The Ultimate Southern Gentleman

My father, Dr. Bob Murphy, was the ultimate southern gentleman: gracious, giving, and charming. People loved him not only because he was a doctor who would make house calls at 4 a.m., but also because he cared. There is another southern gentleman and his name is Joe Rowand. Joe is the owner of Somerhill Gallery, a place of beauty that reflects Joe's excellent taste and has been around for 28 years. I met Joe with my Daddy at one of his gracious gallery parties, perhaps 20 years ago. Joe still hosts wonderful gatherings and I am a lucky girl to sometimes be part of the "Joe Team." Yesterday, at his lovely white house on a hill with vistas looking into woods and over an Angus cattle field, we honored the historical Burwell School in Hillsborough. It was "Tomato Sandwiches and Poetry." Jaki Shelton Green was the reader who brought prose to life and tears to this girl's eyes. I provided the tomato sandwiches and with a little white wine, a slight breeze, and lovely guests, it was just about perfect. They stayed and stayed, and maybe some of them are still in the pool!