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!

Over 100 Guests!

On June 10th, at the Hayti Center, my sister Karen and I prepared, on premise, a spread for over 100 guests. Senator Floyd McKissick was honored by People of Faith Against the Death Penalty. The center was filled with clergy and friends celebrating the successful efforts to ensure passage of the North Carolina Racial Justice Act.

For the reception, we made gallons of fresh peach iced tea with mint from my garden, served a cheddar cheese ring filled with hot pepper/cranberry jam, an artichoke/parmesan dip without the usual spinach, but with collard greens instead. There was tortellini with a parsley pesto sauce as well as a marinara sauce, and meatballs with a pineapple sweet and sour chutney. An assortment of pecan wafers and sugar cookies surrounded a basket of fresh strawberries with whipped cream. Herbs from my garden and hand painted wooden platters of sunflowers were the backdrop for a festive late spring celebration.