Natalie Haslam: “A gift to all of us”

Posted on February 2, 2026 by Cynthia Moxley

Natalie Haslam, right, in 2020 at the Knoxville Museum of Art for the opening of a Beauford Delaney exhibit. With her are her husband, Jim Haslam, and her step-daughter, Ann Haslam Bailey.

A celebration of life was held for Natalie Haslam January 21 at St. John’s Episcopal Cathedral in downtown Knoxville. The some 500-seat sanctuary was standing room only and the services were live-streamed into an overflow space for those who couldn’t even wedge into the standing areas. 

“Today we celebrate a life well-lived and a love well-loved,” said Natalie Haslam’s step-son, former Knoxville mayor and Tennessee governor Bill Haslam from the pulpit during a short and emotional remembrance. “She was a role model to so many people of what love looks like,” he said. “I can’t tell you how many people told me, ‘I want my marriage to be like theirs is.'”

Natalie Haslam was married for 50 years to James A. Haslam, II, the founder of Pilot Company, which today is the largest operator of travel centers and travel plazas in North America. She supported him in his business and other endeavors, but she also was a community leader in her own right.

“Natalie would have never, ever called herself a feminist pioneer,” Bill Haslam said. “But she was the very first woman to do a lot of things in this community. She did it because she loved this community.” Continue reading →

Filed under: Events, Knoxville | 12 Comments

It’s 2026: Let’s get this party started!

Posted on January 5, 2026 by Cynthia Moxley

Maria and Kevin McHale at midnight on New Year’s Eve at J.C. Holdway in downtown Knoxville.

There is no more festive location in which to ring in the new year each December 31st, than the downtown restaurant called J.C. Holdway. Located at 501 Union Avenue, it’s owned and operated by Joseph Lenn, Knoxville’s only James Beard Award-winning chef, and his wife, Laura, a distinguished professor at the University of Tennessee’s Haslam College of Business.

Last Wednesday, the eatery’s amazing staff prepared and served an exquisite seven-course repast to a sold out dining room — twice. We arrived at 8 p.m. and stayed until past the stroke of midnight. That arrival time meant we also got to see some folks who were just finishing up their meal from the earlier seating.  When we heard their rave reviews, we knew we were in for an amazing dining experience. That’s actually an understatement.

I’ll show you the highlights of the menu and the evening, but I think the fact that we have made this a standing New Year’s Eve tradition is the ultimate testament. I just hope it’s a harbinger of good times to come in 2026! We’re ready for it! Continue reading →

Filed under: Events, Food | 3 Comments

Chamique Holdsclaw: ‘No one heals alone.’

Posted on December 16, 2025 by Cynthia Moxley

Chamique Holdsclaw speaking last week at Knoxville Convention Center during a luncheon for Volunteer Ministry Center.

Former Lady Vol basketball star Chamique Holdsclaw, an Olympic gold medalist and WNBA Hall of Famer, opened up to a large luncheon crowd at the Knoxville Convention Center last week about her own mental health struggles. 

In the process, she urged the audience which had gathered for a fundraiser for the Volunteer Ministry Center, to support efforts to help the community’s homeless population. 

“That could be me,” she said when reflecting on someone she knew who experienced homelessness. “I lost hope. I didn’t survive because I was strong. I survived because people refused to leave me alone.”

Holdsclaw said she was raised by her grandmother due to her parents’ battles with schizophrenia and alcoholism. She said those early experiences caused childhood trauma which later resulted in her extended battles with depression, anxiety, and even a suicide attempt. 

She said she took inspiration from something her UT basketball coach, Pat Summitt, often said: “Enough complaining. What are you going to do about it?”

“Struggling does not mean you are weak; it means you are human,” Holdsclaw said. “Life begins in the re-build. No one heals alone.” Continue reading →

Filed under: Events, Knoxville | 8 Comments

After 22 years, we have this cookie thing down!

Posted on December 9, 2025 by Cynthia Moxley

Best purse award goes to Erin Donovan, whose pocketbook, designed by Betsey Johnson, was shaped like a gingerbread house and actually lit up!

Our annual cookie exchange is in the books once again and I have the crumbs on the floor to prove it! Actually, this party is a group effort each year and I don’t mind sweeping up a little bit afterwards.

And, as usual, the cookies were superb! I don’t think Santa himself fares any better than do the women at this yearly event, held this past Sunday for the 22nd time! The historic J.C. Penney Building on Gay Street, where my husband, Alan, and I have a condo, turns out to be perfect to accommodate my enthusiastic friends group. Because the space formerly housed the furniture department at J.C. Penney, it has large open spaces that allow for gathering, eating lunch, and displaying literally hundreds of cookies!

A special thanks to my pals Susan Brown and Katie Kline, who pitched in as bartenders — Susan on the wine and mimosa front and Katie churning out Bloody Marys. And thanks to Gay Lyons who brought homemade pimento cheese as one of the appetizers. And another big shout out to Alan, who staffed the doors downstairs to help the women — and their cookies — get to the party on the fourth floor.

As usual, we’d like to encourage everyone reading this to put together your own cookie exchange. It’s a blast! And, in addition to the attendees, their families and co-workers will become big supporters of the event. After all, they are the beneficiaries, as well! Continue reading →

Filed under: Events, Food | 10 Comments

“Artsclamation!” dazzles in new downtown digs

Posted on December 5, 2025 by Cynthia Moxley

Downtown resident Kim Hays said the artwork of Daniel Lai of Ashland, Penn., made her want to hug him! So, she did!

I’m not sure who came up with the idea to move the popular “Artsclamation!” art show and sale to downtown Knoxville this year from its longtime home in Bearden, but it sure paid off.

The preview party this past Thursday revealed that the new location at The Standard on Jackson Avenue provided room for nearly twice as many artists to show and sell their wares and the comfortable venue was a fun and inviting space in which to roam around and browse.

The annual show and sale, which you can still catch on Saturday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., benefits Peninsula Hospital, a 155-bed facility providing inpatient mental health services for adults, adolescents, and children. It is a division of Covenant Health.

There are so many beautiful and intriguing pieces of art to consider. Continue reading →

Filed under: Art, Knoxville | 8 Comments

Leadership Knox Class of ’93 reunites — again!

Posted on November 25, 2025 by Cynthia Moxley

We had a special guest at our Leadership Knoxville Class of ’93 fall gathering this year — a cute little fluff-ball named Rufus! He’s Annette and Barry Winston’s new puppy. From left, Bo Townsend, Monique Anderson, Beth Townsend, and Dr. Charlie Mercer. Bo and Charlie are members of the class.

The Leadership Knoxville Class of ’93 has done it again! Another fun gathering — almost every year since we “graduated” 32 years ago! Yay us! We did miss gathering in 2020 and 2021 due to the pandemic. But we came roaring back!

Some of the best things about how bonded our class became are the “plus ones” or “significant others” that have become a part of our group. Sometimes I forget which member of a couple was actually in the class and which is the partner of the class member! But we like it that way.

The annual fall gathering was earlier this month at the beautiful Sequoyah Hills home of Annette and Dr. Barry Winston. (She’s the class member.) As usual, everyone signed up to bring a soup, salad, appetizer or dessert. And a non-cook — or someone traveling from out of town– usually brings bread. Continue reading →

Filed under: Events, Knoxville | 6 Comments

“Cause for Paws:” extraordinary generosity — and fun!

Posted on November 21, 2025 by Cynthia Moxley

 

Kevin McHale had the best outfit at the event! Hands — and paws — down!

Young-Williams Animal Center had its most successful “Cause for Paws” fundraiser ever last week, CEO Janet Testerman said, with a capacity crowd celebrating the “fairy tail” endings many of its charges experience.

Whimsical entertainment, a delicious dinner, a lively auction and sweet videos that brought a tear to my eye made for a night to remember. The money raised during part of the program was dedicated to Young-Williams’ Care Clinic, which provides accessible veterinary care to Knoxville’s most under-served communities.

The thing that really sets this fundraiser apart from all the others is the presence of sweet adoptable animals at the party. We saw a lot of patrons holding them and getting to know them.

Young-Williams is the official animal shelter for Knoxville and Knox County. It opened in 2001 and in 2018 achieved a “no-kill” status. The definition of no-kill means saving all medically and behaviorally treatable animals and maintaining a save rate of 90% or more.

Young-Williams’ vision is to find a home for every pet. Continue reading →

Filed under: Events, Knoxville | 2 Comments

Pete Claussen, named East Tennessean of the Year, surprises with announcement of his own

Posted on November 19, 2025 by Cynthia Moxley

Pete Claussen with his daughter, Karen Claussen, center, and sister, Ann Olstra. They were celebrating his upcoming (Nov. 27) 85th birthday — as well as his new honor!

A packed ballroom of friends and supporters celebrated Knoxville businessman and philanthropist Pete Claussen being named “East Tennessean of the Year” last week. But Claussen had an announcement of his own. He donated 90 acres of land to the Seven Islands State Birding Park, located in Knox County, 19 miles east of Knoxville.

The Claussen property includes 9,000 feet of shoreline, three houses, an island, and a nesting bald eagle — with a second nest under construction.

Additionally, Legacy Parks Foundation is donating three recently purchased islands bordering the park, completing the protection of the important natural resource.

State officials were on hand at the event to announce a $7.7 million grant from the Tennessee Heritage Conservation Trust Fund that will allow for a new connection at Seven Islands. The grant will fund construction of a 400-foot pedestrian bridge spanning the French Broad River, fulfilling a 40-year vision to provide access to the birding park from both sides of the river.

The annual East Tennessean of the Year Award is a fundraiser for East Tennessee Historical Society and it was not only a financial success, but a ton of fun as guests crammed into the River Room of Cherokee Country Club for pre-dinner cocktails and then into the ballroom for dinner. The unassuming Claussen took it all in stride. Congrats — and thanks — to him! Continue reading →

Filed under: Events, Historic preservation | 8 Comments

Theater people sure know how to party!

Posted on November 14, 2025 by Cynthia Moxley

The Warman Trio consists of, from left, the father, Rick; the elder daughter, Presley Jewell, on bass (literally!); and younger daughter, Jessica Faith, on drums.

The props, the music, and the setting were perfect this past Saturday night for a terrifically over-the-top party. Of course they were. The fun folks from the Theatre Department at the University of Tennessee were the hosts!

The location? The brand new Jenny Boyd Theatre where the partygoers took over first the outdoor plaza and then the stage itself for their festivities. And, boy, was it fun!

The $250-per-plate event called “Dinner with Friends” featured a 1950s theme, which was a nod to the founding in 1951 of the Carousel Theatre, the predecessor to the Jenny Boyd Theatre. The evening started with appetizers and drinks under a tent between the Clarence Brown Theatre and the Jenny Boyd Theatre. Servers dressed as carhops distributed ’50s-era treats like sausage balls, Pigs in the Blanket, and deviled eggs. 

Inside, we had burgers and fries in plastic baskets like at the drive-in in the good ole days. Dessert was a sundae ice cream bar.

But the best thing of all — other than seeing everyone having fun — was the music. A father-daughter band called The Warman Trio from Sevier County played 1950s tunes and encouraged everyone to get on the dance floor. (Not that it took that much encouragement with this crowd!)

Anyway, it was a real good time. Continue reading →

Filed under: Events, Theater | 2 Comments

New Jenny Boyd Theatre: flexible, “cutting edge”

Posted on November 7, 2025 by Cynthia Moxley

Clarence Brown Theatre Past Advisory Board Chair Margie Nichols Gill and Department Head Ken Martin pose in the Melanie Wood “Piazza” outside the Jenny Boyd Theatre earlier this week. (It’s actually still up in the air whether the lovely space will be called a piazza or a plaza!)

This is a big week for the Jenny Boyd Theatre over on the University of Tennessee’s Knoxville campus. At the former location of the beloved but grossly outdated Carousel Theatre, the replacement building is closing in on completion of its $26 million rebuild.

It’s a fantastic, and much improved, space. Its ribbon-cutting and dedication will be Friday afternoon by University of Tennessee-Knoxville Chancellor Donde Plowman and College of Arts and Sciences Executive Dean Robert Hinde. And Saturday will bring a $250-per-plate 50’s-themed dinner and sock-hop inside the theater. Yep. Get out your poodle skirt and leather jacket!

The theater is named for Knoxville businesswoman Jenny Boyd. She and her husband, UT President Randy Boyd, are generous philanthropists to our community.

Our friends at the theater, Department Head Ken Martin and Margie Nichols Gill, past chair of the Clarence Brown Theatre Advisory Board, gave my husband, Alan Carmichael, and me a sneak peek earlier this week. Come along! (Pardon the remaining messiness as everyone scrambled to get ready for this weekend’s festive activities!) Continue reading →

Filed under: Knoxville, Theater | 11 Comments