MEET OUR ELDERS
ALICE ADAMS
What do you like to do when you are not at DOWNTOWN CHURCH?
Take a walk and listen to a good podcast (like DTC service when I have to miss in person.
Who is your favorite family member?
Favorite child right now is Rebekah because she just made me breakfast as I recover from surgery yesterday, and I have a memory of a goldfish right now.
What was the last concert you attended?
Last concert was Yacht Rock Revue if Lent in the Lawn doesn’t count.
GLORIA RICHARDSON-JAMES
What do you like to do when you are not at DOWNTOWN CHURCH?
Read, Walk, Travel, Movies and talking to and visiting with family and friends.
Who is your favorite family member?
My children, grandchildren, so-in-law and daughter-in-law
What is the last concert you attended?
Leon Bridges
DAVID SLOAN
What do you like to do when you are not at DOWNTOWN CHURCH?
Play. I like to play. Like anything. Be it playing sports, playing music, playing with building stuff, playing with hard questions, playing with ideas, playing around or just playin the fool. I love to play. It's kinda my thing.
Who is your favorite family member?
Man....speaking of playing with hard questions...
I'll have to say my wife, Mary Lane.
She don't play.
What is the last concert you attended?
Hootie!
KRISTEN HORNE
What do you like to do when you are not at DOWNTOWN CHURCH?
Pretend I’m an interior designer, take the girls for slushies or to play tennis, go on dates at The War Mouth, get annoyed playing old school Dr. Mario, try to grow flowers…
Who is your favorite family member? Why?
Come on. I’m resisting the urge to make a smart remark. But I will say that it’s pretty amazing that Chad has been my best friend since 1994.
What was the last concert you attended?
Birdfest 2023! DTC was heavily represented in the crowd.
PETE STROM
What do you like to do when you are not at DOWNTOWN CHURCH?
Entertain, hang out with friends and family, and order a lot of random stuff on Amazon.
Who is your favorite family member?
It's definitely my mother-in-law.
What was the last concert you attended?
The Eagles
DONNA WAITES
What do you like to do when you are not at DOWNTOWN CHURCH?
I love being with my family, including my two golden retrievers. We enjoy being outside - mountains, beach, lake, etc.
Who is your favorite family member?
My two golden retrievers tie for first place most days
What is the last concert you attended?
It has been so long I can’t even remember!
JASON TOMPKINS
What do you like to do when you are not at DOWNTOWN CHURCH?
I like to escape to Sullivan’s Island with my family.
Who is your favorite family member?
This is a tie between our golden retriever King (aka Bop) and our black cat Jet (aka Ziss). Bop is one of the nicest creatures on the planet, demonstrates unconditional love, and is the perfect gentleman. Ziss is kind of a jerk.
What is the last concert you attended?
The last concert I attended was the Eagles in Columbia in March 2023. One of my favorite concerts of all time was Zac Brown Band in Daniel Island in April 2022.
ALEX IMGRUND
What do you like to do when you are not at DOWNTOWN CHURCH?
I love spending time coaching my children's sports and just spending time with my family.
Who is your favorite family member?
This question wouldn't seem like an easy one, but it is for me. It's my 101 year-old Nana. She is still totally "with it" and my favorite person to talk to about anything and everything.
What is the last concert you attended?
Hootie and the Blowfish and Barenaked Ladies at the CLA.
VAN ANDERSON
What do you like to do when you are not at DOWNTOWN CHURCH?I like to play music, hike with kids, exercise, and watch (sometimes questionable) TV with my wife, Frances.
Who is your favorite family member?
Frances (wife), Ivy (6), Wren (2), Baxter (puppy, 15)
What is the last concert you attended?
Phish - North Charleston. 2019.
NATASHA DROZDAK
What do you like to do when you are not at DOWNTOWN CHURCH?
Spend time with my husband, three year old daughter and two dogs.
Working out, hosting friends and family, cooking or ordering amazing food!
Who is your favorite family member?
Trick question! Hard choice between my amazing husband, sweet little girl and pups.
What is the last concert you attended?
KISS (my dad’s a huge fan)
WES HICKMAN
What do you like to do when you are not at DOWNTOWN CHURCH?
If we're not at church or work, Meghan and I enjoy being tourists in and advocates for Columbia and the Midlands, taking advantage of all the growth and change in the area. We love bringing our families to town, showing it off and doing our best to recruit our nieces and nephews to UofSC. We also love live music and do our best to see as much as possible. When the schedule allows, we'll hit the road for a quick weekend away or extended trip across country or abroad.
Who is your favorite family member?
Pass.
What is the last concert you attended?
It was either Shovels & Rope at The Senate or the Steep Canyon Rangers at Harbison Theater.
MARIO MELENDEZ
What do you like to do when you are not at DOWNTOWN CHURCH?
I enjoy running, biking, and trying to stay as active as possible. Getting older is no Bueno so I’m trying to go full on Benjamin Button. Really enjoy traveling and going to see live concerts in different cities!
Who is your favorite family member?
What a great question! To avoid a hard punch in the arm when I get home I’m going to put down Courtney haha. I love everybody, but Courtney holds that top spot for sure!
What is the last concert you attended?
Oh man! 2020 squashed the few we had planned so I think the last one I saw was Hozier in May 2019 at the Township.