Finance + Legal Services

The Lens of Gratefulness: A Thanksgiving Reflection

Article by April Smith, FPQP™ | Photography by Ben Finch grate·ful / ˈɡ rātf(ə)l/ adjective 1. feeling or showing an appreciation of kindness; thankful In our family, we have a cherished tradition during Thanksgiving. Before the feast begins, each of us takes a moment to share something we’re thankful for. The elders speak of specific moments or meaningful relationships that have left a lasting impression over the past year. The middle-aged often recall a special event or...

Arts + Culture

Knoxville National Cemetery

Article by Paul James and Jack Neely | Photography by Photography and illustrations by: Shawn Poynter, Knoxville History Project, Library of Congress Many people are familiar with Knoxville’s Old Gray Cemetery, located on Broadway. With its winding tree-lined lanes and old gravestones, ornate obelisks and memorial statuary, there is no other place quite like it within the city. Yet, immediately to the north, across a low stone wall, is another burial place that is totally different. In...

Wellness

Feeding Neighbors. Strengthening Families. Building Communities.

A.R. Johnson Legacy Society Creates Sustainable Funding for Second Harvest Food Bank of East Tennessee Article by Patricia Storm Broyles | Photography by Shawn Poynter With the recent launch of the A.R. Johnson Legacy Society, Knoxville native A.R. “Rick” Johnson embarks on the second chapter in his 20+ year history with Second Harvest Food Bank of East Tennessee. A business management and planning consultant with a corporate executive background, Rick’s first chapter began in 2003 as a...

Food + Beverage

Pile it On

This Thanksgiving, Go Beyond the Pie with a Dessert-tini Bar Article and Photography by Judy Beaudin When I had my catering business, this crowd-pleasing dessert was one of my most requested. Guests heap their own mini martini glass with a variety of fall-themed cake or blondie bites, ice cream, candies, sprinkles and sauces. This year, surprise everyone with this fun ending to your Thanksgiving feast. Vanilla Bean Blondies 1 ½ cups flour ½ teaspoon baking powder ½ teaspoon salt ...

Food + Beverage

Annual Mobile Meals Fundraiser, Power of the Purse, is a Sold-Out Crowd-Pleaser

Giving the Purse a Purpose: Helping Knox County Seniors Lead Healthier Lives in their Own Homes Article and Photography by West Knoxville Lifestyle Staff A sold-out crowd of happy shoppers left the Power of the Purse fundraiser the evening of Sept. 18 with purses, bags, totes, evening clutches, accessories, jewelry and great silent auction deals, along with the satisfaction of helping feed Knox County homebound seniors for the coming year. Hosted by the Knoxville-Knox County Community Action...

Arts + Culture

The Delaney Museum at Beck

Rev. Reneé Kesler of Beck Cultural Exchange Center on Restoring the Ancestral Home of Knoxville Artists Beauford and Joseph Delaney Article by Jennie Treadway Miller | Photography by Various Photographers In 2014, Reverend Reneé Kesler joined the Beck Cultural Exchange Center, Knoxville’s African American History and Culture hub, as the organization’s president. Soon after, she inquired about the eyesore next door—a dilapidated, abandoned house perfectly situated for challenges nobody wanted...

Life + Culture

Good Morning, Keflavík, Iceland!

Veteran Armed Forces Radio and Television Broadcaster Bill Conner Is Thankful for His Third Act of Giving Back at McGhee Tyson Air National Guard Base Article by Patricia Storm Broyles | Photography by Shawn Poynter When William A. Conner (Bill) told an Air Force recruiter in 1991, he wanted to travel internationally, finish college and work in radio and TV, he had no idea he would get exactly what he wanted in his military career. Bill and his wife enjoyed tours in Iceland and Portugal. He...

Food + Beverage

Sunsphere Events: Rising to Any Occasion

Making Eventful Memories for Clients and Their Guests 26 Stories in the Sky Article by Patricia Storm Broyles | Photography by Shawn Poynter When asked why she thought the Sunsphere is such a special venue for important events, Donna Little Nussbaumer pauses before answering. “The 360-degree view is, of course, breathtaking, day and night. Where else could you get this panorama of our city?” the co-owner of Sunsphere Events continues. “But, a few weeks ago, a guest at an event said something...

Event Planning + Services

Faith. Family. Food.

Blending Deep-Rooted Values with Elevated Hospitality, Spaces in the City Redefine Events with Heart Article by Patricia Storm Broyles | Photography by Shawn Poynter “Being a restaurateur is one of the hardest careers. It’s not just a job—it follows you home, lives in your head and never really lets you clock out.” Demetrios (Demi) Klonaris, President of Spaces in the City, should know. He’s the son of Jim and Lori Klonaris, Knoxville’s esteemed restaurateurs for over 25 years, first...

Food + Beverage

The Tomato Head

Mahasti Vafaie Celebrates 35 Years Creating a Market Square Masterpiece Article and Photography by Amy Campbell People who love really good, fresh food and local visual artists have a special place in their heart for The Tomato Head and Mahasti Vafaie . Since 1990, Mahasti was a farm to table Medici, who, while offering fresh-local-ingredients, made-from-scratch cuisine at her Market Square restaurant, also turned her walls into an art gallery to exhibit local artists. Amy Campbell, one of...