Carolyn Pearre, left, and Jane Creed were members of the Leadership Knoxville Class of ’93, aka “the best class ever.” Carolyn came from Nashville for the group’s annual party.
Every Leadership Knoxville class is special. But to all of you classes who think you are “the best class ever,” I have one thing to say to you: Call me in 26 years!
That’s how long my Leadership Knoxville class, the class of ’93, has been consistently holding its annual fall party. Without fail. Every. Single. Year.
This year we gathered at the lovely West Knoxville home of class member Jane Creed and her husband, Kenneth. As always, everyone was asked to contribute by bringing either a soup, salad, appetizer or dessert. Plus, wine, of course. And we always pick a non-cook to bring bread.
The Sunday evening weather was marvelous. It was before this cold snap hit, and we were able to make it an indoor-outdoor event. As always, the camaraderie was even warmer than the delicious soups!
Come on, you other classes. If we can do it, you can do it!
The Creeds’ beautiful home was decorated for autumn.
Kenneth, an avid landscaper, took class member Annette Winston on a tour of his lavish yard.
The rest of us did what we do best — we “gathered.” From left, class members Mark Deathridge and Carolyn Pearre with Carolyn’s husband, Courtney. Many of our spouses also enjoy our annual gatherings, and they now feel as much a part of our group as the actual class members.
In the “outdoor kitchen” are Dan and Kathy Hamilton, left, with Kenneth Creed and Alan Carmichael. Kathy was in the class of ’93. The others are spouses of class members.
Bert Sams, left, with class members Charlie Mercer and Rusha Sams.
Dr. Walter and Lynne Fain. She was the class member.
Class member Thurman Kinnebrew with his wife, Becky.
Class members Annette Winston, right, and Larry Mauldin with Larry’s wife, Bonnie.
While we gathered, we munched on the Tennessee caviar that Carolyn brought.
And Kenneth poured more wine!
Class member Cile Mathews, right, with Alice Mercer.
Class member Gwen Brown with her husband, Ron.
From left, Kathy, Carolyn, Barry Winston and Jane. All but Barry are class members.
When we got hungry, we gathered for a blessing. From left, class members Stuart Worden and Dwight Wade, Kenneth Creed, and class members Rusha Sams and Lynne Fain.
Thurman brought these wonderful turkey and ham sandwiches as appetizers, but we decided to serve them with the soups and salads.
Speaking of which, we had a fantastic tossed salad.
A broccoli salad.
And an asparagus orzo salad.
The soup makers outdid themselves again this year. Here’s Dan Hamilton digging in to the tomato dill soup his wife, Kathy, made. It’s the recipe from the old Silver Spoon restaurant. Who else remembers that pleasant place?
Annette made a tried-and-true favorite: chicken pozole. The fun part of this soup is adding all the garnishes — cheese, cilantro and avocado. Yum.
Charlie Mercer brought Italian sausage vegetable soup. He’s brought it a number of times over the years, and folks love it so much they just call it “Charlie’s soup.” (Sorry about the steam getting on my lens!)
Ron helps himself to Charlie’s soup.
Alice and Charlie Mercer at dinner. I think I took him by surprise.
Some folks took their plates outside to enjoy the weather.
And then, what some (like my husband) consider the best part: dessert. Stuart gets ready to taste a few. Starting with fudge pecan pie! Wow.
We also had apple cake from the Apple Cake Tea Room.
Kathy composing a perfect “tasting” plate.
Carolyn doing the same.
Baklava was a sweet option.
A nice looking plate.
Alan getting his strength up for a very important job he had coming up.
Which was helping people unpark the cars he had helped them park earlier!
He likes this job!
See everybody next year!
Hats off to the LK Class of 1993 for keeping up this amazing tradition. I absolutely love that you still gather every fall. And, 26 years! Wow….you definitely have the “best class ever” gathering award in the bag! Thank you Cynthia for sharing. Kudos from all of us on the the Leadership Knoxville staff team.
Sandi: Thanks! We appreciate all we learned in Leadership Knoxville. But, most of all, we appreciate the friendships we all made. You all are doing a good job of providing the opportunity. It’s up to us class members to make the most of it.
Love seeing this post! Thank you for supporting LK by continuing to “gather” for 26 years – we hope other classes will take your lead!
It’s always fun when the Class of ‘93 gathers for soup, salad, and dessert! Thanks, Cynthia, for sharing our good times with others!!!
Samantha: Thanks! We are baffled that every class hasn’t done this.
Rusha: It was a really good one, wasn’t it? Great seeing you and Bert, of course.
Carolyn and Courtney Pearre win the Long-Distance Award every year, coming from Nashville. The soups, salads and desserts were delicious. Congratulations to the class for continuing to gather for so long.
Alan: Thanks for helping everyone park. And “unpark.”
Cynthia,
Thanks so much for all the great photos of our LK ‘93 annual event. And, special thanks to Jane & Ken for hosting and to Cile for organizing us. Another fabulous evening for the Best Class!!!
Carolyn
Always fun. Great write-up. Best. Class. Ever.
Carolyn and Annette: Great being with you two! Looking forward to next year when Alan and I will host.
Cynthia, you do such a great job capturing our good times with fabulous pictures and comments.Thanks for all that you and Alan do for our class and the entire community. You are awesome!
Cile: Thanks. But it’s largely because of you that we have had such a long run. You have kept us organized through the years. Sure has been fun!
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