Want to surprise a reluctant honoree? Try this!

Posted on January 14, 2025 by Cynthia Moxley

What party? From left, front, Dan Hamilton, Dawn Ford, Robin Gibson; behind them, Jeannie Dulaney; coming in door, Diana Condon.

If you read this blog very often, you know that one of my best friends is Dawn Ford. And her husband is one of my husband’s best friends. We go back forever. We travel together. We are in clubs and organizations together. In short, I want to make her happy.

And she was quite clear about one thing recently. Although she had a birthday last month, she did NOT want a party. She ESPECIALLY did not want a surprise party. If she said it once, she said it a hundred times — not just to me, but to all her family and friends. I reluctantly agreed. She would not have to worry about me!

Her son (and only child), Christopher, agreed, too. At least he SAID he agreed.

But a few weeks before her birthday, he gave me a call. “We are going to have a party,” he said. “And I need your help with the guest list. Who’s in that movie club you all have? I need their contact info.”

“Oh, no!” I told him. “She will kill you. And if I help you, she will kill me, too!”

“Don’t worry about it,” he said. “It’s gonna happen. Send me that list.”

“If I do it and she gets mad, you have to take full responsibility,” I said. But I was really worried.

“It’s on me,” he assured me. “I have a plan.” Continue reading →

Filed under: Knoxville | 8 Comments

KSO’s 90th year: historic violin, nine world premieres

Posted on January 10, 2025 by Cynthia Moxley

Knoxville Symphony Board President Rick Fox, right, and his partner, Ralph Cianelli, show the violin his late great-aunt used to take lessons from the KSO’s founder in the early 1900s. The violin has been in the attic of Fox’s home, The Middlebrook, for 75 years.

As the Knoxville Symphony Orchestra prepares to celebrate its 90th anniversary this year, its board president, Rick Fox, has donated to the group a violin that his late great-aunt used to take lessons from the KSO’s founder, Bertha Walbern Clark.

And, although the 2025-2026 lineup of performances has not yet been unveiled, Music Director Aram Demirjian has announced an ambitious program called “Nine for Ninety,” whereby the season will include nine specially commissioned world premieres.

The nine new pieces will be spread out among four of the KSO’s various lineups: the Masterworks, Chamber, Q-Series, and Concertmaster series. Additionally, one commission will be for the Knoxville Symphony Youth Orchestra.

The violin, which belonged to Faye Howard Ballew, was presented to Rachel Ford, the Symphony’s executive director, during the board and staff’s annual holiday party last month, which was held at Fox’s historic home, The Middlebrook.

“The KSO is excited to have this historic violin added to its collection,” Ford said. “Already possessing Bertha Walburn Clark’s viola and the batons she used to conduct the KSO, we now have an instrument that she was connected to via her teaching career which significantly impacted many students throughout Knoxville. Many thanks to Rick for his generosity and bringing this violin ‘home.'” Continue reading →

Filed under: Historic preservation, Knoxville, Music | 4 Comments

Popular “Artsclamation!” moving to downtown Knoxville

Posted on January 8, 2025 by Cynthia Moxley

Muffett Testerman Buckner displays a purchase at Artsclamation! fundraiser.

The latest Artsclamation! fundraiser benefiting Covenant Health‘s Peninsula mental health programs has come and gone. But there’s news for the next Artsclamation: It’s moving to downtown Knoxville!

After a two-decade run being held most often at Sacred Heart Cathedral‘s parish hall in Bearden, the December 2025 event is scheduled to be at The Standard, located at 416 W. Jackson Avenue.

Over the past 22 years, the juried art sale has raised more than $2 million toward Peninsula’s mission of helping thousands of East Tennesseans recover from disorders and dependencies. Peninsula is a 155-bed facility providing inpatient mental health services to adults, adolescents, and children. It also offers several outpatient mental health services, including Peninsula Lighthouse, which offers drug and alcohol recovery programs.

Tyler Janow, the volunteer chair of the event, said organizers are grateful for the church providing a home for Artsclamation! all these years, but the affair has outgrown the space. “Moving to The Standard will not only allow us to capitalize on the exciting holiday events downtown — like the Christmas parade, which will share the date with Artsclamation’s  private preview — but it will allow us to showcase more regional artists than ever before,” he said. Continue reading →

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If New Year’s Eve is any indication, 2025 will be great!

Posted on January 2, 2025 by Cynthia Moxley

Hancen Sale, left, kind of shows you the mood of the packed house at J.C. Holdway at midnight on Tuesday.

J.C. Holdway, Knoxville’s only restaurant owned by a James Beard Award-winning chef, is great on any day, of course. But Chef Joseph Lenn‘s eatery really excels when it comes to making special occasions even more special! And what’s more special than New Year’s Eve?

This past Tuesday, in honor of the holiday, J.C. Holdway offered a five-course gourmet dinner with optional wine pairings selected by Chef Lenn and sommelier Jason Drotar. The prix fixe menu ($215 per person) sold out long before doors opened for the last day of 2024. And folks came in a mood to party! Continue reading →

Filed under: Downtown, Food, Knoxville | 6 Comments

Fete salutes innovation at Mercedes — and United Way

Posted on December 19, 2024 by Cynthia Moxley

Lee Ann Furrow Tolsma, president of Mercedes-Benz of Knoxville and Furrow Automotive Group, welcomes guests to the Tocqueville Society dinner that she and her husband, John, hosted at the dealership recently on behalf of United Way of Greater Knoxville.

What does Mercedes-Benz of Knoxville have in common with the United Way? Turns out to be a lot more than you might think. Both organizations, it seems, are using innovation to maximize their results.

The two concerns recently came together to celebrate that connection when Mercedes-Benz of Knoxville hosted the annual Tocqueville Society dinner honoring those who have most generously supported the United Way of Greater Knoxville. Lee Ann Furrow Tolsma, the president of Furrow Automotive Group and Mercedez-Benz of Knoxville is co-chair of this year’s United Way campaign along with her husband, John Tolsma.

Both greeted guests at the dinner and thanked them for their support of one of Knoxville’s premier non-profits. “When you give money to United Way, you are giving to an agency that uses technology to improve what they do,” John Tolsma said. “Sync up and step up!” Tolsma urged. Continue reading →

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21 years of cookies means happy holidays!

Posted on December 13, 2024 by Cynthia Moxley

Jennifer Holder at the cookie exchange last Sunday.

For 21 years, a group of friends — many of them original members — have been participating in a December cookie exchange. Every year we say the cookies are the best ones ever. But — I swear! — this year they really were!

The exchange, held at our condo in the J.C. Penney Building on Gay Street in downtown Knoxville, has found its groove. It’s efficient and fun. It’s a great gathering time, but it also doesn’t occupy the entire day in an extremely busy time of year.

We start at noon and mingle for an hour as folks bring in their platters of cookies and find a place for them on the dining room table. Lunch, normally a selection of salads, is served at 1 p.m. And then the cookies are swapped. The whole thing is over by 2:30. And everyone has cookies to serve at home or take to other holiday gatherings. A win on all fronts.

We recommend that everyone start this festive little tradition. Because, as my favorite cookbook author Ina Garten says, “You can be miserable before you have a cookie and you can be miserable after you have a cookie. But you can never be miserable while you are eating a cookie!” Continue reading →

Filed under: Events, Food | 8 Comments

Merry Christmas from the 18th century!

Posted on December 6, 2024 by Cynthia Moxley

Blount Mansion long-time supporter Dorothy Stair with the historic home’s executive director, David Hearnes.

Two historic homes in downtown Knoxville held holiday open houses last night and it sure was fun — even from a 21st century perspective!

James White’s Fort, at 205 E. Hill Ave., and Blount Mansion, at 200 W. Hill Ave., welcomed guests with great food, libations, and an interesting mix of people and history.

James White’s Fort is called “the birthplace of Knoxville.”

Founded in 1786, the Fort is one of the most visited historical sites in Knoxville. It is a museum home highlighted by the original residence of James White, the founder of Knoxville.

Blount Mansion, just a block to the west, was built circa 1792. It was home to U.S. Constitution signer William Blount, who was appointed by President George Washington to govern the Southwest Territory, which Blount shepherded into admission to the union as America’s sixteenth state, Tennessee.

In addition to a family home, this wood frame dwelling also served as the territorial capital. Blount Mansion is Knoxville’s only National Historic Landmark and the city’s oldest operating museum, opening in 1926.

Let’s party! Continue reading →

Filed under: Events, Historic preservation, Knoxville | 4 Comments

Animals win as Young-Williams celebrates 20 years!

Posted on November 25, 2024 by Cynthia Moxley

Guest Julia Bentley with one of the puppies being offered for adoption during the sweet event.

This was a special month for animals in our community — and their human friends — as Young-Williams Animal Center celebrated its 20th anniversary serving Knoxville and Knox County. In addition, supporters of the official animal shelter came together for the 10th year of the non-profit’s biggest fundraiser, “Cause for Paws.”

If that’s not reason to celebrate, I don’t know what is. Last year, Young-Williams took in more than 10,000 animals and found homes for nearly 7,000 of them. More than 1,700 were successfully reunited with their owners. And Young-Williams collaborated with rescue groups to provide safe haven for hundreds more.

I am very impressed that Young-Williams has maintained its “no kill” status, which requires that more than 90 percent of the animals taken in are saved from being euthanized. Young-Williams’ “save rate” last year was 92.76 percent.

“What a magical evening celebrating 20 years since Young-Williams opened its doors along with our 10th Annual Cause for Paws,” said Janet Testerman, Young-Williams CEO. “It was heartwarming to see so many people having such a fabulous time while bringing their love of animals and commitment to animal welfare in our community to make it our most successful event yet.” Continue reading →

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Jim Haslam: “East Tennessean of the Century!”

Posted on November 15, 2024 by Cynthia Moxley

Jim Haslam speaking after being honored as East Tennessean of the Year by the East Tennessee Historical Society. In addition to discussing the importance of integrity, he made a plea for civility in politics citing a quote from one of his mentors, Howard Baker, Jr., who famously said, “the other guy might be right.” (Photo by Eric Manneschmidt.)

The East Tennessee Historical Society bestowed its “East Tennessean of the Year” award for the tenth time earlier this week and it went to Jim Haslam, a well-known community leader and founder of Pilot Company, headquartered in Knoxville and employing more than 28,000 people nationwide.

In announcing the award, University of Tennessee President Randy Boyd, himself a previous winner, expressed incredulity that Haslam had not received it sooner. “I now declare Jim Haslam the East Tennessean of the century!” Boyd said from the podium to loud applause.

In addition to his business acumen, Haslam and his family are known for their philanthropic support of UT and many other East Tennessee cultural pillars. The James A. Haslam II College of Business at UT was named for him after a landmark $50 million gift. The Haslam Family Foundation has contributed many millions of dollars to community organizations such as the Knoxville Symphony Orchestra, Knoxville Museum of Art, Emerald Youth Foundation and Lakeshore Park.

A winner of the national Horatio Alger Award, Haslam is a member of the board of the Trust Company of Tennessee. He has served as a director of the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, First American Bank, AmSouth Bank, and Appalachian Life Insurance Company. He was a member of the University of Tennessee Board of Trustees for 27 years and has been board chair of the Greater Knoxville Chamber of Commerce, Leadership Knoxville, Webb School of Knoxville, the Public Building Authority, and United Way of Greater Knoxville. Continue reading →

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Garden takes “fall break” to raise funds

Posted on November 6, 2024 by Cynthia Moxley

Local visual artist Susan Watson Arbital likes to dress according to the theme of the events she attends! Last month she appeared as a “fall goddess” in a nod to the event’s “fall” in love with the garden theme! Good job!

It was a packed house — or tent! — last month as the Knoxville Botanical Garden and Arboretum held its 15th annual Green Thumb Gala, the largest fundraiser of the year for the horticultural gem located less than five miles from downtown.

The 47-acre non-profit public garden is on the former site of historic Howell Nursery and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Signature features of the garden, located at 2743 Wimpole Avenue in East Knoxville, include numerous different themed garden areas plus more than two miles of distinctive stone walls, several curious stone roundhouses, and a variety of event spaces. The garden is open free to the public every day, thanks to generous contributions and fundraisers such as the Green Thumb Gala.

The Knoxville Botanical Garden traces its history to the 1780s when it was established with a land grant from a new Untied States of America to David Wessel Howell of Buncombe County, North Carolina, for his “exemplary” service during the American Revolutionary War. Howell planted an orchard, established a family farm and began selling fruits and vegetables to local families and businesses. He also began selling the trees, seeds and small plants settlers heading west needed to begin their own farms and gardens. We are so fortunate his descendants planned for the preservation of the original garden and generously arranged for it to be open to visitors.

Now, let’s look at that party! Continue reading →

Filed under: Events, Historic preservation, Knoxville | 2 Comments