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 →

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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 →

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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 →

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Downtowners give proper welcome to new museum head

Posted on October 31, 2024 by Cynthia Moxley

They seem happy here! This is Anita Hollmann Matijcio and Steven Matijcio on the last stop of our downtown progressive dinner last Saturday. It was taken at The Overlook, where Gay and Bill Lyons live.

Most downtowners I know are art and culture lovers. We go to the Knoxville Symphony and Jazz Orchestra. We go to concerts at the Bijou and Tennessee Theatres. We go to plays at the Clarence Brown Theatre. We patronize all the excellent restaurants in town. And, we go to the Knoxville Museum of Art.

So, it was only natural for the group of us who regularly holds progressive dinners to invite the Museum’s new executive director, Steve Matijcio and his lovely wife, Anita Hollmann Matijcio, to the progressive dinner we held last weekend. They were nice enough to hire a babysitter for their 14-month-old daughter and they trekked from their home in Fountain City to downtown Knoxville to join us! We are so glad they did.

Steven has been on his job at the KMA for about eight months now and they’ve pretty much gotten settled in. Anita, who is an urban planner by profession, might soon be ready to go back to work. So we are so glad we got the opportunity to get to know them better and welcome them to their new hometown. They moved here from Houston, but Steven, who holds dual citizenship in Canada and the U.S. has  lived in places as disparate as New York City, Cincinnati, Winston-Salem, Berlin, South Korea, and Poland. Continue reading →

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Clarence Brown toasts 50th with “Gala to Remember”

Posted on October 25, 2024 by Cynthia Moxley

Award-winning actor Dale Dickey, a Knoxville native and Clarence Brown alum, with Alexander Waters, the current chair of the Clarence Brown Theatre’s Advisory Board.

The Clarence Brown Theatre celebrated its 50th anniversary earlier this month with “A Gala to Remember” at Regas Square Events in downtown Knoxville. Highlight was the return of several alums of the University of Tennessee’s acclaimed theater program who came back to Knoxville for the celebration.

Also at the event were a number of aspiring theater professionals who are studying at UT right now. I’m sure the evening was an inspiration to them, as well as to the throngs of local supporters who showed up to cheer on the program and the hard-working faculty and staff who make our theater program the standout that it is.

Guests were encouraged to wear gold and black in honor of the “golden anniversary,” and most did, adding to the glitter of the evening. Continue reading →

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Marnie Page: a life to be grateful for

Posted on October 21, 2024 by Cynthia Moxley

Marnie and Bob Page in 2016 at the opening of Nest Knoxville on Gay Street.

The Episcopal Church of the Ascension was packed on Sunday with friends of Marnie and Bob Page for one of the most touching memorial services I’ve ever attended. Marnie passed away Oct. 12 after a 10-year battle with Alzheimer’s Disease. She was 77.

Just read Marnie’s obituary (here) and you will see what a charmed life she led — and how she made the most of it. The size of the crowd on Sunday is a testament to her ability to make fast friends throughout her time on earth.

She appeared on the Blue Streak numerous times over the years we have known her and Bob. One of our biggest connections has been through the venerable Coffee Club, founded in Knoxville in the 1930s, of which both Bob and my husband, Alan, are members.

The eulogy Sunday was by Marnie and Bob’s daughter, Allison, who described not only remembrances of her mother, but also scenes of touching moments dealing with Marnie’s decade-long experience with Alzheimer’s.

In her mother’s final hours, Allison said she and her father and sister, Margaret, were in her mother’s room at the skilled nursing facility where she lived. As Marnie’s breathing became labored and they knew that her life was ending, Allison said her own feelings were not those of anger or even sadness. But of gratitude. She held her mother’s hand and said to God, “Thank you, thank you, thank you!”

Here are some photos of Marnie from the Blue Streak over the past 14 years of its existence. Continue reading →

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Evening Under the Stars: A fun fall harbinger

Posted on October 15, 2024 by Cynthia Moxley

Vocalist Kelle Jolly performing with the Knoxville Jazz Orchestra at “Evening Under the Stars.” She is a frequent guest artist with the group.

You know it’s October when the Knoxville Jazz Orchestra‘s popular “Evening Under the Stars” fundraiser rolls around. It’s a night of jazz music, great food, and a convivial atmosphere at the beautiful lakeside home of philanthropist Sherri Lee. It’s also a chance for one last dance in the great outdoors before the East Tennessee weather cools off for the autumn season.

This year’s event was a sell-out, as usual, and the weather was perfect. The night started with cocktails on the croquet court, followed by dinner and dancing under a huge tent to the sounds of the 17-piece big band and vocalist Kelle Jolly. Music during dinner was provided by high school prodigy keyboardist Mimi Terry, who is being courted by several prestigious music colleges, including the University of Tennessee’s.

By the Tracks Catering provided the delicious repast. All proceeds go to fund the operations of the Knoxville Jazz Orchestra, which was founded 25 years ago by trombonist, composer, and arranger Vance Thompson, who still leads the group today. Continue reading →

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