This photo of Jack Rose was taken in April of 2013 by his best friend, Joe Stewardson.
Saturday was bittersweet for the relatives and friends of the late Jack Rose, a photographer and avid outdoorsman who passed away this summer at age 58 after a brief illness.
Jack was honored posthumously by the Foothills Land Conservancy, an organization dedicated to protecting, preserving and enhancing the lands of the Southern Appalachian region, largely by convincing landowners to place their property under conservation easements, which will prevent the land from being subdivided and developed.
Jack, with his love of nature and his talent for photographing it, was a perfect match for the organization. His widow, Sara, his four siblings and scores of friends came together this weekend at the beautiful Penrose horse farm in West Knoxville to celebrate the group’s 30th anniversary — and to honor Jack.
Jack’s family with his award. From left: brother, Walter Rose; sister Elizabeth Rose Provence; wife, Sara Fortune Rose; sister Mary Jo Rose Ashcraft; and sister Jayne Rose Walker.
The family said it was very healing to get to spend some time together other than the time they spent preparing for and attending Jack’s memorial service.
Teenie Hayworth, left, owns Penrose Farm. She’s here with LeAnn Mynatt.
The farm is lovely — for humans and for horses.
Wouldn’t it be a great place to be a horse?
This one came kind of close to the party-goers.
Obviously, it’s not a bad place to be a bird, either.
Or a guest. Deb Willson, left, and Rebecca Bryant.
It was a lovely evening to be outside in the nature Jack loved so much.
Bill Clabough, executive director of Foothills Land Conservancy, center, with board president Mark King and vice president Madge Cleveland.
Caterer Holly Hambright’s delicious pimento cheese — topped with chopped asparagus — was one of the passed appetizers.
And, of course, some of Holly’s trademark candied bacon.
Here’s Jack best friend, Joe Stewardson, and his girlfriend, Jennifer Ohme, both up from Atlanta.
Jerry Kruse, of The Pour Guys, holding one of my favorite kinds of wine — pinot gris!
Sara with Dan and Suzan Murphy.
Victor Ashe, former Knoxville mayor and ambassador to Poland, with Mary Kay Sullivan.
Donna and Gifford Walker.
Cindy and Mike Baker.
Madge and Barry Cleveland, left, with Sid and Donna Law.
Burke and Lezah Pinnell.
Mary Linda Schwarzbart with Victor Ashe.
Bob and Bonnie Morris.
Bill and Donna Cobble.
Betsy Child, left, with Jenny Freeman.
Lois Thomas and Victor Ashe.
Soon we were called to go through the buffet line.
Pulled pork sliders with pickled peach compote.
My favorite was the Ford Farm succotash salad.
Fried chicken with Cruze Farm buttermilk ranch dressing.
I thought the birdhouse on the buffet table was charming.
R.B. Summitt was there with his stepdaughters, Nicole, left, and Amber Adams.
Sara and Jack’s sister, Jayne Rose Walker.
The cake featuring the Foothills Land Conservancy logo was a showstopper.
Mary Jo Ashcraft accepted the award on her brother’s behalf.
Here she is with her husband, Blair Ashcraft, and a photograph of Jack.
Walter Rose made a few remarks, too.
There were door prizes, too! Debbie Jones won this book by Bill Landry.
We all raised our glasses in a toast to Foothills Land Conservancy’s 30th anniversary.
I think Jack would have agreed with the saying I noticed on this sundial on my way out.
I am sorry I missed this great gesture for Jack from the Foothills folks, but I am happy to see that so many of Jack’s family could be there. How does Joe Stewardson age so gracefully and still look 18 years old?
Cynthia, thank you for your lovely comments about Jack and the Foothills Land Conservancy. Jack was all about nature, and thus the work of the FLC, in land preservation, was a deep passion of his. So many of our friends knew this and honored him by attending this great event. My thanks to you, and to all of them.
As always, you did a beautiful job of capturing the event. I was so pleased that the family seemed to appreciate it and the award. Jack deserves all the appreciation we can give. Thanks for being there to help record such a beautiful evening.
Alan, it’s because I’m still drinking your drinks for you… Nice piece Mox. Thanks to all for their attendance and love. I know Jack would have be pleased and embarrassed. Thanks also to the FLC for all they have done to make our world better.
What a lovely gathering. I almost didn’t recognize Joe Stewardson without his trademark black mustache. Same twinkle in his eyes, though.
Sorry I was out of town and unable to attend. Mox, great piece and thanks for sharing. Sara, continued love and prayers go with you
Thanks, everybody, for your comments. I agree with Joe that Jack would have liked the event, but would have been embarrassed. But he shouldn’t have. It was totally deserving. I hope everyone else felt like I did: a little bit better and comforted after being there.
Sara, Cynthia
Great piece and what a divinely inspired event to remember Jack. Surely wish I would have been in attendance, but I looked like a great event and he would have had a ball – resevedly, in his way. And yes, hopefully there was comfort for all. Sure looked like you had the bacon covered!
Best
J
Didn’t attend this year so am glad to read your report.
Really enjoyed catching up with this event. Wasn’t able to attend this year.
Cynthia,
This was beautiful. I am so sad that I could not be there, but as a board member of FLC, I will work fervently to honor Jack and his legacy with the organization. Thanks for such a beautiful post. This means a lot to many.
Jenny
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