Category Archives: Media

‘Grief is the price we pay for love.’

Although that quote is credited to the late Queen Elizabeth II, last week it rang true here in Knoxville to the many friends of Christy Lee, among whom Alan and I count ourselves. Christy passed away suddenly on July 6 … Continue reading

Filed under: Events, Knoxville, Media | 20 Comments

Kids get shoes, school supplies — and smiles!

About 6,000 people packed Caswell Park on Saturday for the Knoxville Area Urban League’s annual “Shoes for School” event, which provided local children with new shoes and school supplies and connected families with valuable community resources. The back-to-school bash — … Continue reading

Filed under: Downtown, Knoxville, Media | 5 Comments

Tom Jester: ‘Call me when you’re serious.’

Ad man Tom Jester’s business card had a drawing of a jester’s hat on it. The slogan on the card? “Call me when you’re serious.” I always loved that. Jester’s celebration of life was held last week and it was … Continue reading

Filed under: Knoxville, Media | 8 Comments

Susan Packard’s lessons we need to heed

I went to a party last week that was two years in the making. Not because it was so fancy or ornate. Quite the contrary. It was warm and cozy. But, two years ago, when Mary Ellen Brewington heard that … Continue reading

Filed under: Events, Food, Knoxville, Media | 13 Comments

Ken Burns: U.S. needs ‘less pluribus; more unum’

Historian Ken Burns was in Knoxville recently, appearing on behalf of the East Tennessee Historical Society and Lincoln Memorial University’s Duncan School of Law. The $300 per seat dinner at the downtown Hilton featuring Gov. Bill Haslam interviewing Burns was … Continue reading

Filed under: Downtown, Events, Journalism, Knoxville, Media | 4 Comments

Knox chefs shine at Big Ears

Of course, folks came to the Big Ears Festival, held last weekend in downtown Knoxville, for the music. And, this year in particular, for the films and poetry. But we had another great asset on display, as well: our food … Continue reading

Filed under: Art, Downtown, Food, Media, Music | 2 Comments

Cindy McConkey: ‘Playing in the big leagues now’

Cindy McConkey, groundbreaking sportswriter, public relations professional and non-profit manager, passed away at age 58 last month after a four-year battle with biliary liver cancer. An avid athlete and outdoor enthusiast, she commented proudly to her husband just 10 days … Continue reading

Filed under: Journalism, Knoxville, Media, Public Relations | 14 Comments

Blackberry, Lonesome Dove beckon writers to return

It would be foolish not to believe that a huge part of the draw of the annual Southern Food Writing Conference is the chance to have dinner at acclaimed Blackberry Farm in nearby Walland, Tennessee. And this is a mutually … Continue reading

Filed under: Downtown, Events, Food, Journalism, Knoxville, Media | 14 Comments

Food writing conference whets visitors’ appetites

The Southern Food Writing Conference always brings a bevy of heavy hitters in the journalism and cookbook writing world to Knoxville and this year’s conference, held here earlier this month, was no exception. Writers and editors from Better Homes & … Continue reading

Filed under: Downtown, Events, Food, Journalism, Knoxville, Media | 10 Comments

‘The Final Season’ captures essence of Pat Summitt

I was lucky enough to receive one of the first copies of “The Final Season,” the new book about University of Tennessee Women’s Basketball Coach Pat Summitt’s last season coaching the legendary Lady Vols. The early copy was a gift … Continue reading

Filed under: Downtown, Events, Food, Journalism, Knoxville, Media, Public Relations, UT sports | 9 Comments