From left, Jeffrey DeAlejandro, Christine Cloninger, and Jeffrey Nash. DeAlejandro and Nash are with The Courtland Group, honored as Preservationists of the Year. Nash is the founder. Cloninger is executive director of Knox Heritage.
When out-of-towners visit Knoxville, they invariably remark about how “charming” our city is. It doesn’t matter if they are from Nashville, New York, or Europe! I hear it tons of times during the Big Ears Festival, for example, and it always makes me proud.
The truth is that a large part of Knoxville’s charm is the preservation, reuse, and repurposing of our historic buildings. And the organization that is largely to credit for that is Knox Heritage, which not only identifies historic properties that are in danger of being lost, but lobbies for and publicizes the buildings.
The Scruffy City Soiree is Knox Heritage’s largest fundraiser each year and, in addition to raising money, it honors “The Preservationist of the Year.” This year the honor went to The Courtland Group. “The Courtland Group is a preservation-focused real estate development and investment company dedicated to revitalizing historic buildings and underutilized urban neighborhoods throughout East Tennessee,” a statement from Knox Heritage said. “For more than 25 years, the company has played a major role in the transformation of Downtown Knoxville, the Old City, North Central Street, and the Magnolia Avenue Corridor through adaptive reuse, thoughtful restoration, and long-term community investment.”
The Courtland Group was represented by its two principals, Jeffrey Nash, the founder, and Realtor Jeffrey DeAlejandro at the sold out event at the Mill & Mine.
One of Alan’s and my favorite local bands, The Tennessee Sheiks, opened the evening playing on the patio of the Mill & Mine during cocktail hour.
Marcus Shirley on keys, Don Cassell on mandolin, and Nicholas Cassell on drums.
It was a beautiful — if warm — evening earlier this month.
From left, Sean Martin, Mary Pom Claiborne, Wendy Smith, Becky Hancock, and Sara Martin.
Knoxville Police Chief Paul Noel and his wife, Rachel. Chief Noel is back on the job after serving a recent suspension. He continues to have support in the community for the job he has been doing, I support him, too.
Downtowners Eric and Nikki Elliott with Knoxville Police Chief Paul Noel, right.
From left, John and Nada Kuchinic with Rebecca and Alan Williams.
Bob and Melynda Whetsel with Ben Bentley, right.
Faris Eid, left, and Warren Dockter.
Former long-time executive director of Knox Heritage, Kim Trent, and Police Chief Paul Noel.
Maria McHale with Anthony Wilson, left, and Tyler Janow.
Kelly Absher and Bridget Mounger.
Passed appetizers were watermelon radishes, top, and delicious little biscuits made famous by the sadly closed Olibea’s restaurant which used to be operated by Jeffrey DeAlejandro in Knoxville’s Old City.
Chief Paul Noel, left, and Anthony Wilson.
Artist Mike Berry painted a picture of the former Crown & Goose restaurant during the event. It was auctioned off after dinner.
Knox County Commissioner Courtney Durrett and Howie Howington.
John Bradley, left, and former Knoxville City Council member Mark Campen.
After a little while, the party moved inside. The venue was set for 400 and every seat was sold.
From left, Ed Shouse, David Martin, and Alan Carmichael.
Jeffrey DeAlejandro and his sister, Jennifer Vanderink,
Oliver, Krissy, and Henry DeAlejandro, Jeffrey’s wife and sons.
From left, Kim Henry, Steve Drevik, Newland Moorefield, John Cate, Gail Jarvis, and Lee Ann Rogers.
LeAnne and Ellie Dougherty.
From left, Susan French, Patrick Hollis, and Cathy Briscoe.
Becky Hancock, left, and Heather Seiber.
Kim Hays, left, and Elizabeth Williams.
Chief Paul Noel and Hollie Cook of Knox Heritage.
From left, Paul James, Holly Hambright, and Alan Carmichael.
Caesar and Dorothy Stair.
Jeff Spellerberg and Jane George.
Ghada Eid, left, and Lina Shatara.
J.J. Butler and Lacey Mellott.
Alan Carmichael with Dana Dalton, left, and Tara Dalton.
Victoria Shackelford and Sam Elliott.
David Arning, left, with Chief Paul and Rachel Noel.
Patricia and Jeffrey Nash.
Dinner had a nod to the honorees! At top, the “Crown & Goose Tower Salad;” entree was “Regas Restaurant Dinner;” and dessert was English-style toffee trifle. The Crown & Goose, a British-style pub in the Old City, was developed and built by Jeffrey Nash; The Courtland Group renovated many buildings near the beloved Regas Restaurant; and Jeffrey Nash is of British heritage, thus the “English-style” dessert.
Duane and Marsha Grieve.
Tracy and David Dewhirst.
Mary and Dan Holbrook.
Martha Kern and John Niceley.
Kim and Kirk Carter.
David and Sandy Martin.
Brian and Jessica Strutz.
Dennis and Kim Denton.
David Butler, left, and Ted Smith.
As soon as dinner was over, it was showtime! Master of Ceremonies Dino Cartwright and Christine Cloninger, who spoke for Knox Heritage.
A standing ovation for the honorees.
The faces these two made while accepting the award cracked me up! Jeffrey Nash, left, with Jeffrey DeAlejandro.
My buddy Leslie Bateman was documenting the scene for the Inside of Knoxville blog.
Tobias Kight helped out with the spotting duties during the auction that followed the award presentation.
Kristin Grove, left, and Sharon Moore were following the auction closely!
And then, the after party and more Tennessee Sheiks!
Brent Thompson joined in. (He had not been there earlier.)
What a fun night in a beautiful town!
That is always a fun evening!!!!