Tennessee

Tennessee Tennessee

The Tennessee Chapter began 2022 with the annual Feast of St. Vincent Assemblage at Wyndyke Country Club. The mood was festive as Mardi Gras decorations were in full array in the ballroom of the club. We happily welcomed guests from the Houston and North Carolina chapters as well as our Grand Commander, Buddy Hagner, and his wife, Trish. We celebrated the end (we thought) of Covid with the largest attendance ever at our Assemblage.

The evening was extra special as Master Knight Mike Fink was elevated to Vice-Commander, Gentle Lady Mary Ann Wassenberg was elevated to the cadre as Master of Education, and two new members were inducted as Knights. Both gentlemen, Jim Lenschau and Ronnie Moffatt, were well-known to all as they and their wives have attended our events and aspired to be a part of this fun chapter!

Following the ceremony, members and guests enjoyed a fantastic array of appetizers and Sparkling Wine before taking their seats at beautifully decorated tables. At each setting, they found the place holder was the neck and shoulder of a wine bottle personalized with their name which they were invited to take home as a remembrance of the evening. These hand-crafted gifts were made by Mike and Judy Fink. We had the pleasure of welcoming Karen Massey of Delta Wholesale Liquors who introduced each wine as it was served with dinner. The first pairing with seared Asian tuna, with a 2016 Cote de Provence, Fleur de Mer Rosé. The salad course was accompanied by a 2019 Talbott Kali Chardonnay and the decadent lobster and crawfish bisque was paired with David Phinney’s Spanish Locations ES.

Ronnie & Vicki Moffatt Ronnie & Vicki Moffatt

Mike Fink being elevated to Vice-Commander Mike Fink being elevated to Vice-Commander

Enjoying an evening of great music at the Enjoying an evening of great music at the Memphis Jazz Workshop Summer Concert Memphis Jazz Workshop Summer Concert

The main course, delicious rack of lamb, was accompanied by a 2018 Allegrini Palazzo della Torre. The grand finale, chocolate truffle torte, was served with a 2019 Right Hand Man Syrah. It was a delicious end to an exciting evening of elevations and inductions!

Kentucky Derby Day was a great opportunity for a Run for the Rosés party at the home of Master Commander Bob and Gentle Lady Gayle Bennett. Everyone was invited to show up in their best Derby attire and hats to celebrate the most important horse race of the year. We feasted on great food and wines as we placed $5 bets on multiple horses to win. The winner would split the pot with the chapter treasury. As the race began, screams were heard for our horses to run faster! There was dead silence as Rich Strike, a last-minute entry into the Derby, raced across the finish line. No bets had been placed on the 80 to 1 horse. The winner was the chapter treasury, which won all the money!

The intense summer heat took a break just for us on the breezy evening that we attended the Memphis Jazz

Sheila Bentley, Sandy Barrios, Judy Fink, Marilyn Schubert, and Vicki Moffatt Steve Owens and Dave Hallin

Workshop Summer Concert at the Germantown Performing Arts Center’s “The Grove.” We brought wine and snacks to share as we listened to some of Memphis’ finest teen musicians, all in middle and high school. We were blown away by the talent—surely there is a future Ella Fitzgerald or Louis Armstrong in our city. Memphis’ music roots are certainly soul and R & B, but jazz is very much a part of our music culture. We look forward to another outdoor concert at “The Grove.”

By Beth Webb