“A” is for architecture — and amusement!

This cool A-frame was a great party site.

This cool A-frame was a great party site.

Have you heard this one? A contractor, an engineer and an architect were standing inside their recently completed building looking out at the street when a VERY attractive woman walked by. The contractor whistled.The engineer said, “Look at the legs on that woman!” The architect said, “Did I miss something? I was admiring my reflection.”

There are a million architect jokes like that one (I know. It is sexist because it assumes that the contractor, engineer and architect are all male. But it makes a point.). So, apparently, the architects decided to get in on the jokes themselves, because a bunch of them and their friends threw a party recently to benefit Knox Heritage. It was one of the organization’s Summer Suppers series.

They sent out an invitation asking everyone to wear black, “the architect’s favorite color,” but allowed that white and red accents would be tolerated “to achieve the correct level of contrast.” The invite urged, “Bring your haughty expressions and cerebral small talk and you’ll fit right in!”

Wow. I didn’t know architects had such a bad reputation! But at least they have a sense of humor about it.

Anyway, the evening was quite festive. It was held in Louisville at the unique lakeside A-frame home of Jeannine and Paul Weeks. I tried to capture some of the home’s features in these photos. I hope you enjoy them.

The house was built on land that architect Felder Weeks purchased for $500 at a TVA land auction in 1950. It was originally built as a vacation cabin on a beautiful inlet of the Tennessee River. In 2009, Paul and Jeannine Weeks finished a renovation to make the retreat a full-time residence, asking architects Bruce McCarty and Brian Pittman to preserve “the soul” of the home. All the original detailing was maintained and a new guest house and covered porch were seamlessly added.

Only one more Summer Supper remains in what was a terrific series this year. It is a downtown dinner Sept. 7 with a Mardi Gras theme. It starts at Kendrick Place and ends at the Emporium. A New Orleans jazz funeral procession will take guests from one stop to the next. If you’d like tickets, click here to go to the Knox Heritage website where they can be purchased. It will be a good one!

Here is the view of the river from the backyard. Stunning.

Here is the view of the river from the backyard. Stunning.

One of the hosts, Andy Godwin, offers chowder shooters during cocktails. Creative.

One of the hosts, Andy Godwin, offers chowder shooters during cocktails. Creative.

Susanne Tarovella was passing watermelon salsa. It was spicy!

Susanne Tarovella was passing watermelon salsa. It was spicy!

Another passed appetizer during cocktails was spanikopita courtesy of Dianna Osickey.

Another passed appetizer during cocktails was spanikopita courtesy of Dianna Osickey.

Meanwhile, another of the hosts, Becky Hancock, left, was checking folks in. In this case, Maureen Dunn.

Meanwhile, another of the hosts, Becky Hancock, left, was checking folks in. In this case, Marleen Davis.

Here are the generous homeowners, architect Paul and Jeannine Weeks.

Here are the generous homeowners, Paul and Jeannine Weeks.

Here is a view of the living room from the upstairs of the A-frame.

Here is a view of the living room from the upstairs of the A-frame.

I was surprised by how large the kitchen was.

I was surprised by how large the kitchen was.

Guests Morgan and Pat Fitch

Guests Morgan and Pat Fitch

Guests Mary and Dan Holbrook talking to Jeannine Weeks, right.

Guests Mary and Dan Holbrook talking to Jeannine Weeks, right.

Lyn and Jeff Johnson were among the guests.

Lyn and Jeff Johnson were among the guests.

Behind the A-frame is a lovely guest house.

Behind the A-frame is a lovely guest house.

Here are some guests in the guest house. Wonderful view.

Here are some guests in the guest house. Wonderful view.

One of the hosts, Jane McCarty

One of the hosts, Jane McCarty

Guest Mike Combs and his daughter, Dana Fox

Guest Mike Combs and his daughter, Dana Fox

Patricia Jobe and Jack Kramer

Guests Patricia Jobe and Jack Kramer.

Soon it was time for a few remarks. It was no trouble at all to get folks to come out to the lovely lawn to listen.

The setting was particularly beautiful at dusk.

The setting was particularly beautiful at dusk.

Becky Hancock took care of the Weeks' pretty black poodle.

Becky Hancock took care of the Weeks' pretty black poodle, Zadok.

Getting comfortable!

Getting comfortable!

And then, dinner, a 1950s era buffet!

Pork and pineapple

Pork and pineapple

Stuffed tomatoes were among many side dishes.

Stuffed tomatoes were among many side dishes.

One of the desserts was my husband, Alan's, favorite: key lime pie.

One of the desserts was my husband, Alan Carmichael's, favorite: key lime pie.

Guests Annette and XXXXXXX Anderson with host Doug McCarty, right

Guests Annette Anderson and Robert Wilson with host Doug McCarty, right

Michael Higdon, left, and Scott Bird

Michael Higdon, left, and Scott Bird

From left, Nancy Nitzberg, Pat Jobe and Gina Buffum

From left, Nancy Nitzberg, Pat Jobe and Gina Buffum

Get a load of this! It’s the coolest thing. It’s called a Geochron and it shows when the sun sets and rises across the globe. Interestingly, it’s not web-based, but is mechanical. The Weeks bought it many years ago and folks at the Summer Supper found it fascinating.

The Geochron is a great conversation piece!

The Geochron is a great conversation piece!

Rich and Jane Ray liked the Geochron, too!

Rich and Jane Ray liked the Geochron, too!

International couple?

Guests Kraig DeBenedictis and Barbara Grobicki

This red rocking chair is at every Summer Supper. It signifies that Home Federal Bank is the sponsor of the series.

This red rocking chair is at every Summer Supper. It signifies that Home Federal Bank, a great Moxley Carmichael client, is the sponsor of the series.

Here is a complete host list for this event: Michelle and David Bakewell, Carolyn and Chad Boetger, Kristen Faerber and Jeff Scheafnocker, Becky and Steve Hancock, Linda and John Haynes, Elizabeth and Bruce McCarty, Jane and Doug McCarty, Dianna and Peter Osickey, Brian Pittman, Susanne Tarovella and Andy Godwin, Shannon Webb and Jeannine and Paul Weeks. Thanks, everybody!

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5 Responses to “A” is for architecture — and amusement!

  1. Becky Hancock, on August 30th, 2012 at 2:07 pm said:

    So glad you and Alan were there, Cynthia! We were so grateful the weather held out. That is one of my favorite houses in the area. So glad those clever architects came together to share their genius with the rest of us. 🙂

  2. Cynthia Moxley, on August 30th, 2012 at 2:10 pm said:

    I agree, Becky! Glad they can poke fun at themselves! It was a fun night — and I love that Geochron!

  3. Rusha Sams, on August 30th, 2012 at 2:50 pm said:

    What a beautiful piece of property. And Jeannine Weeks’ poodle skirt is a hit with me — brings back memories!

  4. Cynthia Moxley, on August 30th, 2012 at 3:17 pm said:

    Hey, Rusha: The poodle skirt was very cool. I think she wore it because 1) she has and loves poodles and 2) they were going for a ’50s retro theme. In any case, I loved it, too!

  5. Gay lyons, on August 31st, 2012 at 9:12 am said:

    I was sorry I couldn’t be at this one, so I really appreciate the account and photos. What a great house. It looks like a very fun evening. Glad you are enjoying the 2012 Summer Suppers. We are currently putting together the lineup for 2013–lots of great stuff ahead.

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