Personal Information and Items of interest:
John and Pat Blankenship are the proud parents of four children, all of whom are artists. Happily, they get their artistic abilities from their father, who is also an artist- he sings and plays several stringed instruments, including the guitar, banjo, and mandolin.
Everybody in the family has been involved in community theater throughout the years, working with both Cannon County Center for the Arts and Murfreesboro Little Theater, as actors, directors, and/or stage managers. Two of the children actually had the opportunity to work professionally as actors, appearing in the professional theater, commercials, and both major motion pictures and independent film. We are always pleasantly surprised when the residuals land in the mailbox!
John is often found on stage in Woodbury, Tennessee singing, dancing and generally making a big ham of himself. He can also sometimes be heard performing at Miller's Grocery in Christiana and at B.McNeel's Restaurant in Murfreesboro. He serves as a board member for the Rutherford Counter Center for the Arts. His favorite artist? Marty Robbins.
Oldest child, Katie has graduated with honors from the University of California, Santa Cruz with a Bachelor of Science degree in Anthropology, and is currently living in Ashville, North Carolina, trying to make a living as a singer/songwriter. Thank goodness she got that expensive liberal arts degree out in California!
Second and third children, Ben and Joe, are currently enrolled at The Evergreen State College in Olympia, Washington, enrolled in film studies and recording industry studies. They are both musicians- Joe is a singer/songwriter/guitar player; Ben is a drummer.
And the fourth child, Molly, is enrolled in the sixth grade at McFadden School of Excellence, and passes her time playing softball, basketball, and school yard football, when she's not making excellent grades of playing a part in yet another play. She made her debut stage appearance when she was just a babe in arms, and continues to play to audiences. Her biggest role? Ramona in Ramona Quimby. Her latest role? Aunt Polly in The Adventures of Tom Sawyer.
Pat is currently enjoying teaching full time at MTSU, paints and does a little yoga for fun, watches the sun come up for inspiration, and takes long, solitary walks in the woods for both physical and mental wellness!
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Richard F. LaRoche, Sr., is married to his bride of 35 years, Shirley, and is the proud parent of five adult children, 11 grandchildren, and 2 great-grandchildren. Son Richard F. LaRoche, Jr., graduated from Vanderbilt Law School in 1970, grandson of David B. LaRoche will graduate from Vanderbilt Law School in May 2006. Charter member of Murfreesboro Exchange Club, 1951, State-President, Tennessee Exchange Club 1958; Past President Middle Tennessee Medical Center Foundation 1980; Adult Leader Middle Tennessee Council Boy Scouts of America, Recipient of Long Rifle and Silver Beaver Awards; Board Member Murfreesboro Little Theater; Charter Member Knights of Columbus Marian Council 1955; Fourth Degree 1965.
