Southern Summer’s Night lights path to hope

Hosts Rick Fox, left, and Ralph Cianelli.

Hosts Rick Fox, left, and Ralph Cianelli.

For 20 years, Covenant Health’s Hope Center has been benefiting people and families coping with AIDS and HIV. For 14 of those years, Rick Fox and Ralph Cianelli have been throwing a huge fundraising party in the middle of summer to benefit it.

That’s important because there is no charge to anyone that the Hope Center serves. Inpatients, outpatients, people relocating to this area or newly diagnosed individuals can find at the Hope Center a safe, non-stigmatizing place to feel encouraged and valued.  Visits to the Hope Center, located off Middlebrook Pike in West Knoxville, are made by patients, physicians, staff, community hospitals and various agencies.

The Southern Summer’s Night party – held at the historic mansion known as Middlebrook – features food and drink, of course, as well as silent and live auctions. There always is great entertainment, this year by Taber Gable and his quartet. Gable is a graduate of Knoxville’s Joy of Music School and a talented jazz keyboardist.

(Disclosure: Moxley Carmichael represents Covenant Health.)

From left, Tony Spezia, CEO emeritus of Covenant Health; News Sentinel publisher Patrick Birmingham; and Alan Carmichael, president of Moxley Carmichael (and my husband).

From left, Tony Spezia, CEO emeritus of Covenant Health; News Sentinel publisher Patrick Birmingham; and Alan Carmichael, president of Moxley Carmichael (and my husband).

Mayor Madeline Rogero with her husband, Gene Monaco, center, and John Sherrill.

Mayor Madeline Rogero with her husband, Gene Monaco, center, and John Sherrill.

Sussan Arbital always dresses to match the event's invitation, which this year featured a rainbow!

Susan Arbital always dresses to match the event’s invitation, which this year featured a rainbow!

Hallerin Hill and Sheila Gordon. Hallerin sang a few songs later in the evening.

Hallerin Hilton Hill and Sheila Gordon. Hallerin sang a few songs later in the evening.

Sara and Ben Pinnell.

Sara and Ben Pinnell.

Dr. Les and Susan Cunningham.

Dr. Les and Susan Cunningham.

Madge and Barry Cleveland.

Madge and Barry Cleveland.

From left, Brian Davison, Frank Munger, Dan McGehee, and Lon Weaks.

From left, Brian Davison, Frank Munger, Dan McGehee, and Lon Weaks.

From left, Covenant's Gary Young with Wolfgang Schaber and Kevin Wright.

From left, Covenant’s Gary Young with Wolfgang Schaber and Kevin Wright.

From left, Bart Weaver, Larry Bouldin and Jim Landreth.

From left, Bart Weaver, Larry Bouldin and Jim Landreth.

Bill and Ginny Morrow. She's with Covenant Health.

Bill and Ginny Morrow. She’s with Covenant Health.

Spencer and Teresa Gross. She's with Covenant Health.

Spencer and Teresa Gross. She’s with Covenant Health.

John and Amy Gibson.

John and Amy Gibson.

Tom Jester and Jenny Hines.

Tom Jester and Jenny Hines.

Gordon and Ellen Fowler.

Gordon and Ellen Fowler.

Michael and Elizabeth Grant.

Michael and Elizabeth Grant.

Jim Harness, left, and Ricky Kennedy.

Jim Harness, left, and Ricky Kennedy.

Bobby Brown, left, and Todd Richesin.

Bobby Brown, left, and Todd Richesin.

From left, Greg, Peggy and Joe Wilson.

From left, Greg, Peggy and Joe Wilson.

From left, Nathan Rothchild, Ron Lee, Sam Maynard and Jeffrey Taylor.

From left, Nathan Rothchild, Ron Lee, Sam Maynard and Jeffrey Taylor.

As it started to get dark, some pink lights came on. Here are Tasha Blakney and Michael Rodgers.

As it started to get dark, some pink lights came on. Here are Tasha Blakney and Michael Rogers.

The crowd settled down.

The crowd settled down.

Hallerin Hilton Hill was in fine form when he took the stage.

Hallerin Hilton Hill dazzles them at Southern Summer’s Night.

A video posted by @cmmoxley on

Frank Graffeo, executive director of the Joy of Music School, introduced Taber Gable, a former student there.

Frank Graffeo, executive director of The Joy of Music School, introduced Taber Gable, a former student there.

Taber Gable.

Taber Gable.

Jennifer and Greg Dunn were among the first on the dance floor.

Jennifer and Greg Dunn were among the first on the dance floor.

Bear Stephenson, left, and Dino Cartwright led a successful live auction.

Bear Stephenson, left, and Dino Cartwright led a successful live auction.

And the evening ended in fireworks.

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3 Responses to Southern Summer’s Night lights path to hope

  1. Jackie Wilson, on June 29th, 2016 at 3:01 pm said:

    Always my favorite party of the year. Thank you Rick and Ralph for hosting a great event for a great cause.

  2. Cynthia Moxley, on June 29th, 2016 at 3:10 pm said:

    Darn it, Jackie, I didn’t get your picture!

  3. Gay Lyons, on July 7th, 2016 at 4:54 pm said:

    Hated to have to miss it this year. Always a great time!

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