Lynne Fain and Bo Townsend, members of the Leadership Knoxville Class of ’93, posed together at the annual class party on Sunday in downtown Knoxville.
When you hear about Leadership Knoxville, you always hear about building relationships. In fact, part of the mission statement says the organization is designed to “expand community connections into lifetime friendships.” Well, in the case of the Leadership Knoxville Class of ’93, it has worked out pretty well.
The Class of ’93, of which I am a member, gathered for the 28th time this past weekend for its annual fall party. The only two years we’ve missed were 2020 and 2021. For obvious reasons.
“Everything Leadership Knoxville aims to do is focused on the ‘art of gathering’ and the Class of 1993 has mastered it!” said Tammy White, Leadership Knoxville’s president and CEO. “It’s incredible that they held their 28th class party on Sunday and only missed two years due to the pandemic. We hope more LK classes take their lead to come back together.”
Leadership Knoxville was founded in 1984 and, since that time, more than 1,300 community leaders in the business, government and non-profit sectors have completed the 10-month flagship program.
To be sure, the members of the Leadership Knoxville Class of ’93 really like each other and enjoy being together. But I think the delicious food also makes this party one to look forward to year after year. Our plan each year is simple.
We pick a class member’s home (this year, it was mine and Alan Carmichael’s condo in the J.C. Penney Building) and ask every member to bring either a soup, a salad, an appetizer or a dessert. One of the non-cooks usually brings bread. Everyone brings their own libations. It’s easy, fun and delicious.
We encourage the other classes to do as Tammy urged: get back together!
Enjoying appetizers, from left, class members Kathy Hamilton, Rusha Sams, Carolyn Pearre and Monique Anderson, who is married to a class member.
Here’s Monique’s husband, class member Bruce Anderson.
The assorted appetizers were delish!
Class of ’93 member Charles Mercer, left, and Bert Sams, who is married to class member Rusha Sams.
Class member Annette Winston with Kenneth Creed, who is married to class member Jane Creed.
From left, Charles Mercer’s wife, Alice, with class members Gwendolyn Brown, Cile Mathews, Jane Creed and Lynne Fain.
Cile, center, class prez, made welcoming remarks.
Bo Townsend, an ordained Episcopal priest, said the blessing from the kitchen.
Food time! Here’s a look at the fresh salads.
And the soups. Clockwise from top left: chicken posole, vegetable beef, sausage and beans, salmon corn chowder. Yum!
Dan and Kathy Hamilton grabbed seats at the counter. (I think I caught him mid-bite!)
We do know how to “gather!”
Class of ’93 spouses, from left, Ron Brown, Courtney Pearre and Barry Winston.
Desserts! Plus, there was an apple cake that Lynne brought that I somehow forgot to take a photo of.
From left, class member Dwight Wade with spouses Dan Hamilton and Ed Mathews.
Spouses, who have become part of the Class of ’93 family. Beth Townsend and Alan Carmichael.
Can’t wait until next year!
Contrary to how I looked, I was really having a good time. Mox gave us no warning she was getting ready to photograph us.
Courtney: I know, I caught a lot of folks mid-bite. I do a lot better with the picture-taking when I’m not also hosting the party! Great seeing you and Carolyn. Thanks for making the trek from Nashville!
It was so much fun, Cynthia! Thanks for hosting us.
Beth: We had a blast, too! Thanks for the awesome hostess gifts! Enjoyed some of the eggs this morning!
Great coverage for the “best class ever” and such a fun time with good friends. Thanks again for hosting us.
Cile: Thanks for getting us all organized! Great fun, as usual!
Cynthia, Thank you and Alan for being our wonderful hosts on Sunday. Your “Event Center” is beautiful and such a fun party place. It was special to re-establish our annual class of 93 fall gathering. Loved visiting with the “BEST LK Class!!
❤️❤️
Thanks for having us. It was great to see everyone.
Looks like a fun time with great food and fellowship!
Thanks so much for hosting and sharing your thoughts on the evening through the Blue Streak. We do have a special bond, and here’s hoping we dine in style for many more years to come. Your home is lovely. And you and Alan make perfect hosts! Thank you!
Thanks for hosting. So nice and fun as always.
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