Tag Archives: Bob Whetsel

Knox Heritage names Mike Hatcher and Tim Hill ‘Preservationists of the Year’ at packed soiree

Mike Hatcher and Tim Hill, who founded Hatcher-Hill Properties in 2004, were named Preservationists of the Year last month during the Scruffy City Soiree, a popular annual fundraiser sponsored by Knox Heritage. Over the years, Hatcher-Hill has been responsible for … Continue reading

Filed under: Events, Historic preservation, Politics | 6 Comments

Friends gather downtown to support Lynne Fugate

When you look up “community service” in the dictionary, there should be a photograph of Lynne Fugate. The incumbent City Council member, seeking re-election to her second term in At-Large Seat A, already had served two terms on the Knox … Continue reading

Filed under: Downtown, Events, Knoxville, Politics | 3 Comments

A retirement that’s hard to celebrate; but we tried!

Downtowners — residents and business owners — attended a festive party at Radius Rooftop Lounge recently to celebrate Rick Emmett’s retirement from his position as downtown coordinator for the City of Knoxville. But I think I speak for everyone when … Continue reading

Filed under: Downtown | 8 Comments

Green Thumb Gala: a blend of music, art and fun!

The Green Thumb Gala, in its 13th year, was a wonderful blend of fundraising, art and compelling music that reflected the culture of the East Knoxville location of its beneficiary, the Knoxville Botanical Garden and Arboretum. From the smooth jazz … Continue reading

Filed under: Events | 6 Comments

‘We are going to be dreaming big.’

That’s what just-hired UT-Knoxville Chancellor Donde Plowman announced recently at a community reception held in her honor at the beautiful new Student Union on the University of Tennessee campus. The reception, sponsored by Pilot Flying J, Cherokee Distributing Company, The … Continue reading

Filed under: Business, Knoxville | 4 Comments

A light goes out in Knoxville, but look for the signs

I was at a Knox County Commission meeting last week when I began receiving worried text messages and, ultimately, a phone call with the news about the incomparable Mickey Mallonee’s passing. Mickey has been a wonderful part of my and … Continue reading

Filed under: Events, Knoxville, Public Relations | 20 Comments

Twilight in the garden of good and evil

The last of Knox Heritage’s fun “Summer Suppers” was one of the year’s best! And it was held in one of the most historic places in Knoxville — Old Gray Cemetery on Broadway. Established in 1850, Old Gray contains the … Continue reading

Filed under: Events, Historic preservation, Knoxville | 8 Comments

Historic preservation with a Polish twist (and pierogies!)

Pierogies, borscht, cabbage. Ah, the food of Poland. And vodka, of course. Potato vodka. Forty folks shelled out $170 each for these delicacies last week, along with a chance to dine at the Sequoyah Hills home of former Ambassador to … Continue reading

Filed under: Art, Events, Food, Historic preservation, Knoxville | 10 Comments

A Big Orange welcome for new athletics director

More than 200 community and business leaders gathered at the Knoxville Convention Center last week to be utterly charmed by the University of Tennessee’s new athletics director, John Currie. For his part, Currie seemed equally enamored with Knoxville.

Filed under: Business, Downtown, Events, Food, Knoxville, Uncategorized, UT sports | 10 Comments

Secret garden steeped in Knoxville ‘her-story’

The folks at the Knoxville Botanical Garden and Arboretum put together a touching and creative tribute to two special Knoxville women recently. During its popular annual Green Thumb Gala fundraiser, the garden unveiled a real “secret garden” created in honor … Continue reading

Filed under: Events, Historic preservation, Knoxville | 13 Comments