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.

CASA Winter Blast 2016 Coming February 6th!

For tickets to the CASA Winter Blast 2016, at the Princess, call 865-717-4186, or email lindsey@casaninth.org, or buy online at www.casa9thtn.org.

The GRAND PREES "Last Dance" Coming August 15th!

Janelle Arthur Concert Was Beautiful In More Ways Than One!

The Princess stage would have lit up had Janelle Arthur not sang a word Friday night!

She's absolutely beautiful and her bright smile and golden hair were all aglow as she took the stage.  The applause began immediately, even before she began "God Made Girls", strumming her guitar, the one made by her Uncle Robbie Underwood, capoed in the key of D.

She was joined on stage by her uncle, Robbie Underwood, who has been in Janelle's corner since birth, but especially from the time she first showed her musical interest and talent.  He was there supporting her through her turn on the twelfth season of American Idol, and subsequent fifth place finish.  He was the "go-to guy" on all the local media stations for interviews.  Robbie, an active member of the Oliver Springs community, is also a talented musician and guitar maker, and last night he continued his family role beside his famous niece on the Princess stage.

Joining Janelle and Robbie on stage was multi-talented Daniel Pentecost.  Daniel lives in the Nashville area and plays multiple instruments, and does composing and arranging.  He told me he just got the call to play two days before, but he never missed a lick on the fiddle, banjo, or dandelion!

Janelle began singing and didn't stop until she ended with her eleventh song "Front Porch Swing", which she dedicated to her grandmother sitting in the audience!  Within the song she reminisces with "Swing Low, Sweet Chariot", a 1909 historic American Spiritual song, and a song her grandmother used to sing with her while sitting on the front porch.

It wasn't over after the singing either; she was right out in the lobby singing autographs for a large crowd of her fans.  The line stretched from the concessions back through the lobby, and she was there until the last fan was satisfied!

 

 

 

 

The group certainly seemed impressed with our Princess, commenting on the wonderful acoustics and beautiful renovation, so it is our hope that Janelle will come back soon and maybe consider the Princess her home too!  We would welcome her anytime!

Janelle Arthur Coming May 8th!

The Headhunters Want To Know...

Are you coming to our concert?

CLICK HERE to RSVP!

More INFO HERE!

Mid-East Community Action Agency Fundraiser A Hit!

The Mid-East Community Action Agency (CAA) held it's annual fundraiser last evening at the Princess Theatre, in Harriman, TN.  The agency produced the "Will Talk For Food" show, starring Elizabeth Rose, Sam Venable, and Dr. Eric Littleton.  Also appearing was the Roane State Concert Choir.  The host for the evening was Jeff Jarnigan.

The Mid-East CAA has been delivering nutritionally balanced meals to the isolated, frail, and elderly for over four decades in Roane and Loudon Counties.  Through this program seniors receive five meals per week, and in the process get a weekly "well-check" visit.

Last night event was to raise money for the organization and to recognize the many supporters and volunteers; which are so important to the agency.

 

Those attending enjoyed catered food and drink in both the Princess lobby and the Simply Sweet Bakery.  They also got to rub shoulders with the night's celebrities!

 

 

 

First up was the RSCC Concert Choir performing some of their favorite compositions; some on the humorous side, which began the theme of the evening.

 

 

 

 

Sam Venable followed the choir quipping that he loved the idea of coming to the city that "Temperance built and drinking a glass of wine!"  He continued by educating the audience on how to speak "East Tennessee".  As he spoke he raised numerous "flash cards" that were necessary to explain some of the meaning of some of the words he was using in his stories - hilarious!

 

 

 

Dr. Littleton, always a hit at the Princess, played to perfection the favorites that are often requested.  Of course, the "Tennessee Waltz" and "Last Dance" are my favorites!

During the intermission, the "silent auction" and fellowship continued.

 

 

 

 

 

Elizabeth Rose hit the stage running with a song and story after story that had the audience rolling.  Her inflections and mountain vernacular hooked and pulled them into each story!

It was a wonderful evening and I was pleased to see the streets in Harriman full of cars and people walking around.  It's a shame someone is missing an opportunity to profit from the evenings the Princess has a show.

Next up at the Princess:

March 27th - Annual Multi-County Talent Show

April 11th - RSCC Sophomore Recital

April 24h - Western Movie Night: Outlaw Josie Walls