KSO Board toasts Christmas — and some good news!

Posted on December 22, 2023 by Cynthia Moxley

Knoxville Symphony Board Chair Rick Fox addresses his Christmas guests while his partner, Ralph Cianelli, documents the occasion!

Knoxville Symphony Orchestra Board Chair Rick Fox and his partner, Ralph Cianelli, invited the other members of the board and the KSO staff to their beautiful home in the Middlebrook mansion recently to celebrate the season — and to announce some good news.

A KSO Board initiative — launched only a couple of months ago — has reached its goal of raising $100,000 for the Young Musician Opportunity Fund. This fund is important because it pays for summer enrichment opportunities for promising young musicians.

“This fund will have a meaningful impact on the future of our community’s most talented young musicians,” Fox said.”That could be in the form of support for a student musician to attend a  summer music program; it could pay for them to receive lessons with KSO musicians or other teachers; or it could allow them to participate in smaller workshops held across the country.”

The establishment of the permanent endowment fund, which was the result of the KSO Board members holding a brainstorming session during a regular board meeting, coincides with the 50th anniversary of the Knoxville Symphony Youth Orchestra. Continue reading →

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20th Christmas cookie exchange is in the books!

Posted on December 14, 2023 by Cynthia Moxley

Katie Kline getting ready to pounce on the cookies when the signal is given!

It’s a crazy, loud party, but we love it! It’s our annual Christmas cookie exchange — held the Sunday after Thanksgiving weekend each year at high noon. We eat salads, drink wine, mimosas and Bloody Marys, and swap cookies — and gossip! After 20 years, we have it down to a science.

Here are some things we have learned over the years, in case you would like to plan your own cookie exchange:

  • Have everyone make six dozen cookies. I know it seems like a lot, but it’s really just a double batch of most cookie recipes.
  • Folks should bring all their cookies on one platter or in a container. Don’t divide them up into individual baggies because we never know exactly how many folks are coming and you’ll just end up having to re-make the bags.
  • Do provide Ziplock sandwich bags for folks to place their cookies in when they leave. This is important because if you put all the cookies together, you’ll end up with a mess as strong-flavored cookies like peppermint, peanut butter, or ginger will leach their tastes onto the other cookies. Plus, soft cookies will make hard cookies get soft!

Continue reading →

Filed under: Events, Food | 12 Comments

Artsclamation!: An art market within a party!

Posted on December 5, 2023 by Cynthia Moxley

Artist Sarah Pollock of Knoxville specializes in oil paintings of landscapes and cityscapes. She is a former color stylist for Walt Disney Feature Animation.

Artsclamation! is an annual fine arts sale that is the only fundraiser for Covenant Health’s behavioral health unit, Peninsula Hospital. It’s also a heck of a fun party and a great way to kick off the holiday season — and maybe get some shopping done at the same time.

Held each year in early December in the Cathedral Hall of the Catholic Cathedral of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus on Northshore Drive in Bearden, it showcases the juried art of more than 35 local and regional artisans. Judging by the crowd at its preview party last Friday, the exceedingly popular event has almost outgrown its venue.

The unfortunate fact is that one in four people in East Tennessee suffers from a mental health illness. However, there is a significant gap in funding for programs to serve these individuals compared to those with other diseases and diagnoses. Over the past 21 years, patrons of Artsclamation! have provided almost $2 million toward Peninsula’s mission. And they have scored some darned good art in the process! Continue reading →

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‘Cause for Paws:’ big fun for people and animals

Posted on November 30, 2023 by Cynthia Moxley

Sandra Harbison went home with one of the enchanting centerpieces — a dog made out of flowers!

Young-Williams Animal Center wowed again this year with its 9th annual Cause for Paws fundraiser, held at the beautiful Knoxville Museum of Art. What makes this dinner and auction stand out from the rest is the presence of the adoptable animals, of course! I can’t tell you how many folks skipped the drinks and mingling in the garden upon their arrival and headed straight for the room where the animals were being lovingly handled by volunteers.

My friend Maria Cornelius was one of those. “Kittens!” she exclaimed when she entered the room. And, sure enough, she went home with one of them – an adorable tortoise-shell calico named Moon.

The event was a sellout. This is important because Young-Williams is the official shelter of the City of Knoxville and Knox County and it takes in more than 11,000 lost, unwanted, abandoned and neglected animals each year. Although it is funded by the city and county to take care of the animals they deliver to the shelter, more than 60 percent of the shelter’s animals do not come from the city and county. Generous community support helps cover those expenses. Continue reading →

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“Evening by the Tracks” enchants with menu and music

Posted on November 22, 2023 by Cynthia Moxley

Stacy Nickell on cello Sunday night during the KSO’s “Evening by the Tracks.”

The tickets were pricey ($500 each), but it would have been hard to beat the food and music anywhere in Knoxville last Sunday.

Called “Evening by the Tracks,” the benefit for the Knoxville Symphony Orchestra was held at the future location of Bisto by the Tracks in Bearden. It’s the former site of the venerable Knoxville eatery, The Orangery. The sneak peek was exciting because we all wanted to know what to expect when the popular restaurant reopens in its new location. Although the regular dining room is not yet open, this elegant event space will continue to be available even after it is.

The crowd was intimate and relaxed. Just what we all needed before plunging headlong into the hectic holiday season starting this week.

Food was by By the Tracks Catering, of course, and music was by the Knoxville Symphony Chamber Orchestra. The convenient Bearden location made it very easy for folks from all parts of Knoxville to attend on a “school night.” Bravo, friends.

Continue reading →

Filed under: Events, Food, Music | 2 Comments

Big fun and big changes at Knoxville Botanical Garden

Posted on November 16, 2023 by Cynthia Moxley

Sharon Moore, the new executive director of Knoxville Botanical Garden and Arboretum.

I don’t know what it is about a garden, but parties in them always seem to be fun! It’s almost like you can’t NOT have a good time when you are gathered for food, drink, and camaraderie in a beautiful outdoor space. It just lets you breathe out a little.

The folks at Knoxville Botanical Garden and Arboretum know how to take advantage of this fact with their signature annual fundraiser, the Green Thumb Gala. Celebrated last month at the 47-acre site of the former Howell Nurseries located just two miles to the east of downtown Knoxville, the party was a delight, as usual.

The event also was significant in that it was a chance to welcome the Botanical Garden’s new executive director, Sharon Moore, who assumed the position in September, replacing Jim Richards, who retired after holding the post and doing an excellent job for eight years.

Moore came to the Botanical Garden from the East Tennessee Foundation, where she was director of advancement for almost two years. More significantly, though, prior to that she was director of development at Zoo Knoxville for more than 11 years. The zoo is noted for its  phenomenal success in fundraising, a fact that surely bodes well for the Botanical Garden. Continue reading →

Filed under: Events, Historic preservation | 3 Comments

KMA celebrates re-opening of its signature collection — and a $3 million gift from Ann and Steve Bailey

Posted on November 8, 2023 by Cynthia Moxley

Ann Bailey and David Butler, the retiring executive director of the Knoxvile Museum of Art. Bailey and her husband, Steve, are donating $3 million to fund an endowment at the KMA.

Supporters of the Knoxville Museum of Art gathered last week to celebrate the re-opening of the museum’s signature “Higher Ground” exhibition which showcases art and artists with connections to East Tennessee.

But they also were delighted with an unexpected announcement. Ann and Steve Bailey, after whom the museum’s Great Hall already is named because of their past support, have pledged $3 million to endow the David L. Butler Executive Director position. That’s in honor of David Butler who is retiring from the post at the end of this year after holding it since 2006. What a wonderful night!

The “Higher Ground” exhibit is important because it demonstrates the evolution of the mission of the Knoxville Museum of Art, which was opened in its current location at World’s Fair Park in 1990. When the beautiful $11 million Tennessee marble-clad Clayton Building — designed by renowned architect Edward Larrabee Barnes — opened its doors, the KMA didn’t own a great deal of art. Instead, it made a name for itself by bringing in huge traveling shows by artists like Rodin, Warhol, and Chihuly.

But, under the direction of Butler and the museum’s first and current curator Stephen Wicks (who left in 2003 and returned in 2007), the KMA has found a voice for itself — and for Knoxville and East Tennessee. It currently holds 200 works with connections to our region. Seventy of those are on display in the new “Higher Ground” exhibit now located in its new home in two large galleries on both sides of the museum’s first floor entryway. Continue reading →

Filed under: Art, Events | 5 Comments

Larry Cox truly embodied slogan of Fulton High School, his alma mater: “Enter to learn; go forth to serve.”

Posted on November 1, 2023 by Cynthia Moxley

Brenda and Larry Cox in May 2014 when U.S. Speaker of the House John Boehner came to Knoxville to speak at a fundraiser for Congressman John J. Duncan Jr.

Larry Gibbs Cox was remembered last Saturday as a dedicated 20-year City Council member, an enthusiastic community volunteer and, most importantly, as a friend.

Cox, 81, passed away Oct. 18 following a series of strokes. His funeral service, which more than 200 people attended, was held in the auditorium of Fulton High School, from which he graduated in 1960. The school’s slogan, “Enter to learn; go forth to serve,” was prominent throughout the building. Larry Cox did just that.

Steve Diggs, the president and CEO of Emerald Youth Foundation, officiated at the services. Cox was a dedicated supporter of EYF. “Larry was the founding force of Emerald Youth Foundation,” Diggs said. “Larry was more than a mentor to me. Thanks to his family for sharing him with me and with our community.”

Rev. Bob Bean, the retired pastor of Emerald Avenue United Methodist Church, where Cox was a congregant, recalled Cox’s willingness to help. “Larry was always ready to serve; he never turned down a request to be on a committee,” Bean said. “Every pastor needs a Larry.”

Former Fulton head football coach Buck Coatney recalled Cox’s dedication to Emerald Youth Foundation, Fulton High School, St. Mary’s Medical Center and numerous youth sports endeavors and called Cox “the most genuinely charitable man I’ve ever met.” Continue reading →

Filed under: Knoxville, Politics | 5 Comments

Nourish Knoxville fetes friends with farm day!

Posted on October 24, 2023 by Cynthia Moxley

Amanda Mohney of Libacious, provided specialty cocktails. Alan and I enjoyed one called, appropriately, October Sky. It was described as “an effervescent highball with gin, hibiscus, ginger and rosemary.” It was delicious.

This past Sunday, supporters of Nourish Knoxville, the non-profit organization that produces the local farmers’ markets, among other things, held a sweet celebration at the fabulous Strong Stock Farm on Rutledge Pike.

Called “Friends & Farmers,” there wasn’t really an agenda for the event, but simply music, food, drinks, pony and wagon rides, corn hole, a cake walk and just hanging out. The planned hot air balloon rides did have to be canceled, though, due to winds being a little too high.

The lucky invitees were those who supported Nourish Knoxville at the Steward Level ($150 or more), those who volunteered 10 hours or more, farmers’ market vendors or various event sponsors.

The day couldn’t have been more perfect, as you will see from these photos. Although, once you get there, Strong Stock Farm seems like it is very far away from the hustle and bustle of downtown Knoxville, it’s really only 11 miles! It was enough to make this committed city girl really appreciate how many options we in Knox County are lucky enough to enjoy. Continue reading →

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YWCA honors outstanding women for 38th year

Posted on October 20, 2023 by Cynthia Moxley

Knoxville’s former poet laureate, Rhea Carmon, wowed the audience with her dynamic message of empowerment.

The YWCA of Knoxville and the Tennessee Valley recently honored seven local women who best exemplify the Y’s core mission: empowering women, eliminating racism and promoting peace, justice, freedom and dignity for all.

In a festive gathering at The Mill & Mine event center one block north of Knoxville’s Old City, the finalists and their supporters gathered in a joyous mood to nosh and raise a glass to the contestants and the YWCA. The winners were selected by a panel of judges who live outside of Knoxville.

A highlight of the evening was a poetry reading by Rhea Carmon, Knoxville’s former poet laureate.

The YWCA serves women and their families year-round. Founded in 1899, YWCA offers transitional housing and supportive services to women who would otherwise be homeless; advocacy, outreach, support groups, counseling and prevention services for victims of domestic violence; youth and family development services; and after-school programming. Continue reading →

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