“Gatsby” party was the cat’s meow!

cindi-on-bathtub1

Cindi DeBusk on a bathtub of gin!

I was a little confused at first by the invitation from “the big cheese and his doll.” It urged us to “get your wiggle on with some hooch, show your gams with an old sport and be gay.”

Fortunately, there was a translation on the back of the card. The “big cheese” was businessman Pete DeBusk with his wife, Cindi, as his “doll,” of course. We were being invited to a “Great Gatsby” party! There even was a password for entry: cat’s meow.

Seems the couple recently had seen the latest version of the movie starring Leonardo DiCaprio and had fallen in love with the lavish party scene. And they have just the kind of over-the-top home, situated between Halls and Powell in North Knoxville, that would allow them to duplicate that fictional soiree.In the 1925 F. Scott Fitzgerald novel, Jay Gatsby drives a Rolls Royce. It just so happens that Pete DeBusk also owns a Rolls — but his is a 1986-1/2 vintage.

Alan Carmichael, left, and Gay and Bill Lyons pose with Pete's Rolls, which was parked out front when we arrived.

Alan Carmichael, left, and Gay and Bill Lyons pose with Pete's Rolls, which was parked out front when we arrived.

Unfortunately, we had to leave our guns outside.

Unfortunately, we had to leave our guns outside.

I think Jay Gatsby would have approved of the setting.

I think Jay Gatsby would have approved of the setting.

Cindi helping "the big cheese" with his tie.

Cindi helping "the big cheese" with his tie.

Fred and Faye Langley looking dapper.

Fred and Faye Langley looking dapper.

Annelle and Warren Neel

Annelle and Warren Neel

Kati and Jim Blalock with Pete DeBusk, center

Kati and Jim Blalock with Pete DeBusk, center

Stunning orchids, a very popular flower in the 1920s, were everywhere throughout the party. These were flown in from New Zealand.

Stunning orchids, a very popular flower in the 1920s, were everywhere throughout the party. These were flown in from New Zealand.

The book is set in 1922, so Cindi did a lot of research on what was popular in the 1920s when planning the party. At one point, Fitzgerald writes, “Every Friday, five crates of oranges and lemons arrive from a fruiterer in New York.” So oranges and lemons were a big part of the decor.

Crates of oranges and lemons

Crates of oranges and lemons

Citrus and orchids

Citrus and orchids

More. Wow.

More. Wow.

Tony and Sharon Spezia

Tony and Sharon Spezia

Mike and Kelly Conley

Mike and Kelly Conley

Cindi DeBusk with Kay Clayton, center, and Brenda Wood

Cindi DeBusk with Kay Clayton, center, and Brenda Wood

Pete joked that these are the most expensive boxes in the world because Cindi stopped production in the print shop of Pete's company, DeRoyal Industries, to get them printed! Ha.

Pete joked that these are the most expensive boxes in the world because Cindi stopped production in the print shop of Pete's company, DeRoyal Industries, to get them printed! Ha.

Cindi's mother, Pat DeBusk, made all the food for the huge spread with help from a couple of friends. It was delicious.

Cindi's mother, Pat DeBusk, made all the food for the huge spread with help from a couple of friends. It was delicious.

Cold fried chicken, Cindi's research showed, was a popular 1920s party staple.

Cold fried chicken, Cindi's research showed, was a popular 1920s party staple.

Reuben sandwiches

Reuben sandwiches

Pineapple upside down cake

Pineapple upside down cake

I guess chocolate cake is popular in every generation!

I guess chocolate cake is popular in every generation!

Music was by the Brad Walker Orchestra. Here is Brad Walker dancing with Tori Tate.

Music was by the Brad Walker Orchestra. Here is Brad Walker dancing with Tori Tate.

Brad and Tori

Brad and Tori

Cindi knows The Charleston!

Cindi knows The Charleston!

So does her mother, Pat. Interestingly, Pat also married a man named DeBusk. "I married the poor one," she quipped. Ha.

So does her mother, Pat. Interestingly, Pat also married a man named DeBusk. "I married the poor one," she quipped. Ha.

Pete made a few introductions and remarks.

Pete made a few introductions and remarks.

Sylvia and Dr. Jack Lacey with Sherri Lee, right

Sylvia and Dr. Jack Lacey with Sherri Lee, right

Ann and Dick Goldstine

Ann and Dick Goldstine

Avis Phillips and Pete

Avis Phillips and Pete

Tony and Sharon Spezia

Tony and Sharon Spezia

The DeBusks, center, with Teddy and Christy Phillips. (I almost didn't recognize Teddy with that fake mustache!)

The DeBusks, center, with Teddy and Christy Phillips. (I almost didn't recognize Teddy with that fake mustache!)

Sherry and David Milhorn

Sherry and David Milhorn

Vocalist Valerie Duke

Vocalist Valerie Duke

There was plenty of space for mingling when you weren't dancing.

There was plenty of space for mingling when you weren't dancing.

And then a poker game broke out!

And then a poker game broke out! (I guess this is why they collected all the guns!)

But the dance floor stayed crowded. Here are Mike and Allison York.

But the dance floor stayed crowded. Here are Mike and Allison York.

Cindi's brother, Sonny Gresham with his wife, Stacy

Cindi's brother, Sonny Gresham with his wife, Stacy

Cindi and her niece, Misty Gresham

Cindi and her niece, Misty Gresham

Some folks enjoyed the patio out back. There are those orchids, again.

Some folks enjoyed the patio out back. There are those orchids, again.

Kristin and Mark Williams

Kristin and Mark Williams

Bill Lyons tried on Alan's hat. I think he looks good in it!

Bill Lyons tried on Alan's hat. I think he looks good in it!

Out front, the beautiful sunset highlighted the huge fountain.

Out front, the beautiful sunset highlighted the huge fountain.

If any person in Knoxville could tame a lion, it is Tony Spezia!

If any person in Knoxville could tame a lion, it would be Tony Spezia!

And the dancing continued! Tory Bowling, left, and Marcinda Asburry, Cindi's daughter.

And the dancing continued! Tori Bowling, left, and Marcinda Asburry, Cindi's daughter.

Cindi with her other daughter, Madison Wilder, visiting from South Carolina.

Cindi with her other daughter, Madison Wilder, visiting from South Carolina.

The house at night really did remind me of those scenes from "The Great Gatsby." Fantantic job, folks!

The house at night really did remind me of those scenes from "The Great Gatsby."

A night to remember, for sure.

Click below for a 15-second video of Cindi and her mom on the dance floor. Cute.

Here are some other folks on the dance floor.

And still more.

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5 Responses to “Gatsby” party was the cat’s meow!

  1. Gay Lyons, on August 8th, 2013 at 8:34 pm said:

    This was a fabulous party–great job of capturing it in photos. It was over-the-top, splendid, & just plain fun.

  2. Cynthia Moxley, on August 9th, 2013 at 2:29 am said:

    I agree, Gay. Thanks for suggesting the “downtown carpool!”

  3. Gay Lyons, on August 9th, 2013 at 10:16 pm said:

    Love the downtown carpool. We go to so many fun things–like this one.

  4. Alan Carmichael, on August 9th, 2013 at 10:29 pm said:

    Liked the dance videos. Lots of energy on that dance floor.

  5. Cynthia Moxley, on August 9th, 2013 at 10:34 pm said:

    The dance floor was a highlight for sure!

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