Pat And Jim Henry Honored Thursday Evening

Both Pat (Patti, as I knew her through high school) and Jim Henry were totally surprised at the huge turnout Thursday evening, at the Princess "gala" thrown to honor their services to our community and the State of Tennessee.  It was a well deserved tribute after a career of public service spanning 45 years.  He and Pat have served Kingston, Roane County, and Tennessee in some capacity since they married shortly after Jim got home from Vietnam in 1971.

 

 

All the proceeds from ticket sales for the "gala" went to the Princess Theatre Foundation.  Jim was also very instrumental in getting the Princess Theatre restoration off the ground.  He is a member of the Foundation board and has worked behind the scenes since 2009, to ensure the Foundation had the resources and influence where needed to continue the project.

The party began around 5PM across the street from the Princess; in what most of us older folks remember as the "pool hall".  That building has also been nicely renovated and it turned out to be the ideal spot for the gala's "meet and greet".  It was once again filled with people from all over the county, all of whom owe a debt of gratitude, in one way or other, to the Henry's.

Music provided my Crawdaddy Crawley and Tall Paul!

 

 

 

The evening primarily honored the couple's community service, but also recognized all Veterans, all community servants, and especially their son John Henry; who was the catalysis for Jim and Pat's advocacy for children and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

Under Governor Haslam, Jim Henry became the first commissioner of the newly created Tennessee Department of Intellectual & Developmental Disabilities.

Jim saw it for the first time as a chance for someone to be an advocate for children with disabilities, adults with disabilities, and children who were raised under terrible circumstances to have a place at the table at the top where they needed to be forever.

Here is the evening in photographs:

Dr. Chris Whaley

CUB SCOUT TROOP FROM ROANE AND MORGAN COUNTIES

Emery Francis Sings The National Anthem

Bill Landry (Emcee)

Muse Watson Honors Jim Henry And Reads "The Dream"

BILL SHANNON SINGS HIS OWN COMPOSITION TITILED “FORGOTTEN SOLDIER.”

OAKDALE CHOIR SINGS “AMERICA THE BEAUTIFUL”

Midtown Elementary Choir

MIKE MCELHINNEY, PRES AND CEO OF THE MICHAEL DUNN CENTER

John Henry - An Inspiration To Us All

OAKDALE BLUE GRASS BAND SINGS “THERE IS A TIME"

MUSE WATSON READS “INCLUSION” ABOUT SPECIAL NEEDS CHILDREN

KATHY MARTIN FROM COLDWELL BANKER

LEE KRIBBS, CEO OF OMNI VISION

DR. ERIC LITTLETON PLAYS "TENNESSEE WALTZ", "LAST DANCE", AND "JESUS LOVES ME"

   

Muse Watson, kneels and surprises Pat Henry with boutique of flowers!

All on stage to sing "We Are The World" while holding hands!

  

 

We are blessed to have such people in our community to ensure the "right things" get done.  Thanks to Pat and Jim Henry, and to all that "do the right thing!"

Come Help Us Celebrate!

The young folks practiced hard last evening to make Thursday evening's celebration of Jim and Pat Henry's life of service to our community entertaining.  

 

Please join us tomorrow evening, March 17th, at 7PM, at the Princess Theatre.  CLICK HERE for details.

You Are Invited To A Special Evening Honoring Jim And Pat Henry

On Thursday evening, March 17th, at 7PM, you are invited to the Princess Theatre to honor Jim and Pat Henry for all they've done for the state of Tennessee and our community.

The program will include other special friends of the Princess, Muse Watson, Bill Landry, and Dr. Eric Littleton.

Proceeds from this event will used to purchase a new digital projector that will greatly enhance the video quality of our movies.

Remaining contributed funds will be used for:

• Renovation of the rooms above the lobby that can then be used for rehearsals, classrooms, and community meeting rooms.
• Exterior digital signage to help promote upcoming events.

You are cordially invited and encouraged to attend this event and support the Princess Theatre Foundation in their efforts to improve the Princess Theatre experience.

On stage with our special guest this evening will be schoolchildren from our local schools.  It should be a very entertaining evening.

Here are select pages for the program handout:

 Please make checks payable to:

The Princess Theatre Foundation

c/o Vera Scarbrough

230 Piney Church Road

Oakdale, TN 37829

To donate online, please go here: JIMHENRY.BROWNPAPERTICKETS.COM

For more information contact Vera Scarbrough at verascarbrough85@gmail.com.

THEY WERE DANCIN' IN THE STREET!

That's right, they were dancing in the street and in the isles last night at the Princess Theatre's Grand Opening!

For those of us that worked the event, it was a labor of love.  Those of us behind the scenes were tiring, driven only by the adrenaline of the Grand Opening; a culmination of years of hard work.  However, when we looked outside and peaked out at the auditorium, we saw the proud, smiling faces of Princess supporters, and it spurred everyone on.

The crowd loved Tommy Harding singing on Roane Street, as the crowd converged on the Princess ticket booth.  Each one was greeted by the happy face of Jean Penley, who had waited years to sit there and hand out "call for" tickets.  At the doors, more smiling faces of the many wonderful people who staffed the entrances, ushered folks to their seats, or just answered questions.

Many more people working security, as stage hands, techs, and the artists were all so proud to be at the Princess Theatre!  It was a long dream come true, and Gary Baker and Muse Watson could hardly hold the joy they felt inside.

I think the pride and purpose rubbed off on Megan Anderson too.  She will be charged with carrying on the torch and ensuring that "the dream" continues to touch the people and children of this area.

Backstage, countless artist, who had practiced only one day for the event, waited their turn to take their historical turn on the new Princess stage.  They were just the first of countless ones to follow.  This was just one day, the beginning, of something wonderful to happen to our area!

 

Oh yes, there was someone else there last night!  One of the biggest fans the Princess ever had...Sandra Stout!

I must also point out, that while all the performers were great, the crowd poured into the aisles as the Grand Prees played an encore!  They must come back soon...very soon!

I'll shut up now and just let the photos speak what was in the air Thursday night.  Welcome back my Princess...we have long awaited your return! 

 

'Nuff said!  We've set the bar high, now, let's get on with the show/s!