the flea
market or antique shops. Vintage ornaments, wall hangings,
clocks, figurines, and other items can add some unique
charm to your home during the holidays.
Another trend is using big, oversized ornaments on your
tree and around your home. In the past, the trend was to dec-
orate your tree with lots of very small ornaments. Now
things have swung in the completely opposite direction.
This year, think big! Hang several very large bulbs on your
tree, skip the tinsel and keep the rest of your tree decorations
to a minimum. Voluminous Christmas ornaments that are
8 inches in diameter or more are your best betthe bigger
the better.
Using items with rich textures can allow you to add
a personal touch to your decor. When decorating your
home this holiday season, don't forget to dress up your
couches, chairs, and other furniture. Add throws and pil-
lows and slip in colors with rich textures such as velvet,
suede, and faux fur.
Regardless of how you choose to decorate for Christ-
mas, the most important thing is that you and yours
enjoy the holiday. A
metro creative connection
For more information
call 615-443-7929
or drop in for a visit at
900 Coles Ferry Pike
in Lebanon
Southern Manor Living Center
invites you to schedule a tour and enjoy
our gourmet ne dining with homemade
desserts served hot and fresh every day.
Call Jennifer Bradshaw or Betty Trammel
at (615) 443-7929 to schedule a tour.
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8 O U R H O M E H O L I D AY S 2 0 1 2
Most have heard the
timeless Christmas carol,
The 12 Days of Christmas.
If youve ever wondered how
much money True Love
would shell out to buy all of
those lovely presents, here is
a list of what those items
would cost today if he
shopped (mostly) in Wilson
County.
There are a fewitems on
the list that are not readily
available in these parts, so
True Love would have to be
a little bit creative.
True Love would be spending
$106,952.72 to buy every itemlisted in
the famous carol.
A partridge in a pear tree
Moss Florist in Mt. Juliet offers a
topiary keepsake featuring the first
item on True Loves list. Brenda
Moss, wife of shop owner Hale Moss,
said the keepsake costs $75. So buy-
ing the 12 which the song calls for
would be $900.
Two turtledoves
PetSmart in Mt. Juliet says while they
do not carry doves, True Love could
buy Spice Finches for $18.69 each.
For 22 of the finches to cover the 11
days required, True Love would be
set back $411.18.
Three French hens
At the time of this writing, hens
were not available for purchase in
local grocery stores, so if True Love
wanted to do a little early shopping,
hens can be ordered online for any-
where from $3-$8. Using the
high-end figure, 30 small hens
would total $240.
Four calling birds
PetSmart sells parakeets for $19.99
apiece a grand total of $719.64
would be added to True Loves tab
for the requisite 36 fowl.
Five golden rings
As the price of gold has risen recent-
ly, Coxs Jewelry reports that the
store has simple golden bands for
between $500-$600. The cost of 40
rings, five each day for the final eight
days in the song, calculating on the
high side, the bling would cost
$24,000.
Six geese-a-laying.
If True Love knew of a Wilson Coun-
ty farmer who sold geese, then he
could probably wrangle a
decent price for the Canadi-
an breed of the fine
feathered animal. But if this
was not the case, individual
birds are selling for $41.95
online. At this price, the 42
feathered friends for his
sweetheart would cost
$1,761.90.
Seven swans-a-swimming
As if all of the other birds werent
enough to make True Loves signifi-
cant other go bonkers from all the
myriads of calls that would be ringing
through the house, having swans-a-
swimming in the living room would
rather complicate things. In Wilson
County, there is a shortage of live
swans, so True Love would be spring-
ing for the next best thing - electrical
swans such as the display featured in
the annual Festival of Lights at the
Ward Ag Center.
Through a partnership with the Wil-
son County Fair Board, the Chamber
of Commerce secured a brand new
fixture for the annual light display
that will feature all seven majestic
creatures in what is being called the
Fountain of Life. The large fixture
cost a whopping $10,000, setting
True Love back $60,000 for the final
six days of Christmas.
Eight maids-a-milking
The maids-a-milking, the only
unskilled labor in the song, would gar-
ner minimum wage for each of their
days milking cows for True Loves
love. Assuming each maid will be
working an eight hour day, they
would each grab $58 per day. This
means True Love would dish out $464
per day to cover the entire group. The
total bill for all eight maids laboring
the final five days of Christmas would
cost True Love $2,320.
Twelve Days of Christmas
by KIMBERLY JORDAN
Nine ladies dancing
True Love could entertain his sweet-
heart with the local talent of students
at the Rockstar Academy of Dance in
Mt. Juliet. To have nine of these
young ladies perform for his signifi-
cant other, True Love would spend
$100 per dancer or $900 for each per-
formance. Four days of performances
at $900 would total $3,600.
Ten lords-a-leaping
Since there are no true lords in Wil-
son County, we do have the members
of our County Commission who are
responsible for creating the laws and
voting on the well-being of our com-
munities. Sometimes, when issues are
hotly contested, these civil servants
will leap to their feet in defense or
opposition of various proposals. These
individuals receive $400 per month to
serve on the governing body, so hiring
10 of themto leap in the living room
bears an expense of $4,000. True Love
would be shelling out $12,000 to cover
the lords for the final three days of
the holiday season.
Eleven pipers piping
and 12 drummers drumming
On the final day of Christmas, True
Love can satisfy his gift giving plea-
sure and also do a good deed. The
Lebanon High School Band will per-
form for a donation to the band
program. The typical donation for a
band performance is between $250-
$500. If you consider the $250 figure
for the pipers piping and the $500
donation for the drummers drum-
ming, you would have a grand total of
$1,000 for the two two pipers perfor-
mances and the drum exhibition. A
would like to wish
all of the citizens of
Wilson County
an Exceptional
Holiday Season.
and
A
A
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