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& Giving Back Finding Their Purpose
On April 15, 2020, John and Shellie Fellers were shocked when their daughter, Josie, was diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia.
Over the next five months, John and Shellie would split their time at Dolly Parton Children’s Hospital, while Josie received chemotherapy to fight her cancer.
“We had to take turns visiting her due to COVID restrictions, which was really difficult on our family since we have another daughter that also needed us at home,” said Shellie, Josie’s mom.
Despite the restrictions, volunteer services at Dolly Children’s ensured Josie had a cake on her birthday and celebrated her high school graduation that she missed. Although Josie’s parents and the hospital were trying their best to bring normalcy to her life throughout treatment, she missed things at home including being around their dogs.
“We would drive the dogs over to the hospital, get them out of the car and walk them to the window so Josie could see them. It brought her so much joy during a difficult time,” said Shellie.
After months of treatment, Josie was finally able to go home in September 2020. Her parents felt deeply moved and impacted by the hospital. “Volunteer services went above and beyond for Josie when she was here. I told them that when we were in a better place with her health, I’d love to come back and give in some sort of way,” said John, Josie’s dad.
Nearly a year later after Josie’s health continued to improve, John was back but for a different reason. He began volunteering his time by doing the movie cart, which was deeply impactful to him since Josie and him selected and watched many movies together during her treatment. He later moved into a different role as a wayfinder to greet and direct patients and their families.
Volunteering soon became a family affair when their other daughter, Olivia, took part in the
Volunteering as a family and with Lucy has given our family a purpose after watching Josie beat leukemia.
“ This hospital has become a part of our lives.
SHELLIE FELLERS
hospital’s VolunTeen program. Inspired by their giving hearts, Shellie felt moved to also come back to the hospital and make a difference with their dog, Lucy.
“Lucy has made such a difference in my life, so I knew she’d bring smiles and happiness to the patients and families at the hospital,” said Shellie. She took Lucy through the HumanAnimal Bond in Tennessee (HABIT) program and passed her evaluation with flying colors.
Shellie and Lucy now make their rounds each week by being a happy distraction during certain procedures, when patients are receiving IVs or just a child that misses their dog the way Josie did.
“Volunteering as a family and with Lucy has given our family a purpose after watching Josie beat leukemia. This hospital has become a part of our lives.”
While doctors, nurses and other healthcare professionals work hard to provide the best in pediatric healthcare to this region, Dolly Parton Children’s Hospital’s volunteers devote numerous hours of their free time to make a significant contribution to the hospital’s mission. To learn more, visit DollyChildrens.org
Read more stories, and get involved
In Praise of Renaissance Men
We typically regard a Renaissance man as someone with remarkable accomplishments in more than one field of achievement. For this year’s Gentlemen’s issue, we have the privilege of shining a spotlight on some truly great guys in the community who distinguish themselves in many endeavors while also benefiting others.
Like the astronauts he admires, VFL Joshua Dobbs is a man on many missions. Our KCL team had the opportunity to visit with Joshua and his family at his 5th Annual Joshua Dobbs ASTROordinary Golf Classic to benefit the ASTROordinary Dobbs Foundation, Inc. It was inspiring to witness this accomplished professional athlete and aspiring aerospace engineer bring so many supporters together to fundraise for local youth STEM, educational, economic, professional, and recreational development programs.
Renaissance men often shine in second and third chapters. After a long career in nuclear engineering and owning a data analysis company, Brian Worley has created a downtown indie bookstore named after generations of men in his family (a name now shared by his daughter and granddaughter) that welcomes all who love old and rare books.
Father of five, Executive Chef of Oldham Hospitality, Jeff Carter has been recognized for the Dancing Bear Appalachian Bistro brunch as one of the top 100 brunch restaurants in the country. The Plaid Apron owner and father of three, Drew McDonald, and his wife, Bonni, celebrate 15 years of farm-fresh scratch comfort food in the heart of Sequoyah Hills.
Dr. Tom Gallaher updates us on modern anti-aging aesthetics for women and men. He’s also a father, farmer and philanthropist whose annual festival on his family farm raises money for Tunnel to Towers Foundation and Southern Foodways Alliance.
Whether your Father’s Day celebration is a brunch out or a barbecue at home, we’ve got some beverage recipes blended to perfection by folks who know their spirits for a festive toast to the great guys in your family.
And for all the fathers, and all of us who were blessed to be raised by a father who was a true everyday hero, do not miss our PYA Waltman partner Caden Mumford’s powerful tribute to his dad.
Every month is a happy privilege for us to feature stories of talented neighbors who fearlessly follow their passions and define what it means to be a great citizen of our community. Our partners are everyday heroes to us for allowing us to share their stories with you all year long. Thank you for supporting them!
Happy Father’s Day!
June 2026
PUBLISHER
Marc Rochelson | marc.rochelson@citylifestyle.com
MANAGING EDITOR
Amy Campbell | amy.campbell@citylifestyle.com
EDITORIAL COORDINATOR
Chelsea Babin | chelsea.babin@citylifestyle.com
COPY EDITOR
Matias Arredondo | matias.arredondo@citylifestyle.com
CONTRIBUTING WRITERS
Patricia Storm Broyles patricia.stormbroyles@citylifestyle.com, Paul James, Jack Neely, Chelsea Babin, Amy Campbell, Leslie Wylie Bateman
CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS
Shawn Poynter, Big Slate Media, Jack Neely, Calvin M. McClung Historical Collection, Knoxville History Project, Chelsea Babin, Cameryn Mae Photography, Dancing Bear Appalachian Bistro, Amy Campbell, ASTROrdinary Foundation INC., Leslie Wylie Bateman, Company Distilling
Corporate Team
CEO Steven Schowengerdt
President Matthew Perry
COO David Stetler
CRO Jamie Pentz
CoS Janeane Thompson
AD DESIGNER Jenna Crawford
LAYOUT DESIGNER Kathy Nguyen
QUALITY
business monthly
Rhinestone Fest in the Old City
The Old City Association will host its sixth annual Rhinestone Fest, a Dolly Partonthemed festival, June 5-6 in Knoxville’s Old City. The free, family-friendly event benefits the Historic Old City Association. Festivities begin Friday alongside First Friday activities and continue Saturday with a main stage featuring musicians and costume contests. The festival also includes food trucks, artisan vendors, photo opportunities and performances across downtown. OldCityKnoxville.org/Calendar.
The 2026 Bijou Jubilee
The Lawson Family Foundation presents the 2026 Bijou Jubilee, Saturday, June 6. Spanning Gay Street and the historic Bijou Theatre in downtown Knoxville. A festival-style celebration of music and culture of East Tennessee featuring Margo Price, nationally acclaimed artists, dancing and dining. All-inclusive tickets cover two stages, dinner, drinks, parking and an online auction in support of preserving the Bijou Theatre for generations to come. BijouJubilee.org.
Girl Scouts of Southern Appalachians Summer Camp Registration
The Girl Scouts of Southern Appalachians will launch registration for its 2026 summer camps, beginning June 7. Programs ranging from “Ultimate Scout” to “Cowgirl Week” serve Daisies through 10th graders across 46 counties. With $120,000 in financial assistance available, the council ensures that all girls can participate in these confidence-building experiences. Register at GirlScoutcsa.org/summercamp.
Photography by Girl Scouts of Southern Appalachians
Photography by Bijou Theatre
Photography by Robin Easter Design
Helen Ross McNabb Foundation Annual Golf Tournament
The 2026 Bob Kesling and Bert Bertelkamp Golf Tournament marks the 27th tournament hosted by the Helen Ross McNabb Foundation. It will be held June 8 at Holston Hills Country Club, with tee times from 8:30 a.m. to 2:10 p.m. The event supports McNabb Center programs serving children, adults and families across East Tennessee. Four-person teams and sponsorships are available. Register or donate at McNabbFoundation.org/events.
Scan to read more
American Revolution Experience Exhibit
The Samuel Frazier Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution, in partnership with the East Tennessee Historical Society and the American Battlefield Trust, will host the American Revolution Experience at the East Tennessee History Center from June 30-July 7. The free traveling exhibit features interactive kiosks, artifacts and storytelling highlighting the nation’s founding. The History Center will be closed July 3-4. Admission is free. EastTNHistory.org/event
Annual MLK Parade, March and Juneteenth Celebration
Knoxville’s MLK Jr. Commemorative Commission will host its annual Juneteenth Celebration on June 19, beginning with a parade stepping off at 10 a.m. from Chilhowee Park. Lineup starts at 8:30 a.m. Festivities continue from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Dr. Walter Hardy Park, featuring entertainment, vendors and family-friendly activities. The event honors freedom, heritage and community. MLKKnox.org/parade.
Photography by Adobe stock
Photography by Adobe stock
Photography by Helen Ross McNabb Center
Akima Club Awards Grants to Area Non-Profit Agencies
The Akima Club of Knoxville awarded $112,507 in grants to area nonprofits in May. Funded by the record-setting 43rd Akima Cabaret, which raised $215,343 in February. Of 76 applications, 67 were approved, of which 17 were fully funded. The organization, a 501(c)(3), supports the community through volunteer service and philanthropy, made possible by generous patrons and sponsors. Learn more about initiatives and impact at AkimaClub.org.
Photography by Akima Club of Knoxville
Knoxville Opera’s Rossini Festival Brings Thousands Downtown
Downtown always feels fully lived-in during Rossini Festival weekend, Knoxville Opera’s annual international street fair. The May 8-10 festival featured entertainment, food, vendors and much more. Conceived in 2002 as an Italian street fair, it has since grown to so much more. I came out for a while on both days to roam and enjoy one of our city’s most engaging and accessible arts showcases, which is also a critical fundraiser for the Opera’s community programming.
1. Market Square comes alive with music
2. Four outdoor stages showcase opera, classical, jazz, gospel, ethnic music and dance
3. The sprawling market with more than 75 artisans
4. Festival-goers get into the swing dance spirit
5. Opera staff and volunteers
6. International flavors abound
7. Artisan-made pottery
8. Plein air painting on the street
Photo ID:
ARTICLE AND PHOTOGRAPHY BY LESLIE WYLIE BATEMAN, INSIDE OF KNOXVILLE
Dogwood Arts Celebrates Opening of 2026 Trails
ARTICLE AND PHOTOGRAPHY
BY LESLIE WYLIE BATEMAN, INSIDE OF KNOXVILLE
The 2026 Dogwood Trails officially opened with a ribbon-cutting and community celebration at Buzz and Tanya Copeland’s enchanting home and gardens on the Lakemoor Hills Dogwood Trail. Birds sang, and at least one Eastern Swallowtail flitted past as speakers thanked the small staff, dedicated board, public servants and army of volunteers who pull it off each year.
Photo ID:
1. Dogwoods in bloom
2. A crowd gathered for the ribboncutting ceremony
3. Snacks! Love the “Dogwood Trail Mix”
4. Guests meet and mingle
5. Mayor Indya Kincannon
6. Dogwood Arts Trails & Gardens
Program Manager Vicki Baumgartner and Executive Director Sherry Jenkins
7. Highland cows here for the festivities
8. The home’s woodland garden
THE PLAID APRON CELEBRATES 15 YEARS
FROM SCRATCH IN THE HEART OF SEQUOYAH HILLS
ARTICLE BY AMY CAMPBELL PHOTOGRAPHY BY SHAWN POYNTER, AMY CAMPBELL
In 2011, Bonni and Drew McDonald decided to make a big move. They created a refined neighborhood café focused on seasonal, farm-driven cuisine. Sourcing as many ingredients as possible locally to support the East Tennessee farming community was a non-negotiable for them. The vision from the beginning was elevated comfort food, made from scratch with locally-sourced ingredients, every dish, every day.
After 15 years, The Plaid Apron has become a beloved staple of the Sequoyah Hills neighborhood and to the East Tennessee community.
Photo: Shawn Poynter
Fifteen years ago, the farm-to-table restaurant concept was still fairly new around here, and opening a restaurant that used higher-priced, fresher-quality local ingredients was a concept many new restaurateurs would hesitate to pursue. Happily ahead of the curve, the McDonalds found themselves steadily building a culinary community of loyal customers who were eager for seasonal, scratch cooking.
The menu features house-made breads and pastries, artisanal pizzas, elevated sandwiches and colorful “farmers plates,” layered with locally grown vegetables, many sourced just a few miles from the restaurant. Signature dishes include roasted apple and house cured bacon pizza, grits from Shelton Farms and pasture-raised burgers from Mitchell Family Farm, Sourdough and other breads made in house, Steak Frites, and the weekend fresh fish special.
The McDonalds prefer to purchase their produce from regional farmers whose organic and natural growing practices align with the restaurant’s philosophy. They believe exceptional ingredients require minimal manipulation, allowing the integrity, freshness and craftsmanship of local agriculture to shine through in thoughtfully prepared dishes.
If your gastronomical sun rises and sets on the boneless, skinless chicken breast, Drew will steer you to a more flavorful option—the chicken thigh. He is very opinionated on that topic. He is passionate about the taste of the food prepared by his team, and, I would wager that celebrating 15 successful years as a mom-andpop restaurant, off the beaten path of Kingston Pike, reflects his culinary wisdom.
Formerly a baker of bread at Blackberry Farm, Drew is proud to say that a pre-baked product has never been served at The Plaid Apron in all of its 15 years.
Some of the best biscuits this Southern woman has ever eaten have come out of his kitchen.
The McDonalds are raising three sons while operating their restaurant, Grantham, Merrick and Auckland. Their loyal customers have grown close to their boys, just as the McDonalds have grown close to their customers’ families.
The day I interviewed Drew, he casually waved to a family of four, including two teenage boys. After they left, he told me “You know, I catered their twins baby shower, and now they are celebrating their 14th birthday. This is more than a restaurant. It’s a community we have built.”
ThePlaidApron.co
The Tennessee Farm Table is a weekly radio broadcast and podcast created by Amy Campbell that features people like the McDonald family, who produce, prepare and preserve Tennessee agriculture and food. On occasion, Amy also features neighbors from surrounding states and the Mountain South. Find more information at TennesseeFarmTable.com.
Photo: Amy Campbell
Karlene Howie, LPC, MS, MAC
The ASTROrdinary Dobbs Foundation Inc.
THE SKY IS NOT THE LIMIT FOR JOSHUA
DOBBS, HOST
OF
5TH ANNUAL GOLF CLASSIC
ARTICLE BY CHELSEA BABIN | PHOTOGRAPHY BY CHELSEA BABIN PHOTOGRAPHY AND ASTROORDINARY
Bonnie and Les Abernathy with Farah Reynolds and Joshua Dobbs
Joshua Dobbs warming up on the practice tees at Tennessee National
First place winners Craig Barrett (Left) and Dustin Ledford (Right) and his son Beckkham
Joshua Dobbs—NFL quarterback and aspiring aerospace engineer—known for his Vol for Life spirit, recently traded his football gear for golf clubs to support the ASTROrdinary Dobbs Foundation Inc.'s 5th Annual Joshua Dobbs ASTROrdinary Golf Classic. Founded in 2022, this nonprofit inspires and empowers individuals, especially youth, through educational, economic, professional and recreational development.
“At the core, our goal is to inspire and empower the next generation through education, STEM exposure, leadership development and community outreach,” Dobbs says. “We want to provide experiences that open doors and expand perspectives. Whether that’s introducing students to aerospace and aviation,
creating access to educational resources, supporting families in need, or simply showing kids examples of people who move differently and think differently, we want to help build confidence and curiosity. We also want the foundation to create a lasting impact in the communities that helped raise me, especially in Knoxville and Alpharetta [Georgia].”
The Golf Classic successfully raised funds to support local youth STEM and educational programs, benefiting communities both within and beyond Tennessee. Dobbs, a recognized hometown hero, has a long history of giving back, stemming from his middle school years and the values instilled by his parents.
“Starting the ASTROrdinary Dobbs Foundation was really about paying that forward. I wanted to create opportunities for young people to see that they don’t have to fit into one box.”
Participants of the ASTROrdinary Dobbs Foundation Inc.'s 5th Annual Joshua Dobbs ASTROrdinary Golf Classic at Tennessee National Golf Club
“Growing up, I was fortunate to have people invest in me early. Whether it was through sports, academics, STEM opportunities or mentors who simply took the time to encourage me, those experiences helped shape the path I’ve been able to walk today. Starting the ASTROrdinary Dobbs Foundation was really about paying that forward. I wanted to create opportunities for young people to see that they don’t have to fit into one box. You can love sports and science. You can chase big goals while still serving your community. The foundation is about helping students dream bigger, think differently and realize there’s no limit to what they can become.”
The event commenced on April 9 with the ASTROrdinary Welcoming and Pairing Party presented by Food City at the Social Deck inside Neyland Stadium. Attendees mixed and mingled, awaited their tournament pairings and participated in a silent auction, with all proceeds benefiting the foundation. To kick off the party, Dobbs acknowledged supporters and sponsors, shared the foundation’s accomplishments and awarded community grants.
“At the core, our goal is to inspire and empower the next generation through education, STEM exposure, leadership development and community outreach.”
Golfers met at Tennessee National on April 10 with their pairs to participate in the tournament. A mix of VFLs, pro golfers and golf enthusiasts, the players came ready to play and compete for the coveted ASTROnaut trophy.
“The turnout was incredible. Every year, it feels like the event continues to grow, and this year was no different. The support from sponsors, VFLs, volunteers and everyone who showed up really meant a lot. Beyond the golf itself, what stood out most was the energy around the event. It felt like a reunion, a celebration and a chance to rally around a bigger purpose, all at the same time. The end result was a successful weekend that will help us continue creating opportunities and experiences through the foundation.”
Stephanie Dobbs, Operations Manager of the ASTROrdinary Dobbs Foundation Inc. with Robert Dobbs. Parents of Joshua Dobbs
VFL Joshua Dobbs and VFL Sterling Henton.
Joshua Dobbs and wife Jocelyn Lara
VFLs such as Al Wilson, Omar Gaither, Trey Smith, Jauan Jenning, Cam Sutton and many others are frequent supporters of the foundation. Dobbs' ultimate goal for the foundation is continuous growth and increased community impact, driven by the belief that The Sky Is Not The Limit.
“I want people to know that the foundation is bigger than me. It’s really about community. None of this happens without the people who continue to support the vision, volunteer their time, sponsor events and show up consistently year after year. We want to continue building something that creates real opportunities and long-term impact for young people. We’re just getting started.”
Follow @joshdobbs and @astrordinarydf on Instagram to keep up with him and the foundation.
Joshua Dobbs, founder of ASTROrdinary Dobbs Foundation, Inc.
Joshua Dobbs, former New England Patriots quarterback, is known as “The Passtronaut” due to his deep passion for space. He was first drafted by the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2017. Before his NFL career, Dobbs attended UTK, where he majored in aerospace engineering and quarterbacked for the Volunteers. He continues to pursue his interest in rocket science whenever possible. His commitment to the field was highlighted during his time with the Jacksonville Jaguars when he participated in the NFLPA Externship. This led him to spend a month at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center, where he witnessed the historic SpaceX launch to the International Space Station firsthand. Dobbs aspires to work in the aerospace industry after he concludes his football career.
Dobbs embodies a VFL through his active philanthropy: hosting youth sports camps, and volunteering at the Boys and Girls Clubs and local hospitals to improve the community. He consistently supports those facing challenges like cancer or alopecia and actively volunteers at youth summits while hosting sports camps to train and mentor young leaders. His philanthropy reflects a mix of education, mentorship and personal advocacy. For more details or to support the mission, visit AstrordinaryDobbsFoundation.org .
VFL Todd Kelly Jr.
VFL Joshua Dobbs
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Brian Worley’s Antiquities: Addison’s Bookstore
Anchoring Community in Downtown Knoxville
With Bricks and Books One Rare Edition at a Time
For most, a 37-year career in nuclear engineering at Oak Ridge National Laboratory and owning a data analysis company would be the crowning achievement of a lifetime. For native Knoxvillian Brian Worley, it was simply the analytical foundation for a longheld dream. Today, instead of overseeing data sets, Worley oversees a different kind of history at Addison’s Bookstore, located on the historic 100 block of Gay Street in Downtown Knoxville.
Walking into Addison’s isn't like walking into any other retail bookstore; it is an immersion into an "old-world" experience. Housed in the Commerce Building, the shop is a deliberate sanctuary of exposed brick, intimate lighting and the unmistakable scent of aging paper. Worley worked with Tiffani Ogier of Kardia Interiors to help design Addison’s and create the space that it is today.
“We wanted to have the feeling of an oldworld experience,” Worley explains. “When you walk into it, you feel comfortable being surrounded by bricks and books.”
The shop’s name is a tribute to a deeprooted family legacy, spanning generations of men named Addison, and now shared by Worley’s daughter and granddaughter. This sense of lineage extends to the shelves themselves. While many bookstores focus on the latest bestsellers, Worley's focus is on the niche of used, rare and antiquarian books. Alongside curator Jeff Johnson, Worley
ARTICLE AND PHOTOGRAPHY BY CHELSEA BABIN
sources eclectic treasures ranging from 16th-century Latin texts to signed first editions by local legends like James Agee and Cormac McCarthy. One of the store's most prized sales was a 1538 edition of Caesar’s Commentaries, a book that carried the ink-stamped names of every owner who had cherished it over the last five centuries.
However, Worley’s vision for Addison’s goes beyond the transaction of rare ink and parchment; he is building a community "anchor" for downtown Knoxville.
“I really want to be an anchor in that whole downtown atmosphere,” Worley says. “There's plenty of other anchors in many spaces, but in terms of a place to come where you walk into an oldworld environment and you're surrounded by wonderful books, and you're a book lover, you want to sit and enjoy it.”
The store serves as a versatile venue, hosting everything from wedding receptions to mystery parties. By utilizing the very floors where the Knoxville News operated in the 1920s, Worley has brought the building’s literary history full circle. He encourages visitors to grab a coffee from Jack’s across the street and relax amongst the books—or over a game on the shop’s signature chess set.
Worley’s commitment to preserving local narrative isn't confined to the store's walls. He is currently deep in the archives of the Smoky Mountain Hiking Club, authoring a book on their 100year history. Much like the rare first editions he saves from obscurity, this project aims to document the club’s unique experiences and conservation efforts since its founding in 1924.
As Addison’s approaches its fourth anniversary, Worley remains focused on consistency and connection. Whether he is traveling across East Tennessee to evaluate an estate collection or chatting with neighbors about the history of the railway station, his goal remains the same: to ensure that the intellectual and literary heart of Knoxville has a place to beat. For Worley, the data finally adds up to something timeless.
Stop by Addison’s in downtown Knoxville at 126 South Gay Street. AddisonsBooks.com .
Pictured: The Farmhouse Set
Dad Strength
ARTICLE BY CADEN MUMFORD, CFP®
PHOTOGRAPHY BY CAMERYN MAE PHOTOGRAPHY
“Let’s take a break here for a second,” I said nonchalantly, as if it were for both our benefit. It wasn’t. My muscles were on fire, and I was out of breath and soaked in sweat—despite it being 40 degrees outside. I took a wobbling step out of the canoe onto shore, my headlamp illuminating the condensed warm air rising from the river and my body.
My dad and I were 2 miles into a 3-mile canoe trip upriver. It was 4 a.m., we’d packed about 50 extra pounds of gear into our boat, and our destination was a piece of Ohio public hunting ground accessible only by water. I scouted this spot using online maps prior to the trip, and the river had appeared to flow lazily south. Instead, we arrived to find a fast-flowing ribbon of black water, engorged by recent heavy rainfall.
I lift weights, run the occasional marathon and do my best to eat clean. That said, I expected our 3-mile paddle to be a “type 2 fun” challenge to kick off our hunt. Yet, there I was, 2/3 of the way through, wondering if we had bitten off more than we could chew.
Thankfully, I had neglected to consider one important variable: Dad Strength. For those unfamiliar with the term, Dad Strength is the extra gear that fathers across the world seem to find when it is needed most, and my dad didn’t slow down—he shifted into something I didn’t have. We stepped back into the canoe, dug our paddles into the water and laboriously finished the final mile of the journey. My dad jumped out onto the gravel shore and casually looked back, saying, “I feel pretty good.” As for me, I felt completely exhausted.
My ego bruised, I spent some time thinking about where my dad’s toughness comes from, and the
answer is obvious: a lifetime of discipline. I’ve seen him work 70+ hour weeks all summer long to meet hard deadlines. He’d always make time for family dinners, even if it meant heading back to the office until the early hours of the morning. I never needed a mechanic at home, because no car issue was unfixable for him. I’ve seen the sacrifices and his unwavering commitment to his faith and family—day in and day out. The compounding effect has produced a level of mental fortitude that cannot be achieved through physical fitness alone. This is Dad Strength, and it’s the standard I am chasing.
These principles can just as easily be applied to your financial life. Discipline compounds. Depending on your goals, time horizon, risk tolerance and cashflow needs, discipline might mean increasing 401(k) contributions after a raise, staying committed to a long-term plan during market volatility or choosing a home that leaves room in the budget.
These decisions may be uncomfortable now, but not making them can yield much harder ones later. You don’t have to be a father to have financial Dad Strength, but you do need the discipline that builds it.
The opinions expressed are those of PYA Waltman Capital. This material is for informational purposes only and should not be taken as investment advice.
PYA Waltman is an investment adviser registered with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. Registration does not imply a certain level of skill or training. More information about PYA Waltman’s investment advisory services can be found in its Form ADV Part 2 and/or Form CRS, which is available upon request. PYA-26-36
REWIRING THE BRAIN, RESTORING LIVES
Meet the Team at Horizons Neurofeedback and Counseling, Guiding Clients Toward Balance, Clarity and Renewal
ARTICLE
BY KCL STAFF
PHOTOGRAPHY BY SHAWN POYNTER
For Karlene Howie, MS, MAC, LPC, her journey to East Tennessee was a long-time premonition. Raised on a farm in Montana, she felt drawn toward the Volunteer State—a quiet certainty that she would one day call Tennessee home. In 2023, that vision became a reality when she brought her family to explore the region. The moment she stepped off the plane, the decision was sealed. Moved by the breathtaking natural beauty of the rolling hills and the warmth of the people, Howie moved her family here as she transitioned her professional life, securing her Tennessee licensure and opening Horizons Neurofeedback and Counseling, PLLC in the fall of 2024.
The practice, located in the heart of West Knoxville, is intentionally designed to feel both technically progressive and welcoming, balancing professionalism with comfort. It’s an environment where clinical expertise meets genuine human connection. Howie, a warm and empathetic clinician, operates the practice with the help of her “right hand,” Michelle Hambelton. As a mental health assistant and office manager, Hambelton is a vital partner in Howie's mission to provide a sanctuary for healing. "We work really well together and have similar goals. Michelle understands the heartbeat of what we’re building here,” Howie adds.
As a licensed mental health counselor, Howie has an extensive clinical background. However, her path took a transformative turn in 2018 when she integrated neurofeedback into her practice. The shift was sparked by both professional development and personal witness.
Neurofeedback is a gentle, non-invasive therapeutic technique that trains the brain to improve its own function by monitoring electrical activity—brainwaves—in real-time. By providing this immediate feedback, the brain learns to regulate itself more efficiently.
"It is a drug-free method of self-regulation," Howie explains. "We are essentially retraining the brain and calming the world down for our clients, one person at a time."
Howie speaks to witnessing positive results of neurofeedback treatment with Vietnam veterans who, after fifty years of debilitating night terrors, have finally found restful nights of sleep with the help of neurofeedback.
“I realized we were seeing change in a way that traditional therapy alone couldn’t always achieve,” Howie says.
It was a transformation that underscored the therapy’s potential. Within just three months, a family member who was struggling with significant anxiety found great relief. These experiences convinced her that the future of her practice lay in the intersection of traditional talk therapy and brain-based regulation.
The benefits of neurofeedback also extend to those navigating the physical and cognitive toll of medical treatments.
“We just meet people where they’re at and love them where they’re at and help them on their journey.”
"We see people who are dealing with the residual effects of chemotherapy or radiation," Howie notes. "While neurofeedback does not treat the underlying illness, it can significantly reduce cognitive fog, improve focus and restore a sense of mental clarity. It’s a drug-free way to help the brain do what it’s designed to do,” Howie explains. “We’re helping it find balance again.”
At Horizons, where the philosophy is holistic and integrative, this innovative technique is not a replacement for traditional counseling but a complement to it. Sessions often integrate talk therapy with neurofeedback, allowing clients to process emotional experiences while simultaneously improving neurological regulation. Howie and Hambelton believe that mental health is inextricably linked to overall well-being—encompassing the physical, emotional, social and even financial facets of a client's life. Howie adds that this comprehensive approach is particularly beneficial for a wide range of conditions, including ADHD and ADD, anxiety, depression, sleep disorders, seizure disorders, effects of chemotherapy and radiation treatment and neurodivergent differences. The practice also serves children and adolescents in a private, supportive environment focused on long-term progress, improved daily functioning and well-being.
What Howie believes sets Horizons apart is the profound human connection. In an era of clinical detachment, Horizons offers a space where health professionals are committed to ensuring clients feel seen and heard. Clients are not treated as cases or conditions but as individuals with unique stories and goals. This perspective shapes every interaction, from initial consultation to ongoing care in personalized interventions designed to help clients live more complete, meaningful lives.
Howie adds, “We just meet people where they're at and love them where they're at and help them on their journey.”
As mental health needs continue to evolve, Horizons Neurofeedback and Counseling is a beacon of innovation and compassion. By combining evidence-based brain training with the grounded support of traditional counseling, Howie is doing more than treating symptoms. She is helping restore balance, peace and clarity—touchstones of truly vibrant lives—to her neighbors in her beloved adopted state.
Horizons Neurofeedback and Counseling, PLLC
Karlene Howie, MS, MAC, LPC
Horizons Neurofeedback and Counseling specializes in a blend of traditional psychotherapy and advanced neurofeedback technology. Founded by Karlene Howie, a licensed counselor, the practice provides a noninvasive, drug-free option for individuals seeking support.
The clinic works with a wide range of conditions, including anxiety, ADHD, ADD, depression, sleep disorders and seizure disorders. Services also extend to clients experiencing cognitive challenges related to medical treatments, including chemotherapy-related brain fog, as well as those navigating neurodivergent differences.
Neurofeedback uses real-time monitoring of brainwave activity to help train the brain to function optimally—leading to improved focus, emotional stability, better sleep and overall well-being. Rather than relying solely on medication, Horizons emphasizes a balanced model of care that integrates clinical counseling with brain-based techniques. Each treatment plan is tailored to the individual.
The practice serves children, adolescents and adults in a private, supportive environment focused on long-term progress, improved daily functioning and sustainable well-being.
Horizons-NeuroFeedBack.com
A Checklist for Caring for Aging Parents
1. Health and Medical Care
Ensure regular medical check-ups and screenings are up to date. Keep a list of current medications, dosages, and providers. Discuss advance care directives and powers of a orney to clarify wishes before a health crisis arises.
2. Safety at Home
Evaluate the home environment for fall risks such as loose rugs, poor lighting, or clu ered walkways. Consider installing grab bars in bathrooms, securing handrails, ensuring well-lit staircases, and having functional fire and carbon monoxide detectors. Regular maintenance of fireplaces, heating and air units, and furnaces is essential. Keep emergency contacts easily accessible, and consider personal alert systems or medical alert devices for added security.
3. Financial Organization
Review bank accounts, bills, and insurance policies. Ensure key documents like wills, trusts, property deeds, and beneficiary designations on accounts are current and accessible. If necessary, set up systems to help parents manage finances safely and prevent fraud.
4. Legal and End-of-Life Planning
Confirm that legal documents reflect your parents’ current wishes. is includes estate planning, healthcare proxies, and long-term care arrangements. Early discussions can prevent confusion or disputes later.
Addressing these areas can provide aging parents with dignity, security, and support. While every situation is unique, a structured checklist helps ensure nothing essential is overlooked. Planning ahead not only safeguards your parents’ well-being but also gives families peace of mind.
Caring for aging parents requires foresight, organization, and compassion. A proactive approach can help prevent crises and ensure their comfort, safety, and peace of mind. e following is a general checklist to guide families in supporting their loved ones:
PATEL & EISENHOWER, PLLC
Julie D. Eisenhower, JD, LLM, MCEP®
Master Certified Estate Planner ®
ARTICLE BY PAUL JAMES AND JACK NEELY | PHOTOGRAPHY BY KNOXVILLE HISTORY PROJECT
Historic South Knoxville:
A New Book to Capture the Rich History Across the River
The South Knoxville Grammar School overlooks downtown
The Knoxville History Project is nearing completion on Historic South Knoxville, a new community history book to be published late this year. The book will broadly cover all of South Knoxville, but here is a brief look at a few of the district’s notable individuals, industries and communities.
Twenty years ago, it would have been hard to find a good place to buy a fancy cup of coffee or a decent draft beer across the river. But given the growth and popularity of Ijams Nature Center and the Urban Wilderness, and new businesses and residential projects, South Knoxville is becoming a different place.
Long ago, South Knoxvillians referred to the land as “South America” and often adopted a certain pride in being physically removed from downtown, its separateness worn like a badge of honor.
The first settler on the south side proved to be John Dearmond, who arrived just a few months after Revolutionary War captain and Knoxville founder James White, around 1786. While White set up his fort
north of the river, Dearmond established his home on the south side, around where the Henley Bridge is today. Here, a small community known as Iredell thrived for a while, named after a county in North Carolina from which these two frontier settlers came.
A few months after Knoxville was founded in 1791, Alexander Cunningham secured permission from city commissioners (his father, Paul, was among them) to start a ferry service from the south side across the river. It’s hard to picture today, but the site of Holston Gases is where these and other ferrymen once plied their services.
By the time of the Civil War, South Knoxville was still largely rural, and a difficult landscape to cultivate due to the hills and valleys that still define it. After occupying the city in 1863, the Union Army established several fortifications on those hills, including Fort Stanley and Fort Dickerson. Halfway up the slopes below Fort Stanley, once known as Gobblers Knob, the army also set up a military hospital. It may have been a relatively quiet place for injured soldiers to convalesce.
After the war, Jack Jones ran a ferry here for a time and owned land along what would become Sevier Avenue. He also set up a fairground that included a racetrack run by African American horse fancier, jockey and successful saloonkeeper Cal Johnson, about where Suttree Landing Park is today.
By the early 1890s, several churches and schools began to emerge as cornerstones of this community. South Knoxville Presbyterian Church first started in a wooden building opposite where Kern’s Bakery is now. In the basement of that church, the South Knoxville Grammar School first assembled, before a proper one was built overlooking the Tennessee River atop what used to be called Rocky Hill, the lower portion of Gobblers Knob. Around the same time, industry began to take hold along the south shore with D.M. Rose Lumber and East Tennessee Packing Company setting up just east of the Gay Street bridge, while to the west would be the Jefferson Woolen Mill and
Sevier Avenue street improvements, circa 1905 (McClung Historical Collection)
South Knoxville Presbyterian Church, 1890s (Graystone Presbyterian Church)
Scottish Lumber (where Scottish Pike derives its name). A little further south, the Vestal Lumber Company and Candoro Marble provided reliable jobs for residents in the often rough and tumble community of Vestal.
After decades of short-lived bridge projects and some years when there were no bridges at all, the completion of the current Gay Street bridge in 1898 provided a permanent way to cross the river. Despite its recent structural problems, it has lasted for a remarkable 128 years. Streetcar tracks built into the bridge would, in time, provide a connection along Sevier Avenue to a development that began about 1912 on Col. Perez Dickinson’s former 600-acre model farm known as Island Home. With its attractive leafy boulevard, Island Home Park has long been one of South Knoxville’s most desirable residential areas, perhaps even more so today, given the now popular hiking and biking trails close by. Broadway actor John Cullum is just one of several notable Island Home residents. He grew up in the 1930s and ‘40s and lived here with his family while nurturing his acting career in Knoxville.
After large parts of South Knoxville were annexed by the City of Knoxville in 1917, major road improvement projects spurred new communities. Off Chapman Highway, Lindbergh Forest in what was once known as the Woodlawn Valley, began in the late 1920s, while in the 1940s, closer to city limits, Lake Forest and Colonial Village began around two natural ponds, one of which belonged to longtime farmer Samuel McCall. In the 1950s, South Haven, off Sevierville Pike, developed on land once belonging to the James Dairy Farm.
Off Alcoa Highway, Lakemoor Hills and Timberlake neighborhoods were planned in part by several men involved with the Great Smoky Mountains National Park movement. They moved to South Knoxville and built homes with clear views of the mountains that so inspired them.
These are just a few of the fascinating stories to be included in Historic South Knoxville. If you would like to support the publication of this book, learn more at Knoxvillehistoryproject.org/southknoxsubscriber.
ABOUT KHP
The educational nonprofit Knoxville History Project tells the city’s true stories, focusing on those that have not been previously told and those that connect the city to the world. Donations to support the work of KHP are always welcomed and appreciated. Learn more at KnoxvilleHistoryProject.org
Alliance Brewing Company sculpture (Shawn Poynter)
The iconic JFG sign (Shawn Poynter)
STAY CONNECTED TO
MERCEDES-BENZ S-CLASS SEDAN
The Mercedes-Benz S-Class has long been a standard-bearer for full-size luxury sedan elegance and refinement . East Tennessee executives value the top-tier S-Class Sedan for its prestige and performance, tech-rich interior engineering, Burmester® surround sound, spacious rear cabin with climate zones and driver assists in the S-class legacy of innovations for safer, less stressful driving. The 2026 S-class lineup offers a range of powertrains, from mild-hybrid 3.0L in-line six (442 hp) to plug-in-hybrid V8 (791 hp) and AMG performance models, offering comfort/speed flexibility.
Designed for comfort, connectivity and relaxation during weekday commutes as well as weekend getaways, Knoxville families appreciate generous legroom and shoulder room and a spacious trunk for luggage, sports gear or whatever the family’s adventures require. Rear-seat passengers enjoy their own climate controls and Mercedes-Benz Operating System (MB. OS), a vehicle-wide supercomputer, integrating entertainment options. An unparalleled quality ride enhances the cabin’s advanced ambiance.
ARTICLE BY KCL STAFF | PHOTOGRAPHY BY MERCEDES-BENZ USA
2026 Mercedes-Benz S-Class Sedan From Mercedes-Benz of Knoxville: Always the Measure of What Matters
2027 MercedesBenz S-Class Sedan
As Mercedes-Benz celebrates 140 years of automotive innovation, the 2027 S-Class arrives not merely as a refresh but as the most technologically ambitious evolution of the flagship sedan to date. Car and Driver* introduces the re-imagined 2027 S-Class:
“The perennial choice for buyers desiring a curated blend of luxury, surprising performance and stately—but never garish—looks, the 2027 Mercedes-Benz S-class sedan sees a round of updates aimed at keeping it atop the ubersedan pack.”
For over a century, few names in luxury automotive dealerships in East Tennessee carry the weight of history and homegrown trust like Mercedes-Benz of Knoxville, a member of the family-led enterprise Furrow Automotive Group. Test drive the S-Class sedan, delivering the brand’s signature high-performance and refined luxury in every detail. Mercedes-Benz of Knoxville, a J.D. Power Diamond Dealer of Excellence, where you begin “Your Journey, Elevated .”
Mercedes-Benz of Knoxville
MercedesOfKnoxville.com.
10131 Parkside Drive Knoxville, TN 37922
Caranddriver.com/mercedes-benz/s-class-2027
DR. TOM GALLAHER ADDRESSES ANTI-AGING
An Elevated, Comprehensive Approach to Aesthetics for Women and Men
ARTICLE BY KCL STAFF
PHOTOGRAPHY BY
SHAWN POYNTER
Under the leadership of board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Tom Gallaher, Gallaher Plastic Surgery and MedSpa serves patients in Powell, Bearden, Tellico Village, Maryville and Florence, Alabama. Considered one of the Southeast’s premier plastic surgery and medical spa practices, his team provides a comprehensive breadth of surgical, non-surgical and medical spa services for women and men.
Common surgical procedures men seek include facelifts to restore definition while preserving character, liposuction to create more defined body contours and procedures addressing heaviness or fatigue around the eyes. On the medical spa side, men seek treatments that offer meaningful improvement with minimal downtime, and a tailored, understated approach to rejuvenation. The goal is not transformation, but alignment—helping patients look as energized and confident as they feel.
With decades of experience and a commitment to excellence, Dr. Gallaher combines medical precision with artistry to deliver natural, confidence-boosting results tailored to patients’ unique goals. Dr. Gallaher shares his expertise to address anti-aging issues that prioritize authenticity and an elevated level of care.
Q. Give us an overview of the field of plastic surgery today.
“It is an exciting time in the world of plastic surgery. Never before have we had so many different options available. Technology has advanced as well as surgical techniques to provide natural-looking results and improvements for almost any patient goal. Information is also readily available to patients and allows for better expectations and education. In addition, plastic surgery no longer has the stigma of being only for those with great wealth or celebrity.”
Q. When you first meet a patient, what are you really evaluating?
“When I evaluate a patient, my goal is to listen carefully to their goals and then provide as many options as possible to address their concerns. When meeting with a patient, it is very important to put them at ease and to make sure that they are being heard. It is also very important to provide them with information that will help them make the appropriate decisions.”
Q. What does “natural” mean to you in aesthetic medicine?
“Results need to be natural. The goal of plastic surgery is to enhance the patient’s underlying beauty and, therefore, not to make them appear unlike themselves. The patient should not have visible signs of plastic surgery that draw attention to the fact that something has been done or altered. This includes not only looking natural at rest but also with movement such as smiling, etc.”
Q. Where do you see patients getting it wrong today?
“I do believe that social media, the internet and most recently, artificial intelligence, have opened up a great deal of information to patients. But it also has in some cases created unrealistic expectations and also propagated misinformation at times. It is always my goal to listen to the patient carefully about what they have researched and what their goals are, and then try to precisely educate them.”
Tom Gallaher, M.D..
Photo: Shawn Poynter
Q. How do you think about aging? What actually matters long-term? Structure, skin quality, consistency, timing?
“Skin care, noninvasive treatments and invasive treatments, including surgery, all need to be timed optimally with the patient’s life situation and goals. When I see a new patient, it is my goal to form a long-term relationship with them so that they can be guided through the process of aging gracefully.”
Q. How do you decide between surgical and nonsurgical?
“This is a difficult question to answer as options are provided to the patient and a treatment plan is formed to match their goals, but the key is educating the patient, not only on what the process will be, but also what the risks are, as well as the potential outcome.”
Q. What role does skin health play in overall results?
“The skin is the body’s largest organ, and skin care beginning at an early age is extraordinarily important. This includes not only protection from the sun but also treatments that can slow down the aging process.”
Q. What advice would you give someone who wants to age well?
“Be fit, take care of yourself, including your nutrition and health, and enjoy life, but smartly. We are all going to age. We are going to have changes that we are not happy with through the process. We all need to educate ourselves and avail ourselves of options, and I am very lucky to be able to advise and help people and bring happiness and self-confidence with the area of medicine I have chosen.”
Learn more at GallaherPlasticSurgery.com
Adobe
TOASTING DADS!
Kick Off Your Father’s Day Celebration With Beverages That Make It a Top-Shelf Day
Every June, we get a chance to thank the big guy on Father’s Day!
And every June, we look around for new ways to tell the fathers and father figures in our lives just how appreciated they are for all the wonderful things they do and all the remarkable ways they inspire us every day.
For Father’s Day 2026, we were inspired to ask some of our favorite people, places and partners to contribute a delightful Dad drink recipe to create at home to celebrate and make it a top-shelf day. Favorite beverages, spirits, garnishes, sparkling ciders, cocktail or mocktail style, we’ve got something delicious from our expert mixologists to toast him, with a twist! Cheers!
ARTICLE BY KCL STAFF
PHOTOGRAPHY BY COMPANY DISTILLING, OLDHAM HOSPITALITY, ADOBE
Photo: Adobe
“GOLD RUSH” “MAN IN BLACK”
Company Distilling, Townsend, Tenn.
Jeff Arnett, Master Distiller, Founder and Owner
Company Distilling’s Jeff Arnett, a proud Tennessean, longtime whiskey lover and Master Distiller of the Year in 2017 and his team have become known for a Straight Bourbon Whiskey finished with maple wood. Three flagship whiskeys at Company Distilling provide various degrees of complexity and are designed for connoisseurs and whiskey novices alike. For our Gentlemen’s issue, the small batch maker elevates an old school staple, the Old Fashioned, a classic whiskey cocktail made with sugar, bitters, water and whiskey, with his custom crafted “Gold Rush.”
What Goes in It
• 1.5 ounces Company Distilling Maple Finished Bourbon
• 0.75 ounces Honey Syrup
• 0.75 ounces Lemon Juice
How to Make It
1. Combine all ingredients in a shaker.
2. Agitate with ice.
3. Pour over fresh ice cubes in a rocks glass.
4. Garnish with an expressed lemon peel.
Why We Love It
Jeff Arnett calls “Gold Rush” a “lovely Father’s Day highlight. It’s light and refreshing, and something different than an Old Fashioned.” Company Distilling’s core spirits are crafted using innovative aging processes that incorporate different wood species native to Tennessee. The company motto, “Gather Around,” extends to its giving back program, which supports and highlights a different nonprofit each month of the year. CompanyDistilling.com.
A legacy cocktail at Dancing Bear Appalachian Bistro, the “Man in Black” has been a staple for much of the restaurant’s life—a lasting reminder that quality, craftsmanship and hospitality have long been at the heart of the Bistro experience. With Buffalo Trace Single Barrel, black walnut-sorghum syrup, Angostura bitters, a Luxardo cherry and an orange twist, it’s a rich, smoky, slow-sipping cocktail made for Father’s Day—timeless, refined and best enjoyed with good company.
What Goes
in It
• 2 ounces Buffalo Trace Single Barrel bourbon, or preferred bourbon
• 1 ounce black walnut-sorghum syrup
• 1 dash Angostura bitters
• 1 Luxardo cherry for garnish
• 1 orange twist for garnish
• Wood chips for smoking
How to Make It
1. In a small rocks glass, combine the bourbon, black walnut-sorghum syrup and Angostura bitters. Stir gently to incorporate.
2. Add one large ice cube to the glass. Garnish with a Luxardo cherry on a cocktail skewer and an orange twist.
3. Place the cocktail under a smoking cloche or dome and smoke with wood chips until lightly infused.
4. Remove the dome and serve immediately.
Why
We Love It
Known for its celebrated Sunday Brunch Bear-fay, Dancing Bear Appalachian Bistro has been named, for the third consecutive year, one of OpenTable’s Top 100 Brunch Restaurants in America. “Man in Black” is just one of the bistro’s brunch-worthy beverages. DancingBearLodge.com/dining.
Dancing Bear Lodge & Appalachian Bistro, Townsend, Tenn.
THE “FIX-IT” FIZZ MOCKTAIL: A TN SMALL-BATCH EDITION
Daisy’s Non-Alcoholic Bar and Bottle Shop, Maryville, Tenn.
Lindsay and Trenton Elsten, Co-Founders
Celebrate Father’s Day with a sophisticated, Appalachian-inspired mocktail that highlights the best of Tennessee craftsmanship. Lindsay and Trenton Elsten launched Daisy’s to offer a fresh take on nightlife: alcohol-free, community-driven and rooted in connection, crafting personalized mocktails and serving premium zero-proof beverages. This recipe pairs the bold, oaky profile of Free Spirits The Spirit of Bourbon with the local sweetness of Jammin’ Jams TN Blackberry Jam for a drink that is as robust as it is refreshing.
What Goes in It
• 2 ounces Free Spirits The Spirit of Bourbon
• 1 heaping bar spoon Jammin’ Jams TN Blackberry Jam
• 0.75 ounces Fresh Lemon Juice
• 0.25 ounces Real Maple Syrup
• 2 ounces Sparkling Apple Cider (or Ginger Ale for extra spice)
• Garnish: Fresh lemon wheel or a sprig of thyme
How to Make It
1. Incorporate the Jam: Add the Free Spirits Bourbon, blackberry jam, lemon juice and maple syrup to a cocktail shaker.
2. Shake: Fill the shaker with ice and shake vigorously for at least 15 seconds. This ensures the jam is fully emulsified and the drink is properly chilled.
3. Double Strain: Pour the mixture through a fine-mesh strainer into a rocks glass over one large ice cube. This step is essential for a smooth, seed-free texture.
4. Top: Finish by topping the glass with sparkling apple cider. 5. Garnish: Add a fresh lemon wheel to the rim and serve.
Why We Love It
This mocktail skips the “sugary juice” trope of standard non-alcoholic drinks. The Jammin’ Jams TN blackberry jam provides a deep, jammy body that stands up to the caramel and vanilla notes of the bourbon alternative. Named “The Fix-It Fizz” as a nod to the dads who can repair anything, it’s a high-end, thoughtful way to toast to the fathers and father-figures in our community. DaisysNABar.com.
Photo: Adobe
Executive Chef Jeff Carter’s Brunch Named One of OpenTable’s Top 100 Brunch Restaurants in America
DANCING BEAR APPALACHIAN BISTRO HONORED
ARTICLE BY KCL STAFF | PHOTOGRAPHY BY DANCING BEAR APPALACHIAN BISTRO
Congratulations to Dancing Bear Appalachian Bistro in Townsend and its talented team, led by Executive Chef of Oldham Hospitality, Jeff Carter, on being named one of OpenTable’s Top 100 Brunch Restaurants in America.
Selected through OpenTable diner reviews and dining metrics, the annual list recognizes restaurants that deliver exceptional brunch experiences across the country. This year’s list places East Tennessee’s Dancing Bear in the company of acclaimed restaurants such as Zuni Café, Brennan's and Tavern on the Green. Known for its celebrated Sunday Brunch Bear-fay, Dancing Bear Appalachian Bistro pairs elevated Appalachian flavors with thoughtfully crafted brunch classics, incorporating seasonal ingredients—including produce grown on the property.
“Brunch gives us room to celebrate both comfort and craft,” says Chef Carter. “To be recognized nationally for a third straight year is an honor, especially because it comes from the people sitting at our tables.” Chef Carter participated in Knoxville City Lifestyle’s 2025 Summer Grilling Series and graciously shared his restaurant’s Sweet Tea Brined Pork Chops recipe with our readers.
As one of only two restaurants named in Tennessee, the honor places Dancing Bear in the company of some of America’s most celebrated brunch destinations. “To be recognized once is special. To earn this distinction three years in a row tells us guests continue to connect with what we’re creating here in Townsend,” says Vice President of Operations Houston Oldham.
“Brunch has deep roots in this part of the Smokies,” he continues. “People here care about the morning meal, and being the only East Tennessee restaurant recognized, alongside some of the country’s most iconic dining institutions, is something we’re incredibly proud of. For us, brunch is more than a meal. It’s part of the pace and pleasure of being on the Peaceful Side.”
Seasonal traditions at Dancing Bear feature live music during Bluegrass Brunch in the warmer months and Fireside Brunch beside wood-burning fireplaces in winter. In a region famous for breakfast traditions, their recognition reinforces that memorable brunch experiences can be rooted as much in place and hospitality as in what’s on the plate
DancingBearLodge.com . 865.336.2138
AN EXCERPT FROM EPISODE 6 OF SHARE THE LIFESTYLE, A CITY LIFESTYLE PODCAST
Photographer: Brittany Dawn Short
Creative Director: Jen Birn
Stylist: Stephanie Coultress O’Neill
Location: Hotel Saint Cecilia, Austin, TX
MIKE JOHNSON HAS BUILT HIS LIFE AROUND ONE QUIETLY RADICAL IDEA: THE STANDARD YOU SET PRIVATELY IS THE ONLY ONE THAT MATTERS.
After eight years in the Air Force, a celebrated run on national television, and a health crisis abroad that sent him deep into supply chains and ingredient certifications most founders never touch, the result is Oshun — a luxury ritual brand built on provenance you can trace and integrity you can verify. In an exclusive conversation for the Share the Lifestyle podcast, Mike shares what it actually takes to build something worth putting your name on. Read the highlights below, then scan the QR code for the full episode.
Q: YOU BECAME A FAN FAVORITE ON THE BACHELORETTE AND THEN LEFT THE SPOTLIGHT. YOU MOVED TO MEXICO, LEARNED SPANISH, THEN COSTA RICA, AND BUILT A COMPANY. WHAT DID THAT EXPERIENCE TEACH YOU ABOUT HUMAN BEHAVIOR?
A: “If you’re a good person going in, that shows. If you’re not, that shows too. I also learned that people form this parasocial relationship with you — they assume things about you. When in all actuality, different circumstances bring out different parts of who you are. I was on TV trying to find love. The kindness people were showing after felt a bit fake, because they wanted to be a part of something that isn’t who I am individually, but a part of what they saw on TV. And so I had to get away from everybody and everything and the noise.”
THE QUIET STANDARD:
MIKE JOHNSON
“Too many people have prayed for me. So I’ve got to get up and do the walking.”
— Mike Johnson
Q: YOU JOINED THE AIR FORCE RIGHT OUT OF COMMUNITY COLLEGE. WHAT WERE YOU ACTUALLY RUNNING TOWARD?
A: “There was something in me that was saying: I’m not living up to my full potential. I was being a follower. My uncle said, ‘What’s going to make you become an adult the fastest?’ I said, obviously, the military. The Air Force broadened my thought process more than anything. We’re so caught up in our own perception — when you learn to understand different people’s perspectives, it adds to you in so many ways.”
Q: WITH OSHUN, YOU OWN YOUR MANUFACTURING, YOU EMPLOY A CHEMIST, EVERY PRODUCT HAS A BATCH NUMBER TRACEABLE TO ITS ORIGIN DATE. WHY DID YOU DECIDE TO GO THAT DEEP WITH THE BRAND?
A: “The EU bans 1,100 ingredients in personal care products. The U.S. bans nine. That’s my starting point. Oftentimes, it might be the same ingredient, but it comes from a place where it doesn’t have the highest purity. And 60% of what we put on our skin is absorbed. Every product Oshun makes carries a batch number that goes back to the exact day it was created — I can show you every single supplier, the date, the origin. I own more than one part of the supply chain because that’s the only way I can stand behind what’s in the bottle.”
This conversation is just the beginning. Mike goes deeper into why he’s buying land up north, the family in the Philippines who prayed over his factory floor, and what he’d tell every person ready to stop performing and start building. Scan the QR code for the full, exclusive City Lifestyle interview on the Share the Lifestyle podcast.
MIKE JOHNSON
events
JUNE 5TH
KCT Presents Charlie and the Chocolate Factory
Knoxville Children’s Theatre | 7:00 PM
The Knoxville Children’s Theatre is putting on the classic, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, June 5-21. The play blends fantasy, humor and heightened theatrical storytelling. Tickets are available at KnoxvilleChildrensTheatre.com.
JUNE 6TH
Knoxville's Here's the Scoop Ice Cream Fest
World’s Fair Park | 11:00 AM
Celebrate summer at World's Fair Park with ice cream trucks, food vendors, a petting zoo and an ice cream eating contest. This familyfriendly festival runs Saturday from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. TouchTheSkyEvents.com
JUNE 6TH
Martinis at the Mansion 2026
Blount Mansion | 5:30 PM
Join us at the “Birthplace of Tennessee” for our annual Martinis at the Mansion garden party. We are opening the historic houses and gardens on our site. Drinks will be served in the garden, along with grazing tables. Tickets are $100 per person. Blount-Mansion.Square.Site.
JUNE 12TH
Soundscapes at the KMA
Knoxville Museum of Art | 7:30 PM
Live musical performances unfold alongside open galleries on June 12, 7:30-9:15 p.m. Visitors are invited to experience regional contemporary art in an elevated, social atmosphere. Tickets and more information: KnoxArt.org.
JUNE 13TH
Summer Book Fest
Crafty Bastard Brewery | 11:00 AM
The free Summer Book Fair & Market will run alongside the private, ticketed BookTok IRL events, the "BookTok Block Party." This party includes access to panels, meet-and-greets, live shows, entertainment and photo opportunities. SunflowerPhotographyAndDesign.com/ SummerBookFair.
JUNE 13TH
Red, White & Bluegrass Summer Concert
McGill Plaza | 6:00 PM
The annual Bluegrass Summer Concert will feature a new format. To join the America 250 celebrations, the event will be held as Red, White & Bluegrass at McGill Plaza outside the Campbell Station Inn. VisitFarragut.org
JUNE 19TH
Juneteenth at Mabry-Hazen House
Mabry-Hazen House | 11:00 AM
Mabry-Hazen House will host free Juneteenth tours exploring local stories of emancipation and African American history. Guided tours run on June 19 at 11 a.m., 1 p.m. and 3 p.m.; and on June 20 at noon and 1:30 p.m. MabryHazen.com.
JUNE 20TH
Knoxville Brewfest
World’s Fair Park | 4:30 PM
Built on good beer and good people. Knoxville Brewfest is celebrating 15 years of bringing the community together. Proceeds from tickets go to CureDuchenne and can be purchased at KnoxvilleBrewfest.com.
JUNE 21ST
Father's Day Cruise
Aboard the Star of Knoxville Riverboat
Star of Knoxville Riverboat | 12:30 PM
Celebrate Father’s Day with a two-hour scenic buffet cruise on the Star of Knoxville. Trips depart at 1 p.m. and 5 p.m., offering a relaxing experience and great views of the Tennessee River. TNRiverBoat.com/Product/Fathers-Day-Cruise
JUNE 27TH
Tennessee River Watershed Mussel Fest
Seven Islands State Birding Park | 10:00 AM
The second annual Tennessee River Mussel Fest returns June 27 at Seven Islands State Birding Park. This partnership-led event features interactive games, water filtration demos and more. More info at KeepTNRiverBeautiful.org
JUNE 27TH
Women's Basketball Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony
Tennessee Theatre | 5:45 PM
The Class of 2026 includes four legendary players, Candace Parker, Elena Delle Donne, Amaya Valdemoro and Isabelle Fijalkowski; two veteran coaches: Cheryl Reeve and Kim Muhl; ESPN contributor Doris Burke; and posthumous veteran honoree Barbara Kennedy-Dixon. WBHOF.com
JULY 4TH
Festival on the 4th
World’s Fair Park | 5:00 PM
Festival on the 4th is a free, family celebration featuring mini-golf, paddle boats, and axe-throwing. Food vendors will be located on the lawns. The festivities occur from 5-10 p.m., ending after the fireworks. KnoxvilleTN.gov
The only full-service and in house Luxury Jewelry and Watch Store in East Tennessee with unparalleled available inventory.
Rolex and Rum
This June, indulge in the prestige of timeless luxury at Estate House Jewelers. Discover our exclusive collection of Rolex watches, where unmatched craftsmanship, iconic design, and enduring value come together in every timepiece. Whether you are celebrating a milestone, making a statement, or investing in a legacy, there is no finer choice than a Rolex. For the month of June, with the purchase of any Rolex watch, you will also receive a complimentary bottle of premium rum as our gift to you. Experience true sophistication this month at Estate House Jewelers.
We Care for Your Skin
Receive the care you deserve in a friendly, welcoming environment with knowledgeable staff. Medical Services include treatment for skin cancer, acne, psoriasis, moles, rashes, eczema & more. We offer a variety of laser procedures including vein treatments, pigmented lesions, hair removal, micro-needling, skin tightening, CO2, and tattoo removal. Our goal is to help you achieve and maintain healthy skin. You will see only Board-Certified Dermatologists at each and every medical visit. We promise to schedule an appointment within 1-7 business days.
FDA-approved to temporarily make moderate to severe frown lines, crow’s feet and forehead lines look better in adults.
Dermal fillers made with Hyaluronic Acid to help add volume to different areas of the face without surgery.
A series of injections to the treatment area under the chin, destroying fat cells and producing gradual results.
Botox ® Juvederm ®
Kybella ®
ACNE | SCARS | HAIR REMOVAL | REDNESS | SPIDER VEINS | WRINKLES | SUN AGING AND MORE
Robert C. Griffith MD
Robert D. Griffith MD