YPK Member Spotlight: Get to Know Lexie Walker

Lexie Walker is the Academic Outreach Coordinator for the University of Tennessee. She graduated from the University of Oklahoma with a degree in Arabic and Middle Eastern Studies. Lexie has lived in the Knoxville area since April of last year, and she has been a member of YPK since November of 2019. We reached out and asked a few questions, and here’s what she had to say:

How and when did you become involved with YPK?

I was introduced to YPK by Michael Smith-Porter, I met Michael through working on the same team at UTK. Michael was so positive and informative about the possibilities through YPK I knew I had to check it out.

What have you found to be the most beneficial part of YPK and why did you decide to join?

I have really enjoyed the community of YPK, it is a really nice way to meet new people. I was completely new to Knoxville and did not know a single soul here. I was worried about how I was going to build a friend base, especially since I have the tendency to be a bit of a hermit. YPK seemed like a really good opportunity to get out of my house and really focus on building a community base here in Knoxville. Plus, I am always down for a beer, so the happy hours really appealed to me.

What are some other organizations you’re a part of or hobbies you enjoy outside of YPK?

I co-facilitate a Sounding Board for Young Professionals at UTK. I also have a small terrier mix named Willow, so I enjoy taking her on walks.

What’s one short-term goal you have set for yourself? On long term?

Short-term: I have started my Masters in a College Student Personnel Program at UTK. Long-term: I’m eventually interested in pursuing a PhD, probably in Higher Education. I also low-key want to own a tiny house.

What’s one thing you want people to know about you?

I am obsessed with football.  I follow college football religiously and am also fairly invested in the NFL, you can pretty much find me in front of the TV any weekend in the Fall.

If you could give your younger self one piece of professional advice, what would it be?

I would say to never close yourself off to opportunities, even if they aren’t what you initially imagined as part of your life plan. A lot of amazing things have happened when I opened myself up to change, including my move to Knoxville.

If you know someone we should feature in a YPK member spotlight, let us know at marketing@ypknox.com.

Summer Cocktail and Mocktail Recipes for Staying Cool

As many posts and articles start, what a strange time we are in. The world seems to be in a crazy state, and given quarantine, partial openings, canceled vacations and sporting events, and several random cold snaps, does it really feel like summer? At YPK we were reminiscing about plans and events we would have been attending if the pandemic never arose, which brought us to this conclusion: It might be time to step-up our summer quaran-tini game!

No one wants to invest in a full bar at home, but maybe you’re looking for something a little more adventurous than a local craft beer. Until our favorite haunts open again, here are a few cocktails and mocktails we’d like to suggest to help bring the summer sips to your home!

But first, knowing how to make your own simple syrup is essential. This key ingredient is used in a lot of drinks, and who wants to buy simple syrup when you have everything you need in your house?

Simple Syrup Recipe

• ½ cup granulated sugar

• ½ cup water

Pour ingredients into a small pan on the stove over medium heat. Stir until the sugar is dissolved. Once the syrup is cool, pour it into a glass jar with a lid. Keep in the fridge for up to a month!

The Summer Classic: A Margarita

A classic, refreshing, summer drink with some simple ingredients. Grab a short glass, rub the rim with a slice of lime, then dip the rim in salt. In a cocktail shaker, shake together two parts quality tequila, one part lime juice and one part triple sec with ice. Strain, serve and enjoy.

Mocktail substitute: Wanna take the alcohol out? Simply leave out the tequila and sub in some orange juice for the triple sec!

New Original: The Moscow Mule

It seems like just a few years ago that copper mugs showed up all over the place and Moscow mules were the new rage. And, did you know that this drink actually originated in the 1940’s in Manhattan and not Moscow? It turns out that a couple of traders wanted to sell more of their product, made with vodka and ginger beer, and thus the Moscow mule was born! A Moscow mule is typically made and served in a copper mug. Squeeze around 1 tablespoon of lime juice over ice cubes then add a lime wedge. Pour in one part vodka, top with three parts ginger beer, stir and serve.

Mocktail substitute: This substitute is possibly the easiest! Just get some spicy ginger beer or regular ginger ale that is free of alcohol and follow all the same steps.

Use What Ya Got: Dark ‘n’ Stormy

Need to use up some of that ginger beer or ale you got for your Moscow mule? Try out a dark ‘n’ stormy by adding in some dark rum! Fill a highball glass with ice cubes and add two thirds dark rum and one third ginger beer. Add a tablespoon of lime juice, garnish with a lime wedge and serve.

Mocktail substitute: Mellow it out by using extra-spicy ginger soda to replace the alcohol's distinctive bite. Then use allspice syrup (you can use the traditional liqueur for a low-alcohol version) to replace the complexity of rum.

Derby Throwback: The Mint Julep

If you’ve got some whisky or bourbon around, maybe some mint in your herb garden and the simple syrup from earlier, this will make a great summer cocktail. Muddle eight mint leaves with one quarter part sugar syrup. Add one part bourbon and pack tightly with crushed ice. Stir with a long-handled spoon and top with more ice. Garnish with a sprig of mint.

Mocktail substitute: Take out the bourbon, and sub in 2 oz (1/4 cup) of lemonade!

Browse more fun, summer cocktail recipes at  Love Food. 

About the Author

Scott Beasley is a financial advisor with Northwestern Mutual where he guides individuals and families on the journey to their hopes and dreams. A graduate of the University of Tennessee and Carnegie Mellon University, Scott has been in Knoxville since 2011 and finally started calling it home in 2019. Being a founding member of the Knoxville Community Rotaract, he has a passion for volunteer work and growing the community. After joining YPK in the fall of 2019, he decided to dive in by joining on the Marketing Committee. His spare time is often spent at home with his wife Shannon, daughter Camryn, and their five animals.

Top 5 Outdoor Experiences in Knoxville

Ten years ago when I moved to Knoxville, I used to think if you wanted a great outdoor experience you needed to drive about an hour away to Great Smoky Mountains National Park. I had no idea that Knoxville is so well-known for outdoor experiences. Here are my top five favorite outdoor experiences in Knoxville and Knox County. 

1. Ijams Nature Center

2915 Island Home Avenue

Knoxville, TN 37920

Open daily from 8 am until dusk

Ijams Nature Center is over 300 acres filled with trails, a quarry, a ropes course and much more. 

With over 40 miles of both paved and natural trails, plus some incredible views, Ijams is at the top of my list for a nice stroll or an intense hike. One of my favorite weekend outings is going to Ijams for an afternoon walk with my dog. There’s plenty of room to hike while offering distance between you and other outdoor enthusiasts. 

When you go to Ijams you have to check out Mead’s Quarry. The quarry has a great swimming area and a separate spot if canoeing, kayaking, or paddle boarding are more your thing. You can rent the equipment at the River Sports location near the quarry. But be warned: during their peak times you could be waiting hours for a rental to become available. Luckily the wilderness beer garden is close by – perfect to pass a couple of hours easily. 

First time visiting Ijams? I would recommend going inside the Visitors Center to get some insight into the trails. The Visitors Center also has an exhibit hall with non-releasable animals and information on the ecosystems at Ijams. 

After the adventure? Ijams is close to some great South Knoxville breweries like Alliance, Printshop and Hi-Wire. Each place provides the perfect atmosphere to recover after a long hike!

2. House Mountain

9601 Hogskin Rd, 

Corryton, TN 37721

Open daily from sunrise to sunset

House Mountain is a 500-acre scenic beauty about 30 minutes from downtown Knoxville. The highest peak in Knox County, House Mountain offers unparalleled views of the area. 

With nearly 6 miles of relatively wooded trails, this spot is perfect for hiking and bird watching; though, the hike is not for the faint of heart. At points, this natural trail is pretty steep. It’s a moderate hike. One of my favorite things about House Mountain is when you’re hiking, you are completely immersed in nature and feel so far away from the city. In addition, I’ve never found House Mountain particularly busy.

This outdoor excursion can easily take up an afternoon so pack a lunch and make a day of it! At the very least, though, be sure to pack some water and healthy snacks for your trek through this hidden gem of our community. 

3. Concord Park

10909 South Northshore Drive

Knoxville, TN 37922

Open daily from dawn until dusk

When I think of Concord Park I think of families, because this 500-acre park has something for every member of your household! 

Located in West Knox County, Concord offers both natural and paved trails – perfect for biking, hiking, or walking. The paved trails are especially easy going! There is a large playground and tons of picnic and pavilion spaces. Among the many other amenities are a skate park, putting green and tennis courts. 

Concord Park also has a location, River Sports at The Cove, that rents out kayaks, paddle boards, canoes, and mountain bikes. I’m sure they get busy; however, I’ve been here several times on different days of the week and I’ve never waited to rent equipment from here. In addition, there’s a great swimming area nearby. 

Finally, when I say the WHOLE family, I mean it. Concord also features a small and large dog park complete with a swimming area for the pup. After the adventure? Sit down for a delicious meal at Lakeside Tavern. The patio has some especially great views!

4. Knoxville Botanical Garden and Arboretum

2743 Wimpole Avenue

Knoxville, TN 37914

Gardens open daily, from sunrise to sunset

See what's blooming at Knoxville Botanical Garden and Arboretum, a 47-acre oasis in the middle of East Knoxville. The Botanical Garden and Arboretum is one of the most beautiful picnic spots in Knoxville and features walking trails, display gardens, unique and historic horticulture with over two miles of distinctive stone walls and timeless buildings. Relax in the Butterfly Meadow, experience the Dogwood Nature Trail, and explore the Master Gardener Beds.

And don't miss the Martha H. Ashe Garden, a picturesque garden showcase highlighting the many plants found in the 16-acre nursery. 

After the adventure? Treat yourself to Chandler's for some of the best home cooking around! 

5. IC King Park 

2625 Maryville Pike

Open daily, from dawn until dusk

Located in South Knox County, IC King Park features 7 miles of easy to moderate trails and boasts beautiful views of the Tennessee River. The trails are well maintained. The natural trails at IC King offer a great place to hike, run or bike. I think trail runners and mountain bikers will especially like IC King. In 2019, there was a 10- acre expansion that brought a playground, 2-acre dog park, picnic pavilions and a connection that links the new expanded space to the original trails. 

It can get pretty slippery after a hard rain, so don’t go biking after a storm. This is a heavily wooded area and the trails are pretty wide. I’ve always felt a sense of adventure while twisting and turning through the woods at IC King Park. 

If you’re looking for an easy to moderate hike this place is for you!

After the adventure? Check out Sweet P's Barbeque & Soul House just a short drive from the park. 

Knoxville has so many opportunities to explore the outdoors! For more information and to check out other outdoor sites, I would recommend visiting outdoorknoxville.com and visitknoxville.com. Happy exploring!

About the Author

A Memphis native, Michael Smith-Porter came to Knoxville in 2010 for college. He fell in love with the city and never left. Currently, Michael works as a project coordinator for the University of Tennessee and serves as president-elect for Young Professionals of Knoxville. When he’s not at work or connecting with people at YPK events, you can find him hiking with his partner, Jordan, and their energetic dog, Boots, and enjoying Knoxville’s many craft breweries and restaurants. 

How To Stay Connected During Social Distancing

As an extrovert, the idea of social distancing has personally summoned up some heebie-jeebies. Don’t get me wrong, I’m all for curling up on the couch, watching my favorite Netflix show and cuddling with my dog, but I can only sustain that for so long before I need human interaction. As our nation works to prevent the spread of COVID-19,  I’ve found I need to change my perspective on how to connect without compromising the health of myself and those around me. While I can’t replace the exact interaction that comes from visiting my favorite local watering hole, I can explore new ways of connecting, like those listed below, to help combat both COVID-19 and those heebie-jeebies I get from a little too much me time. 

Take Advantage of Technology

Skype, Zoom, Facebook Messenger...even Snapchat has a video chat option! Rethink the way you communicate with your friends by hosting a watch party (check out the Top 10 Things to Binge YPK member Hailey put together); gather your fellow book lovers for a digital discussion of your latest read using your Knox County Library Card for online downloads of audio and e-books; or plan a group video chat on your favorite platform to compare social distancing snacks. 

Redefine Adventure 

As businesses and organizations adjust hours and public access, we're challenged with needing to find new ways to explore and interact. While you may not be able to jump on a plane and adventure to a new destination, Google provides digital travel to National Parks, popular museums around the world, and even Mars. A quick internet search of ‘online virtual tours’ brings up plenty of additional options to help you stamp that digital passport. You can also visit the social media accounts and websites of your favorite spots to see if they are offering any behind the scenes access in response to public health and safety measures. A personal favorite is the 'Bringing the Zoo to You' videos and info from Zoo Knoxville - check out the Great Apes and their recent St. Patrick's Day fun!

Switching It Up

While my first thoughts of social distancing included hunkering down on the couch, laptop in one hand, TV remote in the other, with empty coffee cups and chocolate wrappers surrounding me, I now think of a recent news story focused on neighbors in Italy making the best of their situation. They were seen playing music together from their porches, having conversations over fences, and even creating games that could be played at a distance. Switching up your social distancing strategy could include setting up lawn chairs in your front yard and hanging out with neighbors as they sit in their yard across the street. Maybe it’s video calling a family member or friend to have them teach you how to make a new recipe instead of just asking them to send the information via email. It might even be something as little as turning your text conversation into a video message for some face-to-face interaction.

*This is an unsponsored article. Clicking any of the informational links above will take you to a website that is not operated by the Young Professionals of Knoxville. While we only link to sites that we feel will be useful to our readers, privacy, accessibility and security policies may vary between Young Professionals of Knoxville and the website host.*

About the Author: 

Richelle Ballenger is a nonprofit marketing director by day and shameless dog mom by night. A proud graduate of the University of North Dakota, she has a Bachelor of Arts in communication, a Master of Public Administration, and is more than happy to discuss the use of correct color codes, current public policy initiatives, and how North Dakota is just a different kind of cold. A Minnesota native, she and her husband moved to Knoxville in 2017 and she joined the Young Professionals of Knoxville in the fall of 2019. When she’s not working, you'll usually find Ballenger at a local brewery, the dog park with Taz, her spoiled rotten Gordon Setter, or camped out with a good book and copious amounts of coffee.

YPK's Response to COVID-19

YPK Members and Friends,

Young Professionals of Knoxville is committed to doing our part to help #flattenthecurve. 

To ensure the safety of our members and be proactive in preventing transmission of COVID-19 in Knoxville, we are canceling all YPK events through May 10.

All active members will receive a two month membership extension.

I personally encourage all our members to practice social distancing during this time for your and others' health.

To stay updated, visit www.ypknox.com and follow our social media channels for the latest information. Should you have questions, please email contact@ypknox.com.

We thank all our loyal members and community partners for your understanding and appreciate your ongoing engagement with YPK.

Be well,

Britney Sink
2020 President