FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 9, 2008

TELLICO TAPPERS TO ENTERTAIN AT COVENANT PLATINUM AWARDS GALA LUNCHEON

The Tellico Tappers have short, sparkling costumes and great legs. Some of them also have grandchildren.

To say they don’t fit the old-fashioned stereotype of senior citizens would be an understatement.

“Just because you’ve retired doesn’t mean you have to give up, back down or stop giving back,” says founder and director Marilyn McKenna. “Many of our dance troupe members are nearing 65 or are already 65-plus, and we’re out there in the community in sequined costumes and tap shoes - dancing, sharing, and loving every minute.”

The Tellico Tappers will entertain guests at the 2008 Covenant Platinum Awards Gala Luncheon in August. They hope to encourage the community to join them in celebrating the lives of East Tennessee’s model senior citizens.

“We’re looking forward to celebrating the lives of this year’s Platinum Award recipients, who are also getting out there, sharing with the community, doing what they love, and living life to the fullest,” McKenna says.

“And that’s exactly the spirit we’re celebrating,” says Covenant Health Vice President of Senior Services Stan Boling. “We want to see and hear about more senior citizens who are making lives better for everyone around them. The gala will honor these outstanding members of our community.”

The gala luncheon will be held Thursday, Aug. 7, from noon – 2 p.m. at the Knoxville Convention Center. Tickets are available for $25 each and may be reserved by calling (865) 541-4500.

The Tellico Tappers, an adult performing group of women who love to dance, originated in Tellico Village. It has since expanded to include members from all over the Knoxville area. The group is a member of the Lenoir City Academy of Dance Arts and offers entertainment services throughout the greater Knoxville area. They entertained guests at the Covenant Platinum Awards kick-off celebration in April, and McKenna is featured in publicity materials for this year’s Covenant Platinum Awards.

Covenant Health is a community-owned health system providing comprehensive health services throughout East Tennessee. Headquartered in Knoxville, Covenant Health includes five acute care hospitals with a total of more than 1,500 licensed beds, as well as numerous outpatient services. The health system also includes specialty providers of behavioral, oncology, and rehabilitation services, along with home care, physician clinics, community wellness programs and managed care products and services. Covenant Health has more than 1,000 affiliated physicians and 8,000 employees.

# # #

BACK