Knoxville Mayor Indya Kincannon, left, poses with Tim Hill and his daughter, Kendall Hill Crisp, at the Scruffy City Soiree, where Hill and his business partner were named Preservationists of the Year.
Mike Hatcher and Tim Hill, who founded Hatcher-Hill Properties in 2004, were named Preservationists of the Year last month during the Scruffy City Soiree, a popular annual fundraiser sponsored by Knox Heritage.
Over the years, Hatcher-Hill has been responsible for saving many historic structures, often repurposing them for modern use. A prime example of that is the J.C. Penney Building on Gay Street, which has been turned into condominiums. (Alan and I are lucky enough to own one unit in the J.C. Penney Building.) For that project, Hatcher-Hill partnered with David Dewhirst and Mark Heinz in 2014 to bring back to life the historic structure that was originally built in 1898.
The Scruffy City Soiree, held in another downtown structure, The Mill & Mine, is one of the most fun and well-attended events in Knoxville. This year was no exception, as you will see from these photos. It raised more than $118,000 for historic preservation and sold 296 tickets — up from 238 last year.
Tim Hill is in the middle of a run for Knoxville City Council. He is seeking to unseat Amelia Parker for the At-Large Seat C position. Hill currently serves as chair of the Knoxville-Knox County Planning Commission and the Knoxville-Knox County Sports Authority, both posts he will give up if elected to Council.
As a member of the sports authority, Hill currently is tasked with helping to oversee the construction of the community’s new multi-purpose stadium, a venue that will host Minor League Baseball games, professional soccer matches, concerts and other events. It is expected to produce more than $480 million in revenue for the community over the next 30 years. His opponent has consistently opposed the new stadium project.
The Mill & Mine has a great setup for pre-event mingling!
Phil Lawson and Knoxville Mayor Indya Kincannon.
Downtown residents Moody Altamimi, left, and Nikki Elliott.
Carsen Hill and Mike Widener. I love the dramatic sky behind them!
From left, Mike and Kendall Keller, Kim Firkins, and JoHanna Heidenescher.
Alan Carmichael, right, with Neil and Maureen Dunn McBride.
D.L. and Courtney Bergmeier. He’s general manager of Downtown Wine & Spirits; she’s executive director of the Bijou Theatre.
Casey Fox of the Big Ears Festival, and Jesse Fox Mayshark of Compass Knox.
Alan Sims, left, of Inside of Knoxville, and Jack Neely of Knoxville History Project.
More mingling.
Everyone always congregates at the bar — and the whiskey pull!
Appetizers were great: Caprese salad on a stick and some kind of delicious seafood fritters.
Knoxville City Council Member Lauren Rider, right, with Stephanie and George Wallace. He’s a former City Council member.
City Council Member Seema Singh, left, with Pandy Anderson. Singh has announced that she will run for the Tennessee General Assembly for the House seat being vacated by Gloria Johnson, who is running for the U.S. Senate.
Artist Mike Berry producing a painting of the S&W Cafeteria that would be auctioned off later that night for $1,500!
Tim Hill, right, with Bob and Melynda Whetsel.
From left, Ben and Sara Hedstrom Pinnell with Faris and Ghada Eid.
Alan Carmichael, left, and Joe Hollingsworth.
Nicki and Brad Collett.
Knox Heritage volunteers Lisa Thomas and Tobias Kight.
Cathy Briscoe with Tyler Janow, left, and Anthony Wilson.
Soon, we got the word to move inside, where the room was set up beautifully.
Tables were pretty and pre-set with salads.
I thought the flowers were perfect. Simple in an old-fashioned Mason jar.
Christine Cloninger, the executive director of Knox Heritage, and Paul James, director of publishing and development for Knoxville History Project.
John Niceley and Martha Kern. They are big supporters of Knox Heritage and often lend their Strong Stock Farm for special events.
Mayor Indya Kincannon, left, with John Craig and Coral Turner.
Kent and Susan Farris.
Municipal Judge John Rosson and Mona Nair.
Alvin Nance, left, with Alan Carmichael.
Adrienne Webster, center, is president of the Knox Heritage Board. She’s with Chad and Melissa Tindell.
Debbie Emery, left, and Robin Smith.
Lee Ann Rogers and Steve Drevik.
Dinner, served family style, was great. Clockwise, from top left, grilled chicken breast with Boursin cream and herb sauce; roasted fingerling potatoes; chocolate mousse; biscuit strawberry shortcake, and haricots verts with herb butter.
And then, program time!
Mike Hatcher receiving his award.
Tim Hill making acceptance remarks.
Tim Hill, left, and Mike Hatcher posing with Christine Cloninger of Knox Heritage.
Then, Dino Cartwright led a lively auction!
Marsha and Duane Grieve.
Kevin and Leann Burris.
John Sanders and Gina Lisenby.
Music was by one of my favorite local bands: The Tennessee Sheiks!
Marcus Shirley on keyboards.
Barry (’Po) Hannah on guitar, Nicholas Cassell on percussion, and Don Cassell on mandolin.
Don Wood on guitar and Michael (Crawdaddy) Crawley on harmonica.
Brent Thompson.
Nancy Brennan Strange.
Deanna and Tim Hill at the end of a fun — and successful — night!
Here’s a sample of the Tennessee Sheiks:
Thanks for your nice comments about the event and on the flowers, Cynthia. KH staff wanted simple Fall flowers in Mason jars, so that’s what myself and 4 others did for the 50 tables. It was a super event and KH is now back on a preservation roll with Covid mostly behind us, thank goodness!
Marsha: I really loved them! And the whole event was excellent. It moved along quickly, it was interesting, and time just seemed to fly. It was a blast. Congrats!
It was a lot of fun! Preservationists + Parties: Always a good combo.
Gay: Ha! I tend to agree!
Congratulations to Mike and Tim!
I am a supporter of Tim Hill for City Council. For any of you who read this and are also supporters, you MUST go vote! And not just you – please get your city friends and neighbors to vote for Tim. He can’t win on good wishes. He will be a great representative for our city, so please help get people out to vote!!
Katie: Amen! His opponent has fiercely loyal and motivated supporters. We need to be the same way for Tim! Thanks for speaking up!
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