Barn dance raises spirits, funds to preserve a treasure

Posted on June 26, 2026 by Cynthia Moxley

Tennessee Lt. Gov. Randy McNally, left, and Anderson County Sheriff Russell Barker had front row seats. (But I never saw them dancing!)

The annual Barn Dance fundraiser for the Museum of Appalachia was an early sellout last weekend and I’ve never seen so many items in a silent auction in my life! Organizers wisely kept the live auction to a manageable six items, but my husband, Alan, and I still couldn’t resist blowing past the limit we had earlier agreed upon and purchasing a private four-course dinner for eight by chef and restaurateur Jeffrey DeAlejandro. (But we’re glad we did!)

This is one of those events at which you can’t keep from smiling. There’s Appalachian musical performances, clogging, wagon rides, and some of the most interesting animals outside the zoo!

And with museum founder John Rice Irwin’s daughter at the same table as us and his grandchildren running the program (and the museum), you felt like you had a private invitation to a close-knit family’s picnic! Continue reading →

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Bijou Jubilee makes most of theater’s beguiling location

Posted on June 22, 2026 by Cynthia Moxley

I’m not sure what it is exactly, but there’s something about closing a street to have a party that just gets everyone in a festive mood! This month, the Bijou Theatre took advantage of an opportunity like that and hosted its annual Jubilee fundraiser out on Gay Street under a clear tent. The night was a blast!

It was a beautiful evening as folks gathered on Gay Street in preparation for a delicious good time.

For the past couple of years, the non-profit historic venue kind of tiptoed into the concept by having a reception and dinner outside on Cumberland Avenue before taking the party inside. But this year’s soiree used the even better Gay Street space pretty much all night long. There were five musical acts altogether and they alternated between the outside stage and the indoor stage. The evening culminated with country singer-songwriter Margo Price, who was fresh from two Grammy nominations this year. Continue reading →

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New York City: great shows and food, food, food!

Posted on June 17, 2026 by Cynthia Moxley

This is former U.S. Congressman John J. (Jimmy) Duncan, Jr., out on the town in New York. While the rest of us had cocktails and wine, he ordered milk as his beverage of choice! Cracked us up!

The Tony Awards were last week and that caused us to remember what a great time we had recently when we joined other supporters of the Clarence Brown Theatre for an annual trip to New York City to see Broadway shows (and eat at fantastic restaurants).

Turns out that two of the shows we saw were nominated for multiple Tonys: “The Lost Boys” for 12 and “Two Strangers (Carry a Cake Across New York)” for eight. We loved both of them, as well as “Proof,” a revival about mathematicians that was snubbed by the nominators this year.

“The Lost Boys” walked away with four trophies on June 7, while “Two Strangers” didn’t win any, but, as they say, it’s an honor to be nominated! 

Although we very much enjoy the theater experiences on this trip, we also love the camaraderie and just the good times of being in the Big Apple with other Knoxville friends.

Check out some of the fun we all had. And consider joining us next year. Info is on the Clarence Brown Theatre website. Continue reading →

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Jackie’s Dream is officially open. Come get your chicken!

Posted on June 9, 2026 by Cynthia Moxley

Even before the ribbon cutting, Knoxville Smokies owner Randy Boyd knew exactly what he wanted. “I can’t wait to get to that chicken!” he said.

It was a joyful ribbon cutting yesterday at Covenant Health Park as Jackie Griffin, along with top Knoxville and Knox County officials, excitedly opened the third iteration of beloved soul food restaurant Jackie’s Dream.

“This is more than a dream,” Griffin told members of the news media after the ribbon cutting. “This is more than I ever dreamed of!”

Jackie’s Dream is located in a 2,000-square-foot space at 498 E. Jackson Avenue. The restaurant, which is two doors down from the Smokies’ team merchandise store, has 69 inside seats and more available on the patio outside, depending on the weather, Griffin said.

Griffin has operated Jackie’s Dream for eleven years, first on McCalla Avenue in East Knoxville and, most recently, on Woodland Avenue in North Knoxville. Both restaurants were located in spaces that were, shall we say, less than ideal. The new space, which was outfitted by Knoxville Smokies owner Randy Boyd, is state of the art. Continue reading →

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New eatery at stadium opens with celebration

Posted on June 5, 2026 by Cynthia Moxley

The ribbon was cut Thursday evening officially marking the opening of Iron Forge at the Park. From left: Knox County CFO Chris Caldwell, Knox County Commissioner Damon Rawls, Knoxville Mayor Indya Kincannon, owners Audrei and Rani Dabul, George Gibson, and Cynthia Miller, Knoxville City Council Member Denzel Grant, and Knoxville Smokies owner Randy Boyd. (Photo by Knoxville Chamber.)

Iron Forge Brewing Company on Thursday evening officially opened Iron Forge at the Park, a restaurant serving smash burgers, Nashville Hot Chicken sandwiches, flatbreads, and hot wings on the outside of Covenant Health Park. The sister restaurant to Iron Forge Brewing Company in Sevierville, it also features 24 rotating beer taps, and a full cocktail bar.

“Five years ago, there was just an empty lot here,” Knoxville Mayor Indya Kincannon said at a ribbon-cutting to officially open the establishment. “But this is the result of a lot of work and a calculated risk.” Continue reading →

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Zoofari ’26: Big fun (despite the snakes)!

Posted on May 26, 2026 by Cynthia Moxley

Zoofari is Zoo Knoxville‘s largest and most important fundraiser every year. And this year was no exception. I loved the theme last year — “Pandamonium!” It featured the zoo’s four beloved — and adorable — red pandas! This year, not so much! Because the theme was “Vim and Venom” — in other words, snakes!

Steve and Mary Ellen Brewington admire one of the evening’s mascots! (I kept my distance!)

Needless to say, I didn’t spend much time with the snakes, except to snap a few photos for this blog post. But the party itself was fantastic. The clearly sold-out event tent was packed. And what struck me the most was the number of younger people there. I go to a lot of soirees supporting all kinds of non-profit organizations in our community. And this one, by far, had the largest number of young people. I think that’s a very good sign. Continue reading →

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Windy Hill: An idyllic treasure a few miles to our west

Posted on May 12, 2026 by Cynthia Moxley

The thing you notice the most about Windy Hill Farm is how quiet it is. I don’t think I’ve ever been anywhere that was so entirely quiet!

Want to get away without taking a long trip? You should consider Windy Hill Farm, located in Loudon County just 45 minutes from downtown Knoxville. Alan and I took two friends and did just that recently. We loved it.

We purchased the all-inclusive two-night stay at a non-profit auction and arranged to redeem our purchase when well-known local Americana musician Cruz Contreras was performing there with his band. Owners Mary Ellen and Steve Brewington were the generous donors. Their son, Steven Brewington, is the executive director of the ever-evolving 650-acre property that includes two miles of shoreline along the Tennessee River.

I thought you might want to see what the weekend held so you can decide if you want to go yourself. Continue reading →

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Pryses’ garden offered sublime springtime dalliance

Posted on May 7, 2026 by Cynthia Moxley

Executive Women’s Association members enjoyed a picture perfect happy hour in the garden of Sharon and Joe Pryse.

It rained most of this week, but on Monday the weather was perfect for a tour of Sharon and Joe Pryse’s beautiful garden on Kingston Pike in the Sequoyah Hills neighborhood. Sharon, who is the founder and CEO of The Trust Company of Tennessee, invited fellow members of the Executive Women’s Association to visit the property, designed by internationally renowned master gardener Ryan Gainey. It has been featured in numerous books, magazines and TV shows. Continue reading →

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Landscape architect Hackney named “Gardens Legend”

Posted on May 1, 2026 by Cynthia Moxley

Landscape Architect Stephen Hackney leaves the podium after accepting his Gardens Legend Award.

UT Gardens gave well-known Knoxville landscape architect Stephen Hackney its Gardens Legend Award on a beautiful April evening inside a massive tent just off Neyland Drive. 

Hackney, who formed his company SWH Landscape Architecture in 2011, was recognized for his more than 20 years of “crafting thoughtful landscapes throughout the region for clients both residential and commercial,” said Lisa Stearns, vice chancellor of marketing and communications for UT’s Institute of Agriculture.

“With an instinct for graceful simplicity, SWH creates gardens firmly rooted in tradition incorporating modern sensibilities to honor each client’s unique vision,” Stearns said.

The University of Tennessee’s three gardens — the one in Knoxville as well as gardens in Jackson and Crossville — constitute the State Botanical Garden of Tennessee. The Gardens Legend Award was created in 2013 as a public recognition of excellence and influence in the gardening community.

The UT Gardens Gala is an annual party created to raise funds for the UT Gardens. This year’s event was a stark contrast to last year’s during which torrential rain drenched attendees and literally created a stream running through the tent where the dinner was being served. Continue reading →

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Knox Heritage Patrons’ Party: a welcome breather

Posted on April 27, 2026 by Cynthia Moxley

Knox Heritage Executive Director Christine Cloninger and Steve Drevik, vice president of the organization’s board of directors, visit in the beverage tent.

The preservation organization Knox Heritage held its annual Patrons’ Party recently on a beautiful spring afternoon on the lawn and inside its headquarters, Historic Westwood, the mansion built in 1890 behind the serpentine wall at 3425 Kingston Pike.

This is the event our friends and we eagerly anticipated each year because it was when you could sign up for Knox Heritage’s famed “Summer Suppers,” a series of dozens of small fundraising gatherings held throughout the warm season in various private and public East Tennessee locations. The organization discontinued those a couple of years ago in favor of three larger gatherings called “Suppers and Such.” The previous setup just got to be too labor intensive for the return on investment, according to one board member. 

So the Patrons’ Party these days lacks the competitive adrenaline rush of trying to sign up for the events before they are snapped up by other supporters. But it’s got its own charm now of a relaxed and low-key social hour or so of nibbles, libations, and camaraderie in a lovely setting. 

Heads up. Two of the three “Suppers and Such” events have sold out already. But you still can get tickets for a fun one in North Knoxville on July 22. Just head to the website. Continue reading →

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